Fernando directed his attention to the trio that stood before him. They kneeled, bowing their heads. Almost immediately, Seph began to break down, falling to his knees and sobbing.

"I don't want to go to prison, I'm too innocent, I don't even belong here! I didn't do it, I swear, it was all these two!" He exclaimed.

King Fernando began, "Pull yourself together, this isn't what it seems like. Cliff Erikson. Known to most people in this city as 'The Human Hill'. That man has been causing this city grief for many years. He has killed, robbed, and disturbed the peace too many times to keep track. My personal guard has been unable to detain him under any situation. Now suddenly you three arrive, and within a single day, you've removed the most dangerous criminal in the city from the streets. I apologize for having you brought here in chains. The reason I have called you here to meet you is to thank you for doing this city such a service. As king, I am not able to condone the murder of a citizen, much less praise it publically, therefore, I was forced to make it appear as though you were being arrested. Tonight we shall feast, and you shall stay the night in the castle, in the unused barracks in the West wing. If you have any requests, by all means, simply ask. I, and this city is indebted to you."

Oscar couldn't believe his stroke of sheer dumb luck. He was completely bewildered.

"Thank you very much, your majesty," Gell said to him.

Oscar and Seph followed suit, Seph wiping the tears from his eyes and still trying to hold it together from the breakdown he'd experienced earlier.

Fernando continued, exalting them for their great deed to the city. When he was done, he dismissed them, and Oscar asked if there might be a time when he could bring up a matter of great importance concerning the villages near Shingen. Oscar was granted another audience with him alone that afternoon.

Oscar anxiously waited for the designated time of his meeting with King Fernando. Once the eternity had passed, he was finally able to speak to the king. He was brought back into the throne room, alone this time. He addressed Fernando with a bow, thanking him for giving him the opportunity.

"What troubles you, my friend?" Fernando asked him.

Oscar detailed the events of the previous day. He told Fernando about the necromancer, and how it had burned Arrow's Peak to the ground. Oscar told him that as far as he knew, he was the only survivor. Oscar said that he was worried about other villages nearby, and told Fernando that the necromancer bore the mark of Lum. Until that point, Fernando had seemed invested in the story, but the word Lum struck a chord with him. He reacted immediately.

"I see," he said, "This is not good. We have been receiving reports of villages being attacked by creatures that appeared to be undead, and some even claimed to see a figure that appeared to be controlling them. These were usually stories of faraway outposts, but they've been growing closer and closer in recent days, though never anything so close as Arrow's Peak. I am deeply sorry to hear this news. This is an act of war against the followers of Solace. This menace must be disposed of. We have heard whisperings of a camp, northwest of the city, where a group of Lum's followers is said to be staying. There, you may find your necromancer. It is several days away from here, and we have no confirmed evidence. You have seen what it can do first hand, and you survived. I'd like you to go on an expedition there. If you find him, and you defeat him, you can come back expecting a heavy bounty. Do you accept?"

"I do," said Oscar.

"This being is a threat to our way of life. He must be exterminated. Gather a party, I shall supply you with mounts for your journey. You shall leave tomorrow morning."

"Yes, your majesty," Oscar said.

"I would like for you to take along my daughter, Scarlet to witness the expedition. She will not be a burden, she is as skilled a warrior as any you might meet. She shall be prepared to leave tomorrow morning. Gather your men and have them meet with us on the palace steps at dawn. Do not forget the banquet is to be held tonight."

"I shall not. I will be prepared before dawn tomorrow."

Their meeting ended, and Oscar bowed once again before the mighty king. On his way out of the throne room, Oscar had the feeling of being watched. He felt a stare burning into his back. Oscar turned around and looked down the hallway, seeing a tapestry move slightly, as if a person had moved by it quickly. Oscar took another look around before turning back and walking down the hall toward the barracks where he, Gell, and Seph were staying. It wasn't long before Oscar felt another stare on his back. The hairs on his neck stood at attention. He quickly turned around, catching the foot of a person as they rounded the corner.

"Come back!" He called out, following them around the corner. When Oscar turned the corner, he saw nothing but an empty corridor. He sighed and continued on his way. It was the third time that Oscar felt the stare when he called out, "I know you're there!" turning around to see no sign of a person anywhere. When he turned back, he saw her, standing in front of him. She had dark hair, it was cut at her shoulders. She wore a hooded cloak that concealed most of her face until she took it down.

"Hello," she said.