For a cemetery, the Valhingen Graveyard was rather a nice place to visit in Phlan. Whereas the buildings surrounding the Valhingen Graveyard were in shambles, the cemetery was well maintained. Nordak and the other followers of Kelemvor tended to the graveyard during the day, and even with the sun continuing to set, Pallas didn't feel the area was ominous like other graveyards he had been to. If it weren't for the numerous corpses buried under the ground, the area might have been a nice park.

Nordak led the way across a gravel walkway that winded through several trees that grew across the cemetery. Lined across the ground were several tombstones, and in the distance, Pallas could make out mausoleums, monuments, and statues of fallen heroes. Arannis followed directly behind Nordak, taking off his brimmed hat and holding it at his side. With the sun not as high, the dark elf didn't need to learn about his sunlight sensitivity harming him. Hana and Nalos walked side-by-side in front of Pallas, who rubbed at his eyes. His headache had faded away but he knew that after completing whatever quest Doomguide Yovir had in mind, he would need a good and long break for himself.

Eventually, the group of adventurers came across two acolytes, a man and a woman, marked as such by the simple gray robes they wore. They tended to nearby graves with the man pulling out weeds while the woman tended to a shrub with a pair of shears. Pallas had expected for the man to be Doomguide Yovir, recalling that he had no problem with such mundane work the first time the half-elf had met the priest. However, he quickly realized that the man was too young to be Yovir and kept his distance as Nordak stepped up to greet the pair.

"Drolo, Fedya," the dwarf greeted, familiar with the two acolytes. "Is Doomguide Yovir tending to the graveyard?"

The man, Drolo, stood up from the ground. "Not tonight, Nordak. He's inside the old chapel if you're looking for him."

"Thank you," Nordak said. "We'll be on our way then."

Nordak led the way toward the chapel with Pallas offering the pair of acolytes a parting wave. It didn't take the adventurers too long to find the chapel with Nordak leading the way. Inside of the chapel, the adventurers found Doomguide Yovir sweeping up the floor between the pews. He turned to face the adventurers, and with a gentle smile, he set his broom up against one of the wooden benches. Pallas had only seen Yovir a few times but understood how important it was to maintain a professional relationship with him. The followers of Kelemvor in Phlan were some of the only few the monk felt trusting to take a job from.

"Good evening, Nordak. I see that you've brought your friends."

"Aye, Doomguide. I told them that you were looking for help with a task and they were interested."

"It's good to see you again," Arannis said, nodding as he stepped alongside Nordak. "Thank you again for telling us about the attacks across the Moonsea last time we met."

"And thank you for putting an end to them," Yovir chuckled. "Worry not about this task being as long or dangerous as that. I hope that it's quite simple and it won't take you out of Phlan."

"What can you tell us about what we're supposed to do?"

"First, I would like to give a quick history lesson," Yovir started. "Over the past century, Valhingen Graveyard has gone from being overrun with undead to how it is today thanks to aid of Kelemvorites such as Nordak and myself. The beauty of the cemetery is our reward for our duty and our gift to the people of Phlan, who had suffered throughout the years as well, and deserve a quiet place to rest when their life is over."

"You've done a great job," Nalos complimented. "I hope I don't have to die for a long time, but when I do, I hope to be put to rest somewhere as beautiful as Valhingen Graveyard."

"It takes a lot of hard work but it's necessary all the same," Nordak noted. "I wouldn't do anything else with my life."

"What does this have to do with us?" Pallas questioned, growing impatient.

"I'm afraid that the peace of the cemetery is at risk," Yovir admitted with a sigh. "About a month ago, a young initiate vanished without a word. At first, I didn't think much of the disappearance. The work of a Kelemvorite is necessary as Nordak says but can be difficult. Many novices lead the order after months. It was only when Brother Rasoran disappeared as well when I had to consider that something was wrong."

"I've met Rasoran once and got to know him," Nordak said and frowned. "He had been a follower of Kelemvor for a decade."

"Exactly," Yovir nodded. "Then, Sister Bethel disappeared, and once we found her partially eaten, I knew what we were dealing with. I'm afraid that the undead are active within the Valhingen Graveyard once more."

Nalos gasped. "That's terrible to hear! We have to do something before more people are killed!"

"I agree with the sentiment, but to be honest, I didn't see any sign of undead on our way to the chapel," Arannis pointed out. "Are you sure that there are undead within Phlan?"

"There's more to Valhingen Graveyard than what you see," Yovir explained. "If there are undead to worry about, they can be found below, in the catacombs. I've led a few of my senior priests but they are quite large and our search would have taken too long. I've sealed the entrance to the catacombs but someone needs to deal with the undead before they escape."

"Kelemvor will not stand for the dead to rise as monsters," Nordak declared. "You can count on me."

"It's important that we deal with this potential threat before it grows out of hand," Arannis nodded in agreement. "I think I speak on behalf of my friends when I say that we're willing to accept the job."

Hana and Nalos offered no objections, and after some thought, Pallas nodded alongside the pair in agreement. This wasn't the first time the group had to deal with undead and they were aware of how dangerous they could be. If the undead were able to get out of the catacombs and graveyard, Phlan could be in danger. It was important to put an end to the threat before it grew out of hand.

Dispatching the undead alone wouldn't be enough. Pallas didn't know a lot about magic or undead but even he understood that someone or something had to raise the dead. He didn't share his concerns yet, figuring that the subject would come up on its own and he wasn't sure if Kelemvorites would be offended at the idea of a necromancer operating in their graveyard out of sight.

"Unlike your last job I offered, you will be paid for your work tonight," Yovir told the adventurers. "I offer a hundred gold coins along with a pair of goggles that will allow you to see in the dark. All I ask is that you don't disturb the buried dead within the catacombs and that you work alongside a paladin that has heard of our plight and volunteered to help. Since the catacombs are quite extensive, I shall send a guide along with you as well. She isn't as great of a fighter as you are but she knows her way around."

"What about Nordak?" Hana asked. "Wouldn't he be able to guide our way through the catacombs?"

"Actually, I haven't been in Phlan's catacombs before," Nordak admitted. "A guide would be appreciated."

"Could we meet with the guide and paladin before we head into the catacombs?" Arannis asked.

"Of course," Yovir nodded. "Camilla, the paladin, should be here by sunset in a few minutes. As for the guide, one moment. Cassyt! If you would come in."

At Yovir's calls, one of the doors in the chapel opened up and a young woman dressed in familiar gray robes stepped forward. Her brown hair was cut short, revealing a pair of short yet pointed ears. Pallas waved at her, always glad to meet another half-elf. Cassyt smiled warmly at the adventurers, lacking the grim disposition that Yovir and Nordak both possessed.

"Good evening," she greeted when stepping up to join the group. "Nordak, are these the friends you've told us about? The ones you go on adventures with."

"That we are," Nalos nodded with a smile. "Nordak, I'm surprised that you talk about us."

"Some of the priests wouldn't leave me alone until I shared some stories," Nordak said with a grunt. "Still, we can trust Cassyt. She's smart and capable."

"Thank you for the praise. I promise to not let any of you down."

Arannis had finished properly introducing himself and his companions when the doors to the chapel swung open. The adventurers turned to the open door, expecting to meet with the paladin. Camilla stepped into the chapel, adorned in golden armor with a long maul holstered behind her back. Pallas wondered if she was as strong and capable as Arannis when he looked up at her face. It was then that he realized he had met Camilla earlier in the day and that she was the reason he had pushed for his friends to go on the quest.

Camilla Ennius glared at Pallas. "You again!"

"Just our luck," Pallas groaned, feeling his headache return.

"Hold on," Arannis stepped between the two. "You two have met already?"

"Unfortunately so," Camilla answered with a nod. "Doomguide, I don't need help from a band of adventurers that includes two drunks."

"We were here first!" Nalos snapped at Camilla, his earlier enthusiasm fading away to anger. "You can't just kick us out of a quest we've accepted!"

Pallas looked at Arannis. "Long story short, Camilla's the one stopping Nalos from seeing Jerica. She says we're not professional and that we don't meet her standards."

"Am I wrong though?" Camilla asked, throwing her hands up in the air. "I don't know how it is that the two fools you have hadn't gotten any of you killed."

"They may be fools but they're not so bad in a fight," Hana told Camilla with a shrug. "Still, we have had some close calls…"

"I don't care for this drama," Arannis said with Nordak nodding in agreement. "Doomguide Yovir, what are your thoughts on the matter?"

Doomguide Yovir took several seconds to think over the matter before speaking. "I've spoken with everyone here before and have seen what you're all capable of. I wasn't aware that there was conflict going on until now, and even then, I would hope that everyone is professional enough to work together for the good of Phlan."

"So you're not taking a side?" Nordak questioned. "You're letting us handle this on our own?"

"That's right," Doomguide Yovir answered with a nod. "If anyone here feels uncomfortable with working together, they are free to leave, but I will not tell anyone that they're not allowed to help."

"Camilla, was it?" Arannis looked at the paladin. "My name is Arannis Uthmar and I'm the leader of this group. I understand that you may have problems with some of my companions, but their behavior aside, they know how to fight. You have been told about what we're going to be doing in the catacombs, right?"

"I have," Camilla crossed her arms. "You seem reasonable enough, Arannis, but can you really keep the likes of Pallas in line?"

"He's done so before," Pallas shrugged. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I'm helping out too," Nalos nodded along with Pallas. "I'm going to show that I know what I'm doing when it comes to my work."

"It's been decided that we're going into the catacombs," Arannis said, stepping toward Camilla. "If you have problems with those I work with, then by all means, there's no one to stop you from walking away."

Arannis and Camilla stared down at each other, unflinching in their stances. Pallas thought back on his earlier thoughts of how strong the paladin was. It had slipped his mind when he first met, but past her beauty, he could tell that Camilla was strong. The unwavering manner in which she held her ground against Arannis also showed that she was confident. Pallas had fought Arannis and knew that the dark elf was a skilled warrior, but he also knew that paladins possessed divine magic. It might give her the edge she needed to beat Arannis in a hypothetical fight.

Camilla's divine magic would also help against the undead and Pallas had heard something that might convince her to help.

"Don't paladins have oaths?" Pallas pointed out. "Don't you have to help?"

"How bold of one without any oaths to bring them up," Camilla said, glaring at Pallas. "You're right. I have a duty to ensure that the undead beneath Phlan has been dealt with. I shall go to the catacombs without any problems. If Arannis isn't able to keep you in line though, I will."

"Then it's settled," Arannis said through gritted teeth. "Let's deal with the undead tonight and move on from tonight."

"A wonderful plan," Camilla nodded. "I look forward to leaving once our work is done."

"I'm glad to see that we're all becoming great friends," Cassyt said with a chuckle. "Allow me to show the way to the catacombs."

Having to work with Camilla was an unexpected development but it gave Pallas the opportunity he needed to help Nalos. He patted the triton encouragingly on the back as they followed Cassyt out of the chapel. Camilla was quick to look down on them, but after tonight, she would change their mind about the kind of adventurers they were.

A/N: A shorter chapter today, but honestly, I think it works out for the flow of the story. I should have mentioned this in the first chapter but this story is going to be on the shorter side as it is an adaptation of an early Adventure's League scenario. Still, I look forward to writing comes next.

Until next time.