Ecency: Mortis
Greetings all
Sorry for the late update. Turns out the project I took on is research heavy and my entire week has gotten away from me. I know more about chicken coops than I think I ever needed to know!
Anyway, enjoy update 99! Episode 100 will be on @zakludick so keep an eye for that!
He knew they were gone before they even reached the castle. While the ghouls were still ambling around, mostly being swatted with brooms by the people who were brave enough to stay, they seemed directionless. Mortis knew why. Millmor and Derric were gone, and so was Helga. If only he could separate himself from the zealots that now followed him. The dark-skinned man, Husk, the girl had called him earlier, was to his right, and Danni, the girl, was to his left. There was no way for him to slip away.
As soon as they were within the castle, he knew he wasn’t the only one who noticed. Magna started to frantically look around for her friend. Mortis detached himself from his new followers and laid a hand on her shoulder.
“He is not here.”
“But he was hurt and…”
The old king saw tears in her eyes and would have sighed had he not been long dead. With a quick look around, Mortis saw the knights suddenly had their attention drawn to Queen Mary who was rushing from the battlements to see her children.
“Go, go quickly, take your weapon, and be safe.” Whispered the King as he pushed her away from him.
He then strode forward to where Adrian was now revived and struggling to get to his feet. No one noticed the princess quietly slipping away.
“Your Majesty.” Said Mortis as he knelt before Mary.
Despite being raised a warrior her entire life, the last few weeks had been too much. She had lost her husband, thought she’d lose her son, sent her daughter on a suicide mission, and found out the truth about Adiran, and seeing the ancient king kneeling before her was too much for her. She struck him with a fist, as hard as she could manage. If it hadn’t been for the magic that had reanimated him, Mortis was sure she would have taken his jaw straight off.
“I don’t care who you are. If you ever endanger my children like that again, I will bury you again!”
Mortis held his hand up before the Blaze Knights could make a move on the Queen. He knew she was terrified and still hadn’t had time to mourn her losses. He would allow this one blow. Mortis looked up at Mary and nodded his head, “Agreed.”
The Queen took a deep breath, centred herself, and then reached for Adrian to hug him tightly to her body. Mortis got to his feet. Danni nudged him and said, “You should say something to the general populace.”
“That isn’t my place. That is hers.” He indicated to the Queen.
“But you…”
“Enough.” Hissed Mortis, “Take the knights and clear out any undead stragglers. I am sure we are missing two of the generals. I didn’t see them. And leave the ghouls alone!”
Danni snapped off a salute and immediately started dividing the knights into groups to hunt the undead that were still in the general vicinity.
“And make sure the dead are burned.” Added Mortis.
As soon as the Blaze Knights had stepped away, Mary looked up at the knight and demanded, “Where is my daughter? I saw her walking back with you.”
“She has gone to see a friend. Don’t worry about her for now. She’ll be fine. You have to announce to your people that the danger has passed.”
Mortis didn’t miss the slight tightening of the queen’s mouth as she looked out toward the East. Curious, he asked, “What is wrong?”
“The Lifedrinkers have left.”
“I noticed. Did Lucien make it?”
“He did.”
“But that isn’t what is bothering you.”
“My brother is on his way.”
The ancient king could hear the apprehension in the queen’s voice, and he couldn’t help but wonder why she was concerned about her brother.
Magna was barely outside of the castle walls when a ghoul approached her. It grabbed her hand and pulled her. Had this been a month earlier, Magna would have been terrified, but now she knew better.
“Daisy?”
The ghoul nodded its head and continued to pull on her arm. Magna followed but didn’t allow her guard to be dropped. There were still zombies roaming, and even though they were directionless, they were still dangerous. Daisy effortlessly bypassed them to lead Magna through the forest to where she knew her friend was hidden away.
She had to suppress the urge to run when she saw the cottage, especially when she saw Millmor in his true form. He was covered in blood, gore, and injuries. He seemed slumped over the stone stairs of the cottage. Daisy ran up to him and roughly pushed him. The Ghoul King looked up and seemed almost surprised to see Magna.
“Your Majesty?” he tried to get up but collapsed again.
Magna ran forward and see if there was anything she could do. Millmor tried to push her off with his claws, but he barely had any strength and was weakening as his dark blood spread out under him.
“Lie still.” Whispered Magna. “Let me help you.”
“Derric…”
The girl looked at the cottage. Derric was the reason she had come out here, but Millmor had come to her kingdom’s aid when he could have remained hidden in his forest.
“What can I do for you?”
“Hole…deep…” he spat blood.
“Don’t talk like that. I have some herbs; Mother always says to…”
“Hole…girl…now…”
Daisy immediately sprang into action and started digging a hole next to the house. She screamed as she dug, calling more ghouls to her aid. A few of them hissed at Magna as she cradled the bleeding Ghoul King’s head, but they didn’t bother her. All of them dug with so much ferocity that the sky darkened with the amount of dirt flying through it.
“Need to…rest long. Look after…” the more Millmor spoke, the more blood ran from his mouth.
“I understand.”
Despite her own bruises, Magna, with the help of some ghouls, managed to drag Millmor to the hole. With what strength he had, he dragged himself into the hole and curled up with his wings covering his face.
“See you later.” Whispered Magna.
The ghouls started to bury their king, who would sleep until he was ready to return to them. While the ghouls worked, Magna looked at the cottage. It was silent, and she felt dread in her belly. If Millmor was this badly injured, what would be left of Derric?
Considering Derric faced the Dark Avatar by himself, he's likely seriously injured or worse. However, it's not my job to tell that tale. Over to you Zak!
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Mortis Custos Parts
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