Necromancer

A Royal Road Fan Fiction

By: Halosty

Chapter 46

Mortimer was bored. Half his reason for being at the camp was gone. The first half, of course, being Solara. The second half was around somewhere, but Mortimer didn’t currently see Angela. Not that he wanted to right now, since she’d made him go outside for more than a whole day. He could be doing something. Specifically, playing Royal Road. Instead, he was sitting, pondering whether he should take a nap. Of course, he was technically participating in a camp “activity”. Mortimer thought he might take a nap anyway.

He leaned back against the tree, careful not to disturb his balance. He watched the others scurrying around on the ground, like ants. Well, more like meerkats or something. The tree wasn’t that tall, and ants were entirely the wrong shape for humans. These people who were scurrying around were looking for someone. Anyone, really. Mortimer saw three of the targets from his perch. Amateurs.

Mortimer wasn’t really tired, though, so he couldn’t take a nap. He probably wouldn’t have, anyway. Plus, it hadn’t really been that long. More importantly, Mortimer was slightly interested in this activity, because he could win.

The three had been found. Now, everyone was standing around looking. Mortimer could hear what people were saying, and he figured he should climb down from his tree.

Mortimer climbed down from his tree, and wandered through the people. He walked up behind one of the leaders. “I win.” Mortimer liked winning. Although he had no choice but to participate, since it took little effort, he decided to win.

The leader jumped. Several others around turned to look, as well. Many people spoke at once, but the general consensus was “How did you get there?”

Mortimer didn’t answer that questions. Instead, he just had a slight smile on his face. It felt good to win sometimes, even if it was just hide-and-go-seek.

Mortimer was also smiling because they would be heading back soon. He was ready for that.

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The tavern was busy for the time of day, but not full. It was a good tavern, with plenty of tables and many different kinds of alcohol on tap. However, today the service was a bit slower. There were no servers going between the tables, and only one person at the bar. The bartender appeared to be a new hire, and was a bit slow with the orders.

In the corner sat a paladin named Tiberius, of around level 150. He came into the tavern every day at the same time, and ordered the same thing. Then he scanned for people with bounties in the crowd. Usually, there were none. If there were any, then he would give them a chance to turn themselves in. Otherwise, he would defeat them. Tiberius felt it was his duty to protect the city from those who would corrupt it. To lawful players, he was friendly, and none had issue with him.

However, there were always those who would take issues with those on the righteous path. There were also less public, but no less official, bounties. The three shady characters across the room were obviously people who sought that. As they walked over toward him, Tiberius downed the last of his ale, and strode to meet them in the middle of the room.

There was one strange thing about this particular tavern. Although there were tables around the edges, there were none in the middle of the room. This was, mainly, because the owners of the tavern didn’t like having tables broken.

The three men started to surround Tiberius, but he didn’t wait for them to finish their formation. He charged at the closest member, catching him alone. The man’s reaction was delayed, sluggish, and he went down quickly. The other two took the opportunity to flank Tiberius, and whittled his health down with a series of quick strikes from either side, neither staying within reach of Tiberius for long. However, Tiberius had fought such opponents before, and once he understood the timing, he performed a perfect counter. Once again, the opponent was too slow. The third one stood no chance in single combat, although he managed a few more blows on Tiberius.

Tiberius felt weak after the battle, and took a knee. The room was strangely quiet. He looked around, and saw that the rest of the patrons were unconscious. It was a bit too early in the day for people to be passing out. Even if it were later, there should only be a few, and not all at once. Tiberius saw the bartender approaching him, and spoke. “Barkeep, something strange has happened to the patrons. I worry for them.” Tiberius felt himself getting weaker, it seemed from a poison he had not noticed his opponents applying. He couldn’t move to check on anyone.

The barkeep looked around, and approached Tiberius. “Worry not, they will be fine. They’ve just had too much to drink.” The barkeep walked past Tiberius. “Of course, they would have done better if the wine had not been drugged.”

Tiberius only heard the last sentence after a wicked knife stabbed into the side of his neck. Then, the true form of the barkeep was revealed. A murderer. Quietus, by name. He wasn’t famous, but Tiberius thought he had heard the name somewhere. He didn’t have much time to ponder it as he slipped into oblivion.

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Quietus wiped his blade. The initial poison had worked well. It should have, it was the best he’d ever made. A fine piece, it had been called. The effects were a very powerful, but delayed, damaging effect. There was also a slow onset of paralysis. It would likely have worked even better if it had not needed to be diluted in alcohol. The rest of the patrons had just had a sleeping effect in theirs. It had been very tricky to create, however, as it was designed to take effect after a certain duration from its creation, instead of based on consumption. Fortunately, most of the patrons had been low level players and npcs. The rest were those three assassins who had tried to steal Quietus’ mission, or something. He didn’t recognize them.

While he had time, Quietus picked up what he could off of the four dead fellows, arranged a quick disguise, and left the tavern.

Once he arrived at the local headquarters of the Assassin’s Guild, or more specifically The Order of Silence, he went to see Frank. Well, the Frank in this city, the head of this section.

“Well done Quietus. I’ve received word of your success.”

You have completed a quest!

Order of Silence Advancement Test

Kill Tiberius, the paladin, who has been causing some trouble for the order.

You have leveled up!

You have achieved the rank of Journeyman in The Order of Silence. You will have greater responsibilities and rewards.

He’d finally done enough to increase his rank. Not that he had been lacking in quests for the Order, just that he hadn’t attempted any higher profile targets. Of course, Tiberius would be back, but this was just a test of his ability to get the job done.

He’d finally gotten around to it because he had discovered the reward was a somewhat exclusive spell. He received his reward, and used the book.

You have learned the spell Enhance Alchemy!

Increases the potency of a potion or poison, such as healing, damage, effect, and duration. However, if the potion of poison is not used within a certain time, the dose will be lost.

Cost:

100 mana

Quietus had found that poisons were either not as effective as he would like, expensive, or had time consuming ingredients. This would allow him to make them more effective. Of course, it would also work for his healing potions as well.

Now it was time to gather up supplies. He was going on a journey, and he needed as much preparation as he could get.

End Chapter 46

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