The Nekromancer - 40. Chapter 40

The forge filled with the ring of metal on metal, Jakun's ears folded over in an attempt to protect his hearing. The cat was sweeping the floor, bits of steel shavings and dust flying out into the streets. The action was almost soothing, repetitive, allowing him time to think, and yet keeping him busy enough to avoid being restless.

'An alarm spell of course… and an illusion spell when the box is opened. In case you need to see your childhood again, to regain conviction,' Anya said in his mind.

'You assume that we can even get my soul in the box. And this assumes that I'm going to be killed. I don't want to die Anya.'

'Neither did I. Shit happens. Prepare for it.'

Jakun flung the dirt outside, sighing heavily. Turning back, the amurrun saw Amnor Sen standing over Methusda with rapt attention, while Jeremy worked on polishing a rapier nearby.

'What I am planning… it could destroy us all.'

'You are responsible for yourself. No one else. And all of us have said we want to kill Loran for what he has done. We just need the power to do it. Especially since he has found an ally himself.'

Jakun shuddered at the thought of Loran and Ivris working together to kill him.

'Besides, your book is still claiming your soul. We need to tear your soul from your body to save it,' Anya added. 'You are on this path now, Jakun. There is no going back.'

'It requires a sacrifice to work. How do I find someone willing to give themself for my life?'

'Why not use a dog? The ritual requires a sacrifice. It doesn't say it has to be intelligent.'

'That is disgusting Anya. I am not murdering an unwilling victim-'

'It's a dog-'

'Irrelevant. For that matter, why don't you be the sacrifice? You'll just be sent back to… wherever you come from, and then I can summon you back.'

There was a momentary lapse, the werewolf's voice picking up slowly.

'That… is not a bad idea. But I would say we should still have another caster present, just to make sure everything works properly.'

'We'll have to look around Nex. I'm sure someone would be curious enough to take part.'

"Jakun?"

The amurrun startled, realizing he had paused in his work. He flinched, hurrying to restart the sweeping.

"Calm down," Jeremy chuckled, sheathing his blade. "You just looked a little lost there. I just bought a new sword from Methusda. If you'd like, you may have my old one. It needs a little work, but it is still usable."

"I don't know how to use a sword," Jakun frowned.

"Oh, it's fun," Jeremy said, holding the scabbard out for Jakun. "Why don't we step outside and I can show you?"

Taking the weapon uncertainly, Jakun frowned at the weight, balanced yet a little heavy.

"It's one of Amnor Sen's earlier works," Jeremy explained at his frown. "He got better."

Stepping outside, the two stood near the door, not blocking it, but close enough that anyone seeing them would likely associate them with the forge. Jeremy unsheathed his new blade, a sharp rapier with a plain steel basket guard around the hilt. Jakun followed suit, Jeremy's old sword looking dull and used beside it.

"Fair warning, I have never taught anyone swordplay before. And I've never really been trained either… but I've picked up a few things. Like, always keep the point between you and your enemy, and try not to be too drunk when fighting."

Jeremy touched Jakun's blade, pressing into it to see how strong the cat's hold was.

'Don't push. Use his momentum to push your blade around his,' Anya said.

The amurrun did as he was told, the sound of sliding steel filling the air as he moved Jeremy's blade aside.

The cleric blinked at the rapier at his throat, before letting out a low laugh.

"I see Anya has a little experience. Good. That might keep you alive."

He pushed the blade down, his own lowered.

"What you should learn first, given your goals in life, is that casters are easy to deal with when you have a weapon. If you can avoid their first blow, they will take time to cook another one up. In that time, whatever they throw at you, you want to close the distance and stab them. If I were fighting you, you would call animals to defend you, right?"

Jakun nodded.

"So I could either fight a horde of animals, or I could try to avoid them as I get to you and stick you with my blade. Once you are dead, so are your summons."

The cleric cleared his throat, raising his blade again.

"Now, a swordsman, that's a different prospect. Depending on who you fight, you will have to deal with arrows, armour, and a variety of sharp blades. Against me, how would you fight?"

"I would aim for the unarmored spots and injure you," Jakun said quietly, almost uncertainly.

"Well, yes, that is part of it," Jeremy chuckled. "Why don't you try? Don't worry about hurting me, I can heal-"

The cleric bit his lip, remembering the lack of magic.

"Well… try not to hurt me too much…"

'He is more experienced. You probably won't touch him. Try to kill him,' Anya said.

'What is your problem with killing people?!'

'Just do it.'

Letting out a breath, the amurrun swung his blade forward, aiming straight for Jeremy's head. A sword was suddenly at his throat, Jeremy shaking his head.

"No. You didn't keep the point between us. These are not swinging swords, they are stabbing swords," he said.

"Why not have someone who has trained teach him?" Amnor Sen said from the doorway.

"Because you are too honourable in a fight and that will get him killed," Jeremy scoffed.

"There is a benefit to learning from other people," Amnor Sen pointed out.

"I should learn the basics first though… right?" Jakun asked.

"Exactly. Jeremy, why don't you go get a drink? I'll help Jakun," Amnor Sen said.

The cleric scoffed quietly.

"Fine, but I get to work with him tomorrow."

Jakun watched the human wander off, turning back to Amnor Sen.

"Okay. Let's make sure you didn't pick up any bad habits," the elf said, buckling a sheathed rapier to his side.