The Nekromancer - 25. Chapter 25

They left the group early in the morning, travelling toward the woods that grew ever more clear. Tall dead trees barred the entrance, a shadow covering the pathway within. Amnor Sen got a chill just looking at the dead woods.

"This is a fell wood for sure," he sighed as he and Jeremy drew near.

Pulling their horses to the side of the road, the two dismounted, Jeremy starting to set up camp as Amnor Sen pulled out the few rations that remained.

"Do you think Jakun will get here before we starve to death?" Jeremy asked.

"Oh don't be so dramatic. Three days. If he isn't here in three days, we will head into the woods without him, and pray to the gods we survive."

"Now who's being dramatic?" Jeremy scoffed. "We've been fighting undead for days now. I think we've got this."

"Might I remind you that we've almost died fighting undead in the last few days?"

"We're still standing and they aren't," Jeremy shrugged. "I'm going to keep moving and not bother looking back. It tends to muddy the drink when you do."

Sighing, Amnor Sen started chewing on some jerky, trying to make the meal last. They were running low, but he had faith that Jakun would be back. The cat would want his book back after all.

"You sleep tonight. Don't worry about taking watch, I'll stand tonight and you can take tomorrow morning. Oh, and I'm planning on carving a wand for Jakun. To heal him. So, if you have any design ideas, let me know."

Jeremy hummed thoughtfully.

"It will be a spell that can harm most people. A snarling cat maybe? Or a protective werewolf," he suggested.

"I like that. I'll see what I can do with the idea. This would be much easier with my workshop…"

Sitting back, the elf pulled out his wood, a small knife chipping away slowly.

"This is my last block, so you should use your wand sparingly or risk being without alcohol," he warned.

"Without alcohol? I'd die!" Jeremy moaned dramatically.

"I know. So use it wisely."

Jeremy sighed, setting his food back in his pack.

"I love you," he said.

"I know."

"No sex?"

"Not tonight. Besides, you know how I feel about sex under the stars."

Amnor Sen paused, a frown appearing on his face.

"Speaking of sex… did you know most dark rituals require the sacrifice of a virgin?"

"Yeah? Why?"

Jeremy leaned back against his pack with a yawn, drawing a blanket around himself.

"Well… I figure Jakun is a virgin. His master wanted to use him, likely for a ritual."

"What are you saying? You want to fuck the kitty?" Jeremy chuckled. "You're not exactly the most caring lover in bed."

"This coming from someone who wants to be wasted every time someone fucks him."

Amnor Sen rolled his eyes, chipping away at the wood in front of him.

"Forget it, it was a bad idea."

"Not really though. It would keep him safe from Loran, and he could really use some sex. It might bring out a little confidence in him," Jeremy shrugged. "But I want to be there when you do it."

"If he even accepts."

"Well, just explain it to him. It's to protect him."

Jeremy yawned widely.

"Besides, I know you're attracted to him. And I really don't mind. He's adorable."

"Is this necrophilia though?"

"So what if it is? He's sentient, he can say yes or no, and he will know what he's getting into because I will be sure to explain things to him," Jeremy said.

"You know, I wish I had your carefree attitude about things…"

"So do I. You can be a bit of a buzzkill."

Amnor Sen shrugged, returning to his work.

"Whatever. Just go to sleep."

It wasn't long before Jeremy was asleep, his breath quiet and even. He left Amnor Sen alone with his thoughts, the paladin struggling with several questions.

Why was Anya bound to Jakun? Was there a way to get rid of her to save the amurrun? Would Jakun even come back?

He continued running his blade along the wood, a cat's mouth taking shape at the tip. The elf frowned at the wood, forming it to his desires. It would be so much easier if he could bend Jakun to his will like this. But that was something he would never, could never, do.

Except… he was doing it. Taking the cat's book, making him get rid of any necromantic spells, he was bending Jakun to what he thought the cat should be, not letting him be himself.

"Fuck… Shelyn, what would you have me do here? Guide my hands and my heart. Tell me if this is the correct thing to do."

There was no answer to his prayer. Yet Jakun was under Shelyn's protection, marked by her bird. Amnor Sen felt bound to the cat.

His mind tried to reconcile his role of protector with Amnor Sen's decision to leave Jakun behind. It made no sense despite the elf's insistence that it would be good for the cat.

Still, what was done was done. He wasn't about to travel all the way back to Mechitar to fetch a cat that by all rights should be leaving in the morning. Besides, he had Anya to protect him, and she seemed to be doing a good enough job of it so far.

And so Amnor Sen continued his carving, trusting Jakun to follow them, and making sure that when the amurrun arrived, there would be a way to heal him. The elf had to admit he never thought he'd be making a wand like this. But then, he was supposed to be a smith, not a carver. This was nothing but a hobby. That had saved a cat. And would likely save him again.

Idly, Amnor Sen wondered when his life had become so complicated. From crafting weapons for sale to traveling to a crusade… and he hadn't even reached the crusade yet; they weren't even a quarter of the way to Mendev. Still, they were on their way, and finding Jakun hadn't taken that much time. So far… three, four days would have been spent on the cat? For a journey that would likely take a year, that was not bad. He would consider it a win, as long as the cat actually came back.