One of Savuk's most talented spies gives his report during the morning inspection. "What news of the Temple?" Savuk asks, adjusting the straps of his armour. "Sir, there was an incident in the real world last night. Lucistra killed one of the Vixens, and another is almost certain to die. Lucistra did not return to the Temple." "Sinistra banished her?" "No, Sir," the spy replies, absent-mindedly scratching one of the pus-filled scabs that covers his filthy malnourished body. "She fled into the real world. Sinistra doesn't know where she's gone." "Interesting," Savuk muses. "I assume Mordimus is in the dark about all this?" "Yes, Sir. I have seen to it that none of his spies have returned to him in more than a year. He still doesn't know of the Goddess's escape from the Vixen Temple, or that Lucistra was brought back to find her." "Excellent!" Savuk says, pleased. "You are doing a fine job, Skeen." "Sir, I have some pressing news. Mordimus has emptied the mountain." "What? When did this happen? Where have they gone?" "It happened late last night, Sir. They loaded wagons with the bodies of villagers they had slaughtered. They are heading towards Black Rock." Savuk's face grows tense. "The lair of the Necromancer." "Yes, Sir. Mordimus knows the orcs will not attack us..." "...so he is raising an army who will," Savuk finishes. "I agree with your assessment, Skeen. You have done fine work. The Kindred may have faced an overwhelming surprise attack if not for your diligence. You may rest here tonight in the guest's quarters. Take your fill of rum and salted pork from the stores." "Thank you, Sir." Skeen heads for the underground stores. "Kraatog!" Savuk barks to his second-in-command. "Mordimus is impatient and devoid of imagination. Inform your troops to expect an attack before the end of the week. The undead will come at dusk. Adjust your rosters accordingly." "Yes, sir." "Have the parapets loaded with stones - the oil will be useless against undead. Ensure every soldier is within arm's reach of some kind of club or cudgel - anything heavy that can be used to smash bones. Set up bonfires along a perimiter a hundred yards from the walls. The fires are to be stoked day and night. The undead do not need light, Kraatog, and they will not make any sound when they attack. We need to see them coming." "Yes, sir," Kraatog says. He hurries off to perform his duties. With an approving glance at his assembled troops, Savuk spins on his heel and marches away, pausing briefly at the edge of the underground cage on the way back to his tower. "Your sister better come back soon," he hisses down at the two girls imprisoned below. "Or there may be nobody left here to save." Credits: Orc for M2 by GhostOfMacbeth MCFS from DAZ MCFS Texture by GhostOfMacbeth Textures modified by me Rendered in Vue 5 Infinite