When Gerard crushed the gem, it would be quite surprising that it gave way almost immediately. Almost like it was meant to break...

The following, faint, feminine laughter was likely quite concerning too... but nothing came after it. At least, for now.

Fanilly ran into another skeleton as she sprinted down the stairs. But this time, before it could even raise its weapon, she immediately ducked and ran into it full-force with her shoulder! While skeletons were difficult to harm permanently without a heavy weapon, that didn't mean they were very stable!

The little nem was at her side, the lowest chamber of the crypt was ahead, all they needed was-

Suddenly the nem gripped her arm and pulled back, as hard as she could.

"Vosahnn? Wha-"

There was an earsplitting crack, and a bolt of electricity suddenly tore through the air just ahead of her, from the chamber below.

"Haaa? Someone got all the way down here?" a rather harsh female voice called from inside? "Mayon's tits, what are we even paying those bastards for? Yeesh... Ah damn, can you stop holding her by the neck at least, you freak?"

"You choose now to question my methods?" a calm male voice responded.

"I've been doing a whole lot of questioning this whole time."

Fanilly took a deep breath. She could judge that the female voice was likely the source of the lightning, thus indicating she was a mage. And the calm male voice... did he have Vosahnn's sister?

She had to move forward.

Taking a deep breath, Fanilly broke into a sprint, and was immediately in the light of the bottom chamber!

Before her were two figures. One was a woman, young but certainly older then Fanilly herself, with silvery-white practically standing directly up, her eyes bright blue.

The other was a man. In front of him were eight skeletons, these ones still bearing armor. His features were obscured by a white mask with two shadowed eyeholes and no other features, his body concealed in a heavy cloak.

Fanilly could see him toss a girl of around Vosahnn's size and shape behind him.

"In the name of the Throne, surrender immediately," Fanilly ordered, straightening, her longsword raised. She would give them the chance. But that was it. If they killed Vosahnn's sister, they would lose what little leverage they had, but now...

A circle of blue light ignited around the mage woman's fingertips.

"That's real brave of you, but pretty damn foolish, y'know?" she commented.

But Fanilly wasn't alone... they could do it!

[hr]

This, the vampire wasn't prepared for.

Damon Cal let out a hiss, air passing through his teeth as he was forced to try and deflect the water with his arm, ceasing to tug Jarde closer. Even he couldn't ignore the facefull of Reon's opinion of the undead.

This is when Jarde's sword buried itself in his palm, erupting from the other side in a spurt of blood. Holy water still sizzling on his skin, the vampire stepped back, his words practically a growl.

"Clever! Clever! Far more clever!"

The window of action was tight, as he whipped his hand free of Jarde's blade, the blood condensing into what almost appeared to be a spike. But he was hurt, he was on his back foot. If someone could strike him the moment before he attacked...!

[hr]

For a few moments, the Princess's room was filled with silence, and no small number of blank stares.

But then...

The princess herself stifled a giggle. Ah... while she didn't necessarily agree with all of the opinions he'd expressed, this knight...!

"Ah, ah, you know... I always found the Chorus of Ingvarr so strange," she commented, once she had recovered from her fit of giggles, "I understand it was meant to be a humorous interlude after the deadly serious encounter with Advard, but still... singing about breasts like that... how bawdy! Ah, I wonder if the Ingvarr do truly sing songs like that..."

She'd never actually met one of their number, the horned people of the far north known for their incredible strength and combat abilities. She knew they associated with the northmen as well, but beyond that... well, the Princess simply hadn't learned much of them.

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