[center][h3][color=C0392B]Rudolf Shilage[/color][/h3][/center]

Zombies, then. Reanimated corpses with second leases on something that approached life[sup]1[/sup], typically propogating further than the initial batch raised through necromancy via salival contact— biting healthy humans to instigate the necrosis. In that way, it was like the wedge point between a disease and a curse— but regardless of categorization, it was a snowball rolled downhill if not [i]quickly[/i] dealt with— and given that necromancy was rare enough to crop up only once or twice every century? Nigh-on impossible to insulate against ahead of time. Even in Edren, with his access to one of the more specialized populations of warriors vis a vis dealing with all manner of pages in the grand bestiary of the continent, Rudolf had never heard of undead cropping up outside of old stories. Not until Valheim entered the picture, with Siren and Revenant. He expected Skael, with how neatly they had severed their culture from magic to the point where they could commodify it, to be even less equipped than that.

If anything, their best bet would have been the land itself— the harsh winters of this place, the lifestealing frosts and winds, could render the lifeless interior tissues inert as they froze the shambling corpses, growing ice shredding old muscle and splitting bone. If that were to come to pass, though... Rudolf suspected it'd already be done. The arcane framework granted by necromancy left these corpses unnaturally robust, then. At least against environmental rigors.

He remained silent, keeping his careful gaze pinned on Zeke, as Esben set to work buying the departed Valheimr an alibi— covering their metaphorical tracks as much as one could, given the circumstances. It'd buy a couple hours, but Rduolf didn't see a great many futures where their group were going to need more. Either by that point they'd be set to hitting the outposts, or—

[color=c0392b]"You're sure?"[/color] he inquired, canting his head over to the spy as the call came in. From the armored northerner's posture, it seemed he had a few reservations, even though he was fairly sure what Esben's answer would be. [color=c0392b]"I know the new plus one would complicate moving forward with the assault, but what about getting eyes on the city, at least in brief? If not yourself or Chisato, what about the fairies?"[/color]

Much like their reasoning for shooting down the prospect of leaving Zeke and the aircraft alone together, having any one of them trying to both mind him and a surprise assault against enemy fortifications simultaneously was a recipe for failure at both. Having already had a little wind come out of his raiding sails before this, completely scuttling the whole thing stung, certainly. They only had so much room for scope creep, though, given their equipment and manpower— couldn't really help it, and this [i]was[/i] priority intelligence.

And not just for the leadership, either. While they still had some dusk, a flyby could corroborate things a little— and they'd be much less likely to befall the same fate as whatever kept gobbling up the scouts that had gone missing before they were on the scene.

Probably the zombies, on that note. Probably literally.[sup]2[/sup] Again, Lanius and his raven popped into Rudolf's head.

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[*][sub]1. Wide umbrella here, too. Pharaohs, Ghasts, Vampyres, Ghouls, all types of Undead, all "zombies". I'm something different, though, but you'd be forgiven for thinking I'm [i]that[/i] kind of Shade. Wights, too! We can't forget Wights, many a good barrow has housed many a good Wight or six. Or seven.[/sub]
[*][sub]2. It's kinda like a pun, you know? Intelligence gathering specialists, falling victim to things that eat brains?[/sub]
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