Allison and Jeremiah were nodding off, Bruno was drooling, and Delilah sat with rapt attention. It was the sixth hour of meetings with the public that day, and the fourth day of an endless stream of bureaucracy that had begun the moment the cavalry returned from their charge.

　　An official at the other end of the long table addressed the gathered crowd. "With the last of the giants returning north, we believe the most critical threat to our security has departed."

　　A citizen spoke up. "Aren`t you worried the army is just going to reform and come back?"

　　Another official responded. "The loss of their leader and source of healing has left the army no more than a loose association of tribes. Several chieftans have surrendered to us already and the others are splintering off. The reclamation of Nosirin is already underway, and we expect little serious resistance."

　　Jeremiah`s stomach rumbled. The meeting felt interminable.

　　"I have a question for Mr. Thorn," someone asked.

　　Jeremiah forced his eyes open and looked for the source of the voice. "Erm, yes. Go ahead."

　　"Mr. Thorn, first let me thank you for what you`ve done. You`re a hero of the realm and an inspiration to us all." A smattering of applause.

　　"Thank you," Jeremiah said mechanically. "Your question?"

　　"Is it possible that someone might attempt to unearth Viviana Aliwyn? Are we sure she`s both deceased and inaccessible?"

　　"She&umm. Well. The undead are still digging at this very moment, always downward when possible. If they can`t travel downward, they go horizontal looking for a way down. So, they`re already quite far from Dramir. Its been requested I maintain the undead for at least a month, after which we`ll review the situation again."

　　"Is she still alive?"

　　Jeremiah always hated this question. "No, I don`t believe so." The truth was he couldn`t bring himself to check. The undead were getting so much sensory information from each other and the environment that it would be hard to scan for signs of life. He was terrified he would discover her still struggling, still fighting—trapped, but alive.

　　A portly man stood. He looked rich and angry.

　　"Necromancer! My family`s private vault was pilfered by you and the other cronies in this thieving government! The gauntlets you stole were a family heirloom, crafted from the bones of—"

　　"Do you have a question?" Jeremiah asked.

　　The man huffed indignantly. "When can I expect the return of—"

　　"Gone forever."

　　"What?"

　　"Gone forever. Everything that went out there is gone forever. Next question."

　　Bruno hiccupped a sleepy laugh.

　　Jeremiah didn`t feel like laughing. He didn`t feel anything these days. He went where he was told and answered the ceaseless needling questions. All the congratulations and promises of titles and favors held no sweetness for him, the criticisms no sting.

　　At long last, the meeting adjourned.

　　"Must you antagonize the aristocrats?" Delilah asked Jeremiah.

　　"Not my fault they`re antagonized. Are we done here yet?"

　　"No, we have one more hearing with&" she checked her program, "the urban development guild and builder`s hall." As she spoke, more people began filtering into the plain hall that housed the endless bureaucratic chores.

　　"Can I leave? Just me?" asked Allison.

　　"No! None of you are allowed to leave!" Delilah reached over and pinched Bruno`s shoulder.

　　"Ow!"

　　"Or sleep! We`re here to support Jay and help get things back to normal. Rumors are the bane of favorable reputation."

　　"Aren`t I supposed to be a hero now? Can`t I claim heroic immunity?" Jeremiah asked.

　　"Jay, you literally lost most of the money in Dramir!" said Delilah.

　　"Oops," said Jeremiah.

　　"There are some very broke nobles out there right now who are itching to see you punished for that. We need widespread public support to keep you safe," continued Delilah.

　　"Broke, huh?" Bruno grinned.

　　"Well, close to it! The economy is in shambles right now!"

　　"Funny, the people on the street don`t seem any worse for wear."

　　Jeremiah leaned on his elbow while Delilah and Bruno bickered about the economic repercussions. It was as interesting as the preceding meeting.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

　　Just before he could slip fully into a stupor, something snapped Jeremiah awake. His forehead broke out in sweat. His pulse quickened. He took a deep, cleansing breath, but a prickle of fear raced down his spine. He was cold. He was afraid.

　　"Jay? You alright?" Allison interrupted Delilah and Bruno`s debate.

　　"He looks sick," said Bruno.

　　Delilah felt his forehead. "What`s wrong?"

　　"He`s here," said Jeremiah, scanning the hall as the last of the meeting attendees walked in.

　　There. Flusoh entered from the back of the room. As Jeremiah stared, he made his way toward the front row. "Scuse me. Pardon." He stepped around the knees of seated attendees. They twisted to allow him to pass. Flusoh took a seat right in front of the table, checked his program, then glanced around, waiting for the meeting to start.

　　"Who`s here?" Delilah whispered, eyes sweeping the crowd.

　　"Flusoh. Can`t you see him?" Jeremiah`s heart was in his throat. Allison and Bruno scrutinized the faces before them.

　　"Which one? Where?"

　　"Him, there." Jeremiah gestured with the barest of movements.

　　Delilah furrowed her brow. "Jay, that`s Councilman Riggado of the Urban Development Guild."

　　"It`s him."

　　She looked at Allison and Bruno to confirm her eyes weren`t deceiving her.

　　"If Jay says its him&" Allison eyes bore into the Councilman.

　　"What does he want?" Delilah whispered.

　　"Maybe he has questions about our plans for urban development?" Jeremiah chuckled. The intensity of his fear was subsiding, whether because he was growing accustomed to it or Flusoh was consciously controlling it, he didn`t know. But it was being replaced by a sense of fondness at seeing his old teacher.

　　"Good morning, everyone." The official in charge started the meeting. If it weren`t for Flusoh, it would have been the most boring one yet, but Jeremiah could sense his friend`s` tension. The discussion on rebuilding warehouses and grain store supplies washed over Jeremiah as he watched the lich nod thoughtfully along with whoever was speaking.

　　Flusoh raised his hand. Allison and Bruno gripped the table.

　　"Yes sir?" the official said.

　　"Thank you," said Flusoh, standing. "While I recognize that pilfering the crypts and cemeteries was necessary for Mr. Thorn`s plans, my colleagues and I are wondering if the newly vacated burial grounds will be put back into use."

　　"Thank you for your question, Councilman Riggado. We are grateful to those who served the city in its most dire moment. The graves will be repaired and remain unfilled, and the families will receive minor remunerations."

　　"Thank you." Flusoh sat.

　　A handful more questions finally concluded the day`s meetings. As people filed out, Flusoh approached Jeremiah, his horrible cord-pierced eyeballs boring into Jeremiah`s.

　　"Mr. Thorn," Flusoh asked, "do you have the time for a quick private discussion about cobblestones or something?"

　　"I do, but I`ll have to insist my associates join us for the discussion."

　　"Couldn`t care less! Meet me in the back room."

　　Flusoh exited into the small waiting room used to corral speakers before their time.

　　Allison leapt up, her hand on her sword. "What does he want?"

　　"I have no idea," said Jeremiah. "Easiest just to ask."

　　"I don`t like you talking with that&THING!"

　　Delilah shushed Allison`s outburst and waved away the few people who had paused to see what the commotion was about.

　　"Just relax, all of you," said Jeremiah. "I don`t think he`s going to do anything bad." Jeremiah could see his friends were still frightened. He didn`t blame them.

　　Jeremiah bade his friends follow. The knob of the speaker`s room was ice cold. He took a deep breath and opened the door.

　　Flusoh was leaning back in a chair, idly folding his program. "Kid!" he cried as they entered. "Come on in! Bring your friends, you`ll all fit."

　　"Hey, Flusoh!" Jeremiah said. Now that the shock had worn off, he was actually excited to see Flusoh again.

　　Flusoh must have dropped his glamour, for Delilah gasped when she entered the room. Allison only pursed her lips, but Bruno wavered on his feet and went deathly pale. "Oh, gross&" he whispered.

　　"Rude, but true!" Flusoh laughed and snapped his teeth together. "You know, Jay, when I saw you leaving my castle I thought to myself, He`ll be dead in a week.` Thought I must have been right, too, when I felt your graduation gift pop. What the hell did that?"

　　"Goblin Matriarch."

　　"Ah, that`ll do it. Ugh, not even the worst part of the goblin life cycle." Flusoh stood and extended a hand towards Jeremiah`s friends. "Hello there, folks, my name is Flusoh. As I`m sure you know, I was Jeremiah`s teacher."

　　Bruno and Allison stood stock still, but Delilah reached out a quivering hand and shook Flusoh`s bony one. "Delilah Fortune. A pleasure, Mr. Flusoh."

　　"Aaah, the counselor. Takes guts to stick up for a necromancer. Jeremiah owes you a big one for that."

　　"No, no! We`re straight, I promise." Delilah`s smile wasn`t reaching her eyes, as wide as she was stretching it.

　　"Nonsense! The world needs more people willing to defend necromancers. Here&" Flush reached into a pocket and fished out a blackened fingerbone. A scrap of parchment was tied to it with sinewy cord. He dropped it in Delilah`s hand. "You ever need me, whether you`re in a scrap or need information or just need someone to chat with, snap that bone in half and I`ll come a-runnin!" Flusoh moved his arms in a pantomime of running.

　　"Thank you. That`s very thoughtful." Delilah`s smile was still all teeth, but Jeremiah watched her carefully stow it in a secure pocket.

　　"So, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Jeremiah asked.

　　"Kid, you`ve done so remarkably well that I`ve decided it`s time to further your education. Oh, I`ve got all sorts of great things to teach you, but first is gonna be Abominations. They are just so fun!"

　　At Flusoh`s offer, Jeremiah`s old ambitions bubbled to the surface. He had come so far, perhaps he really could become that great and powerful mage. Then he remembered the man in the closet and his enthusiasm ran cold. He didn`t want power in a dank castle anymore, didn`t want the responsibility that he had failed to keep. He wasn`t sure what it was that he did want, but he knew becoming a greater necromancer wasn`t it.

　　"Flusoh, I`m sorry to have to tell you this, but I won`t be joining you."

　　Flusoh`s skull tilted. "Really."

　　Jeremiah heard a low rasp behind him as Allison began to draw her sword. "Really. I greatly appreciate what you`ve done for me. I wouldn`t be where I am today without you, but&I`m giving up necromancy."

　　"Well, okay!" Flusoh said. "Fine by me."

　　"Wait, Really?"

　　"Kid, I`m not worried. Power justifies its own use, and you`ve got a lot of it. I know you`ve got some moral hang-ups right now, believe me, we all go through it. But when you`re ready to get back on the horse, you just come on home!"

　　There were footsteps outside the door. It flew open with a slam, revealing the portly aristocrat who had yelled at Jeremiah earlier.

　　"There you are, necromancer! You can`t hide from me, traitorous coward! You owe me my fortune, and I`ll see you strung up by your thumbs if—"

　　The color drained from the man all at once. He dropped like a ragdoll.

　　"Oh no! He died!" said Flusoh.

　　Delilah leapt to the man and rolled him over. "He`s ice cold." She shuddered. "It`s like he`s been dead for days."

　　"Well, I`m gonna head out," said Flusoh. "You be good, kid, don`t let the naysayers get you down. Delilah, Bruno, Allison, pleasure to meet you all. I`m just gonna squeeeeeze by you there, thank you. Come on buddy, you`re coming with me." The aristocrat`s corpse dutifully clambered to its feet. "Alright then! You take care, you crazy kids." And just like that, Jeremiah`s teacher was gone.