Confidence

Moments after dispatching the skeleton the sound of more could be heard from below. Jhaire and Cajole wordlessly stepped back from the doorway to flank any of the creatures as emerged from the doorway while allowing Kaith and I clear shots with our bows. The action was so smooth and natural that I could swear that we had practiced it for years. When the next skeleton appeared it was broken apart by my crossbow bolt and Kaith's arrow before Jhaire or Cajole even moved.

Fearing more undead Jhaire then moved to the top of the stairs. She had lengthened the chain that she wore around her neck that carried a strange sort of medallion. I later learned that the intricately carved amulet was her family crest. Apparently the Aerenal use similar symbols to focus their thoughts when attempting to channel the divine energy of their ancestors. This was the first time I had taken any real notice of her "holy symbol" as I had expected all such devices to be of uniform appearance. I follow the teachings of The Traveller and His symbol is always the same. The same goes for the Dark Six, the Sovereign Host and even the Blood of Vol religion of Karnath.

Jhaire moved cautiously down the steps with the rest of us following close behind. I have keen ears, nearly as keen as an elf, and listened intently for sounds of more skeletons. Cajole's lantern provided enough light to see by for, although I had taken the appearance of an elf, I lacked the ability to see in the shadows that they had. Moments later we entered a corridor and were confronted with a pair of the animated bodies. Rather than destroy or drive them away with her powers Jhaire chose to strike them down with her longsword. Of course, we joined the fray and they were cut down in the space of a dozen heartbeats.

So far we had not received even a scratch from the undead. I think their lack of intelligence and slow reactions were allowing us to destroy them before the magic animating them could register our presence. Even Jhaire was conserving her Ancestor Faith granted powers by fighting them rather than turning them. I'm certain that we grew overconfident which is when we received the first real surprise of the night.

Undead

Having entered the church we proceeded directly along the aisle towards the altar, or rather where the alter would be. Call it instinct but for some reason I decided to hold back and remain unseen within the clutter of the broken pews and many shadowy corners. I'm sure this would be considered fortuitous by even the most jaded for, no sooner had my companions reached a stairway at the rear of the church, a loud the grinding of iron echoing with the weight of something could be heard. Some wicked creature was no doubt ascending from the depths below.

Kaith found a secure and hidden location to snipe from while Jhaire and Cajole remained standing at the doorway with weapons drawn. For a moment nothing happened and then Jhaire recoiled slightly as if exposed to a foul odour. Moments later my guess proved accurate as one of the walking dead emerged from the darkness of the stairway. It was a skeletal creature dressed in rags that were caked in mud. I guessed that it was one of the recently exhumed dead from the church graveyard and not the body of a soldier or guard. It certainly carried no weapons and wore no armour.

During the Last War I had fought several types of undead creature. Most often these were Karrnathi Zombies and Skeletons. The flesh and bones of these creatures were always treated with some kind of alchemical substance that slowed the rate of decay and toughened the flesh and bones. In addition Karrnath saw fit to equip the dead soldiers with much better quality weapons and armour than their living soldiers. They said that even the Karrnathi dead rose again to defend their nation. They called them the Risen and I hated them.

A single skeleton stood little chance against the combined blades of Cajole and Jhaire. Cajole always seems to come alive when in combat and exhibits a degree of grace in her movements that belie her armoured form. Jhaire fought the creature with a fury that I had not seen in her before. It would seem that these sombre elves are passionate in their hatred of the undead.