Twix Family/Fey/Rola

Fey looked up from the report and shared a grimace with the uneasy scout standing before her.

"You're certain of these numbers?"

"Aye, Milady. That lot seemed awful comfortable, weren't even on much of alert to my eye. Lounging on busted wagons, town's streetlamps lit, just... sitting around. Thousands of them. Didn't see any citizenry about."

The seasoned knight grimaced further, silvery brows knitting together. "Nothing like being appointed to the seat of your youth's desires--yes, I was slated to be Lord of Rola Sierrie nearly a century ago--only to find it impossible to take that seat." She lifted her chin to gaze faded green eyes out over their modest campsite, her score-and-five elite soldiers going about their tasks with quiet professionalism. "Skilled as my force is, we're no match for even a quarter of what they saw. We'd be overrun."

The scout stood by, shifting his boots in the loose dirt while she mused. Any casual onlooker could see his simple relief to be away from the undead.

"Well, Scout Sindol," Fey continued, "take your ease here with us until the morrow. Don't bother with a dawn scouting, but one for sunset once again will be helpful. See if you can get eyes on any of their leaders. Understood?"

Sindol saluted, swallowing his nerves and putting forth a stoic countenance. "Aye your Ladyship. It shall be done."

"Dismissed. And thank you."

- - -

As the hooves of Fey's mount sounded upon cobbles of the town of Rola Sierrie a chill breeze stirred. It swirled up from the ground, lifting and tangling the hair of both horse and rider. Fey shivered, then steeled herself against the sensation.

They're gone. Be watchful but not afraid. Same old spooks. All in your head.

Dust-coated memories from ages past shook free and wandered by her mind's eye as she took in the sights. Rusted hinges clinging to scraps of wood that were once a door. A similar memory but with ichor and blood splattered about in the north of Beluaterra, plus skeletons leering sightlessly out from the shadows. The postmaster's building, still locked up tight save for a hole crumbled in its side wall. Climbing over rubble and bones in Lin Helon as the city shook. Hails from thankful townsfolk as her banner was recognized. Wait--

"Hail Lady Everlight! Over here! Incendis be praised!"

Snapped to action, she pulled the leather reins and leaned to look back over her right shoulder. Clambering out from a cellar were a young lady and frail ancient man, so coated in soot it was as though they'd been painted in monochrome. Fey leapt down from her saddle and gestured for the two closest soldiers to join her.