Chapter IV - Rot'n'Roll

A little earlier, in a small village, not very far from Kira, Adelina sat at a small table in the corner of the little inn, drinking some stale, warm beer. The young Dunmer couldn't wait to get away from this place, but for today, she had traveled far enough. She'd just finish this disgusting pint of piss-warm beer and then she'd head upstairs and get some sleep at last.

All of a sudden, there were screams outside! The door flew open and a farmer yelled, "Run for your lives! We're being attacked by zombies!"
Adelina drew a knife from the shaft of her boot and slowly walked towards the door to see what's going on. Some farmers were trying to fight off a bunch of zombies with torches and pitchforks. Others were leaving their homes and running for their lives, as more zombies approached and went into each of the small huts. Oddly enough, the animated corpses seemed to come out of the huts again after a while, carrying whatever they could find inside. Grain sacks, shovels, one of them even carried an old chair!

One of the braver farmers approached the zombies with his blunt short sword, but before he even got to do any serious harm to them, a furred little creature jumped him and bit his hand. He screamed in pain, dropped his sword and ran off, along with the other farmers. Was that a rabbit?

Adelina had no idea what was going on, but she'd rather sneak off now and think about it some other time. She stepped into the dark and proceeded to slowly walk away from the village, eyes focused on the plundering undead horde, that went from one hut to the next. "Hurrr...!"
One of the farmers must have stayed near the inn the whole time, so she didn't even notice him at first. He wore a little hat and some rags, which faintly resembled a potato sack. "Gods, you startled me! Be quiet, or they will find us!"
"Hurrr..."

The farmer grabbed her roughly, lifted her up and carried her off. She screamed. "What the hell are you... oh no!" She swallowed when she realized her mistake. She got caught by a zombie! Certainly they would eat her now or turn her into a zombie, as well! Well, for now the monster carried the dark elf on its shoulder and they were slowly leaving the village, several other zombies waddling after them, carrying furniture and other random objects. This didn't make any sense at all.



"They're coming back, master", Naala said excitedly. "I'm sure they were a lot more successful this time!" Thalassan sighed and followed his servant to the entrance of their hidden little cave, where about a dozen zombies were gathering. One of them carried a screaming woman. "Let me go, damn you!"
Thalassan gave Naala a questioning look. "I don't remember ordering my zombies to take live prisoners! Naala, do you happen to know anything about this?" Adelina kept on screaming and protesting. Thalassan sighed and put his fingertips to his forehead, then proceeded to silence her with a sleep spell. "Naala, take her inside and tie her up. We'll talk about this after I've inspected tonight's loot. Zombies, take these things inside!"

A little while later, Adelina woke up in a cavern, to the sound of a dunmer's voice, scolding his servant. "Naala, how many times do I have to tell you to stop giving my zombies such stupid ideas? I told them to kill all the farmers and what do I get instead of some fresh corpses? A screaming woman! What are we supposed to do with her now?" Adelina didn't want to stay and find out, but she was tied up and forced to remain where she was.

"With no new zombie material, I'll never become the world's most powerful necromancer. Besides, have you taken a look at our hideout, lately? Chairs, drawers, random portraits, all kinds of vegetables, shovels... why don't you go outside and put up a sign? Thalassan's little pawn shop! Heck, you've already kidnapped our first customer!" Somebody giggled.
"This is not funny, Naala! What am I ever gonna do with you? You're so incompetent and useless and... argh!"

"Incompetent?" Adelina shouted. "Who ordered your zombies to attack farms? What kind of riches were you expecting from farmers?"
Thalassan sighed. "Great, now she is starting, as well!" He stepped into her sight. "What do you suppose I should do then, zombie fodder? What would you do, attack the imperial city with a hand full of zombies?"

"Yes", she said. "It's really not that difficult to figure out when you know what you're doing." Thalassan sat down on one of his newly-acquired chairs. "Well?"
"Bah!" Adelina turned away. "Why would I want to help you? I'm your prisoner!"
Thalassan nodded at Naala. "Untie her."
"But master..."
"I said untie her, you useless, rotten lizard, so do as I say!"

Naala was visibly hurt and without saying another word, she proceeded to untie their guest. Adelina got up and grabbed a chair next to Thalassan. "Alright, listen up. Of course you cannot approach the Imperial City directly, but if you just..."
"Ahem..." Naala interrupted her. "Master, I really don't think..."
Thalassan finally lost his temper. "Yes, I know! You don't think, you're always coming up with your crazy ideas, zombies with hats, flower necklaces, brown robes, you fail to carry out even the simplest of orders and always slow me down by acting like a total idiot!"
"But..."
"Get out of my sight!"

Naala grabbed Mr. Nibbles and put him in her flower basket, took Claude by the hand and looked back at Thalassan once more. "Goodbye, master", she sobbed and walked off.
To his great surprise, Thalassan felt his stomach cramping up into a little ball and he was flushed with incredible guilt. He didn't know why, but he felt miserable for hurting her feelings like that. Bah! He tried to push it away. He couldn't allow himself to get soft if he wanted to become the world's most powerful necromancer! He nodded to Adelina.
"Anyway, as I was saying...."



Naala walked up to the road, sat on a rock and cried. She felt so incredibly sad, lonely and heartbroken. She knew she was only his servant, but he had no right to insult her like that, not after everything she had done for him! "I'm sorry, Claude", she sobbed. "I'm embarassed you see me like this, but it has all been a little much for me, you know."
"Hurrr..."
"Yeah."
She sniffed, held Claude's cold, dead hand and pet the undead rabbit in her flower basket.

"You know, I think we should travel down this road a bit, go to the cities, maybe find a place for us to stay, right?"
"Hurrr..."
"Right, let's go." She slid down the rock, hopped back on her feet and proceeded to walk down the road, when suddenly she heard a voice coming from behind her. She turned around and in the distance she made out a few armored figures with torches. She hesitated. She was used to hiding from people, to only come out at night, stealing a few things here and there for her master and herself to survive. But maybe these people were friendly?
"Claude... what should we do", she whispered nervously.

The strangers came closer and Naala could hear their rattling suits of platemail. One of them pointed at her and shouted, "That robe! It's one of the necromancers and their zombies! GET THEM!!"
Naala's heart stopped for a moment. How could she be so naive and walk around outside right after they had sent the zombies? "Run, Claude! Run!"

She ran away from the road, into the tall grass, hoping to be more difficult to detect that way. Claude waddled after her, but he had a hard time keeping up. "Hurry, Claude! Please!"
The soldiers came closer, she could hear their shouting behind her and eventually, Naala had to let go of Claude's hand, because he slowed her down so much. "Please", she shouted. "Claude! You have to run! They mustn't get you! Please!"

Naala ran as fast as she could, fearing for her friend as much as for her own life. Fortunately for her, the soldiers couldn't run too fast with their bulky armor, but it was only a matter of time until they would catch her if she kept looking after Claude! "Please, dear gods, if you have not completely forsaken me, show me and Claude some mercy! He's everything I have!" She kept on running, looking back to Claude. "Claude, RUN!" When she looked ahead again, she barely had enough time to stop and prevent running into the Khajiit, who was standing before her, in the middle of nowhere. Without warning, she bumped into her and nearly made her fall flat on her face. "Oof! Watch it, you clumsy..."
"Please! You have to help me! They're coming for us!" Naala croaked at her, a tight grip on her flower basket and Claude still waddling after her, followed by a bunch of soldiers.

* * *

Before she knew what was going on, Kira saw herself surrounded by four armored men, who had been chasing after the strange Argonian and her zombie. The dark steel of their chest plates was decorated with a crest, which she knew all too well.

"Say your prayers, necromancer scum", one of them shouted and gave Naala a rough push, sending her to the ground. He drew his sword to finish her off. "Hold it right there", Kira demanded. "What are Blackwood Company goons doing here?"
The young Nord spared Naala for the moment and looked at the Khajiit, his sword still drawn. "Are you not with the necromancer?"
"I'm not a necromancer", Naala protested from below.
He kicked her in the ribs. "Shut up! You and your zombies have invaded Pell's Gate and tried to kill everyone!"

Kira walked up to him, ignoring the angry faces and drawn blades of his companions, ready to draw her own at any time. "So you're telling me this Argonian girl and that walking corpse over there eradicated an entire settlement?"
Claude just stood there, moaning.
"He's lying", Naala shouted. "We've never hurt anybody! Never! I swear!"
"I told you to shut up!" Naala curled up and remained silent when the Nord kicked her once more. Kira could see his cold blue eyes turning into tiny slits in the torch light, as he turned back at her. "Don't get in my way", he hissed. "She is wearing a robe just like necromancers do and she is being followed by a zombie. And now I will collect her head and a handsome reward along with it!"

Kira bared her fangs at him. "You Blackwood Company bastards are always just after the profit, aren't you? Bunch of half-wit mercenaries! This Argonian's robe is nothing like that of a necromancer! And if she really killed everyone in an entire village, why isn't she using magic to defend herself right now? Why isn't the zombie helping her?"
"I'm growing tired of you", he said, without looking at Kira, but rather at something or someone behind her.

With a wild scream, Kira unsheathed her katanas, whirled around and parried the swing of a heavy longsword with her left blade and counter-attacked with her right. The burning edge of her katana cut its way into the side of her attacker's neck, nearly chopping his head off. The Redguard dropped his sword, sank to his knees and finally crashed to the ground in his heavy armor.
She turned to face the Nord again.
"One down, three to go. How well can you see in the dark?"

One of the remaining mercenaries, an Altmer, sheathed his sword. "This isn't worth it", the High Elf explained. "I'm not risking my life for a few Septims, especially when that Khajiit is right and the Argonian isn't even the one we're supposed to kill."
The other mercenary, also a Redguard, agreed. "He's right, Haukur! Let's leave them alone."

The tall Nord glared at them in disbelief. "Cowardly fools! She's all by herself! There's no way we could lose!"
Kira pointed one of her blades at him. "You had better listen to your companions, pick up your fallen comrade and get out of my sight, or you'll find out how much of a chance you really stand against me, scoundrel!"
Haukur gnashed his teeth and sheathed his sword.
"We shall meet again, Khajiit, and then I will make myself a new rug out of your filthy hide!"

Kira watched him walk away, his companions carrying off the dead Redguard. When she was sure they wouldn't be back, she kneeled next to Naala, who was still curled up in the tall grass. "Are you okay? They're gone now."
Naala shivered. "Don't hurt me", she croaked.
"No one is going to hurt you now." Kira sat down at her side.
Naala lifted her head a few inches and cautiously peeked at Kira through one eye, hesitated for a moment and then decided she was safe. For now. She slowly sat up.

"I don't know who you are, but you must have a serious death-wish, upsetting the Blackwood Company like that. Is it true what they said about you?"
Naala seemed confused. "Blackwood... Company?"
"You don't get around much, do you? They do all kinds of dirty jobs for money, much like the fighters' guild, but without the slightest bit of honour and without asking question. You can be glad they've only sent some inexperienced, low-ranked members after you!"
Naala remained quiet.
"My, you're a talkative one. What's your story? How come you ran into me like that, chased by those morons and a zombie?"

Naala turned her head away from Kira and looked at Claude. "It's okay now, Claude, you can come here. And please bring me Mr. Nibbles' basket, okay?" The zombie picked up Naala's flower basket with the undead rabbit inside and sat down next to her.
"This is my friend Claude, and I am Naala", she explained. Then she told Kira about how she grew up to be a slave until Thalassan found her and made her his servant, how she stole for him and assisted him with his experiments until he created Claude. She told her about the attack on Pell's Gate and how she secretly instructed the zombies not to harm anyone. And about how she ran away from her master, now that he was oh-so busy with their hostage.

"So, Naala... what are you going to do now?" Kira asked.
Naala shrugged. "I have never known anyone, but the master. I don't know where to go."
Kira sighed. She didn't like where this was going.
"Hurrrr...." Claude was moaning next to her. Kira got up to inspect him.
"Say, Naala..." she scratched the back of her head. "Aren't you afraid to catch something, when you're with a zombie all day? They carry all kinds of diseases from the brownrot to gods know what else!"
Naala chuckled. "Oh, don't worry! Sniff him!"
Kira tilted her head. "What?!"
"Go ahead, it's alright!"
Kira cautiously approached Claude, holding her breath for a while, then she carefully inhaled just a little bit, then some more, then breathed normally.
"What the... hmmm! He smells like mint! Almost yummy! What did you do to him?"
Naala clapped her hands excitedly. "Oooo, I knew you'd like it! I've enbalmed him! I have extracted various plant juices and I rub them into Claude's skin every once in a while to keep him fresh. It stops the decomposing and keeps the maggots away!"
Kira took a close look at his dead face. "Like leather. Mummified. Impressive!"

Naala laid down on her back to gaze upon the stars. "I have to take good care of him. He's my only friend, you know?"
"Hmm...", Kira looked at him, lost in thought. "I don't think you'll make any more new friends if he keeps following you around, though."
Naala quickly sat up again, clinging to her zombie. "What do you know? He is all I have! I've never even been around people except when I had to sneak out at night to steal from them! I won't leave him behind!"
"Alright, alright, relax! Look, I will head back to Bravil in the morning and I can take you with me, if you want to come along, but Claude will get us in trouble! If at least we had something to disguise him..."

Naala handed her a small pouch full of coins. "I stole this from the mercenary, when he tossed me to the ground."
"What? How..."
"The master needed me to steal for us, remember? All just a matter of practice!" She gave Kira, what looked like a crude, toothy Argonian smile. "So, do you think this will be enough for a disguise?"

The next day, a white Khajiit in black armor was seen stepping into the Lonely Suitor Lodge in Bravil, followed by an Argonian wearing a light brown robe and a mysterious person wearing an over**** straw hat.
Kira asked Naala to take a seat with Claude and wait for her, while she'd go check on their room to see whether Spark and Sir Cronk were still in town.
"But Kira, what if somebody..."
"Calm down, Naala. I'll be back in a minute, just act natural, order yourself a drink or something, I'll be right back."

Naala sat down at one of the tables and looked around nervously. Most of Claude's face was hidden by the huge new straw hat and the fact he was missing his lips and most of his rotting teeth was covered by a long scarf. They also bought him a nice, long, loose cotton shirt and some pants, so on first sight, he looked almost alive.
Naala's heart raced when one of the other patrons approached her. "Excuse me, but what's wrong with your friend? He doesn't look so good."
"Oh, err... well, he... you know..." She stuttered. "That's my uncle Claude. He has a very bad cold, so he needs to wear a scarf. Andand... he's not allowed to talk. The sore throat, you know."
"Hurrr..." Claude waved, just as Naala had instructed him to do if somebody talked to him, to make him seem more natural.

"By the gods! Your uncle has only three fingers! And look at his skin! Did... did you bring a leper in here?"
"N-nonono! He's a veteran soldier! Lost a few toes and fingers in battles, got his hands burned in torture... he had a lot to go through. Please, mind his feelings."
The other patron slowly backed off.

Naala let out a relieved sigh when Kira finally came back with her companions. After a short introduction, Spark sat down at the chair opposite to Claude. "Oooo, so this is a real zombmmf...?!" Kira covered Spark's mouth. "Hush! Are you insane? This is uncle Claude now, unless you want to spend the rest of your life in the dungeons! I don't want to get in any more necromancy trouble", she whispered.
Spark flattened her ears and gave Kira an annoyed look.

"Anyway", Kira sighed. "I think we should split up the reward for our mission and everyone will continue on their own."
Cronk spoke quickly when he noticed how Spark took a deep breath to lash out at Kira. "Before we end up having another argument, may I ask what caused your sudden change of mind?"
"Look, I just don't want you to get hurt because of me. Or worse. It is my fault you nearly died, because I talked you into coming on our mission with me. And the ogre could have killed Spark just like it happened to Agoran and there was nothing I could have done to prevent it!"
Cronk shook his head. "I think Spark will agree with me when I say we followed you by our own, free will. And to die for a noble cause is an honour for every true knight!"