Chapter 16

Commander Star sat at the table round table of the planning room. On her right sat her soon to be husband and on her left sat Commander Levitas. Sitting in front of them were King Leonis, his older brother prince Talon and General Oneye who appeared to be sleeping. They were assembled to discuss and plan the upcoming assault on the land of the cats which had been occupied by the dark wizard Malen and his army of reptiles.

“What was the situation in your land when you left Leonis?” Commander Star asked King Leonis.

“You will address my brother as King Leonis and only talk when spoken to.” Prince Talon growled baring his fangs while the tiger stripes across his face rippled. Commander Star’s sword was at his throat before he finished speaking.

“He is the king of a taken land who came here begging for help. I am a well bloodied Commander who has been serving in the military since I was fifteen. I am also the Princess of the land who you’ve come to begging for help, my mother in her infinite godly wisdom has decreed that it is my job to help you retake your land. I mean no disrespect to your king but I am in command here, if you have a problem with that then we can have duel over it before the wedding.” Commander Star told him, she idly noticed that General Oneye was still pretending to sleep. Prince Talon on the other hoof had gone completely rigid.

“You dare you challenge me to a duel?” He asked her incredulously.

“I wouldn’t do it laddi she’ll gut ya like a fish.” Commander Stormwing said with a grin. “Course I might haveta fight ya instead, what with me bein her husband ta be and all.” The griffin said reaching for one of the claymores on his back.

“I’d take on all three of you.” Talon said flexing his jaw and baring his teeth.

“Then you’re a very foolish puddy cat.” Commander Levitas said his accent causing Commander Star to chuckle internally, ponies from the isles could always be counted on to lighten the mood.

“Puddy cat?” Talon asked with a growl. “You think I’m a puddy cat!”

“Honestly I’d say that you’re more of a pussy cat.” Commander Levitas replied; Commander Star sometimes forgot that underneath that stuttering islander exterior the pony had a razor sharp wit.

“Why I should-” Whatever Talon was going to say next was interrupted by Leonis.

“Talon shut up.” The three words were spoken quietly and the voice behind them couldn’t have been more than twenty but they exuded the feeling of command. “She’s right, we came here to beg and we’ve gotten more out of it then I could ever have expected. So please stop trying to fight our allies.”

“You would have us lick their boots?” Talon asked.

“We are already, and frankly their boots don’t taste as bad as Malen’s.” Leonis replied with a grimace.

“Of that we can all agree on.” The voice came from a female cat who was playing cards with Stonewall and Stronghoof.

She was a tall snow leopard who was partially clad in a swirling white cloak that covered her upper body, a heavy metal staff leaned across the chair she was sitting in and Commander Star had seen her twirl it as if it was a twig.

“Thank you.” Commander Star told the leopard who smiled and returned to her game. “Now that we’re done showing each other how long our dicks are, and apparently mine is the longest, I suggest we get down to the business of planning this damn war.” Her statement was met by a guaffing laugh from General Oneye.

“Girl you have no idea how glad I am to be your honorary uncle.” Oneye said after a few seconds and one last chuckle. They were interrupted by a knock at the door.

“Who is it?” Commander Star asked.

“Pizza delivery.” A familiar voice replied, Commander Star sighed.

“You had better have actually brought a pizza or else I’ll have you strung up by your toes and hung off the walls of the city.” Commander Star answered. Dane entered the room carrying not one but three pizzas in one hand. He quickly tossed one towards Stronghoof who caught it in his magic without looking up.

“You wound me Commander; no one should ever promise pizza if they don’t have it.” Dane told her as he passed her the box, the last he handed to Oneye after taking a piece for himself and settling into a chair next to Commander Levitas.

“Who is this dog ?” Talon asked with a glare at Dane.

“Delivery boy.” Dane replied with a shrug and a toothy smile, the prince actually hissed at him.

“I command that you remove this delivery boy from my pressense at once!” Talon said angrily.

“Dane may stay as long as he wishes; besides he brought us pizza.” Commander Star replied taking a bite of the pizza.

“Half of it is meatball.” Dane told her with a wink at Commander Stormwing who smiled appreciatively and took his own slice.

“You haven’t changed a bit have you you scruffy urchin?” General Oneye asked with a grin as he dug into his own slice.

“I don’t know Oneye; you’ve certainly gotten uglier since I last saw you.” Dane replied with a shrug.

“Why do all old people know each other?” Leonis asked with a sigh.

“Because we’re old kid.” General Oneye replied.

“Speak for yourself, I’m thirty” Dane replied with a grin.

“Yeah because you cheat.” General Oneye countered.

“All’s fair in love and life my friend.” Dane replied taking another bite of his pizza, Prince Talon was turning red with rage over being ignored.

“Um, we should, probably get back to business.” Commander Levitas suggested breaking the charged silence that had fallen.

“Thank you Commander, alright before I was interrupted we were discussing the situation of your land when you left two months ago.” Commander Star said looking at Leonis.

“We were running a low scale guerilla movement cutting off supply lines and disrupting small groups of enemy troops. I even challenged Malen to personal combat and came within inches of killing him if he hadn’t decided to shoot a blast of magic at me.” Leonis replied.

“Troop numbers?” Commander Star asked.

“We had around two hundred, as to their current disposition I don’t know but I’m sure that General Jagua has managed to keep some of them alive. As for the enemy, well they had twenty million lizards, seventy thousand snakes, and around forty thousand crocodiles.” Leonis answered.

“Well at least we know that there’ll be no end of enemies ta kill.” Commander Stormwing said with a grin.

“Aye there should be enough to keep three well trained armies busy for a year or more.” General Oneye said rubbing his chin with a claw.

“So how experienced are their troops?” Commander Star asked.

“When we left they were a bunch of incompetent idiots who barely knew how to hold a sword, now though…well now I suspect that they at least resemble an army.” General Oneye said with a massive shrug.

“The cat empire struck down by a bunch of unorganized reptiles, excuse me but I don’t buy it, what actually happened?” Dane asked leaning forward.

“Treachery at the highest echelons of our empire, General Brokentooth betrayed us and killed Partamos in cold blood before letting their army into our walls.” General Oneye said with a grimace.

“I never trusted him; he always gave me a look that made me shudder when I was young.” Commander Star said. “Then again if he’d ever tried anything mom would’ve flayed the flesh from his hide with her mind and then had him hung from the palace.” She added with a hint of a smile.

“You’re mother is protective of those close to her.” Oneye said with a small smile.

“Anyways so what kind of-” Commander Star began; she was cut off by the sudden flick of Dane’s wrist. Seconds later a lifeless lizard fell onto the floor with a thump.

“What the hell was that doing in ere?” Commander Stormwing asked angrily.

“Chameleon, why didn’t you kill it earlier?” Dane asked turning to the leopard.

“I was going to smash it’s head in casually as we left the room, I thought it would make more of an impact.” The leopard replied with a grin.

“Meh, I prefer my way.” Dane replied with a toothy grin. Everyone else in the room stared at the leopard and Dane with the exception of Stronghoof and Stonewall who continued the game along with the leopard.

“You two knew it was there?” Commander Star asked her bodyguards.

“Yeah.” Stronghoof replied with a shrug as he dealt out the deck again.

“Then why didn’t you kill it?” she asked in irritation.

“She’d already claimed it.” Stronghoof replied gesturing at the leopard.

“And you trusted my life to her?” Commander Star asked in irritation, her two guards seemed to be doing their best to embarrass her lately.

“To be fair they owe me for saving their asses at academy.” The leopard replied for Stronghoof.

“Oh really what did you do?” Commander Star asked.

“I helped get them out of the women’s changing room at the pool on the busiest day of the year.” She replied with a grin at the memories.

“What were you two doing in there?” Commander Star asked giving her two trusted guards, who were squirming slightly, a curios look.

“They wanted to know what some of the species who prefer to go clothed look like without them.” The leopard replied with a sly smile as she eyed her cards. “By the way boys because the dog stole the kill you still owe me one.”

“Dammit.” Stronghoof said with a sullen pout, Stonewall just rolled his eyes and laid a card on the table. “Dammit!” Stronghoof said again, this time with annoyance as he passed his partner a couple of bits.

“How did you know he was there dog?” Leonis asked.

“Meh, chameleons (or anyone else who has camouflage, natural or otherwise for that matter) forget that they don’t look exactly like their cover. If you know what to look for they’re easy to spot.” Dane said with a shrug. “The one exception to the rule are those crazy deer Rangers, trust me you don’t know that they’re there until you’re body hits the ground. Beautiful women though, very much worth the time it takes to get them to trust you.” He added with a wide grin.

“If you knew about it the second that you entered the room why didn’t you kill it the second you walked into the room then dog?” Talon asked with a hiss.

“Because I didn’t know it was here immediately, how long did it take you leopard?” Dane asked the leopard.

“Ten miniutes.” She replied with a shrug. “Then again I was actually looking.”

“Not bad, beat me by three.” Dane said with an impressed nod, the leopard gave a little purring laugh and returned to her game.

“Alright gentlemen now that all the spies are gone how about we discuss the war itself?” Commander Star asked with a small sigh, she’d had no idea that there could possibly be this many distractions and side conversations on the way to the actual planning part of the meeting.

“Finally.” Talon said with a sneer, completely ignoring the opportunity to point out the irony of the statement Commander Star launched into her campaign strategy.

“We’ll be bringing one hundred and fifty thousand troops with us. Fifty thousand will be my army made up for the most part by line infantry who can fight for days, I also have a fairly large pegasus force to support us from above. Most importantly my army also has some of the most talented mages in the empire in it. Commander Stormwing’s army is made up of light adaptable infantry capable of a wider array of tactics and I’ll leave their deployment to him. Commander Levitas’s force is split between artillery and engineers who specialize in creating fortresses and other strong points. We’re being given five ships of the line to take us there and they’ll wait for our return. We’ll be landing here.” She said pointing at a small cove at the very edge of the mainland far away from anything important.

“Are you crazy, that place has absolutely no benefit?” Talon asked.

“Exactly where else could we land and not expect to find a well dug in army waiting to kill us?” Commander Star asked him with a grin. “We’ll wait there for two days which should give the engineers enough time to create adequate fortifications where we can fall back when things eventually go to hell.”

“You think we’re going to fail?” Leonis asked.

“No, but I know that the second that we get there any plan that we make now is going to go to hell. We’re using two month old info now, and it’ll take us another two months to get there. By the time we do I expect that whatever resistance you left there will either holding out in the mountains or dead.” This announcement was met by silence.

General Oneye nodded, Leonis looked hesitant (of course he’s hesitant he’s been a king for half a year and everything he’s done has been in the effort to retake his homeland) Commander Star thought to herself with an internal sigh. Talon just looked annoyed, the leopard had cast a worried glance towards the young king, and unless Commander Star was very mistaken there was something more than worry in those eyes. Something almost maternal, but she couldn’t be his mother… Commander Star needed more time with these cats before she could really judge them.

“So if there’s no point in us being here why the hell are we sitting here?” Talon asked rising from the table.

“I was under the impression that we wanted to show off our dick size.” Dane told him. “Mine’s bigger.” He added with a grin at the angry tiger who looked like he wanted to tear him apart with his claws. A quiet moment passed as the prince stared at Dane who returned the stare with a toothy grin. Then the prince broke the stare and almost charged out of the room.

“Well that was fun.” Leonis said sarcastically before rising to his feet. He gave everyone in the room a nod before he walked out while General Oneye followed him. The three Commanders left next taking Stronghoof and Stonewall with them leaving Dane and the snow leopard.

“You wanted to talk.” Dane said as she picked up her long metal staff and walked over to the table.

“Yes, you fit the descriptions of the dog that Kate has been telling me about. I appreciate what you’re doing for her, but if you hurt her or steal her brother’s whip again I will crack your head open before you can say pussy cat.” She told him with a grin, she twirled her staff lightly with one paw before bringing it down hard enough on the floor to let it sink in five inches. Then she easily pulled it out and waved her hand over the hole, the floor easily flowed back into an unblemished state.

“Cleric, stronger than most, in fact I’d say second in command. Your commander’s dead or worse. You’ve been keeping the group fighting and in good spirits like you’re job description entails. You’re extremely protective of the young king, whether this means that you’re related to him in some way or you’ve simply grown up with him. Now do me.” Dane said with a grin.

“Alright let’s see. Diamond dog assassin, obviously. Givin your banter with the General it would seem that you’re far older then you appear, put the two together and you’re definitely an Underdog. I know of one Underdog who goes by the name Dane, he’s the master of the order’s son who is also known as Dane Blood Claws. The reports say that you operate under extremely deep cover and leave no one alive if they have any lasting relation with your target. They also say that you’re incredible in bed but I highly doubt it.” She added with a smile, Dane nodded in approval. She knew who he was, it was a refreshing change of pace.

“Would you care to put that belief to the test?” He asked her hopefully, she rolled her eyes and took the seat across from him.

“No, Stronghoof and I have a thing going and I’d prefer to keep it that way.” She said with a shake of her head.

“Ah I was wondering.” Dane replied with a small smile and incline of his head.

“You will not harm Kate.” The leopard told him, she said it not as a command but as a fact.

“It was never my intention; I’ve seen too many go down her path without proper guidance. I’m making sure that she’s not damning herself.” Dane replied with a small shake of his head.

“Good, I try but she sees me as an authority figure.” The leopard replied with the sad sigh of someone who’d tried their hardest at something but been forced to give it up.

“I understand. Would you mind telling me your name saying that you already know mine?” Dane asked her.

“Avalanche.” The leopard replied with a grin.

“You’re people are incredibly creative namers aren’t they?” Dane asked with a smile.

“I was the lucky one, my sister is named Snow, and my brother is named Frosty.” She replied with a chuckle.

“Still alive?” Dane asked her.

“Probably, my people are dug in deep and I doubt that Malen’s been able to pry them out yet.” Avalanche said with a shrug.

“Good, so who killed her brother?” Dane asked.

“The general who betrayed our people.” Avalanche replied evenly.

“Ah, well now is there anything I need to know about the girl’s heritage, she isn’t secretly a princess or some such nonsense is she?” Dane asked raising an eyebrow and giving the leopard a grin.

“No, she’s a street rat through and through. Trust me I checked.” Avalanche replied with a small sad smile.

“I see; I’ll keep her from straying off the path of righteousness and onto the path of self destruction as best I can.” Dane told her with a sincere smile.

“Good I can’t always watch her. So why are you in the capital at the moment?” Avalanche asked curiously.

“A mare named Twilight Sparkle.” Dane replied with a shrug.

“Assassination?” Avalanche asked but Dane shook his head.

“My father takes an interest in mares form different dimensions, besides I like her to much to kill her.” Dane said with a shrug.

“Ah I can see why your father in particular would be concerned with someone from another dimension.” Avalanche told him with a knowing smile.

“Yeah it helps that she’s truly a brilliant mare as far as these things go, honestly I haven’t met a mare like her in a century or two.” Dane told her with a sigh. “This place kills the brilliant quickly if they aren’t prepared for it, or it drives them insane.” He added with a sadder sigh.

“I know the feeling; I’ve lived a long time as well and seen my fair share of calamities…” She said with sigh. Suddenly her staff snapped through the air and chameleon fell to the ground behind her. “The most recent of which would have to be the imprisonment of my master’s soul and the loss of our empire to a dark sorceress snake.” She said as the body hit the floor.

“We seem to have a minor infestation.” Dane said.

“Indeed we do, you spotted them both the second that you entered didn’t you?” She asked with a knowing grin.

“Yep, along with the idiot running along the ceiling for the door.” Dane replied casually before flicking his wrist and sending a knife deep into the lizard’s back.

“Good, it seems that the two of us and several of the other bodyguards are the only ones capable of spotting them. Want to clear them out of the palace?” She asked with a hunter’s grin.

“It really is too bad that you’re taken already.” Dane replied rising to his feet with a smile on his face. The leopard let out a short purr and chuckled.

“I get told that a lot; now let’s go and kill some lizards.”

***

Cosmosmia was overseeing open court the part of the day that Cosmosmia hated the most, the courtiers talked amongst themselves quietly and occasionally cast glances in her direction. Over the years she’d perfected a type of half sleep that allowed her to rest while at the same time hearing everything in the room. As usual the nobles were failing to live up to what their titles implied, as always several were here purely to complain while others were here for no other reason than to make asses out of themselves. On the bright side the lizard infiltrators had to suffer through it without gaining anything useful just like the Empress did.

Strings and Disk stood on either side of her their eyes drifting across the room taking in everything without comment. Occasionally they would catch sight of a lizard and follow it out of the corners of their eyes but eventually they stopped tracking them, they posed no threat to their Empress and there was no useful information to be gleaned from the bickering nobles. Suddenly movement near the door caught all three sets of eyes. Dane the diamond dog assassin stepped into the throne room as unobtrusively as possible while still giving the three of them a wink. He was followed by the cat cleric.

“Looks like we’re in for a treat.” Strings whispered.

“Now if only I had popcorn.” Disk said with a sigh, Cosmosmia chuckled to herself and created three small bags of it. “Thank you Empress.” Disk intoned quietly before shoving a hooffull of it into her mouth.

“I can’t have my subjects go hungry can I?” Cosmosmia asked with a grin as she watched the two specialists as they strolled across the room with the air of someone out for a leisurely stroll in the park.

“The cooks may be slightly annoyed.” Strings put in with a half smile.

“Not at all, I always have popcorn ready for any occasion.” The Empress said with a small smile.

“Yeah Strings don’t question the gifts of the goddess.” Disk put in with small grin. Without warning the lizard above Cosmosmia’s head convulsed and dropped to the ground by the Empress’s hooves. Cosmosmia teleported the lizard to a disposal area and looked up in time to see Dane wink at her again.

“Well this should be interesting.” Cosmosmia said quietly as she levitated another few kernels of popcorn to her mouth.

The three onlookers watched in interest as Dane and Avalanche strolled around the room killing every lizard in the room quickly and quietly without anyone else in the room so much as noticing. They took their sweet time but they eventually made their way to Cosmosmia’s throne where they both bowed.

“Thank you for the show, you do however realize that by that by removing them you’ve let them know that we know that they’re here?” Cosmosmia asked.

“That would be a problem if we didn’t want them to know that, the two of us are going to be storming their compound later and we’d prefer them to put up a fight.” Dane replied with a steady grin.

“You act a lot like your father Dane.” Cosmosmia said with a smirk.

“I would hope so, otherwise I’d be worried.” Dane replied with a matching smirk.

“Although I wasn’t very impressed with your performance when you attempted to assassinate me, it was very sloppy.” The Empress told him.

“If I’d been trying you would’ve been bound in a diamond the size of an elephant’s brain, I’d have used it as a nightlight.” He told her with a smile and Cosmosmia chuckled.

“Ah yes you are most definitely your father’s son, how is the Underdog these days?”

“The same as he always is, bored with his job and tired of his fellow workers.” Dane told her with a shrug.

“Well that’s hardly any surprise given his day job.” Cosmosmia replied with a chuckle.

“Yeah he always complains about the smell the worst, says that the only time it isn’t in his nose is when he’s with my mom.” Dane told her.

“Speaking of which is she still an absolute tramp?” Cosmosmia asked with a grin.

“Completely and totally, she cares about him though and to him that’s what matters.” Dane replied with a shrug of his shoulders.

“Young love at its best.” Cosmosmia said with a nod.

“Coming from anyone else I would laugh.” Dane said inclining his head.

“The Underdog is still new to his post, give him a few more eons and he’ll live up to his father’s reputation. Speaking of which do you have any plans as far as that’s concerned?” She asked him.

“Fuck no, I prefer my alone time too much.” Dane replied with a toothy grin. “Dad is always saying how he’s never alone anymore; I don’t think I could take it.”

“To each their own of course, and what about you cleric you’ve remained quiet thus far?” Cosmosmia asked turning to the snow leopard.

“I have nothing to ask you your majesty, although I must thank you for offering your daughter to the upcoming campaign she is quite the pony.” Avalanche answered simply.

“That she is; I’m very proud of her.” Cosmosmia replied with a smile. “How is your master, I haven’t heard from him in quite a while?” Cosmosmia asked. Avalanche’s features darkened.

“He’s been captured by Malen.” She said quietly.

“Then it is as I feared. Do not worry my daughter’s army has some of our best mages in it, if you tell them what they are faceing then they should be able to deal with this Malen.” Cosmosmia replied with grimace at the thought of the old cat at the mercy of the snake.

“Speaking of the snake Dane says that you have several wizards capable of engaging him, I’d like to speak to them if you don’t mind.” Avalanche said.

“Of course, you’ll want to start with Inquisitor Aqua she should be very helpful.” Cosmosmia replied with a smile.

“Thank you your majesty.” Avalanche replied before she bowed again and began to make her way out of the hall. Dane winked at Cosmosmia again gave Strings and Disk a sarcastic salute and then followed the leopard.

“That dog has style I’ll give him that.” Disk said with an appreciative nod.

“That’s about all though.” Strings said with a shrug.

“He’s lived a hard life.” Cosmosmia said with a sigh. “Then again so have you two.” She added.

“Filly please we’ve lived a great life.” Disk said giving her Empress a smile.

“Disk you realize that I’m several million years old right?” Cosmosmia asked.

“Your Majesty we are ready to present our petitions.”

“Very well I am prepared to hear your petitions.” Cosmosmia said; she somehow managed to avoid sighing.

***

Aqua was enjoying a swim in the palace pool (the pool had been constructed on a whim by Empress Stella and had been a good place to relax ever since) Blaze was reclining in one of the chairs nearby playing with a green dragon flame.

“You know I really could use your ‘company’ in here.” Aqua said with a grin as she sent a small jet of water splashing onto Blaze’s hoof.

“I prefer things dry.” Blaze replied as he pulled the fireball in half.

“I seem to recall things differently.” Aqua said with a grin as she floated on her back while her book hovered in front of her face.

“Damn, I walked right into that one.” Blaze replied with a chuckle, he sent a small stream at her and chuckled as she yelped in surprise when the flame suddenly washed over her.

“Watch it Blaze I don’t trust your control all that well.” Aqua told him with a frown.

“Oh really, that isn’t what you-” Blaze began but was cut off by the sound of a metal staff impacting against the tiled floor around the pool. The two looked up from their flirting to find Avalanche and Dane looking at them, Dane was smirking while Avalanche’s face was impassive.

“Hello can we help you?” Aqua asked; she mostly directed the question at Avalanche.

“Yes, you’re Inquisitor Aqua correct?” Avalanche asked.

“The one and only.” Aqua replied with a tiny grin.

“I am Cleric Avalanche and I’m here to talk to you about what part you will have in killing the snake Malen.” Avalanche told her, Aqua nodded once and pulled herself onto the surface of the water before she began to walk towards the leopard.

“Forgive the trick but it’s more dignified the swimming.” Aqua told the leopard who shrugged.

“I would expect nothing less from an Inquisitor.”

“Then you never met my teacher.” Aqua replied with a chuckle as she walked back off of the water and onto the tiles.

“I haven’t had the pleasure.” Avalanche agreed with a nod. She was impressed by the degree of skill the Inquisitor showed with her water magic, she was completely dry and looked as if she hadn’t just walked out of a pool.

“So I’m going to be supporting you while you cast a nature spell on him?” Aqua asked.

“No, you’re going to be distracting him while I beat him to a sticky red pulp with my staff.” Avalanche replied with a chuckle.

“I like her already!” Blaze called from his chair, he was practicing his fire breath. Aqua shook her head with a smile at her partner’s antics before turning back to Avalanche.

“What will I be facing when I confront Malen?” Aqua asked.

“He’s very good at illusion work and can ensnare the minds of the unprepared, although as an inquisitor I suspect that tactic will be far from effective against you.” Avalanche began Aqua snorted.

“If he tries something that foolish I’ll kill him within the first few seconds of the engagement.”

“I thought so. He is also incredibly skilled at conjuration and destruction spells, I saw him wipe out an entire army with one bolt of lightning.” Avalanche continued.

“Is lightning his specialty?” Aqua asked.

“He doesn’t seem to have a specialty per say, it’s more like he constantly switches between which branch of magic is the most effective.” Avalanche answered.

“Hmm we’ve got a joker.” Aqua said narrowing her eyes.

“What?” Avalanche asked in confusion.

“Sorry it’s a term that I picked up from my mentor. Basically it means an incredibly powerful mage who is extremely adaptable to the point that he can swap his primary skills rapidly.” Aqua said with a shrug. “Then he asked me why I was so serious, my master is very odd…” Aqua said trailing off.

“A joker, that fits very nicely actually. At this point he is also in possession of the souls of my master along with several dozen other Clerics from whom he is certainly drawing power, he may even bind their souls to new bodies and force them to fight in his defense.” Avalanche said with a slight shudder at the thought.

“Typical tactics hurts morale and makes it so that you don’t actually have to worry about losing your own people. Alright, so we’re dealing with an extremely powerful battlemage who can destroy armies with a thought, cast deliberating illusions, and on top of it he most likely has a group of powerful zombie mages doing his work. Oh and I’m sure he’s had some contact with the Voids, most dark wizards do and he sounds like the type that they love.” Aqua said with a frown.

“Are you capable of dealing with him?” Avalanche asked.

“Yes… I’ll need help, but I can deal with him, or at the very least distract his attentions so that it is extremely difficult for him to focus on us.” Aqua answer.

“Good, I’m glad that we had a chance to talk Inquisitor.” Avalanche told Aqua with a small bow.

“Anytime, and call me Aqua, Inquisitor is my title not my name.” Aqua told her with a grin.

“Of course Aqua.” Avalanche said with a smile.

“Before you go I’d like to ask what your particular specialty is.” Aqua said.

“Ice, snow, frost, blizzards, and of course avalanches.” Avalanche replied with a grin.

“Our parents seem very good at naming their children…” Aqua said with a smile.