"Why not? One might ask, why did the spell the necromancer casted affected only a certain portion of us?" he asked, form Ling. "There are some undead, whom were the first to die from the plague. And yet even those, whom died with me and the same moment remain still buried."

"We don't believe that it was our destiny, to become undead. Rather...its that we have some purpose to serve, the certain picked one of us," he spoke.

(As an idea for a plot. How about angels attacking the world?)

"Actually I was going to ask you the same thing." Ling replied offering a cup of tea to the skeleton "you see I'm very curious about how creatures of the earth, humans, managed to cast such a complicated and advanced spell. I'm almost a hundred years old, I'm a demon, and I couldn't even dream of being able to perform such a feat of magic."

Ling gestured out the open doors towards the garden outside "even our finest spellcasters can't save more than a small plant, but you saved a country."

Mol let himself be dressed and wondered what the chopsticks would be. When Wu pulled out a pair of, well rounded stick he was surprised. 'Wait so you grab with these' he asked as she showed him. After about a quarter of an hour he had seemed to get the hang of it, but he still didn't like the idea and would be discarding them at the first chance he got. After the lessons were finished he felt like he should show her how he usually ate, so he reached inside the folds of his previous clothing, until he found a pocket, from which he procured an object. It was a deep spoon with what looked like fork tips coming out of the front of it. 'I got tired of using my hands to eat so I fashioned this myself one day, without the orks knowing. They give us access to the forges, to produce items for them of course, but I stole some scrap metal and crafted this. I haven't given it a name but couple it with a dagger and you can eat any meal with no trouble' Mol smiled, proud of his creation, and then placed it on top of his clothes. 'Make sure I can collect that later' he said.

Wu regarded the creation with curiosity, though she thought the tongs defeated the point of a spoon. The chopsticks she'd provided Mol were intricately decorated with a black and gold laquer that featured pine needles.

She regarded the now properly groomed man infront of her with some feeling of success. His golden silk evening robe was decorated with Jade colored birds and trees, with a Ruby sash tight around his muscular waist. She'd done her best with his hair, forcing it into a tight pony tail bound in a Ruby silk ribbon.

It seemed a shame to keep his old clothes, but she bowed and agreed to the request. They'd be laundered and brought back repaired and clean.

"You have several hours until dinner, what would you care to do?" She asked respectfully

Gates of the Palace, Nanking
----------

"Halt!" Ordered an armed guard in Xianese as he saw the two men cross the courtyard that divided the palace from the rest of the city.

With a hard stomp on the ground the ground rose around the two men, forming four walls around them. The guard then shouted "What are you two doing in Xi'an?! I demand to see your paperwork."

(Ooc: He's asking for transportation papers, like a visa)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Taken completely aback by the sudden hostility invoked upon them, both Ragnest and Tyron stood perplexed for a moment before collecting themselves to answer the guard's demands.

"We are mere travelers friend, we come from the Kingdom of Vaolos to seek refuge in your most magnificent kingdom and to avoid the horrors of war that would otherwise await us there" shouted Tyron, trying his best to sound domineering without outshining his master.

"We wish to seek council with your prince as is the custom for any noble of another land, in our home besides, to declare himself or else risk accusations of espionage or military intent" stated Ragnest with the utmost formality. He was standing upright with his arms at his sides as if he was about to gesture a salute. During this Tyron had reached into his pockets to produce a Knight's Seal, essentially a coin of various colours and intricately carved patterns (my profile picture). He had also revealed fine clothing to stand as proof to Ragnest's considerable wealth in his home country.

"I am Ragnest of Pharen, and this is Tyron, my greatest friend and also my mentor in matters of historical nature." Ragnest then took the coin from Tywin's hands and held it above him, keeping one finger placed across the breadth of the coin. "This is my insignia which I sincerely hope is recognized in these parts".

With a motion of his hand the metal coin flew into the guard's hand, where he looked it over before sending it back using the same method. Although he was unable to read the characters it's symbol was easily recognized.

With another stomp the stone walls returned to the ground, seamlessly mating with the brick pacers. With a steep bow the guard said "I apologize for the hostilities good knight. I was over zealous in my duties. Sir Ragnest you have permission to request and audience with his Majesty"

Looking at the other man with some suspicion he asked "Do you vouch for your companion sir?"

Although Xi'an was a very isolated nation they were well aware of the knights of Vaolos. Their reputation for honor had earned them the coveted honor of being allowed to request an audience with the court, an honor denied to anyone below an Earl from outside their borders.

@Kenny1

"I wouldn't call it save, and more like it was simply the amount of people - whom had received shelther in my lands, where in others they had been driven away," spoke the High King. "Aren't your people long-lived? What's interesting about us bag of bones?"

(So...my idea? Opinion?)

"Well we demons are" Ling admitted, taking another hit from the pipe "even our humans live longer than average. But it pains me that the average human only lives to be 40. As the future emperor of Xi'an I feel it is my duty to find the secret to making humans immortal, as their rulers are."

(I already have several plans, but it's interesting so I'll put it on the shelf)

Mol thought for a moment before saying 'I wouldn't mind a walk around the palace, it would give me a chance to stretch my legs and explore a bit further, would you like to join me?'.

"Actually I can give you a tour." Wu said, deciding not to point out that he wasn't allowed to wander the grounds alone

She walked to the door and put her slippers back on, then gestured at Mol's slippers on a table "don't forget to wear those. Bare feet in public is considered taboo."

Mol put on the slippers and gestured for Wu to start the tour.

The palace, being in reality several buildings spread out over a large compound, was a veritable maze of buildings and parks. Sprawled out over a square kilometer it featured everything from private mansions to small tea rooms.

Wu chose to give Mol a tour of the common areas; each building was uniquely built and it was obvious that the carpenters had taken great pride in their labors. The first stop was the grand hall, à large single roomed building that featured a raised stage at the front. Next up were the meeting hall, government offices and finally the library.

The library was a massive three story building located near the heart of the palace grounds. Inside were hundreds of rooms, all filled with scrolls and books that encompassed the whole of Xianese knowledge.

It was in a small room on the third floor that We finally stopped to give him an in depth look. The room was no larger than a study, but was crowded to capacity with thick bound books covered in the runes of the Orcs. The sunlight streaming through the large window revealed the neglect the room had suffered.

The floor was covered in thick dust that flew up as they walked, the covers of the books laying on the table were faded from years in the sun.

"In this room is the history of your nation, untouched by the nostalgia filter of your race." Wu said, gesturing at the rows of shelves around them

Mol looked over the books and his eyes fell on one called 'Dru shikhdub' which Mol translated as 'the peoples beginning' which of course referred to the orks and trolls. 'I've overheard some legends of this sort from when the orks and trolls were worshiping the fell beings' Mol began as he took the book off of the shelf 'mostly stuff about giving them strength and power, but some of the legend was scattered here and there. I gathered that the orks believed that they were once human, but were taken to the underworld and changed into orks. I also gathered that the trolls were abominations, orks mashed together into a larger creature. They think that, some, demons or under-worldly powers wanted them as an army, to rebel or conquer that I am not sure of. I do not know how they came to this world, or if there are still orks and trolls in the underworld, which I'm hoping this book will explain'.

Mol opened the book, and as he did so he heard a faint whisper on the edge of his hearing, as if something had been disturbed. He started to read aloud and as he did so the words seemed to captivate him and Wu could mysteriously understand what they said, even though they were in Druka and Mol wasn't translating. 'Gukhot zobor, druan sukh (below the world, demons exist)' as Mol said the words he heard faint drums and sounds of steam escaping, as well as bubbling 'Drugh druanthorukh, daro durguto druanzabe (the demons took humans to build an army). Druan budokhkag, Bagutoga o Totudage (the demons had split, into the Bagutoga and Totudage). Totudagehugh, Totudage o Bagutoga gurokh (the Totudage were rebels, they fought). Drugh Totudagethorukh, daro Totudageukogu. Drugh Totudagehokekhkag, dru o drukh, daro durguto zabe (The Totudage took the humans because they were losing. They changed them into Orks and Trolls to build an army). Durgutodru'o'drukh Totudagegurokh. Bagutoga suz shikh, eros Bakutoga ukudakh (With the ork and troll army the Totudage fought. Many Bagutoga died but the Bagutoga won)' Mol heard the drums grow louder and they formed a war beat, cries and yells could be heard faintly as well as the other sounds of war 'Totudage kugetokh (the Totudage were banished)' As Mol said these words he heard a voice in his head, it was raspy and commanding and as he continued to read goosebumps showed up on his skin and he started to shiver, the voice said 'Drika, unhtotu, Totudagetotu, kaekhutoutotu (You, join me, join the Totudage, join creator)' Mol continued to read 'Totudage Bagutogashikh, Totudagesabatakakh. Gukhot Totudagesabatakakh (The Bagutoga killed the Totudage, the Totudage ran, they ran to the world)' The voice said as he read this 'Inu Bagutogagurogh, inu ukudagh! (we will fight the Bagutoga, we will win!)' Mol read 'Dru o Drukh xugekh (the orks and trolls escaped)' the voice yelled 'Inu gurogh! Inu shigh! (we will fight! we will win!)' Mol yelled and in a show of great willpower threw the book on the ground. He heard a screaming in his ears and hurried to close the book. Once he did the screaming abruptly stopped and he fell beside it, unconscious.

Somewhere in Xian.

Drikdarok heard the scream in his ears, one word 'Totugh! (unite!)'. It stopped as soon as it had started and he looked around, and upon seeing that his ork companions had heard it to he yelled 'Kaekhutou tako! (the gods speak!)' drew out his sword and yelled a war cry. To his companions he said 'Inu Ocradzerogh, inu takogh (we go to Ocrad, we unite)' and then spurred his long strider to ride back to Ocrad at double his previous pace.

@Kenny1

"It will be a difficult challenge. Especially since many in this position would freak out and go crazy from their change," he spoke.

"The reason most of us have retained our unity and even sanity is because of our belief. It's what gives us purpose and reason."

"True, but if we can learn about the spell that was uses we may be able to reverse engineer it. From there we can work on a spell that doesn't have the adverse effects of yours, but still gives eternal life." Ling said

"As we said in our lands, its your funeral," he replied. "There isn't much we can say, since most of the necromancers who did the spell also died. However, there is one man alive...or un-alive, back in our lands. He was the only member to have arisen as undead. He may be able to tell you more."

Ling's ears perked up at the mention of a surviving spellcaster "your Majesty" he said calmly "how could I convince you to lend us this man?"

With a motion of his hand the metal coin flew into the guard's hand, where he looked it over before sending it back using the same method. Although he was unable to read the characters it's symbol was easily recognized.

With another stomp the stone walls returned to the ground, seamlessly mating with the brick pacers. With a steep bow the guard said "I apologize for the hostilities good knight. I was over zealous in my duties. Sir Ragnest you have permission to request and audience with his Majesty"

Looking at the other man with some suspicion he asked "Do you vouch for your companion sir?"

Although Xi'an was a very isolated nation they were well aware of the knights of Vaolos. Their reputation for honor had earned them the coveted honor of being allowed to request an audience with the court, an honor denied to anyone below an Earl from outside their borders.

Quite taken aback by the rapidity of the situation unfolding before them, Ragnest and Tyron were once again startled. It took Ragnest a good few seconds and head shaking before he could reply to the guard's question.

Ragnest replied, "Yes, I vouch for Tyron, friend in life and in death and my fellow traveler."

"I wonder, how long will his majesty take to grace us with his presence, I have heard rumors he is quite casual in his formalities." At this Tryon gave Ragnest a shooting glance, as if to say, stop with the formality and subtle rudeness, I know what you are doing. Ragnest suddenly realizing this possibility that he may have unwittingly insulted his host, lowered his arm to his waist, his sword would probably be of little use against magic, but it made him feel safe.

It was unusual for Ragnest to make diplomatic slip ups like these as he was often personally chosen by the king to lead them. Perhaps it was the sudden walls that had sprung up which jolted his nerves, or maybe it was the fact that he was seeing a prince whom he greatly admired.

@Kenny1

"It isn't mine to debate, if the man wishes to come, that is his own choice," he replied. "However, if you have a way of quickly sending messages, I could write to him. He does know a little about magic himself."

Mol looked over the books and his eyes fell on one called 'Dru shikhdub' which Mol translated as 'the peoples beginning' which of course referred to the orks and trolls. 'I've overheard some legends of this sort from when the orks and trolls were worshiping the fell beings' Mol began as he took the book off of the shelf 'mostly stuff about giving them strength and power, but some of the legend was scattered here and there. I gathered that the orks believed that they were once human, but were taken to the underworld and changed into orks. I also gathered that the trolls were abominations, orks mashed together into a larger creature. They think that, some, demons or under-worldly powers wanted them as an army, to rebel or conquer that I am not sure of. I do not know how they came to this world, or if there are still orks and trolls in the underworld, which I'm hoping this book will explain'.

Mol opened the book, and as he did so he heard a faint whisper on the edge of his hearing, as if something had been disturbed. He started to read aloud and as he did so the words seemed to captivate him and Wu could mysteriously understand what they said, even though they were in Druka and Mol wasn't translating. 'Gukhot zobor, druan sukh (below the world, demons exist)' as Mol said the words he heard faint drums and sounds of steam escaping, as well as bubbling 'Drugh druanthorukh, daro durguto druanzabe (the demons took humans to build an army). Druan budokhkag, Bagutoga o Totudage (the demons had split, into the Bagutoga and Totudage). Totudagehugh, Totudage o Bagutoga gurokh (the Totudage were rebels, they fought). Drugh Totudagethorukh, daro Totudageukogu. Drugh Totudagehokekhkag, dru o drukh, daro durguto zabe (The Totudage took the humans because they were losing. They changed them into Orks and Trolls to build an army). Durgutodru'o'drukh Totudagegurokh. Bagutoga suz shikh, eros Bakutoga ukudakh (With the ork and troll army the Totudage fought. Many Bagutoga died but the Bagutoga won)' Mol heard the drums grow louder and they formed a war beat, cries and yells could be heard faintly as well as the other sounds of war 'Totudage kugetokh (the Totudage were banished)' As Mol said these words he heard a voice in his head, it was raspy and commanding and as he continued to read goosebumps showed up on his skin and he started to shiver, the voice said 'Drika, unhtotu, Totudagetotu, kaekhutoutotu (You, join me, join the Totudage, join creator)' Mol continued to read 'Totudage Bagutogashikh, Totudagesabatakakh. Gukhot Totudagesabatakakh (The Bagutoga killed the Totudage, the Totudage ran, they ran to the world)' The voice said as he read this 'Inu Bagutogagurogh, inu ukudagh! (we will fight the Bagutoga, we will win!)' Mol read 'Dru o Drukh xugekh (the orks and trolls escaped)' the voice yelled 'Inu gurogh! Inu shigh! (we will fight! we will win!)' Mol yelled and in a show of great willpower threw the book on the ground. He heard a screaming in his ears and hurried to close the book. Once he did the screaming abruptly stopped and he fell beside it, unconscious.

Somewhere in Xian.

Drikdarok heard the scream in his ears, one word 'Totugh! (unite!)'. It stopped as soon as it had started and he looked around, and upon seeing that his ork companions had heard it to he yelled 'Kaekhutou tako! (the gods speak!)' drew out his sword and yelled a war cry. To his companions he said 'Inu Ocradzerogh, inu takogh (we go to Ocrad, we unite)' and then spurred his long strider to ride back to Ocrad at double his previous pace.

The door made a loud smack as a scholar ran into the room, worried about the loud noises emanating from it.

He gasped loudly at the sight of the two bodies on the floor. Shaking from the adrenaline he carefully checked for pulses, and breathed a sigh of relief as he found the life signs.

Running back into the hall he shouted for medical help, which by sheer luck he found in the form of a royal doctor researching downstairs.

Dr. Deng, as he was named, analyzed the two closely after laying them on their backs. But, was unable to detect any immediate problems.

"It must be from all the dust" the doctor concluded, unsure of what else it could be. He ordered a pair of servants to take the two to the palace clinic for observation, and word of the event sent to his Majesty.