Warm Bones

Chapter 1

It was the winter solstice, and as they've done every year on this day, the people of Leira village set up the main road with tall curved lantern poles. Carved and curled, they donned two red paper lanterns, carefully crafted to hold a glow of pyromancy magic. Every craftsman in the whole village put their time and effort into making decorations and ornaments, while the rest of the citizens worked on making sure there was enough food and drink ready for the festival.

If you weren't from Lornfell Valley perhaps this tradition would be quite a spectacle. Perhaps you would travel weeks to visit for a night, to watch the passing of the necromancers from Lornfell castle to the ruins of Astis.

This year was no different. The village joined together for games and food while the sun was up, and drank and danced long into the night. Every solstice a bell in the distance would toll, and not too long after, a glowing trail of dim lights made their way down the tall stone steps, and along the road from Lornfell castle. Creatures and beasts of all shapes and sizes passed through the city, carrying small lights in the palms of their hands. Most of them wore ragged robes, layers upon layers of dingy wraps and coats. Some in decorated thick robes meant for royalty. Long lanky fingers curled around the glowing orbs that seemed to float above their palms. A few used walking sticks, almost as tall as they were.

What type of human would tower seven feet tall with a head of a deer skull? What type of human would willingly sell their soul to own a part of a worldly spirit? Would they still be human after being consumed by what necromancy was, and whatever it was used for by the royal family of Lornfell? It was something everyone questioned, yet no one voiced out loud. Still, every year they marched on the solstices. Once from Lornfell castle, and once back to it. Every year, since anyone alive could remember, the necromancers made their pilgrimage and no one knew why. It was such an old tradition that it had become a normal part of life. The mystery left mysterious.

Evening was growing darker, the town merry and heavy with wine and liquor. Laughter seemed to echo through the whole valley. A young woman inched closer to the road that lead through the village center, her hands full of an assortment of dried flowers. The toe of her leather shoe twisted into the cobblestone as she waited. She could not bring herself to eat or drink, not yet at least, not until they passed through. So lost in her own thoughts she didn't hear the footsteps come up behind her.

"Again?" A deep voice questioned. "Every year since we were 14, Ren. When will you stop waiting for them as if they are gods gracing us with their presence?" Joss was tall with striking green eyes, his long hair pulled back into a low ponytail.

"And every year your comments become more rude." Ren shot a look back over her shoulder and stepped closer toward the road. "They are amazing, and to think otherwise almost feels like blasphemy." She was careful not to crush the flowers under her curling fingers. Closing her eyes she let out a soft sigh. "Joss, you don't have to wait with me."

"I can't then?" The tone of his voice indicated a frown.

"You can do as you wish." Ren kept her eyes fixated on the path up the mountain, waiting for any hint of light. She could see a group of kids perched on the roof of the closest building jumping up and down and playing around.

"They're coming!" One finally shouted and ran along the roof's peak.

"The necromancers!" Another shout followed.

Taking a deep breath she inched even closer to the edge of the road as villagers started to settle from their party. People began to move across the village square, and Ren could feel them as if they crowded in around her. Which wasn't true at all, it was only Joss who stepped close in behind her, eyes narrowed down the path.