Unlikely reinforcement.

You were starting to think of your next move when the half Orc decided to slit the other's throat from behind.

"Ave Necrarch, Gloria Thanatos. Adorame dominus . Vitæ ex sanguin. " she said kneeling in front of you, presenting the dagger that was glowing with power in both hands extended in front of her, her head bowed down.

The old tongue was nearly forgotten, you only understood it thanks to the dark lore you inherited in your unlife.

"greetings necromancer, glory to ****. I worship you, master! Life from blood. " you heard her say in your head once you focused on her words.

The paint on her face and the blade she carried must have been part of a culture some of the feral orcs still dedicated to their Undead lords of the past.

Grabbing the dagger transfered the energy of the sacrifice she had just performed in your honor to your ring. You were surprised, as you picked the, dagger your fingers had brushed her hand, the soft and warm feeling of her skin was a novelty after hours only feeling cold and pain. Could it be that with life returning to you body your were regaining control of your senses and bodily functions.

But for now both her words and the Knowledge in your head gave you a clear path to recovery. It was disgusting but the alternative was to look like a zombie and not to be able to live normally ever again.

You put your mouth on the slit throat of the Orc and started sucking his blood.

You felt life returning to your body as the warm blood filled you. You looked now just like you did yesterday. No, not yesterday. Nearly two years ago.

You had no way of knowing what had happened during that time. You must have been declared dead and rightly so.

You needed to learn more about what happened in the mean time. The prisoner bound nearby the fire would be a good source of information but you had first to deal with the half Orc.

She had humbled herself and even killed for you but you didn't knew if her offer to serve you would hold once she would learn or guess that you were not a true Lich Knight.

"Do you understand me? What is your name? " you asked the green girl.

"I hear your words, master! I am Zatula Grimshadow, servant of the reaper, guardian of the rites and yours to order in any way. The necrarchs of old have all succumbed to the long slumber, it is an honor to be the first to find a new one. May I now your name, master? I want to address you correctly. " said Zatula.

She knew about the novelty of your status and was finding it a boon rather than a fault. You pondered what she has said. During the war most orcs had abandoned their old gods to worship **** and the Undead that her saw as its children. Now that they had lost the war it was less popular but a few remained that followed those ways rather than to listen to the shamans.

Little you could say had a chance to turn a true zealot away from you, or dissuade a traitor to turn on you. The easiest was to just tell the truth.

"I am Derek Ashcroft, last lord of Embervale . My family was, dispossed , spurned, I was betrayed and killed by treachery. **** didn't want of me and now I am back. I will find my last family members and avenge myself, may my enemies tremble if fear for I am coming. " you declared in as a theatrical tone as you could manage.

"Ashcroft is a good name, famous in the tribes. Lloyd Ashcroft killed Grozkan Skullsplitter in the first invasion. Forgive my arrogance, Master; but you are mistaken. **** didn't reject you, she embraced you. She sent you back in this world to finish a task. What are your orders my Lord? " asked Zatula.

You saw the small mistake in your declaration, undeath was a blessing for her, not a curse.

You should free the prisoner and get ready to go back to the Empire but with the renewed life in your body a certain part of your anatomy reminded you that it worked once more by sticking awkwardly in your pants.

Two naked ladies, one green but willing, the other human in appearance but bound and blinded. Who would you use to relieve you of the pent up tension?

One thing was sure, you had a new life and this time you wouldn't die a virgin .