The marker was for Lorent Suir. There was no marking of a year. This was the Suir family tomb. The Mayor would likely be mortified.

Corea had her back toward a corner and peered around the tomb uneasily. Her instincts were good. Fang was pleased.

Fang set the tablet into one of the holds where remains were stored. He thought back on his conversation with the Mayor. He was adamant Fang not involve himself with the trouble with the undead. Fang wondered if the Mayor had any idea that his own ancestors may have returned from the dead... if that would have changed his stance on Fang's involvement.

The wolf shrugged.

He made his way to the spot behind a closed coffin in the center of the chamber. What he had not expected to see was the massive hole in the floor. It was not a sinkhole, judging by the gentle slope into a chamber below. In the dirt were the unmistakable tracks of someone young. Perhaps a boy.

"Corea. Come here."

She approached Fang and stopped. Her eyes widened at the sight of the hole in the ground and the darkness below. He looked at her honestly considering taking her back to Gordhurst. But her brother may not have long... if he still lived. Fang hoped he still lived.

The chamber wouldn't be too dark for him. He could make do with his sense of smell and hearing but there was no way he could take the girl into the darkness.

"Give me your dagger, Corea."

She looked up at him, confused by the suggestion but he did his best to smile. He knew it was not the most reassuring grin she would ever see.

She handed him the blade, handle first. Again, she was very clever.

He set the dagger down on the cold stone floor of the mausoleum. He drew his two-handed sword and laid it next to the dagger. On his belt, he reached for a small pouch and opened it as much as he could. He had to insert his smallest finger, and even then, he could only manage a claw. He withdrew the claw with a clump of yellow powder.

Fang sprinkled powder on the blade of the dagger and repeated the process a couple of times over for his own sword. He picked up a nearby rock, more a chip off one of the tombs, and flicked it across the surface of the sword. Instantly, the surface of the sword flickered green, and then flames burst across the blade. Fang grabbed the dagger and brought it into contact with the flames. It too took to the flame. He set the dagger back down.

"Now, girl, careful with it. Yes?"

Corea was stunned and she reached for the handle of the dagger, lifting it carefully. She held the dagger aloft and then gave it a playful, looping wave. Fang glowered at her and she stopped waving the dagger around.

He lifted his flaming sword from the ground and began to descend into the chamber below. As his head dipped below the surface, he whispered back.

"Follow quickly and do not light my tail on fire."