"Well, today they are taking back Meridian." Lucan said as he and Nikka sat down for dinner. The food was scarcely better than what he had back in the prisons. Dried bread, salted steaks, and pickled apples. "If they succeeded, a bird should arrive any minute now."
"You said it would be a rooster?" Nikka choked through a mouthful of bread.
"Her words were that the messenger bird was cocky." Lucan patted her on the back.
They ate. About halfway through their food, a little blue bird flew in through the entrance. He perched on the highest shelf and announced to the room:
"Greetings, Lucan and Nikka. I am Merlin, a highly certified communications emissary. I am here to deliver a message from the Knights of Ardonia."
"Are you the messenger bird?" Nikka asked.
"Messenger bird is such a crude term, madam." Merlin squawked. "Now, please don't waste my time and let me deliver my message."
"Now I understand what Val said." Lucan whispered to Nikka. "This bird is super annoying."
"The Knights of Ardonia are attacking Felora tomorrow." The messenger proclaimed. "They have taken Meridian and will need one of you to open the beacon conduit at dawn."
"Guess I'm up." Nikka said. "I'll place the Nether Star back in. How long do you need?"
"Once we have moved in our troops, remove the Star immediately to prevent the Nether from sending reinforcements." Merlin instructed. "Now, is there anything you need the Knights of Ardonia to know? I do not want to waste this trip just to deliver."
"In fact, there is." Lucan looked at the cave entrance. "We have made contact with a former Necromancer and he will be supporting us with an army of Undead. The troop will be consisted of white skeletons, zombies, spiders, and maybe creepers."
"Excellent." Squawked Merlin. "I shall tell them that we have another ally." He made a sound like choking up his food, which Lucan thought was like clearing his throat, "It's common courtesy to compensate an emissary such as myself for services rendered."
"Uh, right." Lucan looked around the room. "We don't have much, how about a bowl of water?"
The bird sighed. "I guess that'll do."
Lucan placed a sign in front of the zombie, which said "Attack tomorrow morning." Moments later, the zombie came to life.
"Hello, Lucan." It snarled. "Do you have any specific plans from the Knights?"
"We will need to open the beacon conduit for them." Lucan said. Nikka and I will go in at dawn using the old Necromancer tunnels."
"And how may I be of service?"
"Once the Knights arrive, I think you can balance out the Nether forces. They are mostly wither skeletons. Some flying golden things that shoot fireballs, and maybe a couple of Withers." Lucan explained. "Some one will need to evacuate the civilians, of course, but maybe an Undead army is not the best choice."
"Very well. I shall prepare likewise." The zombie growled. "See you in the morning."