Restless Dead

The battle with the vampiric hound master begins. The master is able to use his vampiric abilities to warp and weave through the battlefield, making him tricky to eliminate. The hounds enter a blood frenzy as the heirs are bleeding, empowering them. However, the heirs eventually are able to defeat him and slay him with the help of Edwinn's Daylight spell, preventing him from fleeing and regenerating.

Looting his body, the heirs find some money, a magic whistle, and a letter containing instructions for stopping the heirs.

Looking around, the heirs realize that they are on an ancient ruin that details a vampiric ascension. They are unable to translate all the words, but learn that it requires 3 deaths, "One given. One expected. And one by your own hand". The heirs leave the site of the battle, worrying the blood might attract nearby creatures.

On their way, the frost giant Skarnvald joins them and brings back Gerald's head, having smashed him in concern that he was a servant of the cult. Edwinn attached Gerald's skull to his hip for easy transportation, deciding to use his magic to get Gerald a new body when they're able to rest.

Further down the path, the group is ambushed by undead giants, the remains of Skarnvald's clan. Instead of a direct fight, they decide to disengage and escape by climbing frozen waterfalls, leaving the undead giants unable to catch up.

As they finally rest for the night, Via speaks to Edwinn about his new connection and interest in necromancy, explaining that his ability to command the undead is beyond what someone new to the magic should be capable of. Via uses her magic to try and look at Edwinn's essence. Through the shapes, she is able to see several figures behind him, one of them appearing fatherly and trying to guide him.

The King's Hand and their allies settle in for the night, prepared to continue their journey the following morning.