Work-Death Balance: Lilly the Necromancer, #2

By James Maxstadt

Some dream jobs can turn into nightmares...

...especially when the dead won't stay dead.

Lilly is finished with school and all grown up. She takes an internship with the Capital City Watch, the first step in making her dream job a reality. But her new boss isn't a fan, and there's definitely something fishy about him as well!

Even if she makes it past him, there's more dangers waiting around the corner. Demon-worshipping cults and cursed neighbors are just the beginning.

But when an old acquaintance turns up, looking for help against a bitter enemy, Lilly's life really takes a turn for the worse.

She's not a kid anymore, and Lilly is going to have to learn that in order to maintain her sanity, she needs to establish a healthy work-death balance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Maxstadt
• Release date: Dec 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215540190

James Maxstadt

James is the author of more than fifteen fantasy novels. He loves writing books with quirky characters that are full of action, humor, and a lot of adventure. A fan of fantasy since he was young, James thinks a good story that can take a person away from their everyday life is something worth reading. He’s found over the last several years that writing such stories can be just as rewarding. When he does have his head in this world, he can usually be found relaxing at home with his beautiful wife Barb, doing some home renovation or woodworking project, or signing books at comic conventions and Renaissance Faires. Follow him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DukeGrandfather

Book preview

TO CONTINUE

THREE WEEKS PASSED since the young man had last come to visit his grandparents. But when he entered the house in the middle of the city, he found them both waiting patiently for him.

Um, hi, he said. Were you expecting me?

Yes, dear, his grandmother said, sipping her cup of tea.

His grandfather said nothing, just grinned and raised his mug of ale.

How did you know I was coming? the young man asked.

I was told, Lilly said. A while back.

Told by who? And how long ago?

A few days.

A few days? How could that be? I didn’t know myself that I was coming until a couple of hours ago.

No, dear, you didn’t. But I did.

The young man turned to his granddad, confusion on his face.

Don’t look at me, Duke said. She told me you were coming today, so I grabbed a good seat to hear the next story. You get to sit on the footstool.

Sure enough, there were only two chairs in the room. The large, comfortably padded one his grandfather sat in, and the smaller, but still comfortable, rocker that his grandmother used. He sighed and plodded to the footstool.

Don’t be ridiculous, his grandmother said. Get a chair from the kitchen table.

Oh, the young man said. Right. But I still don’t understand how you knew I was coming today.

"I told you, I was informed. Now, before we get to my story, let’s hear yours."

My what? He brought the chair into the parlor and set it between his grandparents.

Your story, Duke said. You haven’t been here for three weeks. Something must have kept you away.

Oh, that. The young man felt his cheeks grow hot. It was nothing, really. I was just, um, you know, busy.

His grandfather roared with laughter. Told you! he said to Lilly. What’s her name?

Who says it’s a her?

Spill it!

Fine. The young man slumped in his chair, unable to meet either of his grandparents’ gazes. Her name is Darlene.

She’s that cute, little barmaid, isn’t she? Duke chortled.

That’s enough, Duke, Lilly said. Is she nice, dear?

Very. The young man heard the smile in his voice, but seemed powerless to keep it out, even in the face of his grandfather’s mirth. She’s smart, too. She’s working towards opening up her own place, and she has all these ideas for food and different types of drink, and oh, you’d love this, Granddad, even a whole bunch of different types of ale. And on some nights, she would have games to play, and maybe on others figure out a way to let people know the score of the hogball games and—

His face was a deep red now; he could feel it.

Instead of the good-natured teasing he expected from his granddad, Duke was gently smiling instead.

Yeah, he said. "That’s how I felt when I met her. He indicated Lilly. Good for you, boy. Good for you."

His grandmother patted his hand. Now. Do you want tea? Or do you want to talk more about your young lady first?

No, I’m good. The young man smiled. But if it’s all the same to you, I’d rather have an ale.

Hah! Duke crowed. A great day, indeed! I’ll get the ale, and then it’s on with the story!

When he returned and handed the young man his ale, he took his seat, picked up his own mug, and looked expectantly at his wife. Well, what’s it to be now? More tales from your time in the Academy?

No, Lilly said. Well, yes. Sort of, I guess. I want to tell you about my first days here in Capital City. And that’s when I did my internship during my seventh year of school, in the Watch.

THE BOSS

IT WASN’T AS IF I HAD never been to Capital City before. In fact, my parents had a house there and, though we spent much more time in the country, I was very familiar with the city. But it was different this time. I wasn’t there with my family, living in a big house on a tree-lined street, sheltered from the rest of the masses. No, now I was there with a bunch of my fellow students, and we would be working with, and living at, the Watch.

Professor Hamlish hadn’t needed to pull any strings. I’d sent in my application and it came back approved a few days later. I’d been accepted into the Apprentice Watch Necromancy program. If all went well, a job offer would follow after graduation. It didn’t explicitly say that on the acceptance letter, but everyone knew it. That was how it worked. You did the internship, you paid your dues, and then you reaped the rewards of your labors.

Much to my chagrin, Reginald had also been accepted. I really wasn’t looking forward to having him share this time with me, but I hadn’t been asked. Jonas and Clarisse had opted for another avenue, neither one of them having any interest in joining the Watch. I’d miss them.

But mostly I’d miss Abigail and Barret, each off to their own internships, amid many tears and promises of writing every day. Although there had been times over the previous few years that I’d almost envied them their relationship, but after seeing all that? No, thank you. Better to be off on my own, free to do what I wanted, when I wanted, and have no encumbrances. With this being the first time out from under the supervision of either my parents or professors, who needed the burden?

No, I was going to make the most of this time, learning everything I could about the Watch and what made their necromancers and wizards so feared. I’d use the professional time to develop my skills and hone my craft, becoming the best apprentice necromancer the program had ever turned out.

But it wasn’t going to be all work. We’d have down time, and I planned on taking full advantage of that as well. I’d visit the museum, the library, and the gardens. I’d go to cultural events and make like-minded friends to discuss the deeper meanings of said events with. We’d even visit a bar or two, just to get the complete picture of what life in the big city had to offer.

It was going to be magical, and I couldn’t wait to get started.

MAGGOTS. LICE. EARWIGS. Roaches. Rat men.

The lean man in the red robes glared at us. We stood at attention, after being yelled at that we must, in the street outside of the watchhouse. It was a cold day and none of us had been given the time to grab appropriate clothing. Instead, we shivered violently in vain attempts to get warm.

These are all things that are higher than you. On the scale of life and in my opinion.

He wasn’t very nice, whoever he was. I rubbed my arms vigorously up and down at my sides but dropped them quickly when he turned his stare on me. His eyes were so pale as to be almost colorless, which matched the pallor of his skin. He was bald, with a beard and mustache trimmed in a goatee style. He was so thin that his head almost appeared too large for the stalk of a neck that held it up.

Are you cold, earwig?

I glanced around before I realized that he was talking to me.

Um, it’s Lilly, sir, I said, remembering where I was and that I needed to be respectful.

"Oh, excuse me. Let me try it again. I said, ‘are you cold, earwig?’"

The emphasis came through loud and clear. He didn’t care what my name was. And I suspected that he didn’t really care if I was cold or not, either.

Yes, sir, I said, determined to not be cowed, and to not start out my new career by lying either. I was sure he’d be impressed with my fortitude and candor.

Too bad, he sneered. Earwigs don’t get to be warm.

It sunk into me that this guy was dressed almost the exact same as we were. Red robes had been sent to the Academy for each of the wizards who would be doing the internship. Several sets of them for each student, as a matter of fact. In case one gets bloody, Professor Hamlish said, but I was pretty sure he was kidding. Those robes looked great on us, and we all had a wonderful time parading up and down in front of each other, showing them off.

They didn’t do a thing to keep out the cold, though.

Which meant that our tormentor was either immune to the cold somehow or had cast a spell to keep himself warm. A handy trick, and one that I didn’t know. Which made me think that despite the red robes and the almost stereotypical appearance, he wasn’t a necromancer. Or not just a necromancer.

"You’ve all been selected, from among a pool of hundreds, to be this year’s crop of apprentices. Some of you are naturals, some of you come from the fancy Academy, and a few of you are from other places."

Huh. I wasn’t quite sure what he meant by two out of three of those things. What was a natural? I thought it was someone like me, who simply had magic inside of them. Maybe not, though, at least in this context. And what did he mean by other places? I snuck a glance around, trying not to let it look like I was. I didn’t see anyone that didn’t look human, so that was out.

"I’m sure that makes all of you very special. To be chosen from among so many others? Well, it shouldn’t! It’s the exact same as if someone told me to go collect the best ten horse apples from the street! And that’s what you are— do you have a problem, earwig?"

While he was berating us and comparing our lives to excrement, I was still trying to figure out what he meant by other places. Apparently, I’d gotten careless and realized that I was now blatantly studying my fellow apprentices, not even trying to hide what I was doing.

No, sir! I shouted. I hoped that maybe by increasing my volume he’d be satisfied and leave me alone.

It turned out to be a vain hope.

What’s your real name, earwig? he growled. He moved so that his face was an inch from mine, invading my personal space and telling me clearly what he had for lunch.

Lilly. Sir. I swallowed the almost overwhelming urge to remind him that I’d already said as much.

Lilly. He repeated it, stepped back and put his hand to his chin. Oh, yes. Lilly. From the Academy, am I right?

Yes, sir!

Thought so. We were warned about you, earwig. Big ideas about how we can do things better, am I right?

What? I mean, no, sir!

He peered at me; his pale eyes restricted to slits. I think you’re going to be trouble, earwig.

I didn’t respond to that, nor did I return his stare. I kept my eyes straight ahead, staring at a crack in the stonework above the door of the watchhouse. After a few more seconds, he moved on.

"For the rest of you, you’ll be assigned veteran members of the Watch, who have volunteered their valuable time to safeguard your worthless back-ends. When I tell you to— and if you move before I give the order I swear the wrath of the gods will look like nothing compared to what I’ll do to you—you will proceed into the watchhouse. You will not speak to anyone, you will not gawk about like a bunch of country rubes seeing a pretty girl who isn’t their cousin for the first time, you will not stop for any reason unless given such an order by me. You will walk to the door behind the counter and enter the hallway there. You will line up against the wall and stay silent. Is that clear?"

YES, SIR! I was proud of our little group. Our response came out in one ringing bellow, nearly all together.

Disgusting, the man said. Pitiful. Now, on my mark. March!

We began marching, but the man stepped in front of me. Not you, earwig. Not yet. You’ll be going in last, right in front of me so I can keep an eye on you.

I had no choice but to wait there, trying not to shiver, while he stared directly into my eyes without blinking. Finally, the last of the apprentices disappeared through the door, and we were alone.

You’re never going to make it here, earwig.

I looked back at him. Yes, sir. I will.

You won’t. And do you know why?

I didn’t answer.

Because I won’t let you, he sneered. Little rich girl who thinks Daddy’s money can buy her way into the Watch. It doesn’t work like that. Not if I have anything to say about it. Now... MARCH!

I went, stepping quickly, but not as fast as my mind was working. Daddy’s money? What was he talking about? I got into the program because I was a good necromancer! Didn’t I?

The warmth of being inside finally washed over me and drove all other thoughts from my mind. But not so much that I forgot to do what our leader had commanded. He was right behind me, walking so close that he would have stepped on my heels if I stopped.

The upside was that he couldn’t see my eyes, and I took advantage of that to take in everything I could in my few seconds spent crossing the floor.

And the first thing I looked for was... there! Right there! The Board! That place where the Nuisances went up, verified by the Watch and ready for disposal by the Nuisance Men. It was famous city-wide and beyond. Later, when I had some free time, I fully intended to come back here and see what was posted.

Other than that, the room was really kind of a disappointment. It was nearly empty. The Board took up a large area to the right, and to the left was an L-shaped wooden counter, its surface scratched and marred from years of use. Behind that counter stood a large man. Broad-shouldered and thick-armed, but with a slight paunch that said he spent more time behind that counter than on the street. He was busy reading a newssheet when I entered but glanced up at me quickly before returning to it.

I couldn’t be sure, but I thought I saw the briefest glimmer of a smile as he did.

Morning, Sned. His voice was a low-pitched rumble. New recruits?

It’s Corporal Snedworth! the man behind me snapped. How many times must I tell you?

Right, right. Sorry about that.

But the man behind the counter never bothered to look up again and seemed anything but sorry.

Move, earwig, Corporal Snedworth hissed.

I moved. As much as I enjoyed that little power-play, the corporal still held my career in his hands.

I made a beeline for the door behind that desk and found my co-apprentices lined up silently against the wall, just as they had been ordered. The opposite wall was lined with cells, only one of which was occupied.

"The next thing I will be showing you is where you will be staying for the next eight weeks. Not that vermin like you deserve a roof over your heads, but the powers-that-be tell me you have to or your mommies and daddies will come crying. On my mark, you will follow me—"

A tremendous snore from the occupied cell cut him off. It was so loud it almost rattled the bars. Corporal Snedworth spun around, his face a mask of indignation. Will you please be quiet?!

The snoring went on unabated. Now that we had a moment, we could see that it was a dwarf, his long beard flipped up from his chest to cover his face.

Wake up! Corporal Snedworth shouted, but the snoring only got louder. I SAID—

Sned! Don’t bother the prisoners! You know better. The shout of the man behind the front desk sounded much more authoritative than Corporal Snedworth’s had.

Corporal Snedworth spun toward the open door, his mouth worked furiously, but no words came out. The dwarf in the cell continued to snore.

The corporal rounded on us, looking for any sign of mirth, but none of us were stupid enough to show it. I kept my eyes fixed rigidly on an imaginary spot on the wall, determined that I wouldn’t be the one to catch the brunt of his anger.

Follow me, he finally growled through gritted teeth. He was standing directly in front of me, so I heard what he said, but not everyone did. So, when he stalked away toward the last cell in the row, no one followed him. I said to follow me! he screeched.

Now we all moved. The first person in line falling in behind him as he entered the cell. We stopped for a brief moment, I heard Corporal Snedworth mutter a few words, and we began moving again.

How many of us could fit in one cell, I wondered? I was last in line and had visions of myself being forced to stand awkwardly in the barred door, or even outside the cell entirely while everyone else got to see whatever it was he was showing them.

But when I got there, there was plenty of room, since everyone else had already walked through the swirling spiral of colors on the wall.

Hurry up, earwig! Corporal Snedworth’s voice came from the colors. We don’t have all day to wait for you.

I hesitated only a moment, and then stepped forward. As I did, the snoring from the far cell stopped. I looked back through the bars separating them. The dwarf was wide awake, his head lifted off the bench. He winked just as the swirling colors closed around me. Then, I was looking down a short tunnel, with bright daylight on the other end. My fellow apprentices were lined up, all looking much smaller than they really were, and there was Corporal Snedworth, glaring back down the tunnel at me.

I quickened my pace and stepped into a quaint town square, complete with a carved fountain in the middle of it. Houses stood all around the perimeter, some brick, some with timber and white stucco, and a couple made from some unusually smooth material.

About time, Corporal Snedworth said, but to my relief, let it go at that while I joined the line. Here’s where you’ll be staying for the duration of your apprenticeships. It’s not my idea, I can assure you. This area is in a pocket dimension. There is nothing beyond here, so don’t go looking for it. This is where the Watch necromancers live if they choose. Not all do, but some take advantage of it. You will be staying in that building. He indicated a two-story brick structure with a high-peaked roof. Are there any questions?

Someone that I didn’t know spoke up. Do you live here, sir?

"Unfortunately, I do. Which means I may have the misfortune of running into you when I’m off duty. If that occurs, do not say hello. We are not friends or coworkers. You would be beneath my notice if this wasn’t part of my job. I repeat. Do not greet me."

I didn’t think he really had to worry about that.

THE BARRACKS, AS CORPORAL Snedworth called it, ended up being a nicer place than I would have thought. Each of us was given our own room, with simple furniture already supplied. A bed with a table next to it, a small bookcase, and a desk and chair. It wasn’t all the comforts of home, but it wasn’t a hovel either. Men were to room on the first floor and women on the second. Both floors had their own entrances and we were informed that there were spells cast on those doors to ensure that only the appropriate gender would be able to pass. We were there to work, not for playtime. Luckily, not one of us broke into laughter at that.

In addition, there was a common area, accessed by yet another door and open to both sexes. We would share the kitchen and relaxation areas, although we shouldn’t expect to see too much of them.

Then, Corporal Snedworth left us, and we were alone for the first time. He’d return after lunch, not bothering to tell us where we could get something to eat, and we’d be introduced to our mentors at that time. For a few minutes, we milled around aimlessly, looking over the place and each other, trying to not seem as uncomfortable as we really were.

I’m Lilly, I finally said. As icebreakers go, it wasn’t much, but it at least got the ball rolling.

Everyone introduced themselves and said where they were from. Most were like Reginald and I and came from the Academy or other magic schools. But a couple were the naturals that Corporal Snedworth had mentioned.

What does that mean? I asked.

Xavier, a tall, clean-shaven young man with sandy hair smiled at me. It means we didn’t get an education in necromancy. Instead, we kind of figured it out on our own.

But, how? I was mystified. How someone could learn things like Blackavar’s Mighty Negation or an Orb of Disintegration without being taught was something I couldn’t even comprehend.

Practice, he replied. And lots of mistakes, I guess.

Why not go to the Academy, though? Or another school?

He motioned me to join him as he walked toward the kitchen. Two other apprentices had discovered food left in a cabinet kept cold by magical means. Something you would have thought Corporal Snedworth would have pointed out.

I can’t speak for anyone else, Xavier said, but I didn’t know about the schools, and I couldn’t afford them anyway. I grew up on the streets, by myself.

Your parents...

Dead. I don’t even remember them. I was in a home for a little while, but I hated it. Older kids always picking on you, rules that made no sense. I left as soon as I could figure out how to open a window and never looked back.

Wow. I don’t think I could have done that.

Xavier shrugged. Who knows what you can do unless you need to. You never had to face it, though. And that’s a good thing.

Maybe, but I was beginning to feel awfully sheltered.

Anyway, he continued. I got along okay. Once I realized that I could see and talk to the dead, things got better. I could find out where the best places to sleep were, who I should avoid, when the shopkeeper wasn’t looking. Things like that.

I remember seeing my first ghost, I said, thinking back to Mr. Goblinger. I didn’t know what it was.

Me neither, at first. But after I helped Mrs. Stevenson pinpoint her killer, she got a lot nicer. We’re still friends.

Wait, you helped your first ghost find her own killer? How old were you?

I think I was seven, although it’s possible I was still six. I’m not real positive when my birthday is.

I stared at him in something very much like awe. Helping a restless spirit is always risky. Their emotions are heavily involved, and things can get away from you quickly. The bigger the problem, the greater the risk, and helping a murder victim find their killer was work the Watch necromancers did. We didn’t even practice that in the Academy with safeguards built in.

But Xavier had done it as a young boy, and judging from his tone and attitude, it wasn’t the only time.

I don’t even know what to say, I finally managed to squeak out. That’s some high-level stuff. You’re way ahead of me.

Eh. Maybe in that one thing. But there’s plenty you know that I don’t. Don’t be fooled. If I had the choice, I would have taken your road. Parents? A home? School? I can’t even imagine those things.

I was well and truly impressed by Xavier. And, if I was being honest, a little ashamed of myself. I took the fact that I grew up with loving parents, in a nice house, with a good education, for granted. My only thought when he told me his story was how far ahead of me in necromancy he was. It had never occurred to me to think about the hardships he must have faced.

I’m sorry, I said. I wasn’t thinking. But I’m glad you’re here now.

Me too, he said brightly. Now, let’s eat!

LUNCH WAS OVER AND cleaned up after, and we all sat around the living space of the barracks, waiting for whatever it was that came next. We didn’t have long.

Outside, vermin!

Corporal Snedworth’s voice came to us loud and clear, as if he was standing in the middle of the room, even though there was no sign of him.

We piled out the door as quickly as we could, forming into a line without even being yelled at to do so. Surely, he’d be impressed by that.

You are about to meet your mentors for the next four weeks, he shouted, without a single acknowledgment of our line-forming aptitude. "Do not embarrass me, or you will live to regret it, even if you die."

There was the sound of a chime and nine red-robed figures suddenly appeared near the fountain. I felt my blood go cold at the sight of them. They kept their cowls up, covering their faces, and even though it was midafternoon, the whole plaza suddenly seemed gloomy. I glanced at Corporal Snedworth, but he was watching us carefully, determined to catch any of us doing something embarrassing.

The nine figures conversed among themselves, some inclining their heads toward our line. After a few minutes, they slowly approached. The sense of menace coming from them was palpable.

The first to reach us, a step ahead of the others, approached Reginald. He or she stopped and lifted a hand, one long, bony finger extended. They stretched forward and jabbed Reginald in the chest. This one, said an echoing voice from inside the hood.

One by one, they all repeated the act. Only, when one stepped in front of me, Corporal Snedworth leaned in and whispered something. The hood turned toward him for a moment, the figure shrugged, and moved to the woman next to me, choosing her instead.

Finally, everyone but me was picked.

Looks like it’s you and me, earwig, Corporal Snedworth said. For the first time, I saw the man smile. It was every bit as unpleasant as I’d expected.

All the rest of the Watch necromancers backed up, forming a line equal to our own, standing directly across from the apprentice they’d picked. They started to chant, their hands coming up in unison before them, right palm facing the apprentice, left hand clasping the opposite wrist. Their fingers bent in weird ways, the chanting got louder, and brilliant glows of various colors appeared in front of them.

With a shout, they pushed their hands forward and a tremendous bang echoed off the buildings. Every one of us flinched, some throwing themselves to the ground.

The silence stretched out. We warily eyed the Watch necromancers, who stood perfectly still, hands held in their eldritch positions. Then, a snort. From which one I couldn’t tell, but the suddenly shaking shoulders of another caught my eye. A snicker, then an outright guffaw, and the whole line of red-robed wizards started laughing and falling all over each other.

Oh, man, I love this time of year, I heard.

One by one, in no particular order, they reached up and removed their cowls, exposing perfectly normal men and women, faces split by grins.

Don’t worry, one of the men said, we do that every year. It’s always fun to get a reaction. But come on, don’t be shy, it’s time to get to know each other.

Even as he spoke, he and the others turned away and motioned. From between the houses came other necromancers, and other wizards, some in black robes, others in bright blue. Behind them trailed the other apprentices, some of whom I recognized from the Academy. Much waving and chanting occurred, and soon the plaza was magically filled with tables groaning under the weight of food and drink.

Welcome to this year’s apprentices! The yell was repeated by others, and the party was on.

At least for most. Xavier motioned for me to come join him, but as I made to do so, Corporal Snedworth stopped me. I can’t stop you from this, he said, indicating the festivities. Against the rules. But tomorrow, you’re mine.

He stalked off,