The second day of the wave was focused on Skeletons. Approximately 50 - 60 Skeleton Warriors between levels 15 through 20. Each had a small buckler and short sword. None wore armor, since they didn’t have any organs to protect. These were infantry, also known as cannon fodder. There were also some 10 to 20 Skeleton Mages at the same level. Equipped with staves and wands, they wore simple robes of black and red. Hoods covered their skulls, but their boney hands were visible for all to see. All were led by the Skeleton King. The Skeleton King was over 7 feet tall. He wore unblemished ring mail and a shiny silver looking great helm. He carried an oversized coffin shield covering from ankles to shoulders. It was black with a hideous demon face painted in red on it. His sword put most great swords to shame. It was like a Zweihander with two guards, an ornate hilt and a huge blood red ruby in the pommel. The blade itself was over 6 feet long and serrated. Altogether it was over 7 ? feet long.

  As it was reported, we would face less than 100 skeletons today. A high number for a second wave, but still less than yesterday. Of course, these were higher leveled. So, the defenders needed to be higher leveled also. This meant we lost at least a third of our defenders. Rather than be at the choke points, they would be on the walls as our back up.

  The defenders took up the same positions as yesterday, the noble cadre took the two inner choke points, and the adventurers took the outer two. When the defenders were notified, we would be facing skeletons, the Earl also handed out Bone Breakers to all melee fighter. The Bone Breaker was an oversized meat tenderizer on a three-foot staff. The points of the pyramids focused the force of the blow. Unlike a sword, the hit did not have to be perfectly centered to break the bone. Any hit, even glancing hits would work. Many adventurers took advantage of the opportunity and added the weapon to their collection. Others preferred their own weapon, which was understandable. The nobles, for the most part, were already outfitted with appropriate weapons.

  I was once again a part of a reserve group. The groups responsibility would be to go after the Skeleton King at the first opportunity. The group had Brakford of House Templar, Viscount Justinian of House Corville, Captain Willop and myself. I knew all three individuals and was confident in their prowess. Justinian was a damage dealer all the way. He wore tight fitting leather armor and no shield. His main weapon was a two-handed war hammer. Brakford was a tank. He was dressed in a light plate mail covered in intricate designs aka rune magic, carried a huge Rounded Heater Shield and used a silver spiked mace. Captain Willop was just an all-around bad ass. Melee, tank, ranged. Apparently, he could do it all. He wore leather armor, carried a one-handed war hammer, flat faced on one side, spike on the other. I was there for healing and had proved myself against the Ghoul Lord. I would handle any Skeleton Warriors or Mages that tried to interfere with the others, when they were fighting the Skeleton King.

  We watched the Skeleton Warriors and Mages enter the funnels. Just like yesterday, they divided themselves somewhat evenly between the four funnels. The Warriors ran silently barely making a sound. It was eerie. The Mages came floating right behind them. Again, not make any noise. The traps in the funnels had been reset after yesterday’s battle and were effective against the Warriors, but not the Mages, who just floated over or around them. At least a dozen Warriors were crippled, if not outright destroyed, by the traps. Not a huge amount, but every one killed/crippled by the traps was one less for the choke points to deal with.

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  The Skeleton King slowly walked past the dividers, and returned to the center. It looked like he was making some arcane gestures, when the ground around him erupted. Three fully armed and armored skeletons crawled out of the ground. Identification made them as Skeleton Knights, level 25 each. The Knights all wore the same chain armor. Bright and shiny with a slight glow to it. I also noticed that the Skeleton Knights stood over six and a half feet tall. The visible bones were very white, unlike the mages and warriors, whose bones were a discolored brown. The Knights did have some clumps of dirt hanging off their frames and armor, which I put down to their bursting from the ground. This was not going according to plan. Damn, just when I thought we had it covered.

  The Skeleton Knights went straight forward. They jumped over the wall and started running through the non-funnel area straight for the gate. It was obvious they didn’t intend to fight at the choke point but their aim was to get into the city. The Skeleton King had also started to move, but he didn’t run. He walked haughtily, as if everything was beneath him and nothing could stop him. He followed the Knights heading toward the gate.

  Everyone in my group looked at me, apparently waiting for me to give the go ahead. “If you gentlemen are ready, I think we should greet our guests.” I said with a sly grin on my face. Justinian, Brakford, Willop and I walked up the center of the battlefield, meaning to attack the Skeleton Knights and then the Skeleton King.

  We trotted into the space between the funnels and in front of the Skeleton Knights and the Skeleton King. The plan was to quickly dispatch the Knights and then engage the King, since he was further behind. About a quarter of the way to the Knights, we stood our ground. Brakford activated his ‘Taunt’ skill and the three Knights ran even faster to engage him. Brakford activated ‘Bulwark’ just before the first Knight hit him with his sword. Captain Willop and Viscount Justinian attacked. Causing damage to one of the knights, but not disabling it.

  The other two Skeleton Knights attacked the two melee fights. Now we had three one on one battles. I drew Balmung and moved to assist Brakford, but was waved off. I stayed alert ready to intercede if things went bad for any of my compadres. I hated it, but my team members were adamant in their desire to handle this on their own, and I had to respect their wishes.

  The Skeleton King started to run toward the battle ahead of him. Pieces of dirt exploded away with every footstep. His acceleration was amazing, from zero to full speed in less than a second. I got ready to help whoever he attacked. I could at least take the Skeleton Knight’s attention away, while they battled the Skeleton King.

  When the Skeleton King was about 10 feet away from the battle, he jumped. He sailed over the three battles. He hit the ground right in front of me causing me to be blasted back. My teammates couldn’t get free from their battles without getting injured. I was on my own, so I activated Slow Time, turned and prepared to fight the Skeleton King.

  I yelled “Come and face me, you asshole.” Amazingly, the Skeleton King stopped. He turned and looked at me. He tilted his head as he looked at me. He handled the Zweihander as easily as a chef handles a knife, and pointed it at me. A challenge. A challenge to a one-on-one fight. I was about 10 feet away and point Balmung at him. While pointing, I cast Identification.

  Name: Skeleton King

  Race: Skeleton King

  Class: Skeleton King

  Level: Blocked

  Dammit, this isn’t good.