A Rowdy Bunch
Deep underground - well, okay, not that deep, it's just a large cavern chamber - underground, a group of soldiers - rebels - they're definitely soldiers, they're allowed to be both-
Listen. There's a bunch of men and women with armor and weaponry and they're congregated around a table in a cave. It's not that complicated.
Ahem. So.
It's approaching late evening - not that anybody there can see that, but they do know it because they've got hourglasses roughly keeping time - it's approaching late evening, the day shift has finally been released from training and other duties, and the soldiers are doing what any soldiers do when they get out of work and onto their break.
Drinking. And, considering their high spirits, having fun with it, rather than drowning any potential sorrows. Indeed, somebody started singing a drinking song.
"The friar once called him a blight on the world,
A vector of darkness, the evil unfurled;"
One rather... unique.
"He hasn’t said shit since the Truth has come out-
That bastard can’t crap without having to shout!"
Well, okay, the tone wasn't unique. And it's not like the church and state weren't common targets of lampooning in such music.
"He’s clammy and skinny, no meat on his bones;
Mama says to eat, but he’s nothing but groans!"
Really, it was their choice of champion. It wasn't often that undead of any variety became folk heroes.
"But drink, oh he drinks, and we drink along with him
We’ll toast and we’ll cheer for the the great Magnimian!"
Of course, most undead didn't set out on missions to make a good impression. Well, no, they frequently did, but those impressions were nearly universally of the bitten-out variety, rather than that of cultivating a reputation.
Regardless, with the opening of the chorus came the full rabble of voices joining the song.
"And deep underground will the Empire fall
As Truth rings aloud and is heard by them all!
They’ll know that the bones of the Earth truly hold
The greatest of hearts cast in glorious gold!"
One rebel, recruited from the "witches" Friar Gerus had taken, chimed in with the start of the next verse:
"The Church, how it hates him, he makes them look horrid,
The villages love him for bones by the hundred!"
And after her, another, once a member of the Leahorn Royal Guard, followed:
"The Baron despises how he cannot find him;
Our Red Fox adores him for just the same reason!"
Theatrically, at one end of the table, a rebel swept an arm out, hushing the rest of the crowd. He whispered,
"He’d know when you’re sleeping and when you’re awake-"
-before jamming his mug into the air with a wild grin, and shouting:
"If he gave a shit what we do on our break!
But he knows the Truth that the Empire hates:"
And as the group prepared for the chorus, some jumped in early.
"We’ve got our own business, get out of our face!"
Beer, wine, and other spirits were being sloshed around, the gleeful rebels caring little for the lost alcohol as they all swept into the chorus once again.
"And deep underground will the Empire fall
As Truth rings aloud and is heard by them all!
They’ll know that the bones of the Earth truly hold
The greatest of hearts cast in glorious gold!"
A blacksmith from Saunder’s Vale, there to help with equipment maintenance, chimed in:
"They call him a Lich Lord, focus on the first-
They’re shitting themselves thinking of zombie hordes!
But here is the secret they cannot abide:"
He - and half a dozen of the other revelers - taps his forehead.
"He’s scary ‘cause he is a Lord with a mind!"
Unseen by the men and women, from a tunnel nearby, the Red Fox stalks out, face stern from another day of managing a rebellion.
"So sing and be merry, let’s have us a toast
To that benefactor who trusts us the most!"
However, as he draws nearer, one after another sees him. The song starts to peter out, but some still sing...
"When down comes the Empire, we know who’ll step in:"
...until only one oblivious drinker is singing.
"Our glorious, dirt-covered Magnimian!"
The man finally notices the flickering, candle-made shadow over him, as he turns to look at the dark face of his leader. After staring at each other in tense silence for a moment that seems to stretch on forever, the Red Fox looks up, casting his baleful gaze around the table. Multiple rebels gulp, some on spirits, others on the last saliva of suddenly-dry mouths.
Then, suddenly, the Fox grabs an unattended mug of ale, downs the entire thing in one go, and then holds it out to the table, before belting out:
"And deep underground will the Empire fall
As Truth rings aloud and is heard by them all!
They’ll know that the bones of the Earth truly hold
The greatest of hearts cast in glorious gold!"
Faces aglow, the rebel leader's soldiers once again raise their voices in revelry, as the song of rebellion echoes in its cavern home.