The Lich

A boned foot lashed out, a small dust bunny went flying through the air. The Lich didn’t appreciated being gnawed on by small animals, but that wasn’t why he left his cave. He sat on a rock just outside, he could sense someone coming; someone of destiny. Snow had gathered on his tattered cloak, his staff now lay on the ground. He would be here soon; the Lich’s eyes peered through the trees trying to make out something. The porcelain marbles in his sockets were cracked and chipped, no enchantment could fix this so his world was dark and blurry. He did not know the intentions or the destiny of the one coming but he could only hope for the best and be prepared for the worst. Many young warriors had come to slay him only to be destroyed. Out of the corner of his blurred vision he saw movement, he turned his head to see a knight-like figure walking towards him. The visitor stopped when the Lich moved, but did not make any threatening motions. The Lich motioned with his hand for the visitor to come closer. The Lich pulled out a charm that he had made in the occasion he would meet a friendly visitor. The motioned for the knight to put the charm around his neck. Once he did so he began to talk in a rattling voice to the stranger “The Deadspeak amulet you now wear allows you to converse with my kind. What is it that you have come seeking from me?”

The knight answered calmly “I have come seeking you favor and have brought a gift for you.” The knight reached into a satchel and pulled out two bronze spheres. “I understand that undead like you see through the objects they place in their skulls and I had figured that the eyes you have might need to be replaced”. The Lich took the metal orbs while saying “You are both unnaturally kind and well learned” He removed his chipped marbles and inserted the smooth bronze ones. Instantly his vision was clearer and brighter; he took a moment to study the visitor. The knight was young but his eyes seemed much older, he wore light armor under his heavy cloak. On his back was a sack holding his belongings and a small dagger on his belt. The Lich contemplated a moment and said to the man “You are dressed like a warrior on a journey but you have no weapons or shield; come into my cave, I have been saving something for someone like you”

The Lich reached down and picked up his staff; he began walking to the cave. The young knight hesitated; the Lich sensed this and turned around “Come now, I just wish to return the favor, I have something you will need for your journey” Somewhat reassured the warrior followed the Lich into the depths of the cave. The Lich tapped his staff on the wall of the cave, light swept out and the crystal formations on the cave walls lit up like blue stars. The knight was awed by the sight, the Lich motioned over to the corner of the room. There was a chest there; old, worn, rotted, and corroded it still held an air of security as if it was still ready to deny intrusion. The Lich pointed towards the chest with one finger; green light shot out and began clawing at the metal holding the chest together. A small pop could be heard as the hinges and lock disintegrated. The Lich held out his hand and motioned to the chest “Open it will you, I’m not as strong as I used to be, lack of flesh and whatnot”. The knight heaved the lid off the chest and retrieved an old rusty sword. The Lich put a hand on his chin “Hmmm, left it in there too long I see, guess I’ll have to fix that, not much use right now is it?”

The Lich hobbled over to a pedestal on which a large book lay. “Bring that sword over here I think I have something to fix it and more” The young knight brought over the sword and asked “What are you going to do to it?” The Lich responded “I’m going to enchant it with a bit of power, that should restore it and help you in a fight. Hold out that sword.” The knight did as he was told, he held the sword outright to the side of the large book. The Lich flipped through a few pages before stopping “Here it is……..

Wait for the word,

On heart and might,

The steel of sword,

shall come alight.

…... Simbotomb”

The sword glowed for a moment and then flashed bright, the knight was temporarily blinded, when his vision adjusted he held in his hands a bright sharp sword. It appeared to be made of a strange metal with lines and waves through the metal, as he examined it closer the Lich spoke up “It is forged of a unique kind of metal known as Damascus steel, the methods used to create it are long lost but the blades forged by them are blessed with a sharpness and durability not found among today’s weapons” The Lich continued “The enchantment not only restored the blade but will cause the blade of the sword to ignite when you speak the word “Simbotomb”. Use this power only when needed as it draws power from the warmth around it.” The Lich walked back out of the cave with the young warrior. The Lich spoke up “Thank you for your kindness and for your gifts, you may keep the amulet too, I can easily make another. When you finish with your quest please come back and tell me all about it”. The knight turned and said “I can’t thank you enough for this, I will put this sword to good use” the Lich retorted “Heh, a sword is a tool just like magic, it is your mind and wisdom that your should use first. Just because you have a weapon doesn’t give you the right to fight without reason. Fighting is only to be a last resort.”