Chapter 38
The Lich
“Show yourself!” Oggius demanded.
He received no response.
The rest of the party cautiously entered the palace behind him. They were now in a large open room. Tall stone pillars were evenly spaced throughout the room, helping to support the weight of the mountain above.
“In the name of the Stonefists, I command you to show yourself!” he cried again.
Lot leaned over to Golgar and asked, “What is this place?”
“The throne room,” he replied.
“Oggy, look!” Erimack exclaimed as he pointed to the back of the throne room.
Oggy turned to look. A golden throne caught his eye. After all these years, it seemed that every part of the palace was still intact. It almost looked as if the palace had never been abandoned. The throne did not concern Oggy, but what sat upon it did.
Occupying the throne was a figure in the shape of a man. He wore a long, black robe, and his head was covered with a black cowl. Oggy stomped off toward the throne, with the rest of the party following closely in his wake. As they came closer to the throne the figure began to show signs of life.
“Ahhh,” a loud voice boomed. “More guests.”
The figure took to its feet and pulled back the cowl revealing itself to them. Oggy stopped suddenly, causing his followers to bump into him.
“A Lich,” said Locmire.
Legends spoke of Wizards who, desperate to achieve immortality, had bound their souls to their living forms so that after death, they could resurrect. These reanimated skeletal beings were white as snow with empty black sockets where long withered away eyes once dwelled. While their fleshless appearance gives the impression of frailty, the boney body of a Lich is nearly indestructible. More importantly, it is impossible to vanquish such a creature without first locating its phylactery, a physical object imbued with the Lich's soul. As it is the Lich's lifeline to this world, the phylactery tends to be exceedingly well hidden from any would-be destroyers.
The Lich standing before them clutched a staff in its hand. A crystal, which housed a red flame, was attached to the end.
Locmire readied his own staff. He had dealt with a Lich before, long ago. He had hoped that he would never have the displeasure of facing one again. Much to his dismay, here one stood mere feet from him, and it was battle ready.
Locmire's Quest: Book One A Tales from Calencia Novel Page 57