A Lich’s Tale – Part Three (Fiction Fridays)

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four |

Note – April 5, 2013 – There is a good chance because of Publicize being linked with my twitter account that this showed up again in your readers. Sorry about that.

In the interim the lich found himself back in his work room. He still couldn’t figure out the missing piece in his puzzle. He knew, just knew that it was something simple. His aggravation was building. At this point Ratch hobbled into the room.

The lich, not even bothering to look at Ratch, began to scream at the little goblin, “Why? Why can I not solve this simple problem? I should wreak havoc on this whole world. What am I missing?”

Ratch responded unfazed by the lich’s angry tone. He carefully approached the lich holding out a beautiful parchment folded and sealed, while saying, “Me thinks the master is working a bit too hard. I think a nice break would be in order.”

“What is this?” The lich asked as he picked up the envelope. He noticed the seal and sighed, “Oh, probably another invitation from Vermaylya.” He broke the seal and folded out the parchment revealing an invitation to have tea that very afternoon.

The lich just stared down, his sockets completely blank as he read the invitation. He let out a sigh of disgust and threw the parchment down, “Bah, I am far too busy to attend another one of her functions.”

Ratch watched the document tumble to the floor with his beady goblin eyes. He walked over and picked up the invitation. He brushed it off very carefully and spoke, “If the master will permit me to speak?”

After a nod came from the lich he continued, “sir, I think it would do the master good if he were to spend time away from working on the solution. It should help clear up the mind, which could provide some fresh thinking to the master’s current problem.”

The lich stopped his pacing and tilted his skull in consideration of his subordinate’s suggestion. After a few seconds he spoke, “You’re probably right. But those damn witches will be there. I hate the witches.”

“I know, the master has told me on several occasions, however it would only be a few hours and those hours will do the master good.”

The lich sighed again, the anger completely gone from his voice, “You’re right, I shall go.” With that he was gone. Ratch smiled and nodded as he left the room to carry about his other duties.

***

Katie and Kurt had found themselves in a small corridor. They were sitting up against opposite walls glaring at the other with obvious hatred in their eyes. Neither said anything, the silence just hung between the two.
Kurt, being his impatient self, finally broke the silence, “But why did you–“

”Shut up.”

He paused for a moment, then asked again, “I still don’t understand why–“

”I said shut up. I don’t want to talk about it.” She said her eyes narrowing even further.

Not taking the hint, he continued talking, “But if you had only gone left and pulled that lever I am sure–“

”I said shut up!” She screamed her voice full of fury.

Like your typical male, Kurt was bad at picking up clues. He spoke again, “but I am still confused–“

”What part of shut up do you not understand?” She screamed at him. “I swear if you so much as speak again I will cut your tongue out with my knife and eat it!”

Kurt starred at her, a slightly hurt look flashed across his face, as he said, “Hey, no need to get feisty. I just wanted to know–“

He quickly closed his mouth when she pulled out one of her many sharp knives and held it up for him to get a good look.

Finally picking up that she didn’t really want to talk, Kurt stood up and grunted, “Come on, let’s go.”

The two slowly made their way down the dark corridor.

***

Vermaylya sat on her large pile of gold. She snorted as another group of goblins came in with large wagons full of gold.

“Not you sort again. I already have enough gold. Can’t you find somewhere else to deliver it?”

“I am most sorry madam, we could deliver it topside.” A large hefty goblin spoke to her politely.

She let out a small puff of flame of annoyance. “Topsiders, it would just lead to another disaster of some sort. They are so very incapable. I will continue to protect this gold then, at great inconvenience to me I might add. It has been a bad year for knights. They’ve been out in force and they never listen to reason.”

“I am sorry to hear that, madam. We too have had our share of misguided adventurers this season.”

“Well hurry up and deposit your gold. I have a nice tea scheduled later. I believe your master is coming.”

The goblins worked quickly in unloading the gold and placing it on her already considerable pile. Vermaylya swiveled her neck and stared directly at the large goblin in charge. “So, you really have no use for this gold?”

“It’s as we’ve stated, the gold means nothing to us. The magic, emanating from our master’s experiments has seeped into the earth and interacts with the gold buried there, turning the surrounding minerals into lictomyte. As you know, lictomyte is quite useful in brewing strong potions of healing. So we dig, keep the lictomyte and give you the gold.”

“Hmm, I suppose… but is there nothing you can do with this treasure at all? It really is such a terrible nuisance.”

“I am sorry madam, but you have proved yourself the greatest protectorate within reasonable distance.”

A large buzzing sound rang out in the deep cavern.

“Ah, my guests are teleporting in. If you’ll forgive me, but I must entertain them.”

The goblin gave a simple nod, and Vermaylya, stood up from her bed of gold and stretched out her long limbs, sharp claws outstretched and she gave a massive yawn revealing huge sets of pointed teeth. She flapped her wings a few times then lumbered through the large cavern mouth.

***

Death stopped speaking. The young man looked over, his face passive.

“My throat is parched, might you have some water?” Death gave a slight cough.

The young man nodded and tossed over a water flask.

Death took large gulp from the flask and then handed it back. “Thanks for that, hit the spot perfectly.”

“Are we to go now?” Death almost missed the question from the young man’s soft inquiry.

“What? Go where? Wait, you didn’t pay attention to me earlier. Tonight is not your night for coming with me, now pay attention.”

The young man continued to sit and listen.

***