Chapter 155

Chapter 155

My orders to the troops had been to not kill anyone who was not a threat to them, but still try and contain the populace where possible. Most of the citizens just hid in their houses.

I expected the citizens to flee as soon as they could. Then again, my army was stationed on the only major road out of town and fleeing through the countryside is not something non-adventurers could do easily. The fear of the citizens was almost palpable. I had just finished giving a similar speech to that in Dead Water, though I left out the blood magic part.

I did not come here to kill you or turn you into living dead, I was ending my speech. I came here because Olattee picked a fight with me, so I responded. It wasnt the whole truth, but I didnt care. I just hoped to allay some of the citizens worries.

The bodies of the fallen soldiers were gathered outside of the city. We had not used very many spells that created undead during the fight, or the undead we had created were only temporary. Taking the time to do it correctly would result in better troops.

I was passing through the town accompanied by the Dread Thirteen when a man stepped out in front of us. Abimelech stepped forward reaching for her sword. Wait, Abimelech. I said. It was at that point I realized I probably needed staff. The Dread Thirteen were great, but they bent towards violence first questions later. I nodded at Maxwell, glad he had come with us.

How may we help you, good sir? Maxwell asked as he stepped forward.Dive into Stories, Embrace Enchantment: N♡vεlB¡n.

I he was terrified, that much was clear. I waved for the Dread Thirteen to move back, their imposing frames enough to unnerve even stalwart people. What do you want with us?

Truth be told, friend, Maxwells words were smooth and honeyed, a bard at work. What was said this morning is the truth. Continue living your lives. Heck, you will probably even be taxed less. Ezekiel is not here for your soul or anything so melodramatic.

But hes a Lich, the man said, shooting a fearful glance at me. We know the stories about his kind.

As if sensing my words, one raven, bigger than the rest looked at me and cocked its head. That one is going to come over here on its own. Next time just talk to them, theyre really smart and the harbingers of death, Raven said in a no-duh tone as she transformed back into her lynx form and returned to stalking whatever shed been hunting.

I held out my arm not knowing what else to do and said, I would like to look closer at you, if you dont mind. The raven cocked its head at me and cawed. When I tried to examine it, nothing came up.

Suddenly the big raven jumped in the air and flapping its wings landed on my arm. I stared in surprise, not really having expected it to come over to me. The raven was big, but its weight was nothing on my arm. It cawed again, as if in question. I looked into its eyes. They were intelligent, more than any other creature I had looked at.

The intelligence, or the feel of intelligence changed, its really hard to explain. That stare shifted from that of an animal to something else. I got the sense that something had possessed the creature and was looking at me through its eyes. I felt the hint of a mental connection and tried to recoil but it was too late.

I was suddenly in my mindscape. I didnt meditate to get there, I just was there. I stood in the center of my mindscape where I normally appeared. Damien came rocketed over, followed by Ilore. Zeke, be very careful, Damien was just beginning to say when a figure stood before us, having appeared in a flock of ravens.

The figure was humanoid with pale skin and raven-like but androgynous features. Their hair was of black feathers, even the clothes they wore were all made out of feathers. Their eyes were the same eyes I had just been staring into. Deity, Damien whispered.

Damien had not been quiet enough, for the figure stared at him. It said something to Damien in a language I did not know. The language was flowing with guttural throat sounds mixed in. Damien looked a little surprised and then responded in the same language, his version had less squawks and screechesthose must just be the speech pattern of this deity.

I was about to ask who it was when the raven deity addressed me. A Lich in my dominion. I have ignored you, for you were nothing. Now you are something. I will see if what the dark one says is true.

Damien snapped something in the other language that was commanding and authoritative, but the raven deity snarled back. I cant stop her, Damien said.

Before I could respond, the world froze, and a door I recognized appeared.