Chapter 17

Chapter 17

With David dead, I extracted Mercy, forced to push the weapon the rest of the way through his neck. A far easier task than trying to pull it out thanks to the barbs.N0v3lTr0ve served as the original host for this chapter's release on N0v3l--B1n.

I tried to smile at Friar Brown, only to remember I was a skeleton and all I was doing was grimacing with a jawbone.

Friar Brown winced. Maybe bring your illusion spell back.

I need more mana first, but I will cast it as soon as I can.

Thats right, you arent a very powerful Lich, he said.

Thanks, I said dryly.

Not what I meant. I can merely tell. Friar Brown shrugged. I must be honest with you; I dont know much about Lichs. Youre the first Ive met that hasnt been actively trying to kill me.

I decided it was best not to explain how I became a Lich, and how said process meant I was actually a fairly powerful Lich, even if I was currently low level.

Once I had the mana, I cast my illusion spell.

Looking at the furnace, an idea began to brew based off of something Friar Brown had said earlier. If youre okay with a little corpse mutilation, I think I have a way we can destroy this.

These people dont deserve our respect, feel free. Friar Brown was inspecting the chamber, flashes of white and gray magic burning different symbols into the walls and floor around the room.

Using Mercy, I cut off Davids armor and rooted around in his body until I found what I was looking for. I pulled free a death core and could tell it was fairly powerful. Even though Id only been partially responsible for his death, my magic had still had an effect.

I moved to the previous chamber and retrieved the death cores from the bodies there. All except for Julias. Not only had she not been killed by me, her body was just gone. The death cores from the other cultists were quite a bit weaker than Davids, but still fairly powerful. I wandered back through the dungeon, collecting as many of the cores from the lower level as I could. A trail of corpses was left behind me, their chests cut open.

When I made it back to the smithy, Friar Brown was still carving symbols into the walls and floor. What are you doing?

These symbols, he gestured at the things he was carving with a beam of white light, will disrupt the blood magic in this area and make it unusable.

I stood at the anvil, staring at the partially finished ax. I reached for it.

I wouldnt do that, Friar Brown cautioned. True blood weapons contain soul magic, and even though it is not finished, there is a chance it could harm you.

Ill be fine, I assured him. A touch of lore about Lichs, is that were one of the few creatures who can use soul magic innately. I try not to do it because it just feels wrong. But it makes me immune to stuff like this.

Friar Brown frowned. Like soul weavers? That is quite an alarming ability.

Were not nearly as adept as soul weavers are. To be honest, its the ability I wish didnt come with this form. Far too easy to accidentally cross unseen lines with it.

Yes, indeed it would be. Friar Brown gave me a very serious look, and I nodded in understanding at what he was silently telling me.

At the very least we severely damaged it, Friar Brown said. Olattee will still come and purge this place completely.

***

With the blood cult destroyed, we headed back to the village and assured the villagers that everything would be okay. Once they were calmed, we took the friars cart and headed out of town. His destination was back to the ziggurat. Friar Brown had paid one of the villagers to deliver a note to the nearest temple on his behalf. He needed to stay and guard the area. Going back with him was out of my way, but I felt we needed to talk.

Well, I need to keep moving, I said as we rode in his cart. Assuming, that is, that youre going to let me leave.

Why would I not let you leave? Friar Brown asked.

Well because Im a Lich. I shrugged. And you are a priest of purity.

We saw today what true evil is, Friar Brown said. When I met you, I thought it was strange that such a weak Lich was wandering around this kingdom. I had considered destroying you out of hand, but I saw goodness. I dont know your story, but I do know you are walking the path. As we talked about before, so long as you stay true to that path, Olattee has no issue with it.

Since were being honest I said. Just how powerful are you? Were you here when Slatar was destroyed?

Friar Brown chuckled. Did you ever wonder why you didnt grow in power as you fought alongside me?

I had wondered that. It was one of the things that led me to the suspicion that Friar Brown was leagues more powerful than he let on. Fighting with someone of a much higher level often led to either no or very little experience.

To put it simply, Im at least twice as powerful as David was. When we invaded, I was about at your strength level, but have continued to grow since then.

That meant he was likely over level 200. He probably could have beaten me even at the height of my power. So, why do you hold back?

I wanted to see your resolve, Friar Brown explained. Only someone with great resolve can walk the path set before you. People will judge you, and falling into evil will be a constant temptation. But I have seen you face death and keep fighting, multiple times. Even once you began to suspect me and knew that death would result in you being stuck in your phylactery under my control.

Yea My story is both complicated and simple. I was once human and, in a way, I accidentally became a Lich. Now Im stuck in this body of a monster, while I dont think I truly am one. I hope, at least.

That makes a degree of sense. Friar Brown handed me the reigns, and then pulled out a piece of paper and begin to write. Im not sure how one accidentally becomes a Lich, but I can see you are telling me the truth. At least, something close enough to it that it doesnt matter.

He wrote in silence for several moments while I directed his cart around several trees on our way up the mountain. How long will it take for Olattee to respond?

Friar Brown signed the paper. Oh, they will be here quickly. Places like this represent a direct threat to their power. He handed me the note. This is a letter of introduction to Rhea Caffrey. She should still be head of the temple in Omark. She is a good person and will treat you well, assuming you do the same to her.

Thank you. I took the letter and folded it up, putting it in my pack.

We traveled up to the ziggurat together, and once there, it was time for me to continue my journey. I hope I get to see you again.

If I am ever in Omark, I will seek you out. Friar Brown shook my hand, and as I walked away, he said, Remember to be true to the person who you want to be, and keep walking the path one foot in front of the other.

I laughed. How else does one walk a path? I waved, heading into the forest and back down toward the village.