(YBA) Kalath in Wicht's Lair (continued)

[Wicht]

The dragons do not hinder Kalath's passing and he makes his way up the steps. The doors swing easily open before him and he enters a grand hall, twentyfeet wide. This hall proceeds about twenty feet and then the room widens another twenty feet.

Though the room is richly furnished, Kalath has little time for observations for his attention is immediatelly riveted by the throne across the room. Comprised of entirely golden skulls, it is a grotesquely majestic thing. There is a corpse of sorts seated on the throne, dressed in rich robes of ebony and holding a staff topped with an iron wolf's head. The face is almost skull like, so dry and parched is the skin and the fingers that clutch the staff are quite bony. But there is a fire that burns in the eyes that watch Kalath with some amusement.

So entrancing is the figure on the throne that Kalath almost misses the two huge three headed dogs on either side of the throne. That is until one of them growls and snaps his three jaws, snap-snip-snap, at Kalath.

 

[graydoom]

In front of the throne and staying out of the way of the dogs, Kalath sketches a short bow to the lich. "Wicht, I assume?"

 

[Wicht]

"Correct. And who may you be?" intones the lich in a dry yet powerful voice that resonates through the room.

 

[graydoom]

"I am Kalath. I sought work from Willford, and he said that he normally only gave work to those approved by you. He then gave me a test, saying that upon completition I would granted audience with you to seek your approval."

"And so, here I am. I completed Willford's test successfully, and so I am here to seek your approval to take work from Willford and to act in accordance with your wishes in the areas above."

 

[Wicht]

"I see." says Wicht, "And did Willford give you no prove for me of the truthfulness of your words. Honesty, as you may know is a desirable trait in a man, but we are not all as trusting as we could be I am afraid."

One of the six canine heads watching Kalath yawns and Kalath sees an inordinate amount of teeth.

 

[graydoom]

Kalath takes out the scroll that Willford gave him, which was returned to him by the demon gatekeeper, seal unbroken.

"This scroll was given to me by Willford."

Kalath tosses the scroll to Wicht.

 

[Wicht]

With a speed of hand that is quicker than one in his apparent condition should possess, Wicht catches the scroll and looks at the seal. Then breaking it he reads the contents.

"I see," says Wicht, and then "Very Well! I give you permission to enter the lair at will and learn the passwords. Furthermore you may perform whatever tasks I or my leutenants see fit to give you. In fact I have one for one such as you now. Are you interested?"

 

[graydoom]

Kalath nods his head. "Thank you, my lord Wicht."

And when Wicht offers another task for him, Kalath chuckles. Smiling, he says, "Heh... I'm always interested," and awaits the description of the task Wicht has for him.

 

[Wicht]

"Quite simply," says Wicht, "There is a certain individual who is getting too rebellious against my authority. I have given him plenty of leeway but time and again he has flaunted my wishes. He is my garbageman to be frank, but I wish to teach him a lesson.

"I want you to kill him and then once he is dead I want you to insert something down his throat..."

 

[graydoom]

"I see. Another assassination, and... a warning?"

"I'm willing."