Several miles north of the town of Four Winds Crossing stood a lone figure. His hair was as black as the leather armor he wore, but his skin was as pale as the shining white blade of the sword that sat in its sheath, waiting for its master to have need of it. It would not have to wait long.
The wind picked up a bit and carried with it the stench of death. Before the figure's very eyes, hideous undead beasts began to rip through the ground and claw their ways to the surface. Within minutes, the figure was staring straight at no less than thirty reanimated liches. For several more seconds, they stood there, the undeads' empty gazes meeting the figure's growingly intense one. Then, as if in response to some signal or command, the undeads suddenly began moving.
In a flash, the figure's blade was drawn. With inhuman speed, he rushed at the creatures, his weapon cleaving one in twain. He whirled around, ready to deflect an attack from the back, but the nearest lich only continued southward, toward Four Winds. Seeing that the things would not defend themself, the figure changed his strategy, becoming completely offensive. Several more undead were ripped to shreds by his blade, and then a blast of energy vaporized another. The figure was a black blur and his weapon a white streak as he destroyed the abominations one by one, until finally they were all gone.
The figure sheathed his weapon and surveyed the carnage for a few seconds. Then, he reached out mentally and contacted another, distant entity. Finis? You were right. More than a score of them. All undeads, so apparently they weren't expecting much resistance.
There was a pause, then the answer came. Go to the town and find out what they were after. If you even suspect that it could be the Sphere, tell me immediately, and I'll send Tjat to help you. Don't try to do this on your own, Xopher.
Xopher nodded, even though he knew Finis could not see it. Don't worry. It'll be fine.
Xopher... The tone in Finis's voice indicated that he wasn't so sure it would be fine. Very well. Good luck.
Then, the connection was broken.
An hour later, Xopher Aime was walking through the streets of Four Winds Crossing, looking for clues.
The wind picked up a bit and carried with it the stench of death. Before the figure's very eyes, hideous undead beasts began to rip through the ground and claw their ways to the surface. Within minutes, the figure was staring straight at no less than thirty reanimated liches. For several more seconds, they stood there, the undeads' empty gazes meeting the figure's growingly intense one. Then, as if in response to some signal or command, the undeads suddenly began moving.
In a flash, the figure's blade was drawn. With inhuman speed, he rushed at the creatures, his weapon cleaving one in twain. He whirled around, ready to deflect an attack from the back, but the nearest lich only continued southward, toward Four Winds. Seeing that the things would not defend themself, the figure changed his strategy, becoming completely offensive. Several more undead were ripped to shreds by his blade, and then a blast of energy vaporized another. The figure was a black blur and his weapon a white streak as he destroyed the abominations one by one, until finally they were all gone.
The figure sheathed his weapon and surveyed the carnage for a few seconds. Then, he reached out mentally and contacted another, distant entity. Finis? You were right. More than a score of them. All undeads, so apparently they weren't expecting much resistance.
There was a pause, then the answer came. Go to the town and find out what they were after. If you even suspect that it could be the Sphere, tell me immediately, and I'll send Tjat to help you. Don't try to do this on your own, Xopher.
Xopher nodded, even though he knew Finis could not see it. Don't worry. It'll be fine.
Xopher... The tone in Finis's voice indicated that he wasn't so sure it would be fine. Very well. Good luck.
Then, the connection was broken.
An hour later, Xopher Aime was walking through the streets of Four Winds Crossing, looking for clues.
*****
Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives. - James Madison