"I thought I would find you here today, my lady."
"Why have you come here, creature?"
"The same reason as you, to remember the dead, and to pay respect to friends long past turned to dust. Do not think this field and monument is your own private grieving ground. I also once stood on this field, shoulder to shoulder with gods, elves, and men. I also lost many friends that day so long ago."
"What can a monster like you remember of friendship? I should destroy you now and let the world be rid of you."
"My dear Lady Alixia; first of all, you're no longer sure you could defeat me alone. Second, you remember what friendship is even if I don't."
"How dare-"
"But while I may be a bit... hazy... on friendship, I still remember honor. And that honor compels me to pay old debts."
"I forgive you of all debts. Now leave and corrupt this sacred ground no longer with you presence!"
"Just as soon as I say this: Tornal has begun his experiments again."
"And just what is he working on now?"
"He seeks to make more of us."
"Odd. I was just thinking this world needed fewer of you."
"He also seeks to give himself, and the others he makes, power not unlike your own, only with his own dark twist. He seeks to steal what you merely mimic. In fact he says that he has one last experiment to make and he would like an elvish subject."
"Then he has far to travel to find one."
"He has heard rumors there might be one to be had in human lands. It seems poachers have been spreading tales about strange happenings in Aguerius Forest."
"Tornal shouldn't listen to rumors."
"That's what I told him. He never would listen to me. If there are any elves there, I hope they watch themselves."
"Hunting elves is very dangerous. Finding the wrong one would be the end of him."
"Yes, but finding the right one, such as one young and inexperienced, would be easy prey for a Lich Lord of Tornal's power."
"Are you insinuating-"
"Nothing. I insinuate nothing. Just giving information I thought you might find interesting. Now I must bid you farewell. Give my regards to your husband and children, where ever they may be."
"Farewell? A creature like you comes here to this field of sacrifice to mock and threaten me, and you bid me farewell? You think I would let an abomination such as yourself simply leave after such disrespect?"
"Here I am. Stop me!"
"Gladly."
Cady wasn't just dizzy. She was very dizzy. Yet she kept moving around and around, watching the trees. She was determined to make sure no pesky elves snuck up on her this time. Her brother, on the other hand, didn't even try anymore.
"I've told you, Cady, you're not going to see him arrive."
Cady's 12-year-old brother, Almas, just sat there, sitting with his back resting against the tree, playing his lap harp. She would never admit it to him, but he was starting to get good at it. But practicing music wasn't going to help her catch Ulec when he arrived.
YOU ARE READING
Lich-El: Lich Lord Wars book 1
FantasyFor four years Aguarius Forest has been Almas' childhood sanctuary where he and his best friend, Ulec, an elven child, have played with little knowledge of the wars that have plagued the world. But now, evil forces had set their eyes on their forest...