Lich-El: Lich Lord Wars book 1

Chapter 6

"I think it's time we find a new leader."

"You're speaking treason, Dilfer."

"Come on Tornal, his protection of the Aguerius family is nothing less than treason. They are the enemy and yet he ties our hands concerning them."

"You've seen him fight. Trying to dethrone him would be our death."

"I've been speaking with others. He's only as strong as his weakest point, which happens to be the Aguerius family itself. Lord Aguerius will come for his son. If we have him we can easily take the rest. If we have power over that family, we'll have power over him."

"You'll have to take care of that yourself. He's keeping me far too close for me to do anything. But let's say I wouldn't mind it if he was no longer meddling with my experiments."

"Soon. If we stand united with his precious descendants in our possession, nothing will be able to stop us.

Gidon had everyone up and camp broken before the sun rose. Everyone more or less rested, even Jerad who had taken a one-hour walk to calm down after his exchange with Teaneas.

After nearing the mountain Gidon announced that he, Jerad and Teaneas would continue on foot and Enas would stay behind with the horses. Gidon didn't want to risk losing the horses to any Undead scouting parties. Plus Enas could bring them quickly when signaled.

As they neared the mountain, Gidon started using his compass more and more. He could tell he was getting close by the way the pointer became more and more unstable. From far away they could walk a little off course and the pointer changed little. Now if the path was just a little off the pointer started to rotate.

You're being tracked, a voice in Gidon's head spoke.

Gidon's bow, a fielis named Sacred Knight, hung on his shoulder. Like all fielis, Sacred Knight could only see what was in view, but could see in great detail.

Gidon responded in his mind, Where and how many?

Two that I can see, 200 feet to our left and slightly behind us.

Gidon stopped. Teaneas and Jerad stopped right behind him, Jerad asking if something was wrong. Gidon made a subtle gesture indicating two enemies and the direction. Jerad gripped his axe, ready to bring it to bear. Teaneas only nodded and whispered, "Are you ready?"

Gidon responded, "Now is better than later."

Teaneas nodded once again, and then turning to face the direction of the Undead scouts loudly announced, "I am Lord Teaneas of the Elvish Realm. I wish to speak with he who is in charge here."

At first Gidon saw nothing, although Sacred Knight assured him they were coming. Shortly after, he caught movement in the brush and greenwood. The flashes of movement soon began to take the form of two revenants.

As the pair of undead creatures came close, Gidon motioned to Jerad to take no action. Jerad nodded but he kept a tight grip on his axe, ready for anything. Gidon couldn't blame him for being edgy; he was feeling edgy himself.

The revenants stopped about ten feet away and one bowed and said with a lifeless, hissing voice, "Lord Teaneas."

Teaneas, keeping a constant and dignified posture, addressed the one that bowed, "I would like to see who is in charge here as would these two men under my protection to negotiate the release of a child by the name of Almas Aguerius."

The revenant again hissed its answer, "Audience and safe passage granted. Follow."

Both revenants walked past Gidon, followed by Teaneas who nodded to him indicating he should follow. Gidon sighed and turned to Jerad, "Shall we?"