The Clouds Billow...

[cloaked]

Nearly a year ago, the Vuotoian horizon around the Castle of Flies was more alive than it had been in a while. Not that that was saying much, as nothing had "lived" in the Castle of Flies since Trucido called it home some time ago. So as a single figure crossed the seemingly endless plateau of salt embarking for the castle, the hundreds of flies that surrounded the white walls could sense it coming and buzzed with excitement.

The figure moved with a leisurely pace, keeping the cloak that draped around the human form still as it approached the open gateway to the castle. The flies moved around the mysterious intruder in a blanketing swarm of wings and teeth for only a moment before a blast of light from the figure's hand frightened them away, leaving it free to enter.

"I know you're here Taggert. Come out." A low and soft voice echoed through the castle walls, carrying down into the corridors ahead.

[The Gravelord Requiem]

"What lowly mortal enters my domain!" I bellow in a hallowed and ghostly wail, as a chill wind rushes through the castle, assailing my unwanted guest for but a moment before subsiding. "To come here is to enter the very land of the dead itself, and those foolhardy to venture here for any reason shall be consumed in the vicious maw that is my grasp, never to escape again!"

As my the echo of my voice vanishes from the already empty castle, the ground in front of my guest cracks and erupts for in a burst of dank, emerald green light, as the clawing hands of my undead legions grasp and tug and the weakened ground, pulling themselves out of their earthen resting places to stand before my "guest."

"State the reason of your presence before me, churl, and perhaps I shall spare you...or perhaps I shall have the flesh stripped from your bones and add your husk to my collect," I threaten as a low, grim laugh escapes my jaw.

[cloaked]

The figure stooped low and bowed, the arm of the cloak swept out in a graceful and respectful manner. "Tis indeed an honour to at last come face to...face with you necromancer." A chuckle escaped from the folds of the hood. "I see your power is every bit as great as I had heard." Seemingly unfazed by the ghoulish appearance of his forces the figure moved towards one of the skeletons, drawing a gloved hand across its skull.

"I seek a very particular goal, yet I'm afraid my power alone is not enough to attain it. I need those with the strength to stand as my equals, and the cut throat desire to get to that end by any means. Between your entrance and your appearance, I'd say you possess more than enough of both."

[The Gravelord Requiem]

I scoff at the hooded figures comments as I rise from my throne of bone and flesh, phasing in front of him in a wave of black mist. My unblinking eyes gaze at him intently, as the chilling blue hue escape from my skull and faintly illuminates the figure, but not enough to see anything.

"I'm necromancer no more, peasant. I transcended such a piteous title upon my rebirth as what you see before you. I'm a Lich, master... no, king of the undead, not just some pathetic human who utilizes them. Furthermore, if you're looking for equals, the you've sadly overestimated yourself, human, for I'm without equal on this pathetic realm."

I phase behind the cloaked figure, placing my deathly cold hands on his shoulders and leaning close beside his head. "Now, I suggest you quickly expand upon this "goal" of yours, as my patience wears thin, and your future doesn't bode well should it run out."

[cloaked]

"We all possess our own strengths, and our own weaknesses dear Lich." The stranger waved a finger disapprovingly in front of Taggert's bony head. "You see for all your power and your mastery of the undead, the dead are a rather finite resource for you. There are only so many corpses you can raise from this little rat's nest called Vuoto, and then what? If I were to do this..." With a quick twist the figure spun around, letting the cloak rise up in Taggert's view. In the brief moment of the spin its gloved hand rose out from the cloak, shimmering with a holy power. Reaching out to a random skeleton the hand crushed in the skull, undoing the necrotic link and causing it to fall to dust on the salt floor beneath them.

"...well, where would you get a replacement?" The cloaked stranger asked, its front to Taggert again. "Were you to invade one of the kingdoms your appearance would no doubt draw attention to you. You would perhaps ransack a village or two, maybe even take out a whole kingdom. In the end though, you'd die as surely as Trucido did." The figure's tone was threatening, for despite the dominance Taggert seemed to hold there was no need for fear. It was risky of course, but it was worth it.

"I can get you all the bodies you want for your army, and by the time anyone realizes what's going on, it will be too late. Not a bad sounding offer, hmm?" The front of the cloak shifted and rose as the figure's arms crossed.

[The Gravelord Requiem]

My icy blue gaze remains unblinking as I watch the cloaked figure approach my minion and reduce him to but dust with a burst of holy magic. I grimace internally, my husk not allowing me to show such an emotion, as I witness the vile art performed in front of me, for though my powers reign over this mortal, I've not the confidence in my new vessel to risk the effect such magics might have against it.

Releasing my frigid fingers from his shoulders, I pace around the hooded figure, my eyes fixated on him intently. "You speak beyond what you understand, mortal, for death is a cycle unending, and from this, my army follows in kind. All shall fester and rot in the earth, and human's are the greatest resource of all, for they so freely kill and destroy each other that I'm ever suppled with new minions, regardless of my direct involvement. And besides," I continue to boast as I halt in front of my visitor. "My army expands beyond this realm, for my presence is so great, that even those abyssal horrors of planes beyond fall helpless to my whims."

"But..." I pause inquisitively as I swiftly turn my back to the hooded figure and return to my throne. "This deal of yours...intrigues me, but I'm no puppet to pulled string by string, so tell me exactly what this plan entails, my role in it, and how you'll guarantee me this army?" I question, as I rap my fingers melodiously against my bone armrest.

[cloaked]

"I am not one of your corpses Taggert. You will hold no dominance over me, be it with boasts or threats." The figure retorted sharply. "The fact is you hide in this decayed place because you have not the strength to go hold reign over anywhere else."

The figure cleared its throat before continuing in its more diplomatic tone. "I care not for what you intend to do with your army, and I don't expect you to tell me. We are not allies yet Lich, so my devices are my own, and that's the way they'll stay. At least, till we've come to know each other a bit better."

"You want a force that can grant you the power to stand above all in this world, and I need your power to get what I want. The army of corpses just happens to be a... side effect if all goes according to plan." Though hidden beneath the black hood the figure smiled a devilish smile.

Come now Taggert, I almost have you don't I? Your intrigue now is as good as a yes later. The figure thought to itself, enjoying the game they were playing.

[The Gravelord Requiem]

"Know your place, mortal!" I howl angrily, as I slam my fist against my chair, causing a burst of emerald flames around my clenched, skeletal hand. "I hold no Dominance over you, you say? Well perhaps I shall force a hold on you!" I threaten, as i rise from my chair, my melodic rapping serving as a means of channelling enough magic for minor charm spell.

Holding my hand out and gripping it towards the hooded figure, I begin to wrap him with in a Suggestion spell, causing him to temporarily bend to my wishes should his will buckle. "Now, let's see how well your devices remain your own. What is this plan of your's, and spare no details." I demand, keeping my outstretched hand directed towards my guest.

[cloaked]

The cloaked figure threw a hand up to it's face as its fingers tightened around its temple. The Lich's magic was indeed strong, as it could feel the dark forces loosening its inhibitions. "People have, grown fearful...of the gods. Trucido's attack has left many....many unsure of where to put their faith. We need only, to use that doubt."

As the figure had only begun to reveal its true intentions there was stronger resistance in its will for the details. Beneath the cloak the figures face cringed as it tried to focus everything in resisting Taggert's enchantment.

[The Gravelord Requiem]

I let out a cruel laugh as I see the hooded figure grip his head in futile resistance. "Where is your mockery and ego now, mortal?" I retort as I wave my hands to some inaudible rhythm, channeling the energies to further press my visitor for information.

"Fear and doubt lie in the heart of every man, so you're going to have to get a bit more specific. Now tell me, what is your plan!" I howl as I intensify my hold on on the cloaked stranger, trying to pull against his pointless effort to resist my demands.

[cloaked]

A flash of steel lashed out from cloak for an instant before it receded into its folds. A shuddered whimper escaped from the figure's lips, then soon it became laughter. The gesture and the figure's reaction seemed a mystery as nothing drew pain or a startle from the Lich.

Soon its laugh ended as it raised its head to Taggert. "I will tell you nothing more Taggert. Be proud you loosened as much as you did from my lips for your dark arts will tell you no more." By quick short strides the figure approached the Lich till they could nearly touch.

"Did you not think I would come prepared for you? I sought you out, necromancer. I knew where you lived, I know what you do, and I know that by the end of this you will walk out of here at my side!" The figure's arms were embraced in the cloak, still hiding god knows what beneath it.

[The Gravelord Requiem]

I let out a low and steady chuckle, taking pleasure in my robed guest and their steadily more amusing performance. With a snap of my fingers, my small army of skeletal minions give my guest and entertainment a rousing round of applause, something seemingly fit for such a "awe inspiring" performance.

"I've forgotten how amusing you bags of flesh and organs can be," I continue to chuckle, my face unable to display the grin that would otherwise be stretched across it. "and I find myself growing rather bored of these decaying walls and shambling servants. Yes....rather bored, indeed..."

I pause for a second as I tilt my head back and rub my hand against my jawline, glancing at my guest with my icy gaze. "Perhaps I shall join you, not so much for you hollowed promises of an army, but rather for a bit of...how shall I say it; amusement. I've been working on a new tune, and my hands, thought without flesh and blood, ache, once again, to conduct for the masses."

[cloaked]

The figure chuckled softly to itself. "Whatever your reason, be it power or enjoyment I promise you will find plenty by my side Taggert. Now, since you and I seem to be tiring of your abode, what say we take a little trip, and find somewhere a little more...welcoming for you to stay. I happen to have a base of operation already set up. I hope you don't get sea sick." The figure grinned smugly and laughed once more at its own joke.

"Please, after you." The cloaked being bowed slightly and extended an arm out towards the castle's entrance. The flourishing gesture was done to try and disguise the small droplets of blood that dripped from the sleeve of the figure's other arm. It hoped the necromancer would not pay it any mind.

[The Gravelord Requiem]

"Save your pitiful jokes for those interested in them..." I reply snidely as I once again rise from my throne and slowly make my way past the hooded figure, stopping in front of him for a second, watching his poor excuse for a proper bow, especially to one so superior as myself. Leaning in close and placing my hand on their shoulder, I speak in a whisper, the frigid, misty air escaping from my jaw as I do. "Next time, should I choose to take your mind again, no magic, man, nor blade shall save you, my "friend"."

Releasing my grip, I stand up in my usual straight posture and make my way towards the door, a low, menacing chuckle escaping from me, one that echos throughout the hallowed castle walls as I exit out the massive double doors to my former crypt, and home.

[cloaked]

Bastard. The figure thought to itself. Reaching to the blood stained sleeve the figure pulled a thinly tipped knife out, it's blade coated in the figure's blood. The stinging sensation had been enough to pull its mind away from Taggert's power. As it left a faint glow emanated from its sleeve. The spell it cast closed up the wound, leaving only the stain on the black material it wore.

If it would not show weakness the figure would have let out a sigh of relief upon completing the successful recruitment of Taggert. it had been risky, risky enough that its life might have been forfeit under different circumstances. Yet for the reward that Taggert's inclusion would reap the risk was more than worth it.

I have plans for you my dear dead friend. Many plans indeed. Still, perhaps I should find a way of ensuring you do not decide to...overextend your reach. With that last thought reserved for later consideration the two marched on to the Vuotoian shores, the cloaked one holding firm in its silence.