The Lonely Liches New Home

Everyone must settle seems it's finally time to find a home and look at bigger ambitions.

It had been two weeks since the fight at the border of the Vapon kingdom the small undead caravan continued to march forward current destination unknown ,until now. As the caravan continued the lich had taken note of a stone structure moving closer and closer, little did he know this was Fort Goldshine. This fort built to protects the kings interest involving the gold mines nearby. This was however occurred about two decades ago many of the nearby mines that were under the eye of this fort had ran dry ,and been abandoned once it was no longer profitable. This formidable fort on the side of one of the mountains is currently home to a band of bandits, and brigands causing trouble to some of the local farmers that dare still call this land home ,and attempt to make a life for themselves. As the caravan marches on they are suddenly ambushed by a group of bandits six in total thinking them to be easy pickings not understanding the true threat this caravan holds. As they jump out from there hiding spots one shouts,

"Quick slaughter these undead they look to have some value on them!".

The men charged in as this happen the four ghouls in front of the wagon move out the way as the wagon rushes forward the two bandits in the front dodged out the way ,but as the wagon rushed forward little did they know they weren't safe. The skeletons in the cart armed with crossbows on both sides fired three arrow at the bandits on there respective sides. One of the bandits wasn't to lucky two arrows piercing his leather armor in the chest he fell down coughing blood dying slowly if not for one of the ghouls walking over and finishing him off with its sword. The other bandit ,the one who had shouted the order to attack, had two arrows miss him and a single arrow pierce his leg as he grunted in pain hitting the ground hard dropping his sword which he regretted as two ghouls approached him. The two in the middle were successful in hacking down two of the weaker skeletons in the middle column; however, the two in the middle quickly realized that there attack was a mistake as the skeletons quickly piled on the two of them ,and despite there best to get the dead off them they were overpowered. There screams filled the air as the undead skeletons worked to rip there leather armor from there bodies as they go to stab the pair with there rusted farming tools. The two in the back had the hardest of the fight two ghouls in armor they did there best to kill these undead abominations and failed as some of the skeletons looped around the two blocking there escape as the skeletons prodded at the back of the bandits with there simple weapons into the ghouls as they meet a swift end of a sword through there chests. The lich was greatly pleased with his dead's performance. He dismounted the skeletal steed as two ghoul now hold the injured bandit by his arms in front of there master. The man was sweating trembling in fear shaking. The lich loved it as he examines the poor bandit. His voice striking chills into this bandit as he says,

"What was it you said a moment ago? Slaughter these undead was it?".

The bandit is filled with dread as he watches the other undead drag his former comrades onto the road looting there bodies for valuables. The man figures his only resort is to beg maybe he can find mercy from this heartless monster before him. A drop of sweat drops down his brow hitting the ground the arrow still in his leg as he desperately pleas and says,

"I I I d-did say that Mr. Undead please spare me I am simply trying to make a living!".

The lich finds his cries amusing ,but he does plan to get some use out of this pathetic brigand before he kills him.

"I might be able to give you some mercy if you can give me some information."

A small sense of relief falls over the man as he desperately sputters out,

"A-Anything what do you need to know? I will tell you anything!".

"Good I am in desperate need of information of that."

The bandit looks as the lich points at the Fort Goldshine. A sense of dread fills him as he hesitantly asks,

"Why would you care about that fort it holds no importance in these lands?".

"You see I am interested in moving in around here ,so tell you what I am very interested in that fort cause I believe it make a great home for my weary group here."

"I-I-I bet there's better places around here that better suit a undead of your stature."

"Hmm how amusing because if I had to guess that's where you bandits operate isn't it! So tell you what how about you save me some time give me some information about your leader."

The bandit hesitates he know if he snitches out his comrades he would be killed ,but he doesn't have much choice with this monster in front of him as he says,

"YES! We live in that fort. His name is Bullettooth Norris he's the one who is in charge around here he's ruthless and wears heavy plate armor wielding a great sword!".

"How many men are under his command?"

"We are... were 70 strong."

"You been very useful ,but I think you have outlived your purpose."

The Lich gestures the Dullahan to come closer planning to have him decapitate this worthless soul. The headless horsemen raises his sword above the man as he begins to struggle as he says in desperation,

"PLEASE SPARE ME! I will help open the gate so you won't have to damage the forts as much! I will poison Bullettooth Norris! JUST PLEASE DON"T KILL ME!".

The lich chuckles as he then tells his right hand to hold off for a second as he says,

"You help dam your own comrades to save your own skin?".

"YES PLEASE! I have to much to lose please I never wanted to be a bandit but the bastards would never let me be free! Please spare me I promise to serve you as long as I live just please don't kill me!"

"Very well ,but your word will not be enough to make sure you won't betray I have something special for you little traitor."

The lich grabs the mans head and looks into his eyes. The mans breath quickens as he feels a searing pain inside him something restraining him as a mark of skull appears on his chest the lich lets go as the man gasps for air. As the man breaths heavily he shakily ask,

"W-What did you do to me you monster?".

"I Enslaved your soul little bandit so if you attempt to escape or warn your friends you will DIE!".

The mans gulps uneasy at his new position in life. The lich revives the five fallen bandits as ghouls ,like the former knights ,and has them do the best to make the ghouls as lively as possible in there armor. He then has one of the undead bandits support the wounded bandit. He is off put profusely as the corpse he once called a friend is supporting him. The lich looks at the bandit and says,

"You will lower the gates as soon as you can. Two ghouls will go with you to make your case you lost a fight with some knights more convincing do you have any questions little man?".

The bandit shakes his head no as the lich then says,

"Then get out of my sight you will have temporary control over those ghoul and don't disappoint me or your head will be doing a lot of rolling.".

The lich cackling as the two ghouls and the bandit walk toward the fort. The undead guards and the bandit approach the entrance to the fort around noon. As the trio of "bandits" approach the gate one of the guard on top of the gate says,

"Smith is that you? What happened to you guys ,you weren't supposed to be back until tomorrow and where's the rest of your troop?".

"Yes John its me lower the dammed gate ,we were ambushed by some royal knights. Henry ,William ,and Tristan didn't make it."

"Once you get in go get patched then one of you report to the boss he's probably not gonna be happy."

The guard up top has the gate lowered the door making a loud boom as it hits the ground. The trio enters the fort quickly as it is then raised slowly behind them. The three head to the infirmary of the fortress to treat Smiths wounds along with the other "injured bandits". They go through a few corridors lit by torches every so often until they reach the infirmary. They enter ,and see there are two other injured bandits along with a priestess. The ghouls enter and the one carrying sets Smith down on one of the small cots. The priestess heads over to do what aid she can to the young man. The one ghoul covers the priestess mouth as her eyes go wide and she begins to struggle. The other ghoul goes and quickly stabs both of the injured men through the chest as they were both in rags the wounded bandits wounds spewing out blood staining the cots they lay upon red. Smith says to the priestess,

"Be Quiet and they won't hurt you I promise to work something out if you cooperate.".

The priestess get the general idea as she know its in her best interest to cooperate. She works carefully to remove the arrow slowly from Smiths leg. Smith bites into the straw pillow doing his best not to howl in pain as she then removes the arrow fully. Once the arrow is fully gone the priestess uses a greater healing magic spell to heal the deep wound the pain subsiding as the wound closes. As this happens the other ghoul had grabbed some rope from the supply closet that they then use to tie the priestesses up. They place her in the closet full of supplies as they plan to interrogator her later with the lich present. One ghoul stays in the infirmary as the other goes with Smith supporting him as they sneak throughout the fortress till they get to the corridor guarding the gate system. There are two guards outside and Smith knows there's a third guard inside the control room. Smith and the ghoul approach the guards smith stands before the guard and says,

"Hey you two I need to get inside boss needs the guy inside me and my friend here plan to hold the post while he is gone.".

"Very well."

One of the guards opens the door relays this information to the guard inside and now the three exchange positions as the two are now inside the gates control room. Smith then quietly places the wooden plank to barricades the door in case someone tries to get in using this safety measure against his former comrades. As Smith looks around he sees one lever next to it a bucket with two whips. Two axles with chains used to control the drawbridge nearby was two people in rags chained near one of each axle used to draw the bridge up when needed. Smith then pulls the lever lowering the bridge it slams into the ground the guards at the gate confused hearing the load thud of the gate wondering why the gate has dropped. The guards looks out and see something its two glowing green eyes as one then yells as he feels fear strike his body,

"THERE'S SOMETHING OUT THERE RAISE THE GATE!".

The gate was never raised though. The lich walks forward the guards at the wall seeing a horrid abominations walking towards them. As the lich approaches by himself several bandits raise there bows firing there arrows at this monster. The lich activates his barrier deflecting the arrows as he approaches the arrows dotting the ground as he moves forward enjoying seeing the fear and dread of these poor souls. He walks across the draw bridge into the courtyard and looks around as now most the guard are focused on him. Several men run into the courtyard he sees at least a dozen bandits surround him with various weapons along with at least another dozen bandits in different positions on the walls aiming there bows at him. The lich cackles sending unease into all the men as the lich then says,

"Oh how long its been since I been able to have some fun lets hope you can keep me amused.".

The lich begins by hitting the ground with his staff making the ground jut up making it uneven around him causing many of the men around him to stumble and fall. As he does this the archers fire ,but it's no use the arrows are once again deflected hitting the ground around the lich. The lich then starts casting another spell the book he holds opens flipping to a page as four little summoning circles appear around him as four imps emerge from the ground cackling. The lesser winged demons known for trickery and mischief rush some of the nearby bandits dragging away there weapons as they then fly about two of them going to harass the archers. As this is happening the undead forces begin to enter the courtyard. The undead begin to clash with the bandits getting a few easy kills as they were mostly focused on the undead sorcerer. As the men take notice of the other dead swords and axes exchange blows the sound of metals adding to the screams of dying scum. A man in heavy plate armor holding a great sword steps out onto a balcony looking at the carnage before him. The man looks through the battle locking eyes with the lich seemingly fearless he jumps down from the balcony and begins to charge the undead abominations.

The Bandit Bullettooth Norris attempts to slash down this scourer to end this fight swiftly only to find his blade to be met with steel as the Dullahan stops the blow barely staggering back. The lich turns his cold lifeless gaze meeting his opponents as he says,

"You must be Bullettooth Norris I must say the pleasure is all mine knowing I shall be your end!".

The lich cackles as his headless monster pushes him back. The man feeling somewhat uneasy at this monsters comment as he exchanges blows with the headless abomination having stopped him. Norris then retorts and says,

"I think you underestimate yourself you bag of bones ,and will find yourself meeting your end today!".

The lich follows the fight between his right hand and this brute as around him more bandits die soon to join his undead force. The lich casts magic spells to drain strength and energy from this brute while also using magics to enhance his Dullahan's power and agility. The effect is a lot more devastating with the precise strikes of this monstrous undead. His plate armor is holding as the monster gets kicks at the armor and although it protects him the force of these kicks is still affecting him. Exhaustion is hitting hard as his body feels unnaturally weak the plate armor being more of a detriment at this time then a defensive advantage he knows he needs to get to the lich but he can't get past this monster protecting him. As he fights he looks to see if his men could help sway this disadvantage at the very least distract this monster so he can escape and fight another day. However as he looks out he sees his men getting slaughter sure they may have vanquished some of the lowly skeletons the ghouls are shredding through his ranks. As he's panicking looking for a way out a deceive blow is dealt the Dullahan raises and kicks the man in the chest as he hits the ground hard panting hard sweating cooking inside his armor. The man attempts to get up finding the Dullahan's foot on his chest keeping him down. He Attempts to raise his sword to strike its leg the lich grabs the mans sword ripping it out of his grasp surprising the now defenseless bandit leader. Fear fills his mind as the lich coldly says to the man,

"What was it you said? You underestimate yourself bag of bones.".

The lich then rips Norris's helmet off as he sees the sweat covered and fear stricken mans face who thought he was ahead in this world. He attempts to struggle and beg for his life as the lich cast Shocking Grasp on his hands and grabs the mans face sending a deadly bolt of lighting magic into his face. The once powerful bandit leader dies horribly as the spell kills him his face smoking slightly as the lich stands up seeing the few remaining bandits being cornered ,and slaughtered. The lich chuckles blood staining the ground as he goes to explore the inside of his new fort he tells his Dullahan to gather up smith ,and anyone else who isn't going to fight in the courtyard along with all the bodies.

The lich Enter the primary quarters of the now deceased leader admiring the decent pile of treasure. A single imps fly's in trying to grab as many coins as possible the only surviving one from the ones summoned earlier. After the creature realizes it couldn't possibly carry all this treasure it goes to his master. The Imp lands on the liches shoulder as he is looking through the journal of Bullettooth Norris getting a better idea of the power dynamic out here in the countryside of the Xudo Empire. Another big advantage Norris happen to have a map of the surrounding area the most notable thing to the lich was the nearest big city is Swanton. As he begins to look at the paintings of the former occupants he looks towards the balcony noticing the small gathering down below. He heads to the balcony looking down as there's is a decent pile of dead bandits with the exception of the former leader laying down a few feet away from the main pile. Besides the body are 11 people including Smith. The Lich then says with thunderous authority,

"Attention to you weary souls! If you hadn't notice this fort has come under new leadership. If you wish to serve under this new leadership I suggest you kneel down to show you loyalty!".

Out of the eleven people Smith and 4 other people kneel down as the other stand maybe not understanding what they just decide. The lich says,

"I am glade some of you can be reasonable. As for the rest of you will still be of great use to me.".

Ghouls walk to the still standing defiant humans unwilling to bow to a proper master ,and strike them down some blood splattering onto the now loyal humans to the lich. The corpses of the defiant are dragged and thrown into the massive pile as the lich says,

"Now those loyal stand up and watch my power!".

The lich slams his staff into the rock of the balcony A green flash coming from behind the remaining people as they turn to see the massive pile of dead begin to move they slowly rise and begin to form ranks until the lich then shouts,

"Remember you choose to assist in greatness ,and that this is only the beginning of our ultimate Goal!".