A Bored Lich

Like a child crossing a river by hopping from stone to stone, a Wyvern's silhouette flapped across the clouded, night sky. Doevm looked down at the map, whereupon a dot steadily grew brighter. 'This should be close enough,' he thought. The Wyvern folded its wings, diving headfirst through the clouds. Doevm's stomach lurched. He felt Thomas's grip dig into his sides. Rushing to greet them was a forest canopy. Doevm had spent a year of his life looking up at that same canopy. He barely recognized it from above.

Doevm's gaze fell upon the tallest section of the canopy, aglow with life. 'Good thing I kept my distance,' he thought before shifting his attention on landing. The enormous trees refused to bend, and the Wyvern screeched as its scaly defense was tested against branches and vines. The rich soil did little to soften the landing, but at least they were alive and unseen.

"Thomas," Doevm said, glancing at his pale-faced passenger. "Snap out of it and gear up. We have work to do."

Thomas held up a hand to wait as he shook his head. "Explain it to me just one more time. What exactly did you drag me into? I was more focused on the ground."

Doevm held out the map for Thomas to see. "This a map of all the legacies left behind by Maximus Draken, one of which is in this forest."

"Is that why there's a glowing dot? Wait, didn't you uncover this legacy already? During the year-long war, right?"

Doevm nodded. "And, if you recall, the legacy's opening shot a beam of light into the sky for the entire world to see. As we were landing, I saw evidence of people around it."

Thomas nodded, following Doevm's explanation, though not without questions. "So…what should I do?"

Doevm put a hand on Thomas's shoulder and pointed towards the legacy. "Find out what they know. Off you go."

"W-what?" Thomas stammered. "What about you? What are you going to do?"

"Observe and, if needed, use the Wyvern to fly you away," Doevm explained simply.

Thomas dismounted and pulled a mountain of equipment out of his spatial ring. "At least let me get changed before I go off, all alone."

Doevm also dismounted, then curiously examined a black mask at the top, which seemed unnaturally thick and sturdy.

Thomas snatched the mask away. "What? I don't want to show my face."

"It seems cumbersome."

"Oh you poor, foolish Lich, can't you see? Everything here has a purpose; reducing noise, killing, and or moving about. General Alexander gave it to me himself." Thomas explained as he methodically fit daggers, hidden crossbows, vials, and other tools within his matte-black outfit. Last was the mask, which hid all but his green eyes. Maybe it was just a fluke, but he seemed to have this annoying confidence about him.

'He takes down one Lycanthrope and he thinks he can take on the world,' Doevm thought.

"See?" Thomas said, spreading his arms to show the full outfit. It was already dirty from being on the ground.

Doevm looked him up and down with a slight smirk. "I see, and you keep everything at the ready because it's quicker to unsheathe them than to pull them out of your spatial ring, right?"

"That's one reason," Thomas said, staring off into the dark forest as he mentally went through his list. "How will I let you know if I'm in trouble?"

"I'll be watching through your five senses. I see what you see, feel what you feel, and so on."

Thomas's eye twitched. "That's it? You weren't kidding?"

Doevm shrugged. "That's all I can do since they would likely sense any active spells."

"You sound as if you know who they are, do you?"

"I have a good guess," Doevm assured him. He mounted the Wyvern, closed his eyes, and entered a trance, his senses fading.

Doevm sent his consciousness through the invisible, black thread which connected him to Thomas. The forest became visible, but through Thomas's eyes. Doevm spoke through the link: 'Remember: even though I can get you out, I may not be fast enough depending on who catches you. Do not get caught.'

Thomas took a deep breath, then departed. Since the canopy obscured the frail starlight, he relied on his darkvision to maneuver around the foliage, his steps losing their sound as he adapted to the soft dirt. He slowed as he spotted dim light up ahead, then looked to the trees. His heart sank as he realized how high the climb was. 'What the hell is with all of these trees? They make the Bloodwood look like a bunch of weeds!'

'As an Undead, you have endless stamina. What do you care?' Doevm asked.

'I guess you have a point,' Thomas said as he began his long climb to the top.

The elevation provided a good vantagepoint, he realized, as he peered out at the encampment. 'Is this a monastery?' Thomas asked.

'No, why?' Doevm asked.

'I've never seen so many War Monks in one place.'

In the center of a clearing was the tallest tree that Thomas had ever seen, aglow with artificial lights. Symbols of the goddess decorated tents and patrolling War Monks, just as Doevm feared.

Thomas shifted his weight from foot to foot: 'I don't know if I can do this, Doevm. There's at least a hundred feet of open space before I can reach some cover. It won't matter how fast or stealthy I am. I'm bound to be seen. What should I do?'

'I understand. Come back,' Doevm said.

'I know you want me to…huh?'

'I understand.'

Thomas turned back the way he came. 'Is this some kind of trick?'

'No,' Doevm said. 'I wanted someone who is likely to get information, unseen. If you can't do it, then it is a waste to send you into danger. No use getting yourself killed a second time.'

Thomas tensed at the word "killed". It was as if a switch was flipped in his mind as he glanced back at the camp. He tapped his finger on the hilt of a dagger, imagining a path through a perceived blindspot. 'You said you could get me out if I'm seen, right?'

'Thomas, the risk is not worth it. If you encounter who I think you're going to encounter-'

'No, no, I can make it. I just have to think vertically.' Thomas secured one end of a rope around a branch, then held the other end in his hands as he prepared himself to go through with whatever he was thinking about.

'Did you hear me? I said you are going to get yourself killed a second time,' Doevm insisted.

Thomas tightened his grip on the rope. 'I haven't gotten stronger just so I can run away.'

'Fine then, prove it.' Confidence only went so far until it turned into arrogance. Better for Thomas to learn the lesson now than later. Doevm readied the reins for a sudden takeoff.

Thomas leapt off the branch, and the rope quickly pulled taut as he swung forwards. He released his grip and flew across the clearing. There was only one problem: landing.