(xxvii)

Lazarus and the Ghoul made their way out of the forest on foot, having left the wagon and other undead with the Lesser Lich. They couldn’t move the wagon without utilizing the panthers, and they would most certainly be unwelcome within a city of the living.

Semantics.

As Lazarus and Ghoul approached the gates to what must be Delton, he turned to the Ghoul.

“Say nothing. Attack nothing. Take no action without my explicit command,” he ordered, driving the commands home with a small spike of mana across their controlling bond.

The Ghoul said nothing, but staggered a step, making the guards observe the undead creature even closer. The tallest of the group took personal interest and stepped toward the Ghoul, a question at his lips.

That was a mistake. I shouldn't waste my mana so carelessly. Damn it! His origins mustn't be discovered!

Grimacing at his error, he turned his attention to the living standing guard at the city gates.

“Hail guards, we seek entry into the city,” said Lazarus calmly. The Ghoul stayed still and silent.

One of the heavily armored guards took a half step forward, backing up the guard standing toe-to-toe with the Ghoul. “Halt and state your business. It is not often Delton receives visitors on foot from the forest. Much less visitors in such good… condition,” he observed. The Lich could practically feel the scrutiny rolling off the man.

“I must ask that you allow us to pass, and quickly. We are carrying some sensitive specimens and I need to set up my laboratory posthaste. Our caravan was attacked some time ago. Our guards are dead, save for my companion. His throat was… well it wasn’t pretty. We escaped only to run into some crazy man leading a band of bandits. We escaped them too, just in time to reach the gates here before evening,” Lazarus said, mixing truth with lies.

The guard contemplated them for some time in silence. Long enough that the Lich began to get a bit nervous. Then, with a heavy sigh, he stepped back. His companion followed him back to their post.

“Aye, the roads have not been safe lately. With so many bandits, monsters, and other unusual creatures of myth and legend being reported lately it is no surprise that the roads are far more dangerous as of late. You are lucky to have made it in one piece,” he said. “There have even been reports of a Lich wandering about. Can you believe such a thing?”

“What, no dragons?” Lazarus laughed. “Such wild rumors! We met several creatures along the road. Also a mad bandit leader, to be sure, but nothing more interesting than that, I'm afraid.”

The guard nodded. “That is a relief. Now, welcome to Delton. Get your city pass from the adventurer's hall. All visitors are required to have one. It’s a few silvers for its issuance, but marks you as a visitor and not someone who has smuggled themselves in. Don’t cause trouble, and you won't see us.”

Lazarus nodded as the guard stepped back into his place to resume his duties. “Thank you, I will be sure to head straight to the adventurer’s hall before I get set up. Is there, by chance, a place that we may rest and clean up? Preferably one of positive repute,” inquired the Lich.

“The Unicorn's Dong Inn. Too bad the ale tastes like piss, but what can you do? I know, it’s an odd name. But Dong is the proprietor. Make jokes at your own peril; he is a retired mage. Head straight down the road to the second guard post, it's on the left just before it,” said the guard with a grin. “Big sign with a horn on it. Safe travels.”

Lazarus nodded, and moved past the guards and into the city of Delton. The outside of the wall and the inside were starkly different. The moment that he entered into the city a wall of people, noise, and stench rolled over him. He supposed that was something that the history books didn’t warn you about.

More than a little disgusted, but eager to explore, the Lich moved down the street with Ghoul close at his side. They took in the sights, examined a few stalls, and chatted with the populace. He gained an enormous amount of intel by simply asking questions.

It turned out that Delton was a city controlled by an order of Taoists. Grinning at this revelation, he left the baker with several copper for the information and departed. He needed to get to the inn and begin gathering more information. If there were Taoists here in any great number that meant there was an immensely important opportunity to advance his power and understanding of the mystical forces.

Many experiments would be conducted.

As the duo made their way down the street, a sudden sensation pulled Lazarus to the side of the street. He could feel raw Mana leaking from somewhere. Perhaps it was another wounded monk or other such being? He simply couldn’t pass up this opportunity.

Following the scent down an alley way, he cut through several brigands and left their bodies to rot. The small fish were unworthy today.

The two followed the maze of alleyways for close to an hour before emerging into a large, square courtyard. In the center of the courtyard was a tree. Sitting in that tree, was a naked woman. Lazarus stared at her, but not because of her beauty. She was giving off a stunning amount of Mana. Far more than the Lesser Lich, and possibly more than even he himself was capable of containing.

“You, creature in the tree, what are you?” he asked hesitantly.

The woman, staring at him in shock, bounded down from the upper branches of the strange and warped tree. “You can see me? And what do you mean, strange creature? That is incredibly rude!” she snarled, once the shock of being visible to someone had worn off.

The Lich could infer that not many could see her, and even fewer could interact with her. Perhaps this creature had some kind of innate stealth field? If so, capturing her would increase his capabilities immensely.

“My apologies, madam,” he said with a sweeping bow, once again catching her off guard. “It is rare to see a being of such stunning beauty within the confines of a city that is remarkably… less so. I was simply caught unawares, however, my question does stand. I have not an inkling of what you may be,” he explained eloquently.

She sniffed, sticking her head in the air. Oh, how he resisted the urge to separate that head from her body.

“I am a Dryad, and this is my tree. I have been here far longer than the city has existed. I made a pact with the city lords, and as long as I fulfill my end of the bargain they will leave me be,” she said. “But it is rare to have someone approach me, see me that is, much less interact with me. I must know, what odd abilities do you have?”

Lazarus grinned malevolently. Stepping forward to get within arms reach of the unaware creature, he was about to reach forward and grab her when a sudden voice halted him in his tracks.

“Stay where you are, creature,” dripped the venomous voice that promised a violent death.