"I am Rodbert, Fifth Duke of Syana, and I thank you for answering the call of the Archmage to aid us in our time of need, Raiken the Lightning Blade and Aria Stormcaller." He gave them a nod of respect. "This city is closest to the pass leading to the Northern Wastes, and as you are doubtless aware, the Lich Shahaaz, the vile undead sorcerer, has built a tower overlooking the pass. He has been inciting the barbarian tribes of the Wastes into fighting amongst themselves, and animating those killed to serve him. He has by now built up a significant army that will soon be prepared to attack. But I know that even if we manage to repel the undead here, the Lich will only reanimate the fallen and build an even larger army. We need to be able to destroy him to end the threat he poses to the Duchy, and the great Archmage Ilvator has seen fit to send you to accomplish this quest.<br/><br/>"Our scouts have informed us that the army of the undead approaches, and they are soon going to arrive. Magical scrying, a very dangerous thing to do against a foe as powerful as the Lich, has also shown us that this master of abominations has actually left his tower and is leading his army from the rear. It appears that he must be present at the field of battle for his command to be as effective as possible. This gives us a window of opportunity. Magister Lethold, if you please?"<br/><br/>The Duke turned to an elderly man with a long beard wearing the deep blue robes of a master mage. He waved his hands and a map of what appeared to be the city and the surrounding lands appeared in glowing light above them.<br/><br/>"As you can see," Lethold said, gesturing at the map, we are here." He pointed at an area labelled Nanthas, presumably the name of the city. "The city is on a high hill that overlooks the valley that makes the pass, and the undead armies have to pass here." He indicated a narrow stretch of valley between two great mountains. "That means that when the vanguard of the armies has begun to attack us, the Lich must be at most only a few miles behind, over here." He indicated another point further down. "This part of the valley is reachable via a secret mountain trail here." At a gesture lines appeared on the map indicating the trail. "That will place you behind the Lich's line and you should be able to engage him directly without the rest of the army getting in the way. Any force using the trail will need to be small, or else it will be noticed by the enemy."<br/><br/>"So that is the plan which we have come up with," the Duke said, as Lethold caused the glowing map to vanish. "We will be assigning you a guide who knows well the lay of the land and the secret mountain trail mentioned. We would send a few more people to accompany you to face the Lich but cannot afford weaken our forces here further. We are stretched thin as it is. Do you have questions or suggestions? If it is something we can do, we will help."<br/><br/>Before either of them could say anything a warning horn sounded. A soldier ran into the room, panting: "Your Grace, a messenger from the Undead Sorcerer is riding up to the gates!"<br/><br/>The Duke nodded, and motioned them to follow, and they came to the battlements at the top of the main gate. They saw a group of horses with eyes of flame ride up before the gates, stopping just out of the range of the most powerful ranged spells and weapons. It was a group of armoured skeleton warriors with glowing red eyes inside their helmets. Raiken felt a shudder at the chill of the grave emanating from the undead riders, and wondered how the game managed to make him feel that effect. He could not remember any other game he had ever tried playing make him feel something like that ever before. Aria would likely be feeling the same thing as well.<br/><br/>"I come in the name of Shahaaz the Mighty!" the lead rider said. "Is there aught within this citadel with the authority to treat with me?" the voice boomed in a deep, resonant baritone that intensified the chill Raiken felt at the base of his spine. The effect was unnerving.<br/><br/>Duke Rodbert stepped forward to the edge of the wall, looking down at the undead warriors. He looked as pale as death itself, but he still had a strong posture and spoke with a firm voice: "I am Rodbert, Fifth Duke of Syana. For what reason do you trouble the peaceful Duchy with your march to war?"<br/><br/>"Duke of Syana," the leader of the skeleton warriors called out, "swear fealty to my Lord, and pay tribute to him, and your Duchy will be spared. A tribute of one fair maiden is to be given every season in perpetuity."<br/><br/>"Take this message to your master. The Duchy of Syana has lived for five generations free in peace and prosperity as a vassal to the Archmage. We will not exchange his benevolent and wise overlordship for the rule of one who would exact the price of the lives of our fair maidens! Begone, and trouble us no further!" The Duke took a bow with a burning arrow nocked to it and aimed it at the undead warrior. It struck the ground before its spectral steed and quivered there before it was extinguished.<br/><br/>Behind the skeleton riders, several phalanxes of zombies emerged, bearing long pikes and shields. It was an unnerving sight, to see ranks of massed zombies in formation scarcely bettered by the best soldiers of the world's most disciplined armies.<br/><br/>The Duke turned to Raiken and Aria. "Go! There is your guide! Griffin, lead them to the hidden trail that they may defeat the Undead Sorcerer!" Before them was a what seemed to be a young man barely out of his teens, with a short blond pageboy haircut and a smooth face that seemed to have not yet grown a beard. He was dressed in a green doublet and breeches, and carried a bow and had a short sword at his belt.<br/><br/>"This way my lord and lady!" Griffin said, his voice seeming to not yet have deepened.<br/><br/>"Aria, let's go!" Raiken said.