Episode 1: The Salvaged Job

The pointing hand changes to a resigned gesture. "It is too high for me to reach on my own," it says, its tone quite matter-of-fact before sliding into a pouting voice, "and my large friend here cannot fit on the stairs."

"I should like to watch this," says the creature, rising like a marionette from the chair. The creak and crack of leather accompanies the heavy scrape of the cloak against the stone. The sword is grasped before it can fall, held loosely with the point down against the floor.

Both Coda and Kalis feel like they are on the precipice of a swirling vacuum of power, sucking in their body heat and threatening to throw them off-balance into the void. Whatever foreboding was felt throughout the tomb is definitely strongest in this room.

Maenor feels malevolence and malice. When the sword was grasped and the blade swung free, there was a twinge of raw hatred like a needle through his eyes.

The creature seems prepared to follow.

The creature takes a stiff step and half-shuffle forward. "Oh, I'm sure you'll perform admirably," it confides. "I have every confidence in your abilities, Your Majesty."

"You won't even know I'm there," says the creature. "In fact, I won't even be in your field of vision. Come, let us attend to your performance."

It takes another step and half-shuffle towards Coda. The giant skeleton does not move.

The creature's pace seems slow, yet methodical. It takes a step, then shuffles its other leg like the bones are too stiff. The dull cloak hangs heavily with nary a wave of any passage.

Coda, Kalis, and Daniel all leave the room and step into the next chamber, avoiding the pile of bones and bodies clustered around the far threshold, and see clear access into the hallway.

Maenor needs to wait a while as the creature moves across its 'throne room.' As it nears, Maenor can literally smell the passage of time, corrupted and twisted towards dark purpose. Whatever the source, Maenor feels a very close proximity to something ancient mixed with a boiling hatred.

However, the creature's outward appearance seems little more than a feeble being, and were it alive it would resemble a decrepit old person. In fact, it seems obvious now that a simple walk would soon outpace this undead entity.

The creature slowly shuffles out of the room, and pauses as it inspects the carnage. With the slightest hint of a smirk, it shakes its head and resumes a methodical pace to follow Coda and company.

The bull-headed skeleton remains where it is.