Singing Like a Sleepwalking Stool Pigeon

Zerm utters an aliens, harsh word, and then smiles in amusement as Zular's face works itself into a grimace as Zular tries to fight a feeling of intrusion in his mind. The duke makes small choking and grunting noises as the struggle continues.

His truth spell could have been cast to where it would take place instantly, but Zerm always loved to watch his victims delude themselves in thinking that fighting his magical might was possible. He knew that in the end it always he who won out, but it was just entertaining to watch them try to beat back his magical intrusion into their minds!

Five minutes later a feeling of detachment and unreality was all that Zular was feeling. Zerm was moderately impressed for, usually, the struggle lasted only half that time!

"Rumor had it that a group of powerful mages meet at Stonehenge," Zular said in a emotionless, sleepwalker voice. "It was the only place I could think of to get away for my revenge on them. It's where my long time associate, Turoc-Kith, my Turoc-Kith, was rumored to do business with other spirits. . .and perhaps even a survivor from Atlantis."

Zerm the Unspeakable draws back in his throne as if slapped, and draws in a startled breath.

"Shit, another Analog?" Turoc-Kith the Dark Necromancer mutters. "That's the third one in this area this week!"

"Aye, but they make good game. . .just like in the old days." Zerm whispers vaguely, rattled. He shakes his head as if to clear it, an turns to the ghostly Turoc-Kith. "By any chance did you have anything to do with this analog's brother?"

"Eh?" the ghostly necromancer blinks. "Well, a few years ago I remember being summoned by a pet mage of this pup. I killed the inept summoner for bothering me, but apparently my 'brother' found something interesting and he and this Zular character have done business."

"And apparently this analog's knowledge of your analog is close enough for him to have tracked you down," the ghostly Dr. Vincent said sternly. "I TOLD you that we should change our meeting places and schedules more, with the coming of the slipgate collapse. This is exactly the danger was that I told you about, but did anyone listen. No, nobody listened."

"That's enough, Vincent!" Zerm flares at his long time friend and associate. "Pointing fingers around here isn't going to help.

"Apparently we will have to scrap the old meeting places and calendar entirely," Zerm sighs. "I hate inconveniences like that. But first, let's get back to our...friend. Tell me, pet, everything that has happened from the day you arrived on this world to the day you darkened my doorstep."

1. In a slow, sleepy voice, Duke Zular proceeds to tell his tale. . . . .

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