The Lich's Bride

by Adagio D'Tranticus

All harken as I sing to thee
And tell a tale of treachery
For long ago there lived a mage
Whose heart for love of woman raged
He fixed his eye upon a dame
And sought to claim her in Love’s name
Return his love she could not do
And for her mate her heart stayed true

Rather than court another lass
The wizard’s heart turned cold as brass
He cursed all folk, orc, man, and elf
He cursed the world! He cursed himself!
And on revenge his dark mind turned
While in his heart red hatred burned
He called upon the forces dire
To make her his, and he her sire

She fought to free herself from him
But did succumb to evil’s whim
Yet in the end a price was paid
And on his head a curse was laid
He sought a living wife, instead
A vampire bride came to his bed
And he, this mage who once was tame
Enraged, an evil lich became

Dormant for years he hid from light
Until he rose one lonely night
And then revealed an evil plan
Of undead hoards let loose on man
The living dead, zombie, and ghoul
Slew many with their power cruel
But quick as lightning, able men
Formed a militia to defend

The force of the unliving grew
From ancient graves new evils spewed
In desperation, soon the team
Devised a plan to slay the fiend
And soon was formed a group of four
Who took the fight to evil’s door
The rest remained to hold the line
And fought the zombies off each time!

The Four soon found the lich’s lair
A gleam of hope lit up the air
For in the crypt there lay a gem
Which fed the mage’s pow’r to him
And with a mighty smash, the Four
Destroyed the wizard’s evil core
And quickly as it had begun
The threat at last had been undone.

The gentle town was free from harm
The victors all laid down their arms
The kindly Mayor gave great thanks
Commending each within the ranks
All took their turn and reaped reward
For risking life with spell and sword
But in the heart of each a fear
That soon the lich might reappear

But if it does, Four warriors brave,
Undoubtedly the day will save!


From The Complete Works of Adagio D'Tranticus, Vol. 2: Tales of Epic Proportions