Interlude - Tek’tar

SMASH!

CLANG!

Gr’onk and the other Bone Marrow goblins trembled at their clan chief’s fury. He was not happy when he woke up.

Tek’tar continued to rage in his throne room as he threw things about and smashed things against the walls.

After suffering great pain from the ritual backlash, he had collapsed unconscious as had many of his men that were participating in the ritual. This had left the remaining men only a small force in comparison.

When Tek’tar had awoken that idiot Gr’onk had informed him all the remaining huemon prisoners had escaped. Worse still, Gr’onk had no clue how. He thought about killing Gr’onk but he was one of the higher level men he had left.

“I will put the bastard on night soil duty for his failure!” Tek’tar exclaimed.

That thought seemed to calm Tek’tar and he collapsed into his makeshift throne.

“It was my own hubris attempting so many rituals at once. To lose that artifact now...” Tek’tar could feel his rage returning but he did his best to clamp it down.

Tek’tar had to make plans and quickly. If he wanted to claim that leyline node for himself, he would need a plan. The original plan was to sacrifice the remaining huemons to create more abominations.

There was no way Tek’tar planned to summon his master, he owed him no loyalty.

No, Kit’erak did not believe in using oaths of fealty as it bound both the liege and the supplicant. Tek’tar did not believe in using such things either. The only way to ensure loyalty was with pure strength. Excessive use of force and brutality to ensure fear kept them in line. Tek’tar had learned that much from the Orcs.

“If I claim the leyline node there is little Kit’erak can do. I know of his secret dealings with the eldritch, he will not want the Dark to become aware of such things. No, if I can claim it and have enough power to keep it then Kit’erak will be forced to back off. But what can I use to help ensure my success?” Tek’tar said to himself.

Then it hit him. Tek’tar was just talking about Kit’erak seeking power from the Eldritch. He could use that power for himself. Kit’erak, the fool, had taught Tek’tar several spells and rituals to channel Eldritch power.

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“Why bother with and Undead Abomination when I can create a far more powerful Eldritch Abomination! I will only have time to create one. Without the artifact it will be tricky, and I will have to sacrifice some of my men and undead minions, but I will not make the mistake of being too greedy and attempt more than one, for now.”

Tek’tar stormed out of the town hall. “Gr’onk!”

The large goblin prostrated himself before his chief. “Yes, Terrible one! What can I do to serve?”

Tek’tar kicked Gr’onk. “You have failed me. Your punishment shall be night soil duty for a week. Before you start that duty, you will rally my necromancers and other casters. We will be preparing one final ritual. Now go!”

“Yes, your Terrible one!” Gr’onk said as he bowed multiple times as he backed away to carry out his orders.

Tek’tar smiled evilly. He took true joy in watching others grovel before him. Even as a youngling, he dreamed of being the wielder of the Dark Mantle, like the legends of old. He would make people cower, with or without some aura of authority.

Returning to his throne room, Tek’tar decided to get the conversation with Kit’erak over and done with. At least now he had a valid excuse for why he didn’t have the resources to summon Kit’erak.

Walking over to the communication orb, Tek’tar activated it. A moment later he saw the visage of Kit’erak the arch-lich in the orb.

Kit’erak’s voice could be heard echoing across the room. “Report, you worthless servant. I grow tired of waiting. Be quick with your report, I must speak with the demons of the poisoned wood. They are sacrificing many that had pledged themselves. Fools if they thought they would gain power or matter in any way to a demon and not just being used as a pawn. Now report!”

“Huemons are very dumb, master. They are most likely north from here, if they fled to the south, Jek’jon would have them recaptured already.” Tek’tar began to explain.

“That is true. The Sleeping Willow clan are excellent spies and scouts. Knowing their direction is not the same as recovering them.” Kit’erak chided.

“With your permission master I plan on creating and Eldritch Abomination. It will be the perfect weapon to strike fear into the huemons!” Tek’tar stated.

“Bold plan. It is risky, which is why we discussed Undead Abominations. How many of your people will you sacrifice?” Kit’erak inquired.

Tek’tar knew his master must be desperate to agree with such a plan. The creature would be a dead giveaway of Outsider influence. That meant Tek’tar had him right where he needed him. “I was planning of sacrificing 50 of my men along with some of our Undead Zombies and Skeletons.”

“Do not waste too many of your Undead Minions. We want the level of ambience Death magic to be high in the area. Use more of your underlings instead.” Kit’erak ordered.

Tek’tar couldn’t help but smile. “As you command, master.”

“I release the hold of the large mana core and mana crystals you have.” Kit’erak’s voice held a command that seemed to dissolve whatever bindings were over the items.

Tek’tar felt the magical lock on them fall away. He inwardly smiled. This was why he even bothered with telling his old master his plan to begin with. He needed access to a powerful core and potent mana crystals to complete this ritual in such a short time. “Thank you, master. It shall be done.”

Kit’erak glared at the large goblin. “It better or I shall see you suffer upon my arrival.”

Kit’erak cut off the connection and the orb dimmed.

Tek’tar rose from his kneeling position. “Soon I will never kneel again. I will be the master soon enough.”

Smiling as he exited the building, Tek’tar took the final pieces he needed to the ritual site, so he could gain his prize. “Time for some blood sacrifices.”