Lothar threw the scroll to one side, this wasn't the incantation he was after either. The pile of redundant vellum was growing as fast as Lothar's patience was dwindling. His task to build an army worthy of the Master was weighing heavily on his shoulders. He knew that if he didn't deliver he would join the rotting ranks himself.
The door to his chamber creaked open and a wizened old man shuffled in.
"I have completed the summoning for the horsemen my Lord" rasped Klein.
Lothar turned and looked at the shriveled old man with disdain. He despised the sniveling wretch more than he did anyone else, partially for being in image of the fate that may await himself with the passing of time with exposure to the magic of the dead and partially because hated his toadying. Klein had been shunned for most of his life and had turned to necromancy out of desperation. Now he had found service under Lothar in the Master's vanguard but his need to rise in power and stature in the Master's eyes saw him sycophantically creep up the ladder. Lothar perceived that as weakness and it heightened his hatred all the more.
"Lead on old man, I'd best inspect our latest additions" commanded Lothar.
Klein nodded and limped out the door. Lothar followed him down the dimly lit corridor and out into the courtyard. Morrslieb shone bright in the night sky, casting an eerie green light over the abandoned keep. The Skeletons of Lothar's Fallen stood motionless and silent, statues waiting for their call to take up arms.
The mighty iron gates were guarded by Varga's Reapers. Varga stood sentinel like directly behind the portcullis, scythe in hand. Lothar knew anyone attempting to enter the gateway would be challenged by Varga and his "men".
Lothar saw movement out of the corner of his eye, he turned slightly to see the catapult crew staking skulls. He made a mental note to order Klein to enact the ritual of remembrance on the pile of heads, he wanted them to remember the horrific way they were harvested so that their death screams would sound as they flew through the air towards the enemy.
Klein stopped in front of a line of skeletal horses. Lothar looked along the line at the riders, his eyes fixing upon their leader. The purple light burning in his eye sockets flared as he looked back at Lother, who heard the Skeleton Captain's words in his mind.
"I, Krom, lead the Doomriders in the name of the Master, under your leadership"
"Your servitude is accepted" Lothar replied.
Now thought Lothar, where was that scroll.........................................
As I set this all up my Son's curiosity was peaked and so I let him have a go first, so, if you will allow it I will digress a little into the indulgence of photo's of "Dadhammer". This is what all parents want to see, their offspring taking an interest in their own hobby.
Freddie's set up, a blurry picture but still, I thought I'd show it
A terribly cheesy smile on my face but words can't describe how happy and proud this made me.
