The stairs ended in a simple room about thirty feet square.
(It was intended to be thirteen paces on all sides.)
An elfish rune for the number one was etched in the southern wall of the room. The room was also littered with skeletal remains. Some were animal and some were men or manlike. The room was littered with bits of treasure and scattered weapons. All were rusted, but some were obviously finely made and still had some luster and utility. There was a single table in the room. A very decrepit creature sat at the table.
It managed to stand.
Vanni said, “I detect no enemies. The thing does not live! Is it mindless?”
It was barely more than rotten clothing draped over bones, but Knarra and Roscoe recognized the creature as a zombie.
Frightday had waited a long time to defend his realm. He shuffled toward them. The mangy being neared Nigel and moved with tortoise like slowness. It took a swing at Nigel. Nigel moved to the side.
“Do you want me to clobber it?” Cyttia asked.
“It smells really bad! I can do a Fire Spell!” Kyrsstina volunteered.
The zombie waddled among them; he made ineffective attacks. As he rambled Frightday dropped bits of himself here and there.
“Have we battled dragons, demons, and the Banshee΄ to find a worn out zombie in a dead end room?” Boomer asked.
“He must hold the real key to progressing in this dungeon,” Knarra said.
“What do we do with him?” Cara asked.
“Anybody that he can catch deserves to die!” Nigel declared.
“I can’t define anything in this room. Magick permeates the area. I have no orientation,” Roscoe said.
“Nor do I! It’s not just that it’s evil. It’s confusing!” Eyerthrein asserted.
Cyttia stepped aside to avoid the lumbering zombie and said, “This thing is a nuisance. I can’t find anything else to fight. He’s going to get it in a little while!”
Kyrsstina conjured and said, “ESP doesn’t help! Its mind just says over and over ‘Frightday guards forever, Frightday guards forever, Frightday guards forever…”
Dael added, “I’m for kicking Frightday’s rear!”
Boomer said, “Sounds good to me!”
Cara looked to Knarra.
Knarra said, “The most meager spell will destroy this creature. It has endured agony for centuries. I’m going to relieve its suffering with a Purify Spell. We’ll see what happens!”
The priestess cast a one phrase spell and touched the slow moving creature. The creature was bathed with a warm yellow light. A wry smile appeared on its contorted face.
“Thank you,” the creature murmured.
Frightday sighed and then vanished.
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