Morturion uttered a resounding "Oof" as he was hit on his (thankfully) armoured chin by Kraskor. He fell flat on his back, and blacked out for a second. Several moments later, he opened his eyes to a room full of danger: Nekhlior had the Book of Nagash back, he noted, and was starting to wake up properly. More importantly, Kraskor loomed imminently close, and Morturion did not want an encounter with him again. He drew himself to his feet, and practically ran out of the room, saying to those looking on, "Er...I need to go now."
That was a close shave. And damn; I no longer have the Book of Nagash. He sighed in frustration. Oh well, at least I have learnt what I needed to from it. The incantation is mine now... Morturion's mood swung rapidly, and an evil grin broke across his face. Won't it be funny when they realise that despite all their heroic sacrifices and silences, I still found out what I needed to. The necromancer pulled himself into the side room, once again tired out, and collapsed into a chair, before consuming the remaining chunks of warpstone on the floor. He'd re-energized himself, and he'd got rid of the evidence of his little read. Now I can only hope that the infuriating whelp of a blood dragon does not tell Nekhlior what I did...
Invigorated, Morturion once again drew power out of himself, and a shade appeared before him, spilling out of his chest. It gradually solidified, until the battered form of Defiance came into view. At last, the weaker necromancer was brought back to unlife. He could barely hold himself up. The power of his soul had gradually been rebuilt by the warpstone Morturion had consumed; if Morturion had waited much longer, Defiance would have passed from his body into the spirit realm. Defiance looked expectantly at his master. Morturion explained, "I needed power to survive. If I had not used your soul's strength, then we both would have died." Defiance nodded, gasping from the exhaustion of returning from what was esentially a form of death. The nod signified that he was content to remain in Morturion's service - not that he would have much of a choice, anyway.
The two stepped out into the hallway, and Morturion spotted a rather amusing interaction between Kavok, Nimrais and Elanor. He chuckled quietly and sinisterly, before removing the armour from his face. He could see a possible manipulation in this situation. Signalling for Defiance to step behind, he approached Nimrais. Defiance skulked into the shadows, and Morturion calmly resisted the powers of the Lahmian. At least she's not one of the extremely powerful ones. I've often felt pleased that I'm wearing armour in their presence before.
Nimrais had been talking to thin air a moment before he reached her, Morturion noticed. Excellent. She's all the more vulnerable, then. Morturion stepped towards her, and bowed. No matter how abominable that gesture may have felt, my little gamble may pay off. Support is something I very much need in the meeting to come. He remarked in hushed tones, "Hello, lady Nimrais. We all have plans, and we all have obstacles. It seems that vampire over their is one of your...obstacles. I believe you do not like her. Well, neither do I. Perhaps we could work together to find a...solution...to our little problem?" He smiled a murderous smile, and his eyes were full of dark, but subtle, intent.