A strong Captain, he told himself over and over and over again, the more he said it the more cold he found the cabin had become, "I am a brave captain." he whispered over and over until the screams of his dying crew left his head, until the sound of bones and swords fell silent. The brave Captain lifted his quivering head to meet a thousand empty eyes, husks and magic.

Husks that grinned as wide as their skulls could manage, the parted down the center and back to the Captain's wide door, it slide open effortlessly and through it came a deathless Lich, he laughed and laughed, oh the laugh that would shake a man to his core, he explained to the shivering Captain how his cowardice would be repaid.

To his feet he crawled, all rational thought escaped him, and all around him pushing and pulling were the eyes of death, the mocking of a hundred silent bones, the Lich pulled the hearts, bones, and souls from the Captains crew, he pulled them all to their feet, and oh how he laughed, the once loyal men turned their gaze to their brave Captain.

Oh that brave Captain, how bold he was when he hands grew cold, his cheeks ran like rivers and he simply couldn't stand any longer, his sobs filled the cave and how he wished for death. The Lich waved a dead finger and smiled a reassuring smile as fog rolled aboard the once mighty vessel.

"Oh no no, young brave Captain, you have proven to me your will to live is strong, so very strong, you must stay alive forever! Otherwise why would you hide and let your own men die? It must be so that you will live on this earth for longer than even I young Captain, you've earned it! Spend it with your friends!" He laughed again, goodness how he could laugh, the ship rattled, the bones swayed and the Captain cried the seven seas into eight.

Young brave Captain, they've gone and the skies are growing light, young brave Captain, shouldn't you return to your post and sail your way home? Goodness me, you're a mess young boy. You're a mess.


Enjoy~