“Lord Whitebone,” said the ghoulish creature with a smile, as he looked at the great skeletal lord with his sharp teeth evident and his lips curled back in a huge grin, “in your weakened state the Great Queen of the Abyss suggests that I return to the darkling lands through your portal and proceed with the retrieval of the staff.”
Whitebone sat on his throne, his sleeve empty, his red eyes glowing a wan and dull color. He waved the hand that remained at Thantos and his voice was weak and without power, “Do as you wish Thantos. I am no longer interested in the Staff of Sakatha. I have ordered my creatures to release their hold upon the green dragon, and I no longer require your services as to the identity of the men who slew Snowball. My portal is yours to use for the usual price. Now begone from my presence.”
Thantos bowed deeply, “Your wish is my command oh great Lord Onearm,” he said and licked his lips with his huge tongue and turned his back on the throne. When the skeletal knight did not rise to the taunt he continued out and chuckled to himself as he left the room.
Silence reigned in the chamber for a long while as Whitebone sat alone on the throne with only his own thoughts to occupy him. He noted the shadowy presence before it spoke but could not rouse himself to address the creature.
“Lord Whitebone,” said Tenebrous as he emerged from the darkness and flowed forward in a liquid sort of way, “I apologize for my long absence. I offer no excuses nor do I bring false gifts to gain your support. I simply ask you to join me in an endeavor that benefits us both.”
Whitebone looked up at the shadow creature and nodded his head wearily, “I am greatly exhausted by my recent ordeal and cannot offer you much in the way of assistance Tenebrous, before I can give you anything you must simply ask.”
The shadowy creature moved so close to Whitebone that his black and insubstantial form seemed almost to envelop the white of the large warrior. “Lord Whitebone, the Staff of Sakatha is coveted by my mistress, you know this, but I do not want her to have it. As we both well know, I cannot disobey her orders.”
“I am weary, Tenebrous,” said Whitebone and leaned over on the throne and feebly waved with the one hand, “what do you want?”
“Allow me to use your portal to the darkling lands and follow Thantos,” said the shadowy form, its shape seeming to coalesce for a moment. “I cannot pay you the usual fee nor do I hold any hope to immediately relieve my debt for this service. There is some chance that if my plan comes to fruition I will return your good will, but that is unlikely and sometime in the distant future in any case.”
“Your honesty is appreciated Tenebrous, and your brevity. You may use my portal for your own purposes to travel to the darkling lands near Elekargul, but I might be in a less pleasant mood by the time you desire to return. I will not promise such access in the future,” said the great lord of the land.
“I accept your terms, Lord Whitebone,” said the shadow and slowly oozed backward and away from the throne. “I hope your health improves and our alliance proves fruitful,” said Tenebrous. “I know the way to the portal and I thank you for your boon.”
With that the shadowy creature slipped out of the room and left Whitebone alone to his thoughts once again.