What price?

Looking back at you, you can tell that the dark lord is not amused. But he has come too far now to give up.

"Name it." the dark lord begrudgingly replies.

"During my meditation, I saw something that I want. Someone that I want."

"That is all? As my champion and with all the power that I have bestowed upon you, you can have anyone you want without bothering me with such triviality!"

"There is something special about this one." you retort. "The woman I speak of is isolated. Untouched. A beauty beyond imagining. Ivory skin, hair as white as snow cascading down to her knees, ruby lips and fiery red eyes."

"Lucinda." the dark lord sneers. "There is a reason that she is confined to that damned cathedral!"

"Oh?" you inquire.

"She is a creature of unbreakable will. An ancient being who listens to nobody. A master in the art of illusion. I can not kill her, but I could imprison her." the dark lord says in both admiration and anger.

That settles it. You absolutely have to have her.

"She is my price, my lord. If I don't have her, you can't have me."

"Do you not understand? I cannot give her to you. She does not obey me! She does not obey anyone!"

You smile. _"At least allow me an introduction so I may see for myself, my lord." _****

The dark lord snarls. "Fine!" and mutters something you didn't fully hear. "There, the warding around the cathedral should no longer destroy you. Go before I change my mind!"

With nothing else said, you fly from the throne room and soar high into the air. "North East" you say to yourself somehow knowing which direction the cathedral was in. "I'll have to get used to that." you smile to yourself.

With the cathedral coming into view you fly towards it with increased fervour but are forcibly slowed by an invisible ****. "The barrier?" you ask yourself. "Must be."

Landing quietly on the muddy ground outside you try to think where she could be. You listen intently with your heightened senses. Nothing. Is she asleep?

From behind you, a claw rips across your throat, spewing out blood.

"A new plaything? How fun!"