Alexi Romerov bowed deeply, then stepped to the side of the doorway as quickly as his old bones would allow. “Welcome to my laboratory, Lord Ras.”

 

The lich glided into the dank structure, cold mist flowing from its skeletal form as it calmly surveyed the room. Its focus soon turned to the creature on the immense operating table in the center of the room. “So,” it intoned emotionlessly, “this is the abomination that you have informed me of.”

 

Alexi bowed again, his face showing both anxiety and confidence. “Yes, Lord Frostwhisper. It is finally complete.”

 

Ras Frostwhisper moved slowly to the edge of the table. It examined the monster carefully, with the infinite patience of the dead, and several minutes passed before it spoke again. “I see no flaws with your creation. However, I see none of the modifications you said were present. Elaborate.”

 

The doctor beamed with the pride of a master craftsman, and began to speak with great enthusiasm.  “Yes, my lord. It is true that my changes are not obvious, but what I have done is make it able to grow, and learn.” He hesitated, waiting for a sign of approval from his master.

 

The lich remained silent, as if considering the implications of this. “Continue,” it said finally.

 

Encouraged, Alexi went on. “I enchanted it with some of the magic that drives the ghouls, my lord. Unlike other abominations, it is imbued with a great hunger…a desire to feed, and take from what it consumes.”

 

Frostwhisper turned its head to look at the doctor, its eyes burning with cold flame. Alexi willed himself not to blink. “Explain,” said the lich.

 

“The necromantic magics that sustain the creature are not stagnant, my lord. Whatever it eats, the magic adds to the whole. The more it devours, the larger, stronger and tougher it becomes. Allow me to demonstrate, if I may.”

 

The lich nodded slowly, and Alexi walked to the other side of the table. Grabbing a hunk of rotting meat from a nearby bucket, the doctor dropped the dead tissue into a gaping hole in the creature’s stomach. Almost as soon as the meat made contact, it began to change color, quickly matching the shade of the abomination’s flesh. Within minutes, the meat was completely absorbed, appearing as if it had always been there.

 

Frostwhisper watched the process impassively. “Impressive.”

 

Alexi nodded. “Indeed, my lord. In truth, the stitches are more for show than purpose at this point. The frame will adjust to support the additional mass, and will grow taller as well. Before long, it will be substantially larger than the other abominations. Also,” he said with a sly grin, “this same magic allows the creature to learn and adapt – the standard magics keep our creations mindless because are unable to alter the structure of the brain. This one has no such…disadvantage.”

 

The lich considered this in silence for several minutes. “What are the limits of its intelligence?”

 

Alexi gestured dismissively. “Little more than a child at best, my lord. Mindless creatures require too much control, but so do overly intelligent ones. It will learn from its mistakes and remember orders, but it is still stupid enough to be properly malleable.”

 

“Good. I am pleased that you understand the needs of the Scourge. However, the time it took to construct this creature concerns me. If it passes the trials, we will need many more. You are capable of reducing the production time, I assume.”

 

The doctor bowed. “Of course, my lord. Prototypes always take the longest to produce. Now that I understand the process, I can work on perfecting it.”

 

Nodding, the lich almost smiled. “Good. The Scourge needs more innovators such as yourself, Necromancer Romerov.”

 

A promotion! Alexi was thrilled, but kept his face calm. “I am pleased to be of service, my lord. And if I may make a suggestion…”

 

“You may.”

 

“Necromancer Edvard Barov’s abomination would make for a fitting trial for my creation. He has attempted to discredit me and my work on a number of occasions, and I believe that such a challenge would settle matters once and for all.”

 

“Yes,” said the lich, “I have heard him speak of you. His dislike for you leads him to act…unprofessionally at times.” Frostwhisper paused momentarily. “The challenge will be held tomorrow at dawn.”

 

Alexi bowed again. “We will be ready, my lord.”

 

Frostwhisper turned away and slowly glided out of the lab. Pausing in the doorway, it looked over its shoulder at Alexi. “We expect great things of you, Necromancer Romerov. Do not disappoint us.”  Then it was gone.

 

Alexi stood at the table a few minutes longer, then collapsed into a nearby chair. “Whew! Never been so nervous in my life!” He grinned with fierce triumph, and rubbed his hands together. “Alright…time to put the finishing touches on you. Tomorrow’s a big day, my boy, and it wouldn’t do to be unprepared.”