Being undead, sleep wasn’t necessary but he sometimes did it to pass the time. He looked around to make sure no one was passing through the alleyway he was laying in. He pulled a picture out of his vest and looked longingly at it.
“Oh, my beautiful Aelthalyste. How I wish to tell you how I feel…” Jeremiah grinned at the picture. But he was a simple cockroach vendor. He had no chance with a class trainer. Especially one of powerful shadow magics.
He got up and walked out into the hustle and bustle of the main cobblestone pavements. All around him were familiar faces. He saw a friend of his, an undead mage preparing a gnome for dinner. Another friend, was feeding his worm a snack. He gave them both a nod as he passed by.
He stopped by the Apothecarium. The damp edges of the wall always had the best mushrooms growing there, often with an interesting tang from the steam from nearby cauldrons. He ate a couple before turning to continue his walk.
“Eh he he he.” he heard an old cackle behind him. He turned.
“You look like a fella with someone on his mind.” It was an old witch brewing up a dark blue potion. “You should tell her. The potions say you’re lucky today.” She cackled again.
Jeremiah smiled sheepishly and turned back to his walk. Before he knew it he was in the War Quarter. He casually leaned against a pillar like he was loitering. He looked i the corner of his eye towards the Alter of Darkness. He saw her, floating in her usual spot. Aelthalyste, the priest trainer. He grinned to himself, she was as beautiful as ever.
Suddenly the old witch’s words echoed in his mind. He was lucky today. Maybe he would try. He paced around the bridges leading to the alter before turning away. He wanted to try but didn’t have the courage. He struggled to bring himself to cross the bridge to the alter.
He had only been to the alter once before. That was here he first saw her…He had just opened his eyes, he was risen as undead. He was somewhat defeatist in life, so he sighed and accepted his undeath. Standing up was not too easy, his legs felt like noodles. He felt a cold gnarled hand grab his hand just before he fell. He looked up, it was a banshee. she steadied him and helped him outside. She didn’t really say any words, but smiled sweetly and let out a haunting shriek before returning inside.
Stirring back from his memories, he saw she was near. She was looking out into the city, admiring the view. He slowly moved closer, he fought turning back and leaving. As he approached closer, he stepped on a crumbled and aged paper. She turned and looked. It was now or never.
“H-hey.” Jeremiah said. “It’s a nice view isn’t it? You get to see the weapon merchants set up their displays. The warriors practicing their swordsmanship. Adventurer’s crafting their armor.” He chuckled nervously.
“Yeeessss. Iiiiiiit iiiiiissss.” she cried out in her beautiful haunting voice. She smiled. “Uuuusualllyyy, peeeeooople areeeen’t toooooo fooooond ooooof taaaalkiiing toooo meeeeeee beeeecaaaause theeeee waaaay baaaaansheee’s speeaaaaak.”
“Well, I think it’s beautiful.” Jeremiah Payson responded. If his blood could flow, he would be blushing.
“Woooould yooooou viiiisiiiiiit meeeee agaaaain soooometiiiiiimessss?” Aelthalyste asked with a shrill light scream.
“I’d love that!” Jeremiah said with glee. Aelthalyste smiling and brushed her hand against his, before they turned back and looked at the hustle and bustle of the Undercity. He slowly took her hand in his.
And they lived happily ever after. closes book
(So it isn’t lost in time forever)