The Paladin in the Abyss

"So, what we need to do next is find that thigh bone, bring it back here, and then defeat Peyton Derrick, and the quest will be complete, right?" Bruto clapped his hands, "Sounds simple enough. When do we leave?"

"Have you forgotten the most important part..." Alamir shook his head with a wry smile, "How are we supposed to defeat that Lich? Especially now that it’s at its full strength?"

"Uh..." The Dwarf turned to the Human Knight, "Big brother, you must have a plan, right?"

"I don’t." Lancelot shook his head decisively, "I was hoping we could find something like that here."

"Doesn’t the information about the thigh bone count?" the Princess asked hopefully.

"Well, that information is indeed very useful." Lancelot nodded in agreement, "But it might not be enough..."

"How about this, you take me with you. I might have a way to anger him, at least distract him, wouldn’t that be helpful?"

"Take you?" Lancelot looked at her in surprise, "I’m afraid that’s not feasible, Princess Fran. We likely won’t be able to protect you in the heat of battle..."

"Protect me? Oh no no no, you misunderstood..." The corpse supported her chin with both hands and pushed it upward with force. With a sound like a wine cork being pulled out, she raised her head from her neck. Her head floated in the air and stared at Lancelot with a wistful look, then continued, "I don’t need any protection, and you don’t need to take all of me... Please, I’ve been confined in a dark space of less than five feet for over a century. Take me outside for a spin. If I really die from this, it wouldn’t be such a bad thing..."

Lancelot cast a pleading glance at his companions, but the others either nodded or gave him a thumbs-up, as if to say: ’That’s a great idea.’