“No offense, Yaga, but we’ve already talked too much.” Lith said. “We need to act or Zoreth will die.”

“Act how, child? Do you have a plan? A brilliant strategy? One of your cunning tricks?” The Red Mother raised an eyebrow like a teacher dealing with an impatient student.

“Actually, no.” Lith scratched his head in embarrassment. “But I hoped you did.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I don’t know what to do either.” She chuckled. “I’ve explained so many things to you to share my knowledge and give you the time to assimilate it.

“We need to work together to save Zoreth, and I need capable assistants, not fumbling tinkerers. Now you know about Zoreth and yourselves as much as I do. Do you have any idea?”

“Yes.” Kalla replied, surprising everyone. “If I want to become a Lich, I need to find a way to stitch the two parts of my life force together once I cut them apart. It should be similar to what we are about to attempt on Zoreth.

“Whether we succeed or fail, this experiment will provide me with priceless data for my future apotheosis.”