Chapter 22

           Arthasrubbedhistemple,goingoverandoverthevisionshehadseen.Alwaysbefore,communicationfromtheLichKinghadcomeonlyfromFrostmourne.Buttheinstantthecripplingpainhadstruckhim,Arthashadactuallyseenthebeingheservedforthefirsttime.

           TheLichKingwasalone,inthemiddleofavastcavern,asimprisonedintheunnaturaliceasFrostmournehadbeen.Butthishadbeennosleekcoveringofhisform.Theencasingicehadbeenfractured,asifsomeonehadbrokenoffapieceandleftthejaggedremainsbehind.Obscuredbytheiceashewas,theLichKingwasimperfectlyglimpsed,buthisvoiceslicedinthedeathknight’smindashecriedoutintorment:

           "DangerdrawsneartheFrozenThrone!Powerisfading....Timeisrunningout....YoumustreturntoNorthrendimmediately!"Andthen,piercingArthaslikealanceinthegut:"Obey!"

           Eachtimeithappened,Arthasfeltdazedandsick.Thepowerthathadpumpedthroughhimlikeadrenalinewhenhewasmerelyhumanwasreceding,takingwithitmorethanithadoriginallygiven.Hewasweakandvulnerable...somethinghehadneveronceimaginedhewouldbewhenhefirstgraspedFrostmourneandturnedawayfromeverythinghethoughthebelievedin.HisfacewasgreasywithsweatashelaboriouslymountedInvincibleandrodetomeetKel’Thuzad.

           Thelichwaswaitingforhim,hovering,hisflutteringrobesandgeneraldemeanorsomehowradiatingconcern.

           "Sotheseizureshavebeengettingworse?"heasked.