The cleric raises a suspicious eyebrow at the answer but then waves to the three warriors. "Show them. We have little choice and we need help."
The three warriors part, allowing you to see through their human wall. On the other side of them, you see a figure in the throne. The head is bowed slightly, and has a throne on its head. What is clear right away is that this figure, once a man, has been dead for some time. It is dressed in the rich clothes of nobility, its hands mostly skeletal and held together by wrinkled skin and tendonous muscles.
Around the figure's hands and legs are glowing rings, holding the figure there like a prisoner.
And then its head snaps up and looks at you. In those empty socket eyes, you see red flaming lights. It struggles against its bonds for a moment and it looks like it is trying to speak, but no words are coming out. One thing is certain: this undead monstrosity is glaring at you with malice and hatred.
The priest says, "My name is Lumen. I was once counselor and viceroy to the king. When he was slain in battle, I had him removed, and tried ancient arcane spells to bring him back. Unfortunately, what we got back was this evil thing in the king's body. I have been trying for almost two decades to restore the king. He is now what some may call a lich, or some may call it something else. But I must restore him. The king had no heirs, and was loved by all. We have packed around this creature, hiding and running in secret, holding and silencing it, for all these years. I fear to know what power it has if released. If I die, my power holding it back will be gone and it will be free to kill, so I must restore the king first."
He pauses, looking at you to see if you are too repulsed to look at the king or are otherwise hesitant. Then he continues. "We arrived here nigh on twenty days ago, I think. We are trying to work the Crossroads Ark to take the king to safety. Our companion, Chrisman, had retrieved a sequence of numbers to operate the Ark. He went on ahead with ten warriors, and we have not seen them since. We dare not operate the Ark until he returns, but days have passed with no sign of them."
He points to the eastern door. "The Ark is through there. Chrisman's last coordinates are still programmed into it. If you will stay here and guard the king, I will go with these warriors and investigate, and then return with whatever wisdom I collect."
He says to Borimer, "You mentioned you have something for the King? I can take it, if you will." He holds out his hand.