We moved forward a bit more cautiously after that, so we didn't fall into any more pits, but Francia, or whoever, realized we were too smart to fall for their tricks, and started sending in monsters to attack us.  This is always entertaining, and the mix of liches, ghosts, skeletons and resurrection men reminded us of our time in Mykinda, where a lich mage called Frank N Stine had been plotting to take over the world with a dead baseball team - no, not the Washington Senators; this bunch generally didn't even have hearts.
    He might have done it before we arrived if a local cleric hadn't charmed him into going for the Pennant first, and then, of course, we came along, he attacked us, as monsters do, and was lucky to escape with his unlife.  So, it was rather pleasant to find him again, surrounded by a small army of undead - almost like Old Home Wake.
    He wasn't as surprised as we were, and expressed a cordial interest in our health, notably our small intestines and whether they were flexible enough to wrap round our necks, but would insist on telling us what he had been up to since we last met and his current plans.
    He still wanted to rule the world, and had been very impressed by the efficacy of deception spells, so had decided to integrate it into his strategy.  His monopoly on trail food supplies had been initially expensive, but, once all the caravans diverted into his caves, it became self-financing, and he would be able to leverage the whole process into a series of small wars between cities, with his own charmed army mopping up the survivors of both sides and recruiting the non-survivors into the undead brigades.  Eventually, he would go public, take on the remaining cities and become Amnesiarch of the Forgotten Realms.
    This was all very interesting, but, as Surly pointed out, it really wasn't our concern, and we just wanted to get away from the Watcher, so, if Franky gave us 1000 GP for our expenses, we'd wish him well and be on our way.  He agreed that killing us didn't really have anything to do with the bottom line, but he intended to do it anyway just for fun, and his undead minions moved in.
    We fought bravely where we stood, but they were too many for us, and we all died. [RELOAD: REPLAY]  It was a tough struggle, but we won, though Denise was mobbed by 6 liches and succumbed to her wounds. [RELOAD: REPLAY]  We hastily assumed an optimum defensive position and after a long fight killed Franky again, hopefully for the last time.
    We thought of going back to Dealer's Bluff and explaining how we had solved their problem, but they hadn't actually mentioned a reward, and going back might give the Watcher a chance to catch up and get some more free entertainment, so we decided to go on on our journey to Penge.  So, what are your plans; do you want to come with us?  Hey!  Where's he gone?  Hello?