I only glanced but I didnt see mention of dominion strength (candles) when you attacked the Lich. The map view previous to that didnt even seem to have candles turned on for view. Beware of not keeping track of dominions in a game called Dominions.
Anytime a pretender or a prophet seems strangely strong or strangely weak, the candles (relative dominion strength) is the first place I look.