Heather the Necromancer

Book 5: Chapter 12: I'm fine.

Book 5: Chapter 12: I'm fine.

Heather held up the shredded yellow dress with a sigh. She was grateful it was a magical dress and would repair on its own, but it would take a full day. Until then, she would wear the fancier blue one she stole from Moon. It was more fitting of a princess; she thought as she sat quietly in the palanquin.

You dont look happy, Breanne remarked as Heather gently stroked Webster.

I wasnt prepared for that, Heather replied. I still dont like the idea of dying, let alone doing it as a broken defenseless wreck while that horrid thing ate me.

It took you by surprise, is all, Breanne encouraged. We knew something was out there but had no idea where it was. We figured we would locate it first or slip out of the valley without ever seeing it.

Heather nodded and continued to stroke Webster as her mind raced. She needed something to distract her from recent events, so she decided to ask some questions.

I know the necromancers were rounded up and reset, but where are they now? she asked.

Well, first of all, I am sure not all of them were caught, or at least not caught right away, Breanne replied. As for those who were reset, who can say? I have never heard of any of them speaking out. It's almost like they vanished.

Do you think they are in prisons someplace? Heather wondered, remembering that there were prisons someplace in the world.

I know there are prisons in many big cities, Breanne replied. Kevin supposedly had a special prison for serious trouble makers, but I couldnt tell you where. Kevin is very good at keeping his secrets.

Heather agreed, but a thought came to mind, something Gwen said in passing when they were talking about Hathlisora. She told Breanne all about the conversation, focusing on the fact that Kevin was once a companion of her group.

Thats interesting, Breanne remarked with a concerned look. Why did you turn down the offer to have her contact her friend to learn more?

Heather looked down as her hand stroked the purring spider. Logically it made sense to try and learn more, but in her heart, she believed Frank was right. They were safely hidden away; why alert anyone to where they were and risk having to run again? She explained it to Breanne, who agreed but suggested another idea, they could meet this person instead of bringing him here.

I didnt think of that, Heather replied as she sat up. Then I could get answers without revealing where I was hiding.

He might even know more about the necromancers and where they can be found, Breanne added.

Even if he doesnt, they are someplace, and there must be a way to locate them, Heather said as her mind worked on the problem.

Are you sure this is what you want? Breanne asked.

Heather nodded. Hathlisora was working with them, and you said they were all working on a major project. Her letter said it was a way to change the respawn and reset system.

We dont know that was the project. It could have been something else, Breanne argued.

Heather understood her point of view but couldn't think of a bigger project than altering a core mechanic of the world. Surely this was the secret project, and she was fascinated to know how they planned to do it. They went on to debate the possibility as the palanquin wound its way through the mountains.

The mountain passes continued to roll by as they followed the pull of the green bracelet. Heather had them stop from time to time to hold her arm up and get a bearing, turning them in the right direction. They encountered another flying creature with a lion's body but an eagle's head and wings. It swooped on them a few times, but a hail of spells drove it off, screeching as it went.

Heather eventually decided to get out and walk, taking in the mountain landscape that was both peaceful and beautiful. The air was cold, but she didnt mind as all around were spectacular views. Above her towered peaks and sharp ridges covered in snow as they progressed along a lower ridge-line. She was amazed at how blue the sky looked from here and how crisp the air felt. Never in her dreams did she believe she would one-day cross mountains on foot, yet here in this odd world, she did just that.

She took a deep breath and looked to the palanquin where Webster was yawning with a little squeak. He climbed out and went to the roof, looking to the sky as if to watch for danger.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

Are you alright? Quinny asked from ahead where she walked side by side with Frank.

I'm fine, Heather replied. It was a very sudden and scary thing, but in the end, it wouldn't have meant a thing.

It would have meant us going all the way back to the graveyard to get you, Quinny said. That would have been a huge delay.

No delays! Umtha barked from where she sat perched over the acorn where the egg was hidden. Must return egg!

Heather looked back for only a moment, then hurried her pace to catch up, coming to stand between Frank and Quinny.

Is she getting grumpier? Quinny asked in a low voice.

Heather smiled at the questions she herself was wondering. She is upset that I was nearly killed while she was ahead scouting.

It was a sound idea to scout ahead for an ambush, Frank suggested. She complained that she should have brought her warriors.

And the moment we encountered a player town, they would have been all over us, Heather replied. We need to draw as little attention as possible until we get where we are going.

Where are we going? Frank asked with a glance. We don't know anything, but the direction, do we?

No, we don't, Heather replied as she held the bracelet up. All we know is it's that way, she added, pointing the other hand. It could be a thousand miles from here.

Quinny looked back with her featureless mask revealing only the jet black eyes. It had an intimidating effect of feeling cold and predatory, a silent warrior who lacked mercy. She made eye contact and thankfully reached up and plucked the mask from her face, revealing the nearly white skin with a slight scars on her cheek and lip.

Does it matter how far it is? she asked. Were on an adventure, and thats all that matters.

We have lairs to work on and take care of, Frank reminded her.

All that will be there when we get back, Quinny replied and turned the mask over to look at it. Besides, it's going on adventures that made those lairs possible. We wouldn't even know Breanne if we hadn't gone on the great pizza adventure.

Ha, Heather laughed as she thought about pizza and wondered if maybe it was time for another trip.

We would be safer if we stuck to our lairs, Frank insisted, but Quinny wouldn't let it go.

Oh, common! Look at all the fun we're having. We have amazing outfits and cover stories that allow us to go almost anywhere. When are you going to have an opportunity like this again?

Frank reached up to scratch at his head before remembering the helmet and dropping his arm.

I know your right, he said. But every time we leave, we take a risk that could cost Heather everything.

This is for Heather, Quinny argued and glanced her way. Will you tell him to stop being so worried. He has been all tense since that thing grabbed you.

It ran faster than we could and almost got away with her, Frank pointed out. If she hadn't had that bird statue, she would be respawned in her tower right now.

And living with the memory of being eaten, Heather added.

See, Frank pressed.

Heather smiled and reached out, taking each of their hands. I agree with both of you. It would be nice to stay in our lairs and be safe, but we also can't let those lairs become prisons. Just because your monster players and I'm a necromancer doesn't mean we can't explore the world. We have just as much right as anybody else, and in this case, we have good reason to go.

Yeah, Umtha would be in the graveyard every day yelling at you, Quinny laughed.

Heather sighed. Yes, there is always that.

Frank grumbled, so Heather latched on to his arm and pulled at him. Frank, are you still worried about what we're going to find?

You know I am, he replied. This won't end with the egg. We're going to find something that will take us in another direction and another after that.

Youre worried we will be following the trail and never home, Heather surmised.

Frank let out a sigh, and she realized how important building his lair was to him. Not only was it important, but just recently, he had been able to build a massive lair with many of the things he dreamed of. He looked forward to seeing players tackle his challenges, but she took him away before he had a chance. She felt guilty and wondered if she had once again been absorbed in herself pressing her will on others, especially him.

Even if there is, we dont have to follow it, Heather suggested. We should go straight home after this and spend a good long time in our lairs. I dont want to leave again until we have seen hundreds of players adventuring.

Heather watched as he nodded slightly but didn't reply, his mind obviously thinking of being back. She began to wonder why he agreed to come but knew the truth before the thought even materialized. He came because of her. Frank always went where she led, taking great care to protect her. In many ways, he was like a second bone champion, standing strong against the foes that came to harm her. Now she wondered why he did it and could only assume it meant he had feelings for her. Quinny intimated it a few times, but Heather wasn't sure. Now that she thought about it, how often had she played it right back? Wasn't she the one who fed him cake and went insane when that lake monster attacked him? What about the time she laid on his chest, sharing the panel with him as they talked? She was just being a friend, wasn't she?

We could always play in our lairs for a bit and then do the next part, Quinny offered, drawing Heather out of her contemplation.

Let's hope there won't be a next part, Heather replied.

There will be, Frank commented and looked down at her. This is just beginning.

Frank, please, Heather urged and clung to his arm. I am just waking up to how wonderful this world can be, and you were always there to tell me it was. Please, don't lose that enthusiasm. I want you to show me everything.

This is very hard to rationalize, Heather said as she began to pace. I know you explained it before, but the thought of being able to shrug off what should be a life-threatening injury is strange.

Nah, Quinny interjected. It just takes some getting used to. Once you have been beaten up good a few times, you develop a sense of how many times you can take a punch.

Shes right, Breanne said. I know it doesnt make sense that you would be able to take a sword to the chest five times and be more or less fine, but thats how it works.

Think of it as a force field, Legeis offered. It absorbs the damage until the field breaks. You only feel enough of the attack to know you have been hit until it fails, then every hit really counts.

I guess that's a better explanation, Heather said and lifted her scythe. Now, why on earth doesn't this thing work?

You must not be using it the right way, Frank suggested.

I held it while casting spells, and I used it for attacks. How else am I supposed to use it?

Frank went to scratch at his armored head and gave up with a sigh, moving closer to stare at the weapon instead. Hmm, do you remember what Gwens panel said about it?

It was made by Hathlisora and attuned to me, Heather answered.

No, the other stuff, it said it was a magical staff of focus and that one of its powers was channeling.

So what does that mean? Heather asked, not following his logic.

Frank pointed to the staff and shrugged. You have to focus your spells through it like you did that day in the swamp when you cast that rotting spell on the hydra.

Heather thought back to the battle and nodded as she remembered burying the scythe into the monster as she cast, delivering the spell directly into the beast. She held the weapon up and wondered how to do that with other spells and decided the best option was to test it with a rotting bolt.

So I just point the handle and cast? she asked, holding it out.

I have no idea, just try something, Frank urged.

She nodded and pointed the flowery end of the shaft at the dead body of the dinosaur. She repeated the quick words of rotting bolt as the staff made a sudden humming noise. A bolt the size of her head raced out, with a green flash, exploding on contact and showering them in a hail of gore.

Oh! Breanne said as she wiped a chunk of flesh off her dress.

It worked? Heather said in alarm.

That was awesome! Quinny cried. Do it again!

Please don't, Legeis groaned from above, where he was throwing bits of carrion from his armor.

I dont need the bone chip anymore? Heather said in surprise as she looked to Frank for answers.

I dont know how it works, but I do know other classes use magical foci. Maybe we could ask one of them how it works.

Heather nodded with a smile, turning the staff over in her hands. Well, I see no reason not to use this for everything. Why fire a bullet when you can fire a missile? It was Legeis who spoiled her good mood with his reply.

Remember when I scanned that thing and told you it stored magical power. I bet every time you use it to boost a spell; it drains some power. Eventually, it will run out, and you will have to find a way to recharge it.

Of course, there's a limitation. I should have expected nothing less, Heather sighed.

Your spells have always been effective without it, Frank urged. You can save the scythe for when you need something big.

Boo, Quinny said from the side. I want her to explode things all the time.

For heaven's sake, girl, don't you get enough gore in the graveyard? Breanne scolded as Quinny shrugged.

Well, Heather said as she looked over the weapon and gently swung it. I guess having some extra power to draw on won't hurt, and I dont pass out when I use it.

The ground shook, and they all looked back as a large reptilian head came around the cliff ledge. It was easily three times the size of the previous one with scales that matched the rock's color. Its large eyes fixed on the group as it came around the ledge and started to charge.

Is that kaiju enough? Quinny asked.

Not even close, but thats still very dangerous, Frank said as they started to back up.

What do we do? Heather asked as the beast stomped around the edge, its massive size shaking the ground and causing rocks to slide.

We run, Breanne said. That thing we killed is a baby compared to this.

Great, another angry mother, Heather groaned, running for the palanquin. She went to climb inside when she noticed the skull tucked in the corner. She looked at the scythe and then back to the skull as Umtha shouting something in goblin, sounding every bit as panicked as she felt. Quickly Heather snatched the skull as the others reached the palanquin, and the monster that towered some fifty meters tall roared with a deafening wail.

Run! Frank urged, but Heather moved ahead, holding the skull and scythe awkwardly between her hands.

She stared at the upper body of the beast, afraid that aiming anywhere else would risk missing. With a quick chant, she thrust her hands forward, trying to focus on pushing her power through the scythe. There was a brilliant flash of light as the skull's eyes burst into white flames, and as Heather released an aura of fire engulfing her but causing no harm. It flew like a meteor, streaking across the sky with a burst of shrill laughter like a thousand skeletons cackling at once. The impact was colossal, causing the beast to falter as a crater erupted on its shoulder. Blood and gore exploded in every direction, falling like rain as the monster wailed and turned away, rushing off unwilling to suffer another terrible strike.

Breanne held out her arms, shaking them to dislodge the blood and viscera as she glared at Quinny.

Are you happy now? she asked in a mocking tone.

Quinny was busy wiping the red from her outfit while a bit of flesh hung off her wide hat.

Not exactly. I wanted to see them explode so I could watch it, not wear it.

Heather? Frank called as all eyes turned to her.

She stood motionless in the road, blue sparks of electricity sporadically flashing about her in thin lines. A strange static caused her hair to float as the dress ruffled as if in a wind. She and the staff glowed with a soft blue light as the ground around her burned, charred in the skull's fire.

Heather, are you alright? Breanne asked in alarm, moving quickly to come to her side.

Heather dropped the scythe as she looked at her hands, the blue light pulsing around her.

Heather? Frank asked again as he walked around her to see her face.

She looked up in alarm holding out her hands for him to see.

What happened to me? she asked as her voice trembled.

Frank didnt hesitate to reach out, taking her hands in one of his and covering them with the other. He leaned down so she could see into his visor as he spoke softly.

Youre fine. This has happened before.

But I always went unconscious. why am I still awake?

It must be a side effect of channeling through the staff. Its allowing you to access the power safely, like you said.

Heather jumped in alarm as little sparks of electricity arced out and struck Frank, who didn't even flinch.

This is safe? she asked as little sparks flashed between his fingers.

Trust me; you will be fine, he insisted. Take a deep breath and focus on something you like. Think about the cookies you can have in a few minutes.

Heather laughed and nodded with closed eyes, trying not to think about what just happened. She felt the tingling subside, and with it went her panic. She opened her eyes to find Frank had taken his helm off and now looked at her with a pained expression. She held up a hand to see the color was already fading, and the sparks were gone.

Well that was, surprising, Breanne said as she continued to wipe at her outfit.

Heather noted the gore then looked down before crying out in disgust. Oh great! Now, what am I going to do?

About what? Frank asked.

Heather held out the blood-stained arms of her outfit. I don't have another dress!