Heather the Necromancer

Book 4: Chapter 12: Washed out

Book 4: Chapter 12: Washed out

So, this has happened before? Legeis asked as they huddled on the ledge around Heather's unconscious body. The battle in the water ended when Breanne carried Legeis out of the water to drop bombs on the fighting monsters. The goblin was much lighter, so she had no trouble keeping him aloft. It took a few hits, but both monsters finally stopped moving and floated motionless on the lake.

Heather passed out just after Frank woke up, collapsing at his side. He carried her up the steps and set her along the tunnel wall inside the lamplight. Now she lay still, breathing shallowly as the others nervously talked.

Once before, Frank said. It was a nillac battle. She had already used a lot of power in an earlier fight, and needed to cast grave blight a bunch of times.

She took on a nillac herd? Legeis laughed. She isn't brave; she's crazy.

That alligator stunt proved that, Breanne said in agreement.

She wanted to try and rot it like she did the hydra, Quinny said. But I don't think she could get her scythe buried in its hide.

Of course not, the two were thrashing about like wild animals, Breanne scolded.

How long was she out last time? Legeis asked.

Over a full day, Frank replied. We were very worried about her.

I hate to be the one to bring bad news, but we can't sit here a full day. We have made so much noise that the wizard is sure to know we're here. Sitting still is only going to give him a chance to deal with us. We need to keep moving.

The ghoul knight will still fight for her, Quinny suggested.

Yes, it will, but nobody will be able to command her skeletons, Brenne pointed out.

Be a shame to leave those beauties behind. Thats a lot of firepower, Legeis said.

Maybe we should take her back to the goblin village, Quinny suggested.

Those wolves might respawn while we wait, Frank said.

A whole day, maybe more? You can guarantee they will be back, Legeis added.

We cant just sit here and wait to be discovered, Breanne said. She will be safer in the village.

Too bad none of us can heal her, Quinny said. She needs a way to heal faster.

Frank looked over Heather's gaunt face with colorless skin and sunken eyes as her guise of undeath made her look more like Quinny. She's an undead now, he muttered and looked up in alarm as he had an idea.

So? Quinny asked.

She will heal faster in a graveyard like we do, He suggested.

Quinny looked to Breanne, who let out a soft hmmm. It's worth a try. The lake monster is dead, so it should be safe to linger there for a little while.

Frank picked Heather up and carried her back to the lower ledge, laying her gently on the ground with her backpack as a pillow. Webster curled into a ball at her side, tapping at her with one limb trying to wake her. They sat and waited to see if her undead magic was the same as being an actual undead. Hours passed as they nervously talked about how they would cross the bridge. Frank and Legeis still believed it was the best option, but Breanne had enough of fishing him out of the water.

This isnt working, Breanne insisted. We have been here for hours.

Frank sat on his heels, looking over Heather as Webster made sad little noises. I am not sure what happened to her is even an injury, he said. I don't know of anybody who glows blue when they run out of magic.

I have never heard of it, Legeis added. Maybe its a chosen thing.

Maybe, Frank agreed. But we shouldnt let her push herself so far.

Your legs were gone, and half your side was missing. She was worried you were dead for real, Quinny interjected.

I tried to stop her, Breanne said with a shake of her head. But she was in a panic.

Frank looked down at the spider that was still making squeaks and sighed. Webster, can you hear her? The spider stood up and turned side to side, indicating no.

We should go to the village, Breanne said in a defeated tone. We can always fight our way back in.

Just as Frank was about to agree, Heather bolted upright with a start. She looked around wildly, her eyes finally settling on Frank.

Oh, thank goodness you're alive! she yelled and threw her arms around him. I was sure you were dead!

Frank looked around awkwardly with Heather hanging from his neck as Quinny started to snicker. Aww, its just like beauty and the beast, Quinny teased.

Breanne had to cover a smile as Heather let him go and looked around again. Are we still on the lower ledge?

The monster is dead, Frank said. Legeis and Breanne helped your alligator kill it. Your alligator didn't survive, though.

Heather nodded and looked down as Webster tapped at her legs. Oh, why were you worried? she asked and picked up the spider. I can't die, for real anyway. She went silent as she listened to the spider and then hugged him. You're right. I was just as worried about Frank.

She is awfully touchy-feely, Legeis remarked, earning him a swat from Breanne. He rubbed the back of his head and Glanced at Breanne as Quinny leaned over.

That means your part of the family now, Quinny teased. Be careful not to upset grandmother, though.

You call me grandmother again, and I will push you over that bridge, Breanne remarked.

Quinny stuck her tongue out as Heather stood up and brushed off her yellow dress.

We want to try crossing the bridge again, Frank said as Heather looked up in shock.

What, why? she asked.

We reason that the right path would be the most trapped, Frank suggested. Besides, the monster is dead. If it dumps us into the water again, all we will do is get wet.

How do you plan to get across? Heather asked, looking up at the long expanse.

We're going to run across, Legeis said. The trap didn't go off until the zombies were on the far side. I think it's designed that way, so you have the longest swim back, and the lake monster can kill you. If you run, by the time the bridge starts to rotate, you should be safe on the other side.

Hmm, we could all fly across, Heather said as they all looked at her funny. She smiled and took the bird statute out. I can change shape and fly over then summon the statue to change back. Breanne can then fly over and carry the statue back so one of you can use it.

How will your undead get over? Frank asked.

Right, Heather sighed. They cant speak the command word. I will have to order them the run over and take the chance. She looked to the bridge again and took a few unsteady steps.

Are you sure youre well? Breanne asked. And how long is that guise of undeath going to last? You dont look right with it on.

I forgot it was on, Heather replied and pulled up her panel. She pulled up the spell and squinted at the description. Umm, it says it lasts one hour per level of the spell caster, so a few more?

Can you release it beforehand? Frank asked.

I can, but I was enjoying the bonuses. It gives me the undead sight, and I can see life aura's properly now. I also don't feel cold or need to breathe. The only downside is a weakness to holy and radiance spells.

We're not likely to run into a paladin or lifecasting class here, Frank said. You should just keep it on for now.

Heather agreed and carefully made her way up the stairs as Breanne floated beside them.

She wiped her eyes with a nod and cast her pulsing heal only to find it wouldn't work. When she looked up in alarm, Frank pointed out she was still undead and would have to use mend the dead. She understood and used the other spell, the injuries mending away as she watched Breanne with a heavy heart. The banshee looked back and shook her head to indicate she didnt see him as Heather started to cry.

I am sure he is alright, Frank said.

He drowned because I couldnt hold on to him! Heather sobbed.

Nobody could have held on to him, Frank assured. That water washed us all out of that room like a tidal wave.

Two traps to dump you into the lake, Legeis said. Thank goodness we killed that thing in the water.

I want my Webster back, Heather cried.

Have you tried using your telepathy? Quinny suggested.

Heather looked up and felt embarrassed that she hadnt thought of that. She concentrated and focused on the spider as she spoke her thoughts. Webster, are you there? She cried again and smiled. Where are you? She nodded a few times and then stood up to shout to Breanne. Hes on the ceiling inside the room. He is afraid to come down.

Breanne looked up and flew back to them. How do you know?

I can hear him in my thoughts, Heather said. Here, I know you don't like touching him, so take my backpack, and he will get inside.

Breanne nodded and flew away, vanishing through the door to emerge a minute later with a bulging pack. Heather whisked it from her arms and cradled the spider to her chest. Don't ever scare me like that again. I thought I got you drowned.

She almost got us drowned, Legeis commented.

Not us, Frank said. None of us need to breathe. Only you and Webster can drown.

Thats great, Legeis commented and shook out his cloak. Half my gear isnt going to work until it dries.

What about the skeletons? Quinny asked.

Frank looked out over the lake, and as he scratched his head. I don't think they can swim. They are probably sitting on the bottom, waiting for orders.

Heather set Webster down and wiped an eye as she turned to the others. Is anybody else hurt?

Just a few bumps, Frank said. Our natural healing rate will restore that in a few minutes because we're in a graveyard.

Heather nodded as the bone knight walked up and held out her scythe.

Oh, thank you, she said as she took it from him. He nodded his head and turned back to the bridge as if waiting to be told to cross again. I have no desire to go that way again, Heather grumbled.

But that has to be the right way, Legeis argued. The stairs go up and are heavily trapped.

There must be a safer way up, Heather countered. One that isnt going to kill my friends or my spider.

Frank looked to Quinny, who was wringing out her white dress. We could always try that other tunnel? she suggested.

Frank turned to Heather and then pointed to the lake. Call for your skeletons. They should come even if they cant hear you well.

Heather nodded and went to the water's edge. Come here! she shouted as loud as she could. Two minutes later, a scene from a horror movie played out as skulls started to rise from the water. Red eyes glared out of black sockets as the skeletons marched out of the water to join them on the lower ledge. The ones from the stairs were gone, and a few of the ones that came out had missing arms. Heather mended the ones she could, but Breanne insisted she stop pushing herself.

You need a good night's rest, Breanne insisted.

I was out for eight hours, doesnt that count? Heather asked.

Were not sure how long you were unconscious, and if that counts as rest, Breanne countered.

Check your panel, Frank suggested. It should show you how much magical power you can draw on still.

Heather rubbed at her tattoo and brought the orange light display up. She tapped the tab for the character sheet and looked down the listing. There was a list of active effects, showing she was currently under the guise of undeath spell. Below that was a red bar for health, showing that she was full. Below it was a blue bar for mana that showed she was at about half. Below this was a purple bar labeled essence, and she noted it was very low.

What is essence for? she asked.

What? Frank and Breanne asked in unison.

Essence, she replied and held up her display so they could see it. I am very low on it.

Frank scratched at his head as he stared at the display. I have never heard of essence.

Nor have I, Breanne replied. Has that always been there?

Heather could only shrug. She had looked a the character sheet dozens of times but honestly wasn't sure what half the information meant. She tried to think back to remember if she'd noticed it before but couldn't say she had.

She has a stat nobody else has, Breanne said, looking away from the panel.

What does that mean? Quinny asked from the side.

It means she is drawing a power none of us can draw on, Breanne replied. But what is it used for?

Maybe for her magical girl powers, Quinny offered.

I dont have magical girl powers, Heather sighed.

You have something, Legeis chimed in. Nobody else glows blue and keeps casting when they hit empty.

Heather looked at Frank feeling very frustrated, but he didn't have any answers. Can we just move on? she asked as she looked away from the panel. I already don't like not knowing why I am chosen. I don't need to know that I am not a normal chosen.

For all, we know that is normal, Frank said. We don't have any idea what Chosen are capable of. What came out in the news was obviously only scratching the surface.

Heather looked into his dull yellow eyes as he stepped forward to put a hand on her shoulder.

Don't be upset about this, he said. This just means your options are even cooler than any of us realized. If anything, you should be excited to find out what that is used for.

She smiled and let out a sigh. I am upset that I thought I lost Webster, and nearly got the rest of you killed. I also don't like constantly finding out I still don't know even simple things about this world. I hate being so clueless and having to rely on you to explain everything to me. I appreciate it, but I like to stand on my own feet and do things myself.

He nodded and reminded her that it was his and Legeis's idea to cross the bridge. That made her feel a little better, and Webster tapping at her leg reminded her that nothing had been lost but a little time.

She spent another moment staring at the stat and then felt stupid again. I really need to take some time to relax and clear my head, she said and lifted her arm. What is essence for?

[DING!] The panel chimed. [Essence: Your essence pool is used to tap into the powers of your true form, and borrow health, mana, and skills. Essence can be spent when one of your pools is empty to replenish it rapidly, costing two essence per point refreshed.]

What? Heather grumbled as the others listened to the reply.

Her true form? Quinny asked as Heather looked up in a panic. She caught Breannes gaze as the banshee took on a sour face and floated closer.

Maybe there is more to this Hathlisora business than we suspect, Breanne said with a sad tone.

Heather felt her world closing in as she struggled to understand what she just heard. The point of this mission was to learn about Hathlisora, and prove she wasnt her. Now she questioned it herself until Frank put a hand on her shoulder.

Maybe this was triggered by using the bird statue, or even by putting on that crown. You changed into another form in both cases, he offered.

A sense of relief washed over her, and for the moment, she allowed herself to believe that was it. Deep inside, a voice cried out and told her he was wrong, but she fought that voice away, desperate to hold on to a sense of self and the memory of her life before coming here. She wasn't Hathlisora, and she was going to prove it, one way or another.