Heather the Necromancer

Book 1: Chapter 20: Ambush

Book 1: Chapter 20: Ambush

Heather felt angry as she followed Frank across the grasslands. Moon set her up and took her panel, but neither of them understood why. As they made the long walk back to the town, they both had time to ponder it.

So she cant use it at all? Heather asked.

Frank shook his head. No. This is why I said I didn't think I could do anything with your panel. Only the person it belongs to can use it. I can look at the screens, but I can't make any changes.

I should have let you try, though, Heather said. I wanted out, but as soon as I had the panel, I got carried away playing with it.

Of course you did because it's fun, he said. I wish I was chosen. I would have played with it a ton more and tried all sorts of combos.

Heather smiled to hear his encouragement. She couldn't argue that it was fun to play with the options. She could be anything she wanted, who wouldn't want to play with that? She smiled as she thought about the succubus and shook her head. That's playing too much.

What is? Frank asked.

Nothing! Heather squeaked.

Frank glanced back at her and then went on. She must have a reason for wanting it, but I can't think of anything. Whatever it is, she went to a great deal of trouble. She could have attacked us in the town, or stolen it while you were sleeping. Instead, she let you take it back and then sent people to steal it. It doesn't make any sense.

Maybe she was afraid of you? Heather suggested.

Frank disagreed. I don't think she was. That whole time Moon was talking to us felt like an act. She was being overly helpful and trying to put us at ease. She never once seemed like she felt on the defensive.

Heather chewed on that thought as they reached the edge of the forest. The sun moved to it's setting position over an hour ago. It would be dark by the time they reached the town. She didn't like the idea of being there at night and certainly didn't want to stay at the inn again.

As time passed, the sun moved again, and the stars filled the sky. A strange ringed moon rose to the north that seemed to give off little light. The forest became a maze of dark patches and shadows that played tricks on the eyes. As they skulked through the trees, it became apparent Frank was leading her around the objects.

How can you see anything? she asked.

Undead can see in the dark better than a cat. We can also see the living easier.

You can see them easier?

Frank glanced back before continuing. All animals have a glow around them that indicates they are living. Undead can see this glow. It makes it hard for the living to hide from an undead.

So, you see a glow around me when you look at me?

Yeah, it's a soft blue light. Some powerful undead can even see beings that are magically shifted or invisible.

Magically shifted? What is that?

It works kind of how movies do dimensions. They move out of this one into a sort of parallel one. Sometimes they can interact with this world still, but usually, all they can do is see it. It's super useful for passing through walls thought because nothing is solid to them.

So, they are like ghosts? Heather asked.

Sort of, Frank agreed. Ghosts exist in two dimensions, here and the ethereal.

All this is too confusing! Heather groaned.

You will figure it all out if you play a necromancer, Frank said. They can do all sorts of things like that.

I don't know, Heather said. I was thinking about what you said. Maybe I should change classes. If Moon was telling the truth about that part, then maybe being a necromancer is too dangerous.

Frank was quiet a long moment, and all she heard was the sound of the skeletons walking on the forest floor.

If Moon was telling the truth, then I understand if you want to change. Honestly, I think you should, but I also think you should be allowed to play what you want. If the necromancer is bugged, then that's the visitor's problem, and they need to fix it. They do make changes from time to time. People laugh and call them bug fixes. They had one bug where rain would fall out of a blue sky sometimes.

That must have been odd, Heather said as she ducked under a branch.

I never saw it. I read about it before I came in, but the point is this bug on your class could be fixed already.

So, there might be no reason to ban necromancers anymore?

Maybe, but the visitors never tell us what they change. Somebody would need to level up and see if it's fixed.

But that wont happen if they keep killing them, Heather said.

Frank nodded his agreement.

Oh, but that's where you're wrong, Kerrigorn said as he stepped out of the shadows on the other side. Nanya has plenty of sympathy. She sympathizes with our need for gold and resources.

So, the whole town is working together, but you won't work with us? Heather asked.

What did you expect? Nanya asked. You're a necromancer, and he's a monster. Your whole purpose for existing is to be hunted down and killed.

We are both players like you are! Heather argued. We have a right to exist!

Not anymore, Kerrigorn said as he leveled his spear at them.

Heather went to say something, but Frank held up a hand to silence her. Neither of them care about you or me. All they care about is what's best for themselves.

It's all anybody cares about in this world, Nanya said. All the amazing powers and abilities come at much higher levels. If you want to be taken seriously, you need to be at least thirty.

Too bad you two wont be seeing it, Frank said.

He suddenly raced for Nanya with his claws out and his mouth wide. She stepped back as she fired an arrow scoring a deep puncture on Frank's shoulder. He ran in, and she loosed another hitting him in the chest, but he hardly slowed. Kerrigorn! she cried before Frank pounced on her.

Stop! Kerrigorn yelled. Or I will impale the necromancer!

Frank looked up from where he sat hovering over Nanya, who flailed to get out of his grasp. Her arm was bitten and blood poured out as Frank casually used his ghoul touch to paralyze her.

You wont hurt Heather, Frank said. Not even to save Nanya.

I will! Kerrigorn yelled as he pressed the spear to Heathers throat.

Heather felt the cold of the spear press on her skin, and she wondered what it was going to be like to respawn.

Frank stood tall and stepped on Nanya, pinning her to the ground. He wanted to make sure Kerrigorn was watching him, and he had his undivided attention.

I am going to eat your throat out and drag your carcass back to my graveyard to feed me, he said in a cold dead voice.

Kerrigorn tensed and held his ground, holding the spear to Heather. I swear I will kill her.

Frank laughed and kicked a log aside, causing it to roll down the hill.

Kerrigorn locked eyes with him as the log tumbled to a stop.

What was that supposed to accomplish? he asked.

I just needed to make a little noise, Frank said.

Kerrigorn laughed. Why? Were you hoping I would be frightened by a rolling log?

No, Frank said with a toothy smile. I just didnt want you to hear the skeletons coming.

Kerrigorn looked to his right as the skeletons hacked away at him with sword and axes.

Heather stumbled away as the spear came off her throat and quickly retreated.

Frank turned back to Nanya and lifted her by a leg holding her in the air before finally tearing out her throat. He cast the body aside as Heather hid behind a tree.

Where did they come from? Heather gasped.

They are your skeletons. If you are ever threatened when they are nearby, they will come even if you dont call them.

You knew they were watching us?

I wasn't sure. I didn't see them with my sight, but the ambush is waiting exactly where are going to come out. That means somebody warned them.

How can you know all this? Heather asked. Its like you can read their minds.

I am a gamer, he said. I know how gamers think. The question now is, were these two players in Moons plans, or were they pawns?

Pawns, I can assure you, Moon said before a searing pain burned into franks back, followed by three more.

Frank! Heather screamed as the light in his eyes went out.