Book 3: Chapter 3: Beware Necromancer

Book 3: Chapter 3: Beware Necromancer

Heather covered her eyes as a bright blue light bathed her in its brilliance. She squinted while walking toward it, feeling a sense of trepidation that these steps would be her last. A voice called her name as if from far away as the blue light enveloped her. She awoke with a jerk from the dream to find she was in her little room. The sun's rays filtered through the blue tiles of the stained glass window, falling on her face in a mosaic of cool tones.

She yawned and looked around as if hoping it would be her room in the real world. Her scythe rested against the wall beside the dresser, where she always left it. Her mirror and some of her perfumes lay on top beside the strange amulet from the tower. A chair stood in the corner with her red dress hastily thrown over it. Behind it was the wardrobe where the rest of her outfits hung.

What a funny dream, she said with another yawn. She put her arm up to block the light from the window as she wondered about moving her room.

With a long stretch, her feet came to the floor, and her body reached high to straighten out. Quinny called from outside as usual, and she smiled at the woman's inability to understand sleep.

I suppose I was already up, she sighed and went to the dresser. She quickly brushed her hair and then went to the wardrobe to select the simple yellow dress she often wore. Quinny called her name again as she struggled to get dressed and then went to hurry from the room. She paused in the doorway to look back at the amulet. On impulse, she picked it up and put it around her neck before heading for the stairs.

Breanne's room looked empty as she passed on her way to the ground floor. The tower was dark and gloomy, but enough light made it through the narrow windows to see. Her bone knight stood at attention at the door, guarding the lowest floor against unwanted guests.

Open the door, please, Heather said with a pleasant tone.

The skeleton nodded and quickly pulled the door open so she could step outside. The sun was still in the morning position, and a gentle breeze ruffled her hair as she walked into the cold morning air. She quickly descended the three steps to the yard, where the rest of her skeletons stood in a line right before the door.

She was pleased to see that they were all a little taller now, and each carried a rusted sword. She found the option to upgrade them in the panel a few days ago, and now they were roughly twice as strong as before. Not one of them moved as she walked passed them to find Quinny and Frank standing at the gate between her yard and graveyard.

Finally, Quinny said. You sleep more than the dead.

Oh, ha, ha, Heather said as she walked up. I happen to enjoy a good night's sleep.

Its almost noon, Quinny said. The sun will move any second now.

Heather glanced up a moment, and sure enough, the sun suddenly moved to its noon position. The shadows around them vanished, and she felt the sudden warmth as it baked away the mornings chill.

I must have stayed up late, Heather remarked. I was searching through my panel.

What for?

Heather looked down at her Tattoo and fought a nervous twitch to rub it.

I was looking for any options we might have missed. I want to be sure there isnt something more useful I can do with it.

Frank tilted his head to the side as a ridge of skin rose over his eyes like a furrowed brow.

Stop that, Heather said to make the disturbing ridge go away. When he changed his expression, she continued.

I keep discovering things I could be doing or learning. I should have spent a lot more time exploring it already, she added with a strain in her voice.

Are you alright? he asked. You seem agitated.

I'm fine. I just had a strange dream, Heather replied.

Strange how?

Heather thought back to the blue light that blinded her eyes. It was just the light in my eyes. It was coming from the window in the tower.

He clawed slightly at the ground with his long nails as if thinking about her answer. Truth be told, she wasn't sure what that dream was. She assumed it was the light from the window intruding on her sleep as she woke up, but that moment felt real, and strangely, missing? The thought was tucked away as an impossibility, and she focused on the others.

So, what was so important I couldnt sleep the day away?

There are traveling merchants on the road, Quinny said.

Merchants? Heather repeated with sudden interest.

Yeah, they have three wagons of stuff. They were headed for the spawns to sell things to new players, Quinny said. Breanne is talking to them while we ran back to wake you.

Do they have any food? Heather asked as she brushed her dress out.

I dunno, go and find out, Quinny suggested.

Dont you two want anything? Heather asked.

Frank shook his head. We didn't think they would stay if Quinny or I approached them. That's why Breanne is talking to them; she looks normal in her elven form.

Heather nodded and turned back to the tower. She kept a small amount of coin in the chest in her room and quickly ran inside to fetch it. When she got back, Frank gave her a handful of gold more to buy whatever she wanted.

She thanked him and ran down the forest trail to find the road. A few minutes later, she saw the colorful wagons through the trees. They looked more like little houses on wheels with rounded roofs and windows on the sides. There was even a smokestack sticking out of one of them. They were all brightly painted in shades of yellow, green, red, and gold. Bundles of goods hung in nets, or bags, or lashed to the sides with ropes decorated every wagon. Each was pulled by two horses who had colored ribbons tied in their manes.

Breanne was there in her dark gown, looking over a silver tray that a man was holding. There appeared to be six men and two women all in colors to match the wagons. The men wore tall hats that ended in narrow points and reminded her of witches. The women had long hair woven with ribbons and smiled widely.

This is the finest smith work of the star sea elves, the man was saying as Breanne examined the tray.

Good, you're not dead? Breanne stated as Heather arrived panting.

Ah, of course, another man said as he nodded his head. That must be it. No wonder she walked out unharmed.

Fool paladin fell for it and cried necromancer to cover his shame, a woman added. Next hell be claiming dragons attacked him.

I guess that does explain it, the first man said. Too bad, though, would have been good for business. Lot's of adventurers far from a town crawling about and needing supplies.

I didn't mean to cause such a fuss, Heather said. I was just walking down the road with Frank when that man accused me of being a necromancer. I tried to tell him, but he wouldn't listen to me.

Oh, pay it no bother, the woman replied as she climbed up to the seat of the wagon. People are always claiming there's a necromancer or other danger lurking in the shadows. Just last month, there was a rumor that a hydra was living in the sewers or Ethelwin.

And there were giants in castle thunder cliff, another man added.

Castle isn't big enough for one giant to sit down in, but the stories made it sound like a whole army was on the walls, the woman laughed and looked directly at Heather. So you live out here with your friends because of one of thems a ghoul player?

Heather nodded. Hes hiding in the woods because he didnt think you would like him to come close.

Sad to say, most of us do feel that way. Bad blood between normal and monster players, but you're sweet to stand by your friend. We will keep you in mind if we come back this way, and try to bring you something fresher than rations to eat.

Thank you, Heather said with a smile.

Heather waved as the wagons moved off and waited until they were safely down the road before she had her nervous breakdown.

People are spreading rumors about me! she gasped. They will be coming then!

Calm yourself, Breanne insisted. You did amazing there. Those people are going to spread the story of how a flower singer was mistaken for a necromancer. It will take a lot of the strength out of the rumor.

Heather felt dizzy and had to put a hand to a tree to steady herself. I wasn't even a necromancer when that paladin attacked us. He couldn't hurt me because I was a zero level player.

Then you told the truth, Breanne said. Even better.

It wasnt the truth!

It was from a certain point of view, Breanne pointed out. You were not a necromancer, and the woman they attacked did indeed absorb that spell as far as they were concerned.

What do I do if people come looking for me?

You do what you just did, explain that Frank is a friend of yours, not your summoned pet. If needs be, I will play the role of a celestial archer, and back you up.

Heather raised a brow and looked to Breanne. Whats a celestial archer?

Its a type of wizard who casts spells by firing arrows. Only certain types of elves and fey can pick the class; it is rather rare.

How are you going to pretend your one of them?

Breanne smiled and held out a hand. Silver light formed in her palm, and she closed her fingers around it as it raced up and down, forming the graceful arms of a bow. A thin silver line flashed into being between the curved tips, and she gently tugged at it.

That was amazing, Heather said. So, you are an archer?

No, I am a shadow weaver, but I have a magical bow I received as a gift a long time ago. I can't cast spells through it, but I can play the part to the casual onlooker. I have been practicing with it for several years now, and I am a rather good shot.

Heather nodded but thought of the logical next question. What if somebody suspects I am chosen and have a third class?

We will deal with that when it happens, Breanne said. With any luck, nobody will look too closely until you have amassed more power.

What good is one necromancer going to be if an army of people come down the road?

I don't know, Breanne said. The necromancer kings stood together, and they were defeated. All we can do is hope to fend off any smaller groups, and run if a larger force appears.

Frank and Quinny would have to start over someplace else, Heather said.

Better they do that than have it all burned and be reset.

Heather nodded and looked at her pile of goods.

I suppose I should get this into the tower. She closed her eyes and spoke a quick chant that ended with come to me.

A few minutes later, her skeletons walked out of the trees, and she put them to the task of carrying the things back to the tower. They did the job silently and without complaint, as she pondered the encounter.

Frank warned her that if people knew she was a necromancer, they would come looking for her. It was foolish to think that paladin would keep the secret, and who knows what the three from the goblin village were doing. Moon was always in the back of her mind as well, like a shadow waiting to pounce. Frank was right; Moon would be back to try again, and her second attempt would likely be worse than her first.

Every day the threat of being what she was seemed to grow larger. If rumors were spreading, then people hunting for the reward would be coming. Sooner or later, somebody was going to challenge her; she needed to find a way to be ready and meet that challenge.

As her heart started to settle she was suddenly jarred by a loud blarring beep.

Beep! [Deception skill +1]

I hate that noise! Heather growled as Breanne started to laugh.