Book 3: Chapter 13: A Shadow in the mist

Book 3: Chapter 13: A Shadow in the mist

Heather dashed into her tower, tears filling her eyes. With shaking hands, she slammed the door and threw down the crossbar that braced it from the inside. Somewhere outside was a group of players led by the rangers from Moon's town. They were undoubtedly finishing off the last of her skeletons by now. Soon they would come for her inside the tower. She leaned against the door to try and catch her breath as she suddenly thought of the back door.

You, follow me, she said to her tower skeletons guarding the front door and dashed across the entry room to the hallway. While wiping tears from her eyes, she arrived at the backdoor and slammed the bracing bar, sealing the door. It wouldn't keep them out, but at least it would slow their progress.

Once again, she paused to clear her head. Maybe she could make a run for it, and catch up to Frank and the others? No, they were at least an hour away by now, more likely two. She was going to have to deal with this problem herself, thankfully she was in her lair, and had spent some points on defenses.

You two follow me, she said to the Skeletons at the back door. She turned to run from the room and nearly collided with Monica.

Hello, my Lady, I have your soup ready. I'll be workin' on your pie next, she said with a smile.

Heather was startled a moment before she remembered who the woman was. A sudden thought of her being killed ran across Heather's mind, and the image made her sad.

Monica. I want you to go to the basement and stay there until I come to get you, Heather said, trying to put her out of harm's way.

Of course, my lady, she said and walked off.

Heather watched her go a moment and then ran across the hall into the empty room. Her bone knight stood silently in the center of the room, staring at the wall.

Follow me! she commanded in a strengthening voice.

Its head turned, and then the body followed as the creature lurched forward. With all five of her minions, she headed back to the entrance hall. She took them up the stairs as quickly as she could, all the way to the top floor of her tower. With Heather panting for air, they arrived in her bedroom, where she shut the door and bolted it. She quickly ran for the mirror on her desk and stood before it. She almost jumped to see the nature's armor effect with woody skin and solid green eyes.

Show me the ground floor! she commanded of the mirror.

The mirror suddenly changed from her reflection to the main doorway. She saw it shake and shudder as the people outside tried to break it down.

I should have gone with the others, she scolded herself and then shook her head. No, you can do this. You are a recluse inside your tower, and you spent a ton of points on security. If they want into your tower, they can run the gauntlet.

The door shuddered again and burst open as Heather finally caught her breath. The two rangers, whose names eluded her, led the way. The man had a bow in his hands while the woman carried two short swords. Next came a man in white robes with a long staff. He was quickly followed by two men who looked similar to each other in metal armor and shields. One carried a sword, while the other a large hammer. The person who brought up the rear was another woman in silvery mail with long dark hair. She had a long narrow shield in one hand and a weapon that looked like a spiked ball on a stick in the other.

Are you sure that woman was a necromancer? one of the two armored men said.

I am sure of it, the ranger woman replied. We met her once before.

How else do you explain the undead? the male ranger added.

They could be tied to the tower, the wizard in white replied. My tower has skeletons too.

All I saw her use was use druid magic, the sword-wielding warrior said. She even put on that leaf armor they use.

She is a chosen, the ranger woman said. She can have three classes. She is just hiding the necromancer one.

Maybe, the wizard said. But we need to be careful. This is a wizard tower of some kind, and it might be protected.

Heather heard everything they said from her magic mirror. It was a wonderful addition to the tower able to show her anything inside the walls. She could hear them speaking as if watching a video and smiled at the wizard's warnings. She tried to be brave and stand tall, even though her nerves caused her to shake. She prepared for this, spending some of her points on magical defenses to keep her safe. Still, she genuinely wished Frank and the others were here.

You can do this, Heather! she scolded herself. Frank can't protect you from everything, and you assured him you would be safe while he was gone. With her brave words having little impact, she returned to the mirror.

Do we search it floor by floor? the male ranger asked.

She probably went right to the top, the woman replied. Lets go straight there.

No! Heather gasped and threw out her arms. I summon the magic wards, protect my tower, and confuse my enemies!

She looked back to the mirror and watched as white mist began to pour out of the hall and flowed like water down the stairs. There was a sound like a thumping as all the doors of the tower slammed shut and locked. Even the magical lights dimmed, casting the corners of rooms into shadows.

Shes activated magical protections! the wizard cried.

Can you dispel them? the female ranger asked.

Not from here, the wizard replied. I need to get to whatever she is using as her tower focus.

Which is likely to be where she is hiding, the male ranger suggested.

Then let's go upstairs and drag her out, the woman argued.

Heather nodded and put her hand on the mirror.

Your about to find out what happens when you combine a flower singer with a recluse, she said and fell into a chant.

As the group started up the steps, dark shapes formed on the landing. Vines as thick as rope sprouted out of the walls and floor twining around one another, choking the hall beyond.

Are you sure she is a necromancer? the hammer-wielding warrior asked. This is another druid power.

The ranger woman sighed as she got to the top of the landing and tried to peer through the vines.

I told you she is hiding the necromancer power.

Why use vines when she could have used bones? the warrior asked.

Because she doesn't want us to know, the woman argued. She is hiding her nature and trying to slow us down. Now start hacking this down.

This fog will thicken until we cant see more than ten feet, the wizard warned. We wont see whatever danger she has beyond until it pounces on us.

Youre a ranger, can you pass the plants? one hammer warrior asked.

Natural plants, yes, the woman said. Were not high enough to pass magical ones.

Heather stepped back and took a deep, steadying breath. The tower magic would slow and impede the intruders. All the doors were locked, rooms choked in fog, and illusions hiding some of the doorways. It would produce random sounds to distract them or turn them around. Even as she watched, there was a ghostly laugh that caused them to turn around and look at the lower room.

Maybe she is down that lower hall? the sword-wielding warrior suggested.

Its part of the towers defense, the wizard said. We will hear random noises and see illusions.

Meribeth, the ranger woman said as she turned to the silent woman in the rear. Can you repel this fog?

I cannot, the woman replied. It isnt evil, only a fog.

It will take us an hour to cut through this hall, the warrior groaned.

Whats an hours work for what she is worth? the ranger woman asked.

The warrior rolled his eyes and went about hacking at the vines with his sword. His hammer-wielding companion tried to bash them apart, and slowly they began to work their way in.

The time was excruciating as Heather watched them slowly progress. She rubbed her shoulder to see the healing spell had done its job and closed the wound. She didn't want to release her natural armor for fear that she might need it. Inside she wished she had gone with Frank and the others. She didn't like the idea of being alone while a team of adventurers closed in on her. Still, she had a lot more up her sleeve than vines and fog. If they insisted on climbing the tower, they would find it's dangers grow floor by floor.

Just go away! I didnt do anything to you! she shouted at the mirror.

As they finally arrived at the hall on the third floor, she knew they were not giving up so easily. The halls here were choked in mist, and illusions hid the doorways, making them look like walls. The layout was a simple straight hall that cut the tower in two. There were two rooms on the right side and three on the left. The center-left room led out to her balcony, and as she looked through the mirror, she could see an illusion hid the opening. All they had to do was go straight down the hall to the stairwell at the opposite end. It would take them up to level four, and one step closer to her.

Why are there no rooms? the male ranger asked.

More of the defenses, the wizard said. Just a sound to distract and unnerve us.

A growl filled the air causing the intruders to spin around, but nothing presented itself in the mist.

Illusions are hiding the doorways, the wizard said.

Then we tap the walls to find them, the ranger woman said.

They crossed the long hall, taping at the walls looking for the illusions. They found one and broke into an empty room, pausing only a moment before moving on. Heather felt her heart begin to race as they headed for one of her first truly nasty surprises. Since her ground floor absorbed two whole levels, she added a magical floor. It was a normal floor in all regards, but when her magic defenses were activated, it vanished in places, leaving open pits that dropped thirty feet to the ground floor. The pits were hidden in the swirling mist, and they were overly focused on the walls. As they crept down the hall, she knew there was one right in front of them.

With a loud cry, the swordsman suddenly fell into the mist. A moment later was the loud clatter of metal as he crashed to the floor below. He let out a cry of pain and called for help. He wasn't dead but was hurt and in need of assistance.

Im sorry! Heather said more to herself as the group froze.

Pits! the male ranger said.

They could be anywhere, the wizard said. We cant see a thing.

Cant you use a zephyr to blow the mist away? the ranger woman asked.

This is a magical mist inside a small space. All that would do is make it harder to see.

Then we have to tap the floors a well, the woman said with a sigh.

Meribeth stood and chanted a small healing on herself before placing one on the ranger.

Nanya, we should keep going, she said.

Nanya and Kerrigorn, Heather repeated. I remember you both. She watched the mirror intently as the two women looked all around in the mist before finally tripping over a fallen bow.

He wouldnt have dropped this, Nanya insisted.

Then there is another danger in the tower, Meribeth replied. This was your mission. Do we go on or go back?

Nanya stamped a foot and looked back down the hall.

There cant be but one more floor to this tower, she said. Lets find her.

Meribeth nodded and took up the fallen wizards staff, using it to tap the floor and lead the way.

Nanya walked behind her, spinning all around to check the shadows and especially behind them. She kept her weapons high, ready to lash out at the slightest movement. Eventually, they arrived at the stairs, and Meribeth took the lead, slowly going up to the final floor.

Heather began to twitch nervously. She had no more tricks up her sleeve. There were no pits on this level, and she had no skeletons to throw at them but the bone knight. If it came to it, she was sure both of them would be a deadly match for the remaining two, but she would have to use her true power.

What does it matter? she said. Nanya already knows what I am, and as soon as I use the bone knight, so will Meribeth. She paused briefly to consider if Meribeth was a paladin. Heather wasn't sure what a paladin was supposed to look like. She had met the one on the road who was dressed very differently to Meribeth, but then Heather looked nothing like a necromancer.

They arrived at the landing on the fifth floor. The hall cut the tower in half like the other floors, but this one wasn't so empty. Breanne's room was on the left, and her small washroom on the right. If they came down the hall and took the next left, they would be in her study and find the book. If they went right, they would be in her bedroom and find her.

There was nowhere to run now, and waiting for them would only make it worse.

We know youre here! Nanya shouted. Come out and make it easier on yourself.

Heather trembled as she turned to the door.

Stay in this room unless I call you, she said to her bone knight. The creature twitched, its face turning to follow her as she made her way to the door. She threw it open and stepped into the hall, facing the two women with twenty meters between them. The mist on the top floor was thin, making it easy to see each other down the long hall.

Give yourself up, Nanya said. We will kill you if we have to and wait here for you to respawn.

Heather looked to the woman at her side who held up her shield cautiously as they approached.

Do as she says, Meribeth said. You will gain nothing but pain by resisting. You should not have taken this class.

I am a flower singer and a recluse, Heather insisted as she prepared to cast a spell.

You can fool the others, but you can't fool me. I knew you were a necromancer when you called the extra skeletons from the yard, Meribeth said. Besides, I already cast a spell of truth; I can see that you are lying.

Heather felt her heart beat even faster as Meribeth laid it out. She knew for certain what Heather was; there was no point in holding back.

Nanya is right; you will pay for your crimes against the people of this region.

The words struck Heather as a terrible insult, causing her to falter.

My crimes? Heather called out. You mean like trying to get my panel back after Moon's people stole it? Or how about being ambushed by her in the forest and kidnapped? Or being held against my will so they could force me to become a necromancer to turn in for the reward? How about all the people she helped lure to Moon's town so they could rob and reset them?

What? Meribeth said as she stopped in her tracks.

She is lying, Nanya said as she came within ten meters of Heather.

My spell is still active, and she is telling the truth! Meribeth shouted.

Nanya looked back to the woman who now had narrow eyes as she glared in return.

What does any of that matter? Nanya said. She is a necromancer. She will make us both Queens of large kingdoms.

You lied to me! You told me she attacked that town and destroyed it!

Meribeth, we can talk about this after we capture her! Nanya shouted.

Heather jumped in shock as Meribeth exploded into motion. Nanya barely got her swords up in time to block Meribeths first blow.

You're a fool! Nanya shouted. Nobody gets ahead in this world unless you prey on the others!

I got ahead! Meribeth shouted back. And I helped others!

The two exchanged curses and blows, but it was clear to Heather that Meribeth was the better fighter, and she had magic. In a moment, Nanya was chained in glowing blue links, leaving her vulnerable as Meribeth's blow came in.

Heather had to look away as Nanya's head twisted to the side, and the body went limp. She crumpled to the floor in a heap at Meribeth's feet.

Why did you kill her? Heather asked in shock.

I am a cleric of Thantos, God of truth, and justice. I do not aid bandits and liars, or make queens out of them. She chanted a spell on herself, restoring her strength and healing wounds as she turned to face Heather. I have seen the truth of your words. Since they forced this on you, I will turn you in but will split the reward with you as compensation for what you will have to endure.

You're still going to bring me in? Heather said in shock.

You are a necromancer. It doesn't matter how you came to be. You will one day become too great a threat. Better to reset you now, and save the land the trouble.

Heather's hands began to shake but in anger, not fear. She reached to the side and called a word of command; the scythe flew from the wall to her grasp.

If you insist, Meribeth said with a salute of her weapon.

Heather looked into the room and then pointed at Meribeth.

Kill her.

The bone knight lunged out of the room and ran down the hall. The two met not ten paces from Heather and began to batter one another.

You have no idea what a cleric is, do you? Meribeth asked as she stepped back and presented a lion-headed symbol. I command you to flee!

The bone knight shuddered, and to Heather's surprise turned and fled, running down the hall and the stairwell beyond.

How did you do that? Heather gasped.

Meribeth turned to smile at her and tucked the symbol away.

All clerics have some measure of power over the undead. We can cause them to flee, or even burn in holy fire, she said.

Heather clutched the scythe and held it high as Meribeth began to close the last few paces.

Something stirred in the mist behind Meribeth, and for a moment, Heather thought her bone knight was back. Her mouth fell open, and she looked over Meribeth's head as a great dark shadow appeared out of the mist. It had terrible yellow eyes with dark centers, and a bestial mouth full of long teeth. It was covered in matted black fur that gave it the look of a wild animal. It was nearly half a meter taller than the woman and twice as wide.

What are you gawking at? Meribeth demanded and cast a glance over her shoulder.

Her surprise was complete as the beast grabbed Meribeth's shoulders and threw her into the hall behind it. Meribeth hit the stone with a clatter and slid into the mist, rising a moment later with a spell that caused a searing light to race down the hall.

It struck the monster, searing fur and skin as is raced down the hall at her. The two collided near the top of the stairs, rolling down them in a torrent of howls and cries.

Heather stood motionless with her scythe raised high, unable to make sense of what had happened. Her lower lip trembled, and her legs felt weak as the sounds of a titanic battle raged someplace below.

Frank, I need you here! Heather stammered as she tried to force herself to walk to the stairwell. Her legs felt wobbly with every step, but as she arrived at the top, the sounds of battle faded.

Carefully Heather crept down the steps to find the womans shield a the bottom. The mist of her spell blocked her vision, and the beating of her heart filled her ears. There was no sign of either of them in the little bit of the hallway she could see.

Hello? she called out, her voice echoing on the stone walls.

A shape moved in the distance but headed away from her. It vanished in the clouds as she stepped back and ran up the stairs. Quickly she returned to her room, bolting the door, and went to the mirror.

Show me who is in my tower, she demanded.

The mirror locked on a shadow moving through the fog. It was heading down level by level, avoiding all her pits as it went. She felt relieved to see it reach the ground floor and race out the broken door. The mirror could follow it no more, and she staggered back as the panic subsided.

Show me who else in my tower, she said.

The mirror remained fixed where it had last seen the shadow. It could only mean everyone else was dead, and the invasion was over.

I dismiss the wards, she said weakly, ending the spell of defense.

Unable to endure any more emotional trauma, she collapsed beside her bed, clutching the scythe in one hand and curled into a ball. They came for her, just like Frank said they would. Nanya and Kerrigorn knew what she was, and had gathered people to claim the reward. How soon before they tried again? Worse, how soon before Meribeth tried again?

She shook her head and looked to the bolted door of her room. Somewhere out there was a great beast that had come into her tower and killed most of that group. Frank and the others were gone till midnight, at the very least. She decided she would stay right here until they got back.