Book 4: Chapter 21: Flowers for a paladin

Book 4: Chapter 21: Flowers for a paladin

This is your home? Legeis asked as he looked at a small room full of cobwebs, piles of moldy wood, and a few skeletons. I guess necromancers like dusty tombs.

Heather lives in a tower, Frank said. This is some kind of ruin.

This room does look familiar, Quinny said as she walked into it.

Are you guys kidding me? Heather asked as she turned around. This is one of the rooms under the ruined necromancer tower we found the book in. She flinched as Frank blinked his lidless eyes and looked about.

Youre right, he said and scratched at his head. Were an hour from home.

But it took us days to get there, Quinny said. We were only in that place a few hours.

Something about that other place must have been magical, Heather said. It allowed us to travel the distance in a fraction of the time.

Provided time works the same way inside that place, Legeis added. For all we know, we were walking for a week in there.

It sure felt like it, Quinny added.

Must go back! Umtha interjected. Take egg home.

Heather had almost forgotten Umtha in all the excitement and turned to look at the goblin woman. She could see the anger in her narrow eyes as she frowned disapprovingly.

I promise I will take the egg back, Heather said. But since we're here, why not see if our stuff is safe, and get some supplies. You should check on your village and make sure your goblins are safe.

We should check on whats his name with the village, Quinny suggested. If anything has gone on, he would likely know about it.

His name is Finneous, Breanne reminded. And youre right, we should check on him.

Not good leave egg, Umtha insisted. Too important.

Heather went to argue but stopped as a thought dawned.

What do you mean, its important? What do you know about it? she asked, looking directly to Umtha.

Take egg to mother, Umtha insisted. Must be born.

Uhhuh, Heather said with a nod. Why?

What mean why? You promise! Umtha argued.

And I will take it, but you seem to know why I should. Tell me why it is so important I take the egg now?

The others turned to watch as Umtha began to twist uncomfortably, dragging a foot on the floor as she seemed to struggle with the reply.

You know more than you're telling me, Heather said. You know what that egg is or what it's for. Why won't you tell me?

I promise keep secret, Umtha said.

Who did you make this promise to?

Umtha sighed and walked up to poke Heather in the arm. You.

Heather rolled her eyes and threw her head back in frustration. I need more cookies.

I had some right before we left, Quinny replied as Heathers stomach growled.

Be quiet, she scolded her stomach. I have enough to worry about. You had two dozen cookies already anyway.

So, what should we do? Frank asked.

Heather looked up from her stomach and took a deep breath. We go home, check on our lairs, and Finneous. I want to get some things from the tower and summon another guardian.

Then what? he asked.

Heather took a long moment to decide on her answer. On the one hand, she wanted to stay here a few days to recover and do some research. On the other, she needed to return the stone to Gwen and do something about this egg. She supposed it would be weeks before players started returning to the swamps, and the goblins were still protecting it. It would be safe without her looking over it, but she was curious about what role it played. The dragon knights seem to indicate she stole it from them to return it to its mother. Did that make it a dragon egg? Umtha made it sound more mysterious like it was part of some greater purpose in her life. Whatever the reason, she wanted to find out and see where the trail led. There was also the matter of moving. Should they stay here or move to the swamps? It would put her closer to the bookstore, and a modest city that should be nice once players returned. She was also still considering tampering with Gwen's kingdom heart. Should she attempt to make a golem of her own before giving it back? If so, she would need the workshop in the mountains to make it happen.

We go back, Heather said at last. Legeis has no home here anyway. Let's check on our things, and spend a night or two here. Then we go back to the swamps. I will tamper with a golem of my own, then return the stone to Gwen. Then we take the egg and follow the trail. I want to see what other secrets I was part of.

Have you considered moving there for good? Frank asked.

Heather sighed and looked into his dull yellow eyes. I am thinking about it. I just need a little more time. He nodded his head, but she could see he wasn't convinced. She wasn't sure what she wanted right now, but a day or two to be still and think about it seemed the best course of action.

Legeis, I will give you a room in the tower to use until we go back, Heather added as she turned to address him.

Fine by me, he replied as he leaned over from the top of his armor. But uh, how do I get out of here?

Heather pointed to the door and realized it was too small for the armor to use.

Great, she groaned and slapped her forehead.

I can dig the doorway open wider, Frank offered, saving them from the problem. It took nearly an hour for Frank to widen the doorway and the tunnels beyond, but eventually, they crawled out of the cave. Frank led the way through the forest with Breanne scouting ahead in banshee form to look for danger. In short order, they were in the fields, and an hour later, the goblin village beside the stream came into view. Beyond it was Heather's tower, and the graveyard, looking just as they left it.

It feels strange to be here, Quinny said. For some reason, I didn't think we would be back.

Thankfully, that magical path brought us home quickly, Breanne added.

What about the other paths? Frank asked, drawing a look from the others. You know the two paths we couldn't reach.

There were two other paths, Heather agreed as she remembered the crossroads. But the magic poles were missing so we couldnt reach them. I wonder where those go?

I am in no hurry to find out, Quinny said. That pulsing noise they made sounded creepy.

That whole place was creepy, Breanne said. It was barren of everything but ash, and sounded like it was deep underwater.

It did kinda sound like it was underwater, Frank agreed.

Whatever that darkness was, even my goggles couldnt see through it, Legeis added.

And it was full of dead paladins, Heather said. Why does every path we take lead to more mysteries?

I think we have had enough of them for today, Breanne offered. Lets take a night to recover and talk about it tomorrow.

They approached the village, and Umtha walked in with nothing more to say as Heather led the way to the tower. The graveyard looked untouched, but the front door of her tower was wide open. Inside, the guardian skeletons were dead, so she summoned a hoard from the yard and sent them in first. After an hour of sweeping the tower, they decided it was empty of players. Heather set Legeis up in a room across from Breanne and went to her room to change. She settled on a pink dress with white trims and a matching sun hat. She left her scythe behind and decided to explore the kitchen and check on Monica. Webster scurried behind as she made her way down the steps and down the hall in the back of the tower.

Monica was hard at work, peeling potatoes beside a kettle on the stove. She hummed a little tun swaying her dark-haired head as she worked. Heather was grateful to see her and poked around the kitchen to find something sweet to eat.

Oh! Hello, my lady. I didn't know you were back, she said sweetly when she noticed Heather looking in the cabinets.

Hello, Monica. Do we have any cookies by chance?

Cookies? Monica replied with a raised brow. I could make you a stew.

Is that what you're making now? Heather asked, looking at the kettle she was laboring over.

Ah, huh, Monica replied with a smile. Vegetable stew, good and hearty.

I am so going back to the swamp, Heather groaned and then noticed the two skeletons guarding the back door. The ones in front were gone, but these had either respawned or been left untouched. Monica, did other players come into the tower?

Yes, several of them did, she replied. A nice man with a staff, and then three ladies in armor, oh, and an insect person who was very rude.

Rude? Heather asked.

Yes, he kept demanding to know where the treasure was and called me a worthless NPC.

There isn't any treasure, Heather replied. I swear the visitors have no idea that fantasy worlds have treasure.

Monica shrugged and went back to dicing the potatoes as Heather sighed and went out the back door. She looked up to see the sun was still high in the sky. She pondered what role she had in its current condition as she made her way to the bench under the large oak tree. She took a moment to glance at her magical tree to see it covered in yellow flowers, the mystery fruit on its way.

Umm, she began. No, I haven't met too many people out here. When I do, they are just here to play, or looking for the necromancer that doesn't exist. She fumbled with her hands and looked to the right and remembered her tower.

So, umm, these are my red roses, she said, quickly turning to look up the tower wall.

They are beautiful, he replied as he looked at the crimson curtain before him.

I put the red ones here because Frank says its too much color to see from the graveyard.

I agree, Skullman said. I like the secluded garden effect it creates back here. A beautiful place for a beautiful woman.

Heather twisted nervously as she tried to clear her head. Why was she more nervous that a paladin was hitting on her instead of hitting her? More so, why did she feel guilty?

So, I hope you're not disappointed that there was no necromancer for you to bring in, she said nervously.

Not at all, he replied as he turned to regard her. I found something of much greater value.

She looked up into his eyes and saw the steel blue intensity staring back at her. Her mind began to swim as she silently prayed for Quinny to interrupt them or maybe a dragon to attack.

Are you alright? he asked.

No, I mean, yes. I mean, I am fine.

He smiled and stepped away, heading for the stone bench.

There are some lovely gardens in the major cities, he said as he arrived at the bench. Have you had a chance to visit any of them?

Heather took a long moment to respond. She hardly heard a word he said and had to replay it in her mind before she could answer.

No, I have only traveled north once, and then only to the dwarven lands.

Let me guess, pizza?

She smiled and started to sway again.

How did you know?

He sat on the bench with a laugh.

The dwarves make some of the best pizza in the land. I love how they cover it in an entire layer of sausage.

I know, its more like a round lasagna, she laughed.

And the cheese they make from those highland cows. There is something about it that can't be replicated by other kinds of milk.

Heather nodded and stepped closer. So, will you tell people they can stop wasting their time coming out?

To meet you was hardly a waste, he replied.

She fought to keep control and was afraid she was blushing. He kept saying things in just the right way to play at her emotions. She realized that no matter what, a paladin was not a friend to make, not if she wanted to keep her class as a necromancer.

Thank you for your kind words, but few people who come here are as nice as you are. I would rather most of them went someplace else. I get sick of having to explain myself all the time.

I am sure it gets old, he agreed.

I even had some orcs kick in my front door, she sighed. They were very angry I wasnt a necromancer.

He shrugged. For the kind of reward that's offered for a necromancer, I understand why.

I had no idea being friends with a ghoul was going to cause so much trouble, she sighed as she approached him. He moved over on the bench, inviting her to sit beside him. She looked down at the empty place that was dangerously close to him. Something inside dug at her senses, imploring her to be rational. This was a fantasy world. The real him probably looked nothing like this. Heck, he could have been a she in the real world. As that thought occurred, it was quickly followed by another one. Would it matter what he or potentially she looked like in the other world? Did it matter what he looked like now?

Heather? Quinny called from someplace near the graveyard, causing her to thank her lucky stars.

I am back here, she shouted back.

A friend of yours? Skullman asked.

Thats Quinny, the zombie player, Heather replied. You, you wont kill her?

If she is a friend of yours, certainly not, he replied.

She nodded as Quinny came around the path in her white gown, not noticing the paladin until she was a dozen steps away.

Woah, she said and stopped in her tracks. Whose the sweet treat?

Heather paused to think that through before responding with a shake of her head.

Quinny, this is Skullman, a paladin off... she trailed off, not remembering who he was a paladin of.

Mithenlar, he filled in for her and stood as Quinny took a step away.

He isnt going to attack, Heather said with a frown. He is very nice.

Paladins and undead have a poor history, Quinny replied and looked him over. What kind of paladin names himself, Skullman?

He shrugged with a smile. I liked the name. I figure it means I battle skeletons.

We have certainly have plenty of those, Quinny admitted. But youre not low level, what are you doing here? Are you hunting for Heather again?

He let out a sigh and looked to Heather as she met his gaze again. He winked and then turned back to Quinny.

I was hunting a necromancer, but I found a beautiful flower instead.

Heather was sure she was blushing now as Quinny looked at her oddly. Slowly a smile spread over Quinny's face, and she dared to come closer.

So you found a flower, Quinny repeated. Heather is kinda pretty in her boring human ways.

Hey! I am not boring, Heather protested. Frank just wouldnt allow me to be a golden sprite.

Humans are not boring. They have the most options and make excellent paladins, Skullman interjected. And equally excellent flower singers.

Heather smiled and glanced at Quinny, who had a mischievous look on her face. She sauntered to Heather's side and put an arm around her waist.

Poor, lonely Heather. She hardly meets any men way out here, Quinny began. We keep telling her she should go to one of the cities, but she wants to stay with her friends.

I am beginning to doubt who those are, Heather retorted, but Quinny ignored her. She turned back to Skullman, who seemed to be enjoying the display and asked a question that was bothering her.

So you're a paladin of Mithenlar. I thought paladins worshiped Allamure.

Skullman shook his head and took a casual stance. Some worship Allamure, especially the paladins of King Kevin, but there are two dozen or so gods and goddesses that have paladins.

There are? Heather asked, now intrigued.

Why yes, and depending on the type of god you worship, your paladin has special powers. I worship a god of combat and healing. I can heal better than most other paladins, and I have a few buffs that boost my combat abilities. I can even put that buff on others for a short time.

I see, Heather said. So, if you worshipped a god of the seas, you could breathe underwater or talk to fish?

Skullman laughed and waved a hand. Maybe not that, but those who worship Corrinus the tide lord can walk on water, and summon or dismiss storms.

Hmm, Heather replied as she folded her arms. There is so much to know about this place.

Too much, he agreed. But I would be happy to tell you about it.

She glanced at Quinny, who gave her a nudge that made her blush all the harder. She stood tall and went to reply when the back door of the tower opened, and a tall elven woman with coal-black hair walked out. Breanne stopped on the top step and looked down the path with a shocked expression.

Skullman? she said in a haltering voice.

Heather watched in shock as Skullman looked up, his smile fading, and his brows creased. Well, well, lady Breanne, here is where you are hiding.