Book 5: Chapter 30: The wicked sister

Book 5: Chapter 30: The wicked sister

Heather stood in the mirror of her room, admiring the blue dress. Her yellow one was blood-stained and would have to clean overnight in the wardrobe. Webster crawled along beside her, chirping away about wanting to hunt for birds.

I will take you out in the yard then, Heather replied and picked him up. She carried down the hall, turning and twisting to get to the kitchen. She wasn't surprised at all to find Quinny poking through the fridge as she arrived.

Caught you! Heather cried, causing Quinny to lurch up.

Caught me doing what?

Youre going to eat all the cookies again, Heather accused with a pointed finger.

Oh common, they respawn every few hours, Quinny argued.

It's daily, Heather corrected and walked across the kitchen to look in the fridge. There were still some cookies on the plate, so she snatched one up and went on her way. You would be so much easier to feed if you ate cookies, Heather said as she held the treat up to Webster. He chirped, and she shook her head before taking a bite.

Hey, wait, Quinny called and ran up behind her. Where are you going?

I am taking Webster outside to hunt, Heather replied. I am going to sit in the garden while he does.

Can I come with you? Quinny asked. I am tired of the boring landscape in the desert.

It is kinda repetitive, Heather agreed.

Yeah, but you had the brilliant idea to get more doors. Now we can come back any time we want, Quinny said.

Yeah, and all I have to do is marry Frank, Heather groaned as they arrived at a secret door to her outer tower.

Oh, common, Quinny protested. You are so stuck on him this should be nothing.

Hes my guardian and my best friend, Heather argued back.

So you will stand by what you said in the pyramid and let me date him? Quinny teased.

Heather growled as the door slid open, and they entered a bedroom in the tower. She stormed across the room and headed into the hall, saying nothing as Quinny started to laugh.

Stop laughing, Heather grumbled and turned down a hall.

I am only teasing you, Quinny replied as she caught up and they headed down the steps. We all know you cant see past his appearance.

How can you? Heather groaned. He looks like a movie monster, and his mouth is full of horribly crooked teeth. He doesn't even have lips.

So don't kiss him on the mouth. It's what he has other places that matter anyway, Quinny added with a wink.

Oh, youre terrible, Heather said as they walked into her guard room. Her human guards snapped to attention and saluted as she passed by them to the final door. One flight of stairs more, and they were in the tunnel full of skeletons. They left by the double doors into the graveyard area, and Heather finally put Webster down to go hunting.

Don't go too far. We can't stay long, Heather called after him. She walked to the side where her iron fence started and made her way into the maze of her gardens. Quinny walked beside her, plucking a flower from a hedge as they went. They settled in her private yard, sitting on a bench to wait for Webster to find a meal.

You know you should take him to my forest, Quinny offered. I have rats and bats he could probably takedown.

There are crows in the alarm trees, Heather countered and adjusted her sun hat. He will hunt one of them and be back in a minute.

Quinny only shrugged and started to look around at the dense hedge walls that hid the inner garden from the outer graveyard. How long do you think it will be before players start showing up?

Really soon, came a masculine voice that made them look up in alarm.

Finneous stepped into the yard from the nearly hidden entrance and smiled in his usual annoying manner. He tipped his straw hat up and strode toward them as if invited coming to stand directly before them.

What are you doing here? Heather asked.

I came to tell you that players are starting to arrive in my keep. They are taking boats into the upper swamps and starting to explore the paths around the ring.

Really? Heather asked excitedly. Are any of them taking the central trail?

Some, but they keep getting killed, he replied and looked about. You did a good job of making this secluded.

Obviously not if you just happen to walk in, Heather replied. How did you even know we were home?

I didnt, he replied. But I figured I would give it a try. Gwen told me about the doors and that you would be coming and going at your leisure.

You and Gwen actually talk? Quinny laughed. I didnt think she had a use for you after making Heather a princess.

Oh, we talk more than you might think, Finneous returned. She told me about her terms for the doors as well.

Heather let out a sigh and shook her head. I guess it wont be any different than the relationship you and she have. It provides a useful advantage that can be exploited.

Finneous smirked a little then began to pace about the yard as if interested in the foliage.

I kinda figured you and him had something going anyway, he said.

Frank is my best friend, Heather insisted. Were only doing this to get the doors so we can spend more time in our lairs.

If her words had any effect on Finneous, he didn't show it as he paced before them. He turned his back on them and rubbed at his chin as if considering his next words carefully.

So, how are you going to have the wedding when Frank is a ghoul? he asked.

Heather laughed and explained that that was Gwen's problem. As far as she was concerned, if Gwen was insistent on this going forward, she could find a solution. Quinny suggested Frank could wear his armor, but Heather and Finneous thought that wasn't an answer. Oddly she felt good talking about it and realized she should probably talk to Frank about it as well. She kept assuming he saw it the same way she did, but the truth was she wasnt sure.

We will work that out in time, I guess, she said in a sigh. For now, it's good to be home, and it's good to know the players are coming.

Yeah, they should be finding out lairs soon, Quinny added with a burst of enthusiasm.

You two are looking forward to them raiding your lairs? Finneous asked with a curious expression.

We all are, Heather replied. Frank, most of all. You should see what he built below ground. It's like an underground city down there.

A city of the dead, Quinny added with a wink, then looked up. Wait, somebody is in my forest!

Are you sure? Heather asked as Quinny jumped to her feet.

I am positive. I have the same ability to detect players as Frank has. She looked in the direction of her forest for a moment and then turned back to face Heather. Can we go see what they are doing?

Heather felt odd being asked for permission and told her she could do whatever she wanted. Quinny smiled and insisted they come with and see the first players to adventure into the edge of their domain. Unable to argue, Heather sent a mental call to Webster to meet them on the bridge. She then set out with Quinny and Finneous to see who had finally come to explore.

They hurried out of Heathers yard and onto the mossy brick road that took them to the bridge. The air smelled of soil and damp as they ran for the bridge and found Webster waiting for them.

How did you get here so fast? Heather asked as he scurried alongside them. He chirped, and she glanced back at him with a confused look. What do you mean you blinked? He returned another chirp, and Heather shook her head in confusion and decided to figure it out later.

They entered the dense trees of Quinny's forest, passing through the gloom created by the dense, dark leaves above. All around them were strange noises and rolling mists that curled about gnarled trunks. In the distance, they could see things shambling about, and every now and then, a pair of glowing eyes blinked just at the edge of vision. Heather loved the forest for how carefully Quinny worked to make it spooky and hide places of interest.

What are you doing, Quinny? Heather began to gasp when Webster pushed into her mind. She wants me to do what? Heather asked as he relayed the plan the two had made. How do I do that? Heather asked in a hurry as the battle waged on. Webster explained the concept, and Heather nodded quickly, going to cast her spell.

No! Quinny cried. If I can't have the boys, no one can! She fell over as if dead, and Heather acted, casting her grave blight spell through Webster and filling the area around her with choking mists. The three stumbled back in coughs and fits, fleeing the cloud to the yard outside. They waited for it to fade, and when it did, Quinny lay motionless on the ground, her hand resting over a paper. The warrior swept up the paper while the other two searched her pockets for loot producing a rusty key.

What does it say? the archer asked as they gave up searching.

It reads, 'I am sick of everyone saying Annabel is the prettiest! I have finally made my potion of beauty, but when I drank it, something went wrong. Nobody will say I am pretty now, and if I can't be pretty, neither can Annabel! I will poison her food tonight, and if she thinks she can make a cure from the herb garden behind the fields, she can think again. I will lock her magic potion in the chest behind the rock. Let her wander the herb garden a horrid thing like me, her precious cure out of reach. I will keep the key so nobody can open the chest for her; instead, they will kill her on sight, and I will be the only one the boys can see.'

Is this a bloody quest? the healer laughed. This has to be a player's lair.

The farm, you mean? the warrior replied and turned the letter over to see it had nothing on the other side.

So do we kill this Annabel or try to open the chest? the archer asked.

Sounds like shes guarding the chest, the healer replied. I might be able to turn undead and drive her off long enough to open it.

It didn't work on this one. I doubt it will work on her, the warrior suggested and tossed the letter aside.

The archer picked it up and reread it before discarding it himself. It says she is in the herb garden, and the chest is behind the rock. It doesn't say they are together.

Maybe we can get to the chest without aggroing her, the warrior agreed and worked a shoulder. Let's go find out; this is the most fun I have had in weeks.

Heather watched them leave from Websters point of view and then saw Quinny look up and wave.

Heather, summon some skeletons to fight for you and say things like I feel so sick and my wicked sister locked my chest. Let them hit you a few times until you feel really tired, then fall over and pretend to be dead. If they splash you with the potion or get you to drink it, fall to your knees and let your undead guise spell go away. I will take care of the rest.

Heather broke the link and heard fighting from the farm fields. She quickly summoned six skeletons and scattered them about the herb garden before taking her place in the center. She was excited and nervous about being attacked but decided that it didn't mean anything in the end. Eventually, she saw them creeping through the trees and the archer pointing her out to the others. They tried to move around to the big rock at the side, so she decided to play up her role.

I feel so sick, she cried and held her stomach and coughed. But my chest is locked, oh my wicked sister must have done it.

That has to be Annabel, the warrior whispered from the trees outside the garden.

Do we try to reach the rock? Some of those skeletons are awfully close to it, the healer asked.

I say we try to pull the close ones but be ready if it triggers all of them, the archer said as he aimed his bow.

Alright, let me put down a circle of protection, the healer said and cast a spell that made a glowing ring appear on the ground. All three of them stood inside it, and the archer fired an arrow cracking the ribcage of a nearby skeleton.

Heather intentionally summoned weak skeletons, so when the first one turned, they all rushed in. She turned and tried to scowl as she spoke in her undead voice, rebuking them for coming to steal her cure.

It's a mass pull! the archer shouted, but the warrior screamed 'To me!' and every skeleton turned and ran right for him. Heather was impressed at how they complemented one another but realized she needed to present a threat herself. She made fists with her hands and stood her ground, cursing them for locking her chest. She raised a hand and pointed a chip of bone, hurling a rotting bolt through the air to splash on the warrior's shield.

Great! Shes a ranged caster! he growled as the second skeleton crumbled.

The archer aimed an arrow her way, and she put up a hand, causing a short wall of bones to appear between them. He cried out in alarm that she was defensive and offensive, and the healer ran up to try and turn her.

Flee horrid creature! he yelled from a dozen paces away as he presented a golden necklace.

Heather felt a pressure acting on her and knew it was his spell, but it passed a moment later, and she smiled wickedly.

I feel so sick! she wailed and held up a hand. Vines grew out of the garden, moving as if alive and swatting at the healer. He used his shield and tried to bat them away with a sword as his comrades finished the last of the skeletons and rushed in.

You open the chest! the warrior cried as he prepared to meet Heather.

The archer nodded and ran back, but Heather now acted enraged and reached for the scythe.

I will harvest your souls! she wailed and used her dash to close the distance. The warrior shouted on me! so she obliged him and ran right for him. She cut a line of sparks down his shield as she put her points spent in melee to good use. The healer and the warrior were amazed at how good she was in melee, both crying that this had to be the final boss fight. Heather nearly screamed when the first sword hit cut her side, it hurt but not how she expected, and she finally understood how health worked. She lashed back, cutting the warrior but taking a small stab from the healer. She wanted to press them and make them work for it, all the while wondering what Quinny had planned.

Whats in the chest? the warrior cried as Heather made him back away from a powerful swipe.

A glass bottle full of blue liquid, the archer yelled back.

What do we do with it? the warrior begged as Heather cut another line down his shield.

Hold her down and make her drink it? the archer offered.

Heather didn't like the idea of a bunch of men pinning her to the ground, so she opted to give them a little help.

My potion! she wailed. I must wash my skin!

Splash her with it! the warrior yelled as he tried to cut at Heather, only to have her jump away.

The archer took a moment to tie the potion bottle to an arrow, then fell to one knee and pulled back slowly.

Aimed shot! he cried and let the arrow fly.

Heather was astounded at how accurate the arrow flew, striking her in the forehead and nearly knocking her over. She was immediately coated in blue liquid that was healing her wounds. Playing along, she fell to her knees, dropping the scythe and cupping both hands over her face. She willed her guise of undead away as thick green, and black smoke seeped from her skin. A moment later, she was herself in a dirty dress and looked up at the astonished faces peering down at her.

Annabel? the warrior asked with a tight grip on his sword.

You. You saved me from my horrible sister, Heather said, now thoroughly enjoying the game.

It worked, the healer said.

This is the best quest I have ever seen, the warrior added and put his sword away. Are you alright?

Heather nodded, and he held out a hand to help her up. No sooner was she on her feet when a spectral voice called out her name. Heather turned to see a ghostly farmer walked through the trees and come right up to her.

Annabel, my beautiful daughter, I was so worried this sickness would consume you, he said and wrung his hands. But this farm is no place for you anymore. Go my daughter, travel the road, and go to the tower. The princess will see you safely to your aunt in Bradshire.

Who wrote all this? the archer asked.

Shh, the warrior said as the farmer turned to address them.

Heather heard Webster's voice in her head telling her to get walking and get to the road. She did as instructed, walking away as the farmer thanked the three heroes for rescuing his daughter. She glanced back to see him hold out a necklace and tell them it offered protection from disease before handing it to the warrior.

I want it, the archer argued.

You got his boots in the house, the warrior countered. Im the one who is always taking the hits.

She wanted to laugh as she crossed over the gap in the farm fence then quickened her pace to get to the road. Around the house, she hurried until finally reaching the front yard that was full of zombies again. Quinny was waiting with Webster and waved at her to run faster.

That was amazing. I wondered how you were going to survive that battle, Heather said and then winced. I had a lot of fun, but it did kind of hurt.

That's the beauty of being undead; you can pretend to be fully dead anytime you want. Put a heal on, and let's run before they see us. I summoned some zombies in the yard to slow them down so we can get away.

They laughed and ran down the road as Heather finally understood the true joy of being a monster player with a lair. She wished they could all come back and stay to play with the adventurers and make things exciting. One way or another, she was going to bring her friends home so they could have experiences like this, like how Frank had been trying for weeks to make her understand. With a smile on her face, they ran for the tower, eager to tell Frank he was right.