Book 5: Chapter 62: Another surprise

Book 5: Chapter 62: Another surprise

Heather enjoyed talking to Viylah but found the woman evasive when it came to her past. She seems to have been in the world since before the war with the necromancers. However, she wouldn't talk about what she was doing during that period other than to say she was traveling.

Quinny was fascinated by what she could do, creating virtually any object at will out of what she referred to as her mass. This seemed to be a pool of absorbed material that could be stored and used at will. There seemed to be limits on what could be absorbed with organic material playing the most important role, but Viylah could shape it into furniture, armor, weapons, and even fire it out as a projectile. She could melt her body into the mass and reappear out of any part of it. She was a fascinating creature, to say the least, but Heather still had concerns.

The biggest concern was this missing lover who promised to return. Heather knew another woman who went missing with a promise to return. That same woman came to this very swamp where her friends were working on a project of some kind. That could only mean that Viylah was waiting for Hathlisora. The thought sent shivers down her spine, and Heather intentionally avoided speaking about the subject. She would rather let that sleeping dog lie for now, especially in light of all that was going on.

She did want to discuss it with Frank, but he seemed distant today. He hadn't quite been himself since the arrival of Roric and his girls, prompting Heather to worry. Frank was her heart and soul, the rock she clung to for her mental stability. He was as good a man as a man could be, and she had finally recognized it. In the past few days, she expressed her newfound understanding of their relationship, and now she worried that was a mistake. Frank only seemed to be growing more distant; his mind worried about something he wasn't sharing. As she pondered that thought, she saw Frank in the distance and decided to excuse herself to go talk with him. She hurried across the graveyard, rushing past zombies and skeletons as they wandered in their aimless paths. She arrived at his side to startle him as he looked down with concern in his eyes.

Frank? Are you avoiding me? Heather asked as she clung to his arm. You seem so distant.

Frank looked away and let out a long sigh. She could see he was not entirely happy to have this conversation, which made her even more concerned. She wondered if maybe she should give him some space, let him work through what was bothering him; then, he turned and spoke.

I have a lot on my mind, Frank replied. I don't like a lot of the sudden changes going on.

Oh, are you upset about the wedding? Heather asked in a panic causing him to turn and gently take her shoulders.

No, that is the only thing I am sure of, he said. I want more than anything to marry you, but you and the others are suddenly talking about so much more.

Heather was relieved to hear him reaffirm his desire to marry her, but the second part made her pause. He was against the harem idea, or at least he was wary of it. Now that she thought about it, if he was nervous about having one girlfriend, how must he feel to have three? All of this was coming at the worst possible time when their love was just beginning to express itself.

Im sorry, Heather admitted and rubbed his arm. I brought all this on.

No, you didn't, Frank said, but Heather knew the truth. Since she decided to stay and be with Frank, her entire perspective changed. She realized that she could build a magical life here and had the perfect man to build it with. Now she was reeling with the possibilities for a truly adventurous life with the man she loved. Then Jaina and the others arrived and showed her how wonderful their life was. With her new perspective, she latched on to that possibility but overlooked one important detail, Frank. He was her rock, and Frank never changed no matter what storm blew in. He was as dependable as anyone could be, and all her sudden shifting must be getting to him.

Im terrible for you, Heather admitted and shook her head.

What are you talking about? Frank asked and looked down with concerned eyes.

Frank, you value stability and slow progress. In the last few days, I have done nothing but change, racing from one new idea to another. All the while, I just assumed you would change with me and be glad about all of it.

I am glad we are getting married, he insisted.

But what about the rest of it? Heather asked. Breanne and the ogre. Viylah suddenly living in your graveyard. Quinny running off to play with Jaina and her strange family. Even I have been talking about how we could be like them, having a harem of our own.

Frank was silent on every point as Heather nodded in understanding. All of this was too much for him, and she had once again abused his love of her.

Forget all of it, Heather said as she turned to face him directly. I want you to focus on one thing, our marriage. I want to build a life with you more than anything else. We can worry about all of that other stuff after we are married and settled.

You really mean that? Frank asked with a hopeful tone.

I am sorry I rush into things like this, Heather said. I don't think I have ever been right since coming to this world. I am normally very reserved and slow to act. But I feel so lost here, and you are the only reason I have stayed sane this long. She threw her arms around him and embraced him in a firm hug as he put an arm around her back.

Can I be honest with you about something? he asked as she clung to him.

You can be honest with me about anything, Heather replied.

I dont like making love in my ghoul form, he said as Heather jumped back and looked up in alarm.

You dont? she said. She was only doing that to prove to him she valued who he really was. She didnt want their relationship to work only because he had the figurine. If she loved him, she needed to love the ghoul that he was.

Frank stepped back and held out his arms while explaining how much he wanted to be able to hold her tight. He flashed his claws and told her how terrified of hurting her he was and how he wished he could kiss her with proper lips. He went on and one about how the ghoul form was good for combat but terrible for love. Finally, he pleaded with her to let him use the human form so he could touch her the way he wanted.

Oh, Frank, Heather sighed and had to wipe an eye. Once again, she had jumped to an idea without thinking of the consequences for him. Now he was upset because he couldn't express his love the way he wanted to, and of course, it was her fault.

Please take your human form whenever you want, she begged and took one of his massive hands. Though, the ghoul form does come with one big advantage.

Please dont say that, he replied and covered his face with his other hand.

Ha, you can't blame a girl for liking that, Heather teased. Was there anything else bothering you that you wanted to talk about?

Yes, he said and paused for a long moment. I will mention this now, but I dont want to revisit it until after we are married.

Ok, Heather agreed with a nod.

I am not against the harem idea, he admitted. But you mean everything to me. I just dont want to hurt you by jumping into something we arent ready for. I want to be married to you first and establish our relationship before we do anything that puts it to the test.

Heather was touched by his desire to put her first and how he was worried she would be hurt. Now that she thought about it, she worried that she might indeed be jealous to see the others in the arms of her rock. She needed more time to think about this and be sure this wasn't going to be a mistake. Thankfully she had already agreed it would wait until after the wedding, and right now, she could use a break from the chaos.

I have understood your point, and I will take it to heart, Heather assured him. But let's not talk about it again until well after the marriage, agreed? He nodded his consent, and Heather felt better about the situation. They both needed some stability right now, and she needed to take a moment to think about what she was doing. Big emotional changes were taking place, both with her new acceptance of staying and the suddenly very sexual relationship with Frank. They both needed to slow down and let some of this sink in before making any rash decisions.

I feel better, Frank admitted as he scratched at his head.

Do me a favor, Heather said and stepped back. Take your human form so we can share a kiss.

Frank nodded and reached for the figurine. Even fishing this out of his pocket was a chore with his long fingers. He eventually got hold of it and spoke the command word, transforming into a handsome human man in a flash.

Heather immediately jumped into his arms and planted a kiss, savoring the feel of those firm lips. His arms came around her back, and she was pulled to his chest, his fingers pressed into her skin as he clutched her tight. As the kiss went on, she realized how much he must have wanted to do this while she kept insisting he take his ghoul form. When the kiss ended, she stepped back and decided to play with him, pushing a button she knew would cause him to react.

Now about moving into your tunnels, Heather teased.

Why would you want to live in my dirty tunnels? Frank groaned.

Oh, Frank, I was just teasing, Heather assured and took his hand. I will be honest. I wouldn't mind living in your tunnels if we can have some proper rooms hidden someplace. But we can always live in my tower and have some normal spaces.

Thank you, Frank sighed and even gave her a little smile.

I tell you what, Heather said as she had a thought. Why dont we go walk the eastern trail. We can talk and see the land Jaina and the others might settle.

Do we really want a nudist colony right next door to us? Frank asked with a hint of humor in his voice.

Heather burst out laughing and mingled her fingers with his to lead him out. They walked out of the eastern gate and headed down the trail that would wind through the hills. They arrived at the side path that led to Umtha's goblin village to see smoke coming from the distant cliffs.

Is that a fire? Heather asked in concern. She wondered if perhaps the village was under attack and pulled at Franks hand while suggesting they investigate. Frank nodded, and they headed up the winding trail that would take them to the goblins. They arrived at a level area to discover the goblins had dug a massive trench to separate their cliff home from the hills. There was now a metal bridge across the gap with a massive tower works on the other side. Chains ran to the bridge so it could be pulled up, and ledges along the edge of the tower were armored and covered in goblins.

Ok, Heather said as they paused before the bridge.

When did the goblins build a doom fortress? Frank asked as he looked over the defenses in surprise.

I am going to wring Umtha's neck, Heather grumbled as she walked up the bridge. She can't possibly be an NPC.

Legeis swears by it, Frank insisted, reminding her that he had spoken to her in goblin many times.

Heather knew the story well, but this was getting out of hand. Umtha did things an NPC goblin couldn't do, regularly upgrading her village and its residents. Now that Heather thought about it, goblins engineers were studying the egg recently, indicating Umtha had grown again.

We are going across, Heather insisted and took his hand.

Is it safe? Frank asked as they stepped onto the metal bridge.

It had better be, or we will be testing how strong this fortress is against an army of undead, Heather replied as they crossed the bridge under the scrutiny of armored goblins. Finally, they reached an arched gate with metal-plated doors. She realized that this gate would be double shielded with the bridge pulled up. The tunnel inside was full of narrow slits and open shafts from above, through which all manner of deadly things could be fired. They felt great relief when they came out the other side, but there was a second wave of defenses.

This is ridiculous, Frank said as they looked over metal walls, barbed wire, and bunkers surrounding the courtyard just inside the gate.

Didnt they build things like this in world war one? Heather asked.

This is like a fantasy author's version of a steampunk world war one, Frank said as they noticed the dozens of goblins watching them closely from entrenched positions.

When did they build all this? Heather asked as they headed for a second internal gate that slid open as they approached.

We haven't been here since we first left to return the egg, Frank said as they stepped through the second armored door. This revealed a perfectly straight and leveled road that ran to the distant cliff ledge where Umtha's village once stood. To either side of the road were stepped gardens full of growing plants and vegetables that covered a huge distance. Yet, even here were pillbox-like metal houses, creating further defenses scattered about the fields.

I dont believe what Im seeing, Heather said as they walked down the road. Is this cement?

It sure looks like it, Frank said as they walked down the broad lane to the smoke coming from the cliffs. They approached the village to find a final low wall before seeing the village itself.

You might want to worry about Roric and his harem, Legeis pointed out. Quinny is practically begging them to set up their home here.

I know, Heather sighed and rolled her eyes.

They stay, Umtha insisted. Good, have friends close.

Are they friends? Heather asked and looked at Frank. I mean, they are nice enough, and I really like Jaina, but we hardly know them.

I like Roric, Frank said. He loves them, and I like that about him.

I guess he does, Legeis said and rubbed at his arm. But he encourages them to run about naked most of the time.

Just Gisley, Evalynn, and Jaina, Heather corrected, but that was most of them. You know what, that can wait until after the wedding too. If they want to set up in the hills along the east road, then fine. That will put them far away from us, and we don't have to see what goes on in their forest.

Have wedding soon, Umtha urged. Goblins celebrate with gift.

Oh great, Heather moaned. I cant wait to see what mechanical horror they made for us.

Umtha's face soured as she walked up to Heather to point a finger in her face. Not mechanical, she insisted. You hurt Umtha's feelings. Make big sacrifice for you.

Heather sighed as a train of four carts full of rocks went by. She apologized to Umtha, promising to accept whatever gift the goblins gave her gracefully.

You promise? Umtha asked.

Heather wanted to undo her crass words from a moment ago, so she vowed with the goblins as her witness they would love Umtha's gift.

Umtha smiled a little and waved them to follow as she took them back out of the tunnel. Legeis explained that the smoke they were seeing was probably from a foundry with a smelter being used to process the ore. He wanted to spend more time exploring the goblin's tunnels and get a better feel for what was going on, so Heather left him with Umtha, who took him on a tour. She and Frank returned to the lift to ride up it with four goblins. Two of them were females, and one giggled while whispering to the other after looking at Heather.

What do you think thats all about? Heather said to Frank.

I am sure we dont want to know, he replied.

We were just discussing your marriage, the goblin woman said with perfect English.

You can speak English? Heather asked in surprise.

A lot of us can, the goblin woman said as she and her friend turned around. I hope you like your wedding gift. It means a lot to us goblins that you accept it.

Do you know what this gift is? Heather asked, curious as to why this goblin was so easy to understand.

Uh-huh, the woman replied with raised ears. But it's a secret until your wedding night.

The lift arrived at the upper level, and Heather went to step off when two tall goblins appeared at the door. They were both human height with oddly normal proportions except for the goblin pointed ears and tiny tusks protruding from their lower lips. The two groups changed places as the tall goblins went down the lift vanishing from sight as Heather looked at Frank.

What were those? she asked.

Evolved goblins, I guess, he replied with a scratch at the back of his head.

Oh, those are high goblins, the woman they had been talking to said. You get the choice to evolve into a high goblin every twenty levels.

Wait! Heather cried and put her hands on her hips. She stared a the goblin woman who was wearing a rather simple blue dress with sandals. Her green hair was pulled into a tail and tied with a ribbon, and she wore three golden rings in her right ear. How can you possibly know that?

You mean, how do I know so much about evolution? the woman asked.

Yeah, Heather said. NPCs aren't aware of things like that.

Oh, I'm not an NPC, the woman said. My name is Trixi, and I am a player.

Another player, Heather said as she turned to Frank. She looked back to the woman who had stopped to have the conversation as a million questions swam through her head. Heather started by asking if there were any more goblin players here, and the woman said yes. She knew of four more, but she couldn't verify if Umtha was one of them. She said Umtha was hard to read and that she hadn't really had a chance to meet her.

Why are the goblins all coming here? Frank asked.

Some legend about a returning hero, Trixi said. I have only been playing about two months and set up a home in a goblin village well east of here. The village queen suddenly announced that she was moving the tribe to the new city, then packed up and left. I didn't want to be left alone, and a goblin city sounded interesting, so I tagged along. Did you know there is an entire network of deep roads underground here?

No, I didnt know that, Heather said as she tried to process what she was learning. She asked how the goblins knew where to go in the first place, and Trixi didn't know. She had only been living in the village a week when the queen announced the move. All she knew was the queen was very insistent they go right away and do it secretly so no one would follow them.

And you wont tell me what my wedding gift is? Heather asked.

Sorry, I don't want to be the one to spoil that surprise, Trixi laughed. But I bet you won't guess it in a hundred years. It really is a unique idea, but the goblins seem to idolize you.

I just happen to look like somebody from their past, Heather replied.

Oh, I heard you rescued a tribe from a dragon knight, Trixi said.

Well, yes, I did do that, Heather admitted as she rubbed her arm.

Oh, and you opened a magic door only the hero could open to recover a crown, Trixi added.

Maybe I did that too, Heather said bashfully.

Then you came here, to a place the goblins said the hero would come to, Trixi pointed out.

Look, I did all that for my own reasons, Heather sighed. I have barely been playing here longer than you.

Well, whatever you did, it earned the favor of all the goblin leaders, Trixi replied. They all agreed on your gift, and I have to say even I am a bit excited.

Please, can you tell us what it is? Heather begged.

Oh, I couldn't spoil something like that, but I will say it comes with a token of goblin love, Trixi said.

Can you tell us what the goblins are planning then? Frank asked.

I honestly have no idea. They just seem to be building, Trixi said. I set up a shop in the deep city, but I haven't a clue why they are all settling here. When you talk to the NPCs, they just chatter on about being ready.

What kind of shop do you have? Heather asked, now curious as to what the woman played.

I am a priestess and an alchemist, Trixi replied. I collect rare ingredients from the swamp and use them to fill a potion shop in town.

You can find rare ingredients in the swamp? Heather asked.

Your swamp is full of them, especially around the graveyard, Trixi admitted. I hope you don't mind, but I have been clipping your flowers and plants for ingredients.

I dont mind at all, Heather said with a smile. You clip all you want.

Thanks, Trixi said and looked down the tunnel. Well, I hope you don't mind, but I have to run. I want to get to the upper village and visit the green rum.

The upper village? Frank asked.

Yeah, you dont know about the upper village? Trixi asked.

I swear we should never leave home, Heather sighed. No, we had no idea any of this was here until now.

Oh, well, there are two goblin villages in the mountains up the road now. They are small farming communities, but one of them has a big inn called the green rum. They brew their own rum with special goblin techniques. You really should taste it. I can only describe the flavor as green.

Hence the name, Heather said with a nod. Well, we wont keep you. Thank you for talking to us.

It was my pleasure, Trixi said and waved. Congratulations on your upcoming marriage.

Thanks, Heather called back before turning on Frank. Lets go home, climb into bed and forget we ever saw this.

I agree with that, Frank said and took her hand. In fact, lets never come here again.

Agreed, Heather said as they hurried out. They practically ran the whole way back, not even bothering to stop and talk to the others. They went directly into the tower and up to the bedroom with the high balcony. Heather turned to her husband-to-be and smiled as his arms came around her. He'd wanted to use his human form, so now she would grant his wish. With a smile, she led him to the bed, and for the rest of the night, she proved just how much she loved him.