Book 6: Chapter 47: Ghosts of the past

Book 6: Chapter 47: Ghosts of the past

Frank stood alone in the towering room, staring at a tapestry that hung on the back wall. He was lost in thought, trying to put the various pieces of confusion together. Part of his stress was coming from the girls, who were playing their roles more openly. They were enjoying the game of pretending he was their master, and he was trying to play with them. The truth was he wasn't sure he was into the game and needed more time to figure it out. Hopefully, he would have that time, as Heather seemed prone to rapid changes in direction. She was starting to use her Lilim powers and was enjoying the game, using seductions to gain an advantage. As much as Jaina made her life look magical, Frank didnt want that for Heather. He was more traditional in the sense that he wanted to be the only man in it. He even questioned if letting the girls flirt and kiss between them the groups was wise. As enticing as it was to watch, it was one more stepping stone closer to something he didnt know if he wanted.

Of course, he had other things on his mind, and one of them was seriously troubling. The city they had built was coming along and had several hundred players in it at any one time. It was nestled into a large valley, with the city built close to the mountain wall surrounding their little kingdom. However, while laying out the city, Frank discovered a little gap in the mountain wall that went through a long canyon. It opened into an alpine desert, nestled high above and contained in a much smaller bowl-shaped valley.

He had found it distracting the moment he first laid eyes on it because it reminded him of something from his past. The problem was that he didn't remember that past, which made him uncomfortable. He told Heather he wanted to claim the area to build a portion of his graveyard inside, and she never asked why. She supported anything he wanted to do and encouraged him to chase after his dreams. He smiled slightly as he considered her support and how she urged him to chase after that boyish enthusiasm. She claimed that was part of him she always loved, that youthful desire to build.

He spent hours thinking about what he wanted to build and wondering why it mattered so much. That led him to the goblins and the throne room in Umtha's city. Frank decided he needed to try and reconcile this feeling of uncertainty and see that tapestry again. Now he stood in the goblin throne room, staring at the tapestry that bore the images of the women he loved. He was fixated on the use of a golden triangle as it called to that forgotten memory in the back of his mind. The whole portrayal seemed to hint at something he couldnt quite remember making him increasingly uneasy. Why was he the central figure with the girls arranged around him when Heather was the one important one? Why were they presented as if coming out of the triangle in the back? Why did he think it was missing something, or perhaps was hiding something? The answer was simple and yet complex at the same time.

He looked away and studied the throne room around him, with the massive chair in the middle and the four smaller ones flanked at the sides. Umtha built it to honor them and show her love and appreciation for her family. She was also actively working to protect them from a possible threat looming on the horizon. Even when they said they didnt want to be dragged into her plans, she offered to carry the burden herself. She would free them of all obligations and work alone for their benefit.

Umtha made it clear she loved Heather, but that was based on a life Heather didn't remember. Frank witnessed the pain as Umtha finally accepted that the love she craved wasn't returning. The crown had failed to restore Heathers memories, and delivering the egg had brought no new insights. Even discussing the past in detail hadn't given Heather a spark of insight. Umtha then volunteered to step aside and leave them be, but Heather had other plans.

Heather couldn't stand it anymore and did something Frank had not expected. She opened her heart to Umtha, offering to love her despite not remembering. This love was based on her current experience with Umtha and her worry that Frank was upset. Heather believed Frank was worried that her memories would come back one day, and with it, her affections would change. Frank would become the one on the outside looking in, longing to share a love he felt but was not reciprocated. Heather's solution was simple and elegant; she would build a new, much stronger relationship, so if her memories did come back, it would matter little. He was proud of her for the decision but knew she struggled with the idea of loving a woman. That was where Jaina became a true friend and source of help. She showed Heather it wasn't hard to do and guided her first steps until she found her footing.

Frank studied the shape again, trying not to think about what happened next. He was a man, after all, and of course, he had certain fantasies. It was only natural for a man to think about things that were forbidden, especially when it came to girls. He knew other people shared and had the perfect example in Roric. He had four women who loved him and shared a magical life full of passion. But Frank had come here to run away from relationships and his awkward clumsiness when it came to girls. He couldn't figure out how he had somehow come to win their hearts by treating them as friends and nothing more. What happened after Heather shared a kiss with Umtha played through his mind as he struggled to block it. It was a dream come true, but it had happened when he least expected it. Suddenly there were two women in his bed, and both were eager to share his love.

He will never know how he survived that first night, as he nearly worried himself to death. It took him days to recover and find a measure of acceptance that he had two lovers. Then, just as he was getting his nerve up, Heather invited Breanne and Quinny in, and now he had four. Four of the most beautiful women he had ever known, smiling as they undressed before him. Even now, he shuddered to think of the first night Heather locked the door, and they came at him.

Once again, he looked to the tapestry and tried to find meaning in the image, wondering if perhaps he had something to remember too. He was startled when a soft green hand caressed his shoulder, and Umtha leaned into his back. He could feel a kiss on his neck as she touched him with open affection. It wasnt just Heather she deeply loved, as the goblin woman made it no secret that she wanted him.

Umtha, he said in surprise as she snuggled into his side. I didnt know you were here.

I am here often, Umtha replied as her long tail wrapped around him. Frank wasn't surprised to see she was in the succubus guise gifted to her by Heather. Umtha treasured the new form and, as far as he knew, had never come out of it.

You love that new body, he said as her tail wrapped around his waist.

It is the greatest gift she has ever given me, Umtha replied. But I want to talk about you.

What about me? Frank asked in concern for her directness.

You have been staring at that for over an hour, she whispered. Why does it captivate you so?

Frank wasn't sure how to answer because he wasn't sure he wanted to make his worries known. Heather was under so much pressure from a past she didn't remember and a future that promised to be filled with chaos. He didn't want to add to that burden, so he kept his worries inside, but seeing that image dragged up the pain, and he desperately wanted somebody to talk to. Umtha had made the tapestry, after all. Maybe she could explain the imagery and put his concerns to rest.

Umtha, he began as her arms wrapped around his chest in a firm hug. Why did you put that golden triangle in the image?

Umtha looked up from her embrace and studied the image for herself. She never released her arms as she clung to him like a lover. She took a long time to ponder her reply, but when she answered, he was shocked.

Because it is important to you somehow, she replied.

Frank's hands twitched as the rabbit hole opened, and he tumbled down like Alice. He knew this was about to go places he didn't want to tread, but there was no going back now.

I need you to tell me why you think that shape is important to me, Frank urged. Did you design that image?

I did not, Umtha replied. Well, not all of it. She released her grasp and walked around him, going up the steps to point to the image. I have seen it elsewhere, she explained. But this image is embellished with my additions. In the original, the shape is more prominent and has more lines. You and Heather are the only two in the image, standing side by side in the foreground. The purple color is more pronounced, reaching out like tendrils from behind the shape. There are dark waves, or perhaps clouds above it, as if a storm is rolling in. I should mention that the shape is black in the original, and Heather is herself. You would expect to see her as Hathlisora, but she is as she appears without the crown.

Where did you see this? Frank demanded as her description tickled something in the back of his mind.

It was a long time ago, Umtha replied. When I first visited the necromancer's empire. I was brought into a grand hall of towering statues of prominent figures in their society. I saw the tapestry hung on the wall, and a metal plate underneath it said it was of the lord and lady of Ebon Spire.

Frank wanted to faint as she used the name. It echoed through his soul, sending ripples of something tangible but just beyond his reach. Umtha reacted to his change of expression, coming to his chest to gaze into his eyes.

Why does this trouble you? she asked. It was only a tapestry.

Umtha, think back to Heathers dream, Frank suggested. Dont you think the tapestry and that place are similar?

Umtha was quiet a moment as she released him and moved to his side to consider her work. She studied the image and then nodded. I suppose it does, but what does it mean?

Its a tapestry of me, Frank said as he took her hands. That pyramid and the purple shape are all things I know I have seen before. Now I have to wonder if I can be the rock Heather needs me to be to keep her sane.

You say that tapestry was of you? Umtha repeated as she stepped back. But even if it was, why would it hinder your ability to be strong for Heather?

Umtha, I have been able to stand strong for Heather through her trials. I know you understand how much knowing she had a past life she cant remember hurts her. You have seen how upset she gets when some facet of her past crawls up, and she has no idea what it is. She just wants to play and enjoy her life, but her past won't stop coming back.

Yes, I have seen the pain it causes her, Umtha agreed as her long ears drooped. And all I do is remind her she has a past she cant remember. I didnt realize I was being so cruel, but where does this involve you?

I have been able to be strong because I was detached, Frank said. I was free to devote my time and attention to her and help her through every new discovery. He paused and looked at the image as his heart began to sink. I know we have some evidence that I was a part of her past. She had that one dream the day she was killed where the woman said I was chosen to be her protector. But I never wanted to believe I had been here before. Now I realize I had a past too. I have a secret buried in some horrible event that I cant remember, and it is starting to make me question myself. How can I carry her through her struggles when I am fighting one of my own?

Umtha looked at him with her beautiful eyes and made a funny face as she pondered her answer. She finally came to his chest, placing her hands on him as she looked deep into his eyes.

Thats just it, Frank said as he studied the image. I know it was, but it wasnt.

Wait, how could it be yours and not yours at the same time? Umtha asked.

It was the home of a friend of Blackbasts named Iskathet, but it was exactly what I planned to build. She claimed the necromancers told her how to build it and lay out the interior rooms, but its all the same. Every room, every hall, every tunnel is where I wanted to put them. It was like walking through a dream and seeing it brought to life, Frank explained as he grew more distressed.

And you didnt tell anyone? Umtha asked. You must have been terribly upset.

I didnt want to add to Heathers problems, and before I had a chance to say anything, we were shown a statue that the friend claimed was buried there before she built the pyramid. It was a statue very similar to the one in the temple in your original village. When Heather saw it, she became so upset I held my tongue and didn't want to say anything.

You have been burying your pain for the sake of hers, Umtha replied. You see how much you love her?

I would do anything for her, he said. Even help her go home.

But you wont go with her, Umtha said as she looked into his pained eyes. You would lose her forever.

I would, but at least I would know she was happy, Frank replied.

You always appear to be the strong one, Umtha said. I had no idea you were hurting.

It gets worse, Frank said and turned away. I picked a name for my pyramid a long time ago. I want to build it out of stone but cover it with a rock called obsidian. It has a black glass-like appearance, and because of that, I was going to name it the Ebon spire.

So this tapestry I made for you is bringing up bad memories, Umtha said. And to think you saw a copy of the very pyramid you wanted to build, but it was built by somebody else. But why did this wait until after the pyramid in the dream to come to the surface.

Thats the important part, Frank said. That pyramid in the dream. Not only do I think I built it, but I am pretty sure I carved one of those home messages into the canyon wall.

Thats why you looked so disturbed to see those messages, Umtha said. You saw your own message on the wall.

I suspect you and Heather wrote some of them, Frank replied. But what's worse is that canyon we walked down to get to the open area. I found an almost identical location in the mountains behind the city and planned to build a pyramid there. I can't begin to explain how similar the areas are as if the visitors made a copy of the world. I feel like I am reliving a past life, trying to fix something I did wrong the first time.

Umtha's ears went up in alarm as she turned to look Frank in the eyes. You should tell Heather, she urged when she could speak. She can help you with this.

She has enough to worry about, Frank insisted. Besides, shes probably playing at being a slave girl somewhere.

Oh, stop that, Umtha insisted and swatted him. He looked at her with a curious expression as she stood before him and pointed a finger in his face. I heard that tone, she insisted. You still worry about the slave collars and Heather's sudden infatuation with being one. Well, stop worrying because it won't last much longer.

How can you say that? Frank asked. She stood before Blackbast and I and begged me to make her a slave so she could forget about her past.

Thats because she found a way to escape it for a little bit, Umtha replied. But Heather cant pass up a good mystery. Its in her blood to try to figure things out, and this playing at being a slave girl will only last until she hungers to learn something new. Then it will become a burden to her, and she will discard it.

What about you and the others? Frank asked. You seem to love your succubus form.

Oh, I absolutely love it, Umtha replied with a smile. But I love it because it was a gift, and I can allow myself to be a slave girl only because you are our master. Outside of that, I have no interest in playing along.

You seemed comfortable in Gisley's arms the other night, he pointed out.

I was playing along, Umtha insisted. She is a pretty little thing, and I love the color of her hair, but I have all the love I need in my family.

What about Heather's relationship with Jaina and Chandice? Frank asked. Or Breanne's relationship with Evalynn, for that matter?

Those are happening because you are allowing it, Umtha stated. Breanne has known girls before, and Heather is experimenting. Both are playing along because they think you enjoy watching them play. Breanne wont take it much farther, and I suspect Heather will soon start to feel guilty and ask you to forgive her.

I didnt want to say no, Frank insisted. She wanted me to make her feel some kind of tension, but I dont want to share her or any of you.

Then speak up, Umtha insisted. Tell your girls how you feel and make your concerns known. We love you and will understand. Well, except Quinny. I think she is the only one who could be a full sex slave like Jaina is. She loves the idea of having no say in it.

Women are weird, Frank said as Umtha returned to his arms.

We like to push our boundaries, Umtha said as she leaned into him. But you are the one who sets them, and you have been too complacent. The funny thing is we have all agreed to be your slave girls. You could order us to do anything, and we would have to obey it. So please tell us what you want. I will do anything for you.

You will do anything? Frank asked as he lifted her chin.

All you need to do is ask, Umtha said, batting her eyes. She giggled joyfully when he swept her into his arms and hoisted her up.

Then I want to be distracted from all these thoughts, he said.

Take me to a bedroom, Umtha whispered.

She laughed as Frank ran off with her and headed for the rooms in the back. For the next few hours, he made love to Umtha slowly and passionately, taking long pauses to hold her in his arms. Umtha was right, the past was lost, but he had them now, and he intended to love them all. All five of his wives would be his life going forward, and despite his fears, he was going to build his pyramid again.