Heather the Necromancer

Book 2: Chapter 22: A bargain

Heather felt quite proud of herself as they walked into the forest beside the stream. The land here was stony and covered with a carpet of needles from the pines that towered overhead. Ferns grew in large clumps breaking up the otherwise earthy colors. The air carried with it a sort of moist earthy smell that Heather found pleasing.

The stream flowed with crystal clear water that was no more than a foot deep. It was a wide stony basin, and the water made a gentle trickling noise as it tumbled over polished rocks. Somewhere in the distance, birds were calling, and a gentle breeze rustled the tops of the tall pines.

It was a soothing moment of calm as Heather looked around. If she didn't know better, she would believe she was in a park or forest preserve back home. She thought about home for a moment. Did anybody even know she was gone? By now, she had missed classes and not shown up for work. If she remembered correctly, the visitors didn't make any effort to communicate who they took. For all she knew, her parents and brother had no idea she was gone.

The thought of never seeing them again began to sink in, and she suddenly felt remorse. There would be no going home for holiday meals, or banter with her brother. She wouldn't have arguments with mom, and her father wouldn't be trying to convince her to change degrees. She realized she would miss all those family arguments and embarrassing moments.

With a sigh, she focused on the good things that happened since she arrived. She had friends and a home. She had a whole new world to explore that was full of magic and wonder. True, it was also full of dangers, but this didn't tarnish her thoughts. She was free of school, taxes, and the chain of responsibility that came with her modern world. All she had to worry about here was a wandering monster and other players.

As they followed the stream searching for the waterfall, she let her mind wander. She was a necromancer now, a class hated and hunted by other players. They were outlawed from being played by the players themselves in response to the power the necromancers reached. Moon said they could force other players to change into undead as their race, trapping them in a new life. Once trapped, these players could not change back because if they died, they didn't respawn.

Heather could see why that would upset people. It was a permanent way to kill an otherwise immortal player. Worse, it could be forced on a player against his will. She supposed it was seen as murder by the people of the world, and perhaps the one true thing to be feared.

She shook her head as she caught herself dwelling on the negative again. She wasn't those other necromancers. Even if she knew how they did it, she wouldn't do it herself. She was going to have fun and enjoy her classes. She was chosen after all, and she could be a wide range of classes that other people could not. Grettah pointed out how eager people were to be chosen and have the level of access she had. It was in the middle of this thought that Frank called a halt.

I think thats the waterfall, he said as he pointed down the stream.

Heather looked up from her contemplation to see the water veer down a steep slope for a few feet before dropping over a ledge. Even from here, the faint rumble of falling water could be heard.

Carefully they approached the edge to see a drop of maybe a hundred feet. Below was a relatively flat expanse of dominated by a small lake created by the waterfall. On the shore of the lake was a large stone building with a thatch roof. It resembled a medieval inn with a water wheel on one side that turned slowly as the water flowed by. Several chimneys poked out of the roof, and a single column of gray smoke drifted from one of them. It has windows made of glass cut into small diamond shapes that had a slight yellow color to them.

Is that it? Quinny asked.

Frank studied the building and shrugged. He said she lived by the waterfall, so that must be it.

How do we get down there? Heather asked as she stepped away from the ledge. She looked to the right to see the land went even higher into hills, but the left sloped downward slowly.

We follow the slope, Frank said, pointing left. Sooner or later, it has to reach that level, and then we walk back.

Heather nodded as they set off following the edge as the hill slowly rolled down. She watched the large house as they walked. For some reason, Heather was expecting the woman to live in a hut like some kind of hermit. It was supposed to be overrun with cats and decorated with things made from twigs and string. This looked more like a workshop for a skilled craftsman. The walls were clean and straight, the windows perfectly aligned and level, and the yard empty of cats.

The found a worn path on the way down that led to a series of steps that allowed them to reach the lower floor just downstream of the strange house.

So, do we just go up and knock? Quinny asked.

Frank shook his head. Heather and Grettah should go up alone. They can buy the quicksilver, and we can go someplace else to make the potions.

Potions? Quinny asked.

Frank looked at her and nodded. You should take one too.

I can pass for human so long as nobody sees my face, Quinny argued.

Frank shook his head. Are you going to wear that sunhat inside the restaurant?

Maybe they have outdoor seating? Quinny suggested.

And if they dont?

Quinny shrugged. Heather has makeup. She will hide my face just in case.

The potion would be much easier, he pressed.

Why don't we go see if she has the quicksilver first, Heather suggested. Then, we can decide what to do with it.

Heather watched them both nod and turned to Grettah.

Ready?

Grettah noded. Lets go. I am anxious to see what she has.

Heather took the lead and walked across the lawn, finally stepping out of the trees into a sunny glade. They marched to the side of the building, where a pair of stout wooden doors stood open. Grettah had to duck a little to get in, but they went inside and gawked in wonder.

Everywhere was shelves and tables. They were covered with jars and racks of flasks. Bottles with cork stoppers held unidentifiable liquids while round jars contained powders, seeds, leaves, berries, and all manner of dry goods. The entire space was made of a redwood that was polished to a sheen. A fire burned in a rounded hearth on one wall, and it's light danced on the glass all around them.

This is amazing, Grettah said as she spun around. I will have to remember this place is here.

Heather stepped up to one wall and read the sign that hung over the shelves. It was written in five languages she didn't understand, but the sixth one was human.

Minerals, she read aloud and then looked at the dozens of jars. They were filled with powdered minerals, many of which she recognized. Some were new ones from this world and seemed too fantastic to believe. One mineral labeled eternium glowed with a faint blue light.

On a table were small metal flasks in racks. The sigh read Elementals, and the flasks were labeled with fire, water, air, earth, light, dark,

There are so many things here, Grettah said. I feel ashamed; all I want is quicksilver.

Why is there nobody working here? Heather asked as they wandered. It could take us hours to find it in all this.

And what makes you think nobody is working here? came a stout female voice.

Heather and Quinny glanced around and saw nothing but the store.

I'm sorry, but I don't see where you're at, Heather said as she squinted through the maze of shelves and tables.

Here I am, lass, the voice said as a woman climbed up on a stool. She was short as Margus and had a broad body with a wide nose. Otherwise, her proportions were very feminine, with a cheery smile and radiant eyes. She had long red hair braided back and tied with golden rings every three inches.

Are you Devlina? Heather asked.

Aye, I am lass, the woman said. Devlina Mantlefire, the finest alchemist in the land.

Heather smiled at the womans boasting and made her way around the tables to greet her.

I'm Heather, and this is Grettah.

Ah, one of the Gerikimi, Devlina said. Your kind comes here now and then.

They do? Grettah said as her ears perked up.

Aye, you the Goatrah tend to like the hills and high places like we Hill dwarves. Them Goatrah have a whole city in the hills south of here. Your kind has a few modest villages up in the higher peaks. You seem to favor the thin air up high.

Grettah smiled. I didnt know that. I just arrived a few days ago.

Well, then it's good I could point you in the right direction, Devlina said. Well, now, what brought you both into my shop?

We need to buy some quicksilver, Heather said. Grettah is an herbalist, and she wants to make me some potions.

Oh quicksilver is it, Devlina said with a nod. You're probably after a potion of disguise for your horrible friends outside.

What? Heather choked. You knew they were there?

Aye, I knew you were coming before you walked down my stairs. I figured you were after something like that.

Heather saw no reason to keep up the ruse and decided to be blunt with the woman.

Listen, we arent here to cause anybody any harm or trouble. We just wanted to go to town and get some pizza.

You're looking for Papa Stonebeards then, Devlina said with a nod. Sure, you won't find a better pizza outside the major cities, and even then, it's arguable.

Heather's stomach growled loudly, causing all three of them to look at her in alarm.

You need to feed that thing before it rampages and eat's half the countryside, Devlina laughed.

Were trying, Heather said. We just need a little quicksilver.

Devlina nodded. I can help you and your friends out, but I am taking a risk helping monster players sneak into the town.

We promise not to cause any trouble, Heather pleaded.

Devlina smiled broadly. I trust ya, but I need to make sure it means enough to you.

What does that mean? Grettah aked.

It means she is going to ask for a favor, Heather said.

Devlina laughed. You have a sharp eye for haggling,

So, what is it you want? Heather asked.

Devlina leaned over and put one foot on the counter before her. You see, my shop here has nearly every ingredient for potions, enchanting, or magic rituals, but there be one I am out of.

And that is?

Gravemoss, Devlina said.

Gravemoss? Heather said with a smirk. Had she known the woman wanted grave moss, she would have brought her buckets of the stuff. It grew all over Franks's graveyard on the sides of nearly all the tombstones.

Aye, ever since the war tween them paladins and necromancers, the graveyards that dotted the land were destroyed. Without them, you can't find a good supply of the moss.

Wait, what? Heather asked as this part perked her interest. What graveyards?

Devlina looked up at her and blinked a few times. You dont know about the graveyards?

I have only been here a couple of weeks, Heather admitted. And I didnt do much research before coming in.

Devlina nodded. Before the war, the land was covered in small graveyards. When a player died, they respawned in the closest one.

Thats the spawn points, Heather said.

Devlina shook her head. No, those are were people first arrived. The graveyards gave you someplace closer to respawn if you died. Save you the trip of walking all the way back from the outer ring.

Heather looked at Quinny, who offered no additional insight to what the woman was talking about.

So youre saying there used to be a way for people to respawn?

Aye, nobody ever reset until after the war, Devlina said. You still lost a little experience from dying, but you never lost everything.

Heather nodded. So tell me more about these graveyards.

Well them necromancers could use em to boost their minions or summon more. They even had a means oh teleporting between them, using them as a way to move around quickly. King Kevin ordered them all destroyed to keep the necromancers from using them. His engineers worked for months, tearing them apart and consecrating the soil. It was the only way to strip the necromancers of their power inside his lands.

So, there used to be lots of graveyards? Heather asked.

Devlina nodded. Now, there are only a couple scattered around the world.

Heather pondered it, and her heart sank. You want us to bring you some gravemoss, she stated as the thought of walking all the way home to get gravemoss made her angry.

Aye, just a jar full, and I will give you enough quicksilver to hide your ugly friend a dozen times.

We were so close, Heather sighed.

Well, you still have to climb into the mountain, Devlina said.

Heather snapped up with a jerk of her head. Im sorry, what?

To get to the graveyard, Devlina said.

Theres a graveyard here?

Aye, there is, what did you think I was talking about? Devlina asked.

Oh, nothing, Heather chirped. Its just we have walked a long way to get here. I thought you were going to send us a long way back.

No, nothing like that. I just thought your friends would be perfect for the task seeing as how undead they are and all.

Heather felt a wave of relief wash over her and took a deep breath. Why would our friends be perfect for this graveyard?

Well, you see, its haunted, Devlina said. A ghost of some kind stalks the stones and the trees around it. Wont let anybody living inside and wails with a horrible scream when they try.

You have a graveyard here? Heather asked. So, if you die here, you respawn there?

Devlina leaned over and whispered. Don't go sharing that around. We don't belong to Kevin's kingdom, so we never destroyed it, but we did allow him to remove three others from our land. We didn't want to risk open war with him.

Heather nodded her understanding. So what happens if you die and show up in the graveyard? Doesnt the ghost kill you again?

She never harms anybody who respawns inside. So long as they leave, she never so much as makes an appearance. She only stops those who are alive from going in.

So we have to go bust some ghosts? Grettah asked.

Heather laughed and shrugged. I suppose so.

I didnt expect you to do any fighting, Devlina said. I was hoping your friends could walk right in and get the moss. Seeing as they are undead and all.

Heather considered that point with a Hmm. She looked at Devlina and nodded. Deal, we will get you the gravemoss, and you give us the quicksilver.

You can even use my shop to make your potions, Devlina said.

Grettah perked up at that as Heather smiled. She got all the details she needed from Devlina and departed the shop to gather the others and head out in search of the graveyard.

This was going to be easy, she was a necromancer, and Frank and Quinny were undead. Soon they would have the potions and after that pizza. Dreams of cheese clinging in long ropes filled her mind as she walked back to tell the others.