E-book 5: Chapter 4: A Queen, a king, and a princess.

Heather, Frank, Quinny, Breanne, Legeis, and Finneous stood earlier than the gates of Gwen’s metropolis.

“Did she ever inform us the title of this metropolis?” Heather requested.

“Ellowshire,” Frank replied as she cautiously regarded into the streets.

“That was the title of her kingdom,” Breanne corrected. “I do not recall if she ever named the town.”

“You two are actually planning on strolling proper right into a metropolis?” Finneous requested with a smile as he nodded to Frank and Quinny.”The supply of this content material nov(el)bi((n))

“What alternative do we’ve?” Frank requested. “I might slightly wait exterior whereas Heather and Breanne went in.”

“We’re all entering into,” Heather stated. “Gwen must know who we’re and that we’re mates so she will be able to set legal guidelines forbidding your reset.”

“And what if she hears tales a few necromancer touring with a ghoul and zombie?” Breanne requested. “She would possibly put these items collectively and attempt to declare the reward.”

Heather held up the dominion coronary heart and with a smile. “She has needed this again for a very long time. I doubt she’s going to flip her again on the individuals who recovered it for her.”

“You’ve extra religion in folks than I do,” Breanne replied.

“Look, the town is empty anyway. That is our one likelihood to point out her who we actually are and clarify our state of affairs. The swamps fall inside her kingdom, so we want her cooperation if we need to stay right here.”

“Are you going to inform her every little thing?” Quinny requested, hinting at Heather’s secret.

“I’m a flower singer,” Heather replied. “Let’s not push our luck.”

With decided hearts, they entered the gates and made their method into the empty streets. A couple of NPC villagers wandered about and fled the second they noticed them, however in any other case, it was as empty as earlier than. They discovered the identical guard standing watch on the interior gate, standing at consideration with a blind stare. Heather led the best way, calling to him as they approached to announce their presence. He regarded up and nodded, then jumped in shock, leveling a spear on the celebration.

“No monsters within the fortress!” he shouted. “Alarm! Town has been invaded!”

The group waited for a response trying round as if a military of guards have been going to seem.

“I do not assume you are going to get a lot assist,” Heather stated. “We simply got here to speak to Gwen. May you are taking us to her throne room?”

“I will not be letting these monsters previous this gate,” the person shouted, his spear waiving in her face.

“Oh effectively,” Heather sighed. “Frank, it is your flip.”

Earlier than the guard might react, Frank grabbed him by the throat and hoisted him up. He thrashed for a second however went limp because the ghoul paralysis took maintain.

“Sorry to do that to you, however we actually should see the queen,” Heather stated as Frank set him down gently. “You can be superb in an hour.”

She led the best way into the halls arriving on the white marble grand chambers to search out an empty picket throne. Heather went on to the rope and pulled, inflicting a ringing of bells to echo from above. Her backpack shifted as Webster tried to peek out, and he or she rapidly urged him again.

“I do not need her to see I’ve a spider acquainted,” Heather whispered. “Now be good and keep nonetheless.”

He made a chirping groan from inside as she walked again to the others and waited for the queen to reach. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than a kind appeared in an arched doorway, and Gwen stepped out. She wore a white robe, embroidered with golden vines, her lengthy darkish hair woven into delicate braids that made loops down her again. The necklace of blue stones nonetheless held on her neck as she stepped into the sunshine, her eyes fixating on the group.

“What is that this?” she cried. “I’ve misplaced a lot management that monsters from the swamp have come into my throne room?” she threw a hand up as a lightweight pulsed above it, forming right into a slender sword. Good mild obscured her kind as she lept into the air, touchdown on her toes in full metallic plate, her head the one uncovered space.

“You will discover attacking the queen in her coronary heart of energy a silly endeavor,” she stated as she pointed the sword her method.

“Wow,” Quinny stated. “She’s an influence ranger.”

“Wait,” Heather stated as she stepped ahead. “We did not come right here to assault you. We got here to meet our promise to you?”

Gwen did not transfer as her eyes fastened on Heather. “You’re the flower singer I despatched into the swamps every week in the past.”

“I’m,” Heather replied.

“The place is the remainder of our celebration? I solely see your elven ranger.”

Heather smiled and turned to the others. “That is is the remainder of my celebration. We used a magic potion to disguise them so we might enter the town.”

Gwen lowered her sword only a bit as she regarded over the group.

“Your flower sprite appears rather less flowery and has modified genders,” Gwen identified when she checked out Legeis.

“Is she speaking about me?” he requested.

“I’ll clarify it later,” Heather stated with a smile. She stepped nearer to Gwen as she held out her hand. “I consider that is what you needed again.”

Gwen’s eyes darted to see what Heather was holding and froze in shock. “My kingdom coronary heart!” she cried, staring on the stone in Heather’s hand. She regarded up with a confused expression, as if unable to consider what she was seeing. “You introduced it again?”

“I informed you I might,” Heather stated and held it out.

“Why?” Gwen stammered, unable to consider the stone was in her attain. Rigorously she plucked it from Heather’s finger and cradled it in her fingers as a smile crossed her face. “I do not know what to say.”

“All we would like are the few stuff you agreed to present us,” Heather stated. “A bookstore within the metropolis and a village. Our pal Finneous is a village builder. He wish to make one his house.”

“Really, I had a greater concept,” Finneous chimed in. “I discover that ruined hold within the swamp, and I’m wondering if I might construct my village beside it.”

“After all,” Gwen whispered, not actually paying consideration as her eyes went again to the stone. “You shall have all of that and extra.” She regarded up with moist eyes and gazed over the group. “I suppose since you will have gone by way of the difficulty of dropping your deceptions, I ought to drop mine.

“You might be hiding one thing from us?” Breanne requested.

Gwen nodded and clutched the stone firmly in a single hand. “Certainly. I could also be in decline, however information does attain these partitions, particularly when that information is spectacular.” She fastened her gaze on Heather as a smile broadened her face. “Who would have ever believed I might be saved by a necromancer.”

Heather stepped again as Gwen continued to smile with a gentle expression.

“You already know?” Heather gasped.

“Know?” Gwen laughed. “Expensive Heather. There’s a description of a girl with golden hair who travels with a ghoul, a zombie, and a banshee,” she stated, turning her gaze on Breanne. “They are saying the goblins battle with vicious tenacity at her command,” she added with a glance to Legeis. “The one particular person on this room that does not match the outline is him,” she completed by pointing her sword to Finneous.

“We have to go,” Frank urged with a tense voice.

“No, you don’t,” Gwen replied. “Have you learnt what number of instances I despatched letters to the northern kingdoms begging them for help? Have you ever any concept what number of instances I pleaded with the leaders of mercenary firms, guilds, the heads of knightly orders, and even King Kevin himself? Did they ever ship their vaunted paladins or their heroes to recuperate my stone?” She made a disgusted expression and commenced to tempo, the anger obvious on her face.

“They confirmed how a lot worth I held of their eyes. I used to be left right here to rot like a rat trapped in a cage. Then alongside comes a necromancer and her undead mates who do what the nice and noble folks of the land wouldn’t.” Gwen held up the stone and checked out it as a tear ran down her cheek. “You don’t have any concept how a lot this implies to me, Princess,” Gwen stated, turning her gaze again on Heather.

“Princess?” Heather repeated because the stone started to glow in Gwen’s hand.

“I’m Queen of Ellowshire, and I title thee Princess Heather of Ellowshire, Excessive flower singer of my courtroom, and second in control of my lands.”

Heather’s eyes went broad as she started to glow with a golden mild. She regarded to the others, who have been in shock because the glow started to fade.

“To the remainder of you, I grant the title of champion. No guard or NPC of my area will react to you as monsters, although I’ve no management over the gamers.” They, too, started to glow with golden mild that light in moments.

“So we will come to the town at any time when we would like?” Quinny requested.

“She stated the guards would not assault us, however the gamers will,” Breanne stated.

“I’d be capable of assist with that too,” Gwen stated. “I’ll want a while, however as soon as gamers return, I’ll open a magic crafters guild. I’m positive a magical merchandise could be made to present you a extra steady look than a potion would.”

“So, you are not going to show us in?” Frank requested.

“Flip you in to who?” Gwen requested. “I do not want king Kevin’s reward to have a kingdom, and he could not be bothered to raise a finger to assist me. Let the idiot seek for you in useless. I’m not required to bend a knee to his calls for.”

“That may carry conflict in your kingdom,” Breanne stated. “When you will not cooperate with him, he’ll come and take it by pressure.”

“He has no concept you’re right here, and even when he did, let him come,” Gwen stated. “I’ve been on this world a very long time, even earlier than the title Kevin was spoken in reverence.” Gwen turned and regarded to the room about them. “I’ve been restored to my energy, and my degree is nice. Few on this world can boast of triple digits, however I’ve them aplenty.”

“A few of us nonetheless must sleep,” Heather stated dryly as she regarded down on the limp spider in her arms. “And a few of us are nonetheless sleeping.”

“Have you ever spoken to Gwen but?” Breanne requested as Heather set Webster down on a cushion and commenced to choose on the meals.

“No, I have not seen her all morning.”

Breanne smiled and glanced at Quinny, who shared the humorous grin.

“One thing I ought to I do know?”

“I’ll let Gwen present you,” Breanne stated. “I might hate to spoil such a shock.”

Heather turned to Frank and Legeis, who each swore they knew nothing about it. She went about consuming, sharing her hope that the lesser stone would permit her to maintain making golems. Legeis instructed that it won’t permit her to summon NPC’s, however Heather did not assume that was essential. If the notes have been right, the stone was only a focus; the NPC spirits have been being cheated out of the buffer. She was slightly anxious to get house and check out one however not earlier than consuming some great meals. She ate a little bit of every little thing after which sampled a glass of juice that made her sigh.

“I’ve missed this,” Heather stated with a glad smile.

“It is why I needed to play a queen,” Gwen stated as she arrived within the doorway. Right now she was in purple and silver, with a diamond-studded tiara on her head. Her blue stone necklace was now a easy unusual of diamonds, and her hair woven in tight curls all down her again.

“I do not know learn how to thanks for being so type to us,” Heather stated as she stood up. “I actually have had a tough time adjusting to this world, and I have not been so good to my mates.”

“I heard this admission final evening,” Gwen stated with a forgiving tone. “I might say you will have adjusted fairly effectively, given the circumstances. All you wanted was a while and some exhausting classes, however the true you has shined by way of, and I’ll eternally be glad about that.”

“Thanks,” Heather replied and regarded across the desk. “And thanks for accepting my mates. They imply loads to me.”

“I can see that,” Gwen replied. “You aren’t like several necromancer I ever heard of.”

Heather smiled, and Gwen held up a hand to beckon them to observe. “Come, I’ve one thing to point out you.”

Heather picked up Webster, they usually all adopted as Gwen led them by way of the fortress and out into a big yard surrounded by marble partitions.

“That is stunning,” Heather stated as she regarded round at a backyard filled with bushes with superb colours. The leaves have been blue, pink, pink, yellow, and a dozen shades of inexperienced. Flowers grew all over the place in belts of coloration that dazzled the attention. There have been little pathways of yellow stones that meandered by way of the panorama that amazed all over the place she regarded. Ornate statues lay hidden in nooks and beds of flowers, in addition to a ravishing fountain of inexperienced marble carved to resemble a lion. Water flowed from its mouth right into a basin then out by way of a spillway right into a tiny stream. Probably the most spectacular function of all of it was the white tower that rose above all of it. It was spherical with a curving stair on the surface the went to a touchdown earlier than golden doorways. It went up one other 5 ranges with home windows and balconies on each ground and planters overgrown with hanging progress. The highest ground was a glass dome held up by brass arms, with inexperienced crops beneath. At the same time as Heather regarded, balls of sunshine in numerous colours started to bop over flowers in locations, inflicting them to bloom as they made a delicate music.

“Do you just like the backyard?” Gwen requested as she turned to face Heather, who was nonetheless amazed by the luxurious magnificence.

“I like it,” Heather replied. “I by no means dreamed anyplace might look so stunning.”

“I’m glad you’re happy as a result of it is yours.”

Heather regarded up in shock as Gwen took her hand and led her to the steps.

“However I have already got a house,” Heather stated as she tried to work out the idea.

“Did not a participant can have a number of properties?” Gwen requested.

“No,” Heather replied. “I had no concept.”

“Hero gamers can,” Frank stated. “Monster gamers have simply their lair.”

“Sadly so,” Gwen stated. “However since Heather is a hero participant, I made her a house and set her because the proprietor. That is the house and backyard of my flower singer daughter, Princess Hannah.”

“I do not know what to say,” Heather gasped as she regarded round. “All I did was get your stone again.”

“All you probably did?” Gwen laughed. “You do notice how a lot I misplaced? With out the stone, I used to be lower than a participant, trapped in an empty fortress mocked by anybody who managed to get in. Months I’ve languished whereas different kings and queens constructed and flourished, paying my plight no thoughts. Individuals I as soon as thought-about friends and mates deserted me in my time of want. I’ve to say I used to be slightly near melancholy and spent fairly a couple of nights crying over my situation.”

“I am sorry that occurred to you,” Heather replied.

“I do know you’re. That is why you deserve this,” Gwen stated. “Actually, it’s a small reward. You don’t have any concept how highly effective I really am. Talking of which, there’s something inside you have to see.”

Heather adopted by way of the golden doorways and right into a marble corridor of white pillars and hanging crops. There was a curving staircase going as much as the subsequent ground, however Gwen took them all the way down to a chamber under the tower. Right here was a pure cave crammed with each type of glowing mushroom and vine-like crops. A couple of tunnels trailed off, but it surely was what stood within the heart of the room that amazed Heather probably the most. An archway of white stone stood on a glass disk. Between its arms shimmered a curtain of water that gave off a gentle white mild.

“What is that this?” Heather requested as she dared to step nearer.

“A house portal,” Gwen stated and held out her hand to disclose a miniature copy of the portal. “You are taking this with you and place it in your house within the swamps, and it’ll hyperlink the 2 properties collectively. It is possible for you to to step by way of the waters and immediately stroll between them.”

“We could have immediate entry to the town,” Frank stated.

“Yay, no extra strolling by way of the swamps,” Quinny laughed.

“Why are you being so good to me?” Heather requested.

Gwen smiled and positioned the miniature portal into Heather’s hand.

“Since you did what so many wouldn’t, and made all of this doable. This world had turn out to be a jail for me, and I a laughing inventory. You battled your method by way of all these traps and monsters to recuperate my stone to assist me. I can see how a lot your friendship empowers you, so I hope to win your friendship to empower me.”

Heather regarded down on the little portal with a smile. “I really feel so awkward.”

Gwen laughed. “As long as your awkward, I suppose now is an effective time to let you know that you’re formally my daughter so far as the sport world is anxious.”

Heather laughed as tears started to kind in her eyes.

“Heather, what’s fallacious?” Frank requested.

She folded her hand over the portal and turned to face him. “You have been proper; this world could be superb and enjoyable. I want I had believed you sooner.”

“You bought off to a foul begin,” Frank stated. “No person blames you for the stuff you did.”

“I blame me,” Heather stated and ran to him. She threw her arms round Frank and hugged him tightly. “You by no means gave up on me regardless of how imply I used to be to you. You saved encouraging me to benefit from the magic of this world even once I refused to see it. I did such silly issues attempting to battle towards the world and the folks in it. Have a look at all of the foolish adventures I insisted on. I almost killed us all simply to get pizza!”

“Aww, mother and pa have made up,” Quinny whispered.

“Actually, you’re a nuisance,” Breanne remarked as Quinny shrugged with a smile.

“Heather,” Frank stated as he uncomfortably pried himself from her grasp. “You probably did simply superb. We had enjoyable going in your foolish adventures. Go searching you; that is the place they introduced us.”

Heather took a deep breath as she wiped at her eyes. “Why are each the nicest and meanest folks I do know on this world?”

“This world encourages unhealthy habits,” Gwen stated. “No person can implement the foundations as a result of no penalty is lasting. Even loss of life is not any menace to a participant who needs to play poorly.”

“You possibly can implement the foundations in your kingdom,” Breanne stated.

“I can place bounties on unhealthy gamers and flag them as hostile to my guards,” Gwen stated. “However I am unable to deny them entry to my borders or forestall them from attacking. A participant has final management, however a couple of dozen high-level guards can often persuade a poor participant to go elsewhere.”

“Cannot you imprison them?” Heather requested. “One other pal talked about there have been prisons.”

“I can imprison them, in fact, however I would favor to drive them off. After many lengthy months of feeling trapped in my very own fortress, I hate the considered doing such to any participant, even a foul one.”

“Lots of gamers are exhausting to imprison anyway,” Breanne stated. “When a barbarian can bend bars or a wizard teleport, it turns into fruitless to strive.”

“Oh,” Heather cried and regarded up. “That is an excessive amount of to absorb directly. I’m glad right here for a change.”

“It sounds to me such as you deserve it,” Gwen replied. “Now I’ve one final reward for you, my daughter.”

Heather laughed and checked out Gwen, who laughed again and admitted she stated that simply to make her uncomfortable. She then produced a small golden crystal and handed Heather her lesser kingdom coronary heart.

“Use it effectively. I do know you’ll,” Gwen stated with a smile. “Now, I suppose you have to hurry off to your hidden swamp lair. You’ll have to journey again the quaint method till you place the portal.”

“We should always go earlier than gamers begin to arrive,” Frank agreed. “We are able to come proper again as soon as the portal is up.”

Heather nodded and tucked her new treasures in her pouch. “I ought to take this gown off.”

“No, it’s best to take it with you, Gwen stated. “It was purchased for you in spite of everything. Hold it in any magic wardrobe, and it is going to be cleaned and repaired by morning.”

Heather took one other deep breath and regarded across the gardens. Frank was proper, this world was superb, and he or she wasn’t going to battle it anymore. This was house now, and he or she was going to make it a house price dwelling in. With a bounce in her step, they got down to return and start a brand new chapter, one the place the world and its limitless prospects have been open for a change.