Ebook 4: Chapter 21: Flowers for a paladin

That is your own home? Legeis requested as he checked out a small room filled with cobwebs, piles of moldy wooden, and some skeletons. I assume necromancers like dusty tombs.

Heather lives in a tower, Frank stated. That is some type of spoil.

This room does look acquainted, Quinny stated as she walked into it.

Are you guys kidding me? Heather requested as she circled. This is likely one of the rooms below the ruined necromancer tower we discovered the guide in. She flinched as Frank blinked his lidless eyes and seemed about.

Youre proper, he stated and scratched at his head. Had been an hour from residence.

But it surely took us days to get there, Quinny stated. We had been solely in that place a number of hours.

One thing about that different place should have been magical, Heather stated. It allowed us to journey the space in a fraction of the time.

Supplied time works the identical manner inside that place, Legeis added. For all we all know, we had been strolling for every week in there.

It certain felt prefer it, Quinny added.

Should return! Umtha interjected. Take egg residence.

Heather had virtually forgotten Umtha in all the joy and turned to take a look at the goblin lady. She may see the anger in her slim eyes as she frowned disapprovingly.

I promise I’ll take the egg again, Heather stated. However since we’re right here, why not see if our stuff is protected, and get some provides. You must verify in your village and ensure your goblins are protected.

We must always verify on whats his title with the village, Quinny urged. If something has gone on, he would probably find out about it.

His title is Finneous, Breanne reminded. And youre proper, we must always verify on him.

Not good go away egg, Umtha insisted. Too vital.

Heather went to argue however stopped as a thought dawned.

What do you imply, its vital? What are you aware about it? she requested, trying on to Umtha.

Take egg to mom, Umtha insisted. Should be born.

Uhhuh, Heather stated with a nod. Why?

What imply why? You promise! Umtha argued.

And I’ll take it, however you appear to know why I ought to. Inform me why it’s so vital I take the egg now?

The others turned to look at as Umtha started to twist uncomfortably, dragging a foot on the ground as she appeared to wrestle with the reply.

You recognize greater than you are telling me, Heather stated. You recognize what that egg is or what it is for. Why will not you inform me?

I promise preserve secret, Umtha stated.

Who did you make this promise to?

Umtha sighed and walked as much as poke Heather within the arm. You.

Heather rolled her eyes and threw her head again in frustration. I want extra cookies.

I had some proper earlier than we left, Quinny replied as Heathers abdomen growled.

Be quiet, she scolded her abdomen. I’ve sufficient to fret about. You had two dozen cookies already anyway.

So, what ought to we do? Frank requested.

Heather seemed up from her abdomen and took a deep breath. We go residence, verify on our lairs, and Finneous. I wish to get some issues from the tower and summon one other guardian.

Then what? he requested.

Heather took an extended second to resolve on her reply. On the one hand, she wished to remain right here a number of days to get better and do a little analysis. On the opposite, she wanted to return the stone to Gwen and do one thing about this egg. She supposed it might be weeks earlier than gamers began returning to the swamps, and the goblins had been nonetheless defending it. It might be protected with out her trying over it, however she was interested by what position it performed. The dragon knights appear to point she stole it from them to return it to its mom. Did that make it a dragon egg? Umtha made it sound extra mysterious prefer it was a part of some better goal in her life. Regardless of the cause, she wished to seek out out and see the place the path led. There was additionally the matter of shifting. Ought to they keep right here or transfer to the swamps? It might put her nearer to the bookstore, and a modest metropolis that ought to be good as soon as gamers returned. She was additionally nonetheless contemplating tampering with Gwen’s kingdom coronary heart. Ought to she try and make a golem of her personal earlier than giving it again? If that’s the case, she would want the workshop within the mountains to make it occur.

We return, Heather stated ultimately. Legeis has no residence right here anyway. Let’s verify on our issues, and spend an evening or two right here. Then we return to the swamps. I’ll tamper with a golem of my very own, then return the stone to Gwen. Then we take the egg and observe the path. I wish to see what different secrets and techniques I used to be a part of.

Have you ever thought-about shifting there for good? Frank requested.

Heather sighed and seemed into his boring yellow eyes. I’m fascinated about it. I simply want a bit of extra time. He nodded his head, however she may see he wasn’t satisfied. She wasn’t certain what she wished proper now, however a day or two to be nonetheless and give it some thought appeared one of the best plan of action.

Legeis, I will provide you with a room within the tower to make use of till we return, Heather added as she turned to handle him.

Effective by me, he replied as he leaned over from the highest of his armor. However uh, how do I get out of right here?

Heather pointed to the door and realized it was too small for the armor to make use of.

Nice, she groaned and slapped her brow.

I can dig the doorway open wider, Frank provided, saving them from the issue. It took almost an hour for Frank to widen the doorway and the tunnels past, however ultimately, they crawled out of the cave. Frank led the best way by way of the forest with Breanne scouting forward in banshee type to search for hazard. Briefly order, they had been within the fields, and an hour later, the goblin village beside the stream got here into view. Past it was Heather’s tower, and the graveyard, trying simply as they left it.

It feels unusual to be right here, Quinny stated. For some cause, I did not assume we might be again.

Fortunately, that magical path introduced us residence rapidly, Breanne added.

What concerning the different paths? Frank requested, drawing a glance from the others. You recognize the 2 paths we could not attain.

There have been two different paths, Heather agreed as she remembered the crossroads. However the magic poles had been lacking so we couldnt attain them. I ponder the place these go?

I’m in no hurry to seek out out, Quinny stated. That pulsing noise they made sounded creepy.

That complete place was creepy, Breanne stated. It was barren of all the pieces however ash, and sounded prefer it was deep underwater.

It did kinda sound prefer it was underwater, Frank agreed.

No matter that darkness was, even my goggles couldnt see by way of it, Legeis added.

And it was filled with useless paladins, Heather stated. Why does each path we take result in extra mysteries?

I feel we now have had sufficient of them for at the moment, Breanne provided. Lets take an evening to get better and discuss it tomorrow.

They approached the village, and Umtha walked in with nothing extra to say as Heather led the best way to the tower. The graveyard seemed untouched, however the entrance door of her tower was huge open. Inside, the guardian skeletons had been useless, so she summoned a hoard from the yard and despatched them in first. After an hour of sweeping the tower, they determined it was empty of gamers. Heather set Legeis up in a room throughout from Breanne and went to her room to alter. She settled on a pink costume with white trims and an identical solar hat. She left her scythe behind and determined to discover the kitchen and verify on Monica. Webster scurried behind as she made her manner down the steps and down the corridor behind the tower.

Monica was onerous at work, peeling potatoes beside a kettle on the range. She hummed a bit of tun swaying her dark-haired head as she labored. Heather was grateful to see her and poked across the kitchen to seek out one thing candy to eat.

Oh! Good day, my girl. I did not know you had been again, she stated sweetly when she observed Heather trying within the cupboards.

Good day, Monica. Do we now have any cookies by probability?

Cookies? Monica replied with a raised forehead. I may make you a stew.

Is that what you are making now? Heather requested, trying on the kettle she was laboring over.

Ah, huh, Monica replied with a smile. Vegetable stew, good and hearty.

I’m so going again to the swamp, Heather groaned after which observed the 2 skeletons guarding the again door. Those in entrance had been gone, however these had both respawned or been left untouched. Monica, did different gamers come into the tower?

Sure, a number of of them did, she replied. A pleasant man with a employees, after which three girls in armor, oh, and an insect one who was very impolite.

Impolite? Heather requested.

Sure, he saved demanding to know the place the treasure was and referred to as me a nugatory NPC.

There is no treasure, Heather replied. I swear the guests don’t know that fantasy worlds have treasure.

Monica shrugged and went again to dicing the potatoes as Heather sighed and went out the again door. She seemed as much as see the solar was nonetheless excessive within the sky. She contemplated what position she had in its present situation as she made her method to the bench below the big oak tree. She took a second to look at her magical tree to see it coated in yellow flowers, the thriller fruit on its manner.

Umm, she started. No, I have never met too many individuals out right here. After I do, they’re simply right here to play, or searching for the necromancer that does not exist. She fumbled together with her arms and seemed to the precise and remembered her tower.

So, umm, these are my pink roses, she stated, rapidly turning to lookup the tower wall.

They’re lovely, he replied as he seemed on the crimson curtain earlier than him.

I put the pink ones right here as a result of Frank says its an excessive amount of shade to see from the graveyard.

I agree, Skullman stated. I just like the secluded backyard impact it creates again right here. A gorgeous place for a fantastic lady.

Heather twisted nervously as she tried to clear her head. Why was she extra nervous {that a} paladin was hitting on her as a substitute of hitting her? Extra so, why did she really feel responsible?

So, I hope you are not dissatisfied that there was no necromancer so that you can usher in, she stated nervously.

By no means, he replied as he turned to treat her. I discovered one thing of a lot better worth.

She seemed up into his eyes and noticed the metal blue depth staring again at her. Her thoughts started to swim as she silently prayed for Quinny to interrupt them or perhaps a dragon to assault.

Are you alright? he requested.

No, I imply, sure. I imply, I’m high-quality.

He smiled and stepped away, heading for the stone bench.

There are some beautiful gardens within the main cities, he stated as he arrived on the bench. Have you ever had an opportunity to go to any of them?

Heather took an extended second to reply. She hardly heard a phrase he stated and needed to replay it in her thoughts earlier than she may reply.

No, I’ve solely traveled north as soon as, after which solely to the dwarven lands.

Let me guess, pizza?

She smiled and began to sway once more.

How do you know?

He sat on the bench with fun.

The dwarves make a few of the greatest pizza within the land. I really like how they cowl it in a whole layer of sausage.

I do know, its extra like a spherical lasagna, she laughed.

And the cheese they make from these highland cows. There’s something about it that may’t be replicated by different kinds of milk.

Heather nodded and stepped nearer. So, will you inform folks they’ll cease losing their time popping out?

To satisfy you was hardly a waste, he replied.

She fought to maintain management and was afraid she was blushing. He saved saying issues in simply the precise method to play at her feelings. She realized that it doesn’t matter what, a paladin was not a buddy to make, not if she wished to maintain her class as a necromancer.

Thanks in your variety phrases, however few individuals who come listed here are as good as you might be. I’d moderately most of them went someplace else. I get sick of getting to elucidate myself on a regular basis.

I’m certain it will get outdated, he agreed.

I even had some orcs kick in my entrance door, she sighed. They had been very indignant I wasnt a necromancer.

He shrugged. For the type of reward that is provided for a necromancer, I perceive why.

I had no thought being pals with a ghoul was going to trigger a lot bother, she sighed as she approached him. He moved over on the bench, inviting her to sit down beside him. She seemed down on the empty place that was dangerously near him. One thing inside dug at her senses, imploring her to be rational. This was a fantasy world. The true him most likely seemed nothing like this. Heck, he may have been a she in the true world. As that thought occurred, it was rapidly adopted by one other one. Wouldn’t it matter what he or doubtlessly she seemed like within the different world? Did it matter what he seemed like now?

Heather? Quinny referred to as from someplace close to the graveyard, inflicting her to thank her fortunate stars.

I’m again right here, she shouted again.

A buddy of yours? Skullman requested.

Thats Quinny, the zombie participant, Heather replied. You, you wont kill her?

If she is a buddy of yours, definitely not, he replied.

She nodded as Quinny got here across the path in her white robe, not noticing the paladin till she was a dozen steps away.

Woah, she stated and stopped in her tracks. Whose the candy deal with?

Heather paused to assume that by way of earlier than responding with a shake of her head.

Quinny, that is Skullman, a paladin off… she trailed off, not remembering who he was a paladin of.

Mithenlar, he stuffed in for her and stood as Quinny took a step away.

He isnt going to assault, Heather stated with a frown. He’s very good.

Paladins and undead have a poor historical past, Quinny replied and seemed him over. What sort of paladin names himself, Skullman?

He shrugged with a smile. I preferred the title. I determine it means I battle skeletons.

Now we have definitely have loads of these, Quinny admitted. However youre not low stage, what are you doing right here? Are you trying to find Heather once more?

He set free a sigh and seemed to Heather as she met his gaze once more. He winked after which turned again to Quinny.

I used to be searching a necromancer, however I discovered a fantastic flower as a substitute.

Heather was certain she was blushing now as Quinny checked out her oddly. Slowly a smile unfold over Quinny’s face, and she or he dared to come back nearer.

So that you discovered a flower, Quinny repeated. Heather is kinda fairly in her boring human methods.

Hey! I’m not boring, Heather protested. Frank simply wouldnt enable me to be a golden sprite.

People aren’t boring. They’ve essentially the most choices and make wonderful paladins, Skullman interjected. And equally wonderful flower singers.

Heather smiled and glanced at Quinny, who had a mischievous look on her face. She sauntered to Heather’s aspect and put an arm round her waist.

Poor, lonely Heather. She hardly meets any males manner out right here, Quinny started. We preserve telling her she ought to go to one of many cities, however she desires to stick with her pals.

I’m starting to doubt who these are, Heather retorted, however Quinny ignored her. She turned again to Skullman, who gave the impression to be having fun with the show and requested a query that was bothering her.

So you are a paladin of Mithenlar. I assumed paladins worshiped Allamure.

Skullman shook his head and took an informal stance. Some worship Allamure, particularly the paladins of King Kevin, however there are two dozen or so gods and goddesses which have paladins.

There are? Heather requested, now intrigued.

Why sure, and relying on the kind of god you worship, your paladin has particular powers. I worship a god of fight and therapeutic. I can heal higher than most different paladins, and I’ve a number of buffs that enhance my fight talents. I may even put that buff on others for a short while.

I see, Heather stated. So, in case you worshipped a god of the seas, you may breathe underwater or speak to fish?

Skullman laughed and waved a hand. Perhaps not that, however those that worship Corrinus the tide lord can stroll on water, and summon or dismiss storms.

Hmm, Heather replied as she folded her arms. There may be a lot to find out about this place.

An excessive amount of, he agreed. However I’d be comfortable to let you know about it.

She glanced at Quinny, who gave her a nudge that made her blush all of the tougher. She stood tall and went to answer when the again door of the tower opened, and a tall elven lady with coal-black hair walked out. Breanne stopped on the highest step and seemed down the trail with a shocked expression.

Skullman? she stated in a haltering voice.

Heather watched in shock as Skullman seemed up, his smile fading, and his brows creased. Properly, nicely, girl Breanne, right here is the place you might be hiding.