Guide 4: Chapter 26: Too Late

Cash of a dozen sizes and colours stuffed the chest. Tiny gems set in rings, bracelets, and necklaces glittered within the mild. There have been a number of small glass bottles and a skinny black wand with a diamond sample to it.

Ahh, a superb discover, Margus stated as he stepped again. That hag was a excessive stage.

We have to battle extra of these, Heather insisted as she stared down on the treasure. Her thoughts might hardly grasp the wealth that was on show. She wished to dip each her arms in and carry the cash excessive to spill by way of her fingers.

We should always discover the tunnel that ogre got here out of, Quinny stated. He might need some treasure of his personal.

I wish to hold this hammer, Legeis commented. It is a first rate measurement for my armor and provides me extra attain.

Heather and the others agreed and punctiliously searched the again tunnel. It led to a small cave the place a mattress of animal furs rested on a ledge. A fast search discovered one other pile of treasure hidden in a gap underneath the furs. They pulled out a couple of hundred cash, and some gems, in addition to a cloak of black fabric with purple trim on the underside. This was added to the chest and punctiliously divided between them.

Eribold used magic to establish the potions and set them apart. One was a progress potion that may improve the drinker’s measurement. One other was invisibility, and the final one gave them water respiratory. The wand was additionally rigorously thought of and decided to be a wand of ice, capable of trigger numerous freezing results. Eribold demonstrated by firing a line of frost on the water pool, freezing a small part of it.

Quinny held up a necklace of purple stones that she actually favored and provided to pay for it with a few of her share of the cash. Margus and Eribold did not care if she took it and helped divide the incidental jewellery among the many group. When all was stated and carried out, Heather had a pile of cash and some items of jewellery. Frank had the identical and the potion of progress. Legeis had the wand of frost that he believed he might work right into a weapon system for his armor.

The one odd merchandise was the cloak. It was in good situation if a bit soiled, and Eribold’s magic stated it was completely regular. It was too lengthy for Margus to make use of, and Eribold had a magical cloak already. Breanne took the cloak ultimately and added it to her pile of cash.

Eribold took the potion of invisibility, and Margus the one for water respiratory. Eribold joked Margus wanted it since he might drown in a puddle. Heather tried to not snicker as Margus rolled his eyes and threatened to drown him within the pool close by.

Heather needed to take away Webster from her backpack to place her cash in, and when this proved to be too heavy, requested Frank to hold it. He recommended utilizing one in all her zombies to do it, however the ogre zombie expired virtually instantly after he stated it. He shouldered her pack with a sigh and led the best way out, the journey quick however rewarding.

Heather observed the jagged knife the hag was utilizing mendacity on the ground as they went to go away. She will need to have dropped it in all of the commotion, and the others forgot all about it. She picked it up, turning the unusual blade over in her arms. It was all steel from level to pommel with a kind of skull-like face the place the deal with met the blade. The blade’s curves have been light and properly outlined, making the weapon virtually inventive in its high quality. She shrugged and tucked it in her belt to take a look at later after they have been safely house.

Outdoors, the solar was within the night place, indicating it might be after midnight after they acquired house. Eribold and Margus got here again with them to spend the night time within the tower and depart within the morning. Legeis ended up carrying a lot of the packs, his armor shrugging off the additional weight. Lengthy after the celebrities got here out, the tower was lastly seen, and shortly the forest appeared. It was additional spooky to wade into the bushes of Quinn’s forest, the place the moonlight barely reached the bottom. Shadows have been there thick, and mist obscured visibility. There have been howls and unusual snaps as if one thing giant have been stalking them. Glowing eyes would seem within the distance to blink and fade away. They heard the low moans of zombies lurking someplace within the distance as they picked up the path and made their solution to the graveyard.

This place seems to be very completely different at night time, Eribold stated.

Aye, it seems to be very uninviting, Margus added.

It is completely secure, Heather stated as she clutched her scythe. One thing did really feel misplaced because the tombstones grew to become seen past the twisted steel gates. Right here the grave mist was thick because it rolled throughout the bottom turning the scene right into a haunted panorama. Frank paid it no consideration, strolling into the mist as if he belonged to it. Breanne adopted, and one after the other, they made their method. Skeletons crept by way of the shadows and darkish locations with purple eyes, watching them move. Heather was relieved to reach on the tower and rapidly retreated inside with Eribold, Margus, and Legeis.

Monica made them some bread and vegetable soup. Heather sat on the desk dreaming of cookies when Monica offered a pear tart, constituted of the magic tree’s fruit. They rapidly devoured down the deal with and determined to retire for the night time.

She discovered the bone champion standing on the window in her room. He gave the impression to be wanting into the yard as if misplaced in contemplation. She determined to disregard him and set her scythe apart earlier than choosing Webster as much as place him on a pillow. With a yawn, she climbed into mattress and had desires of treasures and jewels for a change.

The morning noticed Eribold and Margus within the outer yard touring her gardens and annoying the skeletons. It appeared like a typical day in an odd world. Frank, Quinny, and Breanne had spent the night time planning what to do with the treasure. She discovered them within the graveyard sitting on the stones and speaking. Quinny was carrying the necklace they discovered as she excitedly talked about increasing their lairs. Heather had forgotten they might sacrifice treasure and objects to realize factors. Quinny made it sound like they’d sufficient to purchase again something they’d lose within the transfer. Frank argued there have been different makes use of for the treasure, and Heather needed to ask what they have been.

He then defined that there have been particular areas they might add to their lairs. The extra treasure they saved in a particular space, the extra highly effective a monster would possibly spawn in them. If the gamers defeated the monster, they might declare the treasure, or they could die and add to it. It grew to become a sport of how a lot treasure did the monster participant wish to threat. Small quantities would imply small monsters however risked little or no. Giant quantities meant a robust monster however a way more appreciable threat.

Hugh, I’m wondering what I might do in my tower? Heather stated as she contemplated it.

I wager you would get some form of tremendous monster, Quinny stated. One thing evil and highly effective.

Heather wasn’t positive she wished evil, however one thing that was a problem can be good. Because it stood, she had little or no in the best way of monsters in her tower. There have been two skeletons guarding every door, and her bone champion. There have been particular undead and monsters she might purchase, however one thing highly effective can be good.

If Margus and Eribold ship gamers to that Gwen’s metropolis, we may have loads of site visitors, Breanne stated. You will not must spend the gold.

Hmm, what are you able to do with gold? Heather requested as Breanne smiled.

I can improve the power of the realm I’m haunting. I’ll have extra energy to have an effect on the panorama, detect gamers, and even summon different spirits. In swamps, I can name on issues known as will-o’ wisps. They’re the unusual lights individuals see in swamps and darkish woods. They’re deceptively harmful and arduous to hit. I may also name on ghosts and drowners. After I hang-out the swamp, I will likely be invisible to the monster there, they usually will not assault me.

Are you able to construct something? Heather requested.

Ultimately, I will create a kind of tomb with a magic mirror in it.

Why a mirror? Heather requested.

It has one thing to do with banshee and vainness. I cant make it very large, however I’m stronger the nearer to it I’m.

Hmm, Heather stated as Eribold and Margus arrived.

Nicely, it is time we headed out, Margus stated. It was good to see you all once more and beautiful to fulfill you, he added with a wink to Breanne.

You’ll bear in mind to inform gamers concerning the metropolis? Heather requested to make certain they hadnt forgotten.

Aye, we are going to unfold the phrase and are available go to ourselves after weve informed sufficient.

She bid them farewell and watched them depart as Legeis walked up with out his suite. He sat on a low stone and took his goggles off to wipe the lenses clear with a fabric as Heather seemed round.

The place is your armor?

I left it within the tower, he replied. It will get kinda annoying to be inside it on a regular basis. I can not do any of the work I want carried out except I get out.

You’ll want to spend every week beating the dents out of that factor, Quinny joked.

Yeah, I assumed that too, however I observed a few of them are gone. I believe perhaps as a result of it is technically a golem, it might heal slowly and repair that by itself.

Nicely, that is a plus, Breanne stated. It makes an ideal pack mule as properly.

It is good for that too, I suppose, he stated as he held the goggles up. So, what are we doing at the moment.

On the point of transfer, Frank replied. Heather was going to summon a bunch of skeletons to hold stuff for us. We might carry extra when you have been keen to assist.

Certain factor, Legeis stated. The earlier I get again to a workshop, the earlier I can put some weapons on that factor. I suppose we’re going by way of that shadow tunnel.

Umtha is not, Quinny stated. She is organizing the goblins to stroll there.

I do not blame her, Breanne stated. That place is disconcerting, and the noise these poles make is nerve-racking.

Heather agreed the sound was disturbing, however the tunnel was a lot quicker. Pondering of it made her consider the mysterious ring. She solely contemplated it a couple of seconds earlier than throwing the thought away. There was sufficient to fret about with out including that to the checklist. Legeis agreed to start out work on turning her bathtub right into a wagon so they might pile issues on it to hold away. She realized it might be unattainable to get the cart into the room except Frank used his tunneling ability to widen some doorways. Or they might unload every part and roll the bathtub in sideways, then reassemble the cart inside. Both method, it might take some effort to get the place they have been going, and at the moment was the day to get it carried out.

She summoned a hoard of skeletons and set them to the duty of gathering issues within the numerous rooms. Frank helped roll the bathtub down the steps and carried it outdoors for Legeis and a few goblins. They set about constructing a body for it to relaxation in, turning right into a kind of wagon. Heather and the others started to load their stuff into the basin and selecting skeletons to tug the factor alongside.

As she labored, there was a sudden cry from the facet, and a person in animal skins burst into the yard and struck one of many close by skeletons with a giant picket membership. Behind him got here a lizard lady in steel plates. She thrust with a spear and helped the person batter the skeleton down.

Yay, adventurers, Quinny laughed as all of them circled to see the 2 attacked a second skeleton.

Heather rolled her eyes and straightened her yellow costume earlier than casually strolling to the place the gamers have been busily looking out the graveyard.

Excuse me, Heather known as.

What is that this? the person in animal skins stated. A good damsel misplaced on this foul place.

What? Heather requested, elevating a forehead a the odd reply.

She seems to be to be a metropolis woman or a social class, the lizard lady replied.

No, Heather started, however the man reduce her off and stepped to her facet.

Truthful not, for I, Cragnor, the daring, will defend you from the hazards of this foul place.

Your title is Cragnor? Heather requested with a smirk. The person bowed and hoisted his membership to flex his bulging muscular tissues.

Cragnor the barbarian, champion of fine, and protector of the helpless. My companion Lizardra and I’ll hold you secure.

Heather seemed to the lizard lady as she bowed with a sleek of her inexperienced tail.

You two cant be severe?

We’re all the time severe and well-known for our daring deeds, Cragnor replied and seemed previous Heather to see Quinny and Legeis watching. Stand again. A foul zombie has come.

It has a goblin at its facet, Lizardra stated. Be in your guard, for this will likely be a daring battle.

Wait, one zombie and a goblin is a daring battle? What stage are you two?

We have no idea of those ranges, Cragnor replied as Heather rolled her eyes.

You two simply spawned in a couple of hours in the past, did not you?

We’ve got been right here a bit longer than that, he replied.

So a day at most, she laughed. And also you suppose youre going to guard me?

We’re daring and courageous, Cragnor replied. Watch how simply we dispatch one in all these foul skeletons.

Heather watched as they charged a close-by skeleton and needed to strike it a number of occasions to carry it down. Lizardra was wounded within the combating, they usually retreated to a mausoleum to get better.

A tough-won battle, Cragnor stated as he seemed over the bruise on her facet. However such a severe damage won’t gradual us.

You two are delusional, Heather stated with a shake of her head. You must stage to 2 earlier than you go any deeper into the yard. Possibly return into the forest and kill some bats.

We’re greater than prepared for any problem, Cragnor replied as he puffed out his chest. Nothing is simply too nice for us.

Is that so? Heather requested with a smile. She walked into the graveyard and headed for a distant skeleton.

Truthful woman, come again! They’ll tear you limb from limb!

Heather knew it was solely a matter of time now. Quickly they’d uncover the door, after which they’d break it in. She was trapped in one of many unused rooms, however she wasn’t defenseless. She realized the bone champion was useless however rapidly fell right into a spell to summon a ghoul knight. He would give her some enamel on this battle and perhaps kill one of many fools.

Theres a door right here! A voice cried as her door shook. Its barred from the within.

It rattled and shook for a couple of seconds earlier than out of the blue shattering in a hail of fragments. The ghoul knight rushed ahead with an ax and protect holding a bunch of gamers within the corridor. Heather stuffed the corridor with grave blight after which pollen solely to see each spells sudden fade away.

A sword reduce by way of the ghoul knight sending him to arms and knees on the ground. Simply as Heather was about to unleash some rotting bolts when the again wall exploded, and a person standing on a blue, glowing disc arrived. He raised a hand, and a ball of fireside raced into the doorway, blasting the gamers in flame.

The necromancer is ours! he shouted as cries of alarm echoed from the corridor.

Two others appeared within the room with a flash of sunshine. Considered one of them a second man in darkish blue robes, the opposite lady with blue pores and skin and white hair.

Moon! Heather growled as the lady smiled.

Miss me? Moon requested earlier than pointing to the doorway. Maintain them again!

The person on the disk unleashed a hail of fireballs as the person in blue started to chant, opening up a tall spinning blue cloud.

You killed my mates! Heather yelled and charged ahead solely to stumble because the ache in her again reminded her she was injured.

Seems to be like there may be no one right here to rescue you however me, Moon stated as she leaned over.

Youre the one attacking me, Heather stated by way of gritted enamel.

These fools within the corridor are mercenaries employed by one other get together. I caught wind of their assault and needed to transfer my plans up.

We have to have this dialogue someplace else, the person in blue stated as a magical portal opened up.

Moon smiled and opened a small pouch taking a pinch of powder from inside. She blew it in Heather’s face with a delicate blow inflicting her to cough. Heather out of the blue felt dizzy as her eyes grew to become heavy, and her legs weak.

Nighty night time, Moon stated as Heathers world went black.

She awoke to seek out her arms sure behind her again and her wrists tied to a put up. She was in a small picket room that rocked and shook. She turned her head to see two ladies sitting by a window because the panorama outdoors gave the impression to be shifting away.

We had higher get a good reduce for this, a lady in purple clothes with naked arms stated.

Moon promised we might be given an equal share, A girl in black leather-based armor with two swords on her again stated. She glanced at Heather to see she was awake and smiled. Did you might have a superb nap?

The place are you taking me? Heather requested as she struggled along with her binds.

The place else? To gather the bounty, the lady in purple replied.

Why did not you simply open a portal straight there? Heather requested. The 2 ladies laughed, and the one in black leaned over to handle her.

King Keven solely permits accepted wizards to open portals into the capital metropolis. If we had tried to rent a type of, they’d have develop into suspicious. We’re splitting this reward sufficient methods as it’s.

As soon as phrase will get out, we crossed the Crimson Reavers; we are going to all have bounties on our heads, the lady in purple added.

The reavers will recover from it, the opposite replied. Apart from, we may have sufficient energy and status to rent mercenaries of our personal to cope with them.

Is that this all that issues to any of you? Heather barked. You’ll all backstab each other to get even barely forward.

It is all a part of the sport, the lady in black stated. You must discover ways to play it; you might need lasted longer.

I doubt Moon goes to get her reward after I inform them she pressured me to be a necromancer. The ladies laughed and dismissed her menace. They agreed that no one would belief what Heather needed to say and even care if it was true. As they have been nonetheless laughing, a well-recognized face appeared outdoors the window, and Moon climbed in.

Whats up, darling, Moon stated with a smile. You could have made fairly the title for your self.

I’m going to reset you once more, Heather threatened. And once more, and repeatedly.

Sorry, kiddo, however solely the paladins are allowed to reset gamers. In case you did one thing like that, it might be thought of a criminal offense, they usually do have prisons right here.

And all you belong in them, Heather replied to extra laughs.

Oh, do not be upset, my expensive. Truthfully, that is higher for each of us. You get to reset and decide a brand new class, and I get the wealth and ranges I wished.

We get wealth and ranges, the lady in purple interjected. And so do the three wizards.

After all, Moon replied with a wink at Heather.

So the place am I? Heather requested.

You are in a wagon, headed for the closest metropolis. Sadly, I could not discover a wizard who might portal us any additional than my outdated city, but it surely works higher this manner. The purple reavers will assume we went to a metropolis close to the capital and be tearing them aside, in search of us.

And we slip proper in underneath their nostril, the lady in purple added.

You actually are a monster, Heather hissed.

Oh, Im not a monster. Simply an opportunist. I informed you earlier than that is simply how issues are. I knew the trail to wealth and ranges was going to be that bounty. Thats why my city was on the street from the southern spawns.

I assumed you have been there to lure gamers into constructing houses so your faux raiders might pillage them.

Moon smiled and leaned towards the wall. That was only a facet job whereas I waited for some idiot participant to spawn in as a necromancer.

You persons are pathetic. You spend all of your vitality making an attempt to get forward by regularly tearing one another down. All that issues to you might be ranges and wealth, but you will not permit a monster participant to supply them.

Please, the dungeons monster gamers construct are solely good for the primary few ranges, the lady in purple replied.

Thats since you idiots hold resetting them, Heather barked. In case you allow them to stage with you, the problem would hold going up. Close by cities would make a ton of cash from gamers who wished to play within the lairs.

The three ladies laughed, and Heather felt her blood boiling.

Sorry, kiddo, but it surely does not work like that, Moon stated because the wagon got here to a cease. A frown appeared on Moon’s face as she leaned out the again to name to someone forward. Why did you cease?

There’s a man within the street forward, a male voice known as again. He seems to be like a paladin.

We should always kill him, the lady in black stated as a hand went to a sword.

No, there isn’t any solution to know the place he’ll respawn, Moon stated. We do not want some random paladin respawning forward to inform the purple ravagers the place we’re.

The 2 ladies seemed tense as Moon informed the driving force to experience previous him and wave. They’d play it calm and do nothing to attract consideration. She then sat proper subsequent to Heather to hide her binds and pressed a dagger to her facet.

One phrase out of you, and I’ll stab you with this. It is coated in a sleeping toxin just like the mud. If you get up, you’ll be sure, gagged, and locked inside a chest for the remainder of the journey.

Heather frowned and saved quiet because the wagon rolled on. She heard the driving force greet someone, and the three ladies tried to look relaxed as they handed the stranger. Heather watched as the person lastly got here into view behind the wagon, and her eyes met with that of Skullmans.

Recognition twitched in his eyes for a short second as Moon waved to him with a smile. He saluted again and seemed away as if disinterested because the wagon rolled on.

See, nothing to fret about, Moon stated.

The final one that would come to her rescue is a paladin, the lady in purple added.

Then why is he buffing himself? The lady in black stated as all three seemed again to see golden mild forming across the man within the street.

Bloody heroes! Moon growled as Skullman drew his sword and charged after the wagon.

We acquired this, the lady in purple stated earlier than she and the black leathered lady leaped from the wagon. She ran at Skullman along with her naked arms whereas her companion drew the 2 swords. Skullman out of the blue become a blur and raced at them so quick Heather needed to blink. He collided with the lady in purple, tossing her again with a crunch. The second lady met him with cross swords, however she was out of the blue struck by what seemed like a wave. She stumbled again as Skullman reduce upward with a two-handed sword reducing a swath throughout the lady. He dashed previous her earlier than she might get better and headed straight for the wagon.

Considered one of you fools flip this hero right into a frog! Moon yelled. There was a flash of sunshine as hearth streamed down round Skullman. He stopped within the flames and pointed his sword skyward, releasing a blast of golden mild.

Heather watched as the person she noticed flying on the disc earlier fell from the sky. Skullman continued to run for the wagon as Moon produced a crossbow in a puff of smoke.

How do you make so many individuals battle for you? Moon groaned and fired an arrow that educated inexperienced mist. It struck Skullman within the shoulder, however he saved coming whilst the 2 ladies chased after him. The one in purple dashed and caught up, tacking him simply as he reached the wagon. He turned to battle her as she danced round him, pummeling him with punches and kicks. This delayed him lengthy sufficient for the opposite lady to reach in a twirl of blades, drawing blood as he tried to fend them each off.

He’s definitely a robust one, Moon stated as an arrow magically reformed in her crossbow. Paladins have so some ways to get better well being, however poison arrows will put on down his therapeutic. Simply as Moon aimed, Heather, kicked out her legs, toppling Moon from the again of the wagon. She struggled towards her bonds, but it surely was hopeless. All she might do was watch as Skullman fell behind, tangled by the 2 ladies.

He seemed her method in the course of the battle, his eyes telling the story that he would not win. She was about to surrender hope when golden mild surrounded him, and the others have been pushed again as a bubble shaped. He ran as quick as he might and threw himself into the wagon, almost toppling Moon a second time.

Skullman! Heather cried.

I informed you to go away, he panted whereas rolling to her toes.

I used to be leaving morrow, Heather exclaimed. Reduce my arms free, so I may also help.

You wont be capable to flip the tide, he groaned. They’re all my stage or greater.

Paladin! the lady in purple yelled from simply outdoors the wagon. Your aura of safety solely lasts a minute, you then’re ours.

He checked out Heather with sorrow in his eyes as she went silent.

She’s proper. I can not win, even together with your assist. He paused to take a deep breath earlier than wanting deeply into her eyes. Inform Breanne I forgive her, he stated as he acquired to his toes.

What are you doing? Heather requested as he raised his sword.

I needed to save my holy rage for a righteous smite, he stated and raised his sword. Now its your flip to forgive me.

Forgive you for what? Heather requested because the sword got here down, trailing golden mild.

Nooooo! Moon screamed from someplace to Heather’s left because the sword reduce into her shoulder, and a beam of daylight blasted the wagon, tearing into her physique. There was an explosion as Skullman launched a pool of saved energy, and the cart disintegrated. Heather felt a kind of uninteresting ache as her world pale to black, and her thoughts slipped into the quiet oblivion of the buffer.