Heather the Necromancer

Book 5: Chapter 17: The sands are dangerous

Blue bands of light wrapped around her form as Endril lifted his hand. Heather found it impossible to move as she floated in the air. Helpless, all she could do was panic as he reached in and snatched her up.

I wonder if you are Hannahs familiar? he said as a smile spread over his face. I wonder what she'd be willing to do to get you back?

Heather felt her blood boil to hear him talk so cruelly. To think he would try to use anything as leverage to get what he wanted, especially that. He was a terrible human being, or elf, or whatever he was. The issue, of course, is she wasn't a familiar, and he was going to wait for her to show up for dinner. Before she could finish that thought, he opened a trunk and took out a wooden cage so small she barely fit inside. There wasn't even room to flap her wings as he shut the door and held her up. As he did, the blue lines faded, and she was able to move but could do little besides twist her head.

Now we wait and see what she thinks of my new pet, he said and then paused a moment. He began a magical spell that made his fingers glow before tapping the cage. Their. Now you can't be resummoned to escape the cage.

Heather was furious at his actions but helpless to do anything about it. She didn't dare cry out for fear he would lock her in a trunk, or worse. He eventually hung her cage from the wagon's roof and left, only to return a minute later with Leet, who he told to guard the wagon, especially his prized bird. Leet shrugged and walked behind the wagon, looking up at Heather with a confused expression.

What makes you so special? he asked.

She wanted to croak out the word Heather but was afraid Endril would hear it. She tried to think of a way to communicate and wished she had telepathy like she did with Webster.

Webster! she nearly cried aloud to realize her salvation. With a focused thought, she reached over the distance and made contact with the spider. A quick conversation explained everything that had happened and where she was now. He wanted to come to get her himself, but Leet was guarding the wagon and wouldn't know who he was. Instead, he would try to alert Breanne, but she wasn't very fond of him and found it hard to interpret his sign language.

As the hours wore on, she grew uncomfortable. The cage was too small, and the desert air was withering her tiny form. She longed for a drink of water and was annoyed when Leet produced a bottle and took a long swig. Webster was back in her mind to inform her that the others had noticed she was gone too long. He had tried to communicate with Breanne, but she was annoyed with him and told him to go away. Thankfully, Breanne was now looking for her anyway, as were the goblins under Umthas guidance.

Frank was ready to take the question directly to Endril, pointing out that his only guard was Leet, who would take their side. Heather wondered if that was true. Endril was a sneaky one, and he had to know that picking a fight with Hannah would lead to blows with the rest. Not to mention if she were somehow in direct danger, her Bone champion would come running along with the skeletons carrying the palanquin. It was here she realized the full complexity of the situation. She was in danger, though not physically, but if left too long in this heat, he might come anyway. He wouldn't hesitate to sweep Leet out of his way, and a battle between the two of them could be terrible, especially if Heather was unable to command him to stop. Leet might very well expose what he was, raising the question of who summoned him. Her secret would be out again, and the hunters would be coming. Worse, it would draw them close to her new home and potentially put Gwen in danger.

Excuse me, Breanne said as Heather looked up from her confused thoughts.

Leet turned around to address her and very politely gave a gentle bow.

You are one of Heat . I mean Hannah's friends, he said.

Yes. I am Lady Breanne, and we are looking for a missing pet. A raven I keep in a cage in the palanquin. I let it out to fly for a bit, but it never came back. It is very well trained and always comes back to its cage for the night.

Leet sighed and nodded to the wagon as Breanne leaned over to look inside. Heather made eye contact as Breannes face took on a scowl of disapproval.

I want my bird, now, Breanne demanded.

Endril told me to guard it, Leet said. You should talk to him.

I dont need his permission to claim my property, Breanne said, turning on Leet.

You do indeed, came Endril's familiar voice. He arrived at the side of the wagon as Leet stepped back. The smiling elf glanced to Heather and then back to Breanne, giving her a stern glance. What was your bird doing poking around my wagon? he asked.

I let out every day to fly. It probably landed to poke around for food, Breanne said in a voice that reeked of threat.

Careful, Endril said with a waving finger. I detect a note of hostility in your voice. I would hate to have to ask you to leave my caravan.

You havent seen hostile yet, Breanne replied as her hands curled. I demand you release my raven this instant.

Are you sure this is yours? Endril said as he pretended to study Heather. Perhaps yours is still flying about, and this is a wild one that flew in on its own. He finished his point by glancing at Breanne as if waiting for a specific response.

I am sure it is my bird, Breanne stated. And I am taking it back, now.

Endril cleared his throat and tilted his head to Leet, who looked torn over the situation.

You have one guard? Breanne mocked. If I tell the others you are holding my bird, you will have our entire company to contend with.

You would risk a battle in the sands over a bird? Endril said with a glance at Heather. It must be important then. Is it Hannah's familiar, perhaps?

Breanne scowled with deep lines on her face. She looked as if she was about to reach for the man and strangle him. In a tense moment, she relaxed and shook her head. No, it is my pet. I purchased it a year ago from a trainer in Westmarch.

You are a terrible liar, Endril countered. You wouldnt be making such a fuss over a trained bird, but I tell you what. Go and bring the princess Hannah back. If she is willing to support your story, I will discuss returning the bird with her.

Breanne flared with anger as black tendrils of smoke began to curl about her fingers. Endril took careful note of the sudden change and stepped back, blowing a sharp whistle. Several nearby pilgrims suddenly tensed and produced staves or short knives, eyeing Breanne with cold expressions.

I thought they were pilgrims, Breanne said as she studied the new threat.

They are pilgrims, Endril replied with a broad smile. Monk warriors on their way to a shrine on the far side of the desert. I frequently help them cross the sands, and we have a good working relationship with one another. I would hate for you to see how good that relationship is.

Heather wasn't surprised at all by the sudden revelation that the pilgrims were working with Endril. This was why she was spying on him in the first place. Still, he didn't seem to be out to rob them. Instead, he was more interested in who they were and what they were doing. He was also interested in a little time alone with her, but she would rather be reset than that happen.

Now, let's avoid all this unnecessary posturing. Go and fetch the princess for me. I will discuss the bird's return with her and nobody else.

Heather watched ad Breanne retreated and turned away, giving the monks a deadly stare as she passed. Endril waited for her to be gone before turning on Leet, demanding to know what his relationship with Breanne was.

She is a friend of Hannahs, Leet said honestly. I dont know her at all.

But you do know this, Hannah, Endril insisted. I saw you talking to her.

I met her a while back before she was a princess, Leet said as he shrugged. She was nice.

I am not paying you to like to people, Endril pointed out and gave him a firm glare. If any of them try to take the bird, I expect you to stop them. Leet looked as if the idea was crazy but glanced at the cage and nodded. Endril seemed satisfied by this and looked to the rear of the caravan as if waiting for Breanne to return.

Heather felt panic-stricken inside the tiny cage. She hated the notion that she couldn't return and assume her human form and felt imprisoned twice. Not only couldn't she leave her cage, but she couldn't be her true self. It was the same sensation of terror that gripped her soul when Quinny took her form. It caused her to shake and rattle the cage, turning Endril back to study her with narrow eyes.

Are you talking to your master? he asked. Tell her to come and speak to me. I can be persuaded to release you if she asks nicely.

Heather felt rage mixing with panic as Endril smiled wide. She jumped and hopped, rattling the cage until a squeaky voice popped into her head. Webster urged her to be calm and not be alarmed by what was about to happen. Heather wondered what that meant when she heard a familiar voice call out.

You! a woman in a yellow sundress said as she stormed into view with Breanne behind. Release Lady Breanne's bird this instant!

Heather looked on herself as the panic gripped her so tightly she froze. It was Quinny playing the role to trick Endril, but it didn't do a thing to ease her reaction. Something in the back of her mind pressed forward, telling her this was a fate worse than death.

Endril looked pleased to see her and bowed gently, offering to return the bird if she would consider being more friendly. To Quinny's credit, she reacted as Heather would, insulting him and going so far as to insist he stop making advances. She wasn't interested in him or his company and wasn't coming to dinner tonight or any other night. Endril looked smug and all but threatened to keep her familiar, which caused Quinny to laugh and reach down. Heather watched as she picked up Webster and held him in Endrils' face, introducing him as her familiar. Now Endril was angry and demanded to know why the bird was in his wagon. Quinny asked him why it mattered and pressed him to explain why a bird flying into his wagon was so earth-shattering. She suggested that he must have some terrible secret to keep if he was reacting with such paranoia. She then pressed the point and asked to see the inside of his wagon, which he flatly refused.

Despite her panic, Heather was cognizant enough to look around at the wagon and wonder why he was so defensive. There was nothing to hide in the wagon unless it was inside one of the chests. Not to mention they could see into the wagon anyway, though not with any great detail. Why was Endril so concerned about them getting a closer look to see it contained nothing special?

You will return the bird, Quinny said as if the argument was over.

Endril took another look at Heather and then flatly refused. He caught the bird inside his private space fair and square. If they wanted it back, they would have to buy it, and his price was high. Quinny reacted first, climbing into the back of the wagon to reach for the cage. Endril ordered Leet to stop her, but Leet hesitated. Endril cursed and pointed a finger, firing a bolt of green light that struck the cage. Heather and the cage were sent flying as she shook from an electric zap. As the cage struck the back wall, she was shocked to pass right through it and down a small flight of steps to a brightly lit room. The cage crashed to the floor and came to a rest below a table of some kind.

Leet rushed in to separate Endril from Quinny, pleading with them to stop fighting. The monks ran forward a few steps but came to a halt as a ghostly roar filled the air.

Oh no, Breanne said as she looked to the rear of the caravan.

Leet turned around at the sound, his eyes narrowing as something green flashed in the distance.

He's coming! Quinny said in alarm as Breanne started to back away.

Who is coming? Endril said in genuine concern before separating from Quinny.

Breanne looked at him with absolute disdain. You and your foolish games! she shouted. That death night is coming, and he won't stop until whoever hurt that bird is dead!

What? Why would he do that? Endril remarked as a green flash filled the air and a monk about halfway down the line stumbled into view burning with green fire. What in the hell is that?

Careful what you wish for, Leet said and drew his sword, stepping slowly down the line to meet the incoming threat.

Another monk was thrown into the air from someplace behind the second wagon. He trailed a stream of blood from his chest as he wailed in pain before crashing into the sand. A second later, the wagon lurched, and somebody screamed before the wood buckled and snapped. In an explosion of green flames and timber, the death knight burst through it, coming directly at Endril, who was now cowering at the back of the remaining wagon.

Leet was in his path a moment later, his long black blade intercepting the pitted and rusted blade of Heathers bone champion. The two locked eyes as they both struggled to push the other aside.

Buddy, I know you are a friend of Hannahs, Leet said. Please dont make me fight you.

The bone champion uttered his first words of battle, and it only made the situation worse.

I will kill you all!

Leet's blade burst into red flames, and the two began to exchange terrible blows as green fire met red. A second later, the skeletons arrived and leaped onto Leet as well, forcing him to sprout his wings and jump into the sky to throw them off. He dived down and focused his assault on the bone champion as the monks turned to face the skeletons, who began growing long vines covered in thorns to flail at them.

What are those, and why is your death knight going crazy over a bird? Endril asked in alarm.

Why did you insist on keeping it? Quinny asked, still playing the role of Heather.

I just wanted you to like me, Endril retorted and had to duck as a blast of green flames flew over his head. What kind of death knight is that anyway?

The unstoppable kind, Breanne said and started to climb into the wagon.

Wait, you can't go in there! Endril insisted and rushed to pull her down.

Idiot, this entire caravan is about to be burned to ash in the middle of the desert, and the only thing that can stop it is that bird! Breanne shouted. Leet managed to throw the bone champion aside but was then blasted by a gout of green fire that hurled him back.

The roof of the wagon was ablaze, and Endril ducked to consider his options. Several of the monks joined the fight, trying to pile onto the bone champion but then something even larger hit one of them from the side. Frank tackled a monk who rolled and used his legs to throw him off. The monk came to his feet in a second and smiled as Frank turned to face him.

I am a master of hand-to-hand combat, the monk bragged.

Frank squared his massive shoulders and flexed his hands wide, throwing out the metal claws.

Your hands are just fists; my hands end in razors, Frank said and rushed back in. The monk punched him in the chest with a blow that didn't even slow him. Frank then proceeded to cut the monk to ribbons as he tried in vain to slow the juggernaut.

Legeis also joined the fight, firing rockets and lobbing bombs before wading in with the massive hammer. The monks were dancing around but doing little damage as the two tanked the blows with ease.

Call your friends off! Endril insisted.

Give me back the bird! Breanne yelled in return.

Endril went to say something back when a dark green form appeared behind him and shoved him aside. Umtha looked panic-stricken as she pointed to the desert and cried out in alarm.

Sand comes!

Breanne, Quinny, and Endril looked up to see a wall of darkness rolling across the desert directly at them. There was a flash of red that looked like four eyes glowering at them as Endril shook his head.

No, they dont come this far west, he muttered.

Must run; sand comes, Umtha insisted.

What is that? Quinny asked.

Endril swallowed and took off his hat as if paying his last respects.

A sand demon, he said as his voice started to crackle.

The cage had come to a halt, but it took Heather several minutes to regain her senses. The shock and subsequent tumble had left her reeling and dizzy. Now she was rapidly gaining back her focus as her anger finally began to overwhelm her panic. She wanted to scream in frustration but quickly realized the cage had broken in the fall. The base was loose and held on by only a few wooden bars. She kicked and clawed at it, trying to pry it wider to get out of the confining prison. Outside her friends were undoubtedly fighting as the bone champion would have responded to her injury. She knew this would lead to all sorts of problems, especially since he wouldn't stop unless she was preset to command it.

With great effort, she managed to grab the bottom lip and partially pull herself out, wedging her body in the narrow gap. She used her feet to push the cage along the floor until she hit a table leg. She rolled to the side and used the leg to grab on to with one claw while pushing with the other. Her body slid a little more as feathers bent back, caught in the bars. Fighting the pain, she squirmed and thrashed, grabbing bars with her beak to pry herself free, and finally slid out. Panting in relief, she lay motionless on the floor for just a moment before righting herself and walking out from under the table.

The room was made of stone blocks with lanterns hanging from chains suspended from the ceiling. Along one wall were dozens of crates and barrels. Above her head was a massive oak table that she flew up and landed on it. Here she discovered letters, and notes, most of which looked like manifests for goods. There were detailed records of who was traveling the desert and why, including a lengthy description of herself. Endril had taken the time to document his fascination with the princess Hannah and his desire to win her attention. He noted that she would give him and some other group some measure of influence in Gwens kingdom. He also recorded they were keeping a secret of some kind and traveling with a goblin woman they kept hidden in their palanquin.

She pulled some papers aside to see that Endril was documenting a search of some kind. He was looking for something lost in the desert that an unnamed third party hired him to find. His caravan was a tool to spy on travelers and learn why they were there to see if they might know something about his primary task. She hopped and poked around, using her beak to pull papers away to reveal what was underneath until finally finding one that made her eyes go wide. It was a brief note about Hathlisora and her exploits in the desert. She had dug something up that made her and Kevin argue, eventually causing them to part ways. His unnamed employer wanted him to see if he could find out more about what she dug up and potentially where she did it. There was a strange emphasis on the location as if this was more vital than anything else. As she tried to read more, there was a sudden roaring sound, and a wind blew the papers off the table. By instinct, she flew up and hid on top of a bookshelf before looking down to see Endril falling to his hand and knees as he coughed up sand.

He crawled forward a few steps before looking around with squinted eyes and then crawling for the table to reach under it and pull out the empty cage.

Here, birdy, he gasped and seemed to cough out sand. Please, I need you to come here.

Heather had no intention of going anywhere near him and instead focused on finding the exit. The steps led to a stone archway filled with a pitch blackness that reminded her of the strange world behind the mirrors. She realized this was the door and spread her wings, taking flight as she raced for the exit.

No! Wait! Endril cried as she passed through it with the same ease but was immediately buffeted by strong winds and blown into the side of the wagon. She was plastered flat against the side by a howling wind full of sand and oddly flashes of green and red. She tried to see more, but everything outside the wagon was a blur except for the flashes of color.

There you are! Breanne said as she phased into the wagon in her ghost form. Quickly, we are under attack by the desert!

Heather was shocked to hear what she had just said but didn't have time to think about it. Breanne wrapped cold ghostly hands around her and made her a ghost as well, pulling her through the side of the wagon and into swirling madness.

She caught a silhouette of Leet with red wings of fire, holding his sword out as her bone knight swung his equally powerful blade of green fire down on him. The sand grew stronger, and she lost sight of the battle as Breanne rushed her into a sudden pocket of calm.

Umtha stood on the palanquin, chanting some kind of spell that caused a bubble of calm air around a small radius. Breanne set Heather down on the palanquin and quickly produced the statue that was once again her form. Quinny was herself again, standing at the edge of the bubble calling out to Legeis and Frank as loudly as she could.

I am sorry we had to do that. We all know how you feel about it, Breanne said as Heather grabbed hold of the statue. With a quick call of the command word, she was herself again, and her heart began to beat normally for a change.

Oh, thank goodness, Heather cried and looked around. What is going on?

Umtha, hold back sands, she said with a weak voice. Must protect egg.

Protect it from what? Heather asked as she saw Quinny wade into the blowing mist and vanish.

That fool girl, Breanne muttered and took her spectral form before rushing into the stands after her.

Wait? Heather called and dashed a few steps before stopping, afraid to enter the blowing mist. She nearly jumped when Webster tapped at her leg but was grateful he was safe. She bent down to talk to him and asked him what was going on. He chirped, and she saw images of eyes in a cloud of sand as it rushed over the wagons. To her great relief, Breanne returned and dropped Quinny into the sand beside the palanquin. Quinny reached up with a weak hand and coughed, spitting sand out of her lungs as she groaned.

There is something out there, she muttered. Something big is walking in the storm. It killed two of the monks in seconds.

And what good did you think you were going to do against it? Breanne asked before turning to Heather. There is a sand demon attacking the caravan. Umtha says it is looking for something.

Heather briefly wondered if that something was the egg, but why would it be looking for that?

Where is Frank? Heather asked as Breanne looked back to the storm.

He and Legeis are still out there, Quinny choked. I don't think they knew we have a safe pocket.

We have to find them, Heather insisted and took a cautious step toward the blowing doom. She realized that going into that was suicide and turned to Breanne for help.

I will go find them, the banshee said.

Last I saw him, three of those monks were trying to hold him off, Quinny said. They weren't doing a good job.

Breanne nodded and flew into the blowing sand, her spectral form hardly noticing the wind.

What happened after he shot my cage? Heather asked, unable to understand the change of situation.

Quinny looked at her in surprise and started to look around as she recounted the story.

When Endril shot your cage, Breanne and I attacked him. Leet tried to break us up peacefully as those monks came running, but your bone champion came out of nowhere and tried to cut Endril in two. Leet tried to stop him, and the two started trading fire like crazy while Breanne and I tried to make Endril give you back. The skeletons, Frank, and Legeis, came running, and it was all explosions and fighting all around the wagon, but then Umtha ran up and said the sand was coming. We looked, and out in the distance, you could see a wall of blackness sweeping over the desert and heading right for us. It was a sandstorm, but it was alive and had red lightning flashing inside. Before anyone knew what was happening, it was on us, and then something big started attacking out of the clouds.

A sand demon, Heather said as she remembered what Endril said. Those are so dangerous even Hathlisora needed a whole team of people to take one down.

Demon near, Umtha said. Look for something. Knows it here.

What would it be looking for? Heather asked as two strange white lights appeared in the blowing sands. A moment later, Legeis waded out of the fog with bright lights like a car's headlights turned on. He had a massive rent in his armor's side that showed the lines of four large claws. A dome of glass protected his head, but it was frosted over by blowing sand, making it hard to see through. He had to open it up to look down as his ears perked up to see her.

Call that thing off, he said and pointed back to the sand. Its killing everything in its path.

You mean my bone champion? Heather asked, not sure what he was referring to.

No, the giant black thing with four arms, he said. It picked up my armor and tossed it like it weighed nothing. I can't even aim at it in all that sand, and it's jamming up my gears.

I have nothing to do with that, Heather said in alarm. That's a sand demon, and it's not going to listen to me.

Great, Legeis sighed. At least half the goblins are dead. I know for sure all the monks are, and that Endril person seems to have vanished. Only that friend of yours is still standing, but your bone champion is determined to kill him.

Leet! I forgot about him, Heather said and ran to the edge of the protective bubble. She called out in as loud a voice as she could, ordering the bone champion to stop fighting and come to her side. She cried it again and again until Breanne suddenly burst through the blowing sands with an arm over Frank's shoulder.

I cant see, Frank insisted. The sand has blinded my eyes.

I got you, Heather said and came to his side. She pried the helm from his head and cupped his face as she cast her mend the dead spell. His eyes were full of sand, but the spell caused it to wash away as if water were being poured on them. A moment later, he blinked and looked at Heather with a smile.

You got away, he said.

Endril broke the cage when he shot it, Heather replied just before a howl filled the air. They looked up as four red eyes glared down on them from above. Heather never felt terror like this in her life, but on instinct, she reached a hand out and summoned her scythe. Clutching it bravely, they all turned to face the beast, who was nothing more than glowing eyes looking down into their bubble.

There was a flash of red, and the eyes pulled away as another terrible roar filled the air. Heather saw wings of fire for just a moment and realized Leet was fighting the monster.

Leet is taking that thing on alone, she said in shock.

Hes going to die, Frank said. Demons and devils hate one another. That thing will likely focus all its attention on Leet until it has ground him into the dust.

Then we can use the time to get away, Legeis suggested.

And go where? Breanne asked. None of us know which way is safe, and I doubt we can outrun that thing.

Well, we can't stay here, Legeis shouted over the roar.

Umtha tired, the goblin woman said. Wont hold back much longer.

Heather took stock of the situation and had a brilliant idea. She tried to stare into the sand and see the wagon as she voiced her thoughts. I know where to go, she said. Endril has a magic door in his wagon to a secure room someplace else. If we can get through it, we can escape the sands.

Then let's grab our stuff and go, Frank said.

We can't grab anything. We don't have any skeletons to carry the palanquin, Breanne said and pointed to where it sat on the ground. They ran in with the bone champion and have been pulverized.

I can carry one side, Legis said. Frank can get the other.

I am pretty strong, Quinny said. I can help carry it for a little bit.

Wait, we have to find my bone champion, Heather urged.

Must go now, Umtha urged as another roar filled the air.

He will find you if he is still alive, Frank reminded.

Heather hated to leave him behind but relented as Umtha climbed into the palanquin and focused on her protection spell. Frank and Legeis picked up the ends and began to walk with it, carrying the bubble with them as they searched for the wagon. Umtha was sweating as she threw a pinch of golden dust in the air and began to falter, her bubble suddenly getting smaller.

She is losing control, Frank said. If that sand engulfs us again, we're doomed.

And we will lose the egg, Quinny said.

Just as Heather was about to panic, a wagon wheel appeared, followed by another and the torn shredded remains of the wagon's upper canopy. Still, there was a stout wooden frame a the back standing like an inviting portal.

Its through there, Heather said and pointed. The wall is an illusion.

Thats too small for the palanquin, Legeis said.

Then leave it behind, Breanne yelled. Grab the egg and the trunk and run for the door!

Everyone exploded into motion as Frank and Legeis worked to gather the things and carry them into the wagon, now filling with sand. Quinny tested the door first and vanished through it, quickly followed by Breanne. Frank went through next, carrying the egg, followed by Legeis, who had the trunk with Heather's things in them. Heather snatched up Webster and then helped Umtha step down as she wobbled, her strength fading. Heather put an arm around her back and practically carried her to the doorway. There was a sudden roar, and she looked back to see four red eyes blurred by the blowing sands. They were glaring down on her, the fight with Leet clearly over. She screamed and ran for the door, hurling herself, Webster and Umtha through it as the beast roared in anger.

They tumbled down the steps and were caught by Frank, who took Umtha from her arms. Heather took a few moments to pant before looking up to see Endril holding a hat in his hands and looking around with a frightened expression.

I can explain, he said as Heather rose slowly, glaring at him with murder in her eyes.