Heather the Necromancer

Book 5: Chapter 58: A very odd friend

Heather, Quinny, and Breanne looked on in stunned silence as a female form stepped out of the wall of the mysterious cabin. It blurred for a second and then became a clearly defined human woman with long white hair and piercing blue eyes. She was dressed in a simple blue slip that ended at the knees as she walked to the edge of the porch.

Why would you give me away? she asked. I worked so hard to stay hidden here.

I didn't give you away, Jaina countered. They knew there was something strange about the cabin and even suspected it might be a mimic. Why were you trying to hide anyways?

Are you kidding me? the woman laughed. Do you not realize how badly people hate mimics? I have news for you. We're one of the most hated and hunted races. People go mad out of their way to reset player mimics, and once they discover one word travels fast. Not to mention they need our blood and other parts to make potions or cloaks of blending.

I haven't had any trouble with players, Jaina replied. In fact, I can probably name a hundred players who would stand in my defense if somebody came looking for me.

Well, good for you, the woman grumbled and looked over Jaina again. Why aren't you layering clothing on?

My master prefers me to be naked, Jaina replied. Though I do wear clothing from time to time.

Your master? the woman repeated and then looked at the collar around Jainas neck. Youre a sex slave?

I am, Jaina replied with a big smile. A shape-shifting sex slave is a rather hot commodity.

I bet, the woman replied with a raised brow.

Excuse me, Heather cut in as she and the others dared to approach. Why exactly are you hiding in the swamp?

Why not? the woman replied. Nobody comes here, and it's full of easy experience. The swamp monsters are easy to lure close to the house. Actually, you three lured one in for me one time.

So thats what happened to that thing that was chasing us, Breanne said in alarm.

Heather felt perplexed by the mimics' rather simple explanation. There had to be more reason to sit idle in a swamp for months, but she felt trying to corner her on the notion might not be the best strategy.

Well, Heather began and approached to stand beside Jaina. I am glad to meet you. My name is Heather, and this is Jaina, Breanne, and Quinny.

The woman looked shocked for a second, then pointed to herself and said her name was Viylah. Something about her entire demeanor changed, but she quickly hardened again as if worried this was a trick.

Well, Viylah, if you really want to be left alone, we will leave you in peace, Heather said.

Then why do you keep coming back here? Viylah asked.

Because we made our homes in the swamp just north of here, Heather replied and pointed over the water. We are fond of being left alone too.

Yeah, most of us are monster players, Quinny added.

You are? Viylah asked as she looked them over.

I'm a zombie, Quinny said and then pointed to Breanne. And she's a banshee.

You already know I'm a morphic, Jaina said and looked at Heather.

And I am a lilithu devil. Some of our friends are goblins, ghouls, and I suspect a werewolf, Heather said.

Whose the werewolf? Quinny asked.

I will tell you later, Heather replied and stared at the strange woman. We have done good things for the queen of this land, and she made me a princess. So we monster players are now protected and allowed to build our lairs free from harassment.

As much as she can manage anyway, Breanne added.

So, you're a princess in this kingdom? Viylah asked as if she didn't believe it.

I sure am, and I am getting married soon, I hope, Heather replied.

You dont know if you are getting married? Viylah asked.

Its a long story, Heather sighed. The short version is I have to complete a task first, then we can get married, but I have no idea when we will be done.

It cant be too far now, Quinny said. Umtha said it was close.

Oh, good, You have been talking to Umtha too, Heather grumbled and looked down as Webster tapped her leg. Oh, and this is my familiar, Webster, she added and picked him up.

He's a furry little sweetheart, Jaina added and petted him.

Why are you four talking to me like nothing is wrong? Viylah asked.

Because nothing is, Heather replied. Look, we're all monster players trying to live in a hostile world. All I want to do is say that we are glad to know you are here, and you're welcome to stay or even move into our area.

I could move into your lair? the woman laughed. You want to trap me, don't you?

Oh, for goodness sakes, Jaina groaned. I have almost evolved myself. They don't need you if they want mimic parts to make potions.

She is offering you a home where you will have friends and company, Breanne added. She did the same for Quinny and I when we had nowhere to go.

Just think about it, Heather urged. It cant be any fun sitting out here day after day with nobody to talk to.

You are seriously inviting me, a complete stranger, to come live with you? Viylah said distrustfully.

Look, Heather said with a groan. I have seen firsthand how monster players are treated, and I hate it. When I stumble on a monster player who is in hiding or in trouble, I do what I can to help. I don't need to know your life story or what you did in the past to see this is no life. I would go mad sitting in a swamp alone all day, so I can't imagine you are feeling any better.

It is rather lonely, the woman admitted and looked down. But, I dont know if I can leave this spot.

Why not? Heather asked with a raised brow.

You see, a long time ago, I had a true friend, and we had to part for reasons beyond our control. She promised to find me again one day, and this was the last place I ever saw her.

Oh, so you're hoping she will come back here to look for you, Heather said with a nod. Well, can we leave a sign or something, pointing them to where they can find you?

I suppose we could do that, Viylah said and tapped at her cheek. I have to admit the more I talk with you, the more I realize how much I have missed it.

Its ridiculous that you have been out here alone all this time, Breanne grumbled. How long have you been here anyway?

Years, Viylah admitted. I have been too afraid to move on, and the experience is easy to come by. You have no idea how many monsters I kill a day.

No wonder the monster population seems so sparse, Quinny laughed.

Now I know why it felt so strange to pass through the walls of that house, Breanne said. It was because I was passing through a living thing.

Actually, that felt strange for me too, Viylah replied. It was like you were freezing me from the inside out.

So, you knew we were monster players way back then, Breanne stated. Why didn't you try to talk to us?

Just because somebody is a monster player doesn't mean they can be trusted, Viylah stated. I was betrayed twice by monster players and was nearly reset for it once.

Gisley has that problem, Jaina said sadly. People see how much her glitter is worth, and they go crazy to try and acquire it.

Well, you're secret is out, and nobody is attacking you, Heather said. So you are welcome to come with us to see our home, and maybe you can find a place to fit in.

What do you have to lose? Jaina added.

I? Viylah started and then melted away, her body turning into a gray ooze that sank into the floor.

What happened? Heather asked.

Oh, shes just taking control of her mass, Jaina said. Shes a powerful mimic, and that body we were talking to was more like a puppet than the real her.

Heather nodded as the whole cabin started to move, the walls suddenly flexing as if fluid. It rose up, stretching higher and higher into a column of gray that then quickly formed a roughly humanoid shape before coalescing into Viylah.

She's a giant, Quinny laughed as they all looked up to the nearly ten-meter tall woman.

Seriously, youre going to bring all that mass with you? Jaina asked.

Why should I give it up? Viylah asked. I spent the time collecting it, and I dont want to leave it behind.

I dont understand? Heather said.

Mimic's can absorb mass from things they kill, adding it to a mass pool. They use that to create large shapes like the cabin, Jaina said. The problem is the more mass they have, the more sedentary they have to be. They have to leave the mass behind if they want to move significant distances.

And I am not doing that, Viylah stated. I will bring it with me.

Which is why shes so big, Jaina sighed. She is carrying all that extra mass.

So long as she can move it, why not? Heather said and turned around to head for the boat. Lets take her to the graveyard.

You are going to travel in that little boat? Viylah asked.

Well, yeah, Quinny laughed. None of us wants to swim.

Let me do it, Viylah grumbled and stepped across the road to wade into the water. Her shape went gray, and the form collapsed, spreading over the water before reforming. She became a wide boat with a dozen benches and three oars on each side. Once again, a human form rose in the center and took her shape at a normal size. Get on, she beckoned.

This is neat, Heather laughed as a wood plank stretched from the boat to the shore. They climbed aboard as Viylah looked over the water, and once seated, the oars worked on their own.

Mimics are neat, Quinny said as they began to slide across the swamp.

I cant wait until I am as strong as she is, Jaina said.

This is rather amazing, Breanne added. Is there no limit to the shapes you can take?

The simpler, the better, Viylah replied. Anything with complex parts is a challenge and requires concentration. The oars, for example, take some effort to work. Something like a door with hinges isn't so big a deal, but a clock with turning gears would be a nightmare.

This is why Mimics often fake being stationary objects like beds or chests, Jaina said. I have heard of a few being as large as a house before, but I never thought I would meet one.

You will forgive me, but where are we going? Viylah asked.

Heather explained the way back, steering her to the right a little and suggesting they could get their bearings when the first of Breanne's islands came into view. With six oars in the water, the trip was much faster, and when they finally reached the graveyard shore, their boat sprouted legs and walked onto dry land. They jumped down as Heather rushed ahead to command the undead present to ignore Viylah.

I will have to get Frank to add her to his friend's list, Heather said.

Add who? Frank called, and they all turned to see him coming out of a mausoleum.

What are you doing here? Heather asked as the tower gray ghoul walked up and started at the large boat with a strange woman standing in it.

The others saw you were missing, so Blackbast asked me to come to find you, he said and scratched at his head. What's with the boat?

Oh, thats Viylah, Heather said and turned around to wave. Shes going to set up in our lair somewhere.

And she brought her boat? Frank pressed.

No, the boat is her, Heather groaned and turned around. Will you please show him?

Viylah nodded, and Frank looked on in amazement as the boat melted into a giant mass of gray goo that then rose up and turned into a female giant. The woman then walked over the tombstones to tower above them all as she looked around the graveyard.

So this is your home? Viylah asked.

Well, Frank is a Carrion Knight, so he set up a graveyard as his home base, Heather said and then explained how she lived in the tower and the caves behind it.

Could I set up in the graveyard? Viylah asked.

If you want, Frank said as he scratched his head in confusion.

Shes a mimic, Heather said as Viylay walked down one of the graveyard paths.

Why is she so big? Frank asked as the ground shook slightly.

Something to do with absorbed mass that I don't' understand, Heather sighed. The point is she was all alone out in the swamp, so I invited her to stay with us.

How did you find her? Frank said as Viylah looked over a rather plain mausoleum in the center of a plaza.

She was that cabin in the swamp, Heather explained and then looked to Jaina for help. Jaina went over the whole story of how a morphic evolved into a mimic and how they could consume and store mass. Most of what they were seeing was bonus mass and not the actual Viylah.

I wonder if she can eat the undead? Frank asked.

She should be able to, Jaina replied. But I bet they offer less mass than a living creature.

Could I have this space here? Viylah called as she pointed to the mausoleum.

I guess so, Frank replied. But there are stairs hidden underneath it that lead to my tunnels.

Perfect, Viylay said and stepped back. Can you remove the building?

Frank nodded and concentrated on bringing up his character sheet. He tapped his way into the building options and then across a map of his graveyard. With a touch, the mausoleum vanished, leaving a stairwell in the ground.

Viylah suddenly melted, her mass flowing like ooze over the space once occupied by the mausoleum. Then, it started to rise, taking shape until it was a near replica of the building that once stood there. More of her mass spread across the ground, covering the stone walkway in a gray sheet that quickly took on the texture of cut stones, mirroring the ones beneath.

Wow, Quinny said. You would never know she was there.

Frank walked right up to the building and threw open the heavy wooden door, unable to believe he was handling a mimic. He looked inside to see a stone sarcophagus concealing the stairwell.

If you want to use the stairs, just say so, Viylah's voice echoed from around his head. I will open a path for you.

This is amazing, Heather added as she joined Frank. We are standing on a mimic.

We hide easily, Viylah said from behind them.

Heather turned around in Alarm to see the woman standing in the plaza as if detached from her structure.

How are you doing that? Heather asked.

I cant wait to be able to do that, Jaina laughed.

I am using a power called object permanence. Once I set the mass I have collected in a particular shape; I don't have to focus on keeping it that way. I can then use my actual mass to make a body like this and move about the space. But some part of me must always be in contact with the mass, or I lose it.

And you are in contact how? Heather asked.

The ground, Viylah replied. This whole walkway is me now. I can move around it to my heart's content. I have enough mass to spread out down one of the walkways if I wanted to, but instead, I hid the mass down the stairwell. That way, I can use it when I need to.

I want to be a mimic, Quinny groaned.

I have to say I sure have enjoyed being one, Jaina said. I am looking forward to when I have clone.

Whats clone? Frank asked.

It allows a mimic to divide in half, Viylah answered. I have it, but I rarely use it. It's much harder to do when you have a lot of mass. The thing about it is the division must be exactly equal, and the more mass you have, the more time it takes to divide. If Jaina were to do it with just her body, she would divide in seconds, creating two identical versions of herself. But when you have as much mass as I do, it would take closer to an hour to complete the divide.

So you can become two completely separate people? Heather asked in amazement.

Not separate, Jaina corrected. You share one stamina pool and one mind. It's basically two bodies with two health bars, but one everything else.

And it takes some practice to do, Villa said.

So does it create two small Jainas? Quinny asked.

Ha, no, Jaina laughed. A mimic can naturally increase or decrease their size to a certain extent. She illustrated her point by suddenly growing a foot taller as they watched in stunned silence. When you divide, you share the mass, but the game allows you double the boost in growth, allowing the two copies to remain roughly human size. Of course, if you have a little extra mass to play with, this isn't an issue.

Also, if you spend ten points on the skill, you can cheat the equal requirement and create a human-sized clone that will only last 24 hours. After which it must be reabsorbed, or it collapses, and the mass is lost, Viylah added.

Now that I see their power, I have to wonder if I have encountered mimics and not even known it, Breanne stammered.

It's possible, Jaina said. But I had no idea they were so secretive. I have been very open about what I am, and people love it.

You use your shape-changing powers for sex, Heather said flatly. Of course, people love that.

You do? Viylah said in surprise.

What? You never thought of it? Jaina asked. You can look like any man or woman in the blink of an eye. That never enticed you to play?

I did think of it, Viylah said. But I had a very close partner back then.

I have that now, Jaina said. I wear his collar.

So, all of you women belong to him then? Viylah asked and pointed at Frank.

We wish, Quinny laughed as Frank actually managed to blush.

No! Heather interjected. It's a long story, but Jaina has a master who isn't here right now, and the three of us belong to a completely different master who also isn't here.

But you are all sex slaves? Viylah asked. Or are some of you thralls, or maybe domestic slaves?

All sex slaves, Quinny replied as Breanne swatted her head.

Not all of us wear that title so easily, Breanne scolded.

Sheesh, I was just answering her question, Quinny grumbled.

I had forgotten there were other slave types, Heather said as she looked down.

I am more interested in knowing how she knows so much about them, Jaina said.

Viylah looked scandalized for a moment, then turned away to pace across the courtyard.

I told you I was betrayed before, Viylah groaned. I understand the value some people place on making a sex slave out of a shapeshifter.

It wasnt forced on you? Heather asked in alarm.

It cant be forced, Jaina said flatly.

No, it can't be forced directly, Viylah said and turned around. But wicked people can find a way to put you in a position where you have to make a terrible choice. For example, trap you in some way then offer you the collar or a reset.

Thats awful, Heather said. Did that happen to you?

I regret that it did, Viylah replied. But my friend came to my rescue. Unfortunately, she made quite a few enemies that day, and we were both nearly reset.

I am very sorry to hear that, Jaina said. But let me assure you that I wear this collar of my own free will. She highlighted the point by reaching up and taking it off. It isnt even locked.

Thats good to know, Viylah said and looked to the others. Are yours locked?

Nope, Quinny said. None of them are. The woman we belong to is just using them to help us slip under the radar and not be noticed.

We aren't slaves, Breanne added and took off her collar so her disguise would fall away. We just wear them for the cosmetic disguise.

Are you in some kind of trouble? Viylah asked.

More than I care to explain at the moment, Heather said and set Webster down only to have him jump right into Jainas arms.

Welcome back, Jaina laughed and cuddled him to her chest.

My spider is a traitor, Heather said and looked back to Viylah. I know I keep saying this, but it's a long story. We are traveling across the world to return something. There is a magic door nearby that allows us to step from here to where our friends are on the other side. We come back to visit regularly and relax, but we spend a fair bit of time away.

So I will be here alone a fair bit, Viylah realized.

Somebody is here nearly every day, Quinny said. I will even stay here tonight if you want. I don't need to sleep, so we can talk all night.

Oh, I was hoping you would stay with us tonight, Jaina cooed.

I could do that again? Quinny asked.

So long as your master is alright with it, Jaina said. I am sure Roric will invite her too.

Could you two please talk about this someplace else? Heather asked as she looked away but felt a strange sense of jealousy.

We should all go back soon, Frank said. Blackbast was worried about what you were doing here.

We were just showing Jaina around, Heather said.

And I like it here, Jaina replied and looked to the mountains. If there was a large enough space for Evalynn to make her woods, we could even settle nearby.

Why not use the eastern rim? Viylah suggested. The last I saw of it, it was uninhabited, and the mountains on that side start with gentle hills. Good land for a rolling forest.

Yeah, that would be perfect, Quinny said. My forest is on the other side, and the swamp could be in the middle.

I could always ask Roric to come look at it, Jaina said. Who knows, maybe we will be seeing a lot more of each other.

I would like that, Quinny replied.

Why dont we go back, Heather said and came up behind Quinny to take her hand. And put our masters at ease.

Jaina smiled and agreed they should return, pointing out that the collar was starting to make her itch to be near Roric anyway. Frank paused to add Viylah to his friend's list and promised to come back tonight to make some adjustments for her. Then they headed into the mountain and through the portal, with Frank going first to report he had found them, but they weren't alone.

What do you mean they werent alone? Blackbast growled as she sat up from her perch on the back of Legeiss armor.

Heather and the others appeared in the palanquin as Roric turned about with Gisley on his shoulders.

Is everything alright? he asked as the group ground to a halt.

We're fine, Jaina called and climbed down to join her sisters on her disk. They were just showing me the magical door and their home on the other side. You really need to see it. I think we might have found the perfect place to live.

I would not want to intrude on their homes, Roric said.

Could I go see it? Gisley asked.

I guess so, Frank replied and scratched at his head. But they found somebody else there.

So players have finally started to come to your lairs? Blackbast asked.

No, Frank grumbled as Heather and the others climbed down to join him. They found a mimic.

A mimic? Blackbast repeated as Roric looked at Jaina for confirmation.

Jaina nodded and explained the chain of events that led them to the mimic. She recounted how Heather was immediately friendly and sympathetic, inviting the mimic to live in their home and be a part of their community. She then described their home a little, from the expansive graveyards to the soaring cliff face tower.

So its a player? Roric asked.

It is, and I guess she's somewhere in her mid-sixties to seventies in level, Jaina said.

What are the odds of two mimics meeting? Roric stammered.

If you are having any thoughts about having two shape-shifting servants, put it out of your mind. Somebody tried to blackmail her into a collar before, and she has an aversion to it now, Jaina said.

A crime most foul, Blackbast growled.

She's very distrustful, Heather added. But I think she was so desperate to have somebody to talk to that she was willing to take a risk on us. So somebody should go back and spend some time with her.

You and Frank do that, Blackbast said. Keep your new friend company through the night.

What about Quinny? Heather asked.

What about her? Blackbast replied. Does she need to spend time alone with you?

Heather cleared her throat and quickly shook her head as Jaina tried not to snicker. Quinny didn't seem to understand the exchange, so Heather let it drop and agreed to go back with Frank. Legeis also wanted to go back once they stopped to look into building Roric a palanquin of his own.

I dont mean to pry, Roric said as he looked at Jaina. But why are you clutching a giant spider?

Oh, this cutey likes to be held, Jaina replied and squeezed Webster tight.

I am beginning to think he's a perv, Heather said as she noted how tightly he was being held to Jaina's chest.

Oh, do you want him back? Jaina asked.

No, no, he looks content right where he is, Heather replied. In fact, feel free to keep him all night.

Can I pet him? Gisley asked, so Jaina held him up for her to reach.

Why is my spider getting all the attention? Heather complained.

A better question might be, why did you four sneak off without telling anyone? Blackbast asked.

I didn't think I needed to, Heather replied. We were just going to look over the balcony, and then the shack came up. She knew right away it might be a mimic and wanted to see it.

I pushed them to take me, Jaina said. I didnt think we would be gone longer than ten minutes. But its a very big lair that covers miles of swamp and forested land. You really do need to see it, Roric. There is a ton of land to one side along some hills that nobody is using.

And you would be inside Heathers kingdom, Quinny added. You would have special protections and a big city to use.

I wonder if my mother could give them some doors? Heather said as she thought about it. Too bad none of you are getting married. Maybe she could make an event out of it to get the points.

That would only work if one of them were royalty of the kingdom already, Blackbast pointed out. You would have to marry Roric instead of Frank for that to happen.

She could always marry them both, Jaina offered.

Jaina, Roric groaned. Do not say things like that. She and Frank are obviously very close, and jokes like that can hurt in ways you don't realize.

Oh, I am sorry, Jaina said and turned to Frank. I didnt mean to cause you any worry. Roric would never lay a finger on Heather. We all know she is yours.

Why do I feel like everybody knows more about my relationship than I do? Heather asked.

Because we do, Blackbast growled with a shake of her head. Frank has been more open and honest than you have.

I forgive you, Frank said to Jaina, then put a hand around Heather's back. And I am glad people know that I love Heather.

Heather turned around and looked up into that horrid ghoul face, but all she saw was the man she loved. Without hesitation, she leaned into his chest and closed her eyes as he folded his long arms around her.

Oh, their love is so sweet, Gisley sighed.

It is about time they openly showed it, Blackbast said with a pleased smile. Now, if you two are done delaying us, why don't you put your women on your shoulder so we can move on.

Heather laughed and stepped back as Frank easily lifted her up. She felt so protected in those powerful hands as he placed her on his broad shoulder. He then lifted Quinny and set her on the other one, wrapping his arms around their legs to hold them in place.

Jaina took her place with Evalynn and Chandice on the disk, and the group set off at a brisk pace, jogging down a lonely road far to the north of the spawn ring. Later that night, they camped along a broad stream as the sun moved away to be replaced by a bright moon.

Heather was about to take Frank through the portal when Blackbast bid them both to stay for just a little while. There was something she wanted them to see, and it started with the lovely Gisley. She fluttered over the water, reflecting the moonlight, and started to sway in a magical dance. A moment later, she opened her voice in a song that had no words, but its power tugged at the heart. As she danced, the moonlight hit her wings, and the air filled with silver glitter creating a magical atmosphere. The landscape seemed to change all around her as it was filled with magical lights and shining surfaces. Fireflies by the hundreds danced among the trees, and every spiderweb was suddenly laden with dew that sparkled in the moonlight. The light streaked through the trees in silvery rays, leaving trails of sparkles as they wavered in the night. Night flowers suddenly bloomed with glowing white and blue petals.

How is she doing this? Heather said as they watched the magical display.

This is the magic of a heart full of love, Blackbast said. You will never find a more gentle spirit than the one who inhabits that child.

She does seem to have a great appreciation for love, Heather said as she considered herself. But we really need to go, Heather said.

Of course, Blackbast replied. I just didnt want you to miss her song. Go and see to your new mimic friend.

Heather bid her and the others farewell and then took Frank back to their homes. They found Viylah sitting on the mausoleum roof as she looked up at the stars, lost in contemplation.

Viylah, Heather called as they approached.

You cam back, Viylah said as she looked down from her lofty perch.

What are you doing up there? Heather asked.

I was just thinking about my past, Viylah replied. It has been a long time since I spoke to anyone, let alone about what happened so long ago. It has awakened the pain I buried deep down.

Im sorry that were going to be away so much, Heather said. But Frank and I are back for the night. We can sit with you and talk if you like.

I think you two have something you would rather be doing instead, Viylah replied and gave them a wry smile. We can talk in the morning.

Heather smiled back and nodded. The woman was right. With a wave of goodbye, they headed for the tower and the privacy of a bedroom. For the rest of the night, they affirmed their love as only they could, and Heather fell asleep in the arms of Frank the ghoul.