Heather the Necromancer

Book 6: Chapter 26: Technomancy

Why arent you working on the mount? Umtha asked as she looked around the busy workshop. Dozens of her goblin engineers assisted Legeis with several projects, but it didn't seem to be the promised mount.

Legeis was tired of answering that question and didn't want to explain it again. He was more concerned with finding a way to uncover Heather's polymorph effect and gain some answers. He knew Heather was putting on a brave face, focusing on her new city and the relationship with Quinny and Breanne. All of it was to keep her mind off what was bothering her, and that was who she really was.

If half of what they uncovered was to be believed, Heather had once been a woman named Hathlisora, who was married to king Kevin. Their relationship ended in a fiery explosion of violence and conflict that spiraled into a server-wide war.

Heather had no memory of these events or of ever being in New Eden prior to her most recent incarnation, but Legeis doubted this now. When they delivered the egg, they discovered a machine of mammoth proportions designed to do one thing, repair something important to Heather. What that something was, he couldn't say, but one thing he could be certain about. Every door, mechanism, and sleeping sentry bot was programmed to resist everyone but Hathlisora. Heather walked right through it all, with every door swinging wide to allow her entry. It could only mean the structures sensors detected that she was the woman they were waiting for.

I want to help Heather, Legeis explained as he sat back to look at the readings on his scanner.

You want to prove she is Hathlisora, Umtha stated.

No, Legeis replied with a shake of his head. I know she's Hathlisora. What I want to figure out is this polymorph effect. I suspect that if we can figure out what it is, she can reverse it and regain her memories. I just need an effective means to scan her and get meaningful data.

And this machine can do that? Umtha asked as she gestured to the device he had been building for days.

Legeis certainly hoped so, but he had his doubts. Technomancy and magic didn't readily blend, and he had no experience doing it. Yet that machine hidden in that goblin base proved that normal magic and technomancy could work together. So he started construction of a massive scanner the size of a room. He powered it with every source he could craft and built five layers of sensors in different spectrums. But he wasn't going to stop there. He had crafted specially honed instruments to make the readings. Three of these were still in pieces as he needed elements of them enchanted. He planned to take them to Chandice and ask her for help. He was certain he could isolate the particular effects if she could enchant them with the right magics. Heather would stand on a central platform while the arms of the machine spun about her. Hopefully, It would read her magical effects and spit out solid information.

I don't know, Legeis said and lifted his goggles. I have never tried to build anything like this, and the magic affecting Heather is powerful. I am going to use a nullification field to try and lower its defenses while the sensors take readings.

Is it safe? Umtha pressed as she worried it might harm Heather.

Again, I don't know, Legeis explained. But I gotta do something. The poor kid keeps busy, so she doesn't have to face the fact that she isn't who she is. I can't stand to see her trying to hide from her problems, so I thought maybe I could put her mind to rest. If she knows what the polymorph is and who she was, maybe it can bring her piece of mind.

Umtha nodded as five goblin engineers came in carrying a part of the device. Legeis had twenty of them working on various elements of the machine, all to try and get it as finely tuned as possible. He pushed them hard to produce parts of the highest quality. The better the quality, the more power they would lend to the process. He was determined to squeeze every last bit of focus out of this scan as he could and finally get some solid answers.

When will it be ready? Umtha asked as she looked over one of the arms that would spin about Heather.

I need some help from Chandice, Legeis replied. I was planning on going to her magic shop later this afternoon. It all depends on how quickly she can enchant what I need.

Umtha nodded, but Legeis could see something was bothering her. He thought it was the machine, but she looked away and asked about Viylah.

Have you spoken to the woman in the graveyard? Umtha asked.

Viylah? Not really. Why? Legeis replied.

I have, Umtha said as she looked back with a worried expression. And I don't trust her. She isn't as innocent as she seems. She seemed threatened by my questions and then started playing games.

What are you talking about? Legeis pressed.

You know why she is here, Umtha argued. You were the one who built her sign.

Yeah, yeah, the whole waiting for a friend thing, Legeis replied.

Dont say it like that doesnt mean anything, Umtha insisted. She says she is waiting for a friend to return and has been for a long while now. But who could sit alone and isolated in the swamp for so long?

Hey, I was alone in that keep for months, Legeis pointed out. And I would probably still be there if not for Heather.

You were at least doing something. You chose this spot to study the golems so you could gain insight into crafting your mechanical armor, Umtha said. But she wants us to believe she just sat there pretending to be a cabin?

I guess, Legeis replied as he scratched an ear. What are you getting at?

I tried to pry into how she managed it, and she became defensive, almost aggressive. Then I remembered that we spent a night in that cabin, and she never reacted to us. Doesn't that seem strange to you? Umtha asked.

Hey, most of what circles around Heather seems strange to me, Legeis answered. Hence why I am building the machine. But yeah, I get your point. It's almost like she didn't know we were there or was asleep. And it is strange for somebody to just lay still and do nothing for that long.

I don't trust her, Umtha said again. If it was so important to wait in the swamp for this friend, why was she so quick to abandon it and move here?

I made her a sign, Legeis pointed out.

Does that make any difference? Umtha asked. She was so devoted to meeting this friend that she sat idle and alone in a swamp for years. So what made her suddenly accept Heather's offer and move here?

I get it, Legeis sighed. Have you spoken to Heather and Frank about your suspicions?

I dont want to worry them, Umtha replied and looked away. I have been enough of a burden on them.

Hey, don't say that, Legeis interjected. It wasn't his place to comment on their relationship, but Heather obviously had accepted the change. He encouraged Umtha to let Heather decide if she was a burden and accept that they had taken her in. She was a part of their family now, and how she got there no longer mattered.

I just worry that she will be found, and it will start over again, Umtha said.

The wars, you mean, Legeis said as he considered what they had learned of the past. It was a strange story of conflict and chaos as two major powers tried to aid and protect Hathlisora. The goblins were decimated in the conflict, with Umtha being a perfect example. She had been reset and cast far to the north to run a long and arduous gauntlet to get back.

Now that Legeis thought about it, how did she get back in time? From what he heard of the story, three surviving necromancers arrived at her village to deliver a statue. It was some kind of spawn anchor for Heather to ensure she respawned far to the south, away from those that would harm her. But by his recollection, the necromancers fell before the goblins did. The goblins only went on the attack after they fell, and then they streamed into the desert to protect the first machine. It was destroyed sometime later, and its explosion caused most of the resets. It was only after that event that Umtha fled south. So how did she get all the way across the world, establish a village and then meet the necromancers months after they were wiped out?

Why are you looking at me like that? Umtha asked.

I was just thinking something through, Legeis replied and pulled his goggles down. Actually, I need to ask you something, and I don't want you to be offended.

You can ask me anything, Umtha said.

Good, because I need to know how you got to your village and how necromancers showed up later to give you that statue, he stated. It must have taken you months to get there on foot.

Umtha looked hurt as he expected but she took a deep breath and answered his questions.

I came here first, Umtha said. I was in the swamp when she fell from the skies in her battle with the dragon knights. I dragged her back and helped her recover. We already knew each other but she was devastated to see I had been reset. She was in so much pain, and it came out as rage at Kevin and his allies. She told me the necromancers werent all dead, and the survivors were helping her with one last plan.

Which was? Legeis asked.

Her resurrection, Umtha explained. There was one necromancer hiding in the swamps, living in the tunnels Heather now calls her home. Hathlisora and the necromancer forged the crown I gave her and the crystal staff she would later find. The swamps became unsafe as spies and assassins began searching for where she had fallen. The necromancer took me into the black mirror and whisked me away to the south, where two others were hiding. They had already finished the statue, and they set the plan in motion.

Oh, so you used the mirror network, Legeis said as it started to make sense. But what happened to Heather?

She stayed behind to delay them, Umtha explained. Both crowns were forged together so they would become one. She told me that she would forget our love but that all I had to do was put my half of the crown back on her head. The necromancers took her half and hid it behind the door, using magic I had never seen before. They then summoned the statue to where it rests in the temple.

And Heather? Legeis asked.

She was driven back by the paladins, Umtha explained. They breached the tunnels and fought their way through the traps, eventually cornering her in the room with the mirror. In desperation, she used the portal as a means of escape, but they dared to follow. This was all part of her final plan and her last act of defiance. She sacrificed herself to trap them there and be devoured by the void.

Oh, kay, Legeis replied with a hint of confusion. Then how did she get out?

The statue, Umtha replied. Its magic is designed to pull her back. It took a long time, but she eventually reformed as the woman we now call Heather.

This all sounds crazy, you know that, right? he said as he struggled to believe it. He would dismiss the whole thing as nonsense if not for the blue crystal ring. Heather's bone champion had run off when they used the horrible tunnel to escape their original lair. He returned later with the ring in hand, insisting it was hers. But it wasn't just hers, it was Hathlisora's panel, and Heather could use it.

So Heather died in that void dimension and couldnt respawn? Legeis asked.

Nobody can respawn from there, Umtha explained. Not unless there is something to draw them back.

I wish we had known that before we walked through it, he barked.

We had no choice, Umtha insisted.

You knew, and you said nothing, Legeis accused. You played along like you had never seen the place before.

I was only trying to protect Heather, Umtha replied defensively. It wasnt the right time to tell her such things.

Who are you to make that decision for her? he asked.

I am the one she trusted with her plans, Umtha countered. She told me to let her figure it out on her own, or it would ruin things. She paused and looked hurt as tears suddenly wet her eyes.

Eh, I wasnt trying to upset you, Legeis offered but Umtha turned away.

It isn't you, Umtha sobbed. It's the plan; it's already failed. She told me not to tell her things until after I gave her the crown. She said she would remember us once she put it on. But it didn't work, and I don't know what to do. I don't know how to help her anymore.

Hey, uh, I think youre doing fine, Legeis offered as the woman fell apart. He wasnt used to being the voice of reason or a source of comfort, but Umtha needed it. You are close to her again, and she obviously loves you. Just give her more time to work things out. Sooner or later, her memory is bound to come back, and maybe this scanner can help it.

I hope so, Umtha sniffed. I miss her.

Legeis could see genuine pain in the womans eyes as she hurt over the relationship she had lost. He wasnt sure his machine would work, but more than ever, he wanted to try everything he could. He would take his parts and go to Chandice right away. Hopefully, she could enchant them the way he needed and use them to peel away the layers of mystery surrounding Heather.

Listen, I think you should tell Heather and Frank all this and then tell them you don't know what to do anymore. I know they have questions about the crowns and your story answers that part at least.

I will talk to them and tell them about the crowns, Umtha agreed as she wiped an eye. Oh, and there is something I wanted to ask you, Umtha added as she looked down. Please dont tell them about us at Blackbasts temple.

Hey, you didnt need to ask me that, Legeis said as he tried not to remember the event. As soon as all this harem nonsense started, I knew that was something that needed to stay in the past. Let's both forget it and move on like it never happened.

Umtha nodded in agreement and said she had to leave. Heather wanted to do more guild quests in a race to beat some adventurers to the top ranks. Legeis was grateful to see her go, as he had too much on his mind as it was. He gathered up the parts he needed enchanted and set out for the forest known as the love wood.

And here we go, he said an hour later as he stood at the edge of the colorful range. The trees were tall, with graceful trunks lifting dense canopies of colorful leaves. Ferns, flowers, and mushrooms grew around their trunks as butterflies fluttered in the sweet-smelling wind. Despite the density of the leaves, the forest wasn't dark except in places where it enhanced the dramatic and peaceful nature. He set off down a stone path, shouldering a pack as she looked side to side for any danger.

An hour in, he had seen a few exotic birds and a cat that could hide like a chameleon. There was no sign of the forest's more dangerous residents, and he was grateful for it. He just wanted to get to the magic shop and talk to Chandice; he didn't need any other encounters that were common to this region. His mind began to wander as she crossed a white marble bridge over a small brook. He thought of the goblin woman Trixi and how well they were getting along. He might meet her later for a drink and see if she was interested in a little fun. He wasnt sure why he was thinking about that and assumed it was the mood created by the forest. His mind was so preoccupied he didnt notice the shadow that fell over him until a voice chilled his spine.

So what do we have here? a melodic voice asked. A little green morsel just begging to be devoured.

Legeis turned about in a panic and jumped back as a devil woman with blue skin leered at him. She wore nothing but a collar around her neck as her slitted eyes locked on him while a tongue traced her lips.

Stay back! Legeis demanded as he pointed one of his bomb throwers at her. I am just looking for the magic shop.

Wow, that is the first time anyone threatened to attack me if I tried to seduce them, the woman said. I must be losing my charms.

Sorry, he said and put the weapon away. I am just in a hurry at the moment.

Oh, Legeis, A familiar voice said as the creature before him turned gray and melted, reforming into a woman he recognized.

Jaina? he stammered.

Don't you ever want a little fun? she asked. Here I am, ready to pounce, and you threaten me?

Yeah, there you are, all of you out in the open, he replied as he looked away.

You cant be serious? Jaina asked as her hands went to her hips. You are still bashful about our nakedness?

Nothin' personal, but a lady should at least wear something, he replied.

You have seen us naked a hundred times, Jaina accused, but he didn't look back. Oh, fine, she grumbled as her skin changed to a modest white dress. Is this better?

Yeah, Legeis said as he dared to look. So, uh, do you think you could tell me how to find Chandice?

Oh, shes the one you want, Jaina accused.

It's not like that, Legeis stammered as he tried to recollect his thoughts. I am working on a machine to try and learn more about Heather's polymorph effect, and I need her to enchant some parts of it.

A likely excuse, Jaina replied as she smiled. Could I maybe blackmail you? I will trade the information for a little fun.

I kinda want to get this done quickly, he replied as Jaina frowned. Its not that you arent beautiful. Its just, well, I respect Roric and all.

I have Roric's permission, Jaina stated firmly. But fine, follow me, I will take you here.

Thanks, he sighed and watched her walk by him in a huff. He fell in beside her as they headed down the road deeper into the enchanted forest.

So you think you can learn something more? Jaina asked as they walked.

I have no idea if this will work, Legeis answered honestly. But after seeing the things we saw in that goblin base, I have a new respect for blending magic with goblin engineering. I think I can get some useful data by applying several types of detection at once.

Chandice already tried several types, Jaina reminded.

Yeah, but I can boost the effects, and I want to use them together to peel away the layers, Legeis said.

Hmm, funny you should call it layers, Jaina replied as she looked down at him. A friend of mine said something about the layers of magic that permeated the world.

Come to think of it, Heather's mentioned that before, Legeis said. Something she read in that book.

Book? Jaina asked as they reached a crossroads beside a statue of a naked woman blowing a kiss to nobody.

It's a book of necromancy she found a long time ago, Legeis said. It's all written in code and layered in secrecy, but Heather has figured out how to read it.

Of course she did, Jaina laughed and took him straight across the road. Quinny told us a dozen stories about puzzles or traps based on math and code. She bragged about how Heather solved them all in minutes, breezing through the problems. It was fascinating to hear, but we started to wonder. Have you ever noticed that it almost seems like she was meant to do all this?

Yeah, but don't mention that to her, Legeis said. She is acutely aware that her steps are being laid out, and it upsets her. I have seen her have several breakdowns over realizing that sort of thing.

The poor girl, Jaina sighed as something rustled in the foliage to their right.

Ooh, a man, can I play? a voice asked as the two looked.

What the? Legeis choked as a nude elf woman strode out of the foliage and smiled at the two.

Sorry, Mirarri, Jaina replied. He isn't here to play. He wants to bother Chandice about some enchantments.

Oh, the forest has been so quiet today, the woman pouted. I just need a little attention.

You could always change your mind, Jaina suggested as she smiled at Legeis.

I just need the enchantments, Legeis insisted and tried not to stare at the newcomer.

Jaina laughed and led him away.

So, new girl? he asked.

There are several, Jaina said with a smile. Not that any of your group would know. Why do none of you come to the forest?

Busy, Legeis said with a shrug. Heather and the others are all building their city, and I have been working on several projects.

Are you sure it isnt because youre all afraid of what you might find here? Jaina pried.

Look, I like a naked girl as much as the next guy, but I like a little challenge, too, he said.

So that's the problem. We're all too easy for you, Jaina laughed, then looked at him. Do you think Heather and Frank will ever come to play?

I can't answer that, Legeis protested. They are my friends, and what they choose to do is their own business.

I was just curious, Jaina replied, obviously pleased by his reaction. So, will you come someday?

I dont like how I feel about playing in another mans garden, Legeis answered.

Then play with some of the other girls or the NPCs, Jaina suggested as they turned around a bend dominated by a golden tree ringed with beds of dense flowers. There are plenty of women here who aren't Roric's property.

I understand, but, uh, I kinda have a thing for this girl, he explained.

Oh, you have a sweetheart, Jaina teased. Come on, tell me everything.

There's nothing to tell yet, Legeis said. We just like spending time together.

Well, is she an elf, a human, a bogling? Jaina pressed.

A goblin, Legeis answered. His name is Trixi.

Oh, her, Jaina said with a nod. I met her in the city. She is a lovely little thing.

Yeah, well, I was hoping we could build a relationship, Legeis admitted. You know, the proper way.

By all means, do it the way you feel most comfortable with, Jaina agreed as they passed under a wooden archway carved with naked women.

You don't let people forget what this place is all about, do you? Legeis asked.

Ha, what would the fun be in that? Jaina asked.

What about people who are just passing through? he asked.

You mean people like you? Jaina replied. We do our best to entice them, but if all they want is to get through the forest, so be it.

Thanks for under. he began, but a voice cried out and drowned his comment.

Legeis! Gisley cried and fluttered down from the sky on beautiful butterfly wings. Her naked body was bathed in silver glitter, leaving a shimmering trail as she headed right for him. Before he could utter a word, she landed on her knees before him and pulled him to her chest in a twisting hug.

It's good to see you! I am so happy one of you has finally come to the forest! Gisley cried as she smothered him.

Um, Gisley dear, Jaina interjected after the smothering hug had gone on for a few moments. He isnt here to play with us.

Hes not? Gisley asked as she looked up but didnt release the poor goblin that was now desperately trying to dislodge himself.

No, he's here to see Chandice and get something enchanted, Jaina stated. Now let him go before he passes out. Gisley laughed and released the poor goblin, who jumped back, gasping.

Uh, he moaned and shook his head to try and clear the steam from his goggles. I swear I will never understand you, girls.

Sorry, Legeis, Gisley said as she stood up. I got excited.

Yeah, um, no harm done, he replied and cleared his throat. Is it going to get more dangerous the further we go in?

If you mean are there more women waiting to attack you, then yes, Jaina laughed.

Great, Legeis groaned. I knew I should have come in my armor.

Oh, don't be a spoilsport, Jaina sighed. Now that Gisley is here, she can summon a magic disk and get us there in a few minutes. That should also help you bypass the dangers of sexually adventurous women stalking you.

I would appreciate that, he replied as Gisley laughed and summoned a magical floating disk large enough to carry several people. Jaina and Legeis sat on the side, and Gisley took off, fluttering down the road at impressive speed. It wasn't long before Legeis noticed a tree towering above all the others.

Thats it, isnt it? Legeis asked as he pointed to it.

That's right, Jaina said. Chandice's shop is in the trunk near ground level. Though the shop has a dozen levels now if you count the basement.

Does she do any business? he asked as they rounded a bend.

She does a fair bit, Jaina replied. She is close to the southern edge where travelers from Finneous's town can reach her easily. Anyone coming from the lower swamps or his town pass right by her to get into the forest.

Well, good for her, Legeis said as they approached the ornate building. It was built into the trunk and roots on several levels with golden windows full of light. He was impressed by how it blended into the forest, appearing almost natural.

Well, here you are, Jaina said as she jumped down from the disk. Chandice should be inside pouring over some new device.

Thanks, Legeis said as he, too, hopped down.

Shall we wait to bring you back? Jaina asked.

Nah, I have a goblin homing beacon on me, Legeis replied. When the girls had no idea what they meant, he explained the device. It was a small orb attuned to him and a machine in his lab. All he had to do was throw the orb down, and it would explode in a puff of sparks teleporting him back to his machine. The orb would be destroyed in the process forcing him to make a new one, but that wasn't too hard to accomplish.

The shop's front door was painted green and split so the top could be opened separately. He went inside to find shelves, counters, and cases full of magical trinkets and a few more interesting devices. Things glowed around him, some giving off faint hums or tingling sounds. He walked across the room to a counter where a woman with short dark hair looked down through a pair of glasses.

Welcome! she said in a happy tone. I am Natalie. How can I help you?

Uh, I was looking for Chandice, Legeis replied, knowing full well he was talking to an NPC.

Mistress Chandice is working on a delicate experiment, the woman replied. I can show you around the shop and sell you anything you need to buy.

Sorry, but I need her to do some specialized enchanting, Legeis countered.

We probably have what you want already made, the woman insisted. I am sure I can show you where it is.

Eh, Legeis sighed and fished an object out of his pouch. He placed what appeared to be a metal gear on the desk with two teeth filled with small red gems. You see, I need these enchanted with detect magic and identify so that the spell only activates when it passes through the tuning fork at a precise harmonic frequency. So, uh, you got one of these lying around?

The woman looked startled as she considered the gear and what he had just requested.

I, uhh. she began and dared to touch the gear. You know what, I will just go get the mistress.

Yeah, I figured, he said as the woman hurried off. A few minutes later, a tall blond woman appeared in a doorway wearing what appeared to be a sexy warlock dress.

I should have known it would be you, Chandice laughed as she headed his way. When she told me the kind of enchanting somebody wanted, my first thought was that sounds like something an engineer would say.

I hate to bother you, but I need something very specific, Legeis said. It's to help Heather learn more about that polymorph.

I see, Chandice replied and considered the gear. And how will this help?

Legeis explained the machine and the four other devices he had brought to have enchanted. If it all worked as planned, it would scan Heather as slowly increasing power levels until a useful reading could be gained. He was tapping into technomancy to boost the power of her enchantments and using rare metals that absorbed magic to shield it.

That makes sense, but how does technomancy allow you to boost the effect? Chandice asked as she picked up the gear and turned it over in her hand.

Normal magic works on your level, and in some cases, you can use a staff or other device to channel additional power, Legeis began as he laid out the other parts. But with engineering, the power isn't based on your level; it's based on the size of the power plant. We build a generator, for lack of a better term, and use it to power the effect. The bigger the generator, the more power it puts out. Normally this is only good for our stuff, but if I can use the generator to boost a spell. He trailed off as Chandice nodded in understanding.

You could cast it at a much higher level, she said.

Right, Legeis said as she put the last part on the counter. I heard rumors this could be done, but I didn't put much faith in it until I saw a working example. It would still have taken months, maybe a year, to build, but Umtha has gathered tons of goblin engineers and given me authority over them. So I made the design and put them to work, building the most powerful energy source we could. It fills a whole room and takes sixteen of them to run.

Goodness, isnt that cumbersome? Chandice asked.

Yeah, but we're not shooting for efficiency here, Legeis countered. What I need is output, and it doesn't have to be portable or pretty.

I see, Chandice remarked as she ran a hand over the other parts. Well, I just happen to have an enchanters workshop set up, so I can now enchant slightly above my level, provided I want to burn some expensive ingredients to fuel the casting. So what do you say we make these as strong as possible, and then you put them in your machine and boost them even higher.

I dont want you to burn rare mats on this, Legeis insisted as Chandice swept up the parts.

It's worth it if it's for Hannah, Chandice said as she turned. Besides, this will be a good test of how far I can push the enchanting.

Legeis agreed, and they went to the enchanting chamber to begin. He sincerely hoped this was going to work and shed some light on what had happened to Heather. With her skill as an enchanter to power the effect, he could peel back the layers of magic and see the truth. Or it could all go horribly wrong, and a week of hard work would be ruined. Soon he would know which.