Book 5: Chapter 16: An unwanted date.

Book 5: Chapter 16: An unwanted date.

The caravan stopped in a rock-strewn field, and preparations were made to camp for the night. Endril arrived with details of who would stand watch and who would sleep. To add insult to injury, he insisted Frank be near the front to protect him personally. He informed Heather that dinner would be ready in an hour and she should wear something nice. With that, he left them in peace, whistling a little tune as he walked away.

What are you so mad about? Quinny asked as Heather paced back and forth. You get to have a nice meal.

With a man, I have no desire to speak to, Heather replied. He demanded my presence for his amusement and is using my friends as leverage.

You wanted to spy on him anyway, Quinny reminded. Now you have a front-row seat.

This isnt how I planned to spy on him, Heather replied. I wanted to watch him from the air, not sit down to dinner with him. Now I am afraid if I refuse, he will make things harder on us. Argh, why do I feel like I am forced into everything in this world? I wish for once I could put my foot down and say no without there being repercussions.

Quinny took off her mask and looked up with those jet-black eyes. I could go in your place.

He told me to come, Heather reminded.

I know, but I could go as you, she replied and pointed to the pouch at her waist. We could use the statue.

Heather paused to consider what Quinny had just said. With the figurine's power, they could change places, and Quinny could entertain that arrogant fool. Still, the thought of not being able to take her body back until Quinny relinquished it made her cringe. Panic began to rise as she wondered if the figurine gave Quinny an image of her form or her actual body?

I will go myself, Heather said as the panic began to overwhelm her desire to avoid Endril.

I don't mind you pretending to be me for a little bit, Quinny said, but Heather continued to shake her head, unable to accept the idea of losing control of her form.

At least Frank will be nearby, Breanne added as she looked out into the darkening sands. I will go invisible and be on hand as well if anything goes wrong.

No, his people might be watching, and your sudden disappearance could be noticed, Heather replied. The goblins will have to be enough protection. She went to the palanquin where Umtha stood inside near the egg listening to the conversation.

Be careful, Umtha said. Him no honest.

We know. I am only playing along to prevent trouble. We just need to avoid drawing too much attention and get to this glass. Then we can leave him behind.

Umtha leaned over and began to whisper as she pointed into the desert. No take long. Desert watching. Will anger if we stay too long.

The desert is watching? Heather repeated, not sure what that was supposed to mean.

Shaman feel spirit of sands. Desert stirs and watches. Hungry for something, Umtha not know.

Great, one more thing to worry about, Heather groaned. Would you please have some of your goblins watch me just in case Endril tries to kill or imprison me?

Goblins watch, you and sand. Will warn of spirit approaches.

Heather let out a sigh and made her way back, stopping to let Breanne and Quinny know that Umtha believed they were being watched by something in the desert. She straightened her yellow dress and made her way down the line to a campfire burning off the road ahead. She passed some of the people who were supposedly pilgrims, most of whom paid her no heed, but a few followed her passing with wary eyes. She wasn't sure what to make of them or if they were what Endril claimed they were. For all she knew, they were all mercenaries waiting for her and the others to go to sleep. She smiled slightly to think of how long they would be waiting since Breanne, Frank, and Quinny didn't sleep at all.

As she drew closer, she could see Endril sitting on a large red pillow before the fire, his button-down shirt opened to below his chest, and his feathered hat tipped back. He smiled to see her and motioned to a pillow right beside him with a pat. She growled to herself and made her way into the light, coming to stand right before the pillow, but refusing to sit.

A fine night, he said as his eyes looked her up and down. But I recall asking you to dress nice.

I have only two outfits with me, Heather replied. And the other one was soiled in a battle I fought the other day.

His eyes narrowed as she reached down and pulled the cushion away from him before sitting down to stare at him in contempt.

What kind of princess travels with no guards or servants? he asked, his voice probing.

Heather already regretted coming as it became clear he intended to question her all night. She put on a blank expression and explained that she had gained the title only recently and didnt indulge in the benefits. She was an adventurer and wanted to see the world, not sit in court pretending she was somebody special. Still, she played it as if Gwen has insisted she at least travel with friends and provided the Palanquin that Breanne used so she could ride in it as well.

Ahh, Gwen is the Queen to your princess, he said with a slight smile. So she finally married the wizard that was holding her hostage.

No, Heather said with an evil smile. I killed the wizard and returned the stone to Gwen, thus freeing her kingdom from his grasp. That's why she made me a princess in the first place. She was rather pleased by the look of scandal on Endril's face as she folded her arms in triumph. She wanted him to see her as dangerous, and such a bold statement could work to that end.

From what I understand, that wizard was very high level, Endril replied. You don't look high enough to kill a butterfly, especially as a druid class, he added as his smile became a frown. Are you playing a game with me?

Heather rolled her eyes and informed him she was a flower singer and that she was rather good at it. She also let him know that the people traveling with her helped defeat the wizard. She even went so far as to give vague details about traps and rooms, never letting on that they had overcome many of them because they were undead. He seemed to study every comment she made, even trying to trick her into repeating things to see if the story would change. It was becoming a battle of intrigues, as each one of them tried to answer the other with as little information as possible.

Endril seemed to grow bored of the game and called to a nearby human who brought a tray of bread, cheeses, olives, and dipping oils. Heather fought the urge to be pleased, as a spit of meat of placed over the fire. As she watched, the man basted it and began to turn it slowly, allowing it to cook evenly on all sides. In minutes she could smell the scent of something luscious cooking, and her anger began to waiver.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

Would you care for a wine? he asked as she nibbled at a slice of cheese.

Heather nodded, and a bottle was produced, and two generous cups poured full of a dark red liquid. She tasted the bitter flavor with a tiny sip before setting it aside to continue the conversation. Now he was after why she decided to enter New Eden and, more importantly, why she picked a human.

She hadn't planned a story to cover her arrival and briefly considered borrowing Franks. That was quickly put out of mind as Endril was sure to grill her for details, and she lacked the knowledge to back the story up. She went with the most basic of reasons, pure impulse. Pressure from school, debts, job problems, and the like finally drove her to make a rash decision. She even played it off as a regret, wishing she had taken more time to think about it.

He leaned back so more of his chest would be exposed as he held a glass of wine in a curled hand. His eyes swept over her as a slight smile curled his lips.

So youre a girl who reacts to impulse before thinking, he stated. I know a few impulses I would like to see you act on.

Not that kind of impulse, Heather stated clearly, fighting back the desire to call him an assortment of colorful names.

What kind of impulse did you think I was implying? he asked as if wounded before hiding a smile in a sip of wine.

Heather knew exactly what he meant but didn't react to his advance. She instead glanced to the right and caught sight of Frank watching from the darkness. She knew if Endril caused any kind of fuss, Frank would probably rip his arms off before he could stand. There were also goblins about, moving unseen as they watched from the shadows, ready to aid in any fight.

So, tell me about the desert, she said, avoiding his previous comment. One of my friends seems to think the desert is alive, and it's watching us.

You look exhausted, Breanne said as she watched the display. You should get some sleep.

Need watch, Umtha insisted. Sands moving.

Heather felt the effect of the food and wine too strongly to care about the warning. Instead, she settled into sleep as a cool breeze blew in off the desert. Webster curled up beside her an hour later; a feather stuck to his head.

She slept more soundly than she had since arriving here, but her dreams were not at peace. She saw sands rolling for miles in every direction as she walked across their blistering surface. On her head was the crown with the green stone glowing from an inner light. Before her was a cloud of sand, shifting and blowing as if to conceal something behind it. She felt a need to see through the sand, but it rushed at her, filling her ears with the sound of a violent wind.

Heather jerked awake to look directly into Umthas eyes as the goblin woman sat motionless, studying her.

Please tell me you werent sitting there all night watching me, Heather groaned and carefully picked up Webster to set him aside.

You have a dream, Umtha said. Sands come to life.

Great, now I cant even dream in private, Heather replied and looked to the woman. Umtha, how did you know that?

Umtha have same dream. Is warning. Sand is coming.

Heather nodded and climbed out of the palanquin to be greeted by the dawn. The sun was low in the sky, and the caravan was already making preparations to move. Breanne arrived to tell her that nothing unusual happened in the night and that all should go well for the day.

Is watching, waiting, Umtha insisted, but Heather like Breanne's outlook for the day better.

Just as predicted, the day passed quietly, and they arrived at the first watering hole just before noon. It was a small fort built around a single well that went deep into the rock. It was guarded by two lizard race players who charged a small toll to come inside, use them well, and the protection of the walls.

The caravan stopped for just an hour to fill water barrels before moving on and heading onward. Endril took a moment to come and invite her to another dinner. She politely accepted and inquired as to how far from the glass they were. Endril smiled and tipped his hat, informing her that they were five days of hard travel away, but assured her he had plenty for them to eat at their meals. Heather understood what he was implying and nodded as he turned away, walking with a slight hop in his step.

He sure wants your company, Quinny said.

He wants my company in his tent, Heather replied and stamped a foot. Who does he think I am?

Quinny lifted her mask again and looked confused a moment before responding with a, So?

So? Heather practically yelled. He wants me to sleep with him.

Quinny shrugged and set her mask back in place. And that costs you what?

It costs me my dignity, Heather remarked. Honestly, can you just throw yourself at anyone?

Not anyone, but he isnt half bad looking, and I like the dangerous and mischievous ones, Quinny said. He is very anime if you think about it.

Heather slapped her face and walked by, heading for the magic food locker. Inside she took out a lovely white cake and cut a slice to begin feeding her frustration. They kept a few forks and wooden plates packed in the palanquin, so she sat down and started to eat in earnest until Breanne walked up.

You don't look well, Breanne said as Heather was about halfway through.

I dont feel well, she replied and looked up to see Quinny was away, talking with Legeis. Quinny suggested I accept Endrils advances because to her; it's meaningless.

Breanne rolled her eyes with a sigh as her sharp elvish features took on a serious look. That's because she is young and came into this world with that sort of thing in mind. She doesn't see it your way because this is one of the perks of being here.

I am getting the impression a lot of people think that, Heather said as she cut another fork full of cake.

Think about it, Breanne suggested. A world that has no negative repercussions for being carefree with one's sexuality. No diseases, no unwanted children, no risks. You get to design the most beautiful and perfect image of yourself you desire and then immerse into that culture.

Heather paused with a mouth full of cake before letting out a sigh and looking down. I guess I see your point, but I didnt come here to feed my lust. I dont want to be here at all if I can help it.

I am only saying that you shouldnt be hard on Quinny for having a different point of view, Breanne encouraged. She would never wish to see you harmed and has fought to prevent it many times.

Heather nodded in agreement but wasnt about to let a change in mood stop her from finishing a slice of cake. She finished her meal and took a seat in the palanquin as the column started to move. Hours later, she was lying on her side watching the rocks pass by as Webster crawled around on the roof. She practiced looking through his sight for a little while but found it disturbing and even a little disorienting. She assumed this was what using VR was like as she felt motion sick from the experience. Just as she wished for a good book to read, Frank arrived to inform her they were heading into the sand soon.

Why? she asked, sitting up as he explained.

This is why we joined the caravan. He can carry enough water to cross the sand and save nearly a week's travel.

But the sand is where all the really scary things are, she pointed out.

No go in sands, Umtha added as she turned about from her perch on the egg. Stay on road.

Frank scratched at his helm futilely as he explained that it was the only way to save time, and the choice wasn't theirs to make. Endril was going into the sand, and they were going with him. Umtha protested again, but Heather tried to be diplomatic, pointing out that getting the egg to the other side quickly was their primary concern. To do that, they needed to risk the sands and whatever might be waiting for them. That seemed to put Umtha in a terrible mood as she mumbled something about being eaten by sand lions.

Did you learn anything last night? Frank asked as Heather realized this was the first chance they had to speak about it.

She explained how they battled to ask questions and say nothing for a while, but then she asked about the sand demons. Franks' expression was hidden, but she could see the yellow of his eyes twitch when she brought up the notion that Hathlisora and Kevin had once been here and been lovers. He pointed out that Endrils story didn't match the other rumors they heard, and it had no mention of Kevin's dragon. Heather suggested maybe he met the dragon later, but Frank was sure that the dragon was at Kevin's side from the earliest stories.

So, he is lying to me, Heather said aloud as she considered how carefully Endril avoided giving too much information. She remembered her earlier thought where it was too hard to tell what was truth and what was actually a rumor.

I wouldnt trust anything he says, Frank replied. I also dont like how he wants to spend time with you alone.

Were hardly alone, and I dont like it either, but at least I felt secure knowing you were nearby last night, she admitted and then thought about Quinnys offer again. She felt the same sense of panic crawl up her spine and tried to rationalize why but no solution came to mind. They spoke for a little longer, and Frank pointed out that Endril seemed to be using the first wagon to carry his personal equipment. Heather nodded and decided to make use of her time and do a little spying. She explained her plan to Frank as she took out the figurine, but he looked skeptical of the idea. She pressed the notion and had him look around to make sure nobody was watching before uttering the command word.

It felt good to be in the open air, looking down on the caravan as it meandered down the road. From here, she could see the red dunes to their left as the wagons drew ever closer to the true desert. She marveled at how featureless the terrain became, as it turned into windswept barrens devoid of plant or rock. She focused on her task and circled overhead, where she saw Endril walking with a man at his side while Leet followed ten steps behind. Heather wondered what things Leet might be overhearing and made a point to ask him about it later. Still, her task was simple, and she wanted to look inside that wagon and see if he was hiding anything. With spread wings, she began to circle, eventually coming down on the back lip of the wagon, and hopped inside to see what could be found. She wasn't sure what she expected but certainly more than a few trunks, a neatly folded tent, and several large barrels, one of which was open to reveal it was full of salted meats.

Not very interesting, Heather said to herself as she hopped to a chest near the back. Here she tried to look through the keyhole, but it was too dark to see what was hidden inside. With a sigh, she turned about and made ready to fly only to see Endril staring at her from the rear of the wagon.

Well, well, what have we here? he said as his hand began to glow blue. I have just the cage for a bird like you.