SCT-Novel Book 2: Chapter 1: Too many choices
Book 2: Chapter 1: Too many choices
Book 2: Chapter 1: Too many choices
The sun was in its dawn position, and the sky was blue as they looted Moon's town hall. The goblins agreed to help Heather carry stuff back, and she reanimated her skeletons to carry more. Now she sat in a side room with Frank and Quinny while he worked.
She paced impatiently as Frank tapped through the options on her panel. He'd been poking at it for hours now, going through every menu, sub-menu, or setting he could find. She was nervously optimistic that there was going to be an escape button that sent her home. However, as time went by, her hope began to fade. Finally, he set the panel aside and shook his head.
I dont think there is anything I can do, he said. And I dont think I could use the panel if you left it to me.
Youre sure? she asked him.
I can look at all the menus, but I can't change anything. I can't alter a single setting because the panel is locked to you.
But if I got out, maybe it would unlock? she suggested.
I think even if you found a way out, the panel would just vanish.
Heather sighed and looked around the graveyard.
Then I really am trapped here, she said. And now I am trapped as a banned character that people will come looking for.
I could remove the graveyard and go someplace else, he suggested.
Youre not giving up all the progress you made burying bodies for me, Heather insisted. I am an adult I will deal with this like an adult.Updated from
So you're going to stop screaming? he asked.
She shot him an angry glance and paced the room with her arms folded.
I am sorry you cant go back, Quinny said.
Heather turned about and shook her head. I knew I was stuck here. I may not know much about this world, but even I saw the news articles that nobody ever came back. I guess I was in shock that I was chosen. I refused to accept the truth.
I would be upset too if I had been forced in, Quinny admitted. Frank and I wanted to be here. We spent time learning about the world and what we were getting into before coming in. You were thrown into something you didn't want and shouldn't have to accept.
Thank you for understanding, but I have to face facts. I am here for good, and I am going to deal with it. She turned to Frank and took a deep breath. What do I have to do now?
I saw some menus for setting up your panel, he said. They seem to control how you use it. You need to look through them and see if you can find a way to protect it. I would tell you more, but I can't open those setting for some reason. He picked it up and held it out to her, and she reluctantly took it.
She looked at the screen and tapped at a few windows.
I suppose we should go back to the graveyard then, she said. Before Moon or one of the others turns up. I will look through this as we walk.
Are you sure you have everything you want? Frank asked. I think I saw some wallpaper still hanging in one of the rooms.
Heather folded her arms and tapped a foot. Unless you know where I can find an Ikea, you need to be quiet.
Miss Heather! Margus called from outside.
They all looked up, and Heather went to the door.
What is it? she asked as she opened the door.
We got that locked room off the bedroom open, he said. You should come look.
Heather glanced at Frank, who shrugged, and they followed the dwarf to the room they assumed was Moons. Heather already stripped it bare, but a doorway in the back was locked and bolted. She could see as they came in that it had been hacked open with an axe.
She stepped into the doorway and looked inside as a smile spread over her face.
Well, this will certainly help me settle into my new life, she said happily.
Frank stood behind her and groaned. Oh, no!
Heather walked through the gates of the graveyard with a new dress in her arms. Behind her walked her skeletons loaded down with baskets of clothing, plates, glasses, tableware, and other household goods.
Next in the procession were a dozen goblins carrying some chairs, a little desk, and an ornate rug that took five of them to carry. One group of four pulled a handcart they found in the village laden with stuff they fond in moons room.
Heather discovered an assortment of things she wanted as Margus hacked the large double bed to pieces. She lamented the loss of the bed but took extra blankets and linens. She took the mirror from Moon's wall as well as all her hairbrushes, soaps, scented oils, a dozen socks, and two pairs of shoes that fit snugly. She raided the vault and stole away with more bottles of cider, some wines, a dozen more colorful dresses, a lovely hat with big flowers on one side. She even found some bread and cheese, which she added to the goblins hand cart.
Behind them came Frank complaining and groaning as he and six of the big goblins carried the large wooden tub. Heather wanted to fill the tub with more goodies, but Frank refused to carry it if she made it any heavier.
She led them through the graveyard to the tower, where it was all unloaded on the ground floor.
I should have scared you away, Frank puffed as he and the goblins carrying the tub collapsed to the floor.
Its just a little tub, Heather said with a smile.
Its big enough to hold three people, he pointed out.
Like I said, its little, she replied as she looked around at her treasures.
I want to put the rug in my bedroom, she said as she quickly began to sort out how she wanted things placed.
Frank shook his head and waved a hand. We can do that later. You have more important things to do first.
Like what? she asked.
Did you figure out how to secure your panel? So nobody can steal it again.
Heather smiled smugly and held the panel up with one hand.
I looked at that as we walked back, she said. The last light is a menu of final options. One of them is how I want to equip my panel.
So, you have choices?
Heather nodded as she stepped over an exhausted goblin. I can make it vanish and call it back. I can turn it into a magical necklace. I can transform it into a book that nobody else can read or even remove. I can make it into a magical tattoo that goes on my wrist, and I can even make it into a little pet that follows me around.
You can turn your panel into a creature? Frank asked.
Heather held it out so he could see as she scrolled through a list of silly little animals. He studied it for a moment and rubbed his chin with the back of a long finger.
I like the pumpkin with the vines for limbs, he said. Or the floating skull.
I like the cat with the big eyes, she replied. She turned it back and started to scroll through the options. I know how the lights work now. The first one is all the racial options. Each additional light is for a class up to three, and the last light is the final option. You can set your panel options and some other things.
What other things?
You can make it into a tattoo? Quinny asked.
Heather held the panel up and showed them a page full of various pictures she could pick from.
There's a bunch of categories, Quinny said.
Pick the one with skulls and chains, Frank suggested.
No, Heather said. I want something pretty.
Pick the one thats woven roses then.
Heather turned it around to look at it and frowned.
It has blood dripping from the petals.
I know thats why its cool, he replied.
I dont want anything that looks like I am a biker, she protested.
But youre a necromancer, he pointed out. It fits your build.
I want something with more color that looks pretty.
Frank sighed and looked away as Quinny strained to see the screen.
Do they have any flowers? Quinny asked. I like flowers.
Heather tapped through a few categories and then turned it around to reveal a huge assortment of flowery designs.
The roses were flowers, Frank quipped from the background.
That dripped blood, Heather said with a shake of her head. I want something nicer.
I like that one with the hummingbird in it, Quinny said.
Heather held the panel out to look at it and smiled.
I like that one too. Oh, and this one with the butterfly!
You're a zombie, and you're a necromancer, and you want butterflies and hummingbirds? Frank protested.
Everything doesnt need to be dark and gloomy, Heather said.
Youre a wizard of the undead, he argued.
I still want some color, Heather said.
My forest will be dark and gloomy, Quinny said. The trees have really thick branches and leaves. It blocks out the sun and casts everything in shadows and gloom.
See, Frank said.
But I am going to make a few sunny spots for flowers, Quinny added.
See! Heather shot back.
You two are impossible, Frank muttered.
Heather smiled and clicked through the options.
You know I had a thought. If I pick a tattoo, anyone who knows about them will know I am chosen.
The same could be said of the pet, or the jewelry, Frank pointed out.
Then the option to make it vanish is the best one, Quinny said.
I really wanted the tattoo, though, Heather sighed.
You should pick the option that makes you happiest, Frank suggested. It cant be helped if somebody knows what some of that means. Dont let that stop you from having what you want.
Heather smiled and scrolled down until she found a blue rose with ghostly vines over a pattern of golden lines. It had three smaller white roses arranged around the blue rose in a sort of triangle.
I like this one, Heather said as she held the panel out for Quinny.
Quinny squinted at it and nodded. The gold lines make it look like your wearing some kind of bracelet.
Then this is the one I take, she said with a press.
The panel in her hand glowed with golden light and then became transparent. It formed into a flashing ball that raced to her arm and made her skin itch as the pattern she selected appeared on her left wrist.
So, how do you use it? Quinny asked.
I think you do this, Heather said as she ran a finger over the rose. A ghostly display screen appeared in the air over her left arm.
That is really neat, Quinny said.
Now nobody can take it, Heather replied with a smile.
I wish we had done that sooner, Frank sighed. It would have saved us so much trouble.
Heather slid her finger over the rose, and the ghostly panel vanished.
I didn't know I even needed to hide it. I don't understand this world or the people who play in it. I made a lot of mistakes, but I am starting to understand it better.
To be honest, neither did I. It wasn't until it was stolen that I thought about it, he admitted. I know the world better than you, but I don't know a whole lot about the chosen. I would have warned you if I did.
Heather nodded and looked around the room. Well, we are home, the panel is secure, and Moon should be too low a level to be a threat. We're finally done with all the mess.
Now, all you need to do is pick your third class, Frank said.
Heather sighed. Why is there always more I have to do?
Then, you can pick your weapon, your new tower options, and learn your spells.
Across the graveyard could be heard Heather's cry of frustration.