Zak was torn between contempt and laughter at the spectacle of Death trying to peel War Scribe off of her leg, and dispite having just died AGAIN, laughter won out.Death, for her part, was looking flustered and rather flattered at the melodic voice and beautiful face bit. "That's, uh, very nice of you. I'm flattered. Really. I am. I don't really have a cold icy touch, do I?" She blew on her hands and rubbed them. "I was just in the Frost Plains," she explained. She really WAS flattered- few people enjoyed meeting her, fewer still WANTED to meet her, and nobody else had ever been quite so...enthusiastic! "Look, please stop that...let go now, or I can't...."
She solved her problem by dissolving into mist and reappearing behind Zakiyah, who was shaking her head in amused bewilderment. What a weird day this was turning out to be!
"Zakiyah, meet your nemesis," Death said, indicating the girl still kneeling and looking at her with adoration.
"My...nemesis? When did I get a nemesis? At least that explains the whole squeal like a pig and DIE bit...."
"The Swamp you traveled through created her. One for you and each of your companions, though I've already taken all but one of the others. Now that she's killed you, I daresay that compulsion is over with and you both can get on with your lives...?" She looked questioningly at War Scribe. "Or are you still under the impression that you could only die if Zak here died too? I assure you that your immortality is unlinked to hers. You'll both be meeting me again."
The effect of this news was different for Zak than it was for War Scribe...Zak looked like she'd swallowed a lemon. "You mean I have to live the rest of my pennance with my nemesis running loose and unable to die herself?!"
"That's for Validor to decide," Death said. "I have a feeling he's going to want to have a little chat with you both. Don't ask me why-- I don't dictate where you go, I just take you there and tell you silly jokes on the way....come along!"
