Out of Time the Grand Quest

by Christopher Douglass

  “Yeah?”

  Kimi reached out and touched the flower, the head lifted up and the withering leaves fleshed out as coloring came back to the greenery. A faint aura of yellow light washed off the petals.

  “Thanks for cheering me up.”

  The boy’s chest puffed out as his nose was lost under the bright white teeth he showed her. With that, he turned and ran out of the room again, leaving Kimi alone once more. But this time with thoughts of beginnings and not of endings.

  She was surprised at how much she enjoyed cooking. At home she was no culinary master, but she wasn’t a novice either. Many times her mom didn’t come home until late, having picked up a double shift, so Kimberly had learned to fend for her self at mealtimes. It wasn’t hard, just follow the instructions on a recipe and you were mostly guaranteed to have something edible. Whether it was tasty was a different matter. Cooking on a stovetop was always the hardest. You had to guess at the temperatures, unlike baking where the oven did all the work for you. More than once she had burned meat on the outside but left it raw in the middle, cutting steaks and sausages up into small bits to cook completely.

  Kimi knew she could have easily transformed into a chef, using her knowledge from books to wow and amaze. But she felt that would be cheating. She didn’t like the feeling of being defined by her Other power. Of being assessed as a tool to increase some mage’s standing or make them stronger while just plain Kimi was overlooked. She was rapidly coming to appreciate how good her life had been. And how being just plain Kimberly Changa wasn’t as bad as she had first thought.

  The two hours seemed to fly by and the massive amount of food she had made was piled high on two plates. Kimberly had at first thought it was too much, then she remembered the amount of food she had consumed the last few days. She wondered if maybe it wouldn’t be enough. But Kimi didn’t feel as ravenous as she had other meals, and she assumed Grell would be the same way. If it wasn’t enough, Kimi decided she could always make more. Eyeing the plates critically she was proud of her handiwork.

  Without a recipe, or any way to regulate the fires in the old style oven, it didn’t look too bad. There were charred bits to be sure, and some vegetables that looked like they were still a bit too raw, but the meat looked cooked all the way through. Add to that fact she had to cook with animal fat and not cooking oil, seasoning it with salt she had scraped off a block and not sprinkled from a shaker, Kimberly felt she had a right to be proud. This was the product of Kimi Changa, not Chef Kimi.

  Humming to herself, Kimberly set the table. Her mind mulling over the same thing it had the entire time she had been cooking. Whether to contract with someone or not. There were definite pros and cons for each decision. But the one thing that kept tripping her up was Grell’s words. What was it that she needed to make herself feel whole? To feel like she could live with herself and her decision? At home, she had already had her life planned out. She would finish school, get a scholarship and go to college to be an English major. Perhaps become a writer and make some money doing that. Kimi hadn’t given much thought as to what she would do with her degree after she got it, but at least there had been a tentative plan she was happy with. Now all that was thrown out the window, and she was forced to reassess her future.

  “Something sure smells good! From that fact alone, I know you didn’t make it my dear.”

  “I’ll make sure to boil your old socks for your dinner tomorrow then.”

  “Would still taste better than your usual cooking no doubt.”

  Kimi smiled as the sliding glass door in the other room closed and the old couple began bickering. Kimberly was amazed at how quickly she had gotten used to it and even looked forward to listening to the back and forth. Would she ever find someone like that? If she became a mediator she would. From what Kimi had been told of the hierarchy system, mage-mediator pairs were highly sought after as mates. Especially if they survived the quest. There was stability to the spouses-- from an extra pair of eyes on their children-- to power and prestige. Those that survived the quest were heroes, basically set for life with any needs provided by the city they settled in.

  So not only were they highly sought after for marriage propositions, but also by the cities to get them to settle there. The more partners, the more the city grew, and the safer it became. Small towns like Yandor had it harder, since most of the burden fell on the few powerful mages. In this case Joel alone. And it was by the power of his name as a Great Wizard that had convinced people to settle and grow the city from its small village roots. Which made Maria’s reasons for being so pushy a bit more understandable to Kimi now.

  But was pity enough to partner with her? She was sure everyone had a sob story that could pull at her heartstrings if she cared to listen. Even if mediators from Atlantis volunteered, they were all still ripped away from their old life without warning, just like Kimberly had been. Mages probably formed partnerships and attempted summoning for all sorts of reasons. To gain power, to make a name for themselves, for love, fear, grief, supporting their family, even something as simple as acceptance by society. Many tried to summon, but only around sixty percent succeeded. Those who failed were burned out, unable to do magic ever again if they weren’t outright killed by the backlash. So succeeding at a summoning was an accomplishment all on its own worthy of respect. Still, Kimi wasn’t sure any of that was enough to justify making a contract.

  “Kimi, I’m back! It shmellsh really good!”

  The room filled quickly, people taking their seats and plates began to pile as hands reached from every direction. The heaping platters quickly dwindled, with a large bulk going to both her and Grell. The bread was slightly uneven, but still looked and tasted like bread, and the mashed potatoes had been hard to screw up. Kimi held her breath, waiting expectantly for the verdict as forkfuls were brought to mouths.

  “I like it dear. It looks simple to make too. A nice change of pace from stews and steaks. It’s not so bad to have something luxurious like this every once in a while. Even if it does take a lot of preparation and tending. I give it a seven out of ten.”

  “Ha! It has to be a ten out of ten, just because it’s not something you made.”

  Kimberly smiled at Grell’s compliment, but beat the old woman to the punch in retorting to Joel’s comment.

  “You already used that insult when you came in from outside old man. You need new material. Or do you lack the capacity to expand your repertoire in your senility?”

  Joel guffawed along with Grell, wiping his eyes as he let out a breath.

  “I have no clue what repertoire or senility means, but I assume it is nothing good. I guess I will have to concede for now if I am going to get ganged up on by two quick quipping women. I’m too old to try and battle on both fronts like that.”

  “Kimi dear, I think that is the first time I have seen him admit defeat so easily. Because of that, you can stay here forever if you want. Perhaps with you to help keep him in check, we can make an honest mage out of him yet.”

  “I don’t think so Grell. If I do that, your head will start to swell with your newfound power over his docility until you won’t be able to fit through any of the doors. Besides, you’ll get fat and lazy with no one to spar with every day.”

  “I don’t know why, but I have a feeling there was a backhanded insult in there somewhere.”

  “Well at least it wasn’t a front handed one like Joel always gives you.”

  That prompted yet more laughter, even from Jordon who was shoveling forkful after forkful into his mouth. The only one not joining in was Maria, who had a bit of a gloomy cast about her. Kimberly didn’t fail to notice the way the girl avoided her gaze, nor the sidelong looks Maria sent her way when she thought Kimi wasn’t looking.

  “Well, I love thish food. I’ve decided. Kimi can be my partner from now on sho she can cook me thish kind of shtuff everyday!”

  “Or you could learn to make it yourself.”

  “Don’t be shilly, boysh don’t
cook! That’s a womansh job.”

  “Where I come from boys and men cook all the time.”

  “No way!”

  “Way.”

  “What’sh your time like? Ashide from boysh cooking and all?”

  Kimberly met both Joel’s and Grell’s eyes, both of them shaking their head slightly in warning. She nodded back, telling them she understood and wouldn’t reveal anything.

  “It’s filled with books. Thousands and thousands of books of all shapes and sizes. With all sorts of information inside. But other than that, you know I can’t tell you.”

  “Awe! Pleash? I won’t tell anyone elsh!”

  “Nope. Not happening. Not unless you can bring me what I most desire right now.”

  “What’sh that?”

  “A way back home.”

  Jordon’s face fell, but only for a moment. His grin returning as he scooped up another bite. “Ah well, then I guessh I won’t learn anything then. I will jusht have to be content with being able to lishten to the shtoriesh you can tell me.”

  The rest of dinner was filled with idle chatter, most of which sounded like town gossip, but was information Kimi needed to know about if she was going to fit in to this new society. With all the plates empty, and the last crumb of bread long since eaten, no one seemed adverse to the prospect of sitting around the table continuing their talking. Taking another look at Maria, Kimi finally decided she should get her decision out of the way. Clearing her throat, she got everyone’s attention, causing the room to quiet as eyes locked onto her.

  “I’ve been thinking about this whole contract thing for a while now, and I’ve made a decision.”

  Instantly Maria’s eyes were glued to her, hope rising in them as she leaned forward.

  “I’ve decided I’m not going to contract with anyone. I’m not going to go on quest. It’s just not me. I realize if the quest fails, there is a good chance I’ll fade away and cease to exist. But there is a higher chance I will die if I go on the Grand Quest. A quest full of unknown dangers and pitfalls that will probably take a good number of mage-mediator pairs. I’m not so foolish as to think I would be an exception in such odds. Even with my Other power, there is no guarantee. So I prefer to take the safer route, and live as just a simple citizen. Grow old and get married and live a quiet life. Because that is more who I am than all the people I can become with my Other power.”

  Kimi turned her gaze on the crestfallen Maria, softly telling the girl to look at her. At first the girl refused as both Joel and Grell solemnly looked on. Even Jordon was quiet, realizing the weight of the moment. But finally, as Kimi knew she would, Maria lifted her head up to meet Kimi.

  “I know this isn’t what you want to hear. But I need you to hear it. Really hear it. What I need right now is stability. Not stability of my powers, but stability of my life in general. I’m not going to get that on quest. And I won’t get that with you. At least, not right now. The stability you offer as a contract pair is one in a far off future. Where the quest is over and we would be celebrated as heroes and saviors if we survive. I can’t wait that long. I feel my life is a bit crazy and falling apart right now. I’m afraid and confused and all manner of other things. The moments when I’m not all those things is when I am walking around town with Jordon, or talking with Grell and Joel.

  “It’s those moments when I feel I have family. With my mother thousands of years away in the future that might not exist tomorrow, that feeling is the closest I can come to part of the stability I need. I’m just a sixteen year old girl from a society and culture far different from this one. Perhaps if I had time to adjust to all of this, like Daniel did, I would have volunteered to become a mediator by choice. No, I am sure I would have volunteered. Because even though I have been here for only three days, I have the desire to protect this world and all the thousands of people that live here I don’t even know. This choice is nothing against you, and it is not because of anything you have done. I’m doing this for me. I based the decision on my needs, nothing more. So please understand and accept my decision. Even if you don’t understand, I hope you can accept it, because I’m not changing my mind.”

  With her announcement made, Kimi pushed away from the table, heading out the front door to be alone in the darkness for a while. No one followed her.

  She wasn’t sure if she was glad or sad about that fact.

  Chapter 8: The Grand Quest Begins

  Kimberly woke with a crick in her neck. The tree behind her hadn’t been the most comfortable of spots, but she just hadn’t been able to return to the house last night. Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she found Jordon leaning against her, a light blanket wrapped around the two of them. With a smile she eased her arm out from under the boy to wrap it around his body instead. Was this too some magic of this world? Or was it something else entirely? Perhaps her subconscious had recognized what she needed long before she had actually worked it out. Pushing her towards the boy in an attempt to give her the stability she craved.

  Jordon stirred at her movement, waking shortly after. He had a look of confusion about him, as if having forgotten where he had fallen asleep. That look left after a few blinks, his head craning around to tentatively smile at Kimberly.

  “Partnersh shtick together.”

  Kimberly didn’t answer verbally, simply squeezed the boy against her side. The moment lasted only a second, but it was enough. Standing and stretching, Kimi heard the sounds of horns being blown off in the distance and bursts of light like fireworks exploding in the air. While she was confused as to what was going on, Jordon’s face lit up instantly. He jumped to his feet, grabbing Kimi’s arm and tugging her towards the far off commotion.

  “Come on!”

  “What’s going on?”

  “The Grand Quesht! It’sh shtarting!”

  As Kimberly began to jog next to the excited Jordon, she noted everyone was heading in the same direction. From little kids to aged grandparents. It seemed as if no one was going to miss whatever was happening. Trees began to move on their own, the knots turning into faces as their limbs ushered the onlookers on. Children rode in the branches waving at everyone below them. Kimi’s jaw dropped when she saw a tree that had to be so big around three people would be needed to encircle its trunk, shooting into the sky for what seemed forever. It was bedecked in glitter with leaves crowning the top that sparkled every color of the rainbow. Though it had no branches at all. It made a slow and stately procession towards the ruckus, everyone who passed bowed to it before dashing on ahead.

  Confectionaries of all shapes and sizes appeared on tables out of nowhere, people grabbing what they wanted by the handfuls. What was used was replenished from thin air. Ahead she could see people lining up on either side of a lane leading to the gates at the edge of town. A path wide enough for six to march abreast. Jordon pushed his way through the crowds finding them a spot at the front along with all the other children, fistfuls of donuts and candy in his fingers. Kimberly didn’t even know when he had managed to grab it, or when he had managed to stuff what looked like an entire cake in his mouth.

  “This seems like some kind of parade, not the start of a quest to decide the fate of the world.”

  “Mmmph mmump.” Jordon swallowed what was in his mouth before trying again. “That’sh becaushe shome of them won’t come back. It ish to show them how much we apprechiate their shacrifice. Even if they don’t complete the quesht, they are heroesh. We don’t want to shend them off with tearsh in our eyesh or shadness on our fachesh. What if that made them second guessh themshelves and make them fail?”

  Another trumpet blared, Jordon looking up and down the path excitedly until he spotted a speck in the distance. He tugged on her arm again pointing at the speck along with every other child who spotted it. Even many of the older people were getting excited about the approaching shadows.

  “Look look! There’sh the firsht partnersh! I hear Elshie hash been practicing for two weeksh on thish impresshion. And Fred over a mont
h!”

  Impression. Now that was something she did know. While Joel and Grell hadn’t gone into much detail about the actual quest day, they had talked about this aspect. Each pair attempted to make a lasting impression, to show off their power as mage and mediator and build confidence in the people watching that they had nothing to worry about. While being a strong mage was no guarantee of success, it implied it. And it helped build a name for the town or city the more partnerships there were, enticing more people to settle where the victors might have came from. Or settle in a town that so many strong pairs had been formed at, implying many potential strong mates and future strong offspring.

  The sight coming down the lane now certainly gave off an impression of power. A saber-toothed tiger as big as an elephant stalked down the lain, muscles rippling under gleaming black fur. Sitting within its open mouth was a woman in a gold dress. No, it wasn’t a gold dress, it was a dress literally made of spun sunlight. The woman wove signs in the air, causing the very light to take on a physical form which she bent to her will before wrapping it around her body to replace the wisps trailing off.

  The crowd went wild, jumping up and down as she passed. Some even chanting her name. she made it to the gate but didn’t go through, instead, marching to stand just to the side, inside the dividing line. With grace that would make a goddess envious, she slid out of the beasts mouth to snap her fingers. The spun dress blew apart, revealing a midnight black one with pinpoints that sparkled like stars in a night sky. She shook out her raven hair, letting it flow in an invisible breeze as her beast companion shrank, turning into a man only slightly taller than her at six foot. He too was dressed like her, in black shirt and breeches with sparkles scattered around. When they stood side by side, Kimi had a hard time telling where one ended and the other began.