by Mark Tufo
“Azile is fine, or Mrs. Talbot.” She smiled, I blushed. “Well, maybe not that.”
The man had no idea how to respond. “The assembly has, umm, assembled,” he replied.
Oggie bounded after us as we followed the man to the large building in the center of the square. I noticed Kalandar sitting amongst the seats in the packed meeting hall. Where Bailey had sat at the head of the dais was now occupied by a man on the smallish side. He had short hair and a wide set to his eyes that was compounded by his very slender nose. Of all the people that could directly tie their roots to the ancestors of this town, he looked the furthest from that line. I was not expecting a friend in him. He had the look of a politician deeply stamped on his broad forehead.
“Relax.” Azile grabbed my hand. I felt the tug under my eyes again. Nothing on the man’s face registered.
“Lower,” she murmured.
“Damn,” I replied as I looked at a spot in the middle of his chest that pulsed a deep golden color.
“Azile, Michael Talbot, it is good to meet you, finally. My name is Benjamin Tynes. I would not expect you to call me by my initials; by all accounts I am as different from my forbearer as your dog.” He was smiling.
“It is good to meet you, Benjamin,” Azile said.
“Where have you been?” I asked, not tactfully, that’s for sure, but not accusingly, either; I was just curious. If he had lived in this town, there was no way we would not have at least crossed paths on multiple occasions.
“I’m afraid I have a severe case of wanderlust. For the better part of three years I have been walking the land. I made it to the Pacific Ocean, lived with a tribe that called themselves the Cheromanchees for a time. Peaceful, for the most part–unless given cause. Then they are among some of the fiercest warriors I had ever encountered. I had originally thought perhaps I would find more settlements like ours, Denarth, or even the now non-existent Robert’s Land, but it would appear people are more inclined to stay closer to nature this go-around, like the Landians. I must admit, there is a certain appeal to it. However, I do not believe I will ever get over my fondness for a true, feather mattress. But that is not what we are here to discuss. From what I understand, these are very grave times.”
We spent the better part of two hours relating everything that had happened and what could potentially happen. The panel was attentive and asked very pointed questions. Some we had answers for; others, like what was Denarth going to do about it, we could not even begin to answer, though we could offer hope that Lana would break free of the fear that bound her. In true Talboton fashion, the populace was concerned but not panicked. This threat was one more obstacle in the way of survival. It was meant to be dealt with and then move on.
“Well, I think it is safe to say that nothing will happen today, at least that is my hope, because I wish to get you properly fed,” Benjamin said. “Now that we know what’s going on and what we may need to do to prepare, I would like to call an end to this council meeting, provided there are no further questions? Alright.” He stood. “Let’s get some food cooking and some mead flowing for our guests.”
I was heading out with the rest of the crowd before Azile could grab my shoulder.
“He said mead.”
“He is waiting behind to talk to us.”
“Can’t he talk to us while I’m holding a glass of mead?”
“You can wait for a moment.”
“I suppose.” I sighed as I looked at Benjamin coming our way.
“If you had only one choice, would you choose me or mead?” Azile asked.
“Oh, hon, there would be no choice at all.”
She looked at me slyly. “You realize you did not answer the question.”
“Oh, I think I did.”
“Hello.” Benjamin was beaming as he grabbed first Azile’s hand and shook then also did the same to me. “I cannot thank you both enough for all your help in saving our home. And to meet the man that the town was named for? I don’t even know what to do with that.”
“You’re making me uncomfortable,” I told him. He had not yet let go of me and kept moving in closer.
“He has personal space issues,” Azile said to him.
“Of course, of course,” he said, yet he kept leaning in.
“Looking for the teeth, aren’t you?” I finally said.
“I’m sorry…I can’t help myself. We have all these wonderful stories about our founding father, our namesake. I’ve read them all a half dozen times and, I mean, how many times can a person say they are standing among their childhood heroes–legends, even?”
“BT was the legend. Me, I was just along for the ride.”
“Sure, spin it any way you want. Again, sorry.” This time he did let go of my hand. “I hear that you had a run in with the Landians.” Ben was watching us closely for our reactions.
“A lot more unfriendly since the last time, though they’ve always been a little off; anybody that bases a religion on the Golden Arches can’t be all there.” I swirled my finger next to my head.
“Mike,” Azile berated. “It’s what they believe in; who are we to judge?”
“Are you taking that tactful stance because of Ben, here? It was a fast food joint and the ‘food’ part was questionable.”
“Religions have been based on far less.”
She was right. I could name three right off the top of my head without even thinking about it; at least we knew for a fact the golden arches had truly existed; billions were served.
“How are diplomatic ties between you two?” Azile asked.
He thought upon it for a few moments. “‘Strained’ might be a good word. We have a symbiotic relationship; they have always been out there, in the surrounding lands, giving us information on what was happening, and we also had the added benefit of them patrolling our borders. We have always opened our arms to them for medical attention, food, shelter, supplies…whatever they have needed, when they need it. Lately, though, we’ve seen a subtle switch. They have been coming at regular intervals to gather supplies, not necessarily when they truly need them, and they have been rude about it, demanding.”
“As if you are paying a tithe,” Azile said.
“That is what it is beginning to feel like,” Ben answered.
“How long has this ‘Halifax’ been in the picture?” I asked.
“She came about the same time as we noticed the change, four months.”
“That’s pretty quick to go from a child from whom I detected nothing, to the power channeler she is now. Have you heard any rumors? Any unusual happenings?”
“That’s the thing; we’ve always enjoyed an open, convivial relationship. All of a sudden they have become secretive, not quite hostile, but certainly not welcoming.”
“What have they stumbled into?” Azile asked no one in particular.
“Are my citizens in danger?” Ben asked.
“We all are.”
Azile was no alarmist, so hearing her say those words had me concerned. I’d thought the world-splitting was just an exaggeration; now I wasn’t so convinced.
“Many things to think upon and none of them good,” Ben said. “Well, you know what I always say, best to ponder on a full stomach and a drunk mind.”
“I think I like this guy,” I said to Azile.
The night was spent in good company and we were rested and nourished. “That went well,” I said as we left. We’d warned them, ate a good meal, and I was half in the bag as I sat up in the back of the wagon with the kids. Oggie sat up front on the bench seat with Azile, Linnick upon her shoulder. Kalandar waited about a mile out of town to switch over from his hidden form to his natural form; he now walked alongside us.
“I think I understand them better when I’ve been drinking,” I said to Azile in regard to the kids.
“Makes sense. They are basically crazy people until they learn better.”
She was right. Unfortunately, in terms of natural born instinct, we don’t get a shit ton of
it to rely on. Sure, babies and kids might not walk into a fire, but they’d start one. They’d eat giant chunks of lead-based paint off a wall curled with it then run headlong into that wall just because. I once caught Travis jumping from the sink, over the toilet, past the glass shower doors, and into the tub for the fun of it. There’s not much cognitive thought process going on up there early on, no forethought whatsoever, nor any true type of precaution built in. Without a diligent and vigilant parent, I’m sure the mortality rate for kids would be somewhere around ninety-eight percent. Of course, you’re always going to get those real hardy types that can survive just about anything. Where was I going with this? Oh yeah, being around kids was basically like hanging out with your drunk buddies, except they’re miniatures. I wouldn’t be surprised at any point if one of them said: “Hey, watch this…hold my milk bottle!”
“They are all around us.” Kalandar said.
“I’ve noticed,” Azile replied.
I was the only one in the dark and as far as I was concerned, I was okay with that, most of the time. Light was good for sure, but sometimes it revealed too much crap. Everybody’s room is clean in the dark. I sat up.
“They’re not going to let us go.” The seemingly random thought just shot into my head.
“What reason would they have to keep us here?” Kalandar asked.
“I don’t think they want to hold us,” Azile replied.
“Oh…” Kalandar realized the implication.
Inuktuk’s voice boomed through the woods. “You will surrender yourselves!”
Azile spurred the horses on just a little faster.
“Shit.” I kissed each baby, tucked them in then moved to the front where I grabbed my rifle. “What the fuck has happened that we can’t even cross the lands of friends anymore?”
“Red Witch! Azile! Stop!” Inuktuk boomed out. “If you give us Michael Talbot and the demon, the rest of you are free to go.”
“What do you think, Kalandar? You ready to give yourself up?” I asked him.
“I would rather fight a tangle of polions.”
“And what are your plans for my husband and our friend?” Azile asked, her voice amplified as well but not like Inuktuk’s all-encompassing thunder from above.
“I will not try to hide our intentions; Michael must die. The demon will need to return home.”
“You have the ability to create gates?” Azile asked as she clicked the horses into another gear, not quite a run, but working toward a trot.
“Halifax does.”
“Inuktuk, the power your Shaman possesses is not possible, even after decades, centuries of learning and training. Yet in four months she has mastered the ability to open new worlds? This is unheard of. You have to realize that something is wrong here.”
“I know that we have information that decries Michael the Destroyer of Worlds.”
“Is this true?” Kalandar asked me. “Did you know about this?”
I shrugged. “Doesn’t sound like something I would do. I don’t even own a Death Star.”
“Lamashtu is not to be trusted,” Azile spoke out.
“Shit, I hope not,” I said.
She put her hand on my knee. “Relax. I won’t let you destroy the world.”
“How is this even a sentence I need to hear?” I asked. “So you believe her?”
“She does give a convincing argument,” Azile responded, and not in a manner that led me to believe she was kidding.
“Lamashtu can sit upon her crown of thorns!” That was Halifax.
“If not her, then who?” Azile asked. The horses were trotting now, the Landians had to be running to keep up, but what were the ones in front doing? Either they were keeping pace ahead of us, or, less likely, we had passed them.
“It is Gabriel!”
“What? Me and that kid get along great! I only ate some of his cake,” I said to Azile.
“Different Gabriel.”
“Damn.” I replied when I realized just who we were talking about.
“Yeah.”
I didn’t like that she agreed with my stance. I would have been much happier if she’d told me it would be all right, that they were wrong, or that she would protect me. Didn’t get any of the sugar coating to go on the turd I was being served. Although, really, a sweetly sprinkled shit doesn’t sound all that appetizing either. An arrow embedded itself into the wooden frame of the seat not six inches from my leg.
“Guess they’re not messing around.” I was looking down at the quivering quiver.
Azile said some words then flashed her hand over the back of the wagon.
“Be prepared to grab the children. Kalandar, I’m going to need you back down to people-sized.”
He did so without question.
“Linnick?” She scurried back into my pocket.
“Tallboat, I have had more times of danger and excitement since my death than during my entire life. I do not know how I feel about that.”
“You get used to it,” I told her.
“The surprising thing is, you wholly believe that.” Linnick was looking at me.
“Get the children. When I tell you to jump off, do so immediately. Kalandar, you will stop when he jumps. Clear?” she asked.
“Grab babies, jump, stop. I think I can handle that. Oggie, you got that?” He pawed my arm, I took that as his affirmation.
She slowed the horses down a bit; it would make jumping off safer and it would give the illusion that we were giving up, which I really hoped wasn’t the case. Although, if that was what was she wanted, she would have had me jump without the kids. I felt like I was safe-ish.
“Now,” she said just loud enough for me to hear. I had one kid in each arm as I dropped off the cart. Kalandar steadied me, Oggie jumped into his arms, and we were still. Azile went a few feet farther before jumping off herself. I thought for a few moments that maybe she had pulled our essence free from our bodies as I looked upon the wagon. There were versions of us still sitting on the seat, a ghostly silhouette of Kalandar walking alongside, and even a baby’s head poking up for authenticity.
Azile tapped my shoulder and pointed to a place off the path. “Stay close,” she whispered in mine and Kalandar’s ears.
We moved nearly like we were conjoined. Azile had a grip on each of our shoulders to make sure we did not pass out of her sphere of influence. We had not gone more than ten feet off the path when the first of the Landian warriors passed by. He was focused on the wagon up ahead, but the female following him stopped at my departure point. I don’t know if she noticed the ground crushed where I had jumped down or possibly our new footpath off to her right. She looked for a moment right at us before the warrior ahead called out for her.
“She’s going to be a problem.” Not sure why I needed to say it aloud, everyone else saw it as well. Warriors were coming up quickly through the woods and not all of them on the trail. More than a few would soon be within a few feet, one within a couple of inches. I know I didn’t even breathe for over a minute. My heart was racing. One poor bastard clipped Kalandar shoulder to shoulder. Azile moved so fast I barely had time to grasp what had happened. She’d pulled the man into our circle and plunged the blade of her knife into his throat. Kalandar shifted Oggie into one arm then eased the dying man to the ground. We were all in now; blood had been shed. Not sure who I was kidding; Inuktuk had already said they needed to kill me. Blood gurgled around the wound as it mixed with oxygen. His eyes were wide open in terror, as his life bled from him.
Kalandar bent down and placed his index finger upon the man’s heart. A blue spark emitted from the tip and the man was still; his eyes closed and his head tilted to the side. We waited another minute until we were sure no other warriors were coming.
“We need to move,” Azile said. I pointed to the dead man who would be exposed the second we left.
“Nothing I can do about it.”
“He can.” I moved my pointer finger to Kalandar.
“Do you mind?” Ka
landar asked.
“Mind what?” Azile asked.
Kalandar couldn’t respond as he’d picked the man up and crushed him into his mouth. It was surprisingly quiet for such a monstrous event.
“I don’t ever want to see that again. Are we all clear on that?” Azile asked. “Let’s move.”
We’d gone perhaps a quarter mile when our ghost-ridden wagon ruse was uncovered. It was first rate subterfuge, although now we were on foot and many miles to go before we were out of Landian territory, and would that make a difference? I couldn’t imagine this was like the early 1900’s in America, maybe I got all of this from movies, but I was under the impression that cops back then couldn’t pursue criminals once they passed county lines. Not saying we were criminals, and there were definitely no county lines–yeah…none of it is relevant. Forget my poor attempt at an analogy. So, we could move reasonably fast as a group, but the babies were going to slow us down; that was a fact and there was no way around it.
“I’ll find you, Azile!” Halifax shouted. “You realize my power, yes? There is nothing you can do to thwart me!”
“Thwarted so far,” I said softly. “That a word? Sounds funny.”
We could see far up ahead a light that, at first, was no larger than a beach ball but was expanding outward.
“The light of revealment,” Azile said.
“I take it that’s a problem?” I asked.
“Not only will it burn away my invisibility spell once it touches us, but we will also glow a bright yellow color. So, I’m going to say it will be a problem.”
“You could have just said yes,” I told her.
We started moving again at a much quicker pace, not as much concerned with staying in the circle. The Landians were waiting for us to turn into Las Vegas signs and light up the boulevard. I more than expected the light to flash past us like a sonic explosion, basically really quickly. But it was slower, much slower, well, compared to my expectations. We could see it coming and were doing our best to stay out in front of it, but unless we could flat out sprint in the wide open, our lead wasn’t going to last.
“Wait; once she torches your spell can’t you just cloak us again?” I asked.
