“No,” he sighed. “We can’t. I guess you better come with me.”
He led me through the house to the library, where he summoned a servant, and instructed him to bring Wally to us. While we waited, he poured a small goblet of brandy for each of us. It was still morning, but the rich do things differently.
Wally arrived, took one look at the two of us, poured himself a drink, and then sat.
“So,” he said. “I’m guessing that the time has come to fill Duke in?”
Bryer took a sip of his brandy before he began.
“How much do you know of the family business?”
“Not much,” I replied. “Lilly hasn’t told me much, other than that you’re in some sort of shipping business. Something about your father finding a way to send items long distances by magic, without the expenditure of power that would normally make it unprofitable.”
Bryer and Wally both chuckled at that.
“It’s like Lilly to put it so succinctly,” Bryer said. “Yes, that’s it in a nutshell. Unless you’re a magic user yourself, it’d be very difficult to explain it any better than that, so I’m not going to try. The business has been good to us. Wally here has been with me from the time I took over from my father, and while I refined the magic to make it work even better, he expanded the business model and made the contacts. We’ve been partners ever since.”
“Nice,” I said, sipping my breakfast brandy. “If you’ve done as well for yourself as Bryer has, Wally, then you must be rolling in it too.”
“I am,” he said. “I’m not going to pretend otherwise. We’re a good team, the two of us, and it’s paid off.”
“And contrary to what you, or others, may think, Duke,” Bryer jumped in, “we run a legitimate business. We don’t contract to criminals, or move drugs, or anything stolen. At least not that we know of, and we take that very seriously. We have a whole division whose job it is to make sure.”
“Which is why what happened a couple of days ago is so upsetting to us,” Wally said. “Last night, when you saw us talking, I just mentioned to Bryer that we couldn’t ignore what happened and would have to take our lumps for it. But, and this is a big but I admit, maybe we could lessen the blow, if we could take steps to minimize the damage. I thought maybe you could help us with this, but Bryer didn’t want to involve you. Now, it looks like that might have changed.”
“What happened that’s so horrible?” I asked.
Wally and Bryer looked at each other.
“One of our checkers messed up, and didn’t recognize what they were seeing,” Wally said, “There was some very powerful magic inside a crate that they sent on to shipping, and it interfered with what they do.”
“Something you normally wouldn’t touch got sent somewhere. Is that it?”
Bryer sighed.
“It’s worse than that. People are going to get hurt. Horribly so.”
Now my interest was really piqued. This was no longer the case of a couple of rich, old guys looking at losing a bushel of money. Now there were innocents involved.
“Stop beating around the bush,” I said, “and tell me what I need to know.”
“As near as we can tell,” Bryer said, “a group of individuals, represented by that man at the door, brought a large crate to us to send to Capital City. A very large, very heavy crate. Heavy enough that they needed a troll to move it. He told us it was iron stock, going to a blacksmith for working. We took it, scanned it as usual, and sent it on. Only…well, Wally, you finish, you’re more on the day to day end of things.”
“Only it wasn’t iron stock,” Wally continued. “It was metal alright, but something didn’t seem right. After it was set up for shipping, the scanner realized what threw him. The iron was in there, but there was also magic, powerful magic, but tamped down, like it was waiting. He ran to shipping and sounded the alarm, but it was too late. The crate was beginning to disappear. They tried to stop it and call it back, but the shipping magic already had hold of it, and it was gone. Our wizards were able to lock it down, for now, so that the thing inside can’t get out, but that won’t hold for long. That’s the good news, if there is any. The bad news is that it apparently didn’t get to the location it was supposed to go to.”
“Well, what was it, and where did it end up?” I asked.
“As far as where it went, we’re not sure, although we’re working on it. As for what it is…”
Wally stopped there and looked at Bryer, who nodded for him to continue.
“We think it was a War Golem.”
My jaw hit the floor, bounced up and slammed into my upper teeth so hard I almost passed out. A War Golem!
War Golems were horrible weapons, made only for killing your enemies. They had no conscience, no morals, no independent thought and would kill, maim and destroy whoever or whatever they were instructed to. Regular golems were tough enough, but War Golems were made out of iron, and heated by an eldritch furnace that made them extremely hot. They were horribly strong, more so than a troll even, and impossible to even dent with regular weapons. Something like my gun, or Brindar’s axe, should be able to hurt them though.
They were a weapon of war in the worst meaning of the word, and their use was forbidden by every city or kingdom that I could name. Someone unleashing one in Capital City was no laughing matter, especially if Bryer and Wally didn’t know where it was aimed.
But if it came from their shipping company, and anyone could prove that…well, let’s say that His Majesty was not going to be pleased.
“How long before you know where it ended up?” I asked.
“Should be any minute now,” Bryer said. “Why?”
“As soon as you do, send me there.”
“I don’t know that that’s a great idea, Duke,” Bryer said. “Our processes aren’t designed to send anything alive. It would be…well…uncomfortable.”
“I’ve been uncomfortable before. If it’s not going to kill me, send me there. I’ll finish off the War Golem and get back here before the wedding.”
“How are you going to do that?”
“I assume you have an office in the city, right? You’re going to contact them, however you do that, and tell them to send me back, whether it’s against protocol or not, when I show up and ask. As far as the Golem, leave it to me.”
Bryer and Wally looked at each other again, clearly uncomfortable with this whole idea.
“If something happens to you, Lilly will…” Bryer began.
“Probably burn the whole place down,” I smiled. “But nothing’s going to happen to me. I’ve handled some pretty tough things before.”
True. Maybe not War Golem tough, at least on my own, but still, I had confidence in my abilities and those of my Ultimate Weapon.
I went with Bryer and Wally to another building located off on one side of the property, far from the house. This was an executive field office, where items could be sent to and from the estate. It turned out that a lot of well-heeled nobles had the same set-up, for which they paid a premium.
Once there, we learned that the wizard in charge of shipping discovered where the crate with the War Golem ended up. It was down near the docks, and from what I could gather, it was close to the NHLF headquarters, which was its original target. The shippers diverted it, but not by much.
“This is bad,” I told Bryer. “If that thing is after the NHLF, it could spark a city-wide riot. You need to get me there, now.”
They had me step onto a raised wooden platform, covered in symbols that were burnt into the wood. Bryer himself stepped to the edge of it and began to chant.
I’d been transported before, through both space and time. It’s never a good feeling, and always ends up leaving me feeling nauseated and dizzy. This time was far worse. Whatever method Bryer’s father came up with was definitely not for the living.
The shipping office went away, in bit and starts, as if I was rapidly moving into a gray cloud and back out again. The times in the cloud got longer, and
colors began to appear and flash through the grayness. There was painfully bright light, then total darkness, and everything in between. I started popping into what looked like a street, and back into the gray cloud, like the start of the journey, only in reverse.
Finally, after what felt like forever, I arrived. I immediately fell to my knees, my head spinning and my equilibrium destroyed. My stomach rebelled and I vomited onto the street. I pulled myself upright and steadying myself against a wall, I looked around for the crate.
It was there, a few feet away, smashed to pieces. The War Golem was obviously set to activate when it arrived, and when Bryer’s staff couldn’t hold it in check anymore, it tore its way out. I spun around, which was a mistake so soon after the transport, and was on my knees again. Shaking my head, I looked up, and saw the door to the NHLF headquarters laying in pieces, torn from its frame, and heard screaming coming from inside.
I staggered to my feet and ran as fast as I could. When I got through the remains of the doorway, I saw chaos. The War Golem was in full attack mode and was being fought by what looked like every available member of the NHLF. I saw Ham, the ogre, stride in and deliver a terrific blow that would have crumbled a brick wall like it was made of powder. Against the golem, he may as well have been hitting it with a pillow. The golem paid no attention to the blow, but surged forward, heading directly for Ivar, who was being protected by two trolls standing in front of him, massive clubs at the ready.
The golem stopped momentarily to swat a dwarf away from its legs. The poor fellow flew through the air and crashed into the wall, a large handprint burned into his chest. I’m sure he would have been screaming in pain if he was still conscious.
I aimed my gun, said, “War Golem” in a clear voice, and pulled the trigger. The little metal ball flew out, glowing red, which was something I never saw before. It hit the golem in the small of the back, which was about head height for me, with a noise like a hammer striking a bell. It reverberated loudly throughout the room, and a small hole opened up where it hit. A gout of flame shot out through the opening, and the golem turned its head to look at me.
It must have sensed a threat, which was the only thing that would stop it from pursuing its target.
“Ivar!” I yelled. “Get out of here! It’s coming for you, but I’m going to try to lead it away!”
I kept backing up and firing as I shouted. Every metal ball struck with the same ear-splitting sound, but made more holes, out of which more flames spat. If I didn’t get it outside, it was going to burn the whole building down.
I almost made it back to the door when a figure pushed past me and ran straight at the War Golem. It was Brindar, rushing forward, his axe pulled back over his shoulder, readying a blow at the golem’s leg.
“No!” I shouted, but I was too late.
Brindar came in hard, axe swinging and it took the golem right below the knee. It didn’t shear all the way through, but it did open a huge gash, and the flames poured out of it. Instantly, fire started to spread through the building. I saw one of the trolls pick Ivar up, throw him over its shoulder and charge toward the back, ignoring his leader’s protests.
“Brindar!” I shouted. “Let me lead it outside!”
I kept firing, and Brindar moved back, his face ashen at the result of his attack. The golem moved forward again, only slightly slowed by its damaged leg. I resumed firing and it began coming after me again. Brindar moved behind me, clearing any of the door debris away so that I could concentrate on shooting the mammoth, iron golem and not worry about falling on my ass.
We made it through the door and the golem followed, smashing through the frame again. The few people left around scattered as I began firing faster, the metal balls blasting hole after hole in it.
Now that it was outside the structure, Brindar moved back in, his axe a blur. He chopped away at the golem’s leg while I kept shooting it in the torso, head and arms. It tried to swat Brindar, but he managed to duck and keep from being hit, long enough to finally hew completely through the thing’s leg.
With a mighty crash, it toppled over and Brindar was on it in a flash. He drove his axe into the golems head, shearing the top open. Ignoring the fire, he reached in, and pulled out a scroll, which was completely unsinged by the heat. As soon as the paper was out of its head, the War Golem grew still and the fires began to die out.
Ivar came running up from wherever his bodyguards held him.
“Mr. Grandfather!” he shouted. “What is the meaning of this?”
“Ivar, I have no idea,” I replied. “I got wind that this thing was being sent after you, and wanted to help. But, I can’t stand around talking about it. I’ve got a wedding to get to.”
I left him, Brindar, and everyone else standing there with their mouths open and took off running. Bryer told me where I could find their city offices, but it was a fair distance, and I didn’t have much time.
I made it, and went through the same, grueling transport that I made to get to the city, coming out of it back in the shipping office on the Deerborne estate. Bryer and Wally were waiting, and they helped me to my feet, gave me some water, and supported me to the carriage that would take us Rose’s wedding.
We didn’t make it with much time to spare. I hurried to my spot next to Lilly as the ceremony started, trying to appear nonchalant.
“Honestly, Grandfather,” she whispered when I sat down. “Could you have cut it any closer? And what happened to your clothes?”
“Had to try to catch a horse that got loose,” I said.
Lilly didn’t look like she believed me, which made sense since most horses don’t singe formal-wear, but the ceremony started, so I was spared any further questions. It was lovely too, I have to admit. Rose looked beautiful, and Bancroft seemed happy, in a dazed sort of way.
During the after party, Bryer brought me a mug of ale, and to my surprise, was holding one of his own.
“I won’t forget what you did, Duke,” he said, handing me the mug.
“Glad I could help. But I don’t think you’re totally out of the woods yet. That thing burned down the headquarters of the NHLF, and the Palace Guard, City Watch or both may have some questions.”
“Wally and I expect that. Now that we have a breather, we can trace where the crate came from and help the Guard or Watch with their investigations. And we’ll make a donation to the NHLF, help them rebuild. Hopefully that will smooth some ruffled feathers. But all of that is only possible because of you. So thank you.”
We toasted each other, and for the first time, I didn’t find Bryer’s dark eyes to be quite so cold.
Later, I danced with Lilly, holding her close as we swayed across the floor.
“Thank you,” she said.
“For what,” I laughed. “Not stepping on your toes?”
“You know what. Daddy told me what you did.”
“Well, it was nothing that any heroic hunk of man meat wouldn’t do for the woman he loved.”
She laughed.
“I’m glad you’re my heroic hunk,” she said.
We danced silently for a few more moments, enjoying the feeling of being with each other. The song ended, and Lilly kissed me on the cheek.
“Oh, and Daddy says we have his blessing.”
She walked off to tend to Rose, leaving me standing on the dance floor, staring after her.
THE ENDING
“Did you run after Grandmother and ask her to marry you on the spot?”
Duke smiled.
“I think we’ll leave that for now. Who knows? Maybe your grandmother would like to tell you about that one herself.”
The old man took a sip of his ale.
“Well, I think you must have enough for now. You’ve been listening to me spin my tales for days. You’ve heard sad stories and glad. Do you have enough?”
“I have tons of notes…it will take me forever to go through them and put them in order and then write them up…”
“Then you do. But don’t be
a stranger! I’ve enjoyed having you here, and so has your grandmother. Even Petal has asked about you.”
“I’ll be around, Granddad,” the young man said. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
He rose, gathering his things.
“You know,” he said, looking pointedly at his grandfather, “you still never told me how you got it.”
“I know,” Duke replied. “But that’s a story for another time.”
AFTERWORD
I dreamed Duke Grandfather. Not as he is, or the adventures that you just read, but the idea. I woke up one morning, and recalled a weird dream of a guy who had a magic gun, which could be set to kill just about anything, and the name Duke Grandfather. I’m not sure what that says about my subconscious, but there you are.
My mind set was firmly in the writing mode at this point, because of my wife, Barb, who kept encouraging me to write, and suffered through my first attempt at a novel. She provided encouragement and a lot of editing and proofreading. It’s only because of her that the book you’ve just finished even exists.
So it was that with that germ of an idea, from a vague dream, I wrote the first Duke Grandfather story, and called it Nuisance Man. In the course of writing, I discovered Capital City, and suddenly found that there was a new movement afoot. Who knew? Not I, certainly.
Then, after discussing it with Barb, I thought that I could have Duke relate more of his adventures, and maybe tell them to his grandson. This was directly inspired by my relationship with my own grandfather, who would tell me stories of his life for hours on end. Unlike Duke though, he never shot anyone. At least not that he told me.
Over the next several months, I visited Capital City several more times, and met Lilly, Sarge, Raven, Brindar, Magnus and the rest. They all sprang into being, filled out Duke’s life, and provided me with hours of amusement.
When all was said and done, I inflicted the final project on three others, and I’d like to thank them here. Judi, Marty and Ben, thank you all for reading and the feedback. Duke will see you again soon!
Duke Grandfather- The Whole Story Page 27
