“I take it then, you’re not from here? You came from some other place?”
He nodded, “Yeah, nasty little place called Haver Strome. I found the portal here when a big war broke out.”
“So you decided to duck out and come here?”
“Wasn’t much else I could do, we’d lost the war by then and well, I’d lost my family. So rather than surrender and get stuck on a pike, I left. What’s your story?”
“I was doing a little trading through a portal. Was back here for my last trip but when I got back, the portal was gone. So I’m stuck here.”
“I can think of worse places to be stuck Will.”
“I can’t. I have a pregnant wife back there. If I’d known that the portal was going to close, I wouldn’t have come back.”
“I didn’t know they could close,” Josh mused. “Then again, I never studied them much. Though I did run into a guy once about a decade ago who seemed to know a lot about them.”
“What did he say?” I asked now leaning closer to him.
“He said they had to do with the way all the different realities were formed. They were all clustered in groups that were strung together at more or less fixed points. They passed energies and such to keep everything at an equal level, or something like that. The points where the energy flowed was where the portals were.”
“Can you feel them from a distance?” I asked curious about that. I’d been able to feel mine from nearly a quarter mile away the last time.
He nodded, “After a couple of times you can feel them. They all feel different too. That fella told me also that if it feels really bad, don’t go through. Not all the places they connect to are safe.”
“Did he say why people speak English on the other side? I found that too strange a coincidence to believe.”
Josh laughed, “Oh, they don’t. When you go through you’re changed to fit into the reality you’re entering. That means the local language is stuck in your head, and if the laws of the universe are different, you’re adjusted to fit in.”
“Great, so if I do find a way back and it’s in another country, I’ll show up at home unable to talk to anyone.” I grumbled.
“Actually no. You’d show up through the gate speaking the language from the first place you entered. It seems that once you have a template in a new reality, wherever you enter it from after that, you get the template from the first trip.”
I nodded and thought about that for a few minutes.
“So where is the portal you came through?” I asked eventually.
“Up in Vermont. I don’t think you’d want to go through there though.”
“Why not?”
“Nasty place. The kingdom that overran us was pretty bad.”
“Yeah, but I’d look like one of them and speak the language, right?”
Josh pondered that a bit. “True, assuming it isn’t on the world you’re trying to get too.
“Ever hear of Hillshire?” I asked
“Sounds like that company that makes sausages,” He chuckled. “But no. Still, I wouldn’t recommend it, and it won’t be getting you any closer to your home.”
“I need to do something. How many gates have you gone through anyway?”
“Four. Two back at home, and two here. Of course one of those is the one back to where I came from.”
“Where’s the other one?”
“A few miles from here.”
I sat bolt upright and stared at him. “What?”
He nodded, “That fella I was telling you about, he came from there. Was doing some research. I went back with him out of curiosity, but I didn’t care for it much.”
“Why not?”
“Too advanced. I guess you’d call it a ‘high tech’ world. Wasn’t for me. Kind of repressive there too. Seems they had laws for everything and the ability to enforce them.”
“Think you could find him if you went through again?”
“Nah. He wasn’t that trusting. A lot of people who portal jump aren’t. There are some pretty bad characters running around he claimed. Plus to be honest, I like it here; I’m never going through one of those again.”
“I was thinking more along the lines of having you draw me a map or something,” I said absently.
“Why?”
“Well, if a portal can close, I wonder if it can be reopened.” I shrugged. “I just wonder what the odds are of there being another portal to the same place from here.”
“Well, he did say they tend to cluster in similar ‘formats’ I believe was the word he used. My home and his place were both a lot like here, just different cultures, and different levels of advancement. But the people and the animals looked a lot alike.”
I thought about that some more, then stood after a few minutes. “Well I’m off to bed. Thanks, Josh.”
“Sure, no problem. See you in the morning.”
I waved and headed out of the tent, and went and found my own.
I was in the tavern again, and across the table from me was my companion from that previous dream.
“Long time no see,” I said nodding.
“I’ve had other things to attend to. You are not my sole concern Will.”
“My own subconscious can’t make time for me? I’m hurt,” I chuckled and tried the drink. Not surprisingly, I really couldn’t taste anything.
“So, you’ve now found out that there are other gates, and I suspect will get your friend to give you the locations of two new ones.”
I nodded, “Damn straight.”
“Neither of those gates will lead to where you want to go however,” he said taking a drink. The same as last time, the rest of the room and people had now disappeared and it was just the two of us at that table surrounded by a comfortable darkness.
“And you can tell me where the gate I want is?” I laughed.
“Of course. I know where all the gates are on this planet, and those other two. There are five more on this planet that can take you to the planet Hillshire is on, one even within a few months’ travel of your goal.”
“Prove it,” I said glaring at him.
“Okay,” he smiled, “I shall. Tomorrow when you’re finished for the day, I want you to go out to the highway, drive north exactly three and four tenths of a mile and stop. You will see a service road leaving the highway. Take it eight tenths of a mile then pull over and get out. Head directly north by north east.”
“And I’ll find the portal home?” I asked hopefully.
“No, but you will find a portal. Bring an umbrella, it will be raining.”
And I woke. It was morning, I got up and got dressed and went to get some breakfast after writing down those directions so I wouldn’t forget them. I ran into Josh briefly and asked him that if I got a map, would he mark the portals for me? He agreed, so I told him I’d meet with him after I got one.
Later, much later, I decided to follow the instructions my dream friend had given me. When I stopped at three point four miles, sure enough, there was a service road. It was pretty overgrown and unused looking. But I eased the car onto it anyway and drove carefully, picking up a few scratches on the car’s body along the way. Twice I had to get out and move logs from the path, but I got there. I pulled out a compass and walked then. After twenty minutes I felt it. Another twenty or so and I was there. I could almost see it, and Josh was right, it did feel different. I got a good look around to get my bearings and I stepped through.
I had forgotten to bring an umbrella. It was raining alright, and fairly hard. I hadn’t brought my cloak, stupidly I hadn’t brought much of anything, and I was soaked to the skin in minutes. Of course I wasn’t sure which was greater, the chill from the rain, or the chill down my spine as I realized that the guy in my dream knew something I couldn’t have.
I looked around a little, but the sky was dark and I couldn’t see very far. All I could tell was that I was in some sort of woods, and there were no lights I could see or sounds beyond that of the rain. I turned back to the
portal and noticed something interesting; the portal from Hillshire to back home had felt exactly like this one.
I went back to my car, got some dry clothes on and after finding a spot to turn the car around, drove off to a drug store and bought a road atlas. I marked the gate I’d just found on it, then I went back to find Josh.
“What’s this mark?” He asked.
“I did a little exploring, why, is that it?”
“Hmm? No it’s down to the south over here.”
I watched as he drew out the instructions, they were a little less precise, but still close enough that I could probably find it. Next he did the one in Vermont which turned out to be close to a hiking trail.
“I’m surprised that people don’t fall through that one all the time,” I said.
“I don’t think most people are affected by the portals. Same for animals. I’ve seen small animals just walk right through them with no effect. They don’t go into them.”
“Interesting.”
Josh shrugged, “If they were easy to find and go through, everyone would know about them.
“I guess so. Well, I’m off to bed.”
“Night, Will.”
I didn’t dream of the man in the tavern that night, or the next one. But on the third night, just as I was starting to get anxious, he showed up.
“Where have you been?” I asked exasperated.
“I told you, Will, I do have other things to deal with.”
“Okay, okay. So tell me, how do I get home from here?”
“It’s not that easy, Will,” he said looking me straight in the eyes. “You’re going to have to do something for me first.”
“What!?” I almost yelled at him. “What the hell for?”
“Because, quite simply, I’m in a very bad position and I need help. You help me, I’ll help you. You don’t, well good luck because there are over a thousand gates on this planet and unless you get really lucky, you’ll never find the right one.”
I stood up and held the mug in my hand, I was thinking of smashing him upside the head with it and beating him until he told me.
“Won’t work, it’s a dream, Will. Besides, remember the first one? I can hurt you; you however, cannot hurt me.”
“I think I just might be willing to test that theory,” I growled.
He sighed, “Sit down, Will.”
I looked at him.
“SIT!” He ordered loudly and I suddenly found myself sitting.
“Okay, here’s the story plain and simple. My city and most of its people are about to be wiped out. I need the help of someone such as you to save it. There will be bonuses along the way, I guarantee you. But I won’t sugar coat it. You could die. If I lose, you will certainly die because I won’t be able to help you.”
He looked me over, “But I promise you by and in my name, Feliogustus, that if you help me, I will open a portal near to Riverhead for you.”
I looked back at him, giving him the same examination, “You can open portals?”
“From within the seat of my power, yes. It’s not easy however, the whole thing is fairly complicated, but I can do it.”
“And all I have to do is go help you win this battle? This war?” I’m sure I looked as incredulous as I felt, even if it were a dream.
“I will do some things to help you, but I believe you have a chance. Without you I have no chance. I have put everything on the line for this. Many of my people will die if you do not help me. Tens of thousands, maybe all.”
I sighed. I was never good at guilt trips, and he did know about that other gate.
“Okay, so what do I have to do?”
“Swear an oath to me. When the time is right I will send you through to my home world.”
“Why not now?”
“Because now isn’t the proper time. I have a few allies; one of them is rather strong. They can see more of the future than I can. My closest and strongest has shown me where and when it would be best to introduce you to the fight.”
“How long then?”
“A few days. A week at most. So will you do it?”
“Yes, but be warned that if you are lying to me, I’ll come after you.”
He laughed, “As you will learn soon enough, when I give my word I mean it. Now here is what you must swear.”
He handed me a parchment, which I read. Carefully. Twice. It was fairly simple; I was swearing myself to his service, in all realities, until such time as I revoked my vow. I would follow his orders and commands, serve him in all things, and in turn he would take care of my needs and keep me whole.
Fairly simple really.
“I noticed that this says I can quit whenever I wish,” I said looking back up at him.
“Yes, there are meta-rules that govern everything, and allowing you to quit makes it harder for me to abuse your position.”
“What about being fired?” I asked curiously. There had been nothing in there about that.
“I can’t fire you. You have to agree to leave my service.”
“That’s different.” I said pondering the implications.
“It’s all about balance. Now if you’re serious, do swear the oath.”
I nodded and reading it I swore myself to him then. He smiled reminding me suddenly of a very pleased cat.
“Keep your things together. When I have need of you, you’ll only have a few hours of warning.”
“How will I know?” I asked, “Am I supposed to take naps or something?”
“Oh no. From this point on, I will be able to make my desires known to you. I’m still only what you would call ‘minor league,’ but I have enough of an ability to make myself understood. And as my champion, I’ll pretty much know everything you’re saying or thinking if you think it at me.”
“Minor league? Your champion?” I blinked. “Just what are you?”
“William my son, I am a god. And you are my champion.”
“A god?” I leaned back in the chair, that was a bit hard to believe. “So what do I call you?”
“Well ‘God’ works,” he smiled that smile again, “Or my full name. However, Fel works too, though I suggest you don’t let the rank and file hear that, I wouldn’t want to lose their respect.”
“I... See....” I said, but clearly I didn’t. “Do I get any powers with this?”
“Of course, but not right now. I must run to attend to my duties. There is still much for me to do.”
“Yes, uhmm, Fel. One last question?” I asked standing up as he stood to go. Even if this was a dream it seemed like the polite thing to do.
“Aryanna suggested that I recruit you. She thinks you have spunk.” And with that he was gone.
I woke up then and looked out the flap of the tent, it was still dark out.
‘If you keep answering questions before I have the time to ask them, I’ll go insane, Fel!’ I thought at him. Or at least tried to. Hopefully he got it, but for my part I went back to sleep and had pleasant dreams about Darlene and the White Swann. They weren’t anything exciting, just me watching her work and do her daily routine, all the while looking very pregnant.
“Josh, what can you teach me about medieval tactics?” I asked as we all sat around dinner the next day.
“Quite a bit actually. Why?” He said glancing over at me.
“Curiosity.” I said.
“Uh-huh. Well what period?”
I shrugged, “I don’t know. Start with the Greeks I guess and work forward?
“The Greeks were hardly medieval,” he pointed out.
“Well yeah, I guess. But they were foot soldiers mostly, right?”
“So you’re interested in infantry combat then?”
“I guess so. Nothing involving Cavalry.” I had a sneaking suspicion that the battle I would end up involved in didn’t involve any sort of Cavalry, and I also suspected that my suspicions were coming from Fel.
“Okay, well here’s how it works generally....”
And with that, he started to
go into shield walls, pikemen, pikemen’s squares, lines and flanks, flanking maneuvers, how to maneuver a large number of soldiers on a field, and the kinds of numbers these battles often fielded.
He told me of the hoplites, the Persians, the Romans, the Janissaries, the Vikings, and the English longbow men.
Over the next several days I learned a lot of basics; Josh was amazingly well informed on the subject. He wouldn’t say why, but I suspected he’d been more involved in that lost war than he was willing to admit.
“The big things are to make the terrain work for you, get as much as you can into the fight as quickly as you can, and not be afraid to run away to fight another day when you’re hopelessly outnumbered. Surprise is your friend and your enemy. If you can surprise them, you can do a lot more with less. If they surprise you however, you might lose before you even get started. Information and communication, those are very important things to remember. Never let your opponent see anything but what you want him to see. And remember that what he shows you may very well be a lie as well.”
“Doesn’t sound easy,” I sighed.
“If it was easy, then anyone could do it!” He laughed. “The best thing is to study history, look at what happened last time, and try to apply it to this.”
I nodded, “I do have one big question for you, and I’d appreciate an honest answer.”
He grimaced, “You can ask, don’t know if I’ll answer.”
“Fair enough. You’re not from around here, yet you know a lot of our military history. Seems kind of strange to me.”
“Yes, well, for a while there I entertained ideas of returning home and throwing out the conquerors and liberating my country.”
“Ah. What stopped you?”
“The inability to find enough soldiers in my homeland.” Josh sighed, “They came through and put to death all of the men in the military, all of those in the ruling class, those of fighting age or near it, anyone at all who could keep the old ways going. Or who might raise a revolution. Twenty years later, hardly anyone remembers what was. In a generation everything that was, will be forgotten.”
“Sounds harsh,” I said.
“Yes, it was. There’s really no hope of raising any kind of revolution to return my government to power, no one is left from it, and hardly enough to remember it. The religion of my youth is completely gone from the place, probably the world, its temples and priests removed as if they never were. They ripped the roots of our society up and burned them.”
Portals of Infinity: Book One: Champion for Hire Page 6
