by Dave Hazel
“I do not know the reason for the unexpected attacks. There is talk Zizmon-Tarl is pushing them. My new friends have seen other bands in the forest before the hills. My party had been attacked at the lake. That was only yesterday. Yes, the craft they travel in moves very fast,” Towbar said in response to the puzzled look on Drod’s face.
“Yes, my Lord.” He nodded in acceptance of Towbar’s report and eyed the strangers again.
“Drod, what I need from you immediately, is for messengers to be sent to the neighboring towns and villages along the mountains. I want the messengers to express that I personally request as many as possible to go to the Pass. I desire every abled body to join me at the Pass. Soldiers have been deployed from the Walled City, however they will be a long time in arriving. The Pass must not fall to the Sosos.”
“Yes, my Lord. I will have messengers sent immediately. Please take yourself and your companions to my home. I will join you after I send runners on their way. You will find food and drink there.”
“Thank you, Drod. We will wait for you at your home.”
They went straight to Drod’s home and ate a large meal. Towbar, Drod and several elders sat in a different room and discussed the present situation concerning the Soso invasion. Mykal couldn’t understand their language so he left them. Now that he had a full meal in him, his main concern was to get cleaned up.
After eating they were led away to where they could bathe and wash themselves. Waiting on Towbar and the elders they decided to walk through the town. They understood the strange and curious stares they received everywhere they walked. They became the center of attention at every location.
Hushed murmurs followed their every movement. Mykal could only guess some of the rumors being spread. Towbar said they were sent by the gods, some in the crowd said they were gods. For the most part everyone seemed friendly, though shy.
The people were poor, compared to his modest military standard of living. But they all seemed happy, especially the children. Mykal enjoyed watching them watch him. Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch the four strangers.
They felt like celebrities. Every movement they made was studied and met with wonderment. Mykal and the others found it hard not to smile and even laugh at the odd position of notoriety they found themselves in.
“I’ll tell ya Sarge,” Kurt whispered so as not to be heard by the charmed townspeople. “I wouldn’t mind finding me one of these local gals and knocking off a piece while we’re here. What about you?” He added and nudged Mykal in the ribs.
“Oh, no. Not me. I’m happily married, remember?” He held up his left hand to proudly show his wedding band.
“Kurt, you wouldn’t know what to do with one of these local gals if she gave herself to you,” Boris teased.
“Hey Porky, you’re barking up the wrong tree. Cuz if I’d only ever been with one woman, then I still been with a hell of a lot more than you,” Kurt fired back.
“Yeah but I’ve seen some of the beasts you’ve dated. The animal rights people get all bent outta shape when you’re out on your dates,” Boris replied which caused Roy Jr. and Mykal to laugh.
“Dang, you boys are crazy,” Roy Jr. laughed.
“Stop it. I don’t want these people thinkin’ bad of us,” Mykal said.
“Man, I feel like a circus freak.” Boris looked shyly to the ground. “They’re staring at us like we’re from another world or something. Yuk, yuk. That was supposed to be funny Roy.”
“Hey, do you guys wanna give them something they’ll be talking about for the rest of their lives?” Kurt whispered and snickered. “Since Towbar told them we’re something special, let’s all drop our drawers and moon them. Cuz then they’ll have something to tell their great-great-great-great grandchildren.”
“I don’t think that’ll go over too well,” Mykal laughed with them. “Remember, we have an Air Force image to uphold.”
“Forget the Air Force,” Kurt retorted. “I don’t think we’re in the Air Force anymore. Are we? Are we still on the old USAF time clock?”
“Until I say different, you better believe it,” Mykal said.
“Hey, what’s this?” Roy Jr. stopped in front of a wooden building. “It looks like a bar. Don’t it?”
“It sure does. Let’s go in,” Boris begged with a thirsty grin. He no longer cared about all the stares. “I want something to drink to take away the sting of the past few days.”
“Yeah Sarge, let’s go in,” Kurt eagerly cast his vote with the same thirsty grin Boris had.
“I could use a good strong drink too.” Roy Jr. supported their suggestion.
“Okay, we’ll go in,” Mykal agreed. “But I’m laying down the law. Only one drink! Just to see what kinda stuff they got. We can’t get messed up. Especially you Kurt, you’re the driver.”
“Aw, come on, Sarge,” Kurt quickly protested. “You’re taking all the fun outta my life. I wanted to get shit-faced.”
“Forget it, we’re leaving.” Mykal turned away.
“Okay, okay.” Kurt buckled under Mykal’s threat. “Just one drink for our little kindergarten class,” Kurt mocked with a childlike pout. “Damn Sarge, you’re a real hard ass at times,” he moaned in submission to Mykal’s authority.
“That’s my job.” Mykal nodded triumphantly. “Denny would go ape shit if he knew I was allowing you guys to even have one drink, cuz he knows you guys always get stupid when you drink.”
“Hey, my character is being maligned,” Boris laughed.
“But you didn’t argue with him, did you?” Roy Jr. chuckled.
The townspeople outside the building, and those who lined the steps to the door parted like the Red Sea to allow the strangers to enter. Some females seemed to be enthralled when they walked by.
To Mykal’s surprise the small establishment was packed with people. After a quick glance he determined these were the wrong people to come across down a dark alley. This crowd of ruffians and loners seemed different than the people outside the door.
All heads turned in their direction and the stringed music that filled the air suddenly ceased. Word spread quickly about the strangers. All the laughter and conversations stopped. The air weighed heavy with stale smoke and smells of various cooked foods. The lighting was dim, mostly torch and candle light. The door and windows were crammed with onlookers trying to see what the strangers were going to eat or drink.
“This looks like the kinda place you find on the wrong side of the tracks,” Boris whispered when they stepped up to the bar.
“They look like some pretty rough customers,” Kurt agreed.
“We have nothing to fear,” Roy Jr. reassured them as he slapped Boris on the shoulder. “We’re friends of Towbar and he told them they all owe us their lives. So let’s take advantage of it. Just a little anyway.”
Kurt smiled at his comment. “Ya know, Roy, I’m starting to like you more and more. Hell with takin’ advantage of it a little, let’s take advantage of it a lot.”
A loud booming voice broke across the quiet room from their right, the dining and seating area. “Barkeep! Another drink or I will slit your throat and feed you to my dogs, you slow cow. More drink for my friends before you anger me.” He slammed his hand on the large round table. The four others at his table encouraged him with hoots and yells.
“I will be right with you, Gan,” replied the plump man behind the dirty white apron. His balding head shined with sweat and his fleshy face displayed a ‘short-on-staff’ anxiety.
Mykal turned to the menacing Gan. He looked as mean as his threat. Gan sat at a thick wood table with two henchmen on each side. All five were large and burly, Gan being the largest. Their clothing looked dirty, their beards and hair were filthy and unkempt. They looked close to Sosos in appearance.
“I could see that guy kicking sand in our faces on the beach,” Boris snickered and turned from looking at the table.
“Wow.” Kurt exhibited mock fear. “I wouldn’t wanna tangle with that G
an character, cuz I wouldn’t wanna become doggie food. Who the hell names their kid Gan, anyway?” He chuckled quietly trying to make his friends laugh at the potential danger.
“You!” Gan yelled and jumped to his feet, nearly throwing his chair over. He pointed a long dagger at Kurt. “Stranger! If you have something to say to me, say it to my face or I will slit your throat and feed you to my dogs.”
Kurt quickly apologized. “I wasn’t saying anything to you, Mister Gan. If I upset you, I’m sorry,” he added but wouldn’t make eye contact. Dead silence filled the room again.
“See what your big friggin mouth did?” Boris said in a hushed whisper. “We’re in here sixty seconds, and you’re already starting a fight with the locals.”
“I didn’t think he could hear me,” Kurt whispered.
“Do not provoke me, stranger. Who invited you in here?”
“No one, Sir,” Kurt said politely.
Before Gan could say something else, one of the townspeople rushed to Gan and whispered in his ear. He obviously told Gan the strangers were guests of Towbar.
“I do not care,” Gan grumbled and reluctantly took his seat. “I do not fear him.”
The bar remained quiet, all eyes focused on the strangers. Gan complained as the person continued to whisper to him. If looks could have killed, Kurt would have fallen over.
With a swift swinging arc of his arm, Gan drove his long dagger into the wooden tabletop and snarled. “I do not believe such tales.”
“I think maybe we better be going,” Boris suggested. “These guys seem pretty intoxicated. And they don’t seem to be in the best of moods to be meeting new people right now.”
“Nah, it’s alright,” Mykal reassured them. “Just don’t go smartin’ off to anyone.”
“Look who just walked in.” Roy Jr. smiled as if the cavalry came to the rescue. Towbar doubled over to enter the doorway.
“Hey, Towbar,” Kurt called out, greeting the giant with a hand shake. He clearly put on a show to let everyone know, especially Gan, that he and Towbar were friends. “How’d you know where to find us? My old buddy, my old friend,” he exaggerated.
“I only had to ask or follow the gathering of people,” Towbar replied.
Towbar spoke to the innkeeper in their native language. The portly, balding, man bowed and smiled in agreement. “I have made arrangements with Braidum. Your food and drink will be supplied, so enjoy, my friends. I asked Braidum to give you my favorite drink. Have something different if you do not like it.”
“Thanks. Are you leaving us?” Boris sounded concerned.
“Yes, I must go back to the elders and discuss the coming invasion. I will join you when our business is completed.”
“Are the people around here friendly toward strangers?” Kurt asked and flashed a glance toward Gan.
“They are curious when different types of folk come around. Why, did someone give you bad treatment?” Towbar looked around the room and saw all attention to be on them. “I will not tolerate ill treatment toward my friends.”
“No, we haven’t had any problems. Yet,” Kurt replied and looked at Gan.
“You dare look at me?” Gan growled and slapped the table beside the protruding dagger. “Is it a battle you desire?” His drunken challenge roused gasps amongst the other ruffians.
“Gan, these men are with me. They are my guests. It would be wise if you kept to your own business. You look as if you have had too much drink. You should go sleep it off.”
“I do not need sleep. I have had little to drink,” he lied. “My unease is with the large stranger who speaks with the rude mouth. He offended me.” Gan jabbed his finger toward Kurt.
Kurt grabbed the wooden mug that was set before him. “I didn’t do anything. We were just kinda laughing a little cuz he was threatening to kill Braidum and feed him to his dogs. So you better watch it, Towbar, it sounds like his dogs are hungry.”
Everyone laughed except for Gan and his four henchmen. Gan jumped up, throwing his chair backward. “You dare mock me?” The patrons stopped when Gan looked around to see who joined their humor. “If you do not stop laughing--”
“You’ll slit my throat and feed me to your dogs. Yeah, yeah, we heard you,” Kurt derided Gan from the giant’s side. Towbar’s presence seemed to bolster his confidence.
Mykal, Boris and Roy Jr. tried to laugh quietly, but they couldn’t hide the amusement Kurt stirred in them. The patrons remained silent, cowering because of the confrontation.
“You dare mock me?” He asked again. Anger flushed his face.
“Gan, my friends mean you no harm,” Towbar said and placed a large reassuring hand on Kurt’s shoulder. “Let them enjoy their drink. They are visitors. They are my guests.”
“I will not sit by and allow strangers to speak foolishly to me and not face the consequences,” Gan barked. “He speaks like the bastard child of a perverse woman.”
“Did he just slam my mom?” Kurt asked.
“Shut it,” Mykal said and pointed a finger at Kurt. He didn’t want Kurt to interfere with Towbar’s mediation.
“Gan, I will say this only once, you will make a grave mistake if you do not allow this to end now. Just one of these men will defeat all five of you.”
“What!?” Gan gasped in disbelief and his henchmen snorted quietly at Towbar’s farfetched statement. “I do not fear these little men. You speak as if you have had too much drink.” He jibed and slapped one of his men on the back. “I am a great warrior. It is I who will defeat all of them.”
“Gan, these men are great warriors sent by the gods. I have witnessed their power with my own eyes. I have battled beside them. Understand, they are peaceful men, however, if you provoke them, you will call down the wrath of the gods upon your head. I do not want to hear that one of them was injured trying not to harm you. Then you will answer to me,” he said and balled his fists causing all his muscles to flex.
“Surely you jest.”
“I have spoken true words. The next time we meet, Gan, when you have a clear head, I will give you another opportunity to talk so bravely to me. I advise you to hold your tongue because I will not be here to protect you from my friends,” he added to everyone’s surprise.
“Protect me from them?” He gave a loud, drunken scoff and encouraged his friends to laugh with him. A murmur started among the establishment’s patrons. “You speak like you are confused.”
Gan’s friends appeared uncomfortable opposing Towbar and encouraged Gan to cease arguing with the giant. They urged Gan back into his chair and pressed him to drink so as to leave the strangers alone. Like a pouting child, Gan stewed over the embarrassing encounter. He eyed them and sulked.
“Mykal, I must return to the meeting. You are welcome here despite Gan’s foul mouth. I would advise that you stay only a short time. If you feel threatened--” he paused and looked at all four, “--defend yourselves. They will not hesitate to kill. Gan is a mighty warrior, and he has always been a bully.”
“Thanks Towbar,” Kurt said with a frown. “I thought you were gonna stay here with us. Me and my big mouth,” he sighed.
“When you are finished, please join me at Drod’s house.”
“We will,” Mykal answered and glanced over to Gan’s table. “After we finish our drinks we’ll come back. These guys need a little break after all we’ve been through the past few days.”
Towbar departed, Kurt raised his mug first. “Let’s drink this stuff and then we’ll get the hell outta Dodge.”
“Once again, it’s cuz of your big friggin mouth, we’re in trouble,” Boris teased his best friend.
The contents appeared to be like beer. The liquid looked golden with foam on top. The liquid seemed thicker, like cough syrup, but they were convinced it was a form of beer. All lifted their mugs in a slight toast. “To getting home,” Boris said.
Mykal sipped whereas the three guzzled their drink. It stunned Mykal how strong the drink hit. It had a minty flavor but didn’t taste to h
ave alcohol in it. Something very strong in the drink burned more than hard liquor. The three choked and gagged and Mykal felt the intoxicating effect immediately. He was glad he didn’t guzzle like the others. He feared the three would be overwhelmed by the powerful beverage.
“Wow,” (cough) “that’s some” (cough cough) “kick-ass brew,” Kurt blurted out between choking and coughing. He looked like someone trying cigarettes for the first time.
“Oh man,” Boris gasped and wiped a tear from his eye. His body wobbled. “It’s potent. This stuff will get you shit-faced.”
“We need to bring some of this back home,” Roy Jr. coughed and wiped his forehead. “It kicks like an angry mule.”
“Has Towbar lost his senses?” Gan spoke so all could hear him. “These strangers look like boys and they can not handle their drink. How am I supposed to fear these puny men?” He forced a laugh. With Towbar gone his henchmen were brave enough to join his loud caterwauling. “Towbar should not say I need to be protected from these boys.”
Kurt grabbed his crotch and laughed out loud. “Hey Gan, I got your boy hanging. Oops, sorry Myk. The buzz got the best of me. Braidum, gimme another,” he called out and slapped his hand down on the counter. “That’s some good stuff.”
“Kurt, don’t screw around. That’s an order,” Mykal said and put his drink down. He knew he would have to be the sober one since both Boris and Roy Jr. cackled drunkenly with Kurt.
They were amused at the stunned look on Gan’s face. Mykal guessed the people in the bar never heard such crude vulgarity before. Mykal knew his men were capable of much worse.
“Oh man, they’re pro’ly gonna whip our asses,” Roy Jr. tittered. “Whew, I never felt so drunk so fast before,” he added and pulled the shot gun off his shoulder and set the Thompson down. “If stuff happens, my riot gun will get their attention.”
“Is it because you wear strange clothing that I am to fear you?” Gan called out and threw his chair behind him again allowing anger to flare. “Where did you strangers come from?”
“I oughta say I just came from your momma’s house,” Kurt whispered and burst out with laughter, infecting the others.
