37 Days In A Strange World

by Dave Hazel

  He reached back with his right hand a second time to feel how bad his flesh had been split when he caught a kick to his side that knocked him over. Doninka had been forcefully yanked down with him.

  “You chicken shit bastard,” he snarled and tried to pull himself up but another vicious kick caught him under his right eye, and it knocked him out cold. Mykal collapsed to the ground.

  When Mykal started to come around he heard Doninka crying and the rough laughter of Metz. He felt his body being picked up from the ground to be carried. Doninka was forced to be dragged by his side since they were still connected at the wrists. He guessed he’d been out cold for only a few moments.

  “What’s wrong…with that…little creep?” He asked and dazed out into blackness again.

  “Mykal. Mykal,” Doninka shook him. “Can you hear me? Krink says that we are almost at the King’s court.”

  “Oh man,” he moaned and realized his body was carried by four Dwarves. “You mean I ain’t dreaming all that stuff?” He opened his eyes and his head throbbed. “I thought I had a bad dream,” he said and took note of the architecture. All the buildings were magnificent. The workmanship of stonework, the artist design in all the engravings was just utterly beautiful. Mykal found it unbelievable that a nation of civilized people lived right under Doninka’s and Towbar’s noses undetected.

  The stone buildings, the craftsmanship and artistic style were like nothing Mykal had ever seen before. The colors were bright and vivid and the artworks along the walls were strange but eye catching. Every step on the high gloss polished floor slapped and cracked. They passed columns of marble pillars all with different scenes carved into them. In one area the artwork on the walls and the statues that surrounded the large room made Mykal think of ancient Rome.

  They passed through more large doors into a very large hall. The echoing of every noise reminded Mykal of a school gymnasium. He clearly heard footsteps, clanking of weapons and equipment, but no voices. While being carried, Mykal’s head hung backward and he watched the Dwarves who followed. They stopped at another set of doors.

  “Towbar!” Doninka screamed with excitement and happiness to see the giant stood among the little people. She tried to run to Towbar and forgot they were locked together. She nearly pulled Mykal’s arm out of socket. She let out a howl when she was jerked back and almost fell down. “Towbar,” she called his name again and tears of happiness welled up in her eyes.

  “Towbar?” Mykal asked, quickly coming to his senses. He struggled to pull free from the four who carried him. “Towbar,” he called out happily when he laid eyes on the giant who stood beside Boris and Sam. “Boris and Sam,” he yelled excitedly with a joyful laugh and pumped his fist and wobbled toward them. His friends didn’t look to be prisoners. Seeing friendly faces gave a renewed hope, and if anyone could gain their freedom, Towbar would be that person.

  “Myk,” Boris and Sam called, concerned for his appearance.

  “Alright. Who says the cavalry doesn’t come to the rescue? Man, I’m so glad to see you guys,” Mykal said. “I thought you guys were dead,” he added and started to laugh showing his renewed sense of hope and happiness.

  “What has happened?” Towbar asked as he grabbed Mykal’s shoulder to hold him still to inspect the swelling of his right cheek under his eye. “Are you hurt, my friend?” He asked with the concern of a parent since Mykal had been carried in.

  “I’m okay now that I see you guys. That little jerk whacked me in the back of the head. Look, he made me bleed,” he turned his head and showed him the blood on his hand. He looked over to Metz and the bully seemed subdued in the presence of the giant. Metz looked surprised by the sight of outsiders standing there.

  “He also kicked Mykal in the face,” Doninka pointed to his cheek.

  “When I get the chance I’m gonna shove that stick up his ass,” he growled angrily.

  Metz backed away under the glare of the giant who stood before the Dwarven King’s throne. Mykal explained the events that happened to them since the cave-in. Metz snuck past the giant and moved to the large beautiful throne to relay his version of events since he encountered the intruders.

  “Where’s the rest?” Mykal asked when he noticed only two of Towbar’s soldiers were with them.

  “I fear the rest may be dead,” Towbar explained. “The collapse of the ceiling was not an accident. A guard tripped the trap when we entered the secret passage way. They thought we were Sosos.”

  “I know for sure that one was killed by the cave-in because I saw his hand under the rubble. And Al Capone was killed by a giant spider. It was friggin horrible. Klacken’s leg’s cut off.”

  “Injured hoomin take do help,” Krink relayed and pointed to his leg for clarity.

  “Are you guys prisoners too?” Mykal asked when he realized they had their weapons and stood casually before the King’s throne.

  “No, we’re guests of the King,” Boris answered. “Just before you guys were brought in Towbar was talking to the King about the war with the Sosos. They fed us not too long ago.”

  “There are four good soldiers missing,” Towbar sighed.

  “Tell me what happened with you guys,” Mykal requested.

  “We feared you all died,” Doninka said. “Now I am happy.”

  “Towbart,” a gruff voice called out. Towbar’s interpreter pronounced Towbar’s name with an added “t”. “Towbart, King Krago is have meeting with advisees. Metz and Metz soldiers speak King about prisdon, uh prisond,” he struggled and pointed to Mykal and Doninka, “uh not know term.”

  “Prisoners,” Krink corrected Towbar’s translator.

  “Yes, Prisnorse. King inform Towbart return small time.”

  “Thank you,” Towbar acknowledged and nodded his head.

  “Well come on, tell me what happened to you guys.”

  Boris spoke first. “When I heard you yell something about the ceiling, I didn’t know what was wrong or even what you said, but I knew something wasn’t right so I got the hell outta there. I went straight ahead and I pulled Sam with me. If I wouldn’t have pulled Sam, he’d be dead right now. So he owes me his life,” Boris chuckled and Sam rolled his eyes. “So you can at least name your first born Boris.”

  “The Dwarven people say they have traps at all entrances to the outside world. The guards thought we were Sosos. After we made so much noise they sprung the trap,” Sam said.

  “The Dwarven people?” Mykal asked. “I thought they were all small because they live in the mountains.”

  “No, they are a true race of people,” Towbar said. “We have always believed they moved away a long, long time ago. We did not know they moved into the mountains to avoid humans. Humans can be evil. Such as Sosos. They did not want a war with us. They did not want to live among us.”

  “From what we learned, these Dwarves have over two hundred thousand warriors,” Sam said. “But there are a few other colonies of Dwarves all throughout the mountains. Private little societies. They don’t even know how many there really are.”

  “So what’s gonna happen with us now?” Mykal asked.

  “Nothing,” Boris replied. “We were surrounded right away and I thought we were gonna die.”

  “Yeah, I was scared stiff man,” Sam chuckled. “Towbar was able to talk with one of the ones that had us surrounded and they took us to King Krago. We got everything all worked out.”

  “When I spoke to King Krago,” Towbar interjected. “Krago explained to me that every time my people go to war with the Sosos they would be put at ready. If the Pass was to fall into the hands of the Sosos they would have left the mountains to fight the Sosos. They have been watching. They know the Sosos are evil and they will not allow them to control the Pass. Krago says their concern is for the future though now they are content to stay inside the mountains. When I journey to Beramus, King Krago will send a representative to meet with the King.”

  “Why did they not come to our aid when the Sosos attacked and the battle
raged on in the Pass?” Doninka asked the giant.

  “They were prepared to get involved if we had all been killed. They were not going to allow the Sosos to take the Pass. They saw the work we did on the pit and watched with interest to see how our battle plan would unfold. When they watched the battle and saw how fast we killed the Sosos it urged King Krago to watch the battle with his own eyes. He has questioned how we accomplished such a great feat. I explained only that it was a secret weapon. I did not say anything about the thunder sticks. He respected my answer and brought it up no more.”

  “Yeah, from what they said,” Boris continued. “They were going to wait until we were all dead so that Towbar’s people wouldn’t know they exist. They would have killed the Sosos and taken away any signs that they were involved. They said they knew who Towbar was cuz they’ve seen him in battles previously. They know his greatness.”

  “And then the King asked about our vehicles,” Sam said. “He thought they were some kind of creature that spits out people. We explained it as a horseless carriage.”

  “I revealed to King Krago that my forces have not arrived in the numbers I expected. He assured me that he will help us if we are in need. At this moment, his people are working to clear the cave-in. They are great miners and we should be able to leave the way we came in by the end of this day.”

  “Can’t we leave by one of the other exits?” Mykal asked.

  “Krago says they are secrets,” Towbar replied. “I respect his position just as he respects our position not to divulge the secret of your weapons. We are outsiders.”

  Doninka grumbled with a sigh. “If there are other exits I would rather leave before Metz has a chance to create trouble.”

  “It true we have many exits outside world,” a gruff voice said. Towbar’s translator returned to the area. His words were garbled but understandable. “We keep secret. Exit cleared, you depart. We keep one exit meeting place. Entry point our home.”

  “This is Norg,” Towbar introduced his translator to Mykal and Doninka. Norg looked like all the other Dwarves, short and stocky. He wore his hair long and free. His beard was braided showing two long roped braids at the end of his chin. Norg looked like he could step in as a warrior whereas Krink seemed to fit the part of only a translator and not so much a warrior.

  “Tell us again about that giant spider,” Sam requested.

  Mykal and Doninka shared their exploits and explained their troubles with Metz. “…but what the hell, I don’t care,” Mykal laughed as he rubbed the bump on the back of his head. “We’re free and that’s all I care about.”

  King Krago and his entourage returned to his throne. Norg hurried to the King’s side so he could translate between the King and the strangers. Despite all their faces being heavily bearded it seemed King Krago did not look pleased. Metz seemed to be gleeful standing beside the King’s throne.

  “Uh oh, this don’t look good,” Mykal sighed, glad he remained handcuffed to Doninka should they try to take her.

  The King spoke to Norg, and his head seemed to be lowered slightly as if disappointed. “King Krago say, he regret inform you giant Towbart, these two,” he pointed to Mykal and Doninka. “Must punish for crime. Female dead rare beast that belong to soldier. When prisnorse, this hoomin make shame to great warrior in presence of warriors. Towbart, King Krago try have Metz, great warrior, surrender offense. King Krago speak importance of new alliance,” Norg said while pointing to himself and Towbar. “Metz stubborn. Metz demand justice. King express anger if Metz continue justice with law. Metz not care consequences. Metz demand justice. Metz great warrior. Metz earn rights.”

  “Are you kiddin me?” Mykal sighed.

  “This difficult time for King,” Norg continued. “King being tested with law. If King refuse Metz justice, crime no punish, bad for King with people. King Krago want send deepest sorry. King wish relation not be spoiled,” Norg said lowering his head.

  Towbar showed no emotion but nodded. “Tell King Krago if it is his duty as King to make sure laws are followed we understand the situation he is in. What punishment must be carried out?”

  Mykal wanted to blow up and explode with rage, but he knew that would only make things worse. He looked at Doninka and he could see genuine terror covered her pretty face. “Don’t worry,” he whispered. “I’ll try to make a deal.”

  Norg turned and spoke to the King in the Dwarven tongue. Krago replied to Norg’s question. Norg’s voice rose slightly and before he could completely respond to the King, Metz interrupted him with angry words. The King raised his hand. With one word the King silenced Metz in mid-sentence. The King started to speak to Towbar though his words were incomprehensible.

  “King Krago speak these words,” Norg relayed. “I make friendly punishment to crimes Metz agree in. Soft punishment. Two years for public shame to this hoomin,” Norg pointed to Mykal. “Five years service this hoomin for dead Quecktarb, rare two-head beast,” he said, and pointed to Doninka.

  “What?” Mykal yelled taking everyone by surprise while Doninka began to cry. “Forget this. What’d you call the animal?”

  “Two-head beast is Quecktarb.”

  “She didn’t do it. I killed the Quecktarb. Tell them. Don’t punish her, just me,” he yelled to Norg.

  A three way conversation ensued between Norg, Krago and Metz. “Metz say see female sword in hand.”

  “I stabbed the animal and she pulled it out,” Mykal lied because he didn’t want them to know he shot the Quecktarb. “The thing was going to attack me so I killed it in self-defense.”

  “Metz say you be slave for seven years. Female go free.”

  “No Mykal,” Doninka cried. “Do not take the punishment alone. I share the blame.”

  “You said the king was making the punishment the softest possible. How bad could it have been?” Mykal snapped at Norg.

  “Metz want dead you in public for public shame you bring him. King not allow. Bring shame on great warrior serious crime. It show no respect.”

  “No respect?” Mykal scoffed. “Did you see the way he was treating us while we were prisoners? So if he could have his way he’d have killed me and there would be nothing that could be done about it?”

  “True. This true,” Krink replied.

  “Alright, I’ll tell ya what. Tell Metz I’m not from this world and I want to gain my freedom. I agree that I killed his rare two-headed pet, the Quecktarb. Tell him I’m sorry that I killed his Quecktarb,” Mykal said slowly to make sure they heard his words correctly. “It was in self-defense. Where I’m from its okay to kill to protect yourself. I didn’t know it was someone’s pet. I thought it was a wild animal and I was only trying to save myself and the girl. I understand his anger and him wanting to kill me,” he paused so Norg could relay the words. “But to gain my freedom I will give him something even rarer than the two-headed Quecktarb. Boris, quick, gimme your Bic lighter.”

  “Here,” Boris fished it out of his pocket.

  “Tell Metz he will never come across something like this ever again,” he explained as he turned the power to full to get the flame to be as large as possible. “Tell him.”

  “What is it?” Norg asked and looked confused.

  “Tell him first and then I’ll show him.” Mykal smiled and hoped the buildup would help sell his bargaining. “Boris, look, if it comes down to it would you be willing to give up your .22 pistol for me?”

  “You don’t even have to ask Myk. I’ll give you all my guns if it’ll help.”

  “Thanks buddy,” Mykal replied.

  “Metz want know rare item you speak,” Norg spoke.

  “Tell him I have something that can make fire anytime I want this fast,” he said and smiled confidently. He flicked the Bic lighter creating a flame immediately. Everyone who watched seemed awed by the demonstration.

  Metz yelled something, and he came across like a wild barbarian. “Metz say illusion. Metz say trick. Fire maker not so good,” Norg translated the angry Dwarf’s me
ssage.

  “Tell him to come down here and put his hand in the flame.”

  “Metz speak not want fire maker. Metz want justice,” Norg relayed. “Not matter real or trick. Metz want justice.”

  “Tell that little creep I’ll battle for my freedom. I want the battle pit or whatever you guys call it,” Mykal said and raised his voice. “Tell him I said it will either be my life or my freedom cuz I’m not gonna be a slave to no one, especially one that I view as Quecktarb dung,” Mykal laughed out loud. “I’m not staying here,” he said to Boris and Sam. “If I have to I’m going to shoot my way outta here.”

  “I will go with you,” Doninka declared.

  “Norg, please accompany me,” Towbar said. “I need to talk with the King to end this.”

  “No!” Mykal snapped. “Krink, tell him what I said.”

  All the Dwarves within ear shot drew back in disbelief when they heard what Krink suggested. Metz the mighty warrior, to be challenged by the strange hoomin, was absolutely foolish. Once again the hoomin humiliated Metz in public. Metz may be the greatest Dwarven warrior who ever lived. With his size not one Dwarf would dare whisper such words. This was unheard of.

  “King Krago give chance retract challenge before it not be undone,” Norg struggled with translating King Krago’s statement. “Do you understand words?”

  “Yes, he’s wanting me to take back what I said before it’s too late,” Mykal replied. “The thing is, Norg, I’m not taking back anything I said. I want to go to your battle pit. I want to fight for my freedom, cuz I’m not gonna be his slave.”

  Norg humbly passed on the words and the words of Towbar pleading for the King to stop this. “King Krago say not want you dead. Metz great warrior. Metz fierce warrior. King fear you have not strength. King fear not have skill battle Metz.”