by Dave Hazel
They rode hard and fast until they cleared the hills. Once in the open of the plains they would be able to see Sosos for miles. They stopped to tend to the wounded soldier. He looked to be no more than sixteen years old. Though large like all the warriors, the kid didn’t look old enough to shave yet.
“Towbar my Lord, how long do I have until I die?” He gasped and whimpered while the giant inspected his wound. His forehead wrinkled with every sensation of pain he felt. “Will I live long enough to say my farewells to my family in Beramus?”
“Shay-lonk kills much faster than that my son. A death arrow will take just a couple of days to kill you,” Towbar said coldly showing no emotion or concern. “You will never make it home in that time. Fear not, my brave young soldier.” Towbar cracked a smile. “You will not die. This is not a death arrow,” he pointed to the wooden shaft. “There is no poison on this arrow. The gods are smiling on you young one.”
“You mean I will live to see my family again?” He burst with excited happiness, and suddenly he felt no pain.
“I can not promise you that. I can tell you that you will not die from this arrow,” Towbar said and smiled. They all gathered around to see the shaft of the arrow wasn’t black.
“You’re one lucky dude,” Roy Jr. said, but felt a slight twinge of envious pain thinking back to his brother Baby Ray.
“Why do you think that is Towbar?” Larry asked. “Did they forget to dip one in the poison?”
“I think not. I think the Sosos are in such a rush, or they are being pushed harder than before, which would say they are not as prepared as they would normally be.”
“I think we better get going while the going is good,” Roy Jr. suggested. “I don’t think we should stop again until we get back to the Pass.”
“You are right. Let us travel,” Towbar commanded.
The wounded soldier was helped back on his horse and he boasted he wouldn’t mention his pain until medically trained people look at removing the arrow. He beamed with joy that the arrow wasn’t a Shay-lonk, a Soso death arrow.
4.
When they returned to the Pass everyone was surprised to see they arrived so soon. They knew they had run into trouble because of the rider less horse and one horse unaccounted for. One of Towbar’s soldiers looked to be wounded and two people were missing. After they stopped their horses a large mob of soldiers rushed to find out what happened to them.
“Help this brave soldier whom the gods have smiled upon,” Towbar ordered. The young warrior had been carried away.
“Where are Sgt Black and Airman Putman?” Edwards asked after he pushed his way through the crowd. Edwards spoke in a frantic tone and a panic etched into his face. He obviously couldn’t believe his two closest supporters and allies had not returned. Edwards looked outraged and fearful.
“Who?” Larry laughed cruelly. “Does he mean Sergeant Ass Licker and Airman Ass Wiper?”
“I guess that’s who he means?” Rich laughed with Larry as others from the Crew came to see what the commotion was about.
“They’re dead Sir,” Mykal replied politely since now there were potential witnesses present. “They died in combat. We were attacked by Sosos, and now they’re dead. I think they got killed the same way Robert ‘Boris’ Traginsky, Kurt Jones, Sam Washington and Airman Smith all got killed. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Edwards looked terrified. “I want a full report. I’m making a record of this and there will be an investigation. I pity anyone who perjures themselves.”
“What the hell are you talking about,” Mykal raised his voice. “I just told you what happened, so you just got your damned report. And you dare wanna talk about someone perjuring themselves?” He asked in a threatening tone that forced Edwards to back up a step as Mykal moved his monstrous horse closer. “Maybe we should have an investigation into what happened with the other four.”
Edwards’s eyes suddenly widened and he quickly looked in the crowd to spot Knox. Knox looked down, revealing the truth to Edwards and confirming the truth to Mykal. “I’ve explained what happened in that situation,” Edwards stammered. “Sgt Black and Airman Putman were witnesses.”
“So was Airman Knox! And I already said what happened in our situation,” Mykal countered. “I have more witnesses than you.”
“I guess that makes things about even, don’t it LT?” Larry laughed at the odd expression Edwards gave. “We lost friends with you, and you lost friends with us. It all works itself out in the end, don’t it?”
*******
Edwards opened his mouth to say something but he couldn’t force the words out. He turned in defeated anger and rushed off. Edwards knew it would be foolish to try arguing with Mykal or any of them for that matter. It flummoxed Edwards that all these people would side with such a pair of disrespectful junior NCOs. ‘Graves and Weston are only a couple of low-educated criminals wearing a military uniform.’ “They’re a disgrace to the uniform,” he scoffed quietly. “One day soon, they will get theirs.”
*******
Everyone dispersed and went back to their normal routine. Mykal, Towbar, Larry, Roy Jr. and Rich all sat down to eat. They all agreed on the same story to save Rich from trouble. They were attacked by Sosos and both Black and Putman were killed by Sosos. Other soldiers joined them while they ate not only to find out what happened, but to see if Towbar had any information on what they faced.
Jake joined them by the time they had finished eating. Most of the people from Mykal’s world had gathered around when Mykal explained everything he knew of the green fog and their chances of getting back home via Nidious.
“…so one of two things could happen,” Mykal wrapped it up. “Either Nidious will get here and try to make the green fog appear or just outta nowhere the green fog can appear and I’ll know because of my hand. So if you hear me saying it’s time to go, then get moving because it may be our last chance of ever getting back to the real world.”
“Hey Myk, since you’re done, I’d like to have a word with you,” Jake said and pulled away from the crowd. “Look, if we make it back to the real world we’re gonna have a problem with Edwards. I just got done talking with him before I came over to you and he’s got this note book he calls his report log. He says he’s gonna nail me for being an accessory to murder. He said you guys murdered Black and Putman, and I forced them to go with you.”
“He’s crazy Jake,” Mykal showed no concern. “Didn’t you see the wounded soldier? Anyway, he’s gotta get back to our world in order to get us into trouble. Wouldn’t it be funny if while we’re going back into the green fog a couple of Towbar’s men just happened to hold him down?” He smirked, but felt drained.
“That would be funny,” Jake said quickly as if he didn’t really hear what Mykal said. “But listen to me, Myk. This is serious. He threatened my career and he’s saying I’m going to prison. You gotta make sure he never gets back to the world.”
“Jake, seriously. You gotta calm down. Quit letting him get under your skin. It’s good you’re finally seeing straight now.”
“Yeah, but he’s out to get me! I supported him. I can’t afford to have him start a shit storm when we get back.”
“Then go kill him yourself,” Mykal said casually.
“I can’t. I couldn’t do something like that.”
“I know you can’t. Don’t worry about him.” Mykal sneered. “When the time is right Jake, I think he’s gonna have a little accident. Or maybe in the heat of battle a stray round may get him, or maybe one of Towbar’s soldiers might somehow mistake him for a Soso,” he chuckled. “Don’t worry about him anymore.”
“Alright. I’m counting on you.” Jake looked desperate.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN – Day 36
1. Thursday, July 28th 1983
1128 hours, The Pass, at the Pit, The new Front.
Three days had passed since the failed expedition to find the remains of Mykal’s close friends. Still the Sosos didn’t attack, though they moved within a half m
ile of the opening to the Pass. Some of the soldiers Towbar had requested from Beramus had arrived and more were in route. Many soldiers were posted outside the opening of the Pass to watch for signs that would alert them to movement on the Pass. The army maintained a state of constant readiness anticipating the major assault would occur any time after the Sosos positioned their forces closer.
The boredom of sitting around waiting, and the forestalling of the Sosos grated on nerves. Several scuffles erupted over minor offenses. People let out pent up emotions. Leaders worked hard to maintain order and discipline and to build morale.
Mykal had been surprised by Doninka’s increased aggressiveness in her advances on him despite his declaration of devotion to his wife. He fought to keep his thoughts pure and focused on Pam, but in Doninka’s overly friendly ways his attention started to get drawn in to her. He confided in Towbar if they never returned home he’d probably give into a relationship with her. The possibility of going home seemed to be just out of reach. His hopes rested on Nidious. If the old wizard couldn’t bring forth the green fog Mykal would have to re-evaluate the reality of being trapped in Towbar’s world for the rest of his life.
The more time Mykal spent with Doninka the more he grew to like her as a close friend. It became a struggle; he enjoyed spending time with her, but feared leading her on. He also worried his resolve was weakening.
After the passing of his two best friends, Doninka encouraged Mykal to go back inside the mountain to collect his four Quecktarb pups. The Quecktarb pups helped keep his mind from the boredom of the Pass and the torment of the enduring uncertainty related to returning home. Each day that slowly passed by, Mykal feared the old wizard Nidious, wouldn’t make it. Mykal didn’t know if the man had been killed, got sick and died or forgot about his promise to help Towbar’s friend.
With King Krago’s approval, Norg and Krink escorted Mykal and his friends inside the mountain to get sacks of ‘rocks’. Mykal brought Larry, Jake, Rich, Roy Jr. and Randy. Roy Sr. had no desire to enter the mountain because of his age. Mykal’s friends limited the amount of rocks they gathered since they didn’t know if they were really diamonds. Mykal filled a larger sack and didn’t concern himself with what his friends thought.
When Mykal brought his two headed Quecktarb pups into the Pass they became the center of attention. Everyone wanted to look at the strange creatures but he wouldn’t allow any to touch them, save a chosen few. The strange animals took to him right away since they were connected to him by his scent. Mykal knew his two-headed pets were ugly, but they grew on him. As an avid dog lover it became easy to grow fond of them, though these were clearly not dogs. With all his heartache and loss his time with them became somewhat therapeutic. He needed something to latch on to and happily latched onto the animals rather than Doninka.
The near white blue eyes of the Quecktarbs reminded Mykal of Siberian Huskies. In the dark their eyes seemed to glow. They were all about the same size and they were growing quickly just as Krink explained they would. All four looked like wild wolves with dark ragged thick fur. But they had two heads. There were three males and one female.
Mykal drew away from everyone else and sat by himself to rest after he spent some time training the Quecktarbs. While he sat and pet them, all four lay at his feet waiting their turn to be caressed and be loved. All sixteen eyes stared up at him with puppy dog looks that made him smile for the first time in a number of days. He named them after his favorite music group of all time, the Beatles. John, Paula, George and Ringo with a slight modification for the female.
“I see you are training these strange beasts,” Towbar said after coming in from the outside of the Pass. All sixteen ears perked up as if they knew the giant talked about them.
“These are my babies, they’re not strange,” he joked. “So what’s going on with the Sosos? Why haven’t they attacked yet? Are they trying to spook us by moving so close?”
“I do not know. My guess would be they are still fearful of your weapons. The devastation they suffered so quickly surprised them. With my mounted force here and the fact that the Dwarven people are here, they must feel they need a larger force. The uncertainty they face is our greatest advantage for the time being. The move closer is an attempt to intimidate.”
“What they don’t understand is, no matter how big their force gets, it’s still gonna be limited to the width of the Pass. Since your soldiers are here we oughta make it more difficult for them by digging several more pits farther back into the Pass. They’ll never take the Pass if there’s ten pits.”
“This is true my friend, however, your people and their weapons became the secret weapon used against them.”
“I know, but can you imagine if we had ten of these pits going back into the Pass? Or even more. It would give your people the advantage cuz the Sosos would have to climb out of every pit only to have your soldiers there to bash their heads in. I think it would wear them down.”
“I agree with you. I will consider it. If they do not attack in the next few days I will start that project. With the arrival of more soldiers the work load will be easy on the men.”
“Do you think they’ll attack before Nidious gets here?”
“I am not sure my friend. I know not when he will arrive, for I know not what the mission he was dispatched on. He may arrive any day. Or he may not arrive for weeks.”
“I know you’re right, but I don’t wanna hear that,” Mykal replied dejectedly. “The Sosos may attack by then.”
“My friend, if I knew what to do I would have done it.”
“I know you would Towbar. I’m not concerned about that.”
“We must be patient, my friend. I want you to know--”
“Whoa, what’s that?” Mykal interrupted him as some disorder erupted at the mouth of the Pass.
“I do not know,” Towbar replied with a puzzled look.
“What the hell? It’s not the Sosos. It seems like they’re celebrating and rejoicing.” The uproar grew and more people from behind the pit flocked to see what caused joyful pandemonium. Towbar’s soldiers shouted happily while jumping up and down.
“What’s this? Did the Sosos surrender?” Larry joked.
“Let us go see what causes this cheerful mayhem.” Towbar said as Mykal staked the chain leashes into the ground.
“Stay!” Mykal pointed to the eight heads. He had to smile at the expression they gave. ‘Like young dogs in training.’
Mykal and Towbar rushed toward the mass of laughing and excitement expressed by the soldiers moving into the Pass. The crowd parted so the giant could walk through. Mykal stopped in his tracks stunned. He had to be dreaming. Boris, Kurt, Sam and Stinky Feet all walked toward them amid congratulatory slaps on the backs and shoulders. The dead men had risen or someone lied. They returned to a hero’s welcome. Mykal watched Edwards run away from the happy commotion and he understood why.
“Hey Sarge, what’s up?” Kurt called out with a friendly smile. He sounded as if he had never been gone. The four of them looked worn and ragged. They easily lost twenty pounds, Boris close to thirty pounds. Under longer facial hair they looked hungry, thirsty and exhausted. “You look as if you seen a ghost.”
“Aren’t you glad to see us?” Boris laughed out.
“I don’t friggin believe it,” Mykal laughed with excitement as he ran to welcome them with brotherly hugs. “When I came back I was told you guys were killed. I guess miracles can happen.”
Larry and Rich piled on to the hug fest once they saw the cause of merriment. The four, in their weakened state were almost knocked to the ground under the expression of love their friends showed.
“I could almost kiss that ugly mug of yours,” Mykal laughed out loud to Kurt.
“I need some food,” Sam said and hoped someone would give him anything to eat. “I’m starving like you can’t imagine.”
“We all are,” Boris echoed Sam’s hunger. “I’d even eat the chow hall food right now,” he joked. The base chow
hall had an exaggerated reputation for bad food. They still had their humor.
“Where’s our friggin buddy Edwards?” Kurt asked. “We got a score to settle with that scumbag and his buddies. We almost got killed three different times because of that low life weasel,” Kurt raised his voice amidst the shouting and celebrating.
“We’ll take care of him later,” Mykal said. “Black and Putman are dead and we’ll tell you about all that later. Let’s get you guys something to eat. Towbar, could you have everyone go back to what they were doing so these guys could have some room?” Mykal paused while Towbar dispersed the mob. “This is pretty funny,” Mykal expressed faux amusement. “We were told that you guys were killed in a battle with the Sosos. Edwards said he watched you guys die with his own eyes. I wanna see him talk his way outta this one.”
“He’s a lying piece of shit,” Boris scoffed. “They took off and left us there to die.”
“Yeah we know the truth,” Larry said. “Knox told us what really happened and Edwards told him to keep his mouth shut, but we’ll talk about all that after you guys get something to eat.”
They stopped a short distance inside the Pass once they found a comfortable place on the ground. They needed to rest and to eat. Food had been quickly gathered and brought to the four. Mykal felt bad watching his friends eat like starved animals. He couldn’t believe the difference in their appearance from the last time he laid eyes on them.
“We really almost starved to death out there,” Kurt said while breathing in his food. “Oh this stuff is so good.”
“Well how long were you guys out there for?” Mykal asked.
“Who the hell knows?” Boris answered between chomping on the food he shoved into his mouth. “A couple of weeks. I don’t even know anymore.”
“Wha’d y’all live on?” Rich asked. “It mussa been hard.”
