by Jeff Sabean
This looks like a port of some sort. That can’t be right. There isn’t anywhere like this left in the world. How hard did I hit my head on that landing?
Keeping an eye on the road behind him, Neasba stepped onto the side and headed down to the town. The closer he came to the town; he began to realize the wall was taller than it at first appeared. He estimated the front wall to be approximately a mile long and stood twenty feet high. Approaching the gate, a smaller door became noticeable set into the wall beside the larger gate. Assuming this was for foot traffic, he tentatively approached and knocked on the door. A barred window appeared in front of him, and a light shined through the portal into his face, blinding him as to the speaker on the other side.
“What do you want? I’m sitting down to break my fast and you are interrupting!” A deep voice sounded through the window. The speaker clearly was used to being in control of his gate, and his impatience was coming through loud and clear.
Neasba hadn’t even thought of what he would say when he got to the gate, so he stumbled for a second and stared dumbly at the light.
Ok, don’t give away too much information. If I tell him about the rat monster, he’s likely to slam the door in my face or put me in the looney bin.
Deciding on the spot to not give away even his alias, Neasba unconsciously slipped into the nickname given to him by his team:
“I’m Heishi. I got separated from my, uh, group, a way back in the dark. I’m not sure where I am, but if you could let me in so I can get some food and a place to sleep for a while I would appreciate it.”
After a moment of silence from the other side in which he could feel eyes scrutinizing him, Heishi heard a disgusted grunt as the window slammed closed. As he debated knocking again or walking away, he heard a bar slide through a latch, and the door swung back just far enough for him to slip through. As his eyes adjusted to the light, he realized he was standing inside a mantrap: the wall was apparently thicker than he had estimated, as he was standing in a room approximately five feet wide and ten feet deep, with a fireplace set into the wall on his right. The source of the light was a blazing fire that kept the room glowing in surreal light, although the temperature seemed to remain comfortable.
His surprise was complete when the door slammed shut and he found himself staring at the strangest man he had ever laid eyes on. Standing slightly over six feet tall, the guard was not the most imposing person in the world: except for his green skin. His unkempt black hair fell across the side of his face to his shoulders and peeking out from uneven bangs his eyes glowed red in the light from the fire. A scowl was clear on his face, and the tusks protruding from his lower jaw moved back and forth threateningly as he ground his teeth staring at Heishi. The guard was clearly dressed to fight in close quarters should a threat present itself: he was clad in leather armor that would not stand up on a battlefield of this era but would protect him in a room where swinging a sword would be limited. He wore no other gear that could encumber him at this range, but at his sides were what would be classified somewhere between a large dagger and a short sword with wicked-looking serrations on both edges of the blades. His hands hung loosely near the hilts of his blades, clearly ready and proficient at putting them to work in the blink of an eye.
“Where are you coming from? Who are you? Keep your hands where I can see them, human, or I’ll cut you to pieces and feed you to the dogs.”
Great, way to hit it off with the monster-man. I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t mention the rat monster, he probably wouldn’t have been impressed. For all I know, he might kill me for not letting it eat me.
Slouching a bit to try to look less imposing, Heishi took on the role of a subservient medieval peasant, and started into what he hoped was a reasonable request:
“Honorable guard, as I stated, I lost my group out in the wilderness on the other side of that mountain. I followed the light from this city from a distance, and after walking all night I just reached your gate. I am hungry and tired and would like nothing more than a hot meal and a room if you could direct me to the closest inn.”
The guard looked contemptuously at Heishi and growled a bit. “Hey, human, don’t think because I have a bit of orc blood in me that I’m stupid. I recognize a fighter when I see one, so stop playing me for a fool.” His hands twitched as he eased them across to rest on the hilts of his blades. “Not only did I watch you slinking down the road like an assassin, but you have blood that clearly is not your own on your arm. Want to try your explanation again?”
Heishi stepped back a pace and blinked when the guard said, “orc blood,” but other than that he thought he did a good job of keeping his poker face. Slowly, he lifted his hands in front of him to keep them clear of any weapons he had on his body and looked the orc-man in the face.
“Good guard, I gave my name, but have not gotten yours in turn. May I ask your name so I can properly address you?” Heishi was in control of his emotions and thinking clearly for the first time since stepping through the door.
The guard stiffened a bit, straightening up to his full height, and his scowl deepened. “You may call me guard and answer my questions quickly or you will leave this room in pieces.”
Drawing on his memory of medieval times, Heishi decided to play the role of the honorable knight. “Very well, Guard. I was traveling as a guard for four companions, three male and one female. We were attacked by giant rats in the darkness and separated, and I was unable to locate them. In the distance I saw the light from your city and made my way this direction hoping they would do the same. I would appreciate if you would tell me if they have come by here and point me to an inn where I can get a meal and a place to sleep.”
Guard eased a bit at the honest answer and appeared pensive. “You have a strange dialect, and your garb is not from a region I recognize. Where do you come from, Heishi?”
Deciding honestly would either get him arrested as a lunatic or straighten out the mess he was in, Heishi decided either way he should get a meal out of it. “I come from a planet called Earth, in a country called the United States of America. I was with my companions when a storm erupted around us, I was lifted into the sky while red lightning flashed around us, and then hurtled toward the ground again. I was knocked unconscious and woke up on the other side of that mountain, separated from my companions. I do not know where I am or how I got here, and I apologize for not being forthright with the information, but I did not want you to think me a lunatic. If there is someone who can help me, I am in dire need.”
The longer he spoke, the more he realized Guard was leaning closer and closer with every word, and when he finished there was a long pause before Guard snapped back to a standing position. A grin split his face, and he slapped Heishi on the shoulder.
“There now, human, that was not so hard, was it? I have heard stories of this red lightning and shifts between the planes of existence, although I am not well versed in such matters. I assume you also have no gold for a room or meal?”
Heishi blanched at the question. “Honestly I had not thought of currency yet. I was more concerned with finding civilization, and to be truthful was surprised at your appearance, as orcs are legends in my, uh, plane of existence. Is there a place I may work to earn a meal and a place to sleep?”
Fully relaxed, Guard let out a belly laugh when he heard orcs described as a legend. “Yes, human, if you follow the main road straight to the docks, turn left and you will see an inn named ‘The Portal.’ Tell the bartender Shenroc sent you and that you are willing to work for a meal and a place to sleep. The Portal is not the safest place in the city, but it is the best place for you to find work. If you know how to use that blade you have slung on your back, it should be easy.”
“Shenroc, it is a pleasure to meet you, and thank you,” Heishi smiled.
“It is my pleasure, human. You may find answers to how you came here if you find the right person, just be polite, The Portal is not the place to start problems.” Shenroc turned and
lead Heishi to the door that lead to the city. “Welcome to Terminus, Human.”
Chapter 3 – The Portal
As Heishi walked through the door, he had to stop to adjust his bearings. The early morning light was dull compared to the raging fire light in the gate’s mantrap, and as his eyes adjusted, he needed a moment to orient himself. Looking down what Shenroc referred to as the main road, Heishi felt like he had been transported back in time. Shops were opening along the stone road and vendors dragged carts into position along the way to set up for the day. The biggest shock, however, was the mixture of different races thought to be fantasy in his world. There were gnomes, dwarves, and orcs; there were humans as well, and occasionally he saw taller humans with pointed ears he assumed were real life elves.
Great. Everything I thought about the real world either changed overnight, or I’m suffering from a severe concussion. I had better get it together fast, because if this is real, I could be in serious trouble.
Slowly, Heishi started down the street, looking as closely as he dared at the assorted characters around him. The vendors whose carts were already set up watched him as well, and when he was within range began each began his or her sales pitch.
“Roasted rat, sir?”
“Ehh, you look like you could use some ale!”
“Ye can’t be walkin’ around without armor to protect ye!” A dwarf shouted as he passed what could only be a blacksmith shop. “Get in ‘ere man, afore ye get killed to death out there!”
Smiling, Heishi shook his head in response, and decided he should pick up the pace before he got mobbed.
If they only knew I had no gold.
He followed the road for several miles and concluded that this main road was the marketplace for the city. The entire length was lined with vendors and shopkeepers, each looking to sell his wares. When the road dead ended into the docks, he turned left and saw a three-story building: the first floor was constructed stone, but the second and third stories were built of wood. From the walkways that lead around the second and third floors that reminded him of an old saloon and hotel from a western movie, he assumed he had found the right place.
As he turned toward the building, he narrowly avoided bumping into a warrior who was haggling with a road-side vendor. The woman was selling roasted rats, and apparently thought she was being cheated. “Guards! Thief! Thief!”
The warrior straightened to his full height, around seven feet tall, and put his hands up in a non-threatening manner. Heishi realized this warrior appeared to be a dwarf by all his features except his height. He had dark red hair that hung in a single braid that came to the center of his back, and a beard braided into three thick braids that hung to his belt. His baritone voice came across as smooth as silk, not with a typical Dwarvish brogue, as he looked down on the hag and said, “The only thing I am trying to steal is your heart.”
The hag straightened her scraggly hair and parted it from her face, batted her eyelids at the hulking warrior, licked her chapped lips, and smiled, showing her single, rotting front tooth.
I need to move along before I get caught in something weird here...
Heishi carefully approached the front door, where the wooden sign hanging above his head was smashed in places but the words “The Portal” were readable in black paint. Walking through the front door, his senses were accosted with the smells of stale beer, smoke, and most of all fish. There was a haze that seemed to hang around the interior of the bar, although he couldn’t see the source from where he was standing. Along the wall to his right was a row of booths, and there were about a dozen tables in the center of the room in no discernable order. The back of the room was taken up by a bar, and a rickety-looking staircase in the left rear of the room lead to the next level of the establishment. At this time of the morning the place was mostly empty, but there were several drunk patrons at the bar and at tables scattered around the room.
Cautiously, he slipped through the room, trying to keep at least a table or two between himself and the closest patrons: no need to risk offending a drunken patron when he had finally found a place to eat. Approaching the bar, he took a seat on a stool and waited patiently for the bartender to notice him. The bartender approached, and he was one of the most interesting characters Heishi had come across in all his travels...on both planes of existence. Standing about five feet tall, he could have passed for a dwarf, but he was not as solidly built as the other dwarfs he had encountered along the road: in fact, he was so skinny Heishi thought he might have to run around in the shower to get wet. He wore leggings for pants, which accentuated his scrawny legs and knobby knees, and he wore a sleeveless shirt and a vest. The little man had scraggly hair sticking out at different lengths and in just about every direction, but he was clean shaven. Knowing enough lore about dwarves, he knew no respectable dwarf would be seen without a beard. As he looked the bartender in the face, he realized the man had a glass eye, and that it was rolling around different directions as he looked at Heishi inquiringly.
“Eeehhhh, what can I get ya?” the man almost squeaked as he spoke.
“I would like a meal and something to drink, what do you have?” asked Heishi.
“Eeeehhhhhh, I have beer, and I have beer, or you can have beer, whaddayawant?” the little bartender giggled to himself.
Noticing that the bartender's eyes were rolling different directions, Heishi wondered if either of them, both, or even neither were made of glass. Shaking the thought from his head, he remembered he had no gold.
“Good sir, I ran into some problems on the road, and I have no gold. Shenroc at the gate told me that I would be able to find work here to pay for a meal and a place to rest?”
“Eeeeehhhhh, that Shenroc, always sending us work. Good man, good man,” the bartender said. He then muttered something unintelligible under his breath, shifted his head the other direction, appeared to answer himself, shifted the other way and appeared to answer again, then giggled uncontrollably before turning back to Heishi. “You a fighter, human?”
“That depends on who you want me to kill,” answered Heishi without blinking.
“HAHAHAHA, you humans, always wanting to kill someone! No no no no no, can you fight with no weapons? For money? No weapons, no weapons, and no one gets killed, just the first one to stop fighting loses,” the bartender laughed as his left eye appeared to focus on Heishi and the other rolled the other way.
“Aye, I can fight,” replied Heishi with a grin. “I am also looking for information about planes of existence, if you could point me toward someone who knows of such things.”
“Eeeeeeehhhh, that kind of information isn’t cheap, human. The Illustrious will let me give you beer, food, and a room until tonight, but you will have to fight to pay for it. Eeehhh, whassat? No, I didn’t tell him yet. Eeehh, ok, yeah, uh huh, HAHAHAHA,” the little guy seemed to get lost in a conversation with himself.
“Excuse me, kind sir, you were about to get me a beer and some food before showing me to a room,” Heishi pointed the excitable bartender back in the right direction.
“Eeeeehhhh, yep yep yep, beer and food, beer and food,” the bartender said to himself as he looked around, picked up a mug, and reached for the beer tap. He missed the tap, reached again, set the mug down, reached with both hands until he grasped the tap handle, then poured the beer. He slid a key across the bar to Heishi with the mug of beer, “Room 6, up one, no two, no one set of stairs, and find the number on the door. The Illustrious will expect you here when it gets dark to fight to pay for your room. Eeeehhh, what? Oh yeah, I’ll get you some squid soup and bread, best in town. HAHAHA. Nah, best you can afford though, human!”
◆◆◆
The room turned out to be on the third floor and was sparsely outfitted with a small bed with a straw mattress, a single chair, and a small table. He slid the chair over to the door and propped it under the handle to keep it shut. The door had a lock, but how many keys were there? Best not to take any chances. A window opened facing
the water, and the smell of salt air drifted through, bringing back memories of vacations by the ocean.
Can’t think about that now. I have a room, but I must keep my mind clear here. Maybe if I sleep, I will wake up and realize this is a bad dream. Or maybe this is reality and thoughts of home will just get me killed. Either way, I need to stay sharp...
After looking over every inch of the walls and convincing himself there would be no unwelcomed visitors, he slumped onto the bed. It was surprisingly clean, considering the condition of the rest of the place, and relatively comfortable. As his mind drifted back to memories of vacations at the beach, his exhaustion won, and he slipped into a fitful sleep.
Chapter 4 – The Boss
Dreams of the jump, of lifting in the air and floating amid flashes of red lightning permeated his sleep. He was falling, watching his teammates streaking for the ground. Then he saw that silver light shining from Zatus’ eyes. Was that a clue, or was he dreaming? If he was dreaming, would he know it? Had he even woken up at all? A scream escaped his lips as he jumped up, pulling his pistol from the holster on his thigh.
Still in this room. Still in this reality. I guess sleeping didn’t help.
A bang on his door interrupted his thoughts, and a deep voice came through: “Hey, human, time to earn your room and board. Hurry up, boss don’t like waiting.”
Heishi rolled out of the bed, feeling like someone had beaten him with a bag of bricks. He cracked his neck, slung his sword on his back, and opened the door. Standing in front of him was what appeared to be a man whose muscles had muscles. He stood a few inches taller than Heishi’s 5’8”, and his skin glinted with a blue-grey tint. He was shirtless and carried a wicked looking sword with a blade serrated on both edges at his hip, and a strap across his chest appeared to hold a shield on his back. His face set Heishi back a bit, as the “man” had the face of a shark, with rows of razor-sharp teeth that protruded from his mouth through the grin that spread across his face as the door opened. His jet black, beady eyes bored into Heishi’s jade orbs.
