by Basia Pike
Silence; I could see Tom was considering my proposal.
“I’m not sure.” He dodged around me and continued walking.
I sighed. “How can I convince you?” I asked. He didn’t answer.
Damn it! I ran after him and pulled my gun off my belt ready to knock him over the head with it. Andre had insisted that I bring him, even against his will. But, I knew if I tried to fight him I would probably end up dead.
He spun around, and I hid the gun behind my back. “What exactly are ya tryin to stop?” he asked.
“The destruction of the human race.” He stared at me blankly. “I can show you when we get back to Dallas.” I covertly hid the gun back under my coat.
“Okay, let’s head back.” Tom led the way back to the livery.
The journey back to Dallas had been draining. I placed the round metal device Andre had given me on the ground in front of us and pressed the button. The metal plate and appeared and the portal shot up.
Tom gasped. “What on earth!” His mouth agape and his eyes wide in shock.
“It’s a portal to travel to the place I told you about.” I knew how farfetched it must sound to him.
He’s never going to agree to go through.
“Trust me,” I added.
“I don’t know nuttin’ about ya. Why should I trust ya?” Tom asked, standing with his legs wide apart again.
“Because, if I meant to harm you, you would know about it by now. I want to help people in need, and I think you’re the perfect person to help me do that … if you decide to join me.” I tried to flash him my most reassuring smile. Tom’s face softened a little, and he uncrossed his arms.
I had the perfect opportunity to shove him through. He still looked reluctant and stared back at the portal his eyes wide.
“Okay, I’ll go. But if ya are tricking me, I will kill ya.”
Thank God for that. I didn’t fancy trying to force him through. He was considerably stronger than me.
“You need to walk through first. Heads up, it’s not the best journey.”
Tom gulped and looked at the portal. After a moment of hesitation he walked forward, paused a moment, then stepped through.
That was easier than I thought it would be.
12
The same dropping sensation ensued. It felt even quicker this time, and it lasted longer. It didn’t help that I suffered from motion sickness.
The light below me came into view. I flew through the barrier and managed to remain conscious. I landed on a soft bed of grass in a dark but rather hot forest.
I stood and spun around, mystified. There was no sign of the sky at all; trees covered it. The trees themselves were unusual, with old looking, knotted golden trunks and teal-blue leaves. There was magical-sounding music in the air, like a beautiful harp being played.
Tom was lying a few feet away, unconscious. I walked towards him.
“Elijah, right on time.” I spun to see Andre staring at me. “I see Thomas was a good fit then?”
“Yeah, how did you know I was here?” I asked, staring at the man in wonder. I still wasn’t sure what exactly he was. There was no way he was a witch, as witches can’t time travel. Tom groaned as he regained consciousness.
I kept at a safe distance to ensure he wasn’t about to throw up like I had before offering a hand to help him to his feet. His eyes widened as he looked around. He seemed as taken aback by this place as me.
I returned my attention to the unusual forest. Sweat was already dripping down my back. It was hot in the summer in Japan, but this was on another level. It was almost difficult to breathe because of the humidity.
“Where are we?” Tom asked, glancing at me.
I shook my head. “I’m not sure.” Tom’s brow furrowed.
“Thomas it is good to meet you,” Andre said, advancing towards him.
Tom’s eyes narrowed. “Who are ya?”
“I’m Andre, and I will be your guide.” He held out a hand for Tom to shake. Tom shook it despite the distrusting look on his face. “This way both of you.” Andre walked past the two of us, and marched off in between two trees onto a small dirt path.
“Where’s that music coming from?” I asked.
“That’s the birds. They’re phoenixes. Can you see them in the trees?” Andre had an amused look on his face.
I came to a halt. Tom did too, and we looked up into the dense and unusual trees. Sure enough, there were large birds sitting high in the branches, shining as though made from gold.
“Beautiful, aren’t they? They cannot live on Earth. They only survive on Svarthol because of our close proximity to a sun.”
“They’re amazing.” My mouth hung open a little. Tom was looking a little pale as he stared into the trees.
“Yes. Now, shall we?” I followed him. Flowers of all sizes, turquoise, pink, red, lilac and purple, lined the path. I had never seen wildflowers like it.
This is unbelievable. Giant mushrooms the size of cars grew between the trees.
“We’re here.” We had left the little dirt track behind and were encircled by trees spaced far apart. Andre walked up to the tree and turned a knot in the trunk. To my amazement, a door opened. I was frozen in wonder until Andre’s head reappeared at the doorway.
“Are you two going to stand there all day?” he asked. I glanced to my left where Tom was standing with a blank look on his face. I walked up to the tree first and in through the door.
It was a dark and dank place. I could just about make out that we were descending a flight of stone steps. Tom’s breathing was heavy, and I could hear him following close behind.
Light glimmered a little further ahead. We continued on at the bottom of the steps through a corridor, where the light at the end illuminated the dirt walls. The dark brick wall to the left opened, and a blinding light blurred my vision.
Once my eyes adjusted, the sight I beheld was bewildering, a city that couldn’t be given a time era. I gasped as I looked up into the sky. It was not blue, but brown and twisted, made from the roots of the tree we were under. A huge ball of light hung from the middle of the sky giving off the appearance of the sun. A thud from behind me drew my attention.
“Oh dear, we have a fainter,” Andre said, rushing towards Tom who had crumpled in a heap to the floor.
I followed him over and could see blood pooling under his head where he’d knocked it. Andre didn’t chant but somehow the cut was healing on his head from his mere touch. Tom’s eyes flitted open.
“Thomas, I know this is a lot to take in, but please try to stay calm,” Andre said. Tom had barely said a word since landing here. I knew for him it must be more difficult than for me. I didn’t know time-travel was possible, but being witch I was much more accustom to anything paranormal.
I turned my attention back to the stunning city. There were high-rise skyscrapers higher even than the ones in New York or Chicago. There were also old-fashioned English-style townhouses; a building that resembled a gladiatorial arena, much like the Coliseum; and other buildings that were alien to me, the most prominent of which was the large dome-shaped building that seemed to rise out of what appeared to be an opaque, light blue lake.
“What is this place?” I asked.
“Undir Trenu. It means under the tree in my home language, but I like to call it the city beneath the tree,” Andre replied.
I continued to stare in amazement. “It’s amazing.”
“Yes. You see that building in the middle of the lake?” Andre pointed to the center.
I nodded.
“That’s city hall. It will be the Verndarar’s base and home.”
A slight smile curved my lips. I hadn’t let myself believe I would be going to live anywhere so stunning. Then a sudden guilt hit me. My mind returned to my wife, and the revenge I’d left behind to be here.
“It’s about a thirty-minute walk, so we best not hang around.” Andre continued down the steep stone steps until it evened out onto a small street lined with l
ittle painted, wooden houses, which were similar to the one I’d owned with Josephine.
One street had Asian houses and a beautiful stream running through the middle. French-looking houses lined the next street, another had Spanish style villas, one with little English cottages, and after that, more styles I couldn’t identify, futuristic-looking glass pods, and unusual triangular buildings. Before I knew it, we were standing at the foot of a long wooden bridge over the opaque blue lake.
The streets were busy with people. Now we were closer to the dome-shaped building in the lake, I realized it was made out of glass.
Andre had continued over the bridge with Tom following close behind, I ran to catch up. I gripped my luggage case as I walked through the entrance city hall. The center was a large open hallway. I could see the tree roots when I looked up at the ceiling.
“This way.” Andre led the way up a stairway into a long dark corridor that lit up as we walked.
Thomas halted and I glanced back at him. “What are those?” he asked, looking up at the ceiling lights.
“Lights, powered by electricity,” I said, and Tom eyes widened.
“I’d heard o’ electricity, but I ain’t never seen it before.”
Andre stopped at a door at the end of the corridor. Room #1. He pulled a card out of his pocket and inserted it into the door.
We walked into a large bedroom with a huge curved glass window along one wall looking out onto the blue lake. A large circular bed was on the left-hand side, and on the right, was a seating area with two sofas and a coffee table.
“Elijah this is your room,” he said passing me the key card. He turned and walked back out into the corridor. “Thomas this is your room.” He walked to Room #2. I followed him into an identical room directly opposite.
“I’ve booked a restaurant this evening so I can explain everything in more detail. Please be ready and down in the hallway in an hour,” he said. He turned and left the two of us standing in Thomas’ room.
I watched as Tom walked around the room in awe. He opened the door to the bathroom and looked in, his eyes widening.
“I best walk you through that,” I said, following him to the bathroom. “I know you didn’t have some of these inventions in your day.” I walked towards the shower and opened the glass door, turning on the water. “This is a shower.”
Tom walked towards me, giving me an agape stare. “What’s it for?”
I laughed. “You take your clothes off and get in! It’s to wash.” I shut the water off and walked to the sink. “This is a sink.” I ran the taps. “It’s got hot and cold. You use it to brush your teeth, wash your face and hands.”
Tom nodded and looked over at the toilet.
“And that is a toilet. You sit on it and do your business, and once done you flush it like this.” I pressed the flush, and Tom leaned over staring into the bowl.
“Yeah, we had those, but it’s a bit different,” he said, still staring into the bowl.
“I know it’s a lot to take in. You should have a shower before the meal tonight.”
Tom’s eyes narrowed. “What are ya saying?”
I laughed. The truth was he stank! But I wasn’t going to tell him that. “Just have a shower. I noticed Andre has supplied you with a suit, hanging on the back of your door. You can wear that. I’ll come and fetch you in an hour.”
Tom didn’t reply. He was still taken in by the wonder of the bathroom. I smiled to myself, knowing it must be difficult considering the time he was from. I walked out and shut the door behind me, heading to my room to get ready.
Tom smelt a lot better when I went to get him, and we headed into the entrance of city hall. I glanced around searching for Andre. The only person in the hall was a young woman a bit younger than me, she had to be about nineteen, with blonde hair and blue eyes.
She walked around the desk and was wearing a revealing black dress. It was much shorter than any dress I’d ever seen, and unbelievably tight.
She walked towards us. “Elijah and Thomas, isn’t it?” she asked. I glanced at Tom whose mouth was agape.
“Ya can call me Tom. Nice to meet ya miss.” He held out a hand to her.
“Who are you?” I asked. Staring at her dress.
Her eyes twinkled with a playful look. “I’m Helen, the Verndarar’s researcher.” She placed a hand on my arm and giggled. “Andre told me to come tonight, and to take the both of you to the restaurant,” she said. She walked between the two of us without another word and headed out of City Hall.
“Come on,” I said to Tom.
He walked next to me and shook his head. “I ain’t never seen no dress like that before.”
We walked back out into the city. It was dusk and the fake sun was beginning to dim. Street lights lit the sidewalk as we walked alongside the lake edge in silence. Helen was marching on ahead and a silence fell between Tom and me. It was only a five-minute walk until Helen stopped in front of a small Chinese restaurant.
“Here we are. Andre is already here.”
She opened the door, and to my surprise spoke fluently in what I could only imagine was Chinese to the waiter. However, I could understand how I understood ever word she said. Tom also looked taken aback. The waiter led us to a table at the back, where Andre was seated. He stood as we approached.
“Good evening both of you look much more presentable,” he said, standing up as we reached the table. “Helen, you look beautiful as always.” Andre walked around to pull out her chair for her.
“Please have a seat, gentlemen.” Tom sat down at the circular table next to Andre. I sat on the other side of him, next to Helen.
“I hope your rooms are acceptable.” Tom nodded in reply. “Elijah, you decided that Tom a suitable second in command?” Andre asked.
I nodded. “Yeah, but Tom needs to decide whether he wants to help,” I replied.
“You’ve explained the task?” Andre asked.
“As best I could, but—”
“I don’t understand any of this. It feels like a dream,” Tom said.
Andre stared at him pensively. “I forgot you’re from a time where things are quite backward.” Tom looked at him with a blank stare. “The truth is humankind is at risk from a group of people, and we’re trying to stop them.”
Tom nodded and looked down at the menu in front of him. “What chuck is this?” Tom asked.
“Chinese food. It’s delicious,” Helen said, smiling at him.
“I ain’t never heard of Chinese food before,” Tom replied, looking back down at the menu.
“I’ll order for you, something simple,” I said, patting Tom on the back.
I jumped at something touching my calf under the table and glanced at Helen, who was eyeing me. I gently pushed her foot away and shuffled as far away from her as I could.
When the waiter came to take our order, Andre spoke to him in Chinese too. “Tom, what questions do you have about being part of the Verndarar?” Andre then asked, focusing his attention on him.
Tom seemed to be searching for the right question to ask. “How am I supposed to help?” he asked, twiddling his chopsticks around with his fingers.
“Elijah and I will train you. You’ll be a vital member of the Verndarar,” Andre replied.
I was unsure whether I was truly qualified to train someone, being that I hadn’t had any training myself. Helen again began to rub her foot up and down my calf. I shifted, knocking her foot from my leg. Her face scrunched in anger at my second aversion to her advances. It wasn’t that she wasn’t attractive, but she was the last thing on my mind.
Why doesn’t she hit on Tom instead?
“Elijah, are we boring you?” Andre asked, looking at me with a quizzical look.
“No, sorry, I was lost in thought.” I straightened in my chair, trying to shake off my doubts about my role in the Verndarar and Helen’s advances.
“If Tom agrees to join us, then tomorrow I’ll show you both where you’ll be training,” Andre said, staring at
me unnervingly. I was glad the waiter returned with our food.
Tom glanced down at his bowl chicken chow mein. “Who are these people we have to stop?”
“The Kugarar are searching for an ancient artifact, one which in their hands would bring about the downfall of the entire human race.”
Tom’s eyes widened and face paled.
“It’s an important task. There’s no doubt about that, but if Elijah chose you, I’m sure you’re meant to be here.”
Tom nodded and took a large gulp of whiskey.
“I definitely think you’re the right person for the job,” I said.
“What do you think?” Andre was looking at him over his glasses.
“I think y’all are putting too much trust in me, but I’ll have a go, I suppose.”
He didn’t sound too convinced, but at least he’d agreed.
“That’s what I like to hear!” Andre said, clapping Tom on the back.
“Tomorrow you can rest,” he said directly to Tom. “But, Elijah I wish to spend the day with you. There is much we must discuss” I sighed. A whole day with Andre sounded like a punishment.
13
The next morning, I woke to the beautiful view over the lake. In the distance, I could see the fascinating city. I glanced around to see if there was a clock, but I couldn’t see one.
With a sigh, I pulled myself out of bed and got dressed.
I was supposed to head downstairs this morning to meet Andre at ten o’clock, but I had no idea of the time. I left the room with my key card in hand and headed back down to the main entrance of City Hall.
Helen was standing behind the desk, “Good morning,” she said, noticing me.
“Good morning,” I said, glancing around the hall. There was no sign of Andre. “What time is it?” I asked.
“It’s nine-thirty. Please help yourself to some breakfast.” She pointed towards a counter laden with food. My stomach grumbled at the sight of it, and I grabbed a plate and piled it high.
Andre appeared and walked towards me. “Elijah, I’m glad to see you’re up early.” He took a seat opposite me and crossed his legs.
