One Way Ticket To Talenthar – Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Ludger thought about his predicament. He always had wanted adventure and a change of scenery. He now had both, plus a lot more he had not bargained for.

Everybody sat down after the elation of the toast. Andrack looked around the room and gravely said.
“It is now time to plan what we will do in the coming weeks, if not months.

First, we must lead an expedition to the source of the river of Gods, so that Arexis can claim the throne and the sceptre of Power. This should help us get the support of the outlying city-states. With them we could raise an army large enough to mount a full scale attack at the Magic Dam. We could regain the source of our magic and defeat Magdar. If it is not already too late.

This expedition to the north will be difficult due to the foul weather in the mountains, during the winter. We will also face marauding bands of goblins and trolls.

We should travel north to the underground city of Thorland, ruled my good friend, the great dwarf leader Kurden McNish. He should be able to provide us with guides and an escort to the source of the river.”

Looking at Ludger he continued.

“When we meet him, you should provide him with different metals from your world. Kurden is the greatest swordsmith alive. He will be able to forge you a magic sword that will be impervious to this world’s magic.

Tonight you will sleep here, in my keep. Tomorrow morning you will go back to the Mist of Dreams, to get whatever supplies you will need for our winter expedition. Dregnar will guide you back to the palace in Talenthar. We will start toward the north, on horseback, three days from now.”

Ludger was not sure about travelling with the troll, but agreed grudgingly to it. He suddenly remembered Bacchus, who had been left outside. He asked Andrack.

“I left my dog outside, would it be possible to bring her in for the night. I cringe at the thought of what might be lurking in the dark, in these parts.”

Andrack replied.

“Do not be worried, it has already been taken care of. Eyegar fetched your dog. She has been fed and lays waiting in your sleeping quarters.”

“I am surprised that she followed him. She his normally shy with strangers.”

“It is one of Eyegar’s many talents. He can communicate with animals and make them at ease. He his also a great cook. I am sure that you are famished, after your long journey. I will have him bring you something to eat, once you are installed in your quarters.”

Arexis cut in.

“Gentlemen, I am sorry to leave early, but I must return to the palace and continue planning the quest with General Chargoff. With this, I bid you good night. I am looking forward to see you again in two days time.”

The Prince quickly left the room, followed by Dregnar. Eyegar came in, a few seconds later. He said in a reverend tone.

“Master, our quest’s sleeping quarters are ready. Do you want me to show Mr. Morton to them.”

Andrack replied.

“Yes, as much as I would like to spend a long evening talking with Mr. Morton, I am sure that some food and a good night’s rest are the best for both of us.”

Turning to Ludger he said.

“Please have a pleasant night. We will talk early in the morning, before you leave.”

He shook Ludger’s hand, crushing it in the process and left the room. Eyegar, standing by the door, pointed to the opening and said.

“Sir….”

Ludger went to his chair and took his MAC 10. He followed the tall man down a series of corridors, that finally led to a thick wooden door. Eyegar opened it and led him inside. The room was fairly large. It was carved out of the solid rock, like everything else in this place. Against one of the walls was a massive, wood framed, bed with a canopy made of heavily embroidered, burgundy coloured, velvet. A comfortable looking eiderdown duvet and thick plush pillows covered it. Facing the bed was a sturdily built armoire, made of dark polished wood. A door stood beside it. The room was lit by wall fixtures emitting a moving orange glow.

At the other end of the room, a few comfortable easy chairs were tastefully arranged in front of a fireplace ablaze with flames. A bookcase was against the wall. By its side was a table on which stood some decanters filled with wines and brandies, a large plate of assorted cooked meats, cheeses and fresh fruits. The floors were covered with an assortment of ornate wool carpets of vaguely oriental design.

Ludger spotted Bacchus laying down on a large velvet cushion in front of the fireplace. The dog did not stir when he entered the room. Ludger stood there, taking in the aura of comfort emanating from the room.
Eyegar gently coughed and said.

“Sir…, behind that door, over there, lies the washroom facilities. The fire will last for the night. Your clothes are in the armoire, I fetched them from your wagon, myself. There is plenty of food and wine on the table. If you need me for anything, at anytime, please pull the red cord by the bed, the green one controls the lights. I hope that the accommodations are satisfactory and I wish you a pleasant night.”

The tall man bowed and silently left the room.

Ludger went to the door and bolted it from the inside. Hearing the noise, Bacchus sleepily stretched and turned her head toward him. Recognition lit her eyes and her short tail started wagging. He sat on the carpet beside her. He petted his dog with affection for a long time. He needed this touch of normality to prevent his mind from unravelling before him. He still could not fully accept his situation. He expected to wake up any minute from a bad dream.

After spending ten minutes lost in his thoughts, Ludger said.

“Its time to check out this room and to slip, as the say, into something more comfortable. All this equipment I’ve been carrying all day is starting to feel like a ton of lead.”

He went to the door, the MAC 10 at the ready. He checked the corridor. Everything was quiet. He closed the door and pushed back the bolt. He went to the washroom door and opened it. An enormous brass tub filled the middle of the room. A complicated looking set of gleaming copper pipes lead to it. In a corner stood a brass toilet. Against the wall, in front of a large mirror, was a brass sink set into an ornate commode.

Ludger said to himself.

“They really know how to accommodate their guests.”

He turned on the taps and slowly started to fill up the bathtub. He went back to the bedroom and opened the armoire. In it, laid, neatly arranged on shelves, the spare clothes he had brought with him. A thick dressing gown and fur lined slippers were also present. He put his MAC 10 on an empty shelf. He removed his heavy hiking vest. He put his cigar case on a low table by the fireplace. He unholstered his handguns. He put the Glock under a pillow, on the bed. His comp gun was laid on the bedside table. He quickly undressed, put his dirty clothes on a shelf, took the dressing gown and slippers and went to the bath.

His feet felt cold on the tile floor of the washroom. He threw the dressing gown on the commode and the slippers on the floor. He rummaged through the commode and found some bath salts that he poured into the steamy water.

Ludger had always preferred a shower, from a bath. But there were special occasions when it was especially helpful to slip into a hot bath to ease the day’s tensions. This was definitively one of these occasions. He stepped into the scented water. As he sat down, his body instantly relaxed. Whatever was in those bath salts, he could make a fortune selling them back home.

He heard the clicking of Bacchus’s claws on the tile floor. He looked as the dog approached him. She quietly nuzzled him and went back to the bedroom. Ludger felt good and relaxed for the first time in weeks. He would show these people how he could quest with the best of them.

He stayed in the water until it became uncomfortably cool. He drained the tub and dried himself with some luxurious towels, he had found in the commode. He slipped into the dressing gown and slippers and went to the bedroom. He filled a plate with an assortment of food, and a large goblet with a brilliantly red wine.

He sat in one of the overstuffed chairs. He stretched his legs as he revelled in the texture and finesse of the food. The wine compared favourably with the best of his world. He ate until he was full. He put down the plate with the remnants of his meal, on the floor, for Bacchus to finish. She greedily gulped it down, then returned to her cushion. Ludger carried the empty plate and goblet back to the table. He poured himself a snifter of brandy. He lit a cigar, from his own case, took a long pull and went to the bookcase.

The leather bound spines of many volumes, revealed a variety of technical subjects revolving around magic. Others dealt with philosophy or history. One of the former caught Ludger’s eyes. A treatise named: THE FUNDAMENTAL PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MAGIC AND TECHNOLOGY by Master Andrack of Talenthar Ph.D.(MIT), F.R.C.M., F.R.C.P.. He took the slim volume from the bookcase and ensconced himself, again, in the comfortable chair. He read until he could barely keep his eyes open. Feeling totally drained he closed the book. It had stimulated a lot of thoughts, but he was too tired to make any sense out of any of them. He needed sleep.

Ludger shakily stood up. He threw the dressing gown on the bed and slid, naked, between the icy cold sheets. He pulled on the green cord. The lights slowly dimmed and finally winked out, leaving the room aglow with the dancing flames of the fire. Ludger quickly fell asleep.

*

Ludger was raised from a deep, dreamless sleep by a sharp knock at the door. His mind was groggy and he had no idea where he was. Slowly reality sunk in when he remembered the events of the previous day.

He heard Eyegar’s voice, muffled by the thickness of the door.

“Sir…, we are breaking our fast in the kitchen, in half an hour. I will come and fetch you, then.”

Ludger finally stirred under the comfortable eiderdown duvet. Bacchus leapt on the bed and nuzzled him. He said.

“OK! OK! I’m getting up.”

He rose to his feet, felt dizzy, then sat back on the edge of the bed. He shook his head trying to clear the cobwebs that had accumulated in it, overnight. He slowly looked around. He noticed that the room had been cleaned during his sleep. After a few minutes he rose, again, and walked to the bathroom. It had also been cleaned, fresh towels were waiting. He took a long shower, which seemed somewhat effective in clearing his mind. After brushing his teeth and his hair with the appropriate brushes, he went to the armoire, in the bedroom, to fetch his spare clothes.

Upon opening the doors he noticed that the clothes he had worn the previous day, had been cleaned. They were hanging neatly in the armoire. He thought.

“They have very efficient room service. Andrack would make a fortune in the hotel business, back on earth. Talk about unobtrusive service!”

Ludger quickly dressed and armed himself. He fetched his duffle bag. He packed it with his clothes and supplies. As he was closing the bag, the door opened. Eyegar walked in. Ludger picked up the book he had been reading the night before from the low coffee table. He turned toward Eyegar, showing him the book, and said.

“Can I borrow this, I did not have the a chance to finish reading it, last night. I would greatly appreciate to do so.”

Eyegar replied.

“You can certainly keep this volume, compliment of Master Andrack. Are you ready for breakfast…, Sir.”

“Thank you, for the book. And, yes I am ready.”

Ludger slipped the leather-bound volume in a side pocket of his duffle bag. When he was about to lift the bag from the table, Eyegar took it. He said.

“Let me do this…, Sir. Please follow me.”

Ludger shrugged his shoulder. He followed the tall man out of the room, with Bacchus on his heels. They followed a series of carved tunnels lit by smoky torches. Eyegar stopped in a featureless section of tunnel and turned toward the smooth wall. He put his hand on an area of the wall that was undistinguishable from any other. An opening suddenly appeared in front of them. Eyegar turned toward Ludger with a twinkle in his eyes. He said.

“Service entrance.”

They walked into the newly opened, dark corridor. After the first bend, they saw a dim glow at the far end of the corridor. They could hear some voices. Ludger heard a low growl coming from Bacchus. He hushed the dog to no avail. When they reached the end of the corridor, they turned right. They walked into a cosy country kitchen with a large stove-cum-fireplace, taking an entire wall. Andrack and Dregnar were seated at a massive table, talking. At the sight of the troll, Bacchus bared her teeth. Accompanied by a mighty growl she lunged at him.

The mystical creature was quicker than the dog. He rolled from his seat and quickly climbed to the top of the massive storage hutch that stood behind his chair. Bacchus got up on her hind legs against the hutch. She barked at the troll. She snapped at any part of Dregnar’s anatomy that he dangled by mistake in front of her sharp teeth.

The troll was cowering on top of the hutch. He was letting out loud mewling sounds. Ludger grabbed his dog. He tried to quiet her. She struggled to escape his grip, still growling loudly at the troll.

Eyegar walked toward them. He put his hand on Bacchus’s head. Instantly the dog stopped struggling. She turned her head toward the tall man, looking deep in his eyes. Ludger sat heavily on the floor. He watched, amazed, at what was going on. There seemed to be a bond between man and animal. Suddenly Bacchus shook herself and stretched. With her short tail wagging she went to lay down in front of the fireplace.

Ludger looked up, wide eyed, at Eyegar. He asked with bewilderment in his voice.

“What in the world just happened, here?”

The tall man nervously coughed, looked at Andrack, then back at Ludger. He answered.

“Well…, I just told your dog; that Dregnar was a good friend of yours and that she should not bother him again.”

Ludger closed his eyes. He thought.

“Here we go again, now I’ve got to deal with Dr. Doolittle. As if I didn’t have enough problems.”

He opened his eyes, shook his head, and said.

“Thank you.”

Ludger struggled back to his feet. He looked up to the top of the hutch, where the troll was still hiding. He said.

“Dregnar…, I guess you can come down now. I am truly sorry for what happened.”

The troll stopped making his mewling sounds. He peeked over the moulding, crowning the hutch. He looked around suspiciously, especially at the resting dog, then climbed down to the floor. Bacchus lifted her head from her paws, where it had been resting, looked at Dregnar quizzically, then returned to her sleep with a sigh.

The troll sat heavily on his chair, took a long draught from his mug of ale, then looked at Andrack. He hesitated for a moment, then said, while pointing to Bacchus.

“Master Andrack, I do not mind going to fight the evil forces of Magdar. But I will not travel with that beast.”

Andrack replied in a voice filled with mirth.

“Calm down, calm down. I assure you that our friend, Bacchus, will not bother you again.”

Turning toward Ludger, he added.

“Tell me, young man, how did you kill the two drakens that we found on your horseless wagon.”

Ludger, surprised by the change of subject, replied.

“Well…, I shot, and killed, the first one with my shotgun. I only wounded the second one. Bacchus jumped and killed it. She saved my life in the process.”

Dregnar looked with admiration at the dog, then turned his gaze to Ludger. He said in a quivering voice.

“Maybe, since this dreadful beast is able to slay a creature of evil, like a draken, I might have been too hasty in making my decision. I think I will be able to travel with our guests. But I will not trust that dog.”

Ludger was thinking that he did not look forward to travel with the troll. He also did not trust him. Meanwhile, everybody sat back at the table. Eyegar served Ludger a sturdy breakfast consisting of eggs, bread, and assorted cold cuts. It was accompanied by an herbal infusion that was the local equivalent of coffee. While Ludger started his meal, Andrack said.

“We might have lost the advantage of surprise, because Magdar can normally see through the eyes of his creatures, like the drakens. Lets hope that he was not watching at the time.”

Between bite Ludger asked.

“Are you telling me that with magic, you can see through the eyes of another creature.”

“It only works if you create the creature, outright, or if you remove the living essence of an existing one and replace it by some of your own.”

“Well, I will have to be careful, if there is a chance of our enemy knowing of my presence in these world. By the way, is there a quicker way to return to the Mist of Dreams. On my way over here, I had to travel to the north of that large crevice.”

Andrack looked at Ludger with a startled gaze. He said.

“You travelled to the mouth of the Dragon’s Lair. You have taken an incredible risk in doing so. The Gods only knows what could have happened to you.”

Unimpressed, Ludger remarked.

“I did not see any dragons when I stopped there. It looked more like the chimney of an old volcano.”

“Even though no one has seen the great dragon Malvenia in centuries, its prowess should be respected and no chances taken. Anyway, Dregnar will show you a more direct route that passes a little south of here.”

Ludger thought.

“Now they are afraid of an old legend, while a very real enemy is waiting to vanquish us.”

He looked at Andrack and changed the subject.

“What do I need to bring with me, on our expedition?”

“Clothes to survive the cold winter, weapons to combat giant creatures, material to help in the mountains, different metals from your world, and anything else you might find useful for a winter expedition to the unknown.”

“How will we be travelling?”

“The Prince will equip you with a battle stallion and a pack horse trained to follow it, under any circumstances. These pairs are bonded at birth and cannot be separated.”

The conversation died down. Ludger finished his breakfast lost in his thoughts. Eyegar cleared the table silently. He put a bag of supplies in front of Ludger. It contained some fresh bread, cured meats, fresh fruits and a gourd of strong ale. Ludger raised from his seat. He turned toward Andrack, and said.

“Thank you for your hospitality. I think that we should get going on our trip. I guess we will see you again tomorrow.”

“You definitively will. Let me escort you to your wagon.”

Dregnar took the supply bag and slung it over his shoulder. He then took Ludger’s duffle. Andrack lead the way, out of the kitchen. They followed him through the maze of corridors.

When Andrack opened the massive stone portal, Ludger noticed that the suns were very low in the sky. The weather was crisp and clear. A sprinkling of freshly fallen snow covered the ground. Strangely no snow was present on the massive keep and in a ten yard wide band circling it.

His truck was still parked where he had left it the night before. The little group walked toward it. Andrack walked around and examined it with excitement. Dregnar looked at it suspiciously.

Andrack inquired about the working of the truck. Ludger showed him the engine. He gave him a quick course in auto mechanics. He took his spare gasoline canisters and refilled the tanks.

Ludger bid the wizard goodbye. He called Bacchus to jump in. Dregnar climbed aboard with apprehension. He seated himself beside Ludger. When Ludger started the truck, the sound startled the troll so much, that he jumped out and cowered behind Andrack’s massive bulk. It took all of the magician’s considerable powers of persuasion to convince the troll to take his place beside the driver.

Ludger waved to the magician, put the little truck in gear and pulled onto the muddy path that led off from the keep.

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From 1990: One Way Ticket To Talenthar

The Sass