Prologue.
Passing through the underbelly of Galkilm, with pieced-together hovels of concrete, mud, and hay, thou entered the vast city of brick and more abundant materials. All around thee are the markets and emporiums, resounding with the clamor of merchants haggling over the prices of their wares, be it rice or bread. Children frolic in the cobblestone streets, their laughter mingling with the clatter of hooves as horses and donkeys drag carts laden with goods. Yet within the depths of the tavern, secluded in a corner away from prying eyes, sat an elderly gentleman with a hoary beard and locks of snow. Opposite him sat a figure cloaked in darkness, a mysterious aura enveloping him. "I bear the sixty-five thousand Coins you requested. But here I commit to this endeavor, I must know you can capture the captain amidst his vast crew," the old man declared, placing the bag of Coins on the table. The figure across from him remained silent, his head bowed low, an enigmatic presence shrouding him. After a pregnant pause, he leaned forward, intertwining his fingers upon the table, his mouth and nose barely visible beneath his cloak's shadow. “So what Chief? You doubt I can capture this pirate?" the mysterious figure inquired, his voice deep yet possessing a serene calmness.
"No, I think you can, and can’t, but just know I hope you don’t fail, because there will be severe consequences; and also you were the only mercenary out there available, I know how many years you have and not many, but you will do," the old man replied, his tone tinged with caution.
"I shall deliver him, but where might I find this low-life pirate?"
Amidst the backdrop of mirthful revelry and the clinking of tankards, their conversation unfolded.
"You will know when you see him," the old man retorted, rising from his seat and making his way toward the tavern's exit. Each footfall upon the moonlit cobblestones reverberated through the darkened alleyway, illuminated only by the faint glow of lanterns lining the path. Suddenly, a hand alighted upon his shoulder.
"Please tell me, who is this pirate? Just grant me a clue," the mercenary implored, leaning in. The old man turned, a sly grin adorning his weathered visage.
"He answers to the name of Captain Decker. Wanted in over forty thousand realms."
"Captain Decker?" the mercenary mused; curiosity piqued. With a solemn nod, the old man continued, "Aye, he is a scourge, an adversary of the state in the garden zone. 'Tis said he hath laid waste to ships, navy soldiers, and leaders of Alcilm, leaving naught but death in his wake. A shameful deed indeed."
"Don’t worry Chief, I shall apprehend him, I swear upon it," the mercenary vowed. "I shall not fail, Chief," the mercenary asserted.
"Mayhap, for failure, would not bode well for you," the old man cautioned, fixing the mercenary with a stern gaze.
"I have given my word, Chief. I shall fulfill my duty."
With a knowing smile, the old man departed, his footsteps fading into the night. As he disappeared into the glow of a nearby lamppost, a shadowy figure emerged, extinguishing the light. The mercenary glanced skyward, casting off his hood to reveal a rugged countenance adorned with a stubble beard, piercing green eyes, and a mane of chestnut hair billowing in the breeze.
Lengard year 4035
In The Realm Of - Lengard
Amidst the vast expanse of the northern Atlantic Sea, nestled within the planetary confines of Alcilm, a celestial body within the enigmatic solar system realm of Lengard, lies a world uncannily reminiscent of Earth. Yet, despite the semblance, it diverges significantly in its geographical makeup, where continents assume peculiar forms and flora possesses extraordinary capabilities, such as the ability to ensnare, enthrall, and even lull individuals into a slumber with a mere melody. From the resplendent depths of its sprawling jungles and archipelagos to the sprawling urban centers, rustic hamlets, and fortifications beset by brigands at every bend of the road, this realm harbors a rich tapestry of existence, steeped in both wonder and woe, woven through epochs of conflict and clandestine machinations. Moreover, it teems with diverse sentient races, including the venerable Elves and indomitable Dwarves. Within the heart of Lengard, upon the realm of Alcilm, a gallant galleon plies the tumultuous waves under the leadership of Captain Decker and his valiant crew, locked in a harrowing struggle against the tempest's wrath, where titanic waves rear akin to skyscrapers. The crew, vast and stalwart, confronts the tempest with a mere forty-percent chance of emerging unscathed, yet amidst their ranks stands a youth named Johnny Volvard, a young man with dirty blonde hair a white tunic, and a slight stubble above his upper lip, he had also black pants and brown boots; He – yearning for a future adorned with adventure, prosperity, and the tender embrace of love.
"Johnny, swiftly secure that line!" bellowed Captain Decker amidst the frenetic chaos of the ship's deck, his voice carried away by the howling winds as he wrestled with the ship's helm, while his men hurried to their designated posts. "Captain, I fear the strain is too great! The mainsails threaten to fray from the mast!" Johnny Yelled, seeking the captain's guidance amidst the tempest's fury, only to find silence shrouding his query. Surveying the deck for a solution, Johnny's gaze alighted upon the captain's cabin, where an errant metal pole beckoned him to action. With resolve, he unfastened the rope from its moorings and strained against the elements to secure it. Amidst the tumult, his eyes caught sight of Cory, a fellow crewman, transfixed by the azure expanse beyond. Sudden silence befell the tumult as a thunderous roar heralded a cannon's discharge from an approaching vessel, a deadly projectile hurtling towards their beleaguered ship.
"CORY MOVE! Take cover – NOW!" Johnny implored, his voice laced with urgency, yet Cory stood motionless, tears tracing down his pallid cheeks. As chaos unleashed around them, Captain Decker's voice pierced through the cacophony, beckoning Johnny to seek refuge within the cabin. With desperate resolve, Johnny sprinted towards the sanctuary, the deafening roar of cannon fire reverberating ominously. Within the haven of the cabin, amidst the wreckage and tumult, Captain Decker revealed a dire plan to evade the wrath of both storm and navy.
"We must make haste, find sanctuary ashore, replenish our provisions, and fashion a vessel anew," he intoned, his voice laden with gravitas.
"I trust you, Johnny, as I would my flesh and blood. You are the embodiment of hope amidst this tempest of adversity."
Grateful for the captain's faith, Johnny acknowledged his allegiance.
"I stand with you, Captain Decker." he affirmed, his gaze meeting Decker's with unwavering resolve. Yet, as hope flickered amidst the storm's fury, the specter of tragedy loomed large. Amidst the tumult of battle, cannon fire erupted anew, heralding the arrival of yet another adversary. In the ensuing chaos, Johnny's world descended into a maelstrom of destruction, and as the vessel succumbed to the briny depths, he found himself adrift in a sea of uncertainty. Awakening from his tumultuous reverie, Johnny found himself bathed in the gentle glow of dawn, the remnants of his dream fading like mist before the sun's radiance. Reality beckoned, mundane yet comforting, as his mother's voice resounded, ushering him into the embrace of a familiar routine. My mother came in, saying to me that we were leaving, and telling me to get dressed.
Chapter 2
A glimpse of reality
After 2 hours of sitting down in a big auditorium, just to wait for my sister to come up on a stage and be called her name and given a diploma, we finally left. My mom, dad, and I left our row of seats to see my sister who was a graduated 4-year college graduate. She was waiting smiling. We walked up to her and embraced her knowing the arduous work she did to get here. Walking out my dad says “Well, where do we all want to go out to eat?” My sister thanked me then said in a second.
“How about Sally’s Fried Chicken, that’s a good place to eat?” My father and mother looked at each other and nodded in agreement with my sister’s choice. I, on the other hand, hated Sally’s. The texture of the chicken did not taste well to me, so my sister then went to her car to meet us at Sally’s. We get in the car with the music Turning on. My father looked back at me.
“Now I know you do not like Sally’s, but please eat something and have a suitable time. This is your sister's big day, and we want to celebrate.” I looked at him and nodded
“I understand it’s her big day, but I don’t see why I have to be dragged to a bad chicken restaurant.” My mother looked at me through her rearview mirror.
“Fine don’t eat anything we can just get you something else later” my father looked at her with a surprised look.
“Get him something else? I am not going to get three different meals today. He can eat here or eat a sandwich and chips at home, with a side of pop tarts.”
When we finally were done eating and getting ready to leave. I was full of my 4-piece chicken strip dinner with a side of mashed potatoes.
We pulled up to our home. I woke up from the car ride and headed inside. The time was 9:46 PM. Only because I was running around with my sister, Abby, all day getting her gifts.
My mom says to me stepping in my room, “Get ready for bed and go get your clothes and school bag ready for tomorrow.” I had forgotten today was Sunday, the end of the weekend was the worst, and I did not have the strength to go back to school tomorrow at all. I turn on my fan. got under my white covers and closed my eyes. The silence and the air that the fan pushed on me relaxed me, a solid five seconds past I heard seagulls and waves crashing in the distance.
I opened my eyes. I was lying down in the sand, as Johnny Volvard.
Washed up from the battle of the navy and other pirates.
I looked around, I was on a small island with a small jungle biome. I looked out toward the sea looking at if there were any ships in sight. My eyes catch and finally focus on the distant smoke rising in the ocean. It was far out, miles and miles out. I looked back at the island knowing I was on my own and I had to free myself from this island, I had to survive.
Chapter 3
Welcome home
It has been a year and a half since I was washed up on the island.
I have created a tent with leaves and support wooden beams from cutting down some palm trees. I have created many tools for me to survive on the island, Like a knife to skin the animals that I hunt, a hatchet and a spear, and even a bow. I got up from my bed. I had to do the regular chores that I had been doing daily. Get water, purify the water, and hunt, but mostly by that word I mostly spearfish. I looked up at the dawn-lit orange and pink sky with wavy clouds. Looking out onto the horizon at dawn was like a dream…
I cried. I remembered my past, the crew that I called my best friends. With all the relationships that were building on the crew now swept away in the ocean, it now feels like all that for nothing.
I then think about Captain Decker, the one who felt like a bit of a father to me. I remember when he found me on the streets of the city of Galkilm, the capital of the Garden Zone. The Garden Zone was the safest state in the Caribbean and had the most merchants and shops at the time. I was on the streets alone and cold and I had no one, so Captain Decker saved me from that. I went to bed that night on my bedroll, I dreamed of that time so long ago.
The Dream of My Past Volume One.
The streets were filled with ambient noises of the bustling streets of crowds all talking about politics in the state, and the shops and people.
Going through an alleyway just only three blocks away from the center of Fun (the main shops and activities of the town.) was a gang of hoodlums. A teen with brown messy shaggy hair said.
“Pathetic. I saw more in you Johnny; you could have at least given me a full piece of bread, but you gave me only half. When I accepted you in our gang you were supposed to not steal half… You steal everything.” My eyes looked at him, begging for no beating. Jack was his name; he was the oldest of the gang and he was the leader. while I was the youngest and being bullied for being a fresh recruit. When I brought food in, I would get a beating from Jack and the others because I did not do well in providing for the gang. I only joined them because I wanted to fit in somewhere, and I had nowhere else to go. I looked up at him, “I'm sorry, I will try to do better next time.”
He looked down at me with an angry expression.
“There won’t be any next time though.” He snapped his fingers at the other kids and pointed at me. They nodded and walked toward me punching my gut and picking me up, throwing me out of the alley and into the streets of the ambient city. Dillion looked down at me, Dillion was the one who introduced me to Jack's gang, but he was disappointed in me since I did not make any progress with them. We were friends. I hated what he was doing and letting them do this; throughout he was the only one who did care about me and refused to beat me up, which was a good thing. But now he was the one who threw me out of the alleyway. Dillion said “I thought you would provide better; you can get in insignificant things, and it is just easier for you to steal. I should have never met you and invited you.” Dillion walked back, shut the gate behind him, and locked it, he looked back at me one last time then walked off into the darkness of the poor trashed alleyway. I was alone, I had no one, no one to love, and no one to give me food on a table. The only thing I did not want to do was put myself in an orphanage. That was the last option in my life that I have since my parents died. I am only 9 years old; I should not go through what I am going through, but most think I am a man in the world. I sat down on the concrete sidewalk and put my back against the wall. I looked down and started to cry, I was now depressed, alone and surviving. For over 7 minutes I sat there and cried. I felt the chilly wind on me touching my tears and the sun touching my skin. Until the sun's brightness went away, it was a shadow right in front of me of a man. I looked up at a man with a brown worn-down coat and boots with a unique hat with a feather attached to it. He says to me “Hello there kid. You all, right?” I looked up at him, not knowing what was about to happen. “Come on kid, follow me to my ship. I can see that you are alone, I saw what happened kid, do not worry they won't touch you anymore. You are safe. And as a matter of fact, you will be safer if you join my crew and me across the waves of the ocean in search of a tale lost deep in the sea. The Tale of Long Bearded Jones Lost Treasure. What do you say, kid? Unless you do not, I will understand since I am just some pirate. but I’m a smart pirate.” He chuckled and I looked at him with wide eyes and felt joy in me immediately after his inspirational words. He takes his hand out toward me. He looks at me waiting for me to take his hand. I had no thought and took his hand, he lifted me and said,
"Good choice kid, you're going to fit in just fine; The name is Bill Captain Decker, but I go by Captain Decker.”
Waking Up.
I woke up from my sleep on my leaf-made bed. I got up and took a drink from my coconut canteen. It was day 592, I had been living on a small island inhabited by chickens, snakes, hogs, and even a couple of wolves; with forest and jungle for a whole year and a half. I go down to the beach and sit. I forever thought when I was washed up on these shores, and that maybe I could somehow get off this island. I get up and go off back into the deep vegetation of the island, and for days I have been avoiding the wolves. Every day I explore the island looking for something that could help me get something myself to get off the island. Like long rope or something; I have looked repeatedly, and I find nothing to even attempt to try to build a raft. During the 603 days (about one and a half years) of living on the island, a Material was used as a rope. It was vines, but strong enough to at least hold together on water, for my raft, the whole time it was on the other side of the island. I cut trees down and started working. It took me about 38 days (about 1 month and 1 week) to build the raft. When I woke up it was now day 639, I got my carved wooden paddle and attached and tied a long vine to the front to pull to the beach. I pull the raft into the water and finally start paddling. I was now drifting and getting away from the island, I was free from almost 2 years of being on a remote island. I started paddling more. I was so happy that I made it off now. I had no idea where to go, I had no idea where I was. I looked out and saw a ship, it looked navy, I was not scared but they were still an enemy. I yelled to it hoping they wouldn't know who I was and take care of me. I paddled closer to the ship, and with them getting closer and closer, I started hearing men yelling. I was pulling right up to the ship and the yelling went quiet, I got caught off the ladder, and when I climbed onto the deck I saw before my eyes Captain Decker.
“Welcome Home Kid, We're Glad to see ya, and how do you like the ship ay.” I then woke up in real life.
Chapter 4
You must Bring Up that Grade Johnny!
“Ok kid, I'm done waiting, choose your plate and leave.” The lunch lady shouted at me with the tone of an angry drunk man, which was so wrong on her part. She could have waited a few more seconds for me to choose the best plate with the best fried tater tots. The lunch lady was Tammy Best. She was the boss of the lunch ladies and food of Westside Panther’s School. She was 59, about to turn 60, and her skin was wrinkly, from the amount of work she was putting into making tacos, and all the sitting down she does at her computer desk. I grab my tray and move to the cashier line. Mrs. Tuzila, a Hispanic who was sweet and was fast at checking all of us out. But the line stacks because of that. I finally reach Mrs.Tuzila and she greets me, “Ah, Mr. Anderson, How are you doing?” She says it with joy. already typing away with what I had on my plate.
“I'm good, but you know math and science are always ruining the day's vibe.” she nods.
“Yes, they can but I believe you can make it… And there you go, 3 dollars please,” I handed her 3 dollars, and I thanked her, and headed off to my friend's table. Approaching my friends, one of my friends, Daniel shouts to me “Johnny! It feels like I have not seen you in forever at least since before spring break” I looked at him with a" You're kidding me right face; I said to Daniel.
“At Least?” I shake my head on behalf of the joke, with my stomach filled laughing.
“It has been before spring break man, it's a break.” We all joked around and laughed. Daniel was my true close friend; I had a few others but not like Daniel. He is loyal, brave, kind, and funny. I like that in a friend. Daniel and I walk to Spanish class. We were greeted by the teacher, and she went right into the day's assignment, talking about how we must team up with a partner and make a whole trip to Italy or wherever we would like to go, but it had to be around Europe. I had already had so much homework and so many assignments already that needed to be done, and Spanish was the breaking point for me, making me get frustrated and stressed for the rest of the day. I went home after school, and I received my grade report. My parents were going to be mad. I already knew because I was failing two classes and with them seeing my report, they were just going to flip. I got off the bus and headed down our street with my dad already checking the mail, he waited for me to talk to him.
“Well how was school today” I already knew I was going to be grounded so I handed the report card to my dad.
“Here, this is how it went.” I rushed to my room and shut the door, hearing the last bit of words of my father before the door shut fully, “Johnny wait-”
I wanted silence and a break from school and reality, and me shutting that door made the whole world shut off and silent. I was tired and got in my bed, for me to get loose again in my dreams.
Some Days pass.
It has been 5 days since Captain Decker and the rest of the crew that survived found me. They told me everything from how they survived and captured a navy ship; Captain Decker said when I went under just after a few minutes, the navy boat came to the wreckage of our ship, they inspected for survivors and anything they could use for themselves. The crew and Captain Decker were hiding in the slightest shadows that the captain’s cabin had, because of the dealing of the rising dawning sun, when the navy thought no one and nothing was there, the crew and Captain Decker raided the ship, capturing the ship and the navy’s crew itself.
The navy leader said, “You can’t keep us here forever, you bunch of low-life pirates.” he spit, then Captain Decker looked at him with a slight grin and chuckled, then Went stern quickly again, “Low Pirates you say?” Captain Decker raised his eyebrow.
“I cannot believe you're saying that because who i'm looking down at, is a low-life captured navy peasant in the brig.” The peasant navy leader went silent, annoyed with his other navy crew soldiers.
“Oh, and by the way, no food for y'all tonight.” Captain Decker and I started walking again, with him laughing and drinking his rum. We hear the other soldiers hitting and beating up the leader of the navy soldier behind us and hear his grunts and his whining.
“Guess they wanted food didn’t they,” Captain Decker said, as he chuckled. We reach the end of the third downstairs level of the hull of the ship. The reason we were down here was that we were getting more cannonballs, veggies, and most importantly, rum. Captain Decker always got drunk; if he was not, then the whole crew would think he got sick, or just something would be wrong, and he does have some days where he is sober the entire day, surprisingly. Now we have a navy ship and its crew. We are going to Jackylin, a small but big town. It is to be known as the life of the party town, you can get drunk, find a lady or even money, or hire mercenaries for dirty work. Every corner has a taphouse and inn for you to stay and drink, the only problem with the whole town is that the criminal records there are high, they just need a few more hoodlum kid gangs in the neighborhood and they might as well pass the city of Galkilm records, the capital of the garden zone in the Caribbean. We went back up and put the rum right outside the captain's cabin, (for Captain Decker to get a drink every so often) and then put the vegetables inside the captain's cabin. Captain Decker says that he now has a bounty that he thought he would never live to get, but the numbers were true, he showed me his bounty on his paper, that he was proud of getting over 200,000 C, but after talking a while and laughing and catching up, captain Decker changed stern Fastly after one of his jokes. Captain Decker reached behind his back, pulled his coat up, and got a piece of paper out, he said.
“This is what I found in Galkilm when we visited getting supplies, I thought it would intrigue you.” It was a bounty set on Jack’s Gang. I saw all the gang members, of the ones that beat and bullied me, and then I caught my eye on Dillion. I remembered all that time ago with him and Jack. All the members were grown, Jack had a beard and curly hair, Dillion had a medium-long beard that was also curly, and his hair was not curly but only wavy now. And they all had long torn coats on. The bounty that was on them was over 765,000 C. The poster read,
if seen DO NOT Approach, if seen REPORT to an AUTHORITY in the town in your AREA.
CAPTURED or ALIVE.
I was amazed that it was that high and wondered what they had all done because there was no way that they stole so much bread from stores all the time. I read more on the paper and discovered that they had robbed and even murdered. Also it had read more that the gang was involved in kidnapping and murdering the Galkilm mayor's daughter while robbing the Galkilm state bank. Saying at the end that they were last seen in the forest outside of Galkilm walls. Captain Decker finally spoke after he assumed that I was finished reading the paper, “I know that Dillion was your friend, or partially was. And I know he abandoned you onto the streets, but even if I was you. And if I knew someone who is truly about to die from being chased by lawmen, then I would too feel grief.” I looked at the paper, baffled by the truth that was written on it. and then looked at Captain Decker, I said.
“I just can't believe the gang would do something like that. I thought they would grow up and get better lives for themselves, But I never thought they would go this far in getting money.”
Captain Decker was quiet, so quiet I could hear the rain hitting the window and the deck above us.
I wanted to go look and talk to Dillion himself. I knew that it would be risky, and I could get myself killed. but I could reason with them and change Dillon's life because he was the only loyal friend that I had. Even if he threw me out. because this is too far, from just getting thrown out of a little gang of hoodlums in the small alleyways of Galkilm.
I look back at Captain Decker who is getting wine at the wooden sanded desk by the window. He picked up the glass and then the wine bottle and while pouring it in, clanked the bottle and glass together. In just a split-second Captain Decker dropped the wine bottle landing in the box filled with other bottles, the impact from the bottle smashing the others sent a chilling break of ambiance from outside and my heart rate went up, and just then the silence took over. Captain Decker suddenly was standing weirdly and then walked back a couple of steps. He was still facing the desk filled with wine bottles. He stopped on the third step, but while putting his left leg back still trying to walk back, he fell; and a loud thud went through the captain's cabin. The whole room quaked as he hit the dusty floor. I shot off from the chair yelling, “Captain Decker!” and kneeled by him, shaking him and tapping him. I then checked his heart. There was no bump, no sound. his heart had stopped.
I went outside and got some of the crew and the two doctors, they checked on him while the crew was in the back watching, they told us after 4 minutes all of us to get back to it, and wait because it would be an awhile till they were done, I glanced back at Captain Decker where he was on a bed hoping they would do something fast, they were rubbing his chest trying to send electricity through his body. It has been two hours since we left the cabin leaving Captain Decker lying down probably dead. I looked out at the sea, it was beautiful, the sky was blue and there were only so many clouds in sight. The smell of the sea I smelt was nostalgic. I missed it and I smelt the horizons of the distant cities by the sand, grasslands, and forest.
I remembered once more looking out towards the sea thinking of the time when I joined the crew of Captain Decker.
The Dream of My Past Volume Two.
I Walk on the long board leading to the ship trying to balance myself to not fall in the shallow blue clear water.
I reached the ship greeted by Captain Decker.
“Well kid welcome aboard to the old girl of the Azure.” parts of the ship were darkish blue and when we got in the cabin, I knew the ship outside was only little bits of blue, but it was even bluer in the Captain's Cabin.
Captain Decker out of nowhere breaking my awe from the maps and many chests and tables that filled the room and with the nice luxurious new furniture and chandelier that hung above in the middle of the room casting shadows and the nice light of the room.
“I know what you're thinking, but I love blue. Why do you think I chose the name Azure.”
I liked the style of the cabin, I even loved the name. The whole ship was already becoming keen to me.
Captain Decker led me downstairs to the inside hull of the ship and showed me my made bed in the back with some storybooks and a lantern for me, even some paper if I wanted to draw or write. I was grateful for what I had gotten already because this was better than the alleyway was. Captain Decker laid down his empty bottle on a wooden pillar with a hat and feather pen and said breaking the sound of the water just one more level down splashing and swooping slowly while moving the ship only slightly, “Alright kid, I'm going to leave you to it, you can stay and get used to it as long as you want.”
I looked up at Captain Decker, I was happy a pirate took me in to join his crew, I finally said, ”Thank you, Captain Decker. for everything.” He looked at me and smiled and chuckled only slightly.
“don't worry kid, you're going to be safe here because no matter what, I never lose a battle, unless I'm dead or in the bottom of the ocean already I will keep fighting, so I can tell you. Keep fighting, no matter what, because that's life briefly.” I looked at him smiling, knowing that this is where I would fit in, finally.
Waking Up
I woke up from the nap I had taken from the long day that I had at school. But I felt like I could not move, I could not feel anything, not my fingers, feet, or legs. As I opened my eyes more, I adjusted my eyes to a bright TV showing a movie with a battle scene. I looked at it and watched, not knowing what was going on. After a few minutes, I finally moved my head to the left.
My parents were there, my mom was asleep, and my dad was watching a movie. I tried getting some words out to alert my dad that I am up, wanting to know what is happening.
“Dad?” I said with my voice croaky and deep. My dad quickly turned and had a relieved expression.
He tapped my mom's arm a few times and walked towards me following my mom snoring one more time. After waking up after his fourth tap, I said to them,
“What happened? And why am I in a hospital bed.”
My dad looked at me then my mother.
“You were in a coma, son, you were out for a whole week.” I looked at them then back at the TV, I was not believing any of this. I hated this itself, this was not real at all. I hoped it wasn’t.
I yelled, “Just leave and get out of my head!” I yelled it to them as I closed my eyes, I heard my dad say, “Johnny why would you say such a thing like that?”
I said it three more times and then again, again and again. I had said it over 6 times. till finally everything went quiet, and my head stopped hurting and bumping. I opened my eyes. the TV was off, and the strangers were away. I get up and go to the door, I open it and look out, there is no hallway or no opening to any other room.
but I see an island, the same one I was washed up on, and the sea with the smoke rising in the distance. I dropped down and woke from the hard dream.
Chapter 5
Maybe it was all a dream
Captain Decker was standing over me and said, “Well you are finally awake huh?”
I was more confused, surprised, and most importantly relieved. Cory, the red-haired boy who I thought was dead was alive and here, he then walked in, setting down a bowl of soup and a drink with small steam rising from it. Cory was surprised, he gasped lightly seeing me, “Johnny Volvard.” He said calmly with a smile.
“you're finally awake huh?” I looked at him in silence and looked down at the floor.
Captain Decker quickly said, "Give him some space Cory he just woke up and probably had a good dream rest too.” Captain Decker chuckled, I then asked.
"Captain Decker, what happened?” He looked at me and said, "You were in a coma for 3 weeks, we won the battle and escaped the oncoming reinforcements of the navy, you got knocked down when you were pulling that rope, I knew you were not put up for the job. But you were right about one thing, you are a tough kid.”
“But Captain Decker, my dream it was like.”
“From a different universe – I know, it's a certain dream, where you dream what feeling you may have, or people you see, it's weird but I have had one too.” As I figured I was on the Azure in the captain's cabin, everything was fine, Captain Decker; Cory. It was all a dream, I could not believe I was here lying on a bed on the Azure, I needed to take time away from Lengard, from the crew I needed to find myself. Because that stupid – dream, maybe opened my eyes to things that I had not opened to things ever before.
Chapter 6
Welcome To the Realm of Kings and Queens
The Wind Pushed on me as we ascended into the air slowly. I heard every creak of the over century-year-old Azure. And I also heard Captain Decker in the back yelling all kinds of orders to the crew, “Billy, check the main mast fast, the wind will push on us when we go into the void like never before this time so be ready.”
He then yelled to the floor and kicked it, letting the guy inside the cabin prepare to pull the lever and go into the void, “Prepare to charge and jump!” Captain Decker loved jumping from realm to realm.
how it works is, Captain Decker pulls a lever. and all the energy within the ship creates what is called Realm-Jump. Realm-Jump Is not time travel or anything specifically that.
but where you travel to another realm, (duh) so it's pretty much teleportation. How this works is by adding an element to the box under the lever, where you add a battery that holds many elements inside. The battery is called MDB, and all kinds of them go by, MDB, MDB2, MDB3, MDB4, and even MDB5; The more the number goes up the more expensive they are. They stand for Molecule-Displacement Battery, the number means how many more volts of energy it has. On Azure, we have MDB2, which is over half a million coins. I could not tell you the elements that are within the battery because I have not studied nor asked Captain Decker about it myself.
but the thing is, I don't think that he doesn't know either. Either way, I know it's purely molecule-displacement within the battery where this breaks the speed of light and then with wires that run along the whole front ship of the Keel, Beek, and figure-head, then the mechanic that worked on it for us added a tiny lighting rod where all the power is built up, this is taking out all the elements from the other battery where Captain Decker is and inside the cabin where they pull the levers, making it shoot out a huge bright blue lightning bolt. where it holds for over 10 seconds, then finally it creates a void.
After all those steps, we then finally travel to any realm. How we get to another realm is We set the coordinates in the command lever inside the captain's cabin, pressing button after button, the coordinates are on the box under the lever.some buttons tell you what to press, and how many types of that button to put in, then there's patterns, pressing so many buttons in a certain way, to go to whatever realm you want to go to. The wires inside the batteries were electrocuted by a mechanic to make a void. The electricity is blue, and it's very important; they put a certain liquid in so it works that way. Captain Decker told me he has not changed his electricity or elements for the wires for an entire year, his next change is here in a few months though. But all of This is to make us Realm-Jump.
But it is based upon more of the other person inside the captain's cabin who pulls the other lever to make the void happen, making us travel to another realm. There are a lot more steps and explanations, but the world, and the whole web of realms, galaxies, and space are infinite if most, this is just a little of many things in so many worlds. Because there are thousands if not millions of ways to teleport, or jump through realms to get to your destination specific realm.
As we went further and further up into the blue clear sunlit sky, I smelt the fresh air and the air current touching me, I heard everyone on deck getting ready to jump and hold on when we entered the void. I look out to the sea seeing my memories of Alcilm fade away.
I get off the railing and stop to look over the left of the ship of the land of my so-called home, but maybe this was no longer home but a used planet for pirates and navy. The navy generals and also the realm leaders of the council have agreed, they have been recently sending so many troops out making R.B.P stations (Realm-Border-Patrol) check for contraband on ships. With that everyone is going mad because while going into a realm you're always getting stopped at an R.B.P. station getting checked, and having to pay 10 coins to pass. But first, you are then going to be in a line for hours.
The reason we are moving to another realm is because of the navy battle accident, and more because All of Alcilm thought we were all killers of the navy; So we were traveling to a realm called, The Forbidden Realm of Kings and Queens. But the forbidden is mostly out when used since the navy and others get annoyed from the mention of those who know of the realm. The Realm of Kings and Queens is a realm of castles, vast forests and mountains, Lords, sovereigns, and majesty with even princes and princesses. The realm holds up at a planet inside of their space system, their main planet which is the only one that is inhabited since they do not know anything else about ships or the realm jump itself. The realm has 2 big continents that are inhabited by nobles, lords, queens, princes, princesses, and even peasants living under their noses trying to survive the mean cruel medieval world that they live in. Another reason why we chose this realm is because how the realm is off limits to many realms, so because of that we think no one will notice us from anywhere; The lords, nobles, and everyone else in the Realm of Kings and Queens have no idea that space travel, like realm jump is possible, it's pretty much like that one planet we learned in school, in Galkilm, it was called earth, in a faraway universe, that was also forbidden, but very more strict. I do not see myself ever going there though.
“Everyone, get ready to jump.” Captain Decker yelled to everyone to hold on to the rope or just lie down on their belly on the deck of the ship. Cory was going up to the top of the foremast to see if there was anything wrong with our void when were inside, his job is to when we go into the void seeing thousands of colors all together, to see if there are any cuts in the void. If you do a small or big cut in the void, means that our void is getting old and will need a new molecule-displacement battery, this rarely happens, you just must keep an eye out on the void. Captain Decker yelled once more.
“Pulling lever now, realm jumping now!”
he got off the wheel and then reached for the lever pulling it, this made us boost our ship in speed and we were finally out of the atmosphere.
After some seconds I heard crackling and hissing in the front of the ship, it was high-pitched and was making my ear drums bounce around. I quickly got hold of the rope on the shrouds. With the hissing and crackling of the lighting rod up front I could see trillions or more of stars, I could also see all the solar system of Scretal.
I looked down at Alcilm, you could see all of Galkilm, surprisingly it still looks big from space. Catching my gaze away from my awe of space, the lighting rod on the figurehead was shooting out little lighting strikes with white sparks going everywhere, every spark, every small strike had the eeriest crack and hiss. Finally, after just a few more sparks, it went silent.
I looked at Cory who was up on the top of the foremast, who was holding on to rope on both hands. I looked back when the silence went away because when the full strike came with the continuous hissing and crackling with many sparks all around the lightning rod, the lighting was blue, white, yellow, and even green and purple at some seconds, or that was just my eyes from the bright light. Finally, after a few seconds, the void was open and it was ready for our ship to ascend and fly into, the void was a dark blue and purple color with a giant big black hole in the middle. We finally went towards it, getting ready to enter.
Cory yelled from above “everything looks good captain.” Captain Decker nodded, looking at the void cautiously.
Captain Decker yelled. “Alright everyone hold on this is going to be stronger than the boost by alot, so be ready!̈”
The ship cruised up slowly going towards the black hole, I could see Captain Decker cautiously watching, for some reason the void. I then remembered that this type of void is rare, it all came to me the dark purple-blue. This type of void is the banned void and we were going into a banned realm this could up and put every single one of us on the ship with a bounty of over 300,000 Coin bounty, with it being banned meant that there are no R.B.P stations. Not even other ships nor people inside of the realm of Kings and Queens, we were going to be outsiders under their noses. As we finally reached the hole and went in, the ship went quiet, and everyone was holding on tight.
I looked back at a crate that was moving slightly, but no force could move it. I looked around the void and it was dark, but I knew this was just the start since this was not my first time.
As the ship went further and further into nothingness, all of a sudden we went to a fresh stop, one of the crew shouted “what was that?!”
another shouted back, “I can't see a damn thing!”
Everyone was worried about what we hit, since a lot were recruits they had no idea what was going to happen. We were at the end of the void, The void in just a couple minutes is going to shoot us out into the realm, it's like getting born, but in space. Captain Decker then shouted, “just keep holding tight, we're almost done but this is the last and hardest stage of them all in the void, if you can't handle this then you shouldn't have joined the crew you scallywags.” I tightened my grip on the shroud ropes, I could hear everyone talking and confused about what was going on. And also asking what would happen next. I tell the scallywag next to me, “You might want to hold on tight, very tight this is just now the start of everything.”
I could tell the scallywag was confused from my words and most fearful of them, because it was the truth. The only lights in this dark nothingness void were the ship lanterns. The fire swayed to the left and the right so smoothly casting shadows. We hear a loud creak, and just after that, the lanterns go out with a fast breeze.
We looked out, there were so many colors being formed, it looked as if it was a crack in a wall. Captain Decker yelled very loud
“hold on tight all of you scallywags!”
After his short quick sentence, a fast breeze sent through us that came from through the crack, I held my body and head tight against the shroud rope, and I saw tiny bottles of food and small crates flying out of the ship into the nothingness of the void. I hear the same scallywag who yelled “I can't see a damn thing,” struggling to keep onto the rope, he yelled to a crewman by him.
“Help, I can't keep holding.” The wind picked up even more, the man then flew across the deck of the ship trying to reach out for something but he flew over, where he was gone into the nothingness of the void hearing his screams going farther and farther away.
The wind picked up even more, my legs were flying in the air while me trying to keep the ropes tight, everyone on the deck was holding the chains, trying to keep hold while the wind was taking part trying to blow us away in the nothingness of the black dark empty void.
Finally, we reach the crack, our ship hits it. I hear Captain Decker up front.
“Get ready this is it, hold on tight.” The jibboom, keel, and beak were breaking through a gooey yellow slime.
I heard the cracks within the slime ripping apart, the jibboom ripped through the middle taking us through the crack and setting us free from pure darkness. We go through the crack only to find a little light up ahead getting bigger and bigger, the light fades away in a blink of a second; I hear Cory shout from up on the foremast.
“Cover your eyes and hold tight, hurry!” I looked out to see what to cover my eyes from, but there was nothing, no sound, no space, it was still dark, it was still void. We must have gotten somewhere, we got through the crack that should be over, I remember that this is an abandoned realm, and that is why the wind is at horrendous speeds.
We were still moving forward in darkness, I looked out once more to where the light was a few minutes ago, and there I saw the speck of light again, this time it got bigger in width and size and still felt like it was coming closer. Finally, we heard a loud creak coming from where the light was.
It went silent, and one of the crew men said, “I am done waiting, this should be over,” I looked at Captain Decker as he was huddled down behind his wheel. The light in front went away again, the same crewman said,
“see this is nothing, I might be a scallywag you fools, but at least I'm not a fool of a captain like Decker.” everyone was talking about what the man said getting mad at him and some agreeing with him. the arguing was going on for minutes, finally it stopped from a slight breeze, Captain Decker yelled his last lung out, “hold on tight you fools!” after his loud shout the strongest wind I have ever felt and been in. pushed us, there was screaming, Scallywags flying overboard and a crewman losing grip on the rope, flying and bashing into the captain's cabin, the light came back, but in the form of a giant sphere light that was over 50,000 feet (about 15.24 km) and so big in width, my eyes could see many colors of the speck of light that were now a giant sphere. Slowly we went through it, putting my arm out trying to block the light.
Suddenly then, after a moment the light went away, and I opened my eyes. Captain Decker said, “Here we are men, welcome to the realm of Kings and Queens!” The light was gone. I saw the black hole from behind with the same cloud of smoke all around it like the opening of the void we had made in the realm of Lengard. I jump off the shroud ropes, I run up to the front of the ship, I see the many planets.
Out of nowhere I feel a touch on my shoulder, it was Captain Decker.
“Well kid we made it, we lost a few but we made it.” he pointed out toward a planet that was in the middle. “that's the planet of the kings and queens that are the main planet with everyone in this realm since they don't know anything of space nor realm jump, so when getting there, we must hide the Azure, and live alike and among them for some time.” I nodded to him.
“what about all of us; how are we going to live together; Or are we going to split for some Time?”
Captain Decker looked to the side with his smile going to a slight frown, I hope that we won't, that's not what I want to do at all.
Captain Decker looked back at me and said with his voice more soft and like a whisper “It's the only way we cannot be discovered; there are spies on this planet, only a few that look for trespassers and report the other spies on the planet and whole realm to track and capture you, if we blend in then we will survive.”
I could not believe that the crew was going to split and live our lives separate.
¨I'm not leaving the crew nor you most importantly, I don't know how to survive out there in this new realm, and about everyone else, we cant just be separate. Were a crew. Your not¨ he nodded understanding
“I know Johnny; I just can't put the risk on all of our heads being dead, we already have a high enough bounty as it is, that's why we are here. also remember that you wanted and chose to come here.” I was baffled by the words of Captain Decker, we were thieves, pirates, and most importantly maybe the whole truth of this whole crew and me, was that we didn't know who we were.
Captain Decker quickly said seeing me shocked by his words.
“Johnny it's okay, I have a plan of where we can all go, It has over three-hundred and fifty eight towns. that's including both of the continents they have, I will go to a city, you go to a town on the left side continent it's called Halcord, the other one across on the right across the sea is Toledol.”
(To-le-dol) Captain Decker was right, I understand even more now why he wants all of this. right before I was going to accept what we were doing Captain Decker continued,.
“I have also found a place for you, solely for you. It's a town on the continent of Halcord, mostly everyone will be across the ocean living on the continent of Toledol, also you must know Halcord are in a war, many tales say the two full sovereigns, who are mostly just the presidents of the continents are brothers who are in war who want both lands, But Jus- ̈ I cut Captain Decker off saying, “I will go. and I will stick to this plan but how do you know all this?” Captain Decker made a smirk and asked me to follow him inside the cabin. We walked up to the door that was ripped right open with wood pieces everywhere. I look at the guy who had fallen back into the void and landed on wine bottles.
Captain Decker stopped and turned right by an archway door that led to another room.
“Johnny I would like you to meet, Dr. Twisky.” A man suddenly appeared from the archway that led into the other room exposing himself.
he wore a slightly dirty doublet that was blue, pants, and crackows shoes that were beaten up as well. I said confused,
“how long have you been down here?” he looked at me and smiled in a good greeting way “I'm from Doldark, a town in the continent of Halcord, and I have been here when you were loading up at the docks and taking off, I have been here for much time, I am here to take you safely to my town once we land; a horse and another man is waiting for us to ride to the town.”
“What about Captain Decker and the rest of the crew?” I said. He quickly said, “Some will go into the town and cities of Halcord, others will go to Toledol.”
“Why do we need another guy escorting us to the town, is it that serious just to cross the roads?”
“He is an experienced soldier, he will lead us and keep us safe from the patrol knights in Armour who are in the army. And for bandits who want to rob us on the path, we will feel safer with him.” I looked back at Captain Decker, and I could see that he knew that I was uncomfortable. He grabbed my shoulder and said to Dr. Twisky “give us just a few seconds; while you do, Pack up and get ready for your journey.”
He nodded and went back into the room.
We went to the other side of the room passing the passed-out body of the crewman on the floor with even more wooden pieces everywhere, I said to Captain Decker.
“Why are you doing this, and why does this guy and a soldier have to lead me to a town?” Captain Decker signed then said “I hired them, the soldier only, Dr. Twisky is my friend he arrived 2 days ago living in Alcilm for a bit, he snuck onto our ship hiding in the captain's cabin I don't want anyone to harm him at all, since he will be your guardian on the roads to the town of Doldark.” The creak of wood surrounded us. “I don't need a guardian and-¨ Captain Decker interrupted me with an angry and frustrated tone in his voice “Stop Johnny! I don't want to hear any more! you're going with him, because trust me you're going to need help on those roads, this realm is one of the most dangerous realms, why do you think no one has explored and taught our ways to them, it's a whole realm stuck in the medieval ages, and I think you know how that is. you're going to have to survive Johnny.” He quickly stormed off to the deck returning to the wheel, getting ready for us to land on the lands of Halcord.
Chapter 7
The Soldier, The Guardian, and the pirate
We slowly descend in space to the planet of the ages of kings and queens, princes, and princesses, with of course the common folk peasants. The planet had the name Raheem, one of the crew members said as for conversation, said he studied this realm and planets, they are dangerous he says, because of the wars and many battles that lurked here when explorers came here over fifty thousand years ago.
I go up to the quarterdeck to see Captain Decker and see if he has recovered from our little argument we had an hour ago, before saying a word about what happened or saying sorry to him about what happened, he looks over at me and says, “go check on Dr. Twisky for me, see if he's ready for the journey that you and him are going to have, please.”
Captain Decker I could see was still frustrated from the argument, and these last few weeks have been crazy for him, I wish I had just gone with what Captain Decker and Dr. Twiky were doing but I was a fool.
I nod and quickly go into the captain's cabin, I pass the men all sitting by the crates talking about life and what might happen here while laying low, I enter the bashed open door with wood still everywhere, I travel to the back and enter the door archway leading to hear Dr. Twisky is. I see him holding a small knife, he inspects it staring at it with sa tear falling down his cheek.
I knock on the door with a slightly quiet knock and say “Hey Dr. Twisky, I came in here to check on you.” He nods and grins putting back the small knife in his bag.
“Was that a knife you were holding?” I said to him out of true curiosity about why he was staring at it the way he was.
He sighs then says finally, “Yes, it was my wife's small defense knife, she gave it to me before she passed away.”
I see the new sad tension that laid forth between me and Dr. Twisky
“I am so sorry about your loss, I barely know anything about you, but how you smile. with how you also understand a lot of things, and handle arguments with misunderstanding people, I truly think you were a good husband.” He looks at me with a smile, and a tiny tear dropping down from his right eye.
He wipes the eye with his index finger wiping the saddening tear on his pants.
“Thank you, Johnny. you are truly a kind young man, even at your young age I was not as understanding in words as you.”
“Well I'll leave you alone so you can pack, we'll be landing here in a few.”
I leave the room and go down beneath the deck, I go to the corner and lay down and get rest, I was exhausted from the trip so far, and there was more ahead. I just hope Captain Decker will forgive me by the time before I leave for Doldark.
The Dream of My Past Volume 3
It was the year 4031. The whole crew around me and Captain Decker were all singing Happy Birthday to me. I was turning fifteen. How time flew by when I was just a boy who got introduced to everyone at the age of twelve.
My birthday was June 4th. and They had bought a cake for me that was strawberry with white icing on it in the form of letters saying Happy Birthday Elizabeth, Twiggy a young pirate behind me held my shoulder and whispered in my ear after they had sung the song, “sorry but this is all they had at that cake shop, the lady there was too lazy at the time to put your name on it.”
I said to him,”I love it, I just can't believe that I have a birthday cake, I never had this, thank you.”
he nodded and happily smiled and stepped back with the other crew. Then Captain Decker stepped forth,
“Happy Birthday kiddo, you're the best lookout we have ever had on top of the foremast.” I chuckled and smiled, “Thank you.” I said to him.
We all laughed, and had fun the rest of the night, playing games and eating, talking to the crew and more. finally at the end of the day, the night was only just some time away, I looked out toward the yellow and pink sunset, I heard behind me with a faint whisper.
“Johnny,” Captain Decker said waving his hand to come to him.
“Come on, I want to take you somewhere.” I walked with him.
We walked to the deck passing the people who were on the ground sleeping and people who were fighting with others around them cheering, I quickly jogged to Captain Decker, he saw what I saw.
“it's alright, that's how this town is, come on we're almost there.”
“Where are we even going. Also, this town has too many drunk people.”
Captain Decker smiled and scratched the top of his head “well, I hope you like the drunk fighting, because we are going to a place where you are going to see all of that.”
“Well, now I'm more interested in where we're going” I said, while Captain Decker and I passed the small buildings of the small town.
I saw all kinds of people and shops, from the men and women in an alleyway trying to survive the cruel life world of Alcilm as a common folk, or the rich folk in the candy shop getting their children candy, there was so many different realities in this world for so many people. We passed by a toy shop, that showcased all types of toys, there was a toy that flew around that made sparks that made a toot and had steam coming out of the top, it was shaped and carved as a train, there was also tiny flying ferries in a cage, on the cage with a piece of paper saying,
FOR SALE
ONE FAIRY FOR 20 Coin
¨Poor fairies, they are also worth way more than that stupid Price” Captain Decker said to me.
¨Why would someone want to go out in the forest and capture all these like this, it feels cruel. ¨ I said
Captain Decker looked at me crossed his arms and walked up to the glass looking over the small shop of toys that felt were alive in the dark unopened shop, with the fairies glowing in the dark ¨Well the fairies have gone to war with this town, because of the guy or gal that runs this shop, the fairies don't take too kind to humans only if they're not mean and have respect’s” I look at the fairies before walking away, I sense how sad that they maybe were, I thought how I would not like to lock in a small cage. Captain Decker followed, walking with me, I saw a glowing sign just up ahead, it read THE PUB OF DREAMS, it had a neon sign, with a lot of people walking in and out, either they walked normally, or they would walked zigzagging then fell. Two fellows come out of the bar, yelling happily as we walk up, I look back at Captain Decker “Well this is it, I wanted you to get your first drink.”
I looked at him with a surprised gasp “What! I can't drink, nor probably go in there.”
Captain Decker chuckled. “The owners are too drunk themselves to even remember a person's age or even care not at all for someone young. Besides you will be with me.” I looked at Captain Decker and nodded. Before we could walk in, drunk fellows greeted us with a low drunky raspy voice.
“Hey you. kid, give me some coins. please. it will help me in a good cause.” said the drunk man, he had a white tunic on with brown liquid all over it while he had been drinking. They had messy hair and very bloodshot eyes.
“Sorry fellas but I got no coin on me, but you two look like you have already spent enough coins.” They look at me, disappointed and baffled by my answer. They walk up to Captain Decker and ask
“What about you buddy. Do you have some coins?” Captain Decker looked at them sternly.
“No fellers, I have no coin. please leave me and the boy alone, I have no time for this. None at all.” The drunk man pulled out a flintlock, holding it to his side trying to hide it, he was pointing it at Captain Decker.
“Now if you do not give us coins, then we will have a bigger problem.”
the drunk man said.
The other drunk behind him said, “Just shoot the guy Pluto!” The drunk holding the gun looked back and said “shut up Beren, I can do this.”
“No… I, don’t not think you can” Captain Decker said; The drunk was surprised. ¨I didn't say for you to talk bud, be quiet-¨ Captain Decker grabbed the man's arm hitting it in the middle making the drunk drop his gun, The drunk screamed out in pain, ¨AH. my fucking arm!" The man dropped to his knees, Captain Decker quickly grabbed the flintlock, picked it up, and hit the bottom of it against the drunk man's face. Captain Decker looked up to the other drunk in the back with a fearful face, he ran away dwon the street, “you okay Johnny?”
I said with relief breathing out “Yeah, I think so. let us just go in now; And where did you learn those moves?”
“My dad, he was a good father. He saved me from bandits who also wanted coins. I thank him for the skill that I was taught.”
¨Wow. I would love to be taught those moves.” I said winking to Captain Decker.
“one day. Come on let's get a drink.”
We step into the ambiance of the pub, lit with some chandeliers and candles, we go up to the bar top and ask for a drink.
Captain Decker asks the lady serving, “let me and the old small dwarf here have a basic beer please.” she looks at me and then says after a quick moment.
“Alright two basics incoming.” she shrugs and nods and gets the beer ready. while waiting Captain Decker turned to me. “Johnny, I wanted to tell you something here, and only you no one else.”
I said, "Sure Captain Decker, what is it?" He looks around and then says “I have a plan. I have a plan to go to a certain Realm, it has all kinds of treasures.” I look at him curious.
“Like what?”
“like, Long Bearded Jones Lost Treasure.”
I gasped as I leaned in “You found it?”
“No. All I know is that it is a forbidden realm, ordered by the high council of the whole web of realms and space. I also know that the realm name is called, the realm of Kings and Queens, even if we go there, we have to search over five to more whole planets.”
“Five or more planets. then how do we know where it will be?” I spoke
“The thing about their solar system is that all planets are livable, but only one planet is inhabited by them, so the treasure could be anywhere. But just give it time, we get some more information about the coordinates to it and get more resources, I bet we can get it.”
I smiled hoping that we could. “I bet we could too,” I said.
The lady server shouted, “Here you go boys, drink up” Captain Decker gave me the beer bottle and took it in his hand “To the treasure, the crew, and the Azure.” We clank our beer bottles and drink laughing and talking about such other things, making this the best birthday yet.
Waking Up
I wake up from the long dream, I go and walk through the right aisle of some of the crewmen sleeping on their hammock nets. I walk on the creaky wooden stairs, leading me onto the deck, I look forward and see all the stars and other planets, I see Raheem the main planet of the realm getting closer.
I look up to the quarterdeck seeing Captain Decker also staring out to space and looking at all the stars. I walk across the ship's deck leading me to the stairs that go up the quarterdeck. I walked and looked at Captain Decker with the quiet space ambiance all around us, he kept looking out not making one eye even look at me.
“So, you're just going to give me the cold shoulder,” I said. Then he finally looked at me. “I am not mad at you, nor trying to ignore you,” I looked at him as he faced the star-filled space again.
“I want to talk about something, I know it will maybe disappoint you or anger you; But I want to talk about it.”
“Go ahead and say it. I might guess what it is.” Captain Decker said.
“It's about Long Bearded Jones' Lost Treasure. we know it's here; So I say we look for it.”
Captain Decker said fast out of a wave of rage.
“No Johnny! I have given up that treasure hunt long ago and you shall too. We will never find it, look at that,” he pointed to the huge planet of Raheem “Do you possibly think we will find the treasure there, no, we are going to lie low, and we will all be safe, go back to bed!”
“But Captain-” Captain Decker cut me off. “No Johnny! Go to bed now, get ready for your journey, it will be long.”
I ran off the quarter deck running to my bed. I then tried to lie there and forgive the words of what Captain Decker had said, I then drifted to sleep, worried about the journey ahead.
I wake up with Dr. Twisky standing over me with a red tunic and black cloak on, with chestnut brown pants. I look around with light coming through the tiny cracks of the wood on the ship.
“Good morning, young Volvard. it's time to start the day and start the journey to Doldark; Captain Decker wants to speak with you on the docks.” Dr. Twisky said with a croaky voice, sounding like he had just woken up too.
“All alright, I'll be there in a minute, I'm going to get my things together.” I hear the ocean and waves, with the ambiance of people outside.
He said walking off “Don't take too long, the great GalHord is waiting for us” laughing and scuffing from his sentence.
I packed my things, taking my journal, and a travel backpack that was getting old, the brown was going away and all the leather was slightly getting torn off, I packed some different snacks like some beef sticks and crackers, with some soap, etc. I thought who GalHord was; I reached the top deck of the ship, looking all around, I looked out toward the left seeing the vast ocean, and I looked to the right to see land. There was a small cottage and shops.
it was small. I could see at the top of the hill a large house, where the owner was the lord of the village. I walk on the wooden board leading to the deck, I see Captain Decker talking with Dr. Twisky. As I walk up to them, Dr. Twisky stops talking, and Captain Decker turns around to look at me.
Dr. Twisky quickly said, “I will give you two sometime, meet me at the gate when you are done with your business.” he turned and walked off.
“What? So now I am trying to go to my so-called new home.” I said to Captain Decker, breaking the awkward silence
“Look, I am sorry for what I said last night Johnny, I should not have yelled at you. I just wanted to say sorry because we will not see each other for some time. And about the treasure, just forget about it. Lie low and live a normal life here. Learn their ways and be like everyone else who lives in this world, you can choose your life here, so be smart.”
I stood there, not saying a word, I was not mad at not going after the treasure. I was truly mad that I had to leave Captain Decker.
“I do forgive you.” I looked up at him, with a tear going down my cheek “I just don't want to be on a whole continent away from you. I am scared, I am.”
Captain Decker looked down with a sad look, he said to me looking back up. “It is ok Johnny. this is not the last time we see each other again, I promise. Because that is the last thing I would want; Not to see each other ever again.” I nod wiping the tear off my cheek.
“Come on, I have to speak to the lord of the town about hiding the Azure, I want you to come with me.”
We walk through the small village with all kinds of people around, the poor, the rich, and even the people who are plain poor and homeless. I see all kinds of merchants selling bread and some meat. We pass the crossroad to lead off up the hill to the big mansion, we could see the gate that I was going to be exiting leaving the crew and Captain Decker behind for some time, I could also see Dr. Twisky arguing with a tall man in a tunic and had a cloak on. We passed the forest trees all around the village and reading up to the hill, I could see a man with a style tunic with gold color engravings on it, with pants and boots on.
He greeted us as we walked up with a joyful welcoming tone “Hello there travelers, I see that you own that ship at the docks. We do not get many travelers who have full galleons unless you are merchants wanting to sell.”
Captain Decker laughed then said, “No we are not merchants, but yes we are travelers.”
The man quickly went stern and said “Then what do you want, coming up to my home, my palace! Look at you poor traveling fools.” Captain Decker stared him down for some time, realizing the identity of the leader of this village, he was a mean fool; Captain Decker finally said, “We didn't come up here to be yelled at, I came up here for an agreement, a deal perhaps.” The tension between the two was odd.
“I do not make deals with fools, nor do I not talk to them; Guards! Get these fools off my lawn.”
The men in armor came walking up to us with their knight armor clanking as they walked. The lord of the village smiled knowing that he was going to win this whole conversation that we had had, which was a slightly confusing and fast switch up from welcoming to about to be thrown out. I thought to myself that the lord of this village had some angry problems with how he acted.
Captain Decker put up his palm, singling the guards to stop, and they did.
Captain Decker said, “There is no need to guide us off your property, I said I want to talk to you and make an easy deal, so I get what I want.”
The lord of the village grinne.
“Guards ignore him, throw this man and kill him with your blade if you have to, now!” Captain Decker shook his head in disappointment.
“And you said I was a fool?”
Captain Decker quickly pulled out his flintlock which he barely uses, only for emergencies. and pointed it at one of the guards, they stopped in confusion. Then just in a split second a loud bang filled the air, and the guard dropped to the floor, hitting the dirt. The other guard ran behind the house.
The lord of the village said.
“What is that power that you hold in your hand, is that the power of god?” He was on his knees in fear and shocked by the murder that he witnessed, by the unknown power that was used by a loud sound in the air. He walked up to the guard crying and yelling in grief, saying many times that he damned us to the depths of where the demons lurk, in the farthest of shadows. Captain Decker tells me to grab the man and pull him into the home. I go up to the man while he is still grieving over the loss of his guard.
“Stay away from me, you killed my son, he was my son!”
I looked at Captain Decker with the look of not sure if this was fully right, he nodded then went into the house “Get up, and go into the house, now!” he backed up on the dirt scooting away. I finally grabbed him, losing my patience, he yelled and cried to the village to help, but the people ignored him. I pulled him across the dirt pulling his leg.
I pulled him into the house with Captain Decker sitting at a table in the middle filled with food, “Put him right here,” said Captain Decker pointing to the chair. I let go of him, and grabbed him, throwing him into the chair, I looked around the house, it had many riches and valuable things, the architecture of the house was nice as well.
he had many furniture and rooms with cabinets tables, I could see his room in a hallway with a big bed with a cow print hide blanket.
“Now, before I do business with you. I just want to know your name?” Captain Decker looked at the man sternly, making his sentences long and his tone low, but it was stern. Captain Decker looked at the man like he had the anger of one-hundred armies.
The lord of the village looked around and then shook his head looking down at the floor; Captain Decker grabbed his chin aggressively making him look at him.
“My name is Lord Doro. I am the last in my bloodline of Doro’s family, please don't kill me I beg you, I will give you anything, I won't tell anyone or anything that has happened here today as well!” he cried for mercy, begging for us not to kill him, little did he know, we weren't cold-blooded killers.
Captain Decker saw the man’s fear, knowing that this could have been solved a separate way, he just was not thinking.
“I want to store my ship somewhere. Do you have a place?”
Captain Decker said calmly, looking the man in the eye. The question made Lord Doro mad, he shot up from his chair yelling.
“You come to my home, disrespect me, threaten me, drag me across the dirt, and kill my son! Just for you to store a ship!”
“Your son is not dead, he is unconscious. my flintlock shoots out a force of gravity making them knock back hitting the ground, and the force makes them unconscious; Now please… let me store my ship somewhere safe, if you even know where one place could be secret.” Lord Doro looked him in the eye, he didn't know what to believe anymore. he looked at his son outside still lying on the floor unconscious, then back at Captain Decker.
He finally said after a short but felt like a long minute. “I have a place for you to store it, it's inside a cave. it was for army ships and boats for our village, but that was years ago, I can show you to it.” Captain Decker nodded.
“And also, just know, we are not friends. we're just men trying to survive.”
Captain Decker smiled and nodded to the man's statement.
“I do agree with that, Lord Doro.”
Lord Doro led us outside another gate opposite the other where Dr. Twisky was, he was at the west gate, which means we were at the east gate. We walk down the hill leaving the very green grass going into the sand, we walk for some time. It was quiet but peaceful with the waves crashing against each other; It reminded me of my long dream in my coma when I was washed up on shore.
“Is this it?” Captain Decker asked; We were standing in front of the cave, it was a big crack, and there was a big dirt of rock and roots on the wall. The whole wall of dirt and roots, and rocks went on for some miles, the beach was beautiful and peaceful, I could also see the fence from the big mansion where Lord Dodo lives at the top of the rocky ledge hill.
Lord Dodo said, “Yes this is it; we may enter but beware of the wooden steps they could be creaky, and fragile.”
“We'll be fine, don't worry about us, I just want this to be a safe place for the Azure.” We went through the crack and could barely walk through it, and we had to wiggle through to the end. When we entered, I was amazed at the cave, it was dark and had lots of rocks, it had an icicle formation of stalactites at the top hanging on top of the cave, also there were stalagmites an upward growing mound of mineral deposits; it was a big cavern, you could hear the distant sound of dripping water. stalagmites were everywhere, I could also see in the middle the light shining through a big crack in the wall of the cave with vines hanging over it; There Was a rounded pond with water, and it also had wooden docks with some old wooden crates that were old, and the wood was torn up, the water was very blue and clear, the crack leads out to the luscious green grass and tree forest; The water had made a river going into the forest. It was a beautiful sight; Captain Decker was smiling, and even Lord Dodo was amazed by the nature in the cave.
“It's beautiful, but where does the stream go?” said Captain Decker.
“It goes straight to the beach, of course, you can dock your ship here.” Lord Dodo led us down some steps from the rising big rock we were on from the entrance, we went down the creaky wooden stairs walking to the docks, the docks were in good condition. Captain Decker was still cautious about the place, and Lord Dodo.
Captain Decker said as he looked around the cave, with the dripping water in the background.
“This is a good place, and it's very secret.” Lord Dodo nodded while listening to Captain Decker speak, he looked and stared at the crates that were torn and falling apart.
“All right we will take this place and thank you for guiding us in here; I'm sorry for what I pulled at your home. I could have handled it another way.” Lord Dodo knelt by the boxes silently not answering Captain Decker, I said to Captain Decker where I ran off to the bottom looking at the clear blue water “Wow Captain Decker, this is truly a place that you would find in a fairy tale.” Captain Decker chuckles, then looks back at Lord Dodo, Captain Decker walks up to him “Hey, you alright?” Said Captain Decker grabbing his shoulder, Lord Dodo quickly turned around, firing a pistol at Captain Decker, making him shoot back falling to the ground on his back, the bang went through the cave echoing through and making the bats reveal themselves, squeaking and making sound out of the cave.
“Captain Decker!” I yelled, I rushed up to Captain Decker stepping over the rocky terrain, as I reached the wood on the deck, Lord Dodo pointed the gun at me. he had crazy eyes, and I knew he wanted to pull the trigger.
“Foolish boy and man. you think you can come to my city, my home! and try to rule over me. fear me; For I will end both of you!”
He yells to me pointing the gun at me with tears falling down his face, I hear the shiver in the man; Knowing he has never killed no man, I looked at the gun that he held, it was not a flintlock nor a gun that I have seen before, the gun was from another realm and world that I have not visited. The weapon he held looked like a weapon from the realm called Midgard, I have learned only some things there; This man was an imposter as well in this realm.
I said, “So, why did you come here – what is your reason?”
He looked at me with his eyes wide and his mouth open. he was shocked by the action he had taken.
He looked at me and grinned while chuckling “My true name is Zagoo Dodo, and my home realm is the Dalillgoo realm. maker of weapons, I am wanted in over 678 realms; Because I have robbed every bank and person in the realms I have traveled to. I have come here to seek peace, and make an army, to raid all realms in the future, but first I must gain my power. Till you come here and mess everything up!” He shouts at me revealing his identity.
“When did you know?” I said, keeping my tone calm, while he just stared at me.
“I knew when your ship and crew all got off; How you acted, no one was sick. I knew that you were outsiders.”
The cave was quiet. I stood there looking at him. I looked at where Captain Decker was, he was lying there not moving.
“You think you outsiders can overtake me! No, you will not come here and ruin me! It is time for me to end all of you!”
He walks up to me and reaches behind his back; he pulls out a dagger, he tosses it towards me, hitting the ground and clanking on the rocky terrain. “Fight me, now!” he yells for me to take up the dagger and fight him.
“Why would I want to fight you with a small blade, while you have a pistol?” He looks at me and throws the gun across the cave, he reaches behind his back and pulls out another dagger.
“Is this fair enough?! Now fight!” He runs up to me and swings his dagger, I see he turns his back around letting his guard down, I swing hitting him in his back. I hear the loud slash from the sharp blade going into his flesh, he yells out in agony from the pain. He turns around looking at me with his crazy eyes. He walks up and swings at me, I hit his blade parrying his attack. He swung increasingly, and I had adrenaline rushing going through me, he stepped back catching his breath.
“You are good at blocking that is for sure, but I promise that will not last for long.” he said to me while gasping for air.
He takes one long deep breath, stands up, and looks at me.
“Sorry kid, but I got to let you go,” he ran at me getting ready to impale me with the dagger. I hear the cave around me with each water drop hitting the ground, before I can fully think it through, I throw my dagger at him, I also hear what sounded like an exploding barrel go off in the cave echoing, with a reverberating sound. it made me drop down to the floor. Lord Dodo then went quiet, I heard nothing, no footsteps; Nothing but the silent cave. I got up off the floor from the loud sound that went through the cave. I saw Lord Dodo on his knees, holding his stomach with crimson blood on the ground, and in his hand. “Curse you and your crew, for I die trying to protect and enhance my future and revenge.” he said.
I looked at him, confused if the dagger hit him, or if he hurt himself. He drops to his knees, revealing Dr. Twisky, holding a flintlock.
“Johnny, are you ok?”
“yes, he did not get one scratch on me; don't worry, I am fine.”
Dr. Twisky slightly grinned and nodded. he looked over and his face gasped and frowned at the sight he saw.
“oh my god,” he said. I looked over at Captain Decker on the cold cave floor, “Captain!” I said as I rushed over to his side, he was lying there, trying to speak.
“Johnny,” he said with his voice quiet and his tone sad.
“It is going to be ok. don't worry were are going to get you help,” I said, with my mouth and voice shivering. Dr. Twisky came walking slowly up, dropping the flint knock on the floor, he had a tear going down his face.
Captain Decker said “I looked at you as a son Johnny, do not waste your life, go for anything. Do better than me.” his eyes were tearing up.
“Go with Dr. Twisky, lie low for a while, and stay safe,” His voice was shaky and slow, he was dying. And we could not do anything.
“Dr. Twisky?” Captain Decker said calm
Dr. Twisky said, crouching down by his side, by me “Yes Captain?” Captain Decker smiled and then motioned his finger to Dr Twiksy for him to come close.
“Keep him safe,” Captain Decker said Dr. Twisky nodded and started crying, he got up and started walking away.
“Go Johnny, And hurry.”
he coughed and grunted sharply. I stood up looking at Captain Decker, I started crying. I walked away from Captain Decker, Dr. Twisky was waiting for me when we came in, and I looked back one more time. This time Captain Decker was now slumped to the side, he was dead. I walked up the wooden stairs, leaving the cave. We got out to be introduced to a man outside waiting with a sword on his back. I did not say anything, I also did not wonder who he was. Dr. Twiksy went up to the man, they talked for a bit about whatever, I could not hear their whispers, they even argued. I could not hear them, my ears were ringing, and my head was banging. I was shocked at how all this happened this fast. Dr. Twisky stopped talking to the man and walked over to me, I was looking down at the sand, I was spaced out from the world.
“Johnny!” Dr. Twisky said
I said “Yes?” Getting out of my gaze and ears ringing.
¨Come on, we must leave; Get on the horse.¨ I walked through the rough sand, looking out toward the ocean, I could see the many waves and the seagulls flying and making noise, with the orange sky and pink blue sky; The horizon was beautiful; But it was such a bad moment for beauty.
“Johnny.” Dr. Twisky said; I looked over then nodded and rushed up to the horse, I got on the back and Dr. Twisky whipped the reins and we rode off. I felt like we should have buried Captain Decker, I thought of how maybe I betrayed him. But I knew that I did not.
Chapter 8
The Journey to Doldark
I woke up with the sun shining in my face through the tent, I got my stuff packed and my sleeping bag, and I was confused about where I was. I step out to see Dr. Twisky and the man sitting by a campfire, Dr. Twisky was cautiously looking around the woods, while the strange man who was wearing a white worn-down tunic and pants with brown boots, a beard, and curly brown hair; he also had a brown cloak, He was sharpening his sword. I thought to myself if this was the soldier.
“Who is this guy?” I said. Dr. Twisky stood up and smiled seeing me awake. “Ah, young Johnny, you are awake. But yes, this man is a soldier, his name is Cal, And he will keep us safe on our journey to the town,” I look around not knowing where we were.
“Where are we, and what happened?” The wind picked up, and the vast orange, yellow, and green forest we were in was beautiful, and calming.
“We are in the lands of Aldonin Forest, it is the most beautiful forest in the full lands of Halcord, and you fell asleep while traveling through some woods, so here we are.” I look around, believing the words of what Dr. Twisky said.
We got some sausages and eggs. Would you like some? “
“No… I am all right Dr. Twisky, but thanks.” I said while my stomach was telling me to eat; but I just couldn't, not after what happened.
Dr. Twisky looked at me in wonder, he said after just a moment “is everything okay Johnny?”
“I just cannot believe all that happened; I am going back; I don't care if the people there hate us or even the crew think we killed him; I am going,” Then Dr. Twisky and the soldier looked at each other, and the man stopped sharpening.
“What is it?” I said throwing up my arms confused. The man shook his head, then went back to sharpening his sword; Then finally, Dr. Twisky turned back towards me.
“Well Johnny, the truth is. Cal went back last night, and he said the body was gone; Lord Dodo´s as well was not there; Cal was going to bury him; because if I knew, you would have wanted that; And I would too. I'm sorry for how you are feeling, but we have to move on, we still have a big journey ahead.” The wind whooshed in my ears with leaves falling, I was furious, I was confused and I wanted to run to the village seeking revenge on the son of Lord Dodo´s son, for I will end their bloodline that they do not deserve. I went back into the tent, mad hearing the words of what Dr. Twisky said.
“Johnny, wait; Please just listen.” I hear him walking toward my tent, but I hear Cal with his deep calm tense voice, “Stop; Just give him time.” I went to bed thinking about a lot of things, and thinking about what I should do.
The Dream of My Past Volume 4
I walk on the dirt of the pathway outside of the big, tall concrete walls of Galkilm, escaping the big city of steam and the big, large houses of the rich, I felt bad for the poor side that lived in the muddy slums of the city with their poor homes with cheap brick roofs, some even pieced together hay and stick roofs. I wanted to escape the poor begging for money, and the rich getting what they want when they want. The social life of Galkilm; Is the biggest city in Alcilm, and gets overwhelming sometimes. I walk through the forest, my feet dug into the deep squishy mud, I hear all the critters and bugs all around me. I looked around the forest, I loved the wind and the sounds of the woods and the critters. The forest makes you powerful, because no matter what, when you're in the forest you're never alone, Because There are thousands to millions of bugs all around you. Finally, after I had walked more than a couple blocks, I reached a crossroads. I see a hill in front that is vast and green, I look down to the right and left, they have woods, and they lead to the meadows, with vast plains. I go up the hill revealing the big wide field of grasslands and meadows, I see way off in the middle with the descending sun and the rising moon a slightly lit town with a farmhouse on the outskirts behind the town about barely a mile. I turn around hearing clanks and loud roaring on the dirt, I see a wagon. I hurry down back to the path.
“Hello sir, wait; Please stop,” I shouted to the man on the wagon while I jogged trying to catch up to him. He keeps rising, heading more on the path toward the meadows on the right, I stop catching my breath and gasping for air. I looked at the wagon one last time to see my shortcut to the town now long gone, but then out of nowhere, the wagon clatter came to a halt. I stood up wondering what happened.
I then heard a croaky deep old voice “Well, are You coming kid or what?” I quickly ran up to the wagon and grabbed and pulled myself on, the man appeared now as an old man, he was not looking happy at all. As I settled in, he whipped the long reins and the horses neighed loudly and headed off on the path. We pass the small little woods area on the path to the meadows, I see all through the grasslands, I see the town and the farm down in the descending area in the meadows. I saw about 150 feet in front of us a cottage home on the left side of the pathway. I saw they had a wood fence and a garden in the front with rose petals and many other flowers.
“Wow, what a beautiful home that is,” I said to the old man looking forward on the path focused on the reins and meadows all around.
“I know,” said the old man slightly under his breath.
“Where do you live sir? The town deep down in the meadow greens?”
“Look, I gave you a ride kid; So just enjoy it, will you; and please keep quiet.” I nodded and looked over to the right, looking over the grasslands and many meadows that filled the hills and plains. We passed the cottage home; it was even more beautiful up close than far away. I see all the decorative things surrounding the small cobblestone cottage, such as a dreamcatcher swaying in the wind. I saw a basket with a small blanket over it. It was revealed someone lived in the beautiful small cottage. The old man kept riding along the road with the wagon and wheels roaring on the dirt terrain. I saw workers out in the field doing work for another farmhouse that was revealed on the other side of the grasslands. As we ride into the town, we are welcomed by a sign saying "Welcome to Folkerjolk Town” I see an inn, some pubs, and houses throughout the small town. It was a normal town and normal people with their own lives, some poor and some having more than others with money.
“All right kid, here you are. Do not go inside the pub because you will be eaten alive,” I climbed off the wagon jumping off, hitting the dirt. I look around, with many people around me walking, doing their chores and jobs, mothers with their children, and children playing with a ball. I look in front to see a sign saying, “Folkerjolk Town General Store.” I walk up under an awning built of wood, with a full porch of wood. I push the door in to enter the general store, with steam going off as I enter above and a bell ringing.
“Welcome to Folkerjolk Town General store young fellow, what may I help you with.” said the clerk.
“Hi, I just arrived in town; I am a little thirsty, so a drink?” I said
“Right, way young gentleman.” As I look around the awning General store, I see train tracks all around going about the store, I hear a small chug sound in the distance, it gets louder and closer. I looked at where the flower was by the clerk behind him on a shelf. I saw a tunnel in the wall, where it looked as if it was a mouse hole. Then out of nowhere, the tunnel lights up, then suddenly, a small train comes out making the sounds of chugging on the tracks. I see medium, large, and small platforms all attached to the train, having various products in the store, such as fruit, candy, and other things. The train goes over the clerk and goes by a shelf on the right side of me up ahead, and the platform lifts and drops the apples that were on the platform into the other crates of apples. Then it sets off again going through all over the store. “All right young gentleman, your drink is ready, icy water.” I smile and grasp for the water, but the old clerk slams down on the counter.
“Sorry kid, but first you must pay.”
“Oh; Sorry about that, let me get the Coin, how much do I owe you?”
“Two coins, and if you want, I can throw half a loaf of bread at the price of just one Coin. Only because we are having a restock this afternoon.” He was Smiling for me to take up the deal that he had proposed to me, revealing his greedy side.
“No thank you, but thanks for the offer,” I said while putting the two Coins on the counter.
¨So, are you going to the dance tonight? I would be surprised if not because everyone is; All the young people.” said the old clerk, picking up my coin and putting it in his register.
¨A dance? ¨ I said.
“Well Yes, of course, the traditional dance of Folkerjolk town, the ten years wait for dance. The dance happens only 10 years, when all the town goes out into the meadows, they will put up a huge, large, wide, and tall tent; Where they will have a show and then the dance. Many farmers and businesses from all over the land and in Galkilm come to share products from their stores. I recommend you come.”
“I do not know if I should… I better head back here in a few.”
“Well, suit yourself then.” he puts his coat on and then his straw cowboy hat.
“Where are you going? It is midday, you are already closing.” I said to the old clerk.
“Well of course; I am going to the big 10-year lunar dance, to celebrate folk in town and the whole surviving lands of Alcilm, the best joyful day of the year to be happy.” he looks down at the counter and gasps with a shocked expression.
“Almost forgot; Here you go; Your water,” He hands me the water then walks to the back door of the store passing the other shelves and crates of vegetables and sugar, smiling happily and humming.
“I hope you change your mind young fellow; it is a fine experience.” the old clerk said to me as he stopped before exiting, he finished; and then left outside the door, leaving me alone in the store. “Odd?” I said to myself; I left the store, then felt my feet vibrating, where it felt like an earthquake. I walked out into the middle of the street; it was empty, and no one was in sight of the town. It felt abandoned. I looked at all the markets with the cloth roofs moving to the crazy wind, I saw all the inns and the pubs, the many hotels, and houses. I looked down at all the streets, but they were empty with no one; Just the eerie silence and the quiet buildings.
“Move!” I heard that was far behind. I look behind me. I see a man with a horse riding towards me from the entrance I came in; I move over to the right, getting out of the road. I go under the awning of the hotel. I saw down the road behind the man riding the horse, that over 30 wagons were coming into the town, and the horses were kicking up dust, which looked like a sandstorm. The horse finally reaches the town, where he is the leader of the line. He tugged the reins toward him, stopping.
“Hop on; you do not want to stay while they enter. I promise you, you do not.” I looked around the town and then down the road seeing the wagons getting closer with the big dust all around them.
“All right, help me on.” I rush up to the horse, he grabs my hand and helps pull me up. I get on and sit behind. He whips the reins then the horse rides off, we ride down, turn down into another street, leading to the meadows. We ride past all the stores and buildings; After we pass the long street finally entering the meadows, we turn to the left, riding into the grasslands. I see just a little way off a big tent and small tents and people running all around and walking.
“There it is, the big 10-year lunar dance event.” The horse galloped hard into the grass, digging its hooves into the dirt. When we finally reached the big tent, I saw all around me, people wearing funny costumes, such as clowns, people that were walking on long sticks, and so much more. There were many market tents open, and people even had come from a long way, like the Efop family who are famous for making and carving their wood; They were selling tons, I saw just across from him a famous toy maker, Darren Bonny, who is from another realm, I seen so many children playing with toys, many adults talking playing mini-games like shooting the apple of their friends head with a bow and arrow while drunk, it was fun.
“Well, here we are,” The man on the horse said.
“This is the dance; No way!” The man chuckled and smiled from the amazement that I had on my face, he looked around as well; We were just at the entrance on the grass with many lights up all around, hanging from tent to tent from shops, leading to the big tent, all leading there for the power source.
¨Hey kid, I got to get to my station, have fun; Teens like you should always do this fun stuff; And also, happy 80th-10th lunar year celebration dance.” I climbed off the horse and hit the ground; Feeling the meadow grass beneath my feet. I look around, seeing all the markets and games that you could go to and play. I saw a sign at a market saying, ¨Cheese Dogs in a Bun. ¨ I ran up to the market, seeing the kitchen in the back, with many pots and many fryers, with many tables for him to keep his resources for food at.
“Hello sir, can I have a cheese dog please,” I asked the middle-aged man in the back of the kitchen. He laid down a pan, then walked up to the counter.
“I just set up shop, so it is going to be a few minutes, also 4 coins.” he had a deep voice, and a welcoming, nice tone.
“4 Coins?” I was surprised by the price for a single Cheese dog.
“Yes; Is that a problem?”
“Well, it is for me sir, Sorry for interrupting your cooking.” I turn around starting to walk, hoping I can find something, in the big tent.
¨Wait.” The man in the kitchen said.
“Yeah?” I said as I turned around
“I will let you have a free one, but don't let anyone know; I´ll cook one up for you, a special one; How about going into the big tent, a lot of people your age go in there to dance and have fun.” I turned around looking at the big tent, I looked at the sky that was now descending almost to begin dusk
“Alright, I will check it out; and thank you so much, it has been a long journey to get here, so food would help me out a lot.” he nodded, smiled, and stepped back into his kitchen. I headed for the big white tent, passing other teenagers my age playing games, eating, and a lot with families; I felt sadness and happiness at the same moment that I looked at them, seeing the happy smiles that they had, and where I would never have that. I reach the tent and then enter. I saw adults, children, and people my age dancing, there was slow music playing, and there were tables, food tables, and many drinks. There was also a single drink table for adults since it had all the beer, and other adult-only drinks, food, etc., and many lanterns were lighting up the tent. I have never gone to a dance; it was like I was in a dream where I was. I looked to the right, seeing many boys at a table with some girls. The girls were wearing dresses, and skirts, while the boys were wearing special tunics. They also looked my age and were all talking huddled up as a group.
“Hi, my name's Johnny,” I said walking up to a boy with curly blonde hair, with a brown tunic at the table.
“Um… hi, who are you?” he looks back at the table looking at the group making faces.
“Well I just arrived in town, I did not know you did this kind of stuff out here.”
“So what, you are a Galkilm peasant then?” he stood up from his chair slightly shooting up, making the chair also slightly scoot back from the force, dropping on the grass.
“No, I am just trying to be friendly that is all; And why assume I am a peasant?” I said slowly while being confused as to why the boy was coming off rude.
“Trying to be friendly; You're just trying to steal one of our girls, are you?”
“No, I am not, I promise.”
“Prove it then,” he said looking at me grinning with his eyebrows down, where he was looking mad at me; But where he looked like he was enjoying speaking to me the way he was, he was a mean fool; I saw it on his face.
“How do you want me to prove it, I was just trying to speak with you?”
“Prove it by leaving this table and getting out of this town.” he said to me as he pushed me hard, he shouted to me after pushing me “Leave!” I turned around walking away slowly. I hear laughing from the group; Then after just a moment I hear “Get him, Garrett!” I turn around seeing him rush at me. He tackles me to the ground punching me in the face, I hear all the other teenagers laughing and cheering. I tried to get out of his hold and punches, but he was too strong; After a few more punches and while I struggled. I hear a girl shout “Stop Garrett, Stop!” Garrett punches me one more time, I push him off and he gets off me backing up, and I have grass and dirt all over us. I feel a hand touch and grip my arm pulling me away from the big circle of other teens standing around, they move out of the way as the blonde beautiful girl with a pink dress guides me out of the big circle of kids.
“What are you doing Rose?” The girl turned around, leaving her beautiful blue eyes and skinny face; She was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.
“I am getting him out of this ridiculous fight that you brought up; You were rude to him for no reason and pushed him. You are a bully Garrett! Why do you think I broke up with you,” The big circle of teens was silent.
“I cannot believe that all of you would treat someone new like that; Because we all know that it is rare for someone to visit Folkerjolk town. Only the people who come to the fair aren't of course; but not him. You are all fools.” She turns around to me and grabs my arm again “Come on,” she said. She took me in the middle of the tent, the sun was barely beneath the big hills and mountains, there was only some sun from the sunlight, but mostly the lanterns filled the light of the area.
“You want to dance?” She puts her arms around the neck and holds them together. She looked up at me swaying, I had no idea what to do. I was partially frozen; I was blinded by her beauty.
“Do you know how to dance?” she said.
“Oh; No, I do not.” She looks at me smiling, she puts her arms down that are still around me. She grabs my hands and leads them to her hips; she smiles and looks up at the tent; She looks at the sun rays coming through the holes on the top of the tent.
“It is an incredibly old tent; It has been around for over 40 years now.” she said as she looked back at me, I looked around, catching my eye on Gavin at the table with his group huddled up talking, while he was standing leaning on a wooden support log, looking at me; I said “Thank you for getting me out of there, the guy was strong; I am not going to lie about that.” she looks down to the ground.
“How have you and he talked to each other before, do you know him?” I asked.
“Yes, I Do know him, it is just that Garrett is a mean person, obviously you just found that out. But I dated him long ago; I broke up with him because he was not mature enough for a relationship, I thought but are not we all; but more because he was a fool.” We were silent for a little while, hearing the talking of the adults, the teens; and the food being eaten.
“I want to show you something; somewhere away from the stare of Gavin.” She looked at Gavin, then turned and smiled at me, “Come on,” she said, We walked outside the tent, walking to the right leaving all the markets and other tents selling all kinds of stuff. We walk into the meadows; going deeper into the grass, with the flowers and dandelions swaying in the wind, with the dying sunlight reflecting on their golden yellow petals. You could look out at the grasslands, all the hills, the mountains; And the descending sun in the west, going behind the tall mountains. We got to a clear area with cut grass and some small flowers. Rose laid down in the grass; I looked around at the whole meadows, and vast grasslands all around. I could see the big white tent and other markets selling their goods, with many children still at play. We escaped the sound, we were in the middle of the meadows, with no sound; Only us.
“Lay down," she says, patting the smooth-cut grass area. I lay down by her; The wind was touching her hair slightly, with her blonde hair moving smoothly, just like the dandelion flowers. We look up at the blue, clear, orange-lit sky.
“This is my favorite spot in Folkerjolk town. It is peaceful and relaxing; In my most stressful and difficult hours, I come here; To calm down or just relax from life. You can come here anytime if you want,” We looked up taking in the wind, with the big circle of the clear grassed area, the grass and flower meadows moved with the wind.
“Thank you, I love this area, it is calming,” She smiled and scooted towards me, I felt warmth. She was scooted down beneath my chest, a few inches from me. I felt loved. The sun was descending into the mountains, the light was away, and the shadows were now seen, the night sky with stars was beautiful, and she was right it was relaxing. Rose scooted more into my chest, she looked at me, she had a beautiful face, and her blonde hair moved in the wind, she was beyond more beautiful than a girl in a dream that you can make. Was this a dream? It feels like it. Her blue shining eyes in the moonlight were fixed on mine, and the wind touched our skin, making us cold; The night sky was cold, and the grass as well. The darkness grew around us, the moon shining brighter than all recent nights. I had a loving feeling for the girl that I had met, from getting punched in the face a few times, to getting a dance and a windy clear circle grass area, to watching the sky bloom.
“What is your name?” she said softly, with a whisper in my face.
“Johnny; Johnny Volvard.” She smiled at my words, her lips were soft, and her clear clean skin was shining, she moved her face toward mine; The wind picked up touching our skin making it colder, and the grass moved over our bodies slightly. Her face reached mine, I came closer to her, and our lips felt like the faint touch of the skin. We looked each other in the eye from the loving kiss that we had made under the blooming night sky and the shining pink moon. I kissed her again, making our lips dig deeper, as I released, I heard a smack of our lips. Our kiss was fresh, and my love for her was delightful. We lay on the grass kissing, for the newfound love that we had shared.
“Rose!” a man shouts. Rose quickly gasped, widened her eyes, and released from holding my lips, she quickly got up brushing some of the grass off her pink dress.
“What is it, Gavin!” I gasped inside, I got up and saw Gavin with his tunic unbuttoned showing part of his chest, he was holding a large bottle of alcohol in his left hand.
“So what, are you two together now?” he said with his mouth shivering and his eyes red.
“No Gavin; Just leave us alone.”
“No! I will not leave till I kill you.” he had bloodshot red eyes, he was hiding something in his right hand behind his left leg, and he was dropping a few tears for Rose.
“I came here to end him!” he revealed a flintlock in his left hand, he was pointing it right at me. The grass whooshed with the wind, I had a cold chill go down my back, with adrenaline being shot through my body.
“What are you doing Gavin? This is not you; you are just drunk.”
¨Just Shut up, you come here, from God's know where; And steal my girlfriend!”
“The last I heard she is not yours anymore, because of just how foolish you are.” The silence and the wind were all around us, the dandelions were not gold. It felt cold, and it was so dark.
“Just walk away, and I will not do anything.” He could barely stand, he was moving around, looking like he was about to fall.
“No, you walk away,” He looked at me with his brows going up and he walked more to me while he was slightly tripping on the ground.
“You fool,” He looked at me and rose, just staring. He looked back at the tent putting the flint knock pistol down. He laughed and turned to face us; he grinned at us.
“I am no fool, you peasant!” he yells while throwing up his flint knock and walking weirdly; He fires the pistol with a loud bang echoing through the air. I closed my eyes, I felt nothing. It was silent.
“Oh no.” I hear him say softly, shivering.
I turn around, I see Rose lying in the soft clear circle of grass area, with blood all over the grass, and a bullet shot wound through her chest.
“No!” I yelled out in agony. I rushed up and sat by her nonmoving body, I looked at her fallen, with her arms outstretched on the ground, her beautiful face slumped to the right, and her blonde hair all over the grass. I looked back at him, he looked at me and her in fear and sad eyes; he dropped the flintlock and was silent.
“Why! You foolish pig, I am not the peasant… you are!” He turns around and runs into the grasslands.
“I am so sorry Rose; I should have saved you,” I said to her lifeless body. I hear a horse's hooves digging into the ground getting closer, I see Captain Decker coming from the southeast side of the meadows, where you can see many hills and mountains way out. He finally pulls the reins and gets off running to me.
“Johnny, come on, we must leave!” He yells at me.
“I do not want to leave her, not like this!” Captain Decker held my shoulder.
“If we stay Johnny, they will convict you as the killer. We must go now.” I look at her for a few moments then look up at Captain Decker.
“Promise me; Promise me we can come back and bury her if she is still here,” He looked at me, saddened as well by what he saw.
“I promise Johnny, I will.” I get up from the grass and look up at the sky seeing all the white shining stars. Suddenly Captain Decker grabs my arm rushing me to the horse, and pulls me up. We rode off into the grassy meadows.
Waking up
I gasp waking up, catching my breath. My whole face was covered in sweat, my bedroom was warm. It was dark and silent, there was no wind, no chirp, nothing. I grab my bag and go outside, I see the campfire burnt out, and new firewood in a big stack. I see the opposite of me, a tent. Cal and Dr. Twisky must have put it up late. I walk towards the tent, making only the faintest sound, trying not to step on a stick to wake the boys. I go through the blue tent cloth, pushing with my arm. I see inside Dr. Twisky and Cal; Dr. Twisky was sleeping tight in his bedroll covered up, I saw Cal with his legs and arms stretched out, with his right arm, on the chest of Dr. Twisky. I see Cal’s sword, and another one, it was not the one he was sharpening. I move through the sleeping bodies, making it to Cal’s swords, I grab the one he was not sharpening and leave the tent quality. I get out luckily, then inspect the sword. It was a katana; The sword was over 150 centimeters (about 4.92 ft), with its Tsuka blue. I rush quickly and get on one of the horses, I pull myself up while grunting Softley. I whip the Reins “Let’s go.” I said to the horse as quietly as I could, I set off digging into the mud. I ride to the village to seek revenge on the remaining living Dodo bloodline, I will finish him with no mercy; because his father showed none to Captain Decker.
I rode through the forest, it was dense. Quite; The only sound was chirping crickets. All I thought about was cutting into the son of lord Dodo. I was in a hurry, for a murder, that I was not sure about committing. I knew it would take till a little after morning to arrive at the village, then head up the hill to reach the house.
Chapter 9
Mistake
Inside the home, only lit with a few lanterns and candles, the place was a wreck, and lord Dodo the II was tied to a chair and being beaten by a black-cloaked man, he also wore a dark blue bandana. I was confused as to why I was tied up.
“Stop! Please, it hurts.” The man in the chair was the son of Lord Dodo, but I could not remember anything, he cried in agony and talked shivering in his pain and fear.
“Where is the kid, where did he run off to!” The cloaked mysterious man yelled at the young boy.
“I do not know; I do not. They were heading up north though, I am guessing in the forest.” I grunt, making him turn around looking at me.
“Captain Decker? You are awake.” he grinned at me while chuckling.
“Who are you?”
“You know who I am, Captain Decker, I know you do,”
“No, I have no idea who you are, now please untie me.” He laughed while walking around.
“Wow Captain Decker, you are getting old.” The man lifted his arm to his face, then put it down; He turned towards me smiling.
“Twigy?” He chuckled under his smile.
“It's been a long time, Captain.”
“You betrayed us while doing the job up north of Kleen town, you shot Dan.” he looked at me with his smile fading.
“And then you shot me in the leg, while you ran off to the ship.”
“I was not going to let you on the ship, after what I saw.” He looked at me with his ugly mad face, he looked back at the boy.
“You know nothing, you're useless.” He grabs a dagger from a dagger pouch attached to his right leg and strikes it into the boy's chest.
“Twigy! What are you doing, you are insane.” he looks back at me with his crazy eyes.
“Tell me, where is Johnny Volvard, where did he go!” I looked down and thought for a moment about the wind being created and whistling outside.
“You,” I said softly.
“You shot me, not Lord Dodo. you dragged me out of there, you were using him,” he laughed.
“I did drag you out of there. Not surprisingly Johnny won the fight, he was a weak fool,” He got closer putting his hand on the ear of the chair, leaning his weight on the wooden chair, making the wood creak ever so slightly to be heard in my ear.
“Now where did Johnny go?”
“I have no idea. And why would you want to know anyways Twigy.” He looked at me and then looked outside the open door and window.
“Because when I find out where Johnny is, I'm going to tell him the truth, who killed Dan, and who was the true traitor; You.” I get enraged by the words that he feels in my ears.
“You fool! You think you can control Johnny telling him that I killed Dan and all the other excuses that you can come up with, for Johnny to hate me.” He smiled.
“Yeah, pretty much.”
“You Bastard!” I yell to him shaking in my chair, trying to fall backward breaking the creaky wood.
“Shh, the people are waking up, it is the morning. And now it is time for you to shush.” he stabs me in the side, and I grunt; Passing out.
Chapter 10
The Truth
I reached the village, I went through the gate, there was no one in the streets nor no one guarding the gate. It was silent. I only hear the hooves of the horse on the dry, and cold dark dirt. The sky was only lighting up a little from the rising sun in the east. It was odd no one was out roaming, at markets. I pass a general store, seeing blood everywhere. I go up the street passing a few stone and wooden houses, finally reaching the ascending hill. I saw the sign that I had missed before; That was right by the path going up the hill to the house where the murderer of Captain Decker lived. I get off the horse getting the katana stored on it, And I jog up to the house. The trees on both sides of me moved in the whistling wind. I sensed as if this was a bad idea, or a good one. I reached the house, the big clearing of the wooded area, with a fence all around to not look over the ledge, I saw the brick home, and the door open. and also the window open.
“Lord Dodo’s Son. or the second, or whatever foolish name you have! I have come here to end your bloodline, I have come here to end you; Now step out and face me like a man!” I yell loud enough to wake the sailors, miles out in the ocean. After many moments, No one came. I was in the big dirt area, with only some grass patches and weeds growing. The sun finally was over the horizon, and the sun rays were peeking through the small woods on the hill. I hear a loud sound in the house, sounding like a big box hitting the floor; I walk up, planning to enter the house and face the enemy head-on.
“Johnny Volvard! It has been a long time.” I stop in my tracks, from the loud shout in the house.
“Come out and face me, I will end your bloodline, your father killed Captain Decker, so now I kill you.” There was no reply from the man in the house for some moments.
“Johnny, I think you should calm down and think before you yell out such things.” a man said from inside shouting, then just a sudden moment; A man with a dark blue bandana and a black cloak walked out of the house, he has a longsword on his back; he was also dragging a man behind him, with a ripped and bloody white tunic and a hat on, not being able to see his face. He pulled him in the dirt, dropping his tied hands, he was grunting, and trying to talk. He had a cloth inside his mouth. The wind picked up as the man with the black cloak and the unknown hostage came out; dust was going all around us from the strong slight wind.
“Hello, Johnny.”
“Who are you? I know you are not who I am looking for.” the man took his bandana off; Then the dust cleared, revealing his face.
“Twigy?” I gasped seeing his face.
“It's been a long time Johnny, a long time.” he grins, looking at me. I smile at him, happy to see him.
“Where have you been all these years?”
“Surviving Johnny, surviving.” He looks down at the hostage next to him.
“Who is that?” I spoke.
“This guy is just a bounty that I was after, a job that I have been doing to keep me fed. I might as well end him here, then we can walk and be on our way.” he pulls the longsword behind his back. Getting ready to impale the man on the ground.
“Wait.” I stopped him right before he killed the man.
“Who is this guy anyways, might as well spare him; depends, let me see what he looks like?” I jog up to Twigy and the hostage on the ground.
“Johnny no, wait!” Twigy said. I sit down and put my katana down, then roll over the hostage and take his hat off.
“No,” I said softly after I gasped at the truth.
“You're the one who killed him, aren't you?” I looked up, seeing Twigy holding his sword and having mine on his back, he looked at me with his crazy red eyes.
“Yes, I shot him then dragged him out. I used Lord Dodo of this village – I used every one!” he smiled with his ugly face.
“You are a fool.”
“No, I'm a powerful person, now I'm going to take him back, and now sadly I have to kill you Johnny. I did not want it to come to this.”
“Me neither,” a deep voice said.
Twigy turned quickly around, seeing Cal with his sword. As Twigy turned around, Cal impaled Twigy through his torso, with his longsword, he pulled it out of his body, making a gushy sound with blood splattering everywhere on the ground. Dr. Twisky came up the hill cautiously looking around.
“Johnny!” He came rushing to me, hugging me.
“I was worried sick about you.” I smiled seeing Dr. Twisky back. We embraced while Cal looked around the area cautiously to see if there was anyone else. We hear a muffled voice trying to speak. I look down and gasp.
“Oh, sorry Captain Decker, here let me help you.” He got up brushing the dirt and dust on his face, holding his jaw, and rubbing his neck, then finally looking at us. l to find the horses waiting, the villagers were all around us in a huge circle. They looked at us, expecting us to say something.
“Well; Is the awful man dead?” Cal goes up and says to the large group of villagers surrounding us.
“I have dealt with him, do not worry about him anymore.” The villagers then yelled and cheered. We got on the horses and galloped out of the village's wooden stacked walls, entering the small plains and woods.
“Captain, what is this rush about finding the crew?” Captain Decker was looking forward to not replying.
“Captain?” He jumped and then looked at Dr. Twisky.
“Where are they located?” Captain Decker said, riding on the horse with Cal.
“They retreated to the mountains, I did not know what would happen to you or Johnny, so I told them to go there to make sure they were safe. I knew something was up about the place.” He nods and looks at the snowy mountain's way off in the distance.
“So, are you telling me we're going to the mountains?” I asked Captain Decker.
“Yes Johnny, we must.”
“Stop, stop; Stop the horses!” I yelled at everyone.
“Johnny?” Captain Decker said.
“Just hold on; now please tell us what happened and why you all tensed up, what did Twigy say?” Captain Decker was silent, we all looked at him wanting to know what happened.
“Fine,” he said, breathing out sharply.
“Twigy was torturing me wanting to know where you went; But he wanted to know many other things, like where the crew were, and the ship; I told him nothing, so he said he knew where the lost treasure was. I did not believe it, I thought he was tempting, but he showed me a map, an old one at that, and it is real.” I throw up my arms.
“Are you kidding me, Captain Decker, how could you believe that fool.” Captain Decker reached behind and pulled out a folded creamy weathered old paper.
He pointed where a big skull was, it was on the other continent of Toledo, way up in the lush green forest mountains. Captain Decker, then mentioned elves in the forest.
“Elves?” I said surprised.
“Elves, in this realm; But I thought this was just a normal realm, a realm like Midgard. I thought they don't have that kind of race.” Cal said with his smooth deep voice, that I will always be surprised by the crisp tone.
“That's what we all thought, we were wrong, very wrong. So, we can ride to the mountains, find the crew; and set sail to Toledol; Get the treasure and get out of this damn realm as fast as we can.'' We all look at each other nodding in agreement.
“But the thing is; How will we find the crew? They could be anywhere in the mountains.” Captain Decker raised an eyebrow, then unfolded the map and looked at it.
“Ah,” Captain Decker said.
“Says right here a big settlement; A fortified city up in the mountains; we ride there then we might find our men. Then we leave.” We nodded and then rode for the mountains. To find the crew, and find the long-lost treasure.
“We must find the crew and fast,” We hurried down the hill, to find the crew, and to leave the realm that is forbidden.
Chapter 11
The new beginning
I walked through the snow, and while my boots sank into the white powder, you could hear the slight crunch of the snow.
We packed up our camp that we stayed at for the night, it was rough. But surprisingly we were all warm, Dr. Twisky caught a cold, Captain Decker was following the map, and Cal was being his true soldier self-watching over the camp and area. He heated the food and got wood; The guy was a loyal friend, and I was lucky he was on our side and with us in this condition. We put our bedrolls and other gear, stowed on the horses, and then we set off to the city called Winter Vern, traveling through the snow, with the wind cold, and then raining snow; we were barely surviving, and the trees all around us were filled with stacks of snow, and all the hills and plains, woods were white everywhere.
“How is everyone doing?” Captain Decker said. We were all silent, freezing from the coldness and snow. Captain Decker could see the miserable tension that had forth between all of us.
Dr. Twisky was coughing, and his nose looked bloody from the number of times he had been blowing his nose, Cal was upfront all the time keeping watch in front, the sides and pretty much everywhere; He acted as if he was the true guardian of the group; And he was. But I thought of how he was feeling, how if he was holding it in, I know nothing about his past, but it must be a good story.
“We are almost there; if we gallop up that hill into the woods, going into the clearing we will see the village, then we can ride down and enter.” We all liked the sound of the word city, I wanted warmth, And we all deserved to take a break and go into a taphouse for a bit. We galloped to the hill, and went through the woods; we traveled through the woods for about five or eight minutes exactly, then came to the clearing just like Captain Decker said, he was a great reader of maps. The big city was huge, there were big homes, homes smaller than others, and many buildings. We ride down with the horses steaming, we cross the long bridge going to the big stone walls.
“Stop their travelers, I have to check you and your horses before you enter. this is the fortified city of Winter Vern,” said a wall guard. The guard came to us, making us get off our horses and patting us down, he made us remove anything we had in our pockets or our pants.
“Alright, open the gates!” he yelled after successfully checking us. The metal gate ascended slowly, you could hear the chains being pulled and clanking. We nodded and went inside the gate wall, seeing many markets, houses, stores, weapons, horses, children, and men and women. There was so much life to the city; But not as big as Galkilm, the city was alive and felt a successful economy. But they needed taphouses badly, they had only 3 – one at the entrance of the town, one on the west side, way up more by the castle, and one on the other side of the town.
“Alright let's go into the taphouse and get warm, we can get a drink and discuss plans.” We left our horses outside and then went into the taphouse. I went up to one of the gentlemen serving beer, “Four regular cold ones please,” I said to the gentleman serving. “Give me two minutes,” He said. In just a few moments he put the drinks in front of me.
“8 coins please,” he said. I reached behind and put the coin on the desk, grabbed the beers, and went to the slight corner in the middle where Cal, Dr. Twisky, and Captain Decker were sitting. As I walked up, Captain Decker was speaking to them.
“Then we will leave, I promise you boys, we get the treasure; we will be running a realm.” Cal and Dr. Twisky nodded, talking about the plans of what Captain Decker wanted to do. I placed the beer on the table. All the boys grab a beer and drink.
“Hey Johnny, I know you want to be out of the cold like everyone else. And thank you for getting me a drink, but I would appreciate it if you could go and see if there is some medicine that you can find?” I sigh before taking one sip from my drink.
“You better be glad we are good friends because now, I got to go drag myself through this storm getting medicine.” I take a big gulp out of my beer and leave the booth, then exit the taphouse, I go around the street, to look for a doctor's store going down a few blocks. I see a store saying, “Doctor,” Well, that was easy, and a basic name. I go through the wooden door and step inside, I see a man stacking shelves with many potions and many other things, such as health kits I could see and recognize. He had long short hair and a fade on his side, his hair in the front was swept way over to the side of his right, and he also had a long narrow nose that I could see when he looked at me entering the store.
“Hello, I am Doctor Harold. Nice to see you.” the doctor said, extending his arm out. I shook his hand and nodded to the man.
“Hi, I would like to get some medicine to cure my friend, a cure for a cold perhaps.” He gasped, Then he went to a shelf on the left side of the store and got a bottle.
“These will do; wash these down with some beer, and then in a couple of hours, your friend will be brand new.” the man smiled going back to his collection of medicine, “Thank you… how much do I owe you?” He looked at me with a surprised expression, raising his slightly bushy eyebrows.
“Oh… you owe nothing, please take it, and have a wonderful day.” I leave the store baffled by the truth that the man said. I head down the street going back to the taphouse.
“Johnny?” someone says behind me curiously.
“Chuck?” It was Chuck, who was part of the crew, he is one of our cooks on the ship, he had jet black hair a barely visible stubble beard and a long brown tunic, he had a black old jacket with some holes and black boots on, he also had a scarf around his neck.
“What are you doing here, where is everyone else?” I said.
“Well, we retreated to the mountains, and the king got mad at us for going into the inns and tap houses because he said we were loud and there were a bunch of us; So we took over the kingdom, and now we are in charge,” I looked at him with my jaw dropping.
“No way – you took over the whole castle,” I said.
“We were surprised too; We put the king in his dungeon, so he can rot, and be put in his place; Since he was a mean old fool.”
“Wow,” I said, surprised by the accomplishment of the crew.
“Where is Dr. Twisky, that soldier guy, and Captain Decker?”
“There at the taphouse, bridge entrance,” I said.
“Lead the way,” he said, following behind me. We ran to the taphouse, rushing inside to find Captain Decker and the others. They were still at the booth waiting for my return.
“Captain!” Chuck and I yelled. Captain Decker, Cal, and Dr. Twisky all looked at us running towards them through the bar.
“Chuck, my boy!” Captain Decker says smiling. Chuck and Captain Decker hugged.
“Where is everyone else? this must not wait.” Chuck looked at him sternly then said, “Just Follow me.” Chuck led us up to the castle, where we passed many people and stores. The whole city seemed fine and happy.
“How did you capture this place, Chuck?” Captain Decker said after Chuck told Captain Decker they run the kingdom now.
“Well, we pretty much stormed them, we made all of us, the whole crew rulers, and now we just relax here; But don't worry we are just using it to pass time and wait for your arrival.” Captain Decker was in awe of the successful mission that the crew did. We went through the castle walls, stepping forth in a courtyard, and seeing many wagons, crates, servants, workers, and more outside. We went up smooth stone tile steps and stepped inside the big castle seeing the big red and blue striped carpet, the three throne chairs at the far end of the castle, big windows; and many corridors to be entered. We saw our whole crew using the main hall to sleep in and talk.
“Attention crew!” Chuck yelled echoing through the massive, gigantic room that could fit a giant.
“Captain Decker, Johnny Volvard, Dr. Twisky, and the soldier have now returned safely. Our Captain is Back” Chuck and everyone cheered from the small speech given by Chuck.
“Everyone!” Captain Decker yelled
“I have urgent news to bring you, but we must go to the roof, to not be heard of this plan! Hurry,” he yells to the room, we all rush up the stairs, which is kind of breathtaking. When we finally reached the top, everyone was huddled sitting down, Captain Decker went to a rising in the front.
“I bring the news of what I have been through, what we have been through.” he points at the three of us. me, Dr. Twisky, and Cal.
“Twigy returns!” The whole group smiled, knowing Twigy was a funny crew member.
“But I must tell you the sworn truth behind him. He is a terrible man; he was going crazy on the day we attacked Kleen town, he shot Dan, I saw it with my own eyes. I shot him in the leg, but he survived then became a bounty hunter or some mercenary, then he came for me and Johnny. To kill us!” Everyone was focused on Captain Decker's words.
“He found me then shot me, he used Lord Dodo to lie about himself, and lure me where he could get me; And where he would worry about Johnny later. He tortured me and he bruised me, but I won. And I got something in return for meeting him again!” Captain Decker reaches behind him and pulls out the map.
“I have a key! A key that will bring us to the lost treasure that we have dreamed of finding, is on the other continent in this realm. We sail there, and we will get the treasure. What do you say, men!” They all cheered and yelled.
“Then let's set sail then!” Captain Decker yelled.
“Um Sir,... There is something I have to tell you,” Chuck says to Captain Decker.
“Yes?”
“The MDB for the ship blew, we have to repair it,” Chuck said. Captain Decker signed sharply. Then he turned back to us.
“Well; it looks like we are not sailing out yet.”
“What Parts do we need to repair the MDB?” I said to Chuck.
“We only need a new MDB.” Everyone looked to the ground, knowing how hard an MDB is to make.
“A new MDB will take years to make, we don't know a mechanic to work on such a thing,” I said.
“Well, where can we find these materials to build one?”
“You have to find gold, silver, and a liquid from elves, it's a powerful liquid that holds many substances that make us travel with the MDB, if we melt the gold and the silver, they will be used as the new mechanical parts,” Chuck said.
“Well, I say we split a team-up; Me, Cal, and Chuck go find the gold and Liquid, while we send another team to get the silver and whatever else we might need.” Chuck and others smiled at the idea that I proposed to the crew.
“No, we are not going to Toledol; I fear it's worse there for the land. So, we try to find what we need here.” Captain Decker said as he was afraid of what was across the seas.
“Besides, how will you get there?” Captain Decker said, making us all wonder how we would get across the ocean.
“We could pay for a ferry or a ship to get across if they offer that in this world.” Said Chuck.
“Good, then it's settled. We go to Toledol; We can leave for the journey in a week, since me, Cal and Dr. Twisky must rest from the harsh few days we have had.” Everyone gets up and walks away, going back into the castle.
“Johnny, come here.” Said Captain Decker. I stepped up on the rising stone platform, I could see all the houses, stores, and streets.
“Yes?’ I spoke.
“Are you sure about this Johnny, there are elves, dwarfs, giants and I heard even griffins. This might be too dangerous.” Captain Decker said.
“We will be fine, we will find the materials and then be back; I already think we should find the elves, since they don't like being close to humans or anyone, except them.” Captain Decker nodded, and then he signed.
“Is something wrong-” A big explosion can be heard, and seen at the southeast gate. We see navy soldiers marching in, taking the civilians of the kingdom to their knees, and making them sit on the cold ground.
“How did they find us?” I said, with my voice in worry, Captain Decker stared out at the soldiers, “It was Twigy, he must have been related to the navy somehow. The chief is there, it's bad.” He backed away from the old thick castle stone railing, breathing sharply.
“Go get Chuck, Cal and whoever else you're taking and leave, it's time; We will hold them here.” He said going to the left side and walking backwards toward the stairs. “But Captain Decker-” I said while being cut off.
“Go! We will meet again.” I nodded, then ran down the castle stairs. My footsteps echoed on the cobblestone steps, surrounded by the thrice walls surrounding me. I reach the red carpet and enter the corridor, seeing amongst the walls banners and portraits, art, and vases on risings. I see to my left standing amongst the cobblestone wall is Cal.
“Cal!” I cried out to him while I Hie to him.
“Johnny?” he said Raising a brow. I looked him in the eye, grabbing his shoulders.
“We must hurry, the navy has breached; We must leave now.” he shot off from the wall slightly.
“It was the navy that made the loud sound from afar?”
"Yes! It was; We must leave now… Where is Chuck and Dr. Twisky?” I said with my voice fast, and shaky.
“They are upstairs, they must be,” he said with his face more worried from what, I spoke to him.
“We must go and leave now; you might want to unsheathe that sword and be ready for battle; I have no idea if the navy has infiltrated the castle yet.” Cal nodded while looking around.
“Johnny Volvard!” A man shouted from behind. I turn around, seeing a man with a long clean dark blue coat, with a lapel dark purple suit, he had a pin on the right side of his chest, the navy pin for Lengard, it had gold and a unique pattern to it, it said LNC (Lengard-Navy Chief) also he had insignia badges under the big LNC badge.
he had other navy soldiers behind him, with the same pin but their pin read LNS (Lengard-Navy-Soldier) they had dark blue tunics and medium-length brown coats for the condition of the weather. The man in the front with the only long coat looked at me, he was the chief of the navy. He was about in his late fifties, and his brown hair, with over a bit of strain of gray hair. His hair was swept to the side. And his facial hair was the style of an extended goatee.
“Surrender, or these two will face the blade of death,” he said, as Two soldiers came out of the corridor behind the chief of the navy to the right. They were holding Dr. Twisky and Chuck, their hands were tied behind their back, and cloth was stuffed in their mouths. The two soldiers forced them down to their knees, holding their shoulders so they didn't move. I could see the fear in Chuck and Dr. Twisky's eyes.
I yelled, “Never will I surrender; Not to the likes of you no way!” He grinned, then looked back at the man holding Dr. Twisky, he nodded to him. The soldier reached behind his back holding still Dr. Twisky with one hand on the left shoulder; while he Pulled out a knife holding it in his right hand. He quickly put the knife up to Dr. Twisky touching the skin of his neck.
“I'm going to ask one more time, Johnny,” He looked back at Dr. Twisky and Chuck.
“Surrender… Or face the consequences of the punishment of coming to this forbidden realm, ordered by the realm council,” he said, turning his back to face us. I was silent; not knowing what to say. Chuck and Dr. Twisky had terror in their eyes. The silent corridors were filling our very ears.
“Silent our we? Fine, then I will make the first move, for I have no time for you nor he.” The Chief turned around and nodded to the soldier holding Dr. Twisky, then walked away, entering the corridor not being visible in sight. Just after some seconds, the man pulled up the knife's blade into Dr. Twisky's neck, then pulled it aggressively upward, as blood splattered following the knife. Dr. Twisky's body dropped to the cobblestone floor, with the blunt sound of his head hitting the ground.
“NOO!” I cried out in agony. The soldiers ran down the corridor, catching up to the chief. We ran up to Dr. Twisky and Chuck, Chuck was trying to talk with his muffled voice from the cloth in his mouth, as he struggled with his tied hands. Cal untied Chuck, while I quickly slid to Dr. Twisky, his face was lying on the floor, looking to the right. His face was slightly pale, and my body ached. I looked down at his body, as I was groaning and breathing heavily, fearing what had all happened. I felt like I sat there and looked at Dr. Twisky for months, till I felt a touch on my shoulder.
“We must leave, come now Johnny, now!” Cal yelled out. I got up walking back from Dr. Twisky's lifeless body. I looked down the corridor where I descended from the stairs, I saw Navy soldiers running towards us. Cal grabbed my arm and pulled me, entering the corridor by us to the right of where Dr. Twisky’s body was, it was filled with good architecture and windows with rays of light shining through.
“Come on, they are on y'all's tail,” Chuck yelled as he entered a corridor to the left. Cal grunted and breathed softly while running. I quickly got out of his hold and ran faster with them, trying to set my focus on getting out of the castle. As we almost neared the end of the corridor to the next. Chuck came running back into our corridor, then stopped and looked around.
“What, are you doing Chuck!” Cal yelled.
“Getting the hell out of here, that's what,” Chuck said to Cal, then jumped through the glass window. Glass shards followed him as he fell.
“What an idiot that fool is,” Me and Cal then looked down the corridor, and saw all navy soldiers huddled up, blocking the passageway to the next corridor. We looked back and saw more soldiers also huddled together holding swords and rifles, blocking our way of escaping.
“Johnny! Just follow me!” Cal then jumped out the window to the right of where Chuck jumped.
“Get him!” a soldier yelled out. I quickly jumped through the window with glass following; Where I finally hit the hard Cobblestone ground. Cal pulled me up quickly just barely, my arms and legs were in pain.
“Johnny!” He yelled, with my head pounding hard, like a fast heartbeat.
“It's going to be ok Johnny… We’re getting the hell out of here.” Those were the last words, then my eyes fell, as I went unconscious.
Chapter 12
A New Threat
The city walls of Winter Vern stood tall, but in the middle of the city, entering a big hexagon-shaped courtyard, filled with market stands all around, there was also a marble fountain in the middle. The streets were cobblestone, and silence filled the large area, no one was to be seen walking about. You could hear the cloth flap and flutter in the wind. But in the middle of the courtyard, only just a few feet away from the white marble water fountain. There were five men lined up, three of them wore buttoned brown tunics, while another wore a white tunic. They wore gray clothes with some black colored pants and black boots. But one on the end of the line on the left sat there kneeling with the rest, he wore a big hat, it was bent slightly to look like a tricorn hat, but the flaps were spread out only a bit, covering his face as he looked down at the ground. The feather that was attached to the hat was streaming in the wind. Every fleck of the feather moved gently, making you feel light, he wore a long brown coat and black pants, with high black boots. And only Just another few feet away from them were four men, holding rifles. They all had clean medium-length dark blue-brown jackets, wich went only under the hip by a few inches. And also had clean white tunics, it was buttoned and they had a stitched red pattern, adding style, and showing they had a pricey tunic. They were wearing a gold unique pattern badge that read, LNS, standing for Lengard Navy Soldier.
“Where is the Chief?” One of the soldiers said, pulling out a pack of cigarettes.
Another soldier said, “I heard he's probably in the castle,” Snow started falling, the little flecks hitting the cobblestone roads, with a soft touch when the flake hit the ground. The soldier with the pack of cigarettes gave three cigarettes to the other soldiers, he reached into his brown coat pocket and revealed a silver lighter, he quickly flicked it, making an orange flame appear. The soldiers put their cigarettes in their mouths, while the soldier with the lighter, lighted everyone's cigarette.
“Ah,” a soldier says in relief with a slight sigh, letting white smoke be taken away with the wind as he blows it out of his mouth.
“Nothing better than a Red Circuit brand Cigarette.” said the soldier, while A gust of wind blew, rushing the cold inside the men on the ground.
“At ease!” A Soldier yells from afar. The soldiers quickly got in position, putting their hands behind their backs standing upright, and dropping their cigarettes. Quickly walking up to the soldiers, passing through some of the markets spread out in the big hexagon-shaped court, was a man with gray hair, and a dark blue coat buttoned with shiny black buttons; The man was about 6,2 in height, and had a pin attached on his coat, on his right, beneath his shoulder, reading LNC, (Lengard-Navy-Chief) Revealing the chief of the Navy. behind him was a line of 6 soldiers marching on the left and right of him. The soldiers had rifles slung over their shoulders, holding the straps as they marched. They also had pistols on their belts, and black boots, with long, and medium-length coats.
“I leave you three out here to guard the prisoners, weapons ready; but instead you're just smoking?!” The Navy Chief yelled, finally reaching them.
“W-w well sir, we were just-” One of the soldiers said, their voice shaky.
“You two idiots get in line!” The chief yelled, his deep hard voice echoing through the city; The soldiers quickly saluted, and shouted in unison, “Yes, sir!” and then ran to the line, entering the line on the left end. The Chief turned around, looking at the far right of the men on the ground. He walked up with his boots echoing through the cobblestone courtyard. The men were all sitting, all looking at the ground, looking miserable, silent, and accepting defeat, they were starving, and thirsty And very cold. The chief finally reached the man at the far right end, sitting silent, with the wide black flaps of his hat sticking out, covering his face. His feather moved with the slight breeze that was ongoing. The chief looked down at him, standing also silent.
“Captain Decker. it's been a long time,” The chief said slowly and calmly, revealing Captain Decker.
“I thought I wouldn’t see you ever again, Chief Donrealf,” I said looking up at the Navy Chief, I looked at him sternly, and silent.
“Well you should not be seeing me, you're supposed to be dead you bastard,” The cold breeze gusted by, and I could see the soldiers shivering behind Donrealf.
“I know you sent Twigy to kill me, I know all of it; But Twigy is too weak to kill, at least to kill me.”
Donrealf chuckled at me and then went to the next man by me. I knew them all, they were my crew, and I knew we all might just be killed where we were sitting.
All of sudden, a soldier, who looked different and had a longer coat than some of the other soldiers, had some other pins and badges attached to him; guessing his rank of a captain. He walked up to Donrealf, the soldier tried to whisper but his shivering from the cold was affecting his voice and tone, being able to hear every word they were saying.
“Sir, the cold is affecting our soldiers very well, we should move the prisoners to another location. perhaps on our ship, and lock them up, and maybe let us rest for the journey ahead?”
“No, I want them executed… now!” The soldier saluted, shaking while he went back in line. The men grabbed their rifles off their shoulders and took aim, Donrealf stepped to the side, grinning wide, and the soldiers awaited his orders.
“Alright men, on the count of 10, you pull the trigger, and end these foolish pirates, am I clear!”
“Yes sir!” The soldiers yelled in unison.
“One… Two… Three… Four… Five-” Before Donrealf could even yell another number, a woman yelled out, “Stop Donrealf!” she stepped forth, brushing the soldier away as she passed. There were men behind her with big shoulders wearing metal vests, they also had black sleeves and brown cargo pants, the pants were tucked into their high dark blue shoes. The woman wore a brown long coat with untied thick belts hanging on the waist of the coat, she wore a purple and white blouse, with high pink heels; she had very blonde hair as well. She was holding a large bag, holding it by the handles together. a purse perhaps it was.
“Chief Donrealf; Under the council of realms, galaxies, and universes, your role of the navy chief has been passed to be dismissed.” she said standing in front of him.
“You're over Donrealf, we're taking over.” Donrealf chuckled deeply, and finally laughing out loud, then suddenly said “Dismissed? Ha! You gotta be kidding me, after thirteen years in my position, now you all decide to kick me out?”
The lady scuffed hard, and the other soldiers looked back and forth at each other, with a slight grin on their faces.
“Yes Donrealf, after thirteen years. We don't need you now. We found someone far better than you, someone who is more kind and peaceful at most. But immportanlty he is not crazy.” Donrealf gasped, then his eyebrows went down, and his forehead had a vein popping out.
“I'm not listening to you! This is my army, Not yours!” She looked at him for a while as the gust of wind passed, then she finally raised her arm, snapped her fingers, and quickly pointed to Donrealf.
“Get him out of my sight, and put him in the cell on our ship.” She said, then the men with big shoulders behind her with metal vests on, stepped in front and grabbed Donrealf by the shoulders, pulling him away from everyone, going towards the street moving past the soldiers. The woman looked down at me, giving me a disgusting look. I knew who she was, and I also knew she was not nice. Her name is Holly Lost, a new member of the council realm leaders, she joined about 8 years ago, while the others have been in the council for over 20, to even 150 years.
“Nice to meet you Captain Decker, you cold?” She said with her soft sweet slightly high voice, Smiling at me with her clean white teeth.
I said deeply, trying to speak hurting my dry throat “Mrs. Lost, I haven't seen you in about four years at most, but you're looking more beautiful than ever; How have you been?”
“I have been mighty fine Captain Decker, mighty fine.” She said sarcastically, then continued.
“but I'm afraid your joy ride is over, And we're taking you back to headquarters to see what the rest of the council wants to do with you.”
“Oh wonderful; Now I have to go to your weird universe,” I said; She chuckled, looking confident.
“I'm afraid so Captain Decker, but to me, I don't think it's weird, its beautiful.” My eyes sparkled dearly when I looked into her eyes because truthfully I did find her gorgeous.
“Well, I wouldn't mind to be sitting by you, Mrs. Lost.” She grinned and looked at my shivering crew; And walked away towards the men who had metal vests on walking back. I looked next to me, and seeing all the men with their faces up and smiling, I whispered to Jake (A cook on the ship) to wonder what was going on, “Why the smiles?” He looked back behind our tied hands with rope nervously and looked back at me.
“It's Cory, he has a small knife, and is cutting loose.” My eyes widened, “Make him look towards me, send it down. Fast.” I said quickly hoping he even heard all that I said; Jake quickly turned to his left whispering to the next man by him, then he turned to his left and told to the other man, and so on. Cory looked up at me at the end of the line, the message finally reaching him. I said with a whisper but slightly shouting, “Pass the knife down and let everyone cut themselves free, do it now, and everyone be fast,”
Finally after Jake cut his tied hands he gave me the knife, and he held his ropes in his hands behind his back not wanting to alert the guards or Mrs. Lost. After successfully cutting my ropes I whispered to the men quickly, “Wait for my signal, then we leave.” We waited, the cold wind touched our skins making us shiver and our teeth rattle as they clicked rapidly together. Then finally after just fourteen minutes Mrs. Lost and her guards come over. The soldiers were quiet and did not move at all.
“Alright boys, grab Captain Decker… And put him in a good spot where I will sit by him, for I will want to ask him some questions.” We all looked at the ground, not making one little sound. “Get up Captain Decker! – Now!” She looked back at her men, then they stepped forth in front of her and grabbed my shoulders aggressively making me stand.
Mrs. Lost said, “Bring him to the ship then put the rest of the lowlifes on.” They started walking, but I struggled in their hold, trying to throw my arms out of their grip. While holding me they called me a Low-Life Lazy Pirate. Then suddenly there was a huge BANG in the air, there was white smoke everywhere, not being able to see anything, the guards dropped me, jumping from the sound. I got up and quickly and silently rushed out of the courtyard, going towards a pub, as I neared and before going into the pub, it had a sign saying Magical Pub of Wonders, I entered and looked out the window cautiously, the window had some cracks, but I saw the fountain and market stands all in the courtyard, and the many stores and buildings closing the courtyard. The soldiers rushed around looking everywhere, while Mrs. Lost looked around… Lost.
“Captain, what now.” I see Jake, Cory, and the rest of the men in the pub looking at me, waiting for my words.
“Cory… Go and find Johnny, join them, and get the stuff we need to leave this damn realm.” I said to him, while the creak of wood, could be heard in the abandoned old pub.
“But where did they go?” Cory asked,
“They shouldn't be out far, you will find them, don't worry; And while you, Cal, Johnny, and Chuck are looking for everything for the MDB, I will be planning where we are going next, I think we should go travel to a universe I know; I haven't been for a while though,”
“What do you mean Captain Decker – about not being there for a while?”
“Well It's my home planet; I have not visited home since.. Well… I don’t know, but I do know it has been a long time,” The crew nodded in understanding.
“Now enough of this; Cory, be careful out there, Mrs. Lost and the realm council could have called reinforcements to look for us and hunt us down, be careful; And find Johnny, and help them… We will be waiting…” Cory nodded and smiled, he shook hands and gave some final words to all of us before he left out the back door, to find Johnny, and the others to find the MDB parts and resources, for us to leave this realm.
I looked back at the rest of the crew, “Follow me, let us find the rest of the crew, we must get prepared for setting sail.” We quickly leave the pub, going through the back door; Leaving the walls of Winter Vern, and traveling back more up the mountains. I said to myself, Please Johnny, Succeed for us, so we can leave this damn realm. I'm sorry for bringing you here and everyone else; We thought this was safer… But we were wrong.
Chapter 13
The Gathering storm
In the plains of Galford, behind the snowy cold mountains, is a small village, with many Cobblestone walls, and mud and hay pieced-together roofs. On the main street, there are some cozy cottages throughout the small village. The main street had some stone roads, but they were old and on the brink of falling apart into two pieces of stone; the main road led you to see four big stone buildings, on the right one stood out with wooden yawning with some support beams; Then it had a sign saying Talford Orb Pub, under the title of the pub it had a subtitle reading No Drunk After 1 AM. on the opposite side of the pub’s town is another cobblestone building that is longer, and stacked with another group of stones and finally finishing and completing with pieced together hay and sticks on the roof, same for the pub. It had two stories, where it had a wooden sign swaying in the slight weak breeze with a high pitch creak, it read Talford Orb Hotel. With some other wording on the bottom reading, No Drunk May Enter. And past that are wooden huts with some stone and pieced-together mud and hay; The village had some other small little shacks and buildings with signs, like clothing, and a blacksmith who was a neighbor by the pub, the sign that the blacksmith had read
John’s Blacksmith
With small words below it reading.
Open 10:25 AM – through 7:30 PM
Then there was the clothing store opposite the blacksmith.
The plains were vast with many hills and much grass surrounding the village, and the sun was high in the blue sky. There were only some groves throughout the grasslands to be in sight, and the grass was very green. But on a path leading into the town, about a mile away. Is a man with a sword stowed on the left side of his horse, The man was sweaty and he had on a worn-down white tunic and black pants and boots, he had curly brown hair and a beard, he had also a black cloak on. Behind him is a young man, with dirty blonde hair, he had a white tunic on and a black weathered jacket that was slightly torn in some spots, he had brown boots and was slumped down on the man's back his eyes closed, and not moving. Another horse followed behind the two young men on the horse. He had jet-black hair, a barely visible stubble beard, a long brown tunic, and black boots. he looked tired, but at the same time – all three of them did.
“Chuck!” The man up front with a black cloak said, with a horse voice.
“Yeah?” The young man said behind him.
“We need to stop at this upcoming town, then maybe set up camp, Johnny needs to rest. We need to rest.” The man in the black cloak looked back, seeing if Chuck agreed, his hood fell off as he looked back, revealing Cal.
“What about the other?” Chuck asked.
“What do you mean?”
“I guess I'm asking how long this is going to take. What happens if this takes a whole year to get, or more.” Cal was silent for a moment looking forward, he thought for a moment then finally turned back.
“If we want to leave this place, we have to get what is needed, so please just relax; Because if you relax, it will come to you.” Chuck looked down at the dirt, the grasslands surrounded them with many hills and some groves in the distance, and Chuck was sweating five full buckets a minute, his armpits were wet adding a gray tone in his long white tunic.
Cal pulled the reins toward his chest, making the horse come to a halt. The tall grass streamed in the wind; the sign by Cal, read,
Welcome To Talford VIllige
The only village you will see in the Galford Plains
“Talford Village?” Chuck said, raising a brow.
“I heard of this place,” Cal said looking ahead.
“The only village!” Chuck shouted,
“They have to be joking, right Cal?” Cal looked back smiling and chuckling a bit.
“Nope, it's no joke – Dr. Twisky told me about this town. It's the only town till the next state.” Chuck frowned, then reached into his satchel, then pulled out a canteen.
“You think I can refill with water at this place, this damn sun is killing me.”
“If anything, Johnny is getting the first sip of any drink we get hold of.” Chuck shaked his canteen, hearing his little bit of water slosh and swoosh, quickly he put his canteen back in his satchel.
“How did you know about this place?” Chuck asked.
Johhny was silent, still slumped against Cal’s back
“Dr. Twisky came here years before the realm got forbidden, the realm was not popular at all, no one visited it from beyond the stars. Because people heard that the realm does not know about anything beyond their own space, such as other universes, galaxies and other realms. But Dr. Twisky was the one who traveled the lands, only Halcord though.”
“Well… That explains a lot.” Said Chuck.
“What about you Cal, where are you from?”
“A whole different universe far from the realm of where you are from, I got here with the help of Dr. Twisky; He transported me here with his ship.” Chuck looked up stunned, his jaw dropped.
“Dr. Twisky has a ship, where!” Cal looked confused by the slight change of tone in Chuck.
“It is by the village we first landed coming in the realm.”
“What if an MDB is in Dr. Twiskys ship!” Cal grinned and laughed and also looked disappointed.
“Don't waste your breath, there is no MDB in the ship of his, it is powered only by gas and electricity, and some other stuff he didn't tell me about. Anyway, I don't know all the stuff from his universe, But I promise you it doesn't have one.” Chuck frowned and slumped on his horse disappointed knowing this is going to be a long journey.
Finally, they reached the village, they saw the pub and the yawning with wooden a fence around it and grass out front with a barrel filled with water, a man with greasy dirty hair dunked his head in, then pulled himself back brushing his fingers through his hair.
“A hotel!” Chuck shouted. Cal looked back at Chuck then looked to his left, seeing the hotel.
“Come on, let's put the horses over here.” Cal and Chuck went behind the hotel, a tree was waiting for them and they got off their horses and went inside the back door of the hotel.
They entered seeing a man at a wooden counter, the place was a little dusty in spots and many bottles and dream catchers were hanging from the ceiling.
“Welcome to Talford Orb Hotel, the place with mighty fine beer and good-looking and feeling beds.” Said a man coming out of a back room, he had slicked back dark brown hair, a shirt tucked in that was buttoned, he had black high-pointing upright shoes, and a necklace around him, he had a square metal chain, but also a very weird shape of metal surrounded the middle of the square, it looked like something was inside.
“We would like a room, three beds?” Cal said.
“Ok, one hundred and twenty-one gold pieces please.” said the middle-aged man who looked about in his late forties, he raised an eyebrow and grinned too.
“One hundred and twenty gold!” Cal shouted
“Is there a problem young man?”
“Yes there is a big problem, I'm not paying that much gold for three beds, all rooms should cost five gold for the shape this building is in!” While the two argued for a while about the price, and Cal tried to solve the issue with the man of the hotel. Chuck turned around and saw an old woman with a white long gown coming down the stairs right behind them. She slowly walked down the stairs putting one foot in front of the other, she was being careful not to trip and fall. When she finally stepped on the wooden floor that was dusty and creaky, she turned grabbing a wine bottle on a shelf up to the wall. In front was a shelf in the middle of the walkway, the front door was only just behind in front of that shelf.
The lady quickly walked up pulled the bottle back and brought it forth, smashing the bottle against the back of Cal's head making the shouting stop. The old lady slowly walked to the right a little, but Chuck stepped right behind Cal. He lost balance and fell backward but Chuck caught him and pulled him over by the middle shelf filled with bottles and other accessories.
“That ‘ought to shut him up; And you, Sheamus. You better be glad I'm not taking a bottle and smashing it against your head!” The old aggressive lady yelled in a dry voice. Finally, after a moment. She went back up the stairs slowly.
“God that woman is killing me,” said Sheamus after the door slammed when the old woman got upstairs.
“Sorry about that, I honestly did not mean that to happen to your friend.”
“It's alright, he's tough, I'm just glad I got him before he fell in the glass.” Shaeumus nodded then he grabbed something behind the counter, put some glasses on, and had a large book.
“You know what, how about I give you two beds… That's all I can do, least because your friend there, I feel sorry.” Chuck went outside, he hurled Johnny over his shoulder who was still fast asleep, or unconscious.
“Who the – is your friend ok there?” Said Sheamus when Chuck walked in through the back door making the bright fading sunshine come inside.
Chuck replied, “I hope.”
Chuck went upstairs, There was a long hall forward, and on both sides were small corridors with about only three rooms. Chuck followed the long wooden floor hallway, surrounded by stone walls.
He stopped in front of a wooden door, with a metal number hanging on the wall. It was room number eleven, the room was on the left side of the hall. Entering the room he saw two couches, a fireplace that was on the right side of the room in the stone wall, and a wooden shelf above the fireplace with a candle and book on it.
There were two beds against the wall opposite the fireplace, they were not fancy at all, only a metal bed frame and mattress with a small quilt and white pillow. The window was rectangular, and some light shone through with the downing sun. Chuck said standing looking at the room, “Cozy, but could use some more improvements.” Chuck put Cal and Johnny on each of the beds. Tucking them in for a good sleep. The journey ahead of them was going to have many obstacles and Chuck knows that, even Johnny and Cal; Cal is the only one in the three-man group who knows a little about the realm, regarding Halcord the continent they are on now. But they are traveling to a new continent, a new world world to them. Because who knows how it will look across the ocean on the lands of Toledol.
The night flew by, Chuck rested on the couch and put a fire on, while the glowing bright stars filled the night sky. But a hard knock could be heard at the door. Chuck gasped waking up from the deep sleep, sleeping off the hard day from yesterday. He grunted and got up making his way to the door as fast as he could trying to wake up Johhny and Cal. He looked at Johnny and Cal who were still fast asleep.
“Chuck!” Said Shaemus when the creaky old wooden door opened.
“Someone is here, a young man wants to see you, it's a big emergency, said by him.” Chuck looked back at Cal and Johnny, knowing he cant leave them.
“Well, how about-” Chuck was about to say something but cut off from the appearance of a young man with a stubble beard and a dark brown cloak, he wore a buttoned tunic that was brown and black pants and boots.
“Chuck – It's good to see you.” said the mysterious man.
“Cory? Is that you,” Cory took off his hood, and they embraced. They stepped inside the room leaving Sheamus to go back downstairs while they talked about the journey of Cal’s, and how they would achieve the materials for the MDB, Cal got up an hour later, he was in good condition and joined in with the other boy's conversation.
But barely at the end of the morning, Johnny twitches and sways in his sleep, twitching his hand, head, legs, and whole body. Finally, Cory notices it, facing the beds.
“Guys!” Cory yells, Cal and Chuck shoot up from the chairs and rush over to Johnny.
“What is wrong with him?!”
“I - I… I have no idea what's going on, this has not happened!” Cal shouted.
After only some more moments of Johnny twisting his body and jumping in the bed his eyes still closed. It came to a stop, the room was silent and the wind from outside stopped, the boys were standing up still around the bed where Johnny was lying.
Suddenly, Johnny shouted, twisting and yelling, “The orb of Hilfirmere is in danger – Danger!” Then after a moment stopped and went back to deep sleep
Cal, Chuck, and Cory now stood looking at Johnny. Wondering what he meant, or if he was just dreaming.
Chuck finally said, while Cal and Cory were lost in their thoughts thinking, “Who the hell is the Orb of Hilfirmere?”
