by Wolf Golan
“Okay,” she quietly replied, kissing him again.
Max snapped out of it and got serious, “so what happened with you guys?”
She stretched her legs out and tried to reach her toes before answering. “A Moda Fishing Party found us not long after you left. We used the box on them and they knew we arrived, because they heard us all the way from their village.” She said squinting in weirdness.
“I know, they told me too.”
“Yeah,” she continued, “Anyways, they took us to their village, where Tyang'gesh gave us to some Baelyin Knights that had already arrived. TheKnights wanted to escort us to Densmere, because the King wanted to meet us.”
“Wow, exciting.” Max replied.
“I know right.” Alex replied. “We met Tywor and Gorro on their way south, so we told them about you. I also told them I couldn't just leave you the behind.” Alex looked at him sad. “So Tyang'gesh said he'd find you and bring you tome. He said Yems was the safest place for me, so I waited here. I got the Magistrate to give me some work.” Max couldn't believe so much had happened.
“Wow! That's quite a story.” Max said looking at her. A thought occurred to him. “I better tell the Magistrate that war has started in the Woodlands.”
“I think he knows,” she replied. “I saw a messenger arrive last night.”
Max nodded and asked her another question, “where are you staying?”
“They got me in a room in the castle. It's nothing fancy but okay.”
“Oh,” Max relaxed a bit. “Do you think David and J.T. will get our ship repaired or contacted someone?”
“I don't know, hope so.”
“Come let's walk over here,” Alex got up and walked a little towards the northside where they could see the road better. “What's going on in this world?” Max asked.
“They're fighting every day. They say these nasty creatures called Groargons are trying to take over their world. There are airborne creatures that firebomb towns and people too, bad stuff.” She answered shaking her head.
“Yeah I know I ran into a couple myself on the way here, but the Moda’s took them down.”
“You should talk with Magistrate Broglin. He'll know more, come,” she led Max back to the stairwell.
Max trailed after her.
###
They walked through an archway to see a huge court below. They made her way down a flight of stone steps to a rugged center.
The Magistrate sat behind a long wooden table on a long chair reading a scroll atop a raised platform before the court. Tapestries draped the walls around them and two guards with halberds stood on each side of Broglin’s platform.
“You have to bow before you speak to him.” Alex whispered to Max. “Just copy me.”
“Okay,” Max whispered back.
She walked onto the court with Max behind. They stood before him and Alex gently bowed, and Max followed. Max notice the Floor was of smooth stone.
Broglin finished with the Scribe and turned his attention to them.
“Sir Broglin,” Alex said with her head still bowed.
“This must be Maxwell Wilkes.” Broglin said amiably. He sounded out his name funny like everyone in Chandeera. “So dear wayfarer, did you have a good journey?”
“Yes, I did,” Max said, hesitantly.
“You people are interesting, thousands of years ahead of us.” Broglin smiled. Max blushed, “No, we're still people like you. We just get by a little better.” Broglin smiled harder impressed with his humility. “I like you Max.”
Magistrate Broglin was middle aged man, wavy brown hair, nicely-trimmed beard, like an Alaskan trapper turned medieval man. He wore a suede overtop with a caramel shirt with crest.
“Sir,” Max bowed. “Do you know of the Rourd Army invading the Woodlands?”
“Yes, Gorro sent a dispatch yestermorn. General Ryzen is on the march with two commands to meet Tywor at the lines in the south.”
“The Waywongs gathered at one of their towns to best defend themselves, and the Modas at Crehling have moved south to assist them.” Max added.
Broglin looked a little concerned at the news. Max was now a little frustrated about not knowing the very wars he was fighting in, and what they were about. “What’s happening? I’d like to know.”
“We're at war. Every thousand years, the forces of the Great Wasteland the Groargons, launch an assault on us in the West. They ally with the Rourds who come across the South Sea from the Jungles of Nah Koo.” He said pointing south. “The Great Wasteland is in the East across the Darfast Mountains.”
“This is a lot to take in.” Max sighed.
Broglin nodded to a Scribe by the staircase. The Scribe went into a room and came back out with a scroll. He sat it on Broglin's table. He gestured them over and rolled it out. Max and Alex walked up to see a map.
“Your ship crashed here,” he pointed to a spot below a mountain range. “South of Crehling,” He pointed to the marked village. “Yems is a little further up from Crehling.”
Max saw the world of Chandeera for the first time and it was fascinating. Alex had seen the map already and just watched from behind.
“Wow… your world.” Max said in wonder. He could make out Dens'mere Kingdom on the edge of the Western Coast and a long mountain range walling the Baelyin and Raidin Kingdoms from the Great Wasteland in the east. Nah Koo was a small continent in the bottom left resembling Australia on earth.
“Whose leading the Groargons?” Max asked.
“Kraakon the Dark Lord of the Wasteland, but he hasn't crossed the Droe Plains yet.” Broglin said. “King Laedin believes he's gathering his forces to do so next Sunland.”
“King Laedin is that your King?” Max asked.
“Yes, Laedin Redoren, King of all of Chandeera outside the Wasteland.” Broglin continued. “The Kamptaur Riders are led by Laedin's brother Luthrick who is in league with Kraakon. He tried to take the throne a long time ago, but Laedin stopped him and banished him forever.”
“What did he do exactly?” Max asked curious.
“He tried to take command of the Army to overthrow Laedin, but the Army remained loyal to the King. Laedin is a much-loved King.” He continued. “He then raised a rebel army.”
Max nodded biting his lip but changed the subject.
“Look Sir Broglin, Alexandra and I came from the stars. We come from another world called Earth.” Max said quickly.
“Yes, we know, Alex told us everything.” Broglin replied with a smile.
“Did she tell you our ship is in the South Woodlands? Where Tywor’s Defense Line is at? I hope nothing happened to it.” Max said concerned.
“Oh my God! Is the ship okay?” Alec asked in horror turning to Max.
“Yeah, it’s fine, as far as I know. The elves – I mean Raidins are protecting the area.”
“We have to meet up with the others.” Alex added.
Broglin rested on his chair. “Max, I suggest you two get some rest and clean up. Tomorrow I can supply you and Alexandra two praides for a ride to Densmere with three Knight escorts.”
“Praides? Are those horses?” Max asked.
“Yeah,” Alex answered for him.
Broglin hit the table, “Now!” He then shuffled some papers. “If you two would join us for dinner this evening, we would be honored. We're going to have dinner on the castle top, the nobles and head farmers have gathered.”
“Sounds fun,” Alex replied.
“It does,” Max added.
“If you'll excuse me, I have some more cases and crop payments to attend to.”
“Oh yeah of course my Lord! Our apologies.” Alex said bowing and gently pushing Max away, as she backed up toward the stairs.
They made their way out of the court.
Max and Alex tried to deal with the fact that they were Aliens, as they know the term. They made their way down the street toward the Southside.
It was Nobleman Tord's house, Broglin had provided for them. Tord w
as out of town on business.
Max followed Alex down the street as she attempted to find it. Broglin had done his best to describe its location, seventh house down on the left. Max carried a near empty bag of only dried fish from the Modas and his gun. He packed them walking down passing peasants and nodding awkwardly. He saw the castle granary on its rear with its bellows of smoke rising out. They walked a smooth, dirt street with two-story thin framed wooden buildings of daub panels.
Alex finally found the location. “I hope this is it.” She came to the door and entered, Max followed. “Hello?” Alex called out, no one answered.
They looked inside.
It wasn't big with a ceiling a few inches above Max's head. To the left, Max saw a narrow stairwell leading to the second floor and to his right, a kitchen with a counter and a few wooden cups and utensils. An island counter divided the kitchen with a work space of wooden chair, stool, grain-grinder, and a small table. Across this workspace was a backdoor.
The house smelled of sawdust and hay.
Max walked around the table and saw a hammer, lever, a trestle, and a primitive saw stacked against a corner beam. He took off his bag and sat it on the counter. He noticed a window in the center above the counter too.
“Well... guess this is it.” Max said.
“Yeah suppose it is.” Alex replied, a little sarcasm in her voice.
She looked over at him biting her lip. He shifted his head around studying the house, until he noticed her staring. “What?”
“Okay,” Alex said, grabbing his collar and walking him out. “You're filthy?” She opened the door and led him out. “I am too!” She snapped. “... a little.”
Alex lead him down the street aside the paneled medieval houses. “I saw a shower bucket.” She said pulling him along as she searched the houses. They passed peasants carrying buckets and baskets. Max heard the chattering of ragged-children down the street and saw them in the distance, playing.
They came before a hanging bucket braced against a house, full of holes. Alex took her shirt off and had on a white tank top. She pulled Max's shirt and t-shirt off to show his bare skin. She pulled a string and water began showering them. The drops hit Max's face as he shook holding his midsection, shivering, “Ooouuu!” Max yelped. Alex squealed from the coldness herself.
Water splashed over them and Alex squeezed a sponge before rubbing herself then started on Max. They eyed each other intensely as the moment got sensual. Alex turned him to scrub his shoulders, chin, and back. She gave him the sponge and slowly put her face to him. Max gently rubbed it over her neck and arms, slowly and gently.
They looked out to the street and saw frozen peasant women, half dozen street kids, peasant men with panniers, and patrolling Knights staring. Some of the women's jaws dropped and some covered the eyes of the children. Max and Alex exploded in laughter. The crowd turned exasperated as they continued with their tasks.
“That's enough?' Alex said. Max nodded quietly dripping wet. She pulled a string and a small bell sounded. The woman stopped pouring water and disappeared into the house. “Thank you!” Alex yelled up.
They ran back to their house, smiling in glee the whole way.
They burst into the house drenched. Alex grabbed a clean cloth from a hanger, dried herself, and then gave it to Max. He scrubbed his head dry.
They ran upstairs and found two bedrooms equipped with dresses full of garments and suits. They started changing in their evening wear.
Chapter 9
Max and Alex tried on one pair of clothes after another. Max stepped out with dark green pants, a linen shirt with his gray t-shirt showing, a suede tunic with the Densmere crest, leather shoes, and a belt with a sword. Max looked at himself in a mirror and laughed. He felt like he was attending a medieval fair.
Alex came out with a silk dress in fading flower designs wrapped over her shoulders with her hair pinned up. “Wow!” Max said, floored, his eyes wide. “You look beautiful.”
“You're just teasing.” She said laughing.
“No, I'm serious, you look so hot.” Max said, still wide-eyed.
She slowly bowed to him and he bowed back. She laughed. “Not so bad yourself, I see you got a sword.”
“Yeah well it's for ceremonial purposes I guess.” He padded it nervously.
She smiled at Max as he took her arm and led her down the stairwell. He went first and helped her down. She lifted her dress and slowly descended the steps. They walked across the kitchen and out the door.
When they got to the street, Max felt a little self-conscious and estranged, but manage to stay calm. She grabbed his arm and pulled him along walking slowly to the Magistrate Hall.
They passed a group of dwarfs and Max turned to Alex. He whispered, “What do they call Dwarfs here?”
“I wondered the same thing, Doons.”
Max made a silent '0' with his mouth as they walked on. She leaned her head on his shoulders.
They came to the building and started climbing the stairwell. The guards were not at the door, so they entered the archway, and made their way to the roof. When they arrived at the rooftop, a Knight met them. He bowed and gestured his gauntlet to the left. They came out and peeked over, a dozen Baeylins and Chandeeran creatures sat at a table with four candles lining it and piles of food.
Max and Alex looked at each other wide-eyed, raising their eyebrows as they slowly walked over and took their seats.
Broglin had a large silk vest to his feet with bronze buttons across it and his hair combed back. “Welcome Alexandra, you look stunning, and Max quite the Chandeeran Nobleman now.” He said laughing at them in pride. Max and Alex gently smiled in humility at the complements, before Broglin gestured them to two empty seats on the other left end.
He made introductions to the attendees one-by-one and found they were Tradesmen, Farm owners and Farmers, First Knights, Scribes, Noblemen, and Blacksmiths. The Top Class who managed the society. Max could see one of the huge Hunchbacks at the table and wondered how he could have fitted through the door.
Max waited to hear about the Hunchback. “And this is Og'lit, a Gentee from Krix Gaa, the Gentee Kingdom high in the Darfast Mountains. He comes all the way down here to Yems to sell and trade weapons.” He shot a huge smile at Og'lit. “The Gentees have made swords and armor for Densmere for thousands of years.” Broglin explained. Max frowned and nodded impressed. Alex raised her eyebrows and took a sip of chalice.
In a deep, loud, and almost froglike voice, the Gentee responded, “Yes! And we have always enjoyed Baelyin ale.” He smiled with his huge teeth shimmering with red ale, as he drank another dipper full. They laughed, and Max followed their que and laughed too. Alex smiled and took another sip of her wine.
Max noticed they had a funny way of talking, a unique grammar. They also spoke terms that confused Max and could see Alex was a little lost too. However, he did his best to enjoy himself and could tell Alex was doing the same.
A noble named Grob wore fine linen and a matador hat, bobbed his head to Max and Alex. “So, Max,” he said smiling hard. “Broglin tells us you and your Lady are from the stars?” Grob asked strangely casual.
The table fell silent at the question.
Max and Alex were themselves floored by the question, as everyone stared at them in silence, awaiting their answers. The Gentee was the only one oblivious to question, as he quietly downed his ale.
Alex turned to Max with Well? Max squeezed his mouth shut pensive, then, answered. “We are... not from around here.” He smiled big. “That's a direct question you asked there Nobleman Grob.”
“Where are you from?” Nobleman Grob insisted.
“Our home is called Earth. It's... very far away across the stars.”
“Well,” Grob raised his chalice. “We welcome you.” The rest raised their chalices as well. Max and Alex raised theirs. “Way!”
Max turned to Alex squinting. “It’s their ‘Cheers’, just drink.”
They all took a big drin
k simultaneously, and Alex and Max followed.
The Chandeerans began to chatter of trade and other things into the night.
“Well with the war making its way to our lands, we've not gotten the crop and game we have usually gotten, so Yems has been forced to ask for Densmere Reserves.” Broglin explained.
Farmer Glak slammed his chalice down. “The Rourds have never invaded the mainland for a thousand years. Since Kraakon has awoken in the East, he has taken command of the Dark Armies of Chandeera.
“Until he and Luthrick are destroyed, I don't see any of us seeing peace.” Glak said taking another sip, angry. They all nodded at his conjecture.
“The war has surely made lots of work for Gentees and has given us much ale.” Og’lit said smiling huge with his lips still wet with ale. Everyone burst into laughter. Max and Alex laughed a little harder this time too.
“Hello!” Max said. Everyone silenced to give him the floor. “How can we, Star People, be of assistance in this war?”
Alex turned to him calm and proud.
“At the moment, nothing…” Broglin answered. “But if your weapons are as advanced as you, it could give us a great advantage.”
Max nodded.
The merrymaking went on for another hour until Alex started to get cold.
Max asked to be excused.
Broglin agreed and stood up and said, “To our honored guests from the stars,” he said raising his chalice to them. The rest raised theirs as well and drank to them one last time.
“It was wonderful to meet you all!” Max said, grabbing Alex's hand and leading her around the table toward the door.
“Okay, it was great joy to have you two. Sleep well tonight.” Broglin said. The others gave ‘yeahs’ and raised their drinks a third time.
“Thank you,” Alex and Max said together, as they left. The Knight bowed as they passed.
Max slowly led Alex down the stairwell lit only by torches on sconces. They eventually stepped onto the bricked street and started home. Alex grabbed Max’s arm and held herself close, as they slowly made their way back.