by Dave Hazel
“Damn,” Mykal gasped. “That’s what Ski would have said. Damn, and Diaz said something like that too. Oh no,” he gulped and snapped his fingers. “He actually did say that to us one time before. There were a couple of guys playing with a Ouija board, it’s a toy that supposedly can get you in touch with demons or some shit. I don’t know if I believe that or not,” he explained when Towbar’s expression showed he didn’t understand what Mykal was talking about. “But Ski said when you start to play with demons you are actually opening yourself up to be controlled by them. He said the demons will let you think you have control over them, but that they really have control over you and they will turn on you one day.”
“I have never known a man to speak to the gods as Ski claims that he does. He may know the truth, my friend. Please, be careful.”
“Yeah, but don’t ever say ‘gods’ to Ski. To Ski there is only one God,” he laughed. “But anyway,” Mykal continued. “These guys were playing with the Ouija board and Ski blew his top. He said if you play with magic you’re inviting demons into your life and they will eventually take over and control you,” he said with a concerned look. “But that’s just gotta be because of his religious stuff. He’s a Jesus freak and he’s into the religious mumbo jumbo. I don’t know if I believe that demons can control me or my thinking,” he declared but then realized how vastly different his hateful thoughts were when he attack the Untouchables. “Damn, I have used this ring a lot in the short time I’ve owned it,” he mumbled more to himself.
“I do not understand much of what Ski claims about his God, however I agree there could be unseen spirits or demons involved with magic. Man does not create magic. The gods create magic. Man just taps into the power the gods have and thus there is magic in our world.” Towbar paused as he reached back to touch the hilt of his sword. “My sword with its magic power was not created by men in their own ability. Men created this magnificent weapon with the help of the gods, though Ski said demons helped men, not the gods.”
“Do you ever feel demons are trying to control you?” Mykal asked.
“No,” Towbar answered.
“If demons were trying to control you would you give up your sword?”
“That is a good question my friend. The spiritual world is different than our physical world. If my spiritual being was going to be destroyed I would try to make amends and do good to counter what the unseen spirits or demons or the evil gods were plotting against my spirit. At this time, with the war at hand, I can not foresee a situation where I would part with Galombalon,” he said quietly and turned to see if any were near enough to hear him.
“What did you just say?” Mykal asked and looked surprised.
Towbar looked around and whispered. “It is the name of my sword. I should have never spoken its name. I ask you my friend and trusted brother, please do not speak this word. Nidious said that speaking certain words can be picked up in the spirit world, the undead world, and in the world of magic users.”
“Can you say it again? Cuz I didn’t catch it when you said it.”
“My sword’s name is Galombalon,” Towbar whispered. “It is pronounced ‘Ga-lom, ba-lawn’. Galombalon. Only Nidious knows the name of this weapon. That is how deep my trust for you is my friend.”
“You don’t know how much I appreciate it. Does the name mean anything in particular?”
“I am not sure,” Towbar answered and thought back to a time long ago. “Nidious acquired my sword from the old world. If I remember correctly my sword’s name is a combination of the creator’s name and a description of its powers. The creator forged this weapon with the assistance of the gods amid certain magical fires generated for just such a purpose, to create this weapon. It had to be forged within a sacred abode in the old world with magic, using certain metals and the gods had to play their part or this weapon would not have been created. When I speak of the old world, my friend, I am referring to the other side of my world where you spent time on your dangerous journey. This was at a time before Zizmon-Tarl came into power and banned all magic save for what he possessed.”
“Oh wow, this is spooking me, cuz you’re making it sound like heebee jeebee black magic voodoo kind of stuff,” Mykal said with a laugh as they neared the entrance of the eight man tent that housed his close friends. “Let’s talk about this later. I don’t want to say anything in front of the others.”
“I understand my friend. However, we should ask Nidious about demons controlling you through your magic. Just be careful my friend,” Towbar replied as they entered the tent where his friends were.
“Just who I wanted to see,” Mykal said with an enthusiastic smile upon entering the tent to see Jake, Larry and Sam seated or lying on their military cots.
“We’re just enjoying the hell outta life,” Larry said sarcastically and patted the meager bedding he was lying on.
“Hey, this is better than sleeping on the ground numb nuts,” Jake corrected Larry’s rude remarks.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Larry said with a smile and sat up. “It was pretty rough until you came back with the comfort wagon, I mean Towbar One.”
“Come here a little closer,” Mykal said as he took a seat on a cot and waved them near. “I don’t wanna talk too loud. I don’t want anyone to hear me but you three,” he added and looked over his shoulder to the opening of the tent. “Towbar, would you mind staying near the door until I’m done. I don’t want anyone sneaking up and hearing us.”
“What’s up Myk?” Sam was the first to sit beside him.
“Listen, this is serious. Besides Towbar, you three and the Dosch family are the only ones that I trust here. I need to know that you have my back, cuz you know I have your backs.”
“Sure, why would you even ask that?” Jake asked.
“Besides, where the hell are we gonna go if we’re not on your side?” Larry laughed.
His Boston accent struck Mykal with a mild comfort from the past. “I don’t wanna lie to you guys. I wanna be open and honest with you guys. Jake knows a little bit. Let me start with why Boris was killed,” Mykal began and he knew he could count on them to remain quiet concerning his secrets. He explained to them the same things he revealed to Major Chick about being on a mission for the President and that he returned to the real world.
“…and so I told you guys all that so I could tell you this. I brought something back for each of you,” he paused and they sat up and looked at him more intently. “First you have to give me your word that no one outside of this tent will see what I’m about to give you three. I have to know for sure or I can’t give it to you.”
“Sure, sure,” Larry moved forward with excitement. “I don’t know what the hell it is, but I give you my word.”
“Me too,” Jake agreed.
“Yeah, me too. What is it?” Sam asked and looked like an eager puppy.
Mykal reached inside his trouser pocket and withdrew three envelopes. Each had a name in black magic marker-Jake, Larry and Sam. “No one at home knew I was there so I had Pam go to your wives, and your girlfriend,” he looked to Sam. “She told them to write a letter so if the chance presented itself they would be given to you guys.”
“What? Are you friggin serious?” Jake asked and his eyes started to well up.
“Are you playing a joke on us?” Larry asked showing his wariness. “This ain’t something to screw around with.”
Sam looked terrified. It was clearly on his face that he was afraid of a Dear John letter.
“If you don’t believe me, I’ll just keep them,” Mykal taunted then by starting to put them back in his pocket.
“No, no, no. No, I believe you,” Larry said while he grabbed for the envelope. “I just hadda make sure.”
“Guys, I wish I coulda done more,” Mykal said with sadness as he watched his friends tear into their letters. “I know you’ve been away for a long time. I told Pam to tell them to put a picture of them with it also. By the feel of the letters I know there is mo
re than one picture in each envelope.”
“This is great Myk,” Jake replied without looking up from the hand written letter and glanced at the six photos of his wife Jana. Tears welled in Jake’s eyes while he held her face to his heart and started to real the long hand written letter. “I’m so grateful that you thought of us to do that. I mean that. And yes I got your back. I’ll always have your back.”
“Same here,” Larry agreed without looking up. Larry started to laugh looking at the photos of the kids and his wife. As tough as Larry always presented himself, the Boston tough guy couldn’t keep the tears from rolling down his cheeks. “I owe you bro. You don’t know how much this means to me man. You don’t know what this just did for my state of mind here. Thank you Myk. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
“Me too. Oh damn,” Sam hushed a roar of excitement. He was holding the largest letter of the three. The girlie hand written message of blue ink was on both sides of the paper. Large hearts dotted both sides. “She misses me. She loves me. Thanks Myk.” Sam looked up, his voice sounded like it started to crack. “I didn’t know how she felt and with me being gone. I was afraid — Damn, these photos are beautiful. I love that girl and if she will have me when we get back, I’m going to marry her. I kept putting her off, but she has waited all these months for me, so—thanks Myk,” Sam said and turned his head to read the letter but also to hide the fact he had become so emotional.
“You guys don’t have to say anything,” Mykal said to stop them. “Whatever you guys do, don’t let anyone see those.”
“Thanks Myk, you don’t know what this means to me,” Sam said again and then breathed in deeply to take in the light scent on the paper. “You gotta smell this,” he offered to all of them.
“I’ll see you guys later.” Mykal waved but they didn’t see it. Mykal and Towbar left so they could enjoy messages from home. Mykal felt guilty that he was able to spend time with his wife, and all he got for his friends were letters and photos. “No, I’m not gonna beat myself up with guilt, cuz you saw the looks on their faces, right Towbar?”
“Yes my friend.”
“It made their day. I feel great that I could have done that for them.”
4.
“Hey Myk,” Captain Diaz yelled out as he limped his way to Mykal and his friends. “Major Chick says they’re ready for you.”
“You didn’t have to come get me. You should have sent someone else,” Mykal said with a sigh and felt guilty. “You look like you’re hurting.”
“I wanted to come get you. I need the exercise. It’s only my leg that is giving me trouble,” Diaz replied and smiled.
“What’s going on Myk?” Roy Dosch asked. He was seated with his sons, Larry, Jake and Sam, Nordad, and the other five new arrivals from the other side of the world.
“We’re having a briefing on our plans moving forward. It’s with all the big shots.” He laughed. “Do you guys wanna come?”
“Sure,” Larry was the first to answer. They all looked at each other. “Will it be alright?”
“Oh yeah. You guys are like my, my--”
“Personal entourage?” Sam quickly offered.
“More like your personal bodyguards,” Diaz said humorously.
“Yeah, great answer,” Mykal thanked Diaz with a nod. That term struck a chord of sadness in Mykal. Boris had described their clique as Mykal’s bodyguards before the mission to sneak into the Soso camp a couple of weeks prior. ‘That seemed like a lifetime ago,’ he thought and sported a fake smile. “You guys are my bodyguards so you have to come with me.”
Their little group joined the large gathering of military leaders. Towbar stood with several of his generals. Some of Towbar’s warriors looked like rugged outdoors men. They were big and strong. Their physical appearance seemed menacing, but they were ‘good guys’.
Mykal was glad to see Norg of the Dwarven people. He had met Norg during his first visit. Norg stood with several Dwarven leaders who all looked ready for combat. They were all short and stocky with long thick beards. Their skin looked gray and they all stood the same pose. Their arms were folded on the large battle-axe head that stood before them.
“King Krago, like you visit,” Norg said while breaking ranks with his leaders. Norg gave a rare smile that could be seen despite the heavy beard. “We concern you dead when gone.”
“Thank you Norg,” Mykal replied and bowed his head. He knew Norg was trying to say they were concerned that he died when they disappeared to the other side of the world. “Tell King Krago it will be my pleasure and I will go visit him.”
“Good. Good,” Norg said with a gruff voice. “How Quecktarbs? Quecktarbs fine?”
“Yes they are,” Mykal replied with a happy smile. He was glad Norg remembered he had the two headed animals as pets. “They’re great. I really love them like great pets.”
“Train for war. Great war beasts,” Norg said and was called by one of his Dwarven leaders which ended their discussion. “Watch white hair. Watch light hair. Much danger.”
“Yes, I’ve been watching for that,” Mykal said and knew he passed that on to the people watching over his Quecktarbs while he was away. The Dwarven people believed the Quecktarbs that had white or lighter color hair would be evil and would be much more intelligent than regular Quecktarbs. Mykal didn’t think he had it in him to kill his two-headed creatures if their hair was to turn white. ‘If what they said was true, it would turn out to be a friggin monster movie out of Hollywood,’ he thought and chuckled at the thought of two-headed creatures terrorizing the public by eating human flesh. ‘Oh damn, now I just gave myself just one more friggin thing to worry about.’
Mykal saw some civilians from Towbar’s world join the large gathering of leaders, but he wasn’t sure if they were people from the local area, or if they were political leaders from the city of Beramus. He had never seen them before. He wondered if any of them worked for the King’s evil son who tried to sell out his country to the Sosos.
“Hey Towbar,” Mykal called out to the giant. With just a nod of his head to the new civilians Towbar understood his concern.
“They are good individuals my friend,” Towbar said and nodded his approval. “I know them personally. They are devoted to the King.” Those present looked confused by the conversation.
Mykal approached Major Chick who stood with the two Battalion Commanders, Innes and Taylor. Standing near them and waiting for the briefing to take place were all six Company Commanders, most of the Platoon Leaders and several Squad Leaders which included some of the Foreign Service Leaders from the real world.
When Mykal looked at the foreigners from his world Mykal wondered if any would pose a threat after they return to the real world. He wasn’t concerned so much about the British, Canadians, Koreans or Australians. They were true allies of the United States. Thailand didn’t pose a threat because of her size. He wasn’t sure about the French and the Germans.
His main concern was for the Russians. He didn’t understand why those in Washington decided to allow them to come along. Mykal speculated the Russians sent more than just soldiers. He believed they sent KGB and people of differing backgrounds to see what the real situation was so they could determine how to capitalize on Towbar’s world. During his stay in the Air Force, they had always been warned of the threat of Soviet spies.
‘I should have gotten to know some of them,’ he thought to himself. ‘But no, they know what they’re doing so they woulda fooled me like William, that bastard,’ he thought while nodding and waving to all those present. ‘It doesn’t matter, I led our people to think I’ll allow them to come here to rape Towbar’s world of its resources. None of them are ever coming here,’ he finished his thoughts with a smile, but no one knew why.
“Awh crap,” he whispered under his breath when he saw some of the reporters and their cameramen moving in closer.
“What’s wrong Myk?” Jake asked.
“Nothing.”
“Just about everyone
is here Mykal,” Chick said in order to get the briefing started. “Whoever is not present will be briefed,” Chick said to the six company commanders.
“Thank you Sir,” Mykal said.
“Mister Graves, do you mind if we videotape this meeting?” The oldest and largest reporter asked. A sweaty grin covered his fat face. His upper lip always seemed moist with perspiration as well as most of the edges of his hairline. He had been waving his hand to get Mykal’s attention. He couldn’t hide the extreme wet spots around his arm pits.
“I don’t mind,” he lied. He knew there were going to be questions he didn’t want to answer in front of everyone.
The sweaty fat man waved his finger in the air as if to give a signal and four different cameramen suddenly dropped to one knee with cameras rolling.
“Damn, they move like they’re in a fire fight,” Mykal said which caused a roar of laughter to erupt. “Give those guys some rifles.”
“We’re just eager to get you on tape Mr. Graves,” another reporter said. “We haven’t seen you for such a long time. We were fearful that you may have perished. It’s good to see you.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.”
“Can I ask one question?” A different reporter asked.
“One question until we’re finished,” Mykal answered but it sounded like a command. “What’s your question?”
“There has been talk of foreigners in the camp that have been hidden away. Can we--”
“Foreigners? We’re all friggin foreigners here,” Mykal answered and another roar of laughter erupted.
“I am referring to foreigners of Towbar’s world not our world. Now I can see with my own eyes they are with your group. Who are they and how important are they to everything that is taking place?”
“Yes we have six people here from the other side of the world where we were lost,” Mykal answered in a serious tone. “Three of them are Elves. They have been kept hidden away because I wanted them kept hidden away from you guys. They don’t understand what you guys do for a living and I didn’t want them to be hounded. They just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time and now they are here with us. They’re stuck.”