by Dave Hazel
“Are you going back right now?” Little Hawk asked.
“Yes, hold on.” He turned to the vehicle. “Mathis, come here. I want you to go find the idiot reporters that are out here on the front line somewhere. Hurry.”
“Do you mind if I ask what you need the reporters for?” Cox asked. They all knew of Mykal’s dislike and lack of trust for those in the media.
“I’m hoping they got some footage of the dragons and that other Thing on video tape. I’m sure they got enough battle footage to show what we’re dealing with here.”
“Myk, what if things really go bad before you return?” Little Hawk asked while watching Sosos fight each other.
“As soon as I reach the rear I’m gonna tell Major Chick, that if things start to go bad, King Krago will allow us to go into the mountains,” Mykal pointed to the walls of the Pass. “I wanna make sure you guys know that so if you need to hide out until we return, get with the Dwarven interpreters and do that. I’ll know where to find you.”
“I will die before I allow Sosos to take the Pass,” Dalisid said and looked to the men with him.
“Listen to me Dalisid. Do what you feel you have to. But understand this, I will be coming back with more help so if it gets really bad, go into the mountains, let the Sosos think they have control of the Pass, cuz it’s a nine day travel to Beramus. We’ll be able to overtake them before they get there. Instead of dying before help arrives, you can hide away and live to fight another day. Towbar should return before I get back. He’ll either be by himself or have the Elf army with him.”
“Do you anticipate any snags to get the reinforcements or equipment?” Cox asked.
“If I come across any snags I’ll unsnag them quickly,” he answered. He knew the plans he had should he encounter any hindrances. He would not allow anything or anyone to stop him. If pushed, Mykal planned to be more brutal on any opposition than he had been on Sosos. “You guys keep safe,” he said. He turned to see Mathis and a reporter with his cameraman.
“You keep safe too and more importantly return safe,” Little Hawk said and shook his hand.
Mykal turned to the reporter. “Hey guys, I wanna let you know that I’m going back to the world.” They looked as if they had been fighting through the entire battle. Both were covered with dirt and grass and looked exhausted. “If you wanna go back, now is the time. I will be returning hopefully in a day or two but I don’t know for sure.”
“If I go back with you would you allow me to return after I file my reports?” The gray haired reporter wiped his face and then looked at his dirty hand.
“I don’t have a problem with that. My main concern is getting any video tape you have so I can show the brass what we’re dealing with. Did you get footage of the dragons and that other freak Thing that came after us?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact Myk, we were standing near when you seemed to disappear and reappear and have video tape of you killing that dragon.”
Mykal tried not to show his surprise, but he knew that tape could probably cause him grief down the road. He tried to play it off but knew he had to get his hands on that tape. “Great. That’ll be a big help. Alright, come on let’s go. I’m going to the rear. Mathis, get Chick on the horn and tell him I’m coming back there to leave. I want the entire group of wounded ready to leave because I’m not waiting for anyone.”
“Yes Sir. Also, I meant to ask you Myk, did you make contact with the person who was looking for you earlier?”
“No. I don’t know who it was. I never heard back from the person on the radio or anyone.”
“While you were fighting, the person on the radio tried again. They said the person looking for you said it was very important that they found you.”
Mykal scoffed in frustration. “Well who the hell was it? I haven’t talked to anyone. It’s been like a mad house here,” he said while they rushed to the vehicle, the reporter and his cameraman followed behind.
“I’m sorry Myk,” Mathis sighed. “The radio said it was a group of people looking for you and it was important they found you. He didn’t know what they wanted. The radio cut off again.”
“This is really strange with all that’s going on right now. I’m waiting for Towbar, but they would know if it was Towbar.”
As they approached the last line of defense, Diaz’s Alpha Company, a number of Marines flagged them down. “Hey Myk, Captain Diaz is toward the middle of the Pass and he’s looking for you. See that group of about twenty horses and riders?” The Marine Sergeant pointed. “There are some people who just got here and said they are looking for you and that it’s very important they find you. So I don’t know if you--”
“Who are they?” Mykal cut him off. “I’m in a hurry.”
“I don’t know, Sir. They found Captain Diaz and they’re trying to have him find you. All I know is they are locals, but don’t have a clue who they are or what they want.”
“Thank you,” Mykal cut him off due to his need to hurry. “Mathis, drive over there real quick,” Mykal said and watched a number of the riders dismount. When the group parted for the vehicle, Mykal saw Doninka talking with Diaz. “Hey Doninka, what are you doing here? Towbar told me you left for Beramus.”
“We did. We had to return. Mykal, it is very important that I find Towbar. Do you know where he is?”
“Come here,” Mykal said and the two of them walked away from everyone. “Towbar’s not here. I was hoping he would get back before I left, cuz I’m leaving to go back to my world to get more men and weapons. What’s wrong?” He asked when her face dropped into a sad expression.
“I have twenty-one soldiers who were escorting me back to Beramus. We encountered soldiers arriving here from Beramus and one of the Generals pulled me aside to give me a warning. He said that I must return to Towbar and stay with him. There are forces working behind the throne that will kill me or take me prisoner upon my arrival to Beramus. The General told me he would take me under his protection. However, the General also said I would be better protected if I stayed with Towbar. All it takes is just one traitor, and he said he could not be assured every soldier under his command were completely loyal. He said there are strange things happening in Beramus.”
“Damn it,” Mykal sighed. “I honestly don’t know when Towbar is gonna return. If there is the possibility someone may turn on you, you need to go somewhere and remain hidden till Towbar gets back,” he said and thought about taking her back to his world with him. Many thoughts crossed his mind. What would others think? What would Pam think if she found out and couldn’t have time to visit her? What if something happened to Doninka in his world? He couldn’t take the chance. “You need to go inside the mountain with King Krago and then explain to King Krago what’s going on and he’ll protect you until either Towbar or I get back,” he said and wondered again if he should take her with him back to his world.
“I will trust your words Mykal.”
“Do you trust all these guys with you?”
“Yes. The detachment Towbar put me with to travel back to Beramus was hand-picked by Towbar. They are very loyal to Towbar and to my father. I trust them fully. All have worked closely to the throne.”
“Let’s go back to them,” Mykal said and turned. “Who is in charge here?” Mykal asked of the twenty-one soldiers.
“It is I Mykal. I am called Rogal.”
“Oh yeah, I remember you Rogal. You were with us when we went into the mountain the first time and everyone got separated.”
“Yes, it is I,” Rogal dipped his head.
“So you guys know how serious this is, right?” He watched all their concerned nods. “I’d advise you guys to get with the Dwarves and have them take you into the mountain to King Krago. See if you can find Norg,” he said to Doninka. “Or any of the Dwarven interpreters. Explain everything to him. He will gladly take you guys in and protect you there until me or Towbar come back.”
“I will do that,” Rogal said and nodded in submission.
Mykal looked at Doninka’s longing look. She still desired him and also looked fearful. ‘She knows there’s a bounty on her head and Towbar is nowhere around.’ He debated taking her again, but feared so many things could go wrong and he only planned to be gone for a couple of days at the most. “Be careful Doninka. I will go to King Krago when I return,” he said and felt uncomfortable after the words left his lips.
“I will wait for you Mykal,” she said with a half-hearted smile. “With Towbar away, I know I can trust your words.”
“Mathis, let’s go. We gotta hurry,” Mykal said and walked to the car. He looked back at Doninka and didn’t feel right for so many different reasons. ‘I’ll protect her when I get back.’
4.
“…so take this letter Myk,” Major Chick handed him an envelope as they walked out of Chick’s makeshift tent. “There are names and phone numbers of people to call and I put clear instructions of who to get in touch with. There is a list of equipment and men that I want. There are actually two lists. The first list has asterisks beside every item. That is my dream list. If they give you everything on that list, great. If they don’t give you everything on that list, don’t, and I mean don’t, settle for anything less than what is on the second list. You really shouldn’t have a problem. The only problem I foresee is just a short delay with today being New Year’s Eve and tomorrow being New Year’s Day.”
“Damn, I didn’t even think about that. When Towbar gets back explain to him what’s happened.”
“Will do,” Chick waved as Mykal walked off to the convoy of vehicles waiting for him.
“Myk, Myk,” Ski called out running to him fast. “If I go home will you promise to bring me back with you?”
Mykal looked at Ski and thought of all the times he, Boris, Kurt and Denny made fun of Ski for being a religious nut job. In any normal circumstance Mykal would still think Ski to be crazy for wanting to come back for the rest of his life ‘because God has called him to minister to these people of Towbar’s world,’ as Ski said.
After some of the things Mykal had seen and been a part of he was starting to view people like Ski and Captain Diaz a little differently. ‘Maybe they really have something with their so called “relationship with God” stuff,’ he wondered.
“It’s your life,” Mykal responded coldly. “I can never promise to bring you back once we return here.”
“I’m fine with that. God is in control. I just want a few minutes to say good-bye to my family.”
“Whatever, but I want you to ride with me cuz I wanna talk to you about this God stuff on the way back.”
“Sure, I’ll answer anything you want,” he said joyfully with a clap of his hands. “Praise God,” he whispered.
“Mathis, you’ve been a big help today,” Mykal said with a smile as he held out his hand to shake. “When you go back to the front find Captain Diaz tell him what’s going on and tell him I’m taking Ski for a day or two. We should be back soon.”
“I’ll do that right away. Take care Myk and I’ll be your driver and or radioman any time,” he chuckled and saluted Mykal. “I know you’re not an officer Myk, but you’re tops in my book and I would love any opportunity to work with you again.”
“I appreciate that,” Mykal replied with a sharp salute.
5.
The dizzying effect eased and Mykal felt the temperature had drastically changed. His vehicle, and the other vehicles, had been swallowed in green fog but heat needed to be turned on.
“I’ll never get used to this,” Ski said while doubled over holding his head.
Mykal relaxed in his seat until the fog disappeared. They were in the general area he wanted to be. ‘Oh damn! What have I done?’ Mykal’s thoughts raced through the dizzying effect. ‘I shouldn’t have left Doninka there. Damn it! I shouldn’t have left Doninka there,’ his thoughts yelled. “Oh no,” he moaned with regret.
“What’s the matter Myk?” Ski asked. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Damn it, it all makes sense now. Those dragons weren’t looking for me. Damn it,” he snapped and slapped the steering wheel. “They were looking for Doninka!”
“What? What about the dragons?” Ski asked.
“I think I left someone in serious danger,” Mykal gasped. It was too late. He couldn’t go back. Suddenly Mykal’s insides twisted and he was overcome with anxiety. The dragons and their riders were looking for someone, but it wasn’t like he thought. They were searching for Doninka. It all made sense now. If they capture her they could threaten her father for the throne or harm her. ‘What have I done? I should have brought her here with me. She’s gotta get inside the mountains with King Krago,’ he thought as a genuine panic swallowed him like the green fog swallowed their convoy. He slapped the steering wheel and felt this was one of the biggest mistakes he had ever made.
“Oh my Myk. I will pray for you. I don’t know what to say,” Ski said and looked concerned for him.
“Oh damn it, damn it, damn it,” Mykal groaned again and slapped the steering wheel again while he waited for all the vehicles to rally around. “Just what I need now,” he moaned when he heard a number of drivers say they were off the road.
They were a couple of miles to the southwest of Minot, North Dakota. Providing no vehicles were stuck in the snow they could get to the hospital in just minutes. He’d be able to make important phone calls and didn’t even think of sneaking away to see his wife. His mind focused on Doninka. He hoped Rogal and his men would rush her to the protective security inside the mountain with King Krago and the Dwarven people.
Mykal felt like he allowed his world to be turned upside down. He would never forgive himself if something happened to her. He could have easily brought her here to safety. ‘It wouldn’t have hurt to have her here for a couple of days. Cuz of my selfishness and my cuz of my self-centered way of thinking, I may have left her in complete danger. What the hell have I done?’
The End of Book 3