Quantum Heights: Book one of the Dead Path Chronicles

by Richard A. Valicek

  “What about you?” asked Marlot, a young Goncool. “You’re not one of us.”

  “I will be of much more use in Jethro,” said Barrister. “That is where I am going. If Caprius Seaton and Calista Genesis follow every lead that has been left for them, they will end up in Jethro. I have sensed the Dark Lord’s wishes. He means to set a trap for them in Jethro. I will be there to take Caprius’ claymore of power. Once I have it, I will set forth to Plaphorius, where I will meet Carcass Doom and give him the claymore. And, once again, the Prince of Darkness, himself, will rise,” he said.

  “Now,” he leaned in, “over the hills, there are trenches dug in beneath the great roots of the trees; that is a good spot for a surprise attack upon the Elysians. Once you have the Elysians’ uniforms on, you must go to a pub on the border of Elysium, just before the shoreline of the Bay of Begonia. There you will try and obtain any information you can on how to get into Castle Elysium. The castle will be well guarded. So, I urge you to take great caution. Now go. You have your orders.”

  “Malfus,” he pointed to a Goncool with a rigid face off to the side, “you are to take charge. Everyone else, follow his orders as you would mine. I must go now.” Instantly, Barrister transformed himself into the creature of great power and took flight to Jethro.

  Chapter 11

  Of Absence and Malice - Part 1

  At Quantum Heights, Andromin stood on the balcony of his suite enjoying the view of the winter wonderland below. He took a deep puff of his cigar and let it out into the frigid air in a thin stream. He looked at the cigar. Cigars are fine to wind down with, he thought, but a lovely woman is much more my taste. He took a last puff of his cigar before crushing it into an ashtray already filled with spent cigar ends and walked back into his suite. He flopped into an easy chair and laid his head back. “Fetrona,” he muttered. “What has happened to us?” He sighed. “Women. It’s harder to live with them than without them.” Then, he thought about Calista. How she didn’t look at him the same anymore. It made him feel like he’d lost something vital to his life. Hell, he thought. I don’t even know her. She’s full of secrets. And, she seems to know so much about me, like she’s done research. It’s not natural.

  Andromin tried to talk himself into feeling better, but when he spied the decanter on the sideboard, he grabbed it and poured a healthy drink. Once it hit his lips, he spat it out. “Water? What kind of place is this? This is my holiday!” He set the glass down and pushed it away. “I need a drink,” he said, heading for the door.

  He went downstairs into the concourse and ambled about, looking in all the shops. When he passed the wine shop, he saw a beautiful woman inside talking to a customer. He recognized her straight away: Mr. Willy B. Pinkles’ mistress. Standing beside her was Melina Hampshire’s sister, Selena. Not knowing Selena but always operating under the assumption that she would be just as annoying as her sister, Andromin treated her as he did Melina, with the same dismissive scorn. In turn, she disregarded him entirely. It was, for all intents and purposes, he figured, a perfect non-relationship. He tapped on the glass, and when Selena turned around, he stuck his tongue out at her. She frowned and made rude gestures with both hands before returning to her work. Andromin walked away quickly with his head down. He knew Selena would tell Caprius, and his brother would have some choice words for him, but frankly, he didn’t care.

  He went straight to the hotel lounge and plunked down on a loveseat. He stopped a barmaid carrying a tray of drinks. “Excuse me, I’ll have one of those,” he said, taking one of the glasses off her tray and tossing her a shilling. Andromin sat back and drank deeply. “This is much better,” he said. He sat for a while sipping at this ale and then another. People around him engaged in the theater of their lives, and Andromin placidly watched from his loveseat.

  Mr. Willy B. Pinkles entered smiling peaceably and scanned the room. When he noticed Andromin, his smile fell. He approached him and stood before his seat.

  “Enjoying yourself, Mr. Seaton?” asked Mr. Pinkles flatly.

  “I was until you showed up. And, I had been having such a Quantum moment. Isn’t that your motto? ‘When seeking life’s pleasures… have a Quantum moment?’”

  “No need to be rude, Andromin. If sarcasm is what I wish for, I’ll talk to my thirteen-year-old son,” said Pinkles.

  Andromin grinned. “Well, isn’t that just your lucky number! If I’m not mistaken, I am sitting at table thirteen. I’m not superstitious, but I do like this spot. This table really does afford one the best view of the whole place. For example, you see that gentleman over there? He’s been sitting at that poker table for the past six hours. Arrived just after I did. Now, if I’m right about this, which I know I am, you are about to be taken in. And, you stand to lose a lot more than a few picture frames, a painting, a bottle of scotch, and an awning. So, I’d say if you didn’t believe thirteen was lucky before, you should change your tune, because I’m here to tell you your luck is about to run out.”

  Mr. Willy B. Pinkles looked furtively at the man at the poker table. His nose went in the air. “Thanks for the tip, Andromin. And, may I give you a tip? Try not to make a mess of things while you’re here. All I’ve ever seen from you is your actions are just as bad as your relationships. Hint, hint… Fetrona.” Pinkles was riffling in his pockets for his handkerchief and inadvertently dropped a key on the floor.

  Andromin decided not to tell him. He looked into Pinkle’s face. “Yes, you’ve made your point. But, now I see two gents I recognize, and as my relationship with them went a little sour some years ago, it might get a bit sticky in here. And, this little bee is out for a sting.” As Andromin stood, he spilled his remaining ale all over the table. “Oops, look at that. I seem to have made a mess. Would you mind cleaning that up?”

  While Pinkles fumed and turned to summon the barmaid to clean the mess, Andromin bent down to pick up the key. It had Pinkle’s room number on it. “I do believe my vacation is about to get much better,” chuckled Andromin. “My dear Mr. Pinkles, you’re about to get stung in many ways.” He made his way over to the two men who had just entered.

  “I hate the Seatons. And, him most of all,” Pinkles said under his breath. “They think their power and money can let them get away with anything.”

  Andromin approached the two gentlemen. They were Taughtenslottes from the city of Koriston. “Hello, boys, remember me?” asked Andromin smiling slyly.

  “I do recall seeing you years ago, under the most unbearable circumstances. Are you hanging around here now, Andromin?” said the burly one, gulping down his beer. “Because the last time we were together, you were hanging by your neck. What a pity we didn’t hang you first. Then, we wouldn’t have to sit here and bother with this tedious conversation. You are spoiling my drink.” The two Taughtenslottes began to laugh, and the one who’d spoken pointed at Andromin. “Got him good there!” he bragged to his friend.

  Andromin calmly took the nutcracker lying on the table beside a bowl of almonds and snapped it around the burly Taughtenslotte’s finger. He howled in pain.

  Andromin began to sniff him. “Well, my dear Taughtenslotte, you seem to be perspiring. You know you really stink.” He continued to squeeze the man’s finger with the nutcracker. “Here, maybe this will help wash it off?” He grabbed the man’s beer and poured it over his head. Across the room, Mr. Willy B. Pinkles threw his hands in the air before rushing over. The man stood, beer dripping from his thick black hair, causing Andromin to step backwards and release his finger. The man turned and struck Andromin in the face. Andromin grinned at him. “That’s the best you got?” he said before driving a fist into his large stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He grabbed the man’s arm, turned, and tossed him over his shoulder. The Taughtenslotte landed on top of a nearby poker table, knocking all the chips and playing cards onto the floor, the players all backing up, their chairs clattering to the floor.

  In the melee, Andromin took a celery stalk and dipped it into some cream dip,
approached the other Taughtenslotte, smeared the dip on the man’s face, then popped the celery into the man’s open mouth. As Andromin dusted off his hands and walked out of the lounge, he gave Mr. Pinkles a thumbs up. Mr. Pinkles stood still surveying the damage, fuming.

  Back in the concourse, on his way to the hotel lobby, he took out the key he had taken from Pinkles. He looked into the wine shop to see Selena and Pinkle’s mistress. Andromin decided he would have a little fun. He walked into the wine shop. “Weren’t you working in the flower shop before? Were you demoted?” he asked Selena with a huge grin.

  “Oh, fuck off, Andromin,” said Selena. Andromin walked over to Pinkle’s mistress who had her back to him. She was busy writing down some information from the wine labels. “Excuse me, what would you suggest in a good cabernet?” asked Andromin.

  She turned around and narrowed her eyes. She licked her lips. “Mr. Seaton, how are you?” she asked.

  “You know who I am?” he asked, leaning against the counter and grinning.

  “My husband described you to the last detail,” she said.

  “Your husband?” he asked.

  “Yes, Willy and I got married just two weeks ago,” she said, flashing a modest ring at him.

  “Quick honeymoon?” he asked.

  “No honeymoon,” she said bitterly. “As soon as we were married, it was ‘must get back to work, Christine.’ I wonder whether I made a mistake. It’s like he just doesn’t care.”

  “So, why stay with him?” he asked.

  She rolled her eyes. “He flatters me, says it’s good for business that I’m on his arm. And, I live in a luxurious suite. He said he’d take care of me. But, since we’ve been married, he hasn’t paid me any mind at all. Personally, I’d like to get out of the damned marriage.”

  “Clearly, he’s using you. Why don’t you get even with him?” asked Andromin, his eyes flashing.

  “I don’t know,” she said frowning.

  “I do,” said Andromin. He took her slim hand in his. “What if you were to get caught in bed with me?” he whispered. Wouldn’t that drive him over the edge?”

  She looked shocked, but then her face melted into a slow smile. Andromin toyed with a lock of her hair. “But, it would never work,” she whispered, leaning into him. “He always carries the key to our suite. It’s only when he is finished working that he comes and gets me.”

  “Well, look what I have,” he dangled the key in the air. “Look familiar?”

  Christine took the key. “How in the world did you get this?”

  “Pinkles dropped it on the floor,” said Andromin. She smiled with glee. “So, how about it? You want to get even?”

  “Now?” she laughed.

  “Yes, right now. Pinkle’s shift should be ending in about forty-five minutes,” he said.

  “Let’s do it,” she said. Andromin took her by the hand, and they began to leave the shop. “Wait! We should take a bottle of wine.”

  “A good idea,” he said.

  “Hmm, but which one?” she asked, starting to look over the inventory.

  “Oh, who gives a damn? It’s just a bottle of squashed grapes.” Now that he’d gotten up close with her, smelled her floral warmth, he wanted nothing more than her naked body against his.

  “You know, I think I’ll choose this very expensive bottle of squashed grapes,” she said, taking one from a secret spot behind the counter. She crossed the shop floor to Selena. “Selena, I’m leaving early. Would you please put this bottle on my husband’s account?” She tossed her long honey-colored hair and left with Andromin, who took the chance to turn around and smirk at Selena before they walked away.

  Selena crossed her arms. “Christine, how could you?” she said in disgust.

  Just then, a swarthy man strode in and kissed her. “What’s Andromin doing here?” he asked.

  “More than he ought to. He just picked up Christine,” said Selena.

  “I’m sure Mr. Willy B. Pinkles isn’t going to like that,” he said, grinning.

  “Brandimoir, when are we going to leave this place?” she asked.

  “I have good news. I have found us a place in Morisant. A sanctuary just as you wanted. It is beautiful there. The place is called Bridimar. It is nestled in the hills, and the view is breathtaking.”

  “When do we leave?” she asked.

  “We’ll pack tonight and be on the road first thing tomorrow.”

  “Oh, Brandimoir! Thank you, my sweet.” Selena hugged her love tightly, so glad he was hers.

  Meanwhile, in Mr. Pinkle’s penthouse suite, after quickly drinking down a glass of the opulent wine and playing naughty sex games, Andromin laid in bed with Christine. They had exhausted themselves and fell to talking about life in general; each found the other quite easygoing company, so naturally, they began to talk about their relationships and why they tended to fall apart. “You know this is indeed a very good vintage. What did you do, pull the most expensive bottle you had off the shelf?”

  Christine giggled. “Actually, I did. I figured what better way to get even than to run up an expensive tab.”

  “Yes, but since he is a wealthy man, this may not bother him much,” said Andromin.

  “He may do alright, but when he sees he was actually charged for six cases of this stuff, he might have to worry about paying his bills for a while,” she laughed and lay back on the pillows.

  “Six cases?” he said nodding. “You are angry with him!” Andromin sat up on one elbow and looked down at Christine. She had flawless skin over her lithe body. He ran his hand over her and shivered a bit at her curves under his hand.

  “How is it someone like you came to be with Pinkles?”

  “I was such a fool. I fell for his charm, but he has been using me. That’s quite clear now. He’s lost all interest.” She looked sad, like she’d lost a precious thing.

  “Love never lasts,” said Andromin. He gulped the rest of his drink and kissed her.

  “Wait… I think I hear the door,” she whispered. Andromin paused; it was unmistakably Pinkles arriving. He took off his shoes in the front foyer and called out angrily, “Christine! Why in heavens did you not wait in the shop for me? And, what the hell are you doing with such a large amount of expensive wine?”

  “In here, darling!” Christine called out.

  Pinkles entered the bedroom. When he saw Andromin, he dropped the bottle of wine he’d brought with him. It shattered, and wine gushed onto the floor. “What the hell are you doing with my wife!” Pinkles cried out.

  “I’m having a Quantum moment,” said Andromin calmly. His hand was on Christine’s breast, and he left it there.

  “You got a lot of nerve, Seaton,” said Pinkles.

  “I’ve got more than that.” He leaned down and gave Christine a deep kiss.

  “Seaton, you crossed the line here. When your father hears about this-” Pinkles began.

  “When he hears about it, he’ll say ‘well done.’ Was it for king and country?” mocked Andromin in a deep voice like his father’s.

  “Get out of my home. I want you out of here,” said Pinkles.

  “I’m afraid I’m not decent. You’ll have to excuse me,” said Andromin.

  “You are excused,” laughed Christine. “I’m naked too, honey,” she said to her husband. “Would you like one last Quantum moment yourself before I leave you?”

  “I’ll…I’ll take you over my knee,” Pinkles stammered.

  “That would be splendid, darling,” she said. “At least it’d be interesting.”

  “I will deal with you later,” Pinkles said. He looked truly rattled, his pudgy face sweaty and pale. “I’m going to the bar. When I come back, Seaton, I want you out of here!”

  “That’s splendid; you’re going to the bar. Have a drink on me,” said Andromin. Andromin languidly sat up, stretched, and walked out of the bedroom buck naked, smirking. Before he got to the doorway, he turned. “Oh, by the way, did you lose your key?” he said. Pinkles stormed out of
the bedroom, fumbled for his shoes, and slammed the door.

  As Andromin dressed in the living room, he smugly congratulated himself on a job well done. He realized he felt much better. “I’m finally enjoying my vacation,” he thought before leaving.

  Chapter 12

  Of Code and Honor

  Caprius and Calista sat upon seats within the train station. They relaxed and watched the large screens upon the wall transmitting advertisements. As Caprius and Calista waited in the lounge for their train to arrive, a 4 1/2-foot tall balding man with caterpillar eyebrows plunked down in a seat beside Calista. She and Caprius looked at one another and collapsed into fits of laughter.

  From the speakers came, “Now boarding on Track K12.” Calista decided she would play a little joke on Caprius. “Excuse me, Sir, but I find you very attractive,” said Calista to the squat gentleman, who looked terrified that this muscular, doe-eyed woman with long, flowing locks would speak to him. “Would you care to sit beside me on the train?”

  The man stammered and began to sweat profusely. He mopped his head with a well-used handkerchief. “Why…why, yes… that…that would be very nice.”

  Caprius tried so hard not to laugh, he snorted. “Excuse me,” he held up a hand. “Allergies.”

  Now emboldened, the man leaned in. “What’s your name, sweetheart?” “Calista,” she said, turning her body outward so Caprius could see her batting her lashes.

  “My name is Kazoos,” said the man.

  “What a lovely name,” she exclaimed. “I know I’ve heard that word before; whatever does it mean?”

  “A kazoo is a musical instrument,” he said.

  “Oh, really? That is so very interesting.” Calista smiled. “What is that you are reading, Mr. Kazoos?”

  Kazoos flipped over his dog-eared book. “It’s about the ever-growing need for music in our culture. Did you know that you can tell a lot about a person based on what kind of instrument he plays? For example, if he plays the drums, you can be sure he’s aggressive and demanding. Or, if he plays the flute, he’s high spirited. Or, if he prefers the violin,” he paused, “he’s romantic.”