by Zari Reede
He turned the wheel quicker than I. Mine resisted when I got closer to the farthest point. Max raced back with Yon Yon whose fingers entangled his hair. She was squeaking. Max placed his hands over mine, wrenching the wheel hard and, with a whine, it turned completely. The undead filled the room, but did not approach. Soon we saw what they awaited. Liotte, the necromancer, strode into the room. Yon Yon squealed in terror and leapt into my arms. Max wrapped himself around the two of us.
“So, I have lost one princess only to have another graciously delivered. You do not have your sister’s skills, but I am sure I can find a use for you.” Then he noticed our meddling and the hard shudders and pulsations of the apparatus. “What have you done!?” he roared.
The cylinders shook violently, and I feared they would topple. Cracks appeared on their surfaces.
“Stupid woman, you have but delayed my plans. I can build anew. You will stay here as your world explodes and the undead tear the flesh from your body.” Liotte turned to the corpses nearest us. “Kill them!”
In a swirl of gray, he rushed from the room. His undead servants crept ever closer. Perhaps the destruction of the apparatus affected them.
“We’re screwed. Dammit, Princess. I’d hoped to take you to my world someday.”
“I would have enjoyed that, Max.”
Poor terrified Yon Yon gripped my finger with one hand and one of Max’s with the other.
“You would have loved my city and fit in perfectly, Phrysia.” He kissed me hard. How I wished I could have been with him somewhere safe. Then, suddenly I no longer heard the clatter of bony feet on stone. The horrible sense of building energy, that had every hair on my body standing erect, vanished in an instant. Max staggered as his passionate kiss ended. Unfamiliar music blared, competing with the sounds of many people laughing and chattering. I opened my eyes. We were amongst a bustling crowd dressed in bright, odd clothing. The sky darkened, but odd lanterns lit the streets. “Where are we?” I asked.
Max grinned, hugging me close. “Whoo-hoo, baby! This is N’awlins. Welcome to Earth, Princess.”
“Earth?” I asked, astonished.
A woman stood before us weaving to and fro, a flimsy cup in her hand and smiled a toothless grin. She looked like she had imbibed in too much Rhonderdack potion and was sure to be sick.
“Nice costume,” she said, reaching out to touch my iridescent green skin. The luster had come back and I sparkled in the odd lights of this new world. I lost my smile as the woman leaned forward and threw up on the hem of my cloak. “Oh crap, sorry!” she proclaimed as she wiped her mouth on her shirt, exposing the underneath of her breast.
I looked away, embarrassed for the sick woman, and annoyed at my circumstance. To my dismay, another woman sat on top of a man’s shoulders pulling up her top at random. A wave of something hard rained down over us and I ducked, wincing as my knee hit the ground. Max laughed, but I was not amused. He pulled me to my feet and hugged me once more.
“It’s Mardi Gras,” he proclaimed. I looked at him nonplused. “It’s a party, a very large party, and this is a parade!”
He picked me up and twirled me around, though I tried to ward him away from my soiled cloak. More sharp items showered us, and I complained. He moved us away from the couple and helped me limp beside him.
“Hey! I think that’s Jim!” he called, then wrapped his arm around my waist for support. We hurried through the crowd and across the lane. Men clad in black pants, blue shirts, and tall wands made loud squeals with small devices. I saw their pointing and tried to warn Max.
“I think we are being chased!” I yelled up toward his ear to be heard.
“I think they are after Jim, but maybe us too. We will try to keep up. Got anymore spells in your cloak?”
He paused when Jim was delayed as he attempted to circle six singing men walking arm in arm.
Chapter 60
The Brownie
When Queen Fjodes turned and marched to the largest tent, Little Miss and I made spryly for her. The wary Cyclops marked our appearance, but did nae impede us. The guards at the entrance made us bide time. One waited with us, the other disappeared into the tent. I heard an exchange of words and then the queen called out, “Come in, Winni and Sammy.” The queen’s wee one sat in one corner playing with her dolls.
“Nstrl!” Little Miss called out.
The reunion was sweet as my cakes, and soon they were head to head, bent over the dollies, play-pretending.
While they did, I told the queen of the pledge from the Winter Palace. She did not look as happy as I ken she would, when I told her the mainland would send troops to help.
“I ken you would return to the fortress, Queen.” I worried about the wee one’s presence.
“We lost too many of our officers. I shall lead my army against the necromancer.” She noticed my glance. “Nstrl will not leave me. She fears if she does so, she will never see me again. She is a Cyclops and a young warrior. She wishes to fight or help if only carrying messages. She has seen much that I wish she had not and circumstances force her to grow up fast.”
“Can ye nae wait for help?”
The Cyclops army looked worn and dissolute. I feared they could not rally and would become nosh for the undead.
“I fear help will not arrive before Liotte reaches my country’s boundaries. The fiends will overrun the fortress, killing everyone in their path. My scouts tell me Liotte and his fiends approach at great speed. Almost as if they flee from something.”
“Perhaps my beloved princess found a weakness.” I cheered at the thought.
“We can only hope.” A great sigh escaped the queen and I felt her worry and sadness. “That does not, however, change my duty.” She picked up her sword and sharpened the blade.
“I nae ken if it would help, but Liotte desires a brownie. He wishes to study and discover how we travel. Perhaps if I give myself up, he will merely pass through your lands. Then before he reaches Rheinguard, reinforcements will have arrived. He has many minions, but I do not ken he can stand against the whole of Ortharos.”
“It is a brave offer, Winnalea, but Liotte has no honor. He would take you and then descend upon my people, laughing at our naivete.”
Chapter 61
Mindy
The agents stood down as I crossed the marble tiles. I searched the balcony for any telling movements alerting me to hit the deck or take cover. Assured it was safe, I motioned for the rest of my Rat Pack. They trudged behind as we made our way through the arched doorway at the end of the gallery. We arrived at the conference room where the doors stood wide. Mom and Harry fidgeted on the hard chairs to the left of the ISMAT council members’ panel. I noticed their arms were behind their back and agents stood close behind their chairs. Dammit! I knew we couldn’t trust the chief and now we were sitting ducks. I had to sway him with reason.
“Agent Nichols, this hearing is to show that, while sound of mind and body, you went rogue on February 5, 1975. You’re accused of high treason and harboring and protecting dangerous ORBs. How do you plead?” The chief’s official message sent a titter through the room. My mouth stood agape and I shot a glance at Mom and Harry. They gazed back, their faces taut with worry. The chief called for my plea again and cracked his gavel.
“Not guilty, and for the record, you are out of line, Chief! I saved your sorry ass when the princess threatened to sear the fat marshmallow you are!” I lost it as I looked at his smug, rotund form, sitting behind the raised panel looking down at me and the Ortharians. “And this is how you treat a former Chief of ISMAT and a teacher in the most elite academy?” I pointed at Mom and Harry glowering at the council. “You’ve taken this too far. I know it’s an election year and you want to be the guy who caught a traitor, but traitor I am not! The information I gathered while ‘protecting’ these ORBs may save our worlds.” I shouted my words over the pounding gavel he used in a desperate attempt to quiet me.
Mom and Harry joined in and there was confusion over w
ho to heed. The chief was having none of it. He blustered for agents to take me into custody, and I saw their hesitation. Harry continued expounding about the energy exchanges between worlds and the potential meltdown of both if we didn’t correct the problem soon. Chief bellowed, but I stood my ground, joining Harry and his litigation of injustice. We were getting nowhere this way, but at least the agents weren’t cuffing me to a chair or hauling me off to a cell.
“My husband and my daughter are gone. I am not a traitor. These people of Ortharos are normal beings. We should not be eliminating them, but embracing their knowledge and trying to correct the power surges we send and receive. I think we can solve the Blinks!” I cried out as an agent apprehended me and wrenched my hands into cuffs behind my back. “Do the right thing here, Chief. Put aside your pride. This is your opportunity to save the world,” I pleaded.
“This council meeting is adjourned and the hearing of ISMAT versus Agent Nichols moved until further review.” His gavel cracked on the wooden panel before him as council members stood.
My anger flared, and I glowed with a furious, blinding light. The agent released my cuffs and backed away. I broke free of the flimsy chains. My strength ignited with anger and, shaking my finger, I sent an illuminating bolt of light at the chief’s chest. I stared in wonder. The light did not burn, but seemed to paralyze him.
“Why do you get to have all the fun? I thought you said no powers?” ’Punzel’s voice chimed in like a whiny child. “Let me help. This meeting could be over and done within a hair of three cini-moons,” she begged.
“Not now, ’Punzel!” I threw over my shoulder as I heard the single pump of a shotgun. I splayed my hands out and around the room. Beams of light fell on everyone transfixing and freezing all of ISMAT, including Mom and Harry. I had been thinking it would be great if everyone just kept their cool and stayed right where they were. Note to self, be careful what you think.
“’Punzel, free Mom and Harry. Reggie and Grrlec, help ’Punzel get them out of this room.” I watched as they dragged Mom and Harry by their chairs into the hall. When the door shut behind them, I concentrated on moving the room’s contents to the tunnel system below ISMAT. Suddenly the room was empty. It had worked! I threw the door open and urged my gang of loyals to follow me. We couldn’t go through the agent-filled gallery. We must head to the roof. The buildings on this block connected, so hopefully we could jump rooftops to a fire escape then down. We had to get out of here before the council alerted others. I entered the nearest stairwell. Motioning to my tribe to follow, we climbed toward the roof. Though dazed at first, Mom and Harry eventually sped up.
Chapter 62
The Witch
After transferring the last of my wrecked potions down the front of my bodice, I unclasped my vomit-stained cloak and let it fall. My knee improved so that we could hold hands, and we ran as best we could. The oddity of cool air on my bared legs distracted me. I couldn’t help but gaze in wonder at my odd surroundings and rely on Max to guide me around obstacles. Though more than half my skirt remained on Ortharos, I was dressed modestly compared to majority. Men and women, scantily clothed, wore the most diverse garb I had ever seen. Even the flamboyant Sir Reginaldo would not wear such.
Gusts of wind molded what little was left of my skirt against me. My skin tingled with the wild energy in the heavy air. Max’s hair lifted from his scalp like the fur on a frightened Imp.
The crowd cried out when the temperature dropped. Goosebumps raised on my exposed skin. Two naked men holding hands threw their arms around each other, startled at the incredibly loud clash of thunder. As they turned, I saw they wore pouches tied round their waists packaging their naughty bits in shiny red material. I stumbled, gawking at them.
Max wheeled around and caught me before I fell. His eyes found mine. “I know this is odd for you. Now you know how I felt on Ortharos,” he quipped. His eyes strayed for a moment, no doubt tracking Jim, and then beheld me again.
He looked beyond my shoulder and his face drew with worry. “Crap! Those cops must have skipped their donut breaks. They’re closing in!”
A bolt of lightning jagged from the sky and hit the nearest light on a pole. It exploded, and bits fell from the sky. Taking advantage of the shadows, Max shoved me into a doorway. As the men chasing us drew nearer, he hid my body behind his and kissed me hard, rendering me breathless. The kiss was wonderful, so much, that, for a moment, I could believe I no longer needed air. As I panted in his arms, he said, “Cops passed and either didn’t notice us or were only after Jimbo. What the hell did he do?”
Before I caught my breath, we were off again.
People cavorting on great, colorful wagons that, though lacking oxen and horses, inched down the street. I tried to focus and not let the sights distract me. This is his realm. Max lives here. If he can manage Ortharos, surely I can visit here without becoming addled, I told myself.
People moved aside for Jim’s pursuers, so our path was not impeded. We were catching up. As the woman before him reached for beads at her feet, Jim’s eyes met mine. He turned, crashed into her and fell in a heap. The men in blue pulled what must be weapons and shouted “Freeze!” The sky erupted, cascading rain over the crowd, temporarily blinding us. I crashed into a white-faced couple with black ringed eyes and mouths wearing baggy costumes of half red and half yellow.
“Oye!” The man turned and checked on his companion. “All right?”
She patted his arm and nodded. The rain poured rivulets of water over their forms, washing the white and black from their faces.
Max froze and stared at the couple. “Paul McCartney!” Max gasped in astonishment. Then he repeated the name, shouting it. The crowd and the blue men turned to us.
People took up the cry. “Paul McCartney!” and ran toward us.
“Should we leg it, Linda?” the man asked the lady.
“Bobbies ahead. The jig is up.”
The couple struggled toward the men in blue. The men in blue recognized them and hurried to help. People touched and spoke in worshipful tones to the two. They must be sacred, I supposed. Like the Bishop of the Shrine at Orasses on Ortharos. While attention was on the pair, we rushed to Jim. Max helped him up.
“Was that really--” he asked, craning his neck to try to see beyond the growing crowd.
The rain ceased, but the thunder and lightning continued. The wind blew so hard that bits of colored paper, flowers, and a full alligator flew from the wagons. People stumbled, struggling to remain upright as they made a path to the alleys and inside the small brick and mortar buildings.
“Who or what is Paul McCartney?” I asked as we hurried farther from the throng.
“Fill you in on that one later, babe. Right now, we gotta skedaddle!” Max continued pulling me, and propelling Jim farther away from the men in blue. “This is a devil of a hurricane, and way outa season,” he complained.
I would take offence to being called a child, but something in his tone had an underlying meaning. My heart did a small jester’s flip as he squeezed my hand.
Jim looked back, winking at me over Max’s shoulder, and I tried to hide my instant grin. I knew I flushed lavender, but didn’t have time to ponder the private thoughts about my new relationship, because the wagon we headed toward disappeared! Could that happen? Only living things had ever been Blinked to Ortharos. We destroyed the machine, so what made an entire wagon full of people disappear? Mouths agape, we froze aghast. Stragglers from the event also stared now at the empty spot. Realization hit the three of us at once, and we all looked to one another in dread. Crash! Roar! A fierce, yellow, horned Ronderdack filled the vacant street!
“Run!” I shouted, wishing for a potion to save us all. It was too late for the closest onlookers. With one swipe, the Rhonderdack’s tail took out five. It swung back the other way, and Max jerked Jim out of reach. Their hair and clothes fluttered in the great fanning of the beast. I exhaled so I could pinch a potion from my corset and down it as the hungry beast de
voured all the unconscious, trampling everything in its wake. The Ronderdack swallowed most victims whole, but the less fortunate screamed as their bones cracked and grinded between the great beast’s teeth.
Like a splash of freezing water on a hot day, other gaping souls erupted into a frenzy of screams. I chased the potion with a cracked ampule, splayed my fingers and cast a spell hoping there was still enough left to work on so large a beast. A web of netting encased the ill-tempered beast. Colors flashed orange, red and yellow, shrinking the beast, as it turned a deep shade of purple. After several moments, it transformed into an angry, chattering imp.
“Let’s go! The transformation doesn’t last long. When it fails, the Rhonderdack will continue its feeding frenzy.” At my words, Max spun around and shot the imp. My mouth opened in horror.
“What? It’s a Rhonderdack. This way it will return to Ortharos,” he explained.
“Yes, now it will return as a dead imp and its people will mourn.” Swallowing, I willed away my tears.
“Squeeeee!”
I recognized Yon Yon’s squeal. I thought we had left her when we Blinked. She clung to a lamp post, chittering. She now thought Max was an imp killer. I scowled at him.
“Whoops!” Max shrugged, as Yon Yon took flight up the iron lattice.
“No chance that little one’s name was Yon Yon?” Jim asked flippantly. I gave him a peculiar look.
“How do you know Yon Yon?” I asked.
He shrugged his shoulders, “Long story. I’m supposed to save her and return her to her people, but ended up here instead.” His face crumpled. “Dammit! My Sammy is still there.”