by Shawn Muller
Dumbstruck, I sat down heavily on the bed.
“Yes indeed Bob. Your wishes compel me, to some extent. Or at least when it suits me I must confess,” the Custodian said while tapping his chin with a well-manicured finger.
“Ok then old man. What are my wishes which you will grant?”
“Why don’t we head to the kitchen and get something to eat, I am famished!” He said, standing up and rubbing his hands together.
I shot him a dark, murderous glare, hands ready to clench his throat and choke the life out of him. Mia slapped the back of my head and shook her head in annoyance at me when I looked at her. I slowly relaxed my hands, and turned away from the Custodian. I yanked open the drawer under the bed and hastily grabbed some clothes. I quickly dressed and followed the Custodian out the room and down the corridor, heading towards the kitchen.
I heard Mia following as she closed the bedroom door behind her and the soft footsteps hurry to catch up to me. Her small, soft, gentle hand slipped into mine and held me tight as I stomped after the infuriating old man. Entering the kitchen, the Custodian headed for the bread cupboard and pulled out a fresh loaf of fruit bread.
A knife materialised in his right hand and a tub of butter in the other. Whistling an off-tune song to himself, he cut a few slices of the bread before dolloping thick butter onto them before sitting down at a table, gesturing for us to join him. Giving me a commanding look, one that all women seem to be born with, Mia tugged on my arm, motioning for me to sit. Reluctantly I fell into the chair and looked over at the old man as he chewed on a slice of bread.
“Want some?” he offered us with a slight spray for bread crumbs from his lips.
“Thanks,” I said as I took a slice from him and began to chew it methodically.
“Do you realise the power of a wish?” He asked me suddenly.
“Pardon?”
“Wishes, do you know the power behind them? A simple wish can bring hope. A faint slither of hope, a ray of light to a dark situation or a lost cause. A wish can grant the wisher almost limitless opportunities, freedom, and heartache. It can strengthen the weak, bring tyrants down or raise them again. Take power from the mighty and give it to the weak. It can even fill a grumbling belly in the midst of starvation. It is something which children are born with, wishing for this or that. It is something which adults lose as they grow yet regain when they are old and cripple. So Bob, do you realise the power in a wish?”
“You have me intrigued old man. What does this have to do with me, though?”
“I seem to remember a teenager, long time ago who read a lot, placing himself in the books to help the main characters with their challenges. He never took the main role himself, always willing to help others. He would wish he was able to travel to those lands, face those challenges himself. Wield powerful magics, swing mighty swords and charge down the enemy on a warhorse. I grew sad when he stopped dreaming and wishing for those days. He had so much potential for good, to make a difference within himself and those around him. He would have saved a race, a world, an entire galaxy, but he forgot his wishes. Do you remember him too, Bob?” The Custodian asked me with a sad voice to match his sad eyes, tears brimming over to run down his face.
Stunned, I could only sit back in my chair and stare at him.
“You see Bob. I may be powerful enough to throw you through a portal from your world to this world. But I cannot change the past, only try and influence the future, and hope that the right outcome occurs.”
“So you manipulate our dreams? Throw us onto this world. Kill us and then trap us on this island?” I asked in a nasty tone.
“It is all I could do really. If I had more of a direct influence in certain events, my, counterpart would be able to increase his influence and thereby increase the likely hood of, no wait. I cannot say more. Rules are rules dammit!” He ended saying more to himself.
“Your counterpart? Rules? Man, if I didn’t know better I would say you on drugs or senile,” I shook my head.
“Wish I was,” he said with a chuckle.
“So, why are we here then? On this world and on this island? Why kill us and then bring us back here? And where the hell is here?”
“Here, first of all, is an island called the Crypts of Lieberkuhn set in an old extinct volcano. An advanced civilisation thrived on this world millennia ago but was annihilated by a massive meteor which landed on the continent of Curixeus. Incidentally, Prince Marcus has chosen his residence on top of the very same meteor. The panic and violence which ensued from the fallout, drove this civilisation to its knees as whole continents submerged into the oceans, massive tsunamis were unleashed around the globe and a firestorm swept over the lands. The survivors, who barely escaped the years of starvation, sickness and disease, were left with an altered world and altered themselves. Radiation-mutated the people into the various races which are now present in this world. I suppose, the only true people from that time are the so-called undead found not far from here, other side this lake and over the Haunted Mountains. The fog bank keeps all within here preserved. It is some sort of powerful relic from that age which has survived all this time. I found this place during my first years of exile and decided to make my home here while I gather enough resources to battle against my, counterpart.”
“Right and I must believe this? Well, I suppose that the different races here are proof enough of such a world you have described,” I asked him sceptically.
“Believe it or not Bob. I have brought you and the men from Earth to this world, as all have had a similar wish, to make a difference in a significant way. All have had exposure through reading or cinema to these types of worlds which would make encountering the races of this world, a bit more bearable and not unbelievable.”
“And the rest of the Ghosts? Are they part of your nefarious plans?” I asked sceptically.
Mia chose that moment to rise and fetch a pitcher of ale for us to share. By now, our throats were dry from all the talking. Giving our thanks to her as she poured us a mug each, the old man continued to speak.
“Nefarious? No, not evil, necessary. You will understand once your training has been completed. All shall be revealed in due course.”
“Training? You call all of this training?” I asked incredulously.
“Let me explain. The threat we are facing is far greater than a mere invasion of cyclops, or taurine raids. It is a threat faced by billions, no, trillions of individuals throughout the galaxy. It is one that cannot be stopped by those who are facing it right now. Millions are dying daily as they throw themselves at the real enemy in the vain hope of slowing it down, not even to stop it. Just to slow it down so that the children and women may flee, to hide somewhere to survive the blight which is sweeping closer and closer to the core of the galaxy. And eventually Earth. And by the time it reaches Earth it would be unstoppable. Planets like this one would simply drown within the hate and malice which flows from this evil. So Bob, to answer your question about the Ghosts, yes the Ghosts are necessary. All of them and more, and yes, this is simply training to prepare you better for what you must face later on. The fact that you all had to die was unfortunate, but necessary as well. It ensures that you are effectively off the grid so to say, untraceable by the other side. Happy?” He asked me.
“Not really, but I accept what you are telling me, for now. So, what now may I ask? And what is your name if you are to be our benefactor.”
“Firstly, I will ship you back to Prince Marcus to finish your training. And from there we will see. Secondly, my name is Cotus Myhym. You may have heard of me before,” Cotus said hesitantly.
“No, not really,” I replied looking at Mia, who shook her head at the name.
“Not even in a book, or a movie. No, nothing? Oh well never mind then. So, now you know why you are here. You were essentially reborn to be bigger, better and brighter. Your skill levels across the board have increased dramatically. Most of you have also been given some magical abilities. While those
mages like you, Mia, have had theirs increased tenfold. You, my dear, are one of the most powerful sorcerers ever born.”
“And in return? What do you expect from us?” I asked sceptically at the unexpected gifts.
“Win the war. End it as peacefully as possible for you may need the cyclops someday.”
“That’s it?” Mia asked now.
“That is it.”
“Seems too easy Cotus.”
“Your wishes were answered and had not been completed. It is all part of a journey. So pack your bags and complete it.”
“Ok, when do we leave?” I asked.
“As soon as everybody is dressed and ready.”
“Supplies?”
“Will be waiting for you.”
“Weapons and equipment?”
“There as well, together with your horses and griffins.”
“Where we going?”
“Why Bob, to deliver Veggie to his people,” Cotus answered with a sly smile as he spread his hands out in front of him.
“Fine. Give us an hour to dress and assemble outside,” I conceded after staring at him for a few moments.
Cotus nodded, and Mia and I stood up from the table and hurried to wake the others. The island was a mass of confusion as the Ghost Company quickly dressed and made ready to leave the Crypts. An apt name as we were beginning to rot here. Eventually, we were all dressed and standing at attention as if we were waiting for an inspection by Prince Marcus himself.
“Very neat Captain Bob. Very well, I see that all is ready,” the infuriating old man said to me as I stood together with Max and Fremod in front of my men.
“Excuse me, Sergeants Deez and Bruce you may not take your fishing tackle with!” Cotus shouted at them without taking his eyes off of mine.
Curses and shouts of dismay came from behind as the two guilty men dropped their fishing equipment reluctantly.
“Good. Now once I have opened the portal, you are to hurry through. I cannot hold it open for too long. It draws unwanted attention.”
It made me look at Max to my right who looked slightly pale. Once again, like before back on Earth, the old man knelt down before us, his back facing us as he began to chant. A vertical silvery disk began to open up before him. Small at first, but gradually growing until it was big enough for five of us to walk through side by side. Cotus suddenly stopped with the chanting and stood up to face me once more.
“Hurry now. It won’t hold forever.”
“You heard him you lazy bastards! Double time through the portal!” I shouted the order.
As one, the well-disciplined Ghosts jogged over to the portal, in a perfect column of five abreast and simply vanished into it. Max followed the lead elements with Fremod bringing the rear. I turned to Cotus and saluted him before speaking.
“See you on the other side.”
“No, you won’t. But I will see you. Till later then. Farewell,” he greeted back with a cheeky wave as I stepped through the portal and into the silvery void.
And stepped out into a cold and cloudy day. Before me, a snow covered camp was arrayed. Neat rows of tents stretched out with cooking and heating fire pits marking a broad walkway between them. A large command tent stood at the end of the walkway, having its own fires burning.
The Ghosts had hurried forward through the thick snow and made their way towards the camp. No pickets were visible, no guards or earthen walls. This camp looked abandoned, or prepared and left as is. My men disappeared within the various tents and began emerging dressed in thick, woollen coats. I made my way, together with a freezing Mia, to the command tent.
We hurried inside and headed for the curtained-off sleeping area. Within it stood a large sleeping cot and two brass banded chests. Mia opened one chest, revealing my clothes while the second chest revealed clothing for her.
Next to the chest was a pair of full body armour hanging on mannequins, sized for both Mia and myself. A weapons rack which held two long swords stood against the tent wall behind the mannequins, a slight curve in the blade but not as pronounced as a sabre or katana, perfectly balanced to fit my length, a nasty polearm which had a wicked thick double-edged blade on both ends, a smaller two-foot long stabbing sword, similar to the Roman Gladius and a selection of daggers and knives.
There was also a smaller set of swords and knives that seemed to have been designed to suit Mia’s size, but her focus was on a peculiar staff which seemed to float just above the wooden pegs which held it in place on the rack. The staff seemed to be carved from an odd black wood.
It looked fairly straight, but looking at it for too long made one’s eyes water as the wood shifted and shivered as it seemed alive, pulsating and shimmering, never seeming to settle. A single, bright green leave grew out of the middle of the staff, looking as if it had just grown from a new bud on a tree.
An intricately carved and very detailed carnation, from a single huge soft pink diamond, was tied to the tip of the staff with what looked like slivers of silver and gold string. Power radiated off the staff, Mia’s eyes wide and glowing with eager anticipation to grasp it in her hands, to hold it near her.
“Take it,” I encouraged her.
“How do I know it’s mine? I cannot just take it,” she said nervously, her eyes shifting from staff then to me and back to the staff.
“I am pretty sure that this entire camp is ours, and everything within belongs to us, including the staff,” I reassured her.
A smile spread on her face, lighting her eyes as she took a step closer to the staff. Her right hand reached out for it, fingers shaking in excitement. A small spark of power shot from her fingertips, crackling along the staff body.
Her breath quickened as her eyes widened from the experience. Her hand darted forward as she grasped the staff and quickly pulled it towards her body, clasping her left hand around it. Power seemed to infuse her entire body, her feet briefly leaving the floor before she looked at me, her eyes glowing a faint pink before returning to her original green.
“It is mine! I can feel it connecting with me. It was designed and made only for me. It has a name. I can hear it whispering it to me, singing to me in euphoria,” she told me, slightly out of breath.
“Serilia Angeia’h. The Staff of Angels,” Mia whispered breathlessly.
“I take it that it is magical?” I asked curiously.
“You will see,” she said coyly.
We quickly donned on warmer clothes before I called for a general meeting with my sub-commanders. It didn’t take long for them to arrive in my tent. They were all dressed in warmer clothes, some even slapped on some basic armour. I bade them sit on the few wooden stools within the meeting area as I laid out a map of the southern half of Curixeus.
“Right gentlemen. We don’t really know where we are for now, but I guess that we are fairly close to the Great Divide Mountains, probably south-west of the Death Bogs,” I commented while looking over the map, my men nodding in agreement.
“I want sentries out there, with a patrol circling us constantly, both on horseback and on griffins. Check the condition of the horses and the griffins and check the supplies we have. Get the men to do an inventory check on their equipment and to dress in medium armour for now until we know where we are. Max, I want you to lead a patrol of griffins west to try and make contact with the prince’s forces. Titanius, take a few dwarves and head north over the mountains and do the same. Veggie, if we are close to your homeland, then I suggest we head that way to make contact. Any questions?” None came, and the men left to carry out my orders.
Max and Titanius left with their patrols soon afterwards, with Bruniks and Granular leading the patrols I asked for. Veggie approached me later on in the day, just before dusk. He looked rather shy and was carrying nothing but his short sword which was strapped to his left thigh.
“Sir Bob. A moment if you please?”
“Yes, Veggie.”
“Sir, I shall be leaving now for Klamzaqn, my hometown. I feel that it will be
better if I partake in this journey alone. Even though my mission was to introduce the ogres back into the world, we are still a very shy race,” he explained.
“I understand. Travel safe and hurry back,” I saluted him.
He returned the salute before walking towards the eastern pickets. Looking at him as he walked away, he began to blur as he changed into a griffin and flew off into the gathering dusk. I grunted and turned around to head back to my tent.
The camp was beginning to settle down for the night. We were well stocked with supplies, and the horses and griffins were healthy and ready to go. Tomorrow I would hold an inspection of the troops in full combat gear. From there we would begin to march towards Prince Marcus lines which were roughly north-west of us.
The next day dawned bright and sunny with the promise of spring fresh in the air. I was busy donning on my heavy armour, and Mia was helping me out with some of the straps.
She was dressed in her full armour already and carried her short sword and shield strapped to her back. The magical staff was ever present at her side, with her full face helmet waiting to be donned once I was ready myself.