GateWay: hands of a Clock

[3WINTERS]

I do so hope this is the 5th edited version, I tend to get lost with all the drafts floating about. This is the first in a series of short stories I recently started, targeted at the teen/ young adult demographic.

 

“Good morning Ocher Plains! To another beautiful winter morning, the leaves are no more the cattle are mellow and the sun is ever shy behind a veil of gray, this is  Mick .G with your 7 AM  breakfast of melancholy... In the news, Police are seeking witnesses to a spate of robberies  in the inner city, a group of gun totting bandits masked in the face of her royal heinous are-”

A slender hand violently slams against a sea shell encrusted clock-watch ending the morning news abruptly. Amy Bieldermann rolled onto her back, exhaling heavily at the mottled mess of dark brown hair that had amassed over her face as a result of a particularly restless night.

'Woe to early starts' was her motto, however today was to be particularly troublesome. New School, new home and the icing of the cake, a new country.

Actually that is a lie, the real icing on the cake was the fact that this was the day of  Amy's seventeenth, how many teens could lay claim to that many anomalies?

The clock turned over to five past the hour and Amy's resolve to delay getting out of bed only strengthened, tugging hard on the covers she proceeded to huddle under them entirely, wishing to bury herself away from the world. After only several minutes under her cocoon the air started to thin out and Amy hadn't even realised she'd fallen back into the murky depths  of sleep until an outside force dragged away her coverings, exposing her to the stiff cold  of the morning.

Still wishing to keep up her defiance she curled up as tightly to herself as she could, shielding her eyes from the glare of  light emitting from her bedroom  window quite sharply in spite of the cloud cover outside.

“Amy dear, do get up or you'll be late for your first day!” came a soft yet echoing voice from the end of her bed. Amy  still huddled turned with a squinting  eye toward her mother, a tall slim woman in her late thirties had her shoulder length blond hair tied into a neat bun and she was dressed in a fitting beige business suit. Groaning long and deeply Amy slowly managed to sit herself up and looked at the clock, 8.10AM the blue brightly lit numbers read. “oh no! I fell back to sleep!” she shrieked  in haste, practically bounding off the bed looking like a mad girl with her hair wildly disheveled. She ran into her en suite slamming the door behind her only to emerge a moment later rushing into her walk-in closet, her mother watching on, trying to hold her laughter as she watched her daughter frantically searching through her abundance of clothing looking for the right outfit then emerging with several items in hand, rushed back into the bathroom slamming the door behind. Amy's mother finally allowed herself a laugh out in the open and then called out to her daughter “I'll have breakfast waiting for you downstairs” before she exited the room and went downstairs herself.

 

In less than fifteen minutes Amy emerged from her room now dressed in a yellow t-shirt under a white, hand-woven woolen sweater and fitted jeans tucked in calf high, heeled black boots. In her hands she held  a book, Harper Lee's  “To Kill a Mocking bird”. No matter how much time was lacking or pressing an approaching matter was, Amy always seemed to manage to have her face buried in a book and how she manages to move around with ease without watching where she is going, is anyone's guess. Descending the stairs, still deep in the grasp of literature  she barely avoided stepping  on Goliath, her 3 month old ginger kitten who had decided to make his bed half way up the flight of stairs. Despite seeing a scene much like this many times before, Amy's mother still could not help but watch in bewilderment as her daughter proceeded to scoff down two pieces of toast at the same time and scull down a glass of milk in a few short moments, all awhile her eyes never leaving the pages of her book for a second.

With breakfast conquered  and still reading, Amy made her way toward the front door appearing as robotic as ever. Seeing her daughter preparing to leave a little unburdened, Amy's mother mimicked  clearing her throat loudly “uh! Honey aren't you forgetting something?”

Attention finally parting from her book, Amy spun on her heel  and looked at her mother quizzically then to her left in the hallway. Smiling sheepishly she picked up he backpack and swung it over her shoulders, smiling at here mother Amy turned back toward the doorway when her mother again got her attention. Seeing her arms outstretched, Amy rushed to embrace her mother who in turn kissed her on the top of her head and said quietly “ I love you dear, happy birthday”

Looking up smilingly at her mother, Amy kissed her on the cheek “ thank you  mum, I love you too.” Holding her gaze on her daughter for several seconds Amy's mother added “are you sure you'll be fine walking to school today? I can drive you there if you like?” Amy shook her head and made her way to the door once more “I'll be fine mum, I've had more than enough time to get used to the route, besides your late for work as it is anyway. With that she said her goodbyes and started to make her way down the front yard and onto the walking path, her head once more buried in her book. Amy's mother called out after her “ honey! Shouldn't you be watching where your going?”

With those words falling on deaf ears, Amy's mother rolled her eyes and mumbled to herself “who am I kidding?”

 

War, an earthquake not even an intergalactic invasion would have roused Amy's attention as she unapologetically bumped into a elderly pedestrian  and kept right on walking. Living only twenty minutes away from the high school she was to attend she had traveled these roads by foot many times in the eight months since arriving in Australia from her previous home at Washington D.C. In retrospect it wasn't the short distances that spurred her on to enjoy the brisk walk around town by foot, but rather the fact that she could do so without getting mowed down by some manner of vehicle in the ever persistent hustle and bustle as it was like back in the United States.

But this morning the odds were stacked against her as she inattentively cross an avenue causing car horns to blare and the angry curses of drivers as she narrowly avoids getting hit by their cars not once but twice. A lithe, regal looking German shepherd looks on, head cocked to the right at all the events going on, if only it could speak, maybe then Amy would noticed a rather significant hazard just ahead.

Flash lights and big warning signs served no aid in directing her as she walked on and toward a man hole that had just been opened over night. The curious canine sensing the immanent danger started a series of frantic barking. This time Amy could not avoid being ripped from the trance of imagination and looked back to see what all the commotion was about. Too late, before she could even gather her thoughts she felt the hard concrete beneath her give way to empty space, too shocked to even scream as she quickly fell and hit the bottom hard.

 

It was the strong  stench more than anything else that caused Amy to rouse from unconsciousness, closely followed by intense pain from her right ankle that was doing an almost perfect job of masking the pain she felt from a rather large bump developing on her forehead. Gingerly she tried to ease herself to sit up, the very movement discovering a myriad of further sore spots.  Propping herself against the wall and touching the wound on her head she squinted at the pain as she took in her surroundings.

She was in a series of  abandoned access tunnels, moisture that could be heard as it dripped to the floor, was clearly abundant here as the brown stone walls were covered in patches of a type of moss. Wall mounted candles  scattered around the junction area she was currently in, set up to be a makeshift room. Even dimly lit the room felt too bright and Amy  had to close her eyes a minute as she felt her headache rising. At least the bedding  was fairly comfortable, an old used mattress torn in places and oozing foam and rather dusty, still better than the hard ground underneath. Her sore ankle was neatly bandaged in surprisingly sterile looking bandage and propped up on a faded blue silk cushion.

The sound of footsteps echoing from a little way off behind her returned Amy to an alert frame of mind and she immediately searched around for anything that could be used as a weapon, should the approaching stranger be hostile. Finding nothing of use save for a bedside candle stick she started to get a little panicky so ignoring the pain she tried to huddle as deep into the darkest corner as possible, a futile task but better than sitting there set in stone. After what felt like an eternity  the stranger  appeared from the tunnel to her left, a kind looking man probably in his mid seventies with a surprisingly full and blackhead of hair, wearing a brown leather apron and tan clothing of a industrial aged smith or something. The man looked left then right and finally at Amy's direction for several seconds before he finally recognised her curled up, hugging herself in the corner.

“hello there Missy, didn't recognize you rightly there in that corner” the man said with a rather pitched voice and now taking a knee, beckoning for Amy to come out of her hiding place with a wide, pearly white toothed smile. “come on now get back to bed, you'll be far more comfortable there I'm sure”.  Hesitating just a little more Amy finally scooted back onto the mattress. Grunting as she felt a muscle in her ribs tear a little more at the movement, the elderly man supported her hurt ankle and checked the bandages “your a lucky girl Missy, nothing is broken, though you have a nasty sprain, some bumps and I'm sure some large bruises are on the way. Your going to be quite sore for a while yet.”

Amy cleared her dry throat before trying to speak “tha... thank you sir, for fixing me up, do you perchance have anything to drink? If it's not too much trouble”

Smiling, the man got back to his feet “certainly do Missy, I'll be back in a flash” and with that he briskly left the way he came. “Thank you” Amy called after him rather hoarsely before turning her attention back to her surroundings, feeling around in the pockets of her jeans she withdrew a small silver mobile phone “perfect, and I just got it!” she complained to herself out loud as she noticed a huge crack in the screen and the only display, a stain of leaked ink like substance. At least she was still able to dial out to phones but there appeared to be no reception down in the tunnels anyway.

 

The sound of footsteps returning urged Amy to put her phone away and sit back against the wall and soon the man returned into view holding a dusty silverware tray with a glass jug and tumbler of ice topped lemonade. “here you go missy, drink this up, gets pretty hot down here even in the winter” he offered Amy the tumbler which she took without a moments hesitation and sipped at it urgently. With a single breath she had downed the comforting liquid, just as quickly wishing she hadn't as she gave herself a brain freeze. Still she raised the glass with the remaining ice in it  up to her head at the bump that had only gotten bigger since she'd come round. “Thank you sir I'm feeling much better now” Amy smiled at the man. The man chuckled softly “capital my dear, say do you have a name or do I keep calling you Missy?”

Now slowly rolling the chilled glass on her bump “my name is Amy sir” The old man bowed his heard slightly toward her and replied “pleasure Amy, you may call me Archie, I do hope things aren't too unpleasant down here.” Happy to finally put a name to the face she offered Archie a hand which he in turn shook firmly. “ knew you'd be alright, you've got the grip of a fighting man you do” Archie laughed for a moment. Feeling slightly dizzy from sitting up Amy allowed herself to sink lower into the pillows  “mum always taught me to master my own strength, physically and mentally” Archie leaned against the wall by her mattress silent for a second then “ sounds like a woman with her head on straight, say, your not originally from around here are you? Like me I guess.” Archie noticed the girl shivering and walked over to a cupboard Amy hadn't noticed earlier and produced a thick, heavy fleece blanket, covering Amy to the chin. “aww! Girlie you've gone and  gotten yourself all cold now” Then Archie return to his previous post by the wall.

Amy hugged the blanket around herself tightly and through chattering teeth replied “ Thank you again Archie, yes your right, I've only been here for about eight months, moved here from Washington D.C, just me and mum who got a job here in real estate. She felt we needed a complete fresh start after dad.. well...” Archie put a hand up smiling “ no need to tell me anymore than your comfortable with Amy, however I would love to know how you ended up... dropping in today”

Amy felt her cheeks go rosy in embarrassment “ I'm such an idiot really. I  was so into the book I was reading, I hadn't noticed that the man hole had been opened, before I could do anything I ran out of footpath and ended up waking right here.” Amy's embarrassment was quickly replaced with a look of concern. Chuckling a moment Archie replied “ quite an impressive book, an original printing, don't you worry about that, it did suffer some damage from the fall but it just so happens I have the required tools to fix it real quick. Amy's stress slowly dissipated and she felt her eyelids getting heavy. Archie straightened up “that's a good girl, get some rest, then we'll see about getting you home to your mother. With that Archie turned on his heel and slowly made his way back down the tunnel this time making sure his foots steps were much softer.

[3WINTERS]

Hunkered over a wooden bench overflowing with various tools and scraps Archie had just finished the final touches on Amy's damaged book and leaned back to admire his work. “ You still amaze me old boy” he said to himself as he flicked through the pages. Content that there was nothing more needing repairs he set it down and went to a bar fridge to retrieve a bottle of mineral water and proceeded to draw deeply from it. The fluttering of wings overhead attracted his attention and Archie looked above to meet the beady eyes of Angel his female fruit bat who squealed expectantly. Fetching an apricot from the cupboard he cut the fruit into small pieces and handed one up to Angel who gobbled it up greedily and pleaded for more. After several more pieces consumed at the same rate  Archie scratched at  Angel's abdomen lovingly “you need to take it easy girl or you'll be on your way to digestive hell... then again you do eat up-side-down” he shrugged and started to clear the mess from the bench. Suddenly a large crack sounded out and Archie looked ahead to a double doorway on the far side of what was a crudely set up lounge room, next to the door was a strange inactive control panel with various buttons and knobs under a currently blank screen of about ten inches in diametre. Angel who was still hanging from her perch, twisted her head in an almost sickly fashion and set her gaze upon the doorway where thick clouds of steam  was starting to retreat from the small gap underneath.

The control panel blinked into life and started flashing all kinds of symbols rapidly. Despite witnessing this scene more times than he would have liked, Archie could not help but recoil in shock as the doors flung open violently with a rush of wind and blinding light.  Just as quickly as it came, the light and wind died down leaving only the thick acrid smoke to  thin out at its own pace. Trying to rub the blur from his vision, Archie strained to make out who had come through the doors he looked left then right then up but saw nothing, finally looking down he saw the culprit, a small reptilian creature  no more than twenty centimetres in height , light brown scales and wearing robes that looked like they came from the middle ages.

 

Walking around the bench,  Archie approached the visitor with a smile “ Garl my old friend! What a pleasant surprise for you to drop by again.” Garl nodded before going into a coughing fit, after a moment of chesty hacking Garl was finally able to speak,”hundreds of times and that still hasn't become comfortable... your looking well for a young man Archie.” chuckling , Archie offered Garl a shot glass full of water “ I'm not so young anymore you know? Why just this week I found pains in areas I forgot existed”. Stretching his hand downward allowing Garl to climb up on his shoulder, Archie lead him to a crystal coffee table which looked well out of place compared to the rest of the grim dusty decor in the room. Setting Garl down on the table Archie took a seat himself “so have you got the sequence I asked for?” he asked, Garl fumbled in his pocket for several seconds and produced a small, folded piece of paper and clutched it in his fist.

“I have it right here, have you the girl?” Archie cleared his throat hesitant to reply but there was no avoiding it “ yes I do, she's a little battered though, She had not arrived the way I had planned.”

Garl had a look of concern “ what? You didn't put a crowbar to her head when she refused to follow did you?” Archie Laughed nervously “ no nothing like that at all, about twenty kilometres south of here the girl walked right into an open man hole. Now Garl had a look of utter bewilderment upon his face “ how ever did she manage to do that?” Archie tried hard yet failed miserably to stop himself laughing “ I told you she had quite an imagination didn't I?”

Garl tossed this around in his mind awhile but ended with a look of distaste “ that still doesn't explain how an intelligent being falls into a man hole, surely your people understand the concept of ample warning signs at a work site?” Finally having composed himself Archie replied “ the poor girl was so engrossed in her book she hadn't seen it coming, Honestly she walks around with her head in a book so often, it's surely only through divine intervention she has ended up in a morgue yet. I tell yo-” Archie stopped speaking as he heard shuffling behind him, turning around he met the gaze of a clearly shocked Amy who was leaning against the wall for support “ okay!...cool... I must have hit my head harder than I thought because now your talking to a lizard and he's talking to you!”

Archie hopped up to support Amy over to one of the armchairs taking extra care to make sure no weight was put on her sprained ankle. Amy thanked him and looked toward the coffee table where Garl was shuffling nervously. “ Okay... so I'm obviously NOT dreaming right now, in which case, what the hell??” Garl  sized the girl up and down a minute and not appearing too enthusiastic with what he saw. Realising his critical stare was making Amy quite uncomfortable, Garl shuffled forward and bowed “ I apologise miss, let me introduce myself. I am Garl, Ambassador for the Inter-universal safe passage commission”

Amy remained motionless briefly as she tried to gather her thoughts “ pleased to to meet you Garl, I am Amy, recently local girl and an... unexpected visitor of this establishment.” Garl sat back down cross legged and shot a quick glare at Archie who nodded, before turning back to Amy “ I am guessing you heard my rather loud entry not long ago and are no doubt eager for some sort of explanation” “most definitely”

Pointing to the doors behind him Garl replied “that there is what we call a Gateway, a portal of sorts that is used to either take the user  back in history or the future, I t can also be used to travel to parallel universes.” “Oh cool, like Stargate” Amy replied enthusiastically. Garl smiled “ yes like Stargate but a little more complicated, see if you were to open the Gateway right now and randomly step through, there is no telling where you'd end up, even without any form of coordinates the Gateway will still send you some place. And the last thing you want is to end up somewhere your not even remotely prepared for.”

 

Pondering this a moment, Amy's mind started to fill with questions ”looks to me that you can travel safely and with direction, how does one achieve such a thing?” Adjusting his posture Garl continued  “ Deep in the fifth or the “Jade” universe is where the ability  to traverse through the universes was discovered, it is also home of Inter- universal Mapping Company and the Headquarters for those who hold the keys or coordinates to countless  locations and time periods, it's obviously these that you need to safely move around.”

“ Are these Gateways everywhere?” Amy asked. “No” Garl replied bluntly, “And there lies the real problem, whilst two gateways offer accurate point to point travel, you do not actually need a Gateway to arrive at a destination, you just need it to leave your current one. When traveling to uncharted areas you must always leave with a gateway kit so that you can set one up on the other side. That is why we not only forbid careless travel but also required the desiring traveler to learn how to build their own gateway for rapid construction. All it is really, is a  small floor pad that opens the portal, then you need to have some sort of remote, I suggest something that fits on your wrist that can be used to communicate with the Gateway. The hardest and most important part is create a unique key of some sort so that only you can access your own gateways.

Amy didn't seem to be phased at all about any of this “ If someone was to carry a few kits could create a network?” Garl thought to choose his words carefully,

 “ yes... but it is most undesirable of a practice, The passage from one Gateway to then next while quick,  is rather uncomfortable. Furthermore, there are shady elements out there that desire to control gateways as a single managed pathway, if there is a flaw in your security design you can very quickly find yourself stuck several universes or time periods from your own, then you just have to pray one of our agents or diplomats are present at the same time. So for a little more safety and well, to be less taxing on your body, it is very much advised that you only have an A to B  pathway linked. Pausing a moment to allow Amy to process all the information then continued “I'm sorry I do hope I haven't bored you so much, you probably think this is all crazy.”

Amy shook her head while laughing “ I'm a teenager living in the twenty first century, nothing seems impossible to me.” Garl nodded “ but it's more than that really, you have a level of imagination and creativity higher than most. For one I can surmise that you designed and put together your current outfit, with stitching I've not seen in a long time, very durable. And also the way you, came to be here tells me you have a keen focused mind.” Garl chuckled softly.

 

 

“Thank yo... Hey did you just take a swipe at me?” Garl failed to pull off a poker face “not at all, you ARE focused... that focus is just a little unrefined” Garl snickered. Glaring at Garl a moment, Amy turned and acknowledged Archie for the first time in a while “ he does realise he's no bigger than an infant right? She asked as if Garl wasn't  sitting right in front of her. Archie laughed boisterously and put a hand on her shoulder “pay him no mind dear, he's just a little bit of a sociopath, until he gets a few drinks down, then he's a real charmer”.  Amid the ensuing Awkward silence Amy sighed and looked back and forth at Archie and Garl “So... do I get an explanation as to the reason for this little get together and why you were sizing me up earlier?”

This made Archie shift uncomfortably on his seat and Garl's demeanor had turned serious “well I guess It's down to business then, would you care to start Archie?”

Archie drew in a breath and slowly exhaled “ okay... I have a grand daughter, her name is Adrianna; you see, she came to visit me from England and ...well that was quite inconvenient considering I don't actually have a real house and well, you know the rest to that problem. Anyway,  it was next to no time and she was just begging to go home, apparently living down here isn't 'glamorous'. Of course I couldn't refuse so I tried sending her back home, problem was I couldn't get a flight for her until a couple days later, leaving me with an unhappy, restless grand daughter than I had to keep away from that gateway over there. For most of that time I was successful at keeping an eye on her until when I came to get her to the airport, she was gone. I used the gateway to send Garl a message in a bottle if you will and for two weeks he search high and low before finally being able to discern her location. I then sent Nathan in there but he too hasn't returned.”

“Hold on, who is Nathan?” Amy asked.  Archie continued “He is my.. well apprentice of sorts, Another of you young sorts who found his way to my humble abode, though I must say in a more dignified fashion “ He joked before going on.

“He and I got on very well to the point that he wanted to stay with me and learn my craftsmanship and eventually he also learned of the gateway and over time our bond grew that I decided to share all I know about it with him. He came to me an orphan and ended up being kind of a son to me.”

 

Amy looked at both of them “ So why don't either of you go fetch them? you both seem to know the process inside-out” Archie laughed at the thought of it. “quite impossible Amy dear, Garl here is a diplomat, a diplomat that isn't very popular where my grand daughter and  Nathan are, well anywhere really, you see he has been silenced and therefore technically holds no power and Me? I'm too old and weak to endure traversing the gateway so....”

“So?” Amy asked looking at both Archie then Garl, both of them nodding in her direction. “What me?! Your kidding right? I mean, for starters, just look at me! I can barely walk at the moment, how am I supposed to go on some wild adventure?”

This time Garl spoke “ from what I hear you've got no broken bones so while uncomfortable you wont be in any serious danger and once you come to the other end, you don't actually carry your injuries when in another universe.” Amy still wasn't sure she liked the sound of it but decided to play it by ear. “okay... say I do this, won't I need some time to prepare?” Archie got up with near elation “not much problem at all, I have most of what you'll need all ready to go. Amy eased her way to standing with Archie's help, she steadied herself and sighed, deeply, taking a moment to think. “ Where exactly am I  going?... that's if I am doing this of course.” Garl hopped off the coffee table and on to the floor walking towards Amy “ The location is in the eighty fourth universe, you'll be going to that universe's 'copy' of planet Earth, much like ours was during the Time of Queen Elizabeth the first... but don't expect it all to be the same as it was here. Anyway, we believe the trapped pair are in England, we have a map of the locale, how it would have been back then, don't worry the geography of the planet is no different to ours. A word of warning though, with reports of rips in the universe's time-line, we cannot guarantee there'll be no ill effects.” that last bit was the last thing Amy needed to hear but she had already made up her mind, how could she pass up such and opportunity? Pretending to continue to give it more thought she finally nodded her head “okay lets do it!”

 

It hadn't taken long before Amy had started to regret her decision to go on this little escaped but despite still being some time away from venturing forth it seem too late for her to even think of changing her mind. Amy was not one who was in the habit of changing her mind when she had given her word, no matter what lay ahead she told herself that she would do everything in her power to complete her task. Problem was, she still felt like she was going into this blindly, despite spending two hours being lectured at a nauseating pace by Garl on all the technical information she needed to know on how to control her own portal and traverse the time/space highways safely.

Taking a moment to compose herself Amy took several deep breaths and shut her eyes working on putting those doubts into the deep dark corners of her consciousness. Being somewhat successful at this task, traces of excitement started to take over.

How many people could say they had been able to see new worlds, new universes and the unimaginable amount of wonders they would be teeming with? Up to this point the only travel Amy had ever been able to embark on was the flight from D.C to her new home Ochre Plains, a long uneventfull trip that had threatened to bore her to a stupor.

With eyes still closed Amy continued to stay in her motionless trance, not noticing that Archie had entered the cool dimly lit makeshift room.

 

Archie stood at a few feet away from Amy who looked like the many painted images of pharaohs he had come across while working in Egypt during his younger years. Sitting up straight and stiffly with a hand on each rest of the armchair, looking straight ahead but with eyes shut tight. Choosing to leave her alone awhile, Archie carefully walked past, doing his best effort to not make a sound with his footsteps but almost jumping out of his skin as Amy's eyes opened suddenly.

Chuckling softly Archie leaned against the wall as his heart fluttered rapidly, threatening to leap from within his chest. “welcome back to earth missy, wow! Almost scared me to death there, can never tell if you young ones are awake or not.”

It took Amy a few moments to regain her bearings as she shook the remnants of the trance from her mind and once doing so she fixed her eyes upon Archie. “Oh sorry, I seemed to have gone under deeper than I had planned” she spoke in a raspy voice “so... what's up?”

“I hope your all rested there Amy, Garl wants you back up to the workshop to work out a few things before it's time to head out”

With a little more enthusiasm than what was called for Amy jumped up to her feet, forgetting her wounded ankle and putting full weight on the bandaged foot. With a sharp shriek she immediately tried to shift her weight to balance on her left leg, failing miserably and would have fallen face first into the hard stone floor below her had Archie not been there to help steady her.

“Easy there missy, I think that noggin of yours has taken enough of a beating for one day” Archie helped her to some home made crutches which she took with a thankfull smile. Taking a minute to balance herself with the makeshift crutches with Archie behind just to be safe, Amy slowly began to hobble across the room. Stopping at the doorway she turned and looked to the ever smiling face of the kind old man behind her. “what's it like Archie? I mean... being out there in other universes and stuff?”

Archie thought about it a moment before answering “ for the most part it's exciting, seeing many strange wonders and new people, not all of them human. On the other hand It's much like... well just think how you felt when you first came here to your new home, for a while you feel like a complete stranger and you don't belong but just use your head and you will always quickly learn who is a friend and who you need to keep right away from.”

Amy nodded in understanding before turning back around “thanks Archie, I guess I better not keep Garl waiting. As she started to head down the corridor Archie called out behind her “just make sure your carefull with whom you form...attachments with”

Amy smiled at this and kept on going “aye sir!”

[3WINTERS]

Amy wondered how anyone could find where they were going with ease, she had taken several wrong turns in the apparently never ending maze of tunnels before she found herself back to the workshop. She watched as Garl darted back and forth in a blur from a cupboard of tools and the workbench from which she noticed what looked like a jumpsuit made from a light metal and sparked visions in her mind of medieval knights. Garl finally stopped from atop the work bench and acknowledged Amy with a strained smile through laboured breath.

“Ah good girl, you found your way through that maze, I really don't get how Archie can bare to live down here” Garl chuckled a little.

Hobbling to a stool at the work bench Amy gingerly sat near Garl, this time paying full attention to her injury “yeah it's a real challenge down here... uh! Archie said you wanted to see me?

Garl sat on the work bench with legs spread out and toyed with his invention between thumb and fore finger “ ah yes, remember how I told you that travel through the highways can be rather uncomfortable?”

“uh, yeah?” Amy replied not sure at all where this was going “Truth be told It can be rather painful, so... after some thought, I decided this is more than I'm willing to put you through so I've been working fast to complete this jumpsuit here. It's built from material capable of deflecting the gravitational forces your likely to be met with but note It is not much good to you in the impact from a fall so you still have to be very carefull. You of course wear it beneath all your other clothes.

Amy picked up the jumpsuit and teased it between her fingers, sizing up the handiwork. “Wow thanks Garl, this looks amazing, I can't believe how quickly you put this all together. Still admiring Garls' invention Amy looked down at herself “ Um! Not to be difficult but don't you think I may look a little out of place dressed like this?”

Garl grinned widely showing his set of razor sharp teeth “ I thought you'd never ask, next door we have a dressing room set up with all kinds of period accurate clothing for you to choose from”

Amy jokingly whistled in relief “great! Thank-goodness for that” placing the jumpsuit over her shoulder so her hands would still be free she grabbed her crutches and stood up, though rather awkwardly under the unexpected extra weight. “well I guess there's no time like the present”

 

Dressing whilst trying to keep off her injured ankle was no small task and it felt like an eternity had past just trying to put the jumpsuit on, not to mention the fact it made her feel she had suddenly put on a tonne of weight. For a dress she chose a long navy blue garment with white frilled cuffs and hem and a dull gold floral embroidery pattern at the chest. The dress started at her neck and finished below the feet. She quickly became aware that this was garb of lower class but there was no way she was going to chose some low cut item leaving her looking like some duke's weekend tart.

Finally finishing the task of changing that had left her feeling quite out of breath, Amy headed back to the workshop moving a little more confidently on the crutches.

Both Garl and Archie were waiting for her at the workshop when she entered the room, Archie smiled at her “Modesty, always the best choice”

Garl looked up at Amy eagerly “so... the suit fits well? Your not too uncomfortable?”

“It fits pretty good, though it's a lot heavier than it looks... feels like I've been on an all night bender at a fast food parlour” she joked and quickly feeling a little grossed out at the thought of it.

Garl hopped back onto the work bench that now had various masks strewn all over it “ I'd say you'd get used to it but really you wont have to keep wearing it beyond traversing the highways, just make sure you don't lose it if you do take it off later”

Amy nodded in agreement before pointing to the masks on the table “what's all this?”

Garl picked up a clown looking masked and turned it over a few times as if studying an unknown specimen “ well, before I had successfully made your jumpsuit all I had been successful in was these cranial protective masks, I would advise choosing one if you want extra protection. There are many designs they have been crafted after... call it a mask fetish” Garl looked them all over “ I'm not sure If have one perfect for the era your heading to but you won't need to wear it too long anyway, although I think you should pick on that's not... too modern, just in case you appear before a crowd at the other end.

 

Amy looked over the selection before choosing one “ 'Guy Fawkes'... interesting choice, are you sure?” Garl asked her with a quizzical look.

Laughing, Amy put it on “oh yeah, he was such a trooper” she joked before turning to Archie with her best attempt at a models' pose “How do I look?”

Bobbing up and down with laughter it took a minute for Archie to compose himself long enough to answer “ dear, you look like a revolutionary with an Identity disorder”.

Taking off the mask Amy continued to look over the collection once more “not that prancing around as a Guy Fawkes wannabe isn't a fantasy of mine but I think I should go for something more practical” Spotting a rather intricately fashioned shawl, Amy wrapped it around her head and face and looking like an Arabian bride decided this was what she wanted. “Okay, forget practical, this just looks great... hey, this is protective material too right?” Amy asked Garl.

Garl nodded, already anticipating the question that was to come “Then why not make the whole bodysuit out of the same material?”

“ because that particular piece is of such fine material that it takes many days to fashion correctly, time isn't on our side at the moment” Amy shrugged “fair enough”

 

Archie walked to a large metal cabinet with a combination lock and produced a black satchel bag from within. Giving the contents of the bag a once over he handed it to Amy “ this is your portal construction kit, needless to say you need to guard this with your life. There's still plenty of room for any supplies you wish to take so feel free to take what you like from our stores.”

Amy took the back thankfully but then had a thought “ wait, what about all these warnings not to leave modern gear around in a era not prepared for it?” Garl piped up “ science fiction *censored* dear, for an example, if you leave say... a torch behind, sure while it functions It will hold those in possession in awe and that's even if they manage to turn it on but when those batteries die it will be garbage to them. They wouldn't even know where to start when it comes to discovering how it works.”

“that's debatable” Archie mumbled, Amy smiled at this “I think I'll be carefull all the same.”

Garl nodded in agreement, “I think that would be for the best, well once you've gotten all the supplies you think you'll need, how do you feel about starting this mission sooner than we planned? I think you're as ready as you're going to be so I don't see any need for delay.”

“ yeah I guess there's no need to delay the inevitable... wow! I can't believe this is actually happening” Amy replied with mixed feelings of excitement and apprehension.

Garl was a little concerned for Amy “are you absolutely sure you want to do this? If not then don't feel bad to say so, we do not wish to put you through any undue risk if you are not willing to do this”

Forcing herself to show an air of absolute confidence Amy looked at Garl and Archie “ I'm sure... I can do this, what other choice do you have? I mean what are the chances that someone else is just going to... drop in and take the charge?” “ well that's it then, decision made, we should be ready to see you off with the hour...” Garl froze as he remembered a valuable bit of information. “ this may be a long shot but you may already have an ally on the other side, an associate of ours by the name of Victor Blackmar. Last we had heard of him he was stationed where your going but unfortunately that news is some years old and we have had no communication with him since then.”

“I guess there's only one way to find out” Amy replied as she started to make her way to the store room “ I shouldn't be long collecting the essentials”. Garl and Archie both watched her a moment as she went, Archie turned to Garl “ we are doing the right thing aren't we?”

Garl replied rather bluntly “ right or wrong it really doesn't matter, Amy is right... we have no one else that can take her place.” Almost pleadingly Archie replied “ perhaps we can appeal to the council... anyone!” Garl sighed deeply “ who? I am silenced... no one will listen to me... and you my dear friend are too weak to travel the highways”. Archie looked away “ I know your right”

 

 

It hadn't taken Amy long at all to collect what she'd need for her mission, almost everything one could want or need seemed to be available. For herself Amy chose a field medi-kit with extra

painkillers, a rather large pocket knife with many usefull appendages, a lighter and torch with extra batteries, she counted herself lucky finding a small retractable grappling hook and finally she took some hygiene products. She thought to herself just because I'm going to the middle ages, doesn't mean I have to smell or look like it. She would have forgetting a water canteen had it not fallen from the shelf above her, she checked if it all fit in the bags various compartments and to her relief all fit in snugly. Having finished with getting supplies Amy hastened back to where Garl and Archie were waiting by the portal.

“ Okay I think I'm as ready as I can be guys” Amy announced a little breathlessly from having moved a little too fast on her crutches. “not quite yet” Archie smiled as he produced a golden compass “ this had been my greatest companion in all the adventures I took on, with this I guarantee you will never lose your way” Archie placed it in a small pouch sewn to a leather belt and handed it to Amy who then wrapped it around her waist “Thank you so much Archie, I will take such good care of it” Archie bowed slightly and then had a thought “ I almost forgot something” he exclaimed as he quickly shuffled to another cabinet. After a few seconds of searching, Archie turned back to face Amy brandishing a short-sword with an intricately designed hilt.

Amy was taken a little aback as Archie approached her with the blade shimmering in the candle light. Quickly realising how he looked, Archie laughed and placed the sword in its leather sheath.

“ oh sorry dear, I guess the last thing you need is some crazy old man approaching you with a weapon in hand” Archie offered the sheathed sword to Amy who took it by the hilt after a brief moment of hesitation. As she unsheathed the weapon and admired the craftsmanship of both blade and hilt Archie explained “ though I trust you will do all you can to remain in the shadows so to speak, there is no hiding from the fact that there are a lot of people and creatures out there who won't even blink before taking the opportunity to harm you. I know it's not a something you'd like to dwell on but there will be times when there is no way to avoid it, you will have to strike at your assailant to protect yourself and you must not hesitate or else it may well be your end.”

Putting the sword back in its sheath and clipping it to her belt by her left hip Amy took a deep breath and exhaled slowly “ Well lets hope those times are a rarity” she replied.

Garl nodded and looked to the portal and then back at Amy “okay, guess there's no sense delaying this any further.”

 

Making sure the trip would go without a hitch meant that it took Garl and Archie another half hour of system checks, giving Amy a little more time to make sure she had all she needed and to prepare herself mentally for what was about to take place. Amy looked at the clock, it had just ticked over 2.00 PM In a couple hours she was supposed to be done with school for the day, how was she going to explain all this to mother? However, Archie assured her that while days may pass where she is, back home it would be only hours and even in the worst delays he promised she should be home by dark at the latest. Of course that's only if I don't end up captured or dead myself, she thought to herself but quickly forcing those thoughts to the side.

Finally Garl announced that they were all ready to go and that was enough to make Amy feel a little sick to her stomach. Moving toward the portal Archie stopped her with a strong long embrace, with a hand on her shoulder he looked her deep in the eyes “I can never repay you for this... I am eternally greatfull.”Amy just nodded in acknowledgment with a slight smile before veiling her face with the shawl and then she stepped through the portals' entrance. Garl suggested that she might like to kneel as tightly into a ball as she could to further minimize the impact of the trip, a suggestion she was only too happy to agree with. Garl and Archie took one last look at her as if considering to pull the plug on the whole operation but then closing the door behind her in a loud metallic clang. Amy tried to control her breathing as she nervously awaited her fate in the complete darkness. After what felt like a lifetime but truly only a few seconds Amy started to hear the low hum of a motor that rapidly grew louder and then a light enveloped the darkness, so bright Amy could still see it through her eyes even though they were shut so tight and finally the pressure came.

[3WINTERS]

Lazily wading through tall grass a rather overweight cow searches for the tastiest shoots, seemingly more lethargic than one expects the average cow to be. A little lower in the fields are the rest of the flock, each individual cow looking more lazier than the next. Perched upon a large rock a farmer dressed in dusty sack cloth with one hand supporting his head as the other holds a wooden staff which he effortlessly stabs at the ground below whilst trying with all his might to fight against his heavy eyelids. Despite being such a beautiful sunny spring day, everything around seems to be bleak and depressing. Anything usually bright and vibrant instead is dull and faded and the telltale bird songs of spring are nowhere to be heard. Everyone and everything just seems to be spurred on by mechanical behaviour just begging for a break in the monotony.

Suddenly the world is jolted back to life as a flash brighter than the sun appears behind a perfectly rounded hill accompanied with a crack of thunder. Having been stirred from somewhere between awake and sleep the farmer is awe struck by what he has just seen and with renewed energy, runs toward the direction of the flash where a thin haze of smoke now rises.

 

Still in her huddled pose Amy felt the warmth of the sun upon her back and the smell of sun baked grass. Gingerly straightening up to a kneeling position she removed the shawl that veiled her face. She rubbed her temples, trying to massage away the remains of a headache procured by the trip. The whole experience hadn't been nearly as bad as Amy feared but still she felt like she'd been on the worst roller-coaster one could have imagined.

However, despite all that didn't feel right, what was even clearer was the pain missing from her ankle. Just in case it was just a little numbness blocking the pain Amy slowly got to her feet and after a moment dared to put full weight on her right side. Yes the pain really was all gone, she wriggled the suspect foot left to right and it was feeling stronger than ever.

“wow, cool!” Amy thought out loud as she gave herself a once over, looks like she didn't occur any new injury so all was well. Checking through her satchel bag to make sure nothing was broken or missing, she then decided she would put the short-sword at her hip into the back so as not to attract any unwanted attention. As she unclipped the sheath from her belt she sensed a pair of eyes on her back, she spun on her heal to come in eye contact with the farmer who despite being dusted in black dust and grime looked as white as a ghost. “Bloody 'ell” the man exclaimed before teetering and falling face down to the ground.

Amy rushed to the fallen man and knelt down, looking at him she hesitates to touch his sweaty dirt caked form for a moment but working through her disgust she managed to place him in the recovering position only to be gifted with an expulsion of gases. Leaping to her feet Amy turns away gagging and reached into her bag. Retrieving a bottle of hand sanitizer she sloshes a generous amount onto her hands and rubs them together roughly and complaining to herself “Go to England they said, see the middle ages... Does she refuse? Nooo!”

Still fuming at her situation Amy brushed her hands clammy with the sanitizer into the sides of her dress and looked around, fields as far as the eye could see. Spying a rather large hill to her east she decided this would be the best vantage point to see where civilisation was, with that still unconscious farmer around here she surmised that at least a village shouldn't be too far from where she stood.

Getting to the hill was taking a lot longer than she thought, though she estimated it to be no more than a kilometre away, walking in the tall grass that was now above her knees and doing this in a dress was proving to be very tiresome. After much effort she finally reached the summit and looked around using both hands to shield her eyes from the blistering sun. Further to the east she could make out the tiny forms of what looked to be cottages, she guessed this was the village where the farmer hailed from. Looking on, toward the south she could see a rather large settlement surrounded by a stone wall. “That must be London” she announced out loud to herself “ couldn't have dropped me off any further from where I need to be could you?” Amy asked to no one in particular. It was going to be a very long walk, the city looked to be at least twenty kilometres. Amy groaned at the thought of the walk that lay ahead but complaining wouldn't make it come any closer.

 

The first thing Amy needed to find was a road or a hunter's track, anything that was easier to walk on instead of the endless sea of grass. She was beginning to lose her appreciation for long walks in nature, any slower and she might as well have been crawling on all fours, Amy was starting to wonder if that in fact would be an easier method. As time wore on one thing began to bother her, by her observations ever since she had arrived the sun hadn't appeared to have moved one bit. Perhaps this was some cruel joke on her or maybe she was already starting to go mad she thought to herself as she sweltered from underneath its relentless rays.

Where is all this wonderfull thick cloud England is known for? She thought as she kept at her weary pace. Another half hour passes and Amy is convinced she's stricken by heat stroke, not even with her head wrapped in the shawl did she find any relief. Ahead of her the land beneath her dips to a valley and spurred on by hope or maybe it was desperation to see what lay below , she dramatically picks up her pace. To her relief, as she looked down she could see a dusty road and it looked to be a major thoroughfare at that. Only problem was that it seemed to be heading in a different direction to where she was expecting it to, had she been walking in the wrong direction taking her further away from her goal? Great, take a compass but don't use it... very smart!

Searching for the high ground again, Amy knew she needed to pick out any landmarks so she can keep track of her way, hopefully she had not ventured too far from her course.

 

From on top of another high hill Amy spotted the city again, the good news was she was closer to her destination, maybe only a few kilometres away now, though it appeared she had started going in a westerly angle toward the city. The situation started to look even brighter as she noticed the road did in fact lead to her destination, though it did seem to snake through the hills and valleys a lot.

Feeling rather dry in her throat she reached into her bag and retrieved a water canteen and swallowed half the contents in a single swig. The city was closer but with the sun still refusing to relent just a little she had better conserve the rest for later.

This time making sure her heading was correct with the compass she slowly pressed on toward the road where she'd hopefully find it easier to speed up the pace. Just a handfull of minutes later and she was doing just that, with feet on firm clear land she was able to go at a more reasonable pace although the sun remained the unbeatable foe. Amy wished she had taken a portable music player with her, listening to her favourite tunes always made long trips go faster. Instead she resorted to playing a tune in her head, it was almost as effective she thought. Unfortunately Amy's mental orchestral arrangement vanished in a puff of smoke as she heard a distant sound from behind.

Concentrating hard she tried to make out the sound and then she worked it out, the dull thud of horse footsteps, and it was approaching fast.

Amy's first instinct was to get off the road, noticing a group of trees not to far ahead and potentially a good place to hide, she moved as fast as her apparel would allow trying to beat the footsteps that were ever closer. Amy barely made it to the cover of the biggest tree before the man on horseback came into view, staying as low as she could Amy hoped that she had been quick enough to avoid detection.

Evidently she had been, as she watched horse and man rush past. Despite avoiding detection Amy suddenly had a sick feeling in her stomach again, it was not nerves like last time but rather the fact that the horse rider was none other than the farmer she'd encountered earlier. But was he doing rushing into the city? No doubt he'll be reporting a witch sighting she thought to herself.

That's all she needed, barely starting out on her quest and it won't be long before every guard and man with a pitchfork would be wanting to hunt her down to watch her fry. “hopefully they'll just think he's a total nutter” she again thought out loud but then her thoughts turned to the portal pad she had arrived at. No doubt the farmer would lead anyone who even half believed his story to its location. That just made it more imperative for her to not lose her portal kit, lose that and home will feel far out of reach. Reasoning with herself that there was no point in worrying about something that hadn't happened yet, Amy forced herself to focus once more on the task at hand. Convinced that she was in the clear Amy once more rejoined the path, walking with a greater sense of urgency she soon had the towering walls of the city right in her eyesight.

Approaching the city gates Amy was perplexed at the absence of guards to greet her but then considered this to be rather fortunate if she were to stay within the shadows.

Deciding still to err on the side of caution she hunkered low as she entered the city and hid behind a nearby stockpile of barrels. Looking at her surroundings Amy deduced she had not actually entered the central gates of the city but rather the entrance to the city's outer slum; that still did not explain why the gates were left unguarded. Apart from a a run down tavern neigbouring her hiding spot all she could see was rows of wooden decaying houses, many looking like it would only take a moderate breeze to send them toppling over.

There were very few people walking out on the streets and they appeared to be beggars rather than those who occupied these houses. It was hard to imagine how anyone could be in a worse position than the majority of this side of town. Peering down a cobbled road she expected was the main street Amy was amazed at just how large the area was as the road and the houses along side perspectively joined and disappeared into a slight haze. Despite of the overbearing sun everything so dark and gloomy.

Not knowing exactly where she was supposed to be going Amy concluded that the first step would be to make it to the central market area where hopefully she would be hidden from within the clouds; but that still meant exposing herself to prying eyes as she walked the main street of the neighbourhood. There was no other choice in the matter, slowly rising from her rising place Amy noticed a filthy cloth wedged between a pair of the barrels. Amy's nose cringed as she looked over the grotesque material but at the same time it was just perfect for her needs, taking a deep breath to steel herself she placed it over her head and wrapped it around herself like a cloak. If she was to look like one of the many beggars out there she was sure to find it easier to walk the main road accosted Amy reasoned to herself. Making sure once more that no one of significance was watching her, Amy slowly started to walk up the street making sure she kept her head down to further mask herself.

 

So far so good Amy thought to herself, she had easily been able to walk the first few hundred metres without so much as a shy glance in her direction, maybe all her paranoia was unfounded though she still wondered what had become of that farmer. Trudging on Amy started to gain more confidence and was no longer keeping her head low, though she decided it was still safer to wear the disguise.

After several minutes Amy came across a break in the perfectly aligned street as another joined and branched off to the east. This intersection was a little to busy for Amy's liking so once more she lowered her head and pulled the clothe further around her face. “Stop!”

That one word boomed from within her head and Amy froze in fear; had she been too careless whilst walking? Or maybe that order was not for her at all. Gathering her willpower once more she slowly turned to the direction of the voice, her eyes widened in fear and she felt her stomach knot as she came face to face with the farmer. Time stood still as both Amy and the man stared at each other for what was just a brief moment. Taking a deep breath the farmer pointed a thick grimy finger at her and bellowed at the top of his lungs “Witch!” This one word was all that was needed to have every eye within the vicinity locked right on her.

“Ah crap!” Amy exclaimed out loud and looked around her for the best possible escape route. Suddenly from behind her a figure cloaked in black leaned close to her and whispered in her ear with a cool calm voice a single word “run”. Amy needed no invitation to do just that and spinning on her heal she proceeded to flee up the main street as fast as she could.

 

Amy began to curse her choice of clothing as she struggled to keep up a decent pace, not daring for a second to look back. Feeling a little exposed on the main street she welcomed the site of an alley way and for now it looked to be totally deserted. Almost losing her footing as she took the turn sharply Amy started to feel her chest tighten as she struggled to control her breathing whilst determining to push on. Teetering over the edge of exhaustion now Amy took a turn to another alley thinking it was better for her to snake her way through her escape rather than leave her path predictable. Pushing on for several more minutes Amy had taken herself to the absolute limit and yet she hadn't been going particularly fast at all. Coming to a dead stop she lent against the back wall of one of the shanty houses; gasping for air as she fought the urge to collapse unconscious with here eyesight starting to fill with black blotches. Allowing herself to slide down the wall warily, she sat on the dusty street and closed her eyes feeling a little nauseated as she perspired profusely.

A few minutes later with her eyes still closed she finally started to relax, her breathing becoming more controlled but still her heart continued to hammer at her chest. To here relief it seemed like she had gotten away cleanly but she wondered who had come to her aid at just the right moment? She hoped whoever it was, was okay himself.

Amy slowly rubbed at her throbbing temples, a headache symptomatic of her once wildly beating heart that had only now started to calm down. Disturbing her recovery came the dull thud of someone or something landing pretty hard to the cobbled ground beside her, causing her body to go rigid as her eyes snapped open once more.

 

Towering over her a tall cloaked figure with hood drawn over his head casting a shadow that all she could barely make out was the faint glow from the whites of the eyes. Filling with dread once more Amy tried to press deeper against the wall and curled up, hugging her knees to her chest whilst never taking her fear widened eyes from the shadowy face. The cloaked figure she was certain was a man; raised his hands with this movement causing Amy to flinch slightly. The man lifted his hands to is hood and drew it back, revealing his face. A handsome man; probably in his thirties, had rich chocolate brown hair that cradled his face and reached down to the base of his neck. He had a deep blue eyes that appeared so warm as his brow furrowed slightly in concern, his mouth shaped in a slight smile between a lightly growing mustache and a two day old beard.

Just seeing the strangers' kind looking face was enough for Amy to relax just a little, however she continued to stay in her current pose.

Slouching against the wall a little so he didn't appear so menacing hovering over Amy, the man was the first to speak. “Have no fear young lady, those who sought to harm you are well and truly gone... at least for now” he add the last bit.

Amy opened her mouth to speak but no words came out, trying again she managed to reply “thank you sir...” The man smiled and nodded “ think nothing of it ma'am, but may I ask what brings you out this way? I don't believe I've seen you here before.” Amy straightened her position a little more “I'm looking for some people” she replied, offering no more. “Oh?” the man replied wanting Amy to continue.

Amy remained silent still and the man straightened up with a wide grin “ forgive me ma'am, here I am interrogating and we haven't even gotten to the introductions yet. My name is Victor, Victor Blackmar” he bowed slightly. “Victor!” Amy exclaimed feeling a large weight being washed away with relief. Victor tilted his head a little for a second as he studied Amy's face “ you sound like you've heard of me already?” he questioned more than concluded.

Amy chose to reply with her own question “ do you know a small lizard-guy called Garl or an elderly man who goes by the name Archie?”

Victor scratched at his chin, now those are names I haven't heard in a few years, how are they these days?” “Uh they appeared to be fine to me “ Amy replied a little confused at his nonchalant response. “ good... good” Victor seemed to have suddenly become lost in thought until in the distance he heard the muffled commotion from a group of people.

“We have much to discuss I think but I don't think we should stick around here much longer, I have a home not too far away, your welcome to stay. Do you trust me?” Victor stretched out and offered a hand to Amy who hesitated just a little before holding his hand “Yes I do” Victor helped her to her feet and proceeded to guide her through the winding alley ways, deciding it was still better to keep of the main roads. Neither of them spoke as Amy followed at Victors heels until they came to a rather large double leveled house by the eastern wall of the neighbourhood. Unlike all the the other run down houses, Victors looked neat and well kept if not a little out of place amongst all the others with his house built from stone. Victor Motioned to the house “home sweet home.”

[3WINTERS]

The moment Amy stepped into Victors' home she was in awe, everything was so elegant a stark contrast to everywhere else she'd seen so far. The walls were adorned with many pieces of artwork and as she looked at every inch of what lay before her, she noticed one common theme; cats, so many cats were present in the artwork from the humblest domestic to the mighty king of the jungle. Picking up a wooden statuette of a rather royal looking lioness, Amy slowly ran her hand over the smooth finish “so... have any real ones?”

Removing his cloak and placing it on coat hook Victor replied “ what, cats? Oh no, of course not, too much trouble. First there's the poop, then scratching and of course more poop and all that hair they just leave around... makes a my allergies run wild. Did I mention the poop?” “ yes you did”

“ did what?” “mention it” A small smile began to form on Victors' lips mention “what?” “ the poop!” Amy exclaimed beginning to wonder if she had followed a madman, whilst Victor fought to keep a blank expression “ A lady should never befoul her mouth with such language” he replied; a wide grin breaking through his stony expression.

Amy rolled her eyes but could not help smiling at the fact she had so easily fallen into his bated trap. “now that's a lot better, this city is lacking in brightened faced” Victor said cheerfully “ by the way, I don't believe I ever caught your name.” Taking off the horrid cloth she had been using as a disguise and Victor taking it from her; she replied “My name is Amy, sir”

Victor bowed to her once again “ A pleasure Amy but please it's Victor not sir” Amy nodded in agreement. Victor walked a few feet down the foyer and motioned to a doorway to the eastern wing of the house “please come and relax in the living room”

 

Victor left Amy sitting on a exquisitely fashioned sofa of fine silk with an oriental design as he went to the kitchen to prepare refreshments. Allowing herself to sink into the plump comforting cushions, Amy looked at her surroundings. Much like the other parts of the house she had already seen, the living room was filled with kinds of luxurious items. A lot of what victor owned was indicative of having been involved in various trips through gateway. A multiple tiered bookshelf filled with more books than she could count; covered the eastern wall of the house and disappeared from view as the room was designed in the shape of an L also housing the dining area. The central piece to the living room though was the well kept black grand piano that dazzled her eyes as the sunlight reflected off of it. Before her was a sturdy coffee table, built with cedar Amy concluded by its distinct aroma and chiseled out at the top to house a layer of polished marble. On the wall in front of her hung a large painting of a lush green valley, at its centre a raging river cut through and in the background towered snow capped, jagged mountain ranges.

Below though was something Amy hadn't to expect to see; on a wall unit stood a music system capable of playing compact disks and cassettes. To the left and right it was flanked by two large speaker towers and Amy could see a cable running along the floor and disappearing around the corner; she wondered to herself what victor was using as a source of power to be able to run it.

The lighting around the house as far as she could tell was all achieved through candles.

Whatever he was using for power must work on the heating too she thought as she could not see any sign of a fireplace.

 

Amy was broken from her trance of silent wonderment as Victor entered the room; in his hands a crystalline tray with a matching carafe filled with a malt coloured liquid and a pair of tumblers. The aroma of an accompanying array of fresh sweet pastries wafted to Amy's nose, promptly causing her stomach to rumble pleadingly as It had been a long time since breakfast.

Victor filled a tumbler from the contents of the carafe and handed to Amy who graciously thanked him. Taking a sip at the cool liquid Amy's taste buds and stomach immediately went into revolt as she savored the rather unsatisfactory flavour. Although she did her best, there was no masking her distaste of the beverage and Victor chuckled at this “ Sage tea, unsweetened; aids in the process of relaxation and various ailments, particularly of the stomach ironically enough. Best accompanied with one of these to counteract the taste...” he offered the plate of pastries to Amy who eagerly selected an apple danish. Through loving mouthfulls she swirled the liquid from within her tumbler “why does everything really good for you have to taste so nasty?” she asked rhetorically. Victor poured himself a measure of the tea and dropped down onto a neighbouring armchair. “ oh come on it's not that bad” he took a large gulp at his tea and Amy watched skeptically as his face ever so slightly contorted with distaste. “no your quite right, that's rather rancid” he placed the tumbler on the coffee table “ two serves a day and two years later, that never gets easier to swallow”

Victor settled back and rested his head on the arm chair, both he and Amy remained quiet for a minute; appreciating the peace with the only sound coming from the ticking of a grandfather clock.

 

Sitting up more attentively Victor asked “so... tell me how you came to know the likes of Garl and Archie, I assume Archie at least still resides in Australia yes?”

Amy nodded “ Yes, in Ochre Plains to be exact, I myself am a fairly new resident there as you can probably tell from my accent” Victor nodded but remained silent so Amy went on. “ Today was meant to be my first day at school and being my typical self , I had been walking my way there with my eyes firmly planted in a book instead of watching where I was going. Before I knew what was happening I had walked straight into a man hole and fell to the bottom of an old sewer system. When I came to, I found myself in a makeshift room and soon after that I met Archie who...”

Victor interrupted her “ wait! You...fell down a man hole? He threw his head back and roared with laughter. Amy waited out his hysterics getting slightly sick of this whole story by now; as victor composed himself and wiped away a tear or two Amy protested “ Hey! I got injured by that fall i'll have you know. Sprained my ankle pretty bad and got a nasty bump on my head just to name a few.”

Victor appeared serious as he looked her up and down “Interesting...” Amy wondered what was on his mind now “what's up?” Victor waved away her question “nothing... do go on”

Amy eyed victor suspiciously but carried on “ Anyway, Archie patched me up pretty well and while I was getting a little rest, I heard this awfull noise in the distance so I decided to check it out. I tracked down where it had come from and found Archie talking to Garl; as you can imagine a talking lizard guy isn't something I see every day so I decided to stick around for answers.

They told me all about the GateWay thing and I guess since I didn't find it all incredibly insane they wanted to recruit me for a mission. I don't know, it all moved pretty fast but anything seemed better than school after how my day had played out so far, so I agreed to do it.

Amy stopped there to allow Victor to ingest it all who now looked lost in deep thought. “ I take it Archie's apprentice and his grand daughter are the mission then?”

Amy nodded her affirmation “ yes they are, do you know of them?” Victor took another swig at his tea this time emptying the tumbler, through strains of distaste he replied “oh yes I know them... Do I ever, Adrianna is such a brat and a fool, she thought she could just zap her way home... well I guess she had it half right” he chuckled at this a little.

“Anyway, I watched as she marched herself right to the royal guard and her mouth got her in a whole lot of grief in the form of a cell. I couldn't do anything to help her right there because for one thing I'm not in the least bit suicidal, I had to plan a jailbreak instead.

It wasn't long before Nathan had arrived here himself and this time I made sure I got hold of him before anyone else could.”

Victor stuffed a chocolate smothered pastry in his mouth and went on with the story “ Now I hate to say it but Nathan isn't nearly as pigheaded as Adrianna so one could almost reason with him. Almost, see that boy is just to brash... to gun-ho if you will. I had explained the plan I had in developed for breaking out Adrianna. I don't know, maybe I talked up the plan a little too much because a few days later whilst I was out attending to other... requirements, had apparently decided he was the man to put the plan into action. Maybe it was just the sleep deprivation or Nathan just being himself but he hadn't even left without the required equipment. I tried to find him but after several hours it was obvious that now I had not one but two irritating teenagers to try and bust out .

So for a week I worked on a refined plan, partly just to make sure all was perfect but mostly just to give those two time to learn a valuable lesson, it wasn't like they were in any particular danger anyway. I had just finished refining the plan and that's about the time you showed up.

 

“I see...” Amy replied thoughtfully “ is there no way you can appeal to whoever is in charge, who is it by the way?” Victor looked physically sick at this very question “ our horrid leader is none other than the always evil Queen Elizabeth the first. Believe me Amy, everything you learned about her in history; forget about it all while your here because she's nothing like that in this universe.

She caress not for those in need but rather anyone that can be used to further increase her riches.

I bet you were perplexed by the lack of security enforcement at the gates right?”

Amy nodded and Victor continued to explain “ It's all to get inside the heads of all the lower class folk her, She keeps the inner fortified gates closed so no one here can get into the marketplace and the wealthier districts but further shows her dislike to these people by leaving them wide open to attack by any bandit. I've done all I can to help these people be prepared for any such assault but after so many years of attacks they have grown weary and hostile to anyone, including me. The only reason I don't get accosted at a daily basis by the local thugs is because they think I'm some sort of powerfull wizard sent by the Queen to make sure the people know their place in this life. Where they actually got that idea I don't rightly know.”

 

“ She sounds like a real cow!” Amy said in disgust at all she was hearing. Victor snorted “ That's just the friendly stuff in comparison. About a year ago she had managed to get in contact with a terrorist leader from another system by using the GateWay. Colonial Richard Salem is his name, a military type who was dishonorably discharged from the the Inter Universal Defense Alliance for his extremist views; mind you the alliance itself is corrupt enough as it is but that's another story for another time. Any way Colonial Salem ended up with a group called the Libtechs, a group of highly advanced techno-terrorists with weapons far greater than this planet can hope to contend against.”

“ what do they stand for?” Amy asked.

“ Well the claim to fight for the liberty of all systems over the whole multi-verse but the truth is all they are interested in is showing their muscle and causing as much fear enforced reputation toward their name.

They were exactly what her Royal Highness need but she wasn't actually interested in one of their weapons per say but.... well tell me this, what time do you think it right now?”

Amy glanced outside a window and it seemed that still nothing had changed “Um! I would say midday but it feels like it's been like that ever since I got here, which makes no sense at all.”

Victor nodded at this “ right, well right now it's actually close to sunset but as you see yourself has not even moved.” Amy really had no idea where this conversation this was going so she just beckoned Victor to keep talking.

“Ok, well the thing the Queen was interested in is a rather large bit of space machinery capable of disturbing the planet from spinning on its access”

“How the hell is it doing that?” Amy asked, utterly amazed. Victor rubbed at his chin thoughtfully

“ I'm not entirely certain actually but if I was to put money on it I would say it's capable of producing a gravitational pull greater than that of this planet, there are some rumors that this same machine is able to and has been used to rip planets from the star they orbit thus sending everyone to the death and rendering the planet unlivable but that's all just hearsay at this point.”

“ but what she's doing will affect the whole planet not just her unfortunate people here” Amy wasn't quite sure still what the end game was but she started to have a sneaking suspicion.

Victor already looked like he was ready to strangle someone as he talked about all that had transpired but still he kept on with the history lesson. “ The thing is that witch had ambitions to make the entire planet a united kingdom but after many battles and many lost she had gained very little ground. Now with this new weapon at hand and being an ally with those of the Libtechs, no nation felt they had a chance and one by one they claimed allegiance to the new Queen of the world with only a few hundred groups willing to fight the one nation rule through guerrilla warfare, a futile task. All the Libtechs asked in return was a fair share of the world's resources which they projected would become plentifull as those that plundered them died off. So for the last year half of the last year has had nothing but light and the other darkness, the natural balance is gone.”

This all was a lot for Amy to take in but still she had questions needing answers “ that doesn't sound like the end of the story; for one thing I can't see why the Queen would keep up this process of imbalance. Surely after a while the instability would affect everyone here; not even the Queen would avoid the affects forever.”

“ yes your right about there being more to it” replied Victor with a deep sigh. “And this is where things get really crazy. After some months of allowing the Libtechs to freely plunder what they desired she started to get false sense of control. She believed that she actually could command them to stop and placed an embargo upon them. This was too much for their liking, what an insult to think she could ever stand up with an air of authority against a far superior people.

I'm sure they thought about blasting this planet to oblivion but knowing these people I would say that would be too merciful of them.

An so it was, instead they packed up their machinery and fled the nest; leaving the planet under control of that contraption up there and here we are, slowly dying out and the planet sharing the same fate.”

“Surely there's something that can be done to stop all this?” Amy asked almost pleadingly. Victor got up and walked to the bookshelf to retrieve a book, after a few minutes of searching he finally pulled out the one he wanted and opened it to where the bookmark was placed.

 

Between the pages there was a rather mangled piece of paper which Victor retrieved and opened, handing it to Amy. “About a month ago I received that letter from the chancellor of a university deep in the city. At the time he claimed he was close to discovering the location of one weapon that the Libtechs left behind. A cannon capable of blasting that boon to our lives out of the sky.

“ couldn't he just have given this information to the Queen? Surely she'd want that thing down just as much as anyone else?”

Victor couldn't help but laugh at the craziness of it all “ You would certainly hope so, but no; the Queen and her council have gone quite insane... literally. She is so afraid that once that thing is down she will lose control of her supposed grip on this world. So she kills or imprisons anyone who is perceived a threat.”

“Is that what happened to the chancellor?” Amy asked. “Yes but not because he knows of a weapon that could bring her down, as far as I can tell from a distance she has no knowledge of such a weapon. Instead he was another victim of her paranoia, he was executed as a traitor seeking to seize her power for himself.” Amy handed the letter back to Victor “ Do you think he had time to finish his research before they... took him?” Amy asked. Victor placed the book with the letter back in its place on the bookshelf, “I believe he did, from that letter it sounds like he was very close or maybe he was already done but was being cautious about saying anything too early. It's likely that he was able to successfully hide his findings before his capture and that they are exactly where he left them. The chancellor was always very good at hiding precious material from prying eyes.”

“Then we have to go find his research material don't we?” Amy responded eagerly. Victor smiled at her enthusiasm “Yes I can see it now, you were hand picked to come here not a random act of fate. If you are willing to go through some fast paced grueling training then I think you shall be a fine companion to do this. You see it won't be as simple as just walking in there and taking what we need; the university is now heavily guarded, maybe even more so than the Queen's own palace.”

Both remained silent as Amy dwelt upon what lay ahead of her should she take on the task and finally coming to the only conclusion.

“No one should have to live this way, what the citizens here and everywhere else is going through is too horrible to walk away from.” Victor already felt such pride for the young girl before him, it would have been better for her to keep away from all this and Victor had no qualms about this but instead Amy had chosen to not look away at someone else's plight and committed to doing all she could to bring an end to all the pain even if it meant she could face much pain herself in due course. “Right it's settled then but first of all we must look toward freeing Adrianna and Nathan, we need all the help we can get but if help cannot come from them, at least they'll be safer here when all the trouble we're sure to cause starts to unravel.

[3WINTERS]

Whew! that as an effort and a half just to post lol

[Flintlockecole]

Quite the story.

[LordWushin]

Was a little hard to read but got through it! Very good tho!

[3WINTERS]

Thanks, what was difficult though? so I can improve it, was it the language or format/layout of the story?