Chapter One“You have GOT to be shittin’ me.”
This of course coming from our fearless and unimpressed leader, Capt. Jonathan Hughes. We just call him “Cap’n”.
We were standing in a field out in the middle of nowhere looking at some pretty weird things. The grass was all grayish black stretching as far as the eye could see. No trees anywhere. Hell there wasn’t even a sun that we could see. Just a dirty white light that came from everywhere, shining from a cloudless sky. But that was almost normal compared to some of the places we’d been.
What got the Cap’n all riled up was there was rows of endless Gates going in just about every direction you cared to look.
What are Gates?
Well the Gates are a magical doorway into the different worlds and levels known to exist.
The only trouble is, no one knows where each gate will go. Unless you’re a GateKeeper.
GateKeepers are basically your average magician. They know how to call up the Gates and they know where each one they call up goes. Takes a long time and lots of learning to be a GateKeeper. They learn the gates from whoever teaches em, so it’s not like they know all of them. Not sure anyone does. Each one has a different spell to open it, so if you don’t know the spell, you can’t get in. Of course, there is a spell that’ll open a random Gate, but you never know where it’s gonna take you. That could get you killed in a fast second. There’s also a spell that’ll take you to the Gate Plains. Far as I know, only the Keepers ever really go there.
Which brings us here. Cap’n wanted to know how to get here, figured we could save time if we all knew where the Gates were and all that, so he had the Keeper (we just call him Keep) to bring us here.
I don’t think the Cap’n is too happy with what he’s seeing.
“What the hell is this, keep?” the captain said, glaring at the magician.
“This is the Gate Plains, Cap’n.” Keep said trying not to grin. “This is where you said you wanted to go.”
“Nice place, Keep. This where you bring your dates?”This coming from Jester, the company crack up, getting a few laughs from everyone.
“Cut the shit.”, Cap’n said, “Now look here, Keep, just how are we supposed to find anything out here? I wanted the whole outfit to learn some of these Gates but there ain’t no signs or nothing to indicate where each one goes. I mean I knew there was lots of Gates, but I didn’t know there was this goddamn many.”
“There are thousands upon thousands of Gates, Cap’n,” says Keep, “and there ain’t a single one has a sign. We learn the spell for each one from a master. For any other Gate that we don’t know, there is a spell that can reveal the name for us to use later. But that don’t tell us if it’s safe to go thru it. You would have to actually go in to see. I don’t recommend that you go in until learning the Gate spell first. Otherwise you may not be able to get back out. The same spell that opens a gate for us also keeps it open until I speak the release spell. If you just pick one and jump in, the Gate will close behind you and then your stuck. Unless you know how to open another Gate.”
“Cap’n?”
“Yes Corporal?”
The company “nut-cracker”, Corporal Jones said, “Everything checks out clear, sir. Should we set up camp here?”
“How about it, Keep? Can we camp on this spot?” says the captain.
Where we were all standing in was a raised stone platform. Like a deck only it was about 50 square yards, very smooth stone, and nothing else. No weeds, no trees, nothing. Not even a roof to keep out the rain. If it ever rains here.
“No problem there, Cap’n. Just don’t freak out and try to shoot anyone else that shows up. We ain’t the only people that ever comes here. Other Keepers come to learn new gates now and then, and we don’t want to cause problems with the Keepers Guild.”
“Ain’t that the fuckin truth.” The captain muttered, nodding at the corporal to go ahead.
Saluting the captain, Jones turned and began to issue orders to the rest of us grunts. “Jester, Spider, Tom and Louie. Mark off a camp perimeter and stand sentry. Sneak, you and Hound Dog collect whatever wood you can find for a fire. Everyone else start pitching tents and setting up camp. Move it people. I want it done yesterday.”
Jester and the others began to move off to their posts while we got the tents unpacked and started setting up. Sneak and Hound began to walk among the Gates on their search. Before they went to far, Keep called them up short.
“Hold on guys.” They stopped. Sneak looking like she wanted to murder him. “Okay…ladies and gents. That better?” says Keep.
“Whatever,” Sneak said, “Whatcha need?”
“Just wanted to give you a warning. Stay clear of the Gates. Don’t touch them or get to close. You can get sucked in if you ain’t careful. And stay away from the one’s with a barrier across them. Those are the nasty ones. If you find anything unusual, don’t touch it. Come back and get me and I’ll check it out, ok?”
“Gotcha, Keep. Come on pup. We got work to do.”
Grinning impishly, Hound Dog followed Sneak as she picked her way past the black Gates, eventually moving out of sight of the rest of the company.
“Gonna be slim pickings, even if they do find anything here.” The captain said. “There doesn’t seem to be any animal or plant life other than this grass.”
Keep was looking off into the distance and began to speak quietly, “Long ago there used to be a city right about where we are standing. They were the first people to discover the Gates. Our oldest records in the Guild tell us that they learned to duplicate the first Gates found and travel through all of them. They even had a catalog of each one along with its conjuration spell and description of where it went. None of these catalogs is said to exist anymore. I’d love to find one.”
“What happened to the city?” asked the Captain.
Startled out of his thoughts, Keep turned to look at the captain and said, “The city? I’m not entirely sure. The records are a bit fuzzy about that. Some say that they were wiped out from strange creatures pouring out of the Gates. Others say that there was war among all the Gate Keepers, and that the destructive spells simply leveled the city. No one really knows the truth, I guess. There is supposed to be a vault where ancient records are kept here on the Plains, but it’s never been found. I’d love to find it, Cap’n. I’d be one of the most powerful Keepers if I did. Instant knowledge of all the Gates, forgotten spells for healing, warfare and protection. Oh yeah…I’d love to get my hands on that.”
“Is this why Keepers never use destructive spells anymore?” asked Jones, looking around the empty space where the city once stood.
Smiling evilly, Keep said “Yeah. We are all bad asses and don’t wanna hurt you toy soldiers.”, getting a chuckle from the rest of us. “Seriously, it’s because of what happened here that we don’t do it anymore. The most you get from us is healing and protection aside from our control of the Gates.”
“But if you ever see two of us start a dual, run your ass as far away as you can.” Keep continued, “It’s not safe and it’s not pretty. That’s one of the other ways to learn Gates. Defeat another Keeper and you can assimilate his Gate knowledge. It don’t happen often, but when it does, look out.”
“You ever been in a dual, Keep?” said Spade. Spade is the company cook. Black as night and big. Goddamn is he big. 6’ 11” and all solid muscle. He carries half the camp, right along with that monster weapon he calls a gun. Never tell Spade that his food sucks; there’s two ways to eat it. On your own or with his help. Your better off just swallowing your pride along with whatever he cooks.
Keep replied, “Yeah I’ve been in a few. Actually, I’ve been in exactly 24 duels. All but 5 were to the death.”
“Thought you said duels don’t happen very often, Keep.” Said the Captain.
“Well Cap’n, 24 over 198 years ain’t much. Didn’t you all know? Us Keepers live a long time. All part of the magic that we get to use. But that don’t make us invincible. Just real dangerous.”
“Holy shit.” This from Jones who was standing by the captain. “You don’t look like much more than 30 or 40 years old.”
The little prick actually smiled at that. “Yep. God I love my job.” He said. “You know, what with the captain wanting you all to learn a few gate spells, you’ll also live a bit longer than normal. Not as much as me or any other regular Keeper, but enough so that you will be around for a while.”
Silence greeted that bit of information as we all thought about what it would be like to live past our normal lifetimes. What would it be like to see the future? What if we didn’t want to live longer than we should? Of course, there’s always a good side to it. We would have more time for drinking and womanizing. Everyone except for Sneak and Jenny, that is. Then again, who knows where their tastes run? Not a single one of us thought of how it would be like after parting with the company we were in. We never thought that far ahead. All of us could be dead tomorrow for all we knew.
Time seemed to pass a lot slower for everyone while the camp was set up. Everyone keeping an eye open for trouble and hoping it didn’t come knocking with a great big smile, spoiling a perfectly shitty day for us all.
“Cap’n?” Jones called, “Sneak and Hound are overdue, sir. Should I send a scout to locate them?”
“Better send Jenny, Corporal, she can look a lot faster. Besides, if they are lost, she can guide them back here without getting lost too.”
“Aye sir.” Jones replied, “Jenny,” he shouted, “front and center.”
Jenny is our aerial scout. She joined up with us when we stopped in Arius. Arius is a world where everything floated. The land, the oceans, everything. The people of Arius are all born with wings like birds, but they all looked human enough if you could look past the wings. Eyes like an eagle too. Jenny was our best scout for any situation, being able to spot a mouse a thousand feet up. So anytime we needed a quick peek around, she got picked for the mission. Captain thought it’d be a good idea when she asked to join up, and not one of us has regretted it since.
You know that if you control the higher position in any battle, the chances of victory are improved remarkably. Well, with Jenny’s eyesight, she’s a crack shot with the lighter weapons in our arsenal, and being up in the air while she’s picking off the enemy, we definitely got the “higher” position.
“Yeah Corporal?” Jenny asked.
“We need an arial search for Sneak and Hound Dog. They may have gotten turned around among all the Gates. Their last know direction was east. Start your search in that section and go from there. If they are lost, just guide them back. If there’s any trouble, come back and report. While your up there, keep an eye open for any other signs of life or anything that Keep may be interested in. Got it?”
“Got it.” She said.
Standing clear of everyone and checking behind her, Jenny gave a powerful down stroke with her wings and lifted off. Still flapping strongly, she proceeded to gain height and started moving off east. We watched while she made lazy circles in the air, keeping us in her line of sight while she searched for our missing companions.
The rest of us, having finished setting up the camp, did what any soldier does when he has free time: we hid from the corporal till he ducked into the captain’s tent for a little strategy meeting.
Soon as he was gone, we all picked our favorite spot to sit and began cleaning our weapons and making sure they would be in good operation should the need arise to use them. We also kept an eye in the direction Jenny had gone, so if it became necessary, we would be ready to go if she raised an alarm.
Close to an hour passed and we were all starting to get a little concerned. Still no sight of Jenny, or the others. The Captain and Corporal Jones had come out of the tent, aware of how much time had passed, and were just about to get the entire company together for a search and rescue, when we all seen Jenny rise up and start flying back to camp.
All of us were on our feet now; ready for anything as she landed at the camps edge and came forward to make her report.
“Sneak and Hound are just fine, Cap’n,” she reported, “They haven’t found any wood or any other signs of life during their search, but they did come across some stone columns. They could be part of a building foundation from Keeps’ story about the city, but they didn’t think so and I’m inclined to agree. They are covered from top to bottom with writing in a language none of us knew. She was about to return and report it to Keep when I showed up. After she bitched about us thinking she was lost, that is.”
Keep had been standing behind the captain while she made her report, and he came forward eagerly when she mentioned the columns.
“How far off, Jenny?” he asked.
“About 7 clicks due west, Keep. Then maybe one click south. Sneak and Hound stayed to guard the place until I return with new orders, or everyone showed up.”
“Okay,” said the captain, scratching his chin while he thought. “Corporal, you and Blade stay here with the perimeter guard while the rest of us check this out. Jenny, did you happen to notice anyone or anything else while you scouted?”“No sir.” She replied.
“Right. Okay troops, get your weapons and some rations. No telling how long we’ll be out there. Jenny, you’ll be riding the currents while we secure the columns. Keep an eye on both areas. Corporal, secure the campsite and signal Jenny if there’s a problem. If a Keeper shows up, you are not to interfere in any way. Just identify yourself and let them know where we are. Everyone else look sharp while we’re out there, and stay clear of the Gates. Got it?”
“Yes sir!” came the general reply.
With that, Jenny took to the air once again while the rest of us started hoofing it to the columns Sneak had found. Keeping an eye out for trouble while we marched, even though we didn’t really think it was necessary. If Jenny and Sneak didn’t find anything, we doubted we’d see much either. But then again, why take chances?
Keep stayed in the middle of us while we marched. That’s the one thing we made sure of, was to see that he was protected. Without him, we’d be stuck here, unless we all took a chance and hopped an unknown Gate. Not something any of us wanted to do, that’s for damn sure. Only bad thing about that was whoever was closest to Keep usually ended up having to listen to him while he muttered about this thing or that.
Blessing of all blessings, he didn’t do that today. Instead, he kept his eyes focused ahead of us and his mouth shut. Only thing we could figure was he was real excited about seeing these columns. If so, then he was the only one. We all wanted to relax back at the camp and grab a bite to eat. Now though, we’d have to wait and see what all the fuss about these columns was all about.
After we marched for about four clicks, we came to one the Gates with a barrier that Keep warned Sneak about. The Captain being naturally curious about these things asked Keep about it. And to tell the truth, the rest of us were just as puzzled about it as Cap’n was.
“Why do some Gates have barriers on them, Keep?” asked the captain.
Collecting his thoughts for a moment, like a professor about to give a lecture, Keep replied, “Some of the gates that were created long ago, were done so for one purpose. For the punishment of criminals. The barriers are all marked with the Gate location, so we all know where they go and what’s on the other side. Some lead to uninhabited worlds where criminals can’t hurt anyone but themselves, and may even get released in time. A few lead into places where there is no breathable air, or there are savage creatures with no intelligence, or even to places where criminals are made into slaves. Depends on the crime committed. You have noticed that there is always a keeper at any criminal trial, haven’t you?”
“Now that you mention it, yes I have.” Said the captain.
“They are there at the Judges request to carry out sentencing and to ferret out the truth. If a person is found guilty, the judge decides what’s to be done. If they are sentenced to death, the Keeper brings them here and chucks them through the Gate. Same thing if they are exiled, too. This is a position usually held by a Keeper who is still in training, although if the crime or person warrants it, a more powerful Keeper may be requested.”
“Hey Keep! What if it’s another Keeper on trial?” asked Snack. Snack is the company’s catalog. He never forgets anything so he’s in charge of keeping inventory on everything in the company’s possession. He can tell you how many rounds you fired off in the middle of a firefight, two hours after the fight was over. That and he never seems to eat. He’s a strong little bugger to have with you though. We always told him if he turns sideways, we’d have to send a scout to find his skinny ass.
“If it’s another Keeper on trial,” Keep said, “then there would be two very powerful Keepers there to stand guard on him. There’s only been record of three Keepers that have been sentenced. Doesn’t matter what the crime is, the punishment is always death. We can’t have a Keeper in exile, cause he’d eventually escape and probably take more exiles with him. So they bring them here and toss them through a death gate.”
“Why don’t they just open the Gate right there and chuck them through?”“Because, numbnuts, when you open a gate, it stays open until you close it. That means that whatever’s on the other side can also come through. It also gives the Keeper being sentenced the opportunity to cast a destructive spell through the gate. If they come here and just toss them in, the gate shuts instantly behind them. No way out and not enough time to open another one before being torn apart or dead from poisonous air.”
The captain walked up to the barrier and looked at the symbols carved into it. Turning to Keep, he asked, “Where does this one go?”
Taking a moment to decipher the runes, Keep said, “This is one of the creature gates. On the other side of this gate are monstrous, nasty creatures that will tear apart just about anything that they see. Including each other. Would you like to see what’s in there? I can make the gate transparent for a short time. No danger if I do that. That’s how we learn new gates.”
Now the entire company was interested. A chance to see these demonic creatures was too good to pass up.
Keep closed his eyes and concentrated for a minute. We could all feel the rush of power as he called up his magic to cast a spell. When he opened his eyes, power emanated from them in blinding lights, making us all take a step back.
Pointing towards the Gate, he uttered a spell and we watched as a sphere of light left his hand and fell into the Gate. We watched, as the mirror black surface started to swirl and sparkle with color as the spell started to take effect. Shimmering lines began to break out across the surface and widen themselves as they met up with other lines. In less time than it takes to cough a few times, the entire gate was revealed as a window into another world.
And what a world it was too. The sky was a pale yellow color which shown down on a tropical setting. Huge trees of many shapes surrounded a clearing where the gate let out on. The undergrowth was so thick that it was impossible to see the ground in some places.
Closer to the gate, the growth wasn’t as thick, but we could see that something moved underneath all the grass and bushes within our view.Didn’t look all that bad actually.
Then we saw a monster from the depths of hell itself. Twice the size of a horse, with a body length of about 20 meters, six legs rippling with muscle studded with spikes and claws that looked to be at least a foot and a half long. The body was covered in what appeared to be armor plates, studded with thousands of needle sharp hooks. Each plate glistened with an oily sheen, and was colored anywhere from red to black. The body was in 2 sections, giving the creature flexibility in combat. The head of this monstrosity was about the size of a wagon wheel. Razor sharp mandibles clashed at its mouth, while thick fluid gathered at the corners and fell sizzling into the grass. The head of the creature, was covered with matted hair which surrounded three massive eyes that were set in a triangular pattern, giving it excellent sight in all directions. The creature pulled and stomped at the grass, cutting and pulling great swaths up with its powerful arms, slashing with the razor sharp claws on its hands.
It looked as though it was hunting for whatever crawled under the grassy surface.
Spade took a ration pack from his pocket and tossed it through the gate. The creature seeing sudden movement spun around and moved with frightening speed to where the pack had landed.
Scared the shit out of us when the creature charged toward the gate and we all fell back bringing our weapons to bear on the advancing horror. Keep reminded us that the gate was not open and that the creature didn’t even know we were here, but was only going after the ration pack that was thrown through the gate into its world. Spade gave us a sheepish grin, which withered under the captain’s dark glare, and we all rewarded Spade with a slap on the head…those of us who could reach it anyway.
The creature tore savagely at the ration pack and was joined by another one also trying to get it. They immediately started battling over the prize, slashing with great clawed arms and legs in a desperate frenzy to feed. Bush’s and grass were thrown in several directions as each behemoth battled for the prize.
Sparks flew when contact was made against the armored plates, so we knew that they were part metal anyway. Little damage was done by either creature, as we watched, but we could imagine what kind of result against a person just such a battle would end with. We were all impressed at the speed and voracity with which they fought each other.Now the gate began to haze over as the spell wore off. Black lines began to trace their way across the surface like liquid mercury, until it was once more a glossy black color, hiding the world on the other side under its mirror finish.
We all stood around for a couple more minutes, trying to digest what it was we had seen. To be condemned to that kind of fate was not something any of us wanted to happen. You could almost see the resolve to never break universal law in any world, take a firm hold of everyone who stood to bear witness to the nasty sentence one could be charged with.
The Captain, apparently untouched by the fate of those misfortunate souls, turned to address the company, but was brought up short by something he seen back the way we had all come. The rest of us seeing his expression, spun around with weapons up, ready to fire and spreading out to make a less easy target. When we took notice of what the captain was looking at, we stopped and looked around incredulously.
“Keep?” said the captain. “You want to explain this one to me?”
Keep was still preoccupied with the runes on the barrier, and, not noticing the alert status of the rest of us, glanced behind him to see what the captain was looking at.
“Oh that.” He replied with a small grin, “I had forgot to mention that part. I guess I just took it for granted since usually only Keepers come here.”
What Keep had taken for granted, and surprised the hell out of us, is the fact that looking back toward camp, past all the Gates we had marched past, was empty. Of everything except the grass we walked across, including the Gates.
“The Gates can only be seen on the entry side, Cap’n,” said Keep, “if you walk behind it, then the gate disappears from view. Only a gate that has been spelled open can be viewed from both sides. We could walk in a straight line from here to camp and any gates we walk across wouldn’t affect us. Makes for easier traveling.”
“Well ain’t that interesting!” said the captain under his breath, not looking all that interested. “You got any other surprises you’d like to share with us?”
“Uhh…No sir. I think that pretty well covers all I know.” Keep replied a bit uneasily.
“Relax, Keep. Not your fault I suppose, I just hate surprises.” Then turning towards the rest of us, the captain said, “Ok, troops. Let’s move out. I wanna get there before nightfall. Night does come here, doesn’t it, Keep?”
“Yes it does, Cap’n. Doesn’t look that much different than it does now, to tell the truth. Maybe a little bit darker, but not by much.” Keep replied.
With that, we continued our march towards the mysterious columns found by Sneak and Hound Dog. The captain kept trying to convince himself that coming here was a good idea, and that the company would profit from it in some way or another. You can imagine the trouble he had doing just that.
All things considered, though, we were all surprised that nothing bad has happened yet. Eventually, the law of averages catches up with everyone and mistakes are made. Someone has to pay the check when the shit hits the fan and they don’t take credit cards.
Chapter Two Moving away from the rest of the company, Sneak and Hound Dog began their search for wood quietly. Both keeping and eye out for anything unusual.
After some time had passed, it was apparent to both hunters, that there was nothing here. No life, other than the strange grass, and the company. Certainly, not enough to cause them both to be on heavy guard.
So they started talking. But being experienced soldiers, they still managed to keep a good look out for any signs of life or danger.
Simple chitchat dominated the conversation to start with. Both starting with small questions about where each other came from.
Sneak asked, “So what world do you come from, Hound? And how the hell did you hook up with this outfit?”
Hound Dog looked a bit uncomfortable talking about his past, but also knew that comrades couldn’t be total strangers. Not when your life may depend on them someday.
“Come on, you can talk. Hell its not like I’m asking about your love life, so spit it out, pup.”
With a resigned sigh, Hound began to talk softly about his origin.
“I come from the world known as Ran’aksa’a. Ours is a peaceful race. Mostly human, but with a little mixture of the worlds original intelligent life. No one knows what they are called since it’s been this way for thousands of years. The Corporal called me Hound Dog cause all my people have a high sense of smell. My given name is Tch’sallech. Corporal figured Hound would be a bit easier…can’t say I blame him. I never did like my family name.”
“The reason I joined up is because I ran into a bit of trouble on my world. It was either join up or face sentencing. You can understand my choice, I’m sure. I’ve heard stories of what happens to people who are sentenced into exile. Besides, I kinda like this life a lot better. I get to see new worlds and all my food and clothes are provided by the captain. The only thing I gotta worry about, is keeping my weapon in good working order and shoot where the Cap’n tells me to”
Sneak looked thoughtful while she absorbed what Hound had told her. She was about to ask what kind of trouble he had gotten himself into when they came across a gate with a barrier across the front.
“This must be one of Keeps lethal gates. Lets head around it on the far side. I don’t want to get any closer than we have to, ok?” said Sneak. Hound just nodded and followed her lead.
They walked on for a few minutes in silence, passing gate after gate. Neither one seeing anything other than grass as they traveled further from the campsite.
Before Sneak could resume her questioning, Hound decided to see if she would tell him a bit about herself. So he asked, rather quickly, where she was from and why she joined.
“Well, pup,” she said with a grin, “I’m from Frand’or. The entire population is human. Not a bit of anything but. My life at home wasn’t worth a damn living with several brothers and sisters. We sure as hell wasn’t rich, so we kinda borrowed whatever it was we didn’t have.”
“You mean you stole what you needed.” Said Hound.
“Shut up and listen.” She replied, “Yeah we stole what we needed, but that wasn’t the kind of life I was looking for. My family couldn’t afford to make it better, and I couldn’t get into any learning programs to find work. So I stole. Well when the captain showed up, I thought it was a golden opportunity to change my circumstances for the better. At first I figured I’d simply hide amongst the supplies till the captain jumped gates. And it was a good idea, except that the first three places we jumped to didn’t look any better than what I left behind. By then, Snack had noticed that an awful lot of supplies were missing, so he started doing an inventory. And that’s when I was found. I refused to tell the captain where I had come from, even when he threatened to have Keep send me off into the shittiest world he could think of. So he offered me the chance to sign up. That’s when the corporal gave me my name. So far I’ve not regretted it one bit.”
Sneak fell into a thoughtful silence after her last statement, and Hound didn’t try to pry any more information out of her. They both walked along in silence, looking about themselves as they went.
One gate after another went by without change. No sign of any wood at all and nothing that seemed out of place did they notice the entire time.
Sneak was about to call off the search when Hound tapped her on the shoulder. She looked up to see him staring off into the distance south of where they were walking.
“What do you suppose those are?” asked Hound.
“My eyes ain’t as good as yours, I guess. What do you see?” she asked.
“They sort of look like poles sticking up out of the ground from here, but I think they are a little bit too big for that. There are about a dozen from what I can see at this distance. We may as well check it out, since we haven’t found anything else to make this little trip worthwhile.”
“What the hell,” Sneak said, “lets go take a quick peek then.”
They started off in the direction of the strange objects, making better time since they no longer had to go around any gates. Now all they had to do was walk past the front of them. Watching as one by one the silent doorways they passed stood sentinel on a dead plain.
“I wonder if the others know that these gates disappear from the back?” Sneak asked.
“I’m pretty sure Keep would have told everyone. Shocked the hell outta me when I first noticed.” Hound replied.
“Never know what Keep will tell you. I’m certain he has secrets that he’s not about to share with any of us. No matter what the captain asks him to do.” She muttered, thinking Hound wouldn’t hear her.
“You forget that along with a very keen sense of smell I also have damn good hearing too.” Hound said with a grin, “But I have to agree with you on that one. Keep generally stays to himself. Never seen anyone more secretive than the captain. Oh well, I just do what I’m told and leave it at that. I sure as hell don’t need the kind of problems on my mind that Cap’n has. Do you?”
“Hell no and amen to that, pup.” Sneak said grimly. Then, “Hey you know? I can see those poles a lot better now. They look a bit too big to be poles. Look more like pillars or maybe columns.”
“Yeah, you may be right. The air has an odd smell too. Better keep on alert. I don’t like the feeling I’m getting around here.”
For the remainder of their walk, they were silent as they kept watch on the surrounding area. Still no sign of any other life or anything else except the columns that were coming closer with each passing moment.
Now they were close enough to see them quite clearly. They were about ten feet high and about one square yard wide. They counted twelve columns altogether, six on one side and about eight feet away, the other six lined up perfectly with the others making a rectangle, each one covered from top to bottom with alien writing that neither one could read. The space between each column was about eight feet also. The closer they got to the columns, the stronger came a feeling of uneasiness.
“Keep a distance from those columns, pup.” Said Sneak. “I don’t know what we got here, but they feel like there’s a power here and I don’t need anything happening to us.
Let’s take a look all around the columns. Stay on the outside while we do it. You take the far side and I’ll meet you at the other end, ok?”
“Gotcha.” Said Hound.
They moved off, weapons at the ready for anything unexpected, and began to inspect the columns all the way to the other end.
Hound noticed as he walked that the image of Sneak was a bit fuzzy as he viewed it between the columns. He filed it away under “find out later” and continued his patrol.
Not finding anything else out of the ordinary, he continued his search to the end of the columns and met up with Sneak as she came around her end. He shrugged his shoulders at her questioning look and they returned to where they started to decide what to do next.
It was on their way back that they noticed Jenny flying in a search pattern, so they signaled where they were and waited while she came in for a landing.
“Hi guys.” She said. “Cap’n was getting worried that you had gotten lost so he sent me to find you.”
“Lost?” said Sneak, “When have we ever gotten lost before? Especially with Hound here. He can smell his way back if it came to that.”
“I suppose I could if I had to,” Hound said, “but it’s not like we went all that far away.”
“Well here I am, anyway.” Jenny said with a smile, “Anything you think I should tell the captain? Aside from these columns? I had the oddest view from above. It looks like a gate from up top, only lying down. All black and shiny like the other gates. Let me take a quick ariel view to make sure. Be right back.”
So saying, she lifted off and took a few minutes flying over the top. She flew back and forth a few times, and then with a nod she came back to where the others waited.
“Yep. Just like the other gates. I also get a funny feeling standing close to these columns. Do you feel the same thing?” she asked.
“Ever since we got close enough.” Said Sneak with Hound nodding his agreement.
“Well now what do we do?” asked Jenny.
“Hound and I will stay here while you go back and report this to the captain. I think Keep will want to know about this as well. If Cap’n wants us to return to camp, just give us a signal and we’ll hotfoot it back in. If not, then we’ll just wait here till the company shows up.”
“Will do, guys. Stay alert and stay safe. See you in a bit.” Jenny said. Then with a wave, she took to the sky again and headed back towards camp. Sneak and Hound watched till she was out of sight, then began looking around for anything else they might have missed during their first pass over the area.
Hound bent down and picked something up from the ground and turned to Sneak, “Hey look what I found!” he said.
Sneak turned to look at what he had found and rolled her eyes.
“So you found a stupid rock. Is it worth getting all that excited over?”
“What else have you found walking all over here? There are no trees, no bushes, no nothing. As for rocks, this is the first one I’ve seen since we got to the plains.”
“Well now that you mention it, it is a bit strange that there isn’t anything here. I’m sure Keep knows why.” She replied.
Hound looked thoughtful for a few seconds, then coming to a decision, tossed the rock between the columns.
Both looked at each other in shock as the rock bounced off an invisible barrier back out into the grass. The area where the rock struck shimmered slightly with ripples like a pond of water after a pebble is thrown in. Only these ripples moved sluggishly. They decided not to mess any further with the columns until the captain and Keep showed up. Hound kept the stone just in case he needed to demonstrate the effect again once the others got there.
Half an hour later, they seen Jenny flying back their way again. When she got back to the columns, she signaled that the captain was on his way and that they should sit tight and wait for his arrival.
The most painful part of any guard duty, was the waiting. Especially when there wasn’t much else to do, except walk around in circles and hope it doesn’t take too long.
They were beginning to wonder how long it was going to be before the company arrived, when Snack came walking into sight. One by one, the rest of the company appeared and headed in their direction.
“Far out.” Snack said.
“Can you feel that?” Spade asked no one in particular.
Keep stared at the columns, excitement and wonder on his face. You could see his mouth move as he started to decipher the runes carved into the nearest column.
The captain walked up to Sneak and Hound and began to ask what they had found out.
“Pretty much what you see, Cap’n.” Sneak reported. “Hound seen these columns from about one click that way so we decided to check it out. We felt this odd sensation the entire time we were here. We did a perimeter sweep on both sides and didn’t find anything. Well, Hound found a rock, but that was about it. Jenny said the top of all these columns looks like a gate, and there is one other thing that we found out that maybe you and Keep should know about.”
“What’s that?” Keep asked.
“Show him, pup.” Said Sneak
Hound took the rock he had found and once again threw it between the columns. The effect was the same as the rock bounced off back into the grass, coming to rest at Keeps feet.
Staring at the rock in wonder, Keep bent slowly to pick it up. Turning the rock this way and that to see if any damage had been done to it.
“Keep!” called the captain. “Can you translate these runes? Find out if they can tell us what these columns are here for and why?”
“Yeah, cap’n, hold on and I’ll see what I can find out.” Keep replied.
So saying, he bent to the task of interpreting the writing on each column. Slowly walking around the area, going from one to the other, reading as he went.
Everyone else tried to find someplace comfortable to rest while waiting for Keep to finish.
“Take it easy but stay alert, people.” Ordered the captain.
“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Said Spade. “This weapon ain’t as light as everyone thinks”
“Oh boo hoo, Spade. No one makes you carry that great big fuckin thing. You picked it out as your weapon, you deal with it.” Came the snappy retort from Snack.
Everyone else chuckled at the by-play, then settled down to watch, keeping an eye on the surrounding area and on Keep as he wandered from column to column.
Time passed slowly for the rest of the company while Keep did his translation. Light conversation and good natured jibbing took place among the travelers, while the captain watched and waited for any word from Keep.
Jenny began widening her flying pattern to make sure there would be no surprise visits from an unexpected source, while everyone else found a spot to relax facing in different directions, weapons at the ready. No reason not to be on guard while you rested, after all.
Keep would occasionally toss the rock between the columns to study the ripples as he went from one to the other.
Not wanting to bother Keep while he was busy, but knowing he should tell him about it, Hound walked up to him and cleared his throat. After the third time, Hound said, “Keep!”
Startled out of his concentration, Keep looked over at Hound with an irritated look on his face.
“Yeah, Hound?” he asked.
“I don’t know if it means anything, Keep, but when Sneak and I checked around the columns, her image was fuzzy when I looked at her through whatever barrier is here. I know I have pretty good eyes and all that, but can you check real quick? I’ll run around to the other side so you can have a look.”
With that, Hound trotted off to the far side and stood there while Keep looked at him intently.
After a while, Keep waved for Hound to come back around to where everyone else waited.
“I didn’t see anything unusual or fuzzy when I looked through. Seen you plain enough, but that’s about it.” Keep said.
“Ah well,” Hound said, “I just thought maybe you should know about it, since you’re the magician here.”
“Well thanks, Hound. I’ll keep that in mind if I need you for something ok?
“Got it.” Said Hound, returning to his resting spot.
Keep walked around for a little bit longer, then went up to the captain.
“Well Cap’n,” said Keep, “I can translate parts of these columns, but I need my book on the gate runes to finish the rest. Some of these I’ve never seen before. But what I have figured out, is that most of the runes towards the top, on all these columns, is the same."
“Well what the heck do they say?” asked Cap’n
“The translation at the top all say ‘If ye would walk forward, naked in ignorance, then thy reward shall be knowledge.’. I’m not sure what that means, but the answer could be in the runes I haven’t translated yet. I think we should move the camp over here, cause I don’t know how long it’s going to take me to decipher them.”
“Ok, Keep.” Said the captain. “Snack! Signal Jenny to come in for orders.”
“Aye sir.” Said Snack.
Jenny came in for a landing next to the captain, neatly folding her wings to her back.
“Yes Cap’n?” she asked.
“Fly back to base camp and have the corporal break it down. We’ll be there shortly to move everything over here. Off with you, now” ordered the captain.
“Right away, sir!” Jenny said, saluting.
Jenny took off and headed back to base camp once again, while the captain turned to the others and started to issue orders to the rest of the company.
“Sneak? You and Spade stay put and keep an eye out. Everyone else, grab your weapons and leave your packs here. Keep? You come with us. Hound, you take point. Lets move, people.”
So it was we all formed up for another hike back to where we all started from, grumbling as we headed out.
More links and groovy writing.
Pieman's Main Page
Poet's Page
The Writers Column
The Cool Webmaster (web ring)
