An Introduction to Other Worlds—Part 2

Last time I gave ya a look at Gaucho and Hogwash. Today, we’re kicking it up to five serials in total with:

An Axe +2 Grind

exploits of an adventuring company known as the Band of Brutal Beneficence

The Party Meets the Noob

Immaxuelle Import found it hard to explain, but they tried: “I was standing here, right? Then the basilisk came ‘round the corner there. And now you’re all here.”

Their leader, The Lady Sir Royerton, was a portrait of “not convinced,” in plate mail. “Well I’m not convinced,” she said. “You’re going to have to do better than that, I’m afraid.”

But Immaxuelle could not, of course, because they had no memory from being petrified.

“Perhaps you could tell me what year it is?” Immaxuelle asked.

Bronson Bettersly spoke up. “My good lady, it is the year of the Twin Gods, 1498, and …”

Royerton put a gauntlet to Bronson’s leather-clad chest. “Up up up. Easy there, blabber lips. We don’t know what the game is here. And I disagree that this is a lady. It’s quite clearly a man.”

Bronson’s brow furrowed. “Um, I beg your pardon good Lady Sir, but this is a lovely lady quite possibly of the feyish stock, hence the androgyny of the features …”

Royerton stepped in close and grabbed a thin braid from Immaxuelle’s shoulder. “Quiet, knave, for here you can see the quixote-dun braid, a symbol of virility and manliness well known to learned and landed, of which you are neither, and the envy of many a barrel-chested fool this side of the sea. He is clearly from the Far Shores Over the Bend, and that accounts for his delicate, elfish features. But he is most decidedly a man.” She turned to Immaxuelle and asked. “Is this not so, good sir?”

Immaxuelle blushed. “Well, see the thing about it is …”

Bronson put up his finger. “I would have you know, noble born though you may be and poverty stricken I might have entered this world, I have advanced in status and stature through the hallowed halls of the Academy and then the welcoming arms of the Ethereal Brotherhood …”

Royerton interrupted. “So you’re a thief and a priest, which is just another kind of thief. Big deal.”

“I take offense at your accusations, madam sir, and I remind you that you too have such vows through your knightly order of the Burnished Rose.”

Royerton mumbled.

Bronson asked, “Oh what was that?”

Royerton spoke up, her face twisted over it. “Yes, 'tis true.”

“Of course. And you honor these vows, do you not?”

Wild Bill spoke up. “Can we kill it and move on?”

“Quiet, brute,” Royerton said. “There’s a meeting of the minds afoot.”

“Just bring out the bard and be done with it,” Wild Bill said.

“An excellent suggestion,” Bronson said, “for Sagely knows the secrets this world keeps from even the most educated among us.”

Royerton threw up her hands. “Whatever. Where in blazes is Sagely?”

Sagely crawled from the tent, wiping sleep from his eyes. “I’m here. Am I needed?”

“Yes, blast it.” Royerton pointed at Immaxuelle. “What is the determinate gender of this creature? And its race. And its motives.”

Sagely sauntered up to Immaxuelle and looked them over. “It would seem that they are of mixed blood, fey and elf …”

“Well, the thing about that is …” Immaxuelle said.

“Quiet, you,” said Royerton.

Sagely put on little spectacles and took a closer look. “The eyes contain traces of the planes, water and air. And the skin looks quite sandy …” Sagely’s hand went for Immaxuelle’s trousers.

Immaxuelle backed up, hands out. “I really must protest!”

Royerton smacked Sagely on the back. “What’s the matter with you?”

Sagely cried out in pain, then said, “Forgive me! I was only going to check! It’s the only way to be sure.”

Royerton scowled, then said, “Back to the tent Sagely, before I lose my temper.”

Sagely hurried back into the tent.

“My deepest apologies,” Royerton said. “He may know the secrets of the world but he knows little of courtesy.”

Immaxuelle said nothing, just nodded, and put their hands down.

“Well, whatever you are, you are welcome to ride with us, so long as you can kill and pillage. Can you do those two things?”

Immaxuelle was fairly sure they could, seeing as how that’s why they had left their homeland. “Yes, ma’am. I can do that.”

Bronson rubbed his hands together. “What spells do you know? And of what vocation do you come?”

Immaxuelle didn’t know. They shrugged. “I’m not sure. I grew up on an island. I know how to sail and mend sails, how to swim and fish.”

Royerton put her face in hand.

“And I can call here most anything I can imagine.”

Bronson turned his head slightly, eyes tight. “An evoker?”

Immaxuelle shrugged. “I meant like animals and things. Creatures big and small.”

Bronson’s cheeks got fat in closed mouth smile. “A summoner.” He showed his teeth, then said to Royerton, “We just picked up a summoner. This is a very good day. The Twin Gods have smiled upon us.”

Royerton waved it away. “Yes, yes, and we say their names twice to honor them. But how are you with the blades and blunts of war, fair one of uncertain gender?”

Immaxuelle held up a long curvy blade.

Royerton’s sword came out and she dropped into her first position. “What devil work is this?”

Immaxuelle snapped their fingers and the blade went away. “I told you. I can bring things here.”

Royerton’s mind was starting to turn on it. “Ah, yes … yes, I see how this could be useful. Very well. Take some rest, for tomorrow we ride.”

“Where to?” Immaxuelle asked.

Bronson shrugged. “We can’t remember.”

Immaxuelle was worried. “Then why are we going there?”

Royerton shrugged. “No one knows?”

And that’s how the Band of Brutal Beneficence got its newest member.

Incorporeal

an intransitive consciousness gets drawn into a shadowy plot

Note: These chapters are very, very short, so I’m giving you the first five instead of the first one, like the others.

1

Of the many advantages of going unseen there is one which looms above all others: you can be just as you are. No more worrying about appearances or reactions. No fear of unwanted advances. No issues with misunderstanding. You can literally just be.

2

Know this: in this mostly past life, they called me Tony Dominique Franklin. I was the middle of three kids but grew up as the oldest because my first sibling died in utero. I’ve been looking for them, but can’t find them, in part, because they were never named in life. But I look, when I’m not working on something else.
In this state, I call myself Patience. No one says different, so that’s my name.

3

Of the numerous drawbacks of being insubstantial, one is paramount: you can’t feel much. Even great swelling emotions are just impotent wisps that ripple out in drips.
And folks of substance can barely feel you at all. It’s a shiver or a sneeze, maybe an inexplicable sting in the tear gland. Nothing more.

4

I hear them, static-y but clear enough. They ask me for help with their taxes. They want love. They want better work. They want their kids to understand them. I do what I can for them, even if it isn’t much. A breeze can flip a piece of paper and show a name. A pinch can bring back a memory. A scent can set a mood or form a hunt. Bringing them together. That’s mostly what I can do.

5

The sign says ‘Meta’ and under that ‘boutique lodging.’ I don’t know what that means. We all call it The Plum or The Pit or The Plum Pit. Why? Because no one says anything, so that’s what it’s called.

Each room, and there are ten each time I count, is home to a hundred. Not everyone is sociable. Some just open and close a bathroom door all night, some just weep, some scream, and on and on. It’s like a dream in the mostly past life, but one that does not end.

Monterey

media darling absconds to a mysterious island to meet up with her best friend and escape … something

Welcome to Monterey

Jeny held her jacket loose, over clasped hands. She kept her head low, casual. Didn’t want to look like she was trying to go unseen. That would only help them spot her.

She thought back over the past eighteen weeks and what a fucking nightmare it’d been. There seemed to be nowhere to go without phones and cameras pointed at her, and seconds later it’s all over the Internet. She’d considered ending it all, but knew that, too, would go everywhere. And she wouldn’t let them have the satisfaction.

Jeny started at the sound of his voice.

“Ms. Arbogast?” he asked.

“Yes?”

“I’m Tatenda. Your driver.”

“Oh, right.”

Jeny looked around.

No one seemed to notice. Baggage claim was very light for an island that claimed to be a major destination.

“Are these your bags?”

“Two of them, yes,” Jeny said. “There are two more that haven’t come around yet.”

Tatenda nodded. “Very good. They should be out in just a moment. Baggage is fast here.”

Jeny looked at Tatenda’s genuine smile and able posture. “That’s nice,” she said.  She worried her tone was bitchy, so she added, “A nice change, I mean. Most places are a nightmare.” She gave a faint laugh and ran a hand through her long hair.

Tatenda’s smile held steady, and he nodded. “I hear that. But I think you’ll find that everything’s different on Monterey!”

Jeny looked around again. Still no one.

“I hope so,” she said.

Tatenda pointed. “Are these they? Your bags I mean?”

Jeny smiled at the way he said it. “Yes, they are. Thank you.”

Tatenda nodded again and grabbed both bags, then scooped up the other two and started off. “Right this way! Your chariot awaits!”

Jeny left the smile on, put sunglasses over it.

They walked outside into the island breeze. The weather was perfect. Mild and sunny with a breeze but not strong wind. The humidity was enough to keep some feeling to it but not muggy.

“It’s a beautiful day,” Jeny said.

“Every day is beautiful.”

He loaded the luggage and opened the back door for her.

“Could I ride up front with you?” Jeny asked.

Tatenda’s smile widened, and he shut the door, then opened the front passenger.

“Thanks. It’s a thing with me.” She climbed in.

“Quite all right, Ms. Arbogast! However you like!”

He closed the door, got in, and they were off.

“We’re going to the Hernbach, yes?”

Jeny nodded. “Yes.” Then added, “Please.”

“That’s a most historic hotel. Rich history.”

Jeny let on a sly smile. “It’s stuffy, isn’t it?”

“I would say quaint. Old-fashioned. But there’s a younger crowd around on Thursdays.”

“Hipsters?”

Tatenda laughed. “You know people, don’t you, Ms. Arbogast?”

“Call me Jeny.”

Tatenda nodded. “Yes, okay. Ms. Jeny.”

“Just Jeny, please.”

“Okay. Jeny it is then.”

“Where do you go, Tatenda? You know, when you’re looking for something.”

Tatenda’s smile took on some worldliness. “If you are looking for something on Monterey, Jeny, it will find you. Don’t you worry.”

That excited Jeny. “All the same … where would you go?”

Tatenda’s smile snapped back. “I would go to Diamond Digs.” He leaned over some and lowered his jaw line. “But only if someone like you asked me.”

Jeny heated up some. “And if not? Like, if you were on your own?”

“Then I would go to Lemure. It’s very peaceful there, and I know everyone well. Like family.”

“Oh. Would it be intrusive of me to stop in, then?”

Tatenda startled her again with his enthusiasm. “No! No! No! We must each find our family in this life, Jeny! And how will you know them if you never seek them out!”

Jeny smiled nervously and pulled her arms close. “Right. Thanks for the tip.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

They pulled up in front of the Hernbach.

Jeny peered out. “Yeah, it looks stuffy.”

“I can take you somewhere else,” Tatenda said. “The Epi perhaps?”

Jeny sighed. “No. My friend is here. And she’s the reason I’m here, so …”

“Ah. Yes. Well, see to your friend, and if you want me to pick you up, you just hit me up, okay?” He waggled his smartphone.

Jeny smiled. “Yeah, okay. I’ll do that.”

She stepped out of the car. “Thank you, Tatenda. I’ll be seeing you.”

“Wait! Wait! Wait!” Tatenda said, rattling her nerves again.

“Yes?”

“Aren’t you forgetting something?”

“Oh right. The tip. How rude. I’ll pay with my phone, okay?”

“Of course, but I meant something far more important than that.”

Jeny got warm again. “Yeah?”

“Your bags!”

She felt dumb, but laughed a little and pushed back her hair. “Right. Duh.”

Tatenda hopped out and pulled her bags, set them down next to the door worker. “Take good care of these my friend.”

The door worker smiled. “Of course, Tandy. You know I will.”

Tatenda turned around. “Well, Jeny, we are at our first goodbye. I enjoyed our first hello, and I cannot wait to welcome you again!”

Jeny smiled at the feelings of warmth and kindness from his face. She kind of wanted to hug him, but felt awkward. So she put out her hand. “Me too.”

He clasped it with both hands and sank down a little as he shook it, smiling. “Peace be with you!” He let go and threw his arms out wide as he walked back to the car. “Enjoy Monterey!”

Jeny gave a small wave from the wrist. “I will. Bye!”

“Goodbye, Jeny Arbogast! Until next time!”

Then he hopped in the car and drove away.

Jeny looked at the entrance to the Hernbach, aside the door worker. She took a deep breath, then said to herself, “Here I come, Ali.”

That’s all the introductions for now. Next time we’ll continue with more Gaucho.

Xoxo,

T