Tarifax and Earth – World of The Misplaced Dungeon

{Timeline: Nov 2019 / Feb 2020 – MD duration from Ch. 130 to Ch. 144}

* * * ALASKA – FINDER’S VALE * * *

Captain Benally looked down at Finder’s Vale from the circling helicopter. It hardly merited a name, consisting as it did of seven buildings, most of which were rather small. The main road into the place looked pretty much impassable. Not surprising under the circumstances with all the snow.

The locals were looking up at them, there were two concentrations, one outside what he assumed was Waverley’s played out mine, the other bunch were standing in the main road outside what he believed was Easton’s General Store.

The surprise was what looked like a malformed coach with two pusher props and a solar cell covered flat roof.

“Thank you Hal, you can land now,” stated Benally.

Hal landed the big helicopter in a mostly snow free field under the coal black eyes of a carrot nosed snowman. As soon as the rotor ceased rotating, Benally led the way out of their transport. He noted with just a tinge of unease that most of the locals were carrying hunting rifles.

“Captain, that thing that looks like a malformed coach,” said Hal as he stepped out of his helicopter, “I recognise it. It uses liftwood to fly. I thought it was down in Florida being evaluated by the FAA.”

“So, chances are good Ms Silvestre got here before us,” said Benally as scanned the scene.

“We’re too far inland sir, Her people on the other hand...” said sheriff Grover.

“What do you mean, too far inland?”

“I had our people look into that young woman. She has never been seen far from the coast. At least not since the System manifested,” explained Grover.

“We might as well go and see what’s going on, follow me,” suggested Benally as he made his way towards the group of suspicious locals standing in the street.

The group of locals waited almost sullenly, not moving.

Captain Benally smiled, “Afternoon, we are here to speak with Mr Waverley, and Ms Fallbrook is here to verify that Vivian and Clay Danton are well.”

From the looks of hostility that were cast at Mandy, Benally presumed that the locals were au fait with the woman’s record.

The locals looked at one another, and finally, a rugged weather beaten black haired woman stepped up as the group’s spokesperson. “The kids, they are happy here, they’re all having fun playing in the snow, being kids. As for Oscar... Mr Waverley, you’ll have to talk to his Voice up at the mine.”

“Where are the children?” asked Mandy looking about in distress.

“They’re around here someplace, Sally and Bertie are keeping an eye on them,” replied the woman.

After an awkward pause the entire group turned and led the way to the mine. Leaving Hal and a couple of his men to look after their helicopter, Benally led the rest of their party after the locals. They found the rest of the villagers standing around near the entrance o the mine.

Mandy gasped in outrage, “How dare you allow children out dressed like that! It IS winter!” she exclaimed outraged at the sight of the foursome watching them from the trees.

Benally looked at Mandy and followed her gaze. The four children were clad in jeans and t-shirts. Their only concession to the weather were the stout boots they had on their feet.

Grover snorted, “Three of them are wearing earrings, I recognise those. Better than furs at keeping you warm. Filter the air too in town. Not really expensive either, considering.”

“Humph! Don’t trust those newfangled things. Not been tested for long enough,” insisted Mandy. “And what about the other boy?”

“He probably has a pendant,” suggested the sheriff.

Benally ignored them and headed towards the dungeon. ‘How easily we accept these changes,’ he thought to himself. “Afternoon, can I speak to Mr. Waverley?”

“Sure Cap, just step into the mine and talk. He’ll hear you. I’ll relay his replies, so there will be a bit of a pause between your statements and mine,” explained East.

“Very well,” agreed Benally as he stepped into Oscar’s domain. “Mr. Waverley can you hear me?”

After a minimal pause, East relayed Oscar’s reply. “Yes I can Captain Benally. And please call me Oscar, everyone does.”

“Thank you Oscar, but this is official, so I’d really use Mr. Waverley. First let me assure you that the US recognises you as a citizen. There will be some changes, as we recognise you are... How can I put this... Housebound?”

“Well captain, thank you for that. What can I do for the USA? And will the government recognise my claim to my grandchildren?”

“In principal, however that will to a certain extent depend on Ms. Fallbrook of the CPS,” explained captain Benally.

“Not good enough,” said a new voice. Benally saw a well dressed man step into sight. “Allow me to introduce myself, I’m Mr. Waverley’s lawyer, Perry Mason. And I know about the lady, this situation will be triggering all her prejudices.”

Benally sighed internally, “Nonetheless, I believe you will succeed. Your country has need of you sir. I am told you should be able to establish a portal to one of the other worlds.”

There was a long pause. Then East spoke on Oscar’s behalf. “I am told that that is within my capabilities. However, my other self is bound and enslaved. He is maintaining a market in Casar Vitara on Tarifax. He is not powerful enough to rebel successfully. If you help him... Then...”

Benally paused in thought. “You are a citizen of the US. I feel sure that the government will object to any of its citizens being enslaved. But where is Casar Vitara?”

East chuckled. “Especially if you get a portal to another world out of it Heh? And that was I, not Oscar. Oscar says; at the moment any portal would be opened into a covered market in a town. Most decidedly not secure and there is the complication that freeing the other me’s mind will break his magical bonds. Alarms will sound.”

“I will have to confer with Washington. I’ll get back to you tomorrow. Mr Mason, have you anything to add?” asked Benally.

“No captain. I will make sure that Ms. Fallbrook doesn’t get her claws on any of this localities children, any agreement you reach with Oscar is fine, so long as coercion is not used,” explained Perry.

* * * MANDY FALLBROOK * * *

Mandy watched the military rockheads heading off; she grabbed the sheriff and headed towards the woods, where the poor children were watching. Her heart ached for them, only four youngsters out here in the wilderness surrounded by monsters. And obviously being neglected, how else could one explain how they were dressed. That claptrap about warming amulets couldn’t possibly justify this.

As she approached the line of snow covered pines, the children retreated deeper into the woods.

Mandy recognised the signs of abuse. They were scared of adults, poor things. She entered the woods and called out, “You don’t need to be afraid. I just want to speak with you.”

The bigger of the boys shouted, “We’re not afraid.”

Mandy’s heart leapt into her throat when a huge timber wolf ghosted up to the children. Sheriff Grover cursed softly on recognising the wolf. The boy who had answered them placed his hand on the wolf’s shoulder. “Auntie Elspeth will keep us safe, won’t you auntie?”

The werewolf nodded and gave a warning growl.

Grover froze when he spotted a deliberate movement in the shadow of one of trees. He examined the big minotaur woman holding a barret light fifty rifle at the ready. Grover noted that the big rifle didn’t look big in her hands.

Mandy stared at the werewolf. She gathered her courage and stepped forward. “Please, we have to talk. I have to see if you are all safe and well.”

Viv looked back at the minotaur, Sally smiled reassuringly. Viv looked back at the hard looking woman. “I – I’ve never been better. Gramps has never hit us. We aren’t hungry all the time neither, like we usta be. Gramps and auntie Sally love us.”

“Yeah,” added Clay, then he looked and sounded disgusted. “And they make us log onto school every day. And on Sundays we have homework.” The other three giggled.

“Who’s your aunt? I was unaware you had an aunt,” said Mandy. “And you need schooling if you want to succeed in life,” approved Mandy.

Viv pointed at the big minotaur lass. “She is our aunt.”

Sally spoke in an incongruously clear soprano. “I’m Sally Waverley. Oscar says he’s my father. So Viv and Clay are beloved family. And I’ll protect them with my life. You aren’t taking them anywhere.”

Another werewolf joined the children and glared at the two people that were looking to interrogate the children.

Mandy swallowed bile as she realized that she wouldn’t be getting anywhere. She took careful mental notes and a few surreptitious photographs with her brooch camera. After a few more failed attempts at conversation, Mandy and Grover withdrew.

* * * EAST OXENDINE * * *

East watched as the frustrated CPS woman emerged from the wood. The sheriff following her looked vaguely amused. They picked their way over the snow covered field and rejoined the military group.

Captain Benally shook his hand. “I’ll be back in a day or two with an answer for Mr Waverley. I sure hope we will be able to help you.”

East walked towards his store, accompanied by the captain.

“Mr. Mayor, where would you recommend we set up our post? It’s SOP that we keep some people on hand ready to defend dungeon cores. Their abilities make them targets.”

East regarded the captain carefully. “Guess we have no choice? Much of the land is federal land, so I guess somewhere near the mine. You won’t restrict access to our neighbour, will you?”

Benally shook his head, “Only if your friend goes rogue on us, and, I don’t think he is the type.”

East watched as their unwanted guests got back in their helicopter and took to the skies.