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 * * *
Perry and East walked up to the Mine. Once they entered Oscar’s domain they stopped and sat round the table in the new room near the entrance.
“Oscar,” said Perry, “Mother has consulted with Lewis and Frog. She has examined several slave collars from Tarifax. She even purchased one from the Conimbriga Mage’s Guild. One specifically to control a Pooka companion.
“It has one big flaw. If the dungeon core should absorb it, admittedly only possible when no strangers are present in the domain, then the companion would be freed.”
“ And as everyone who enters is tagged as a friend... So why hasn’t Cyrdwynne made the other me do that?” asked Oscar.
“Because the one who wears the collar is strictly prohibited from removing it,” replied Perry.
“Nasty,” observed East.
“Mmm, so I take over other me, then I absorb the collar. That could work... But can we trust Cyrdwynne?”
East drummed his fingers on the table, “I suspect you can trust him to want revenge. And you could always ask him if he wishes to remain your companion.”
“Might work,” mused Oscar. “How can I provide a portal? The option is not available to me yet.”
“Lewis can open one for you. Once both ends are in your domain you will be able to maintain it. We just have to get someone to Casar Vitara with the appropriate talisman. I have one on the bus, but Lewis will need one on Tarifax also.”
East cocked his head to the right. “Lewis and not – Mother?”
“We are too far from the sea for Mother,” said Perry.
* * * TARIFAX – CASAR VITARA * * *
Iluak paused; he floated in the grey wintery sea and looked at the bleak shore. He snorted in contentment, and surged once more into motion. He angled to arrive at the pebbly beach he had spotted. He paused again, this time to observe the beach. He was satisfied to note that the only thing on the beach was an injured racoon that was being harassed by two seagulls. He surged ashore, scaring the two seagulls into flight.
The Racoon cowered anew at the sight of the huge walrus. It watched as the walrus changed, becoming a big burly black haired man. Iluak stroked his walrus moustache; then he produced clothing from a storage device and got dressed. He looked at the bleeding racoon and sighed in resignation. He produced a small vial from his storage device and strode towards the racoon. He squatted next to it and tentatively stroked it.
Then he held it firmly, opened its mouth and poured about half the content of the flask down its throat.
Iluak watched as the healing potion did its work. He stroked the racoon once again, scratching it behind the ear. He nodded in satisfaction, rose, and starting walking inland.
The racoon, surprised by the fact that it was no longer in pain, and hearing the cries of the seagulls, fled after its benefactor.
Iluak quickly reached the sea road, he turned and tramped towards Casar Vitara. He merged quite well amongst the other people, mostly peasant farmers, on the road. He noted that several children seemed to be interested in him, or rather, on something behind him. He turned and saw the racoon. He shrugged, and resumed his way.
He soon came to the impressive walls of Casar Vitara. The gates were open and the bored guards were letting everyone in. It took Iluak some three hours to fully explore the town. He had lunch courtesy of a pie vendor in the covered market. The racoon proved to be fond of mystery meat pies, and ended up with a collar.
Iluak took a room at the Drunken Selkie. The room was adequate, and they didn’t object to pets. That night, in his room, Iluak used his sat phone to report in.
The following day he meandered about getting used to the town. He browsed the market, he enjoyed a fish stew for lunch.
It was while he passing the part of the market that handled slaves, that his nose grabbed his attention. He slowed and examined his surroundings carefully. His nose was telling him that somewhere close there was a distressed female that smelled, ever so faintly, of the sea.
Iluak narrowed it down to a small, somewhat plain looking ginger haired northerner. One of the northern barbarians, one lacking in any desired skills. He looked down at his racoon and sighed. “Mother won’t object,” he murmured to his new friend.
Iluak was able to buy the little selkie cheaply. As soon as he got her back to his room he ripped off her slave collar. “Can’t abide slavery girl. You’re free, far as I’m concerned. Hope you’ve got your hide well hidden.”
* * * TARIFAX – CONIMBRIGA * * *
Captain Walter Benedek felt uncomfortable. The clothes he was wearing were strange, and he felt stupid in the archaic chainmail shirt. The ten men he had chosen had all been integrated by the System. It irked having to leave Sergeant Raymond behind, but the man had yet to see the screens.
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All their gear resided in their newly acquired storage devices, and they all were wearing rings to filter the foul atmosphere to be found on Tarifax.
He was slightly worried about the gold that was also residing in his storage device. The mission was – unusual. They were here on this backwards world to free a US citizen from slavery. A citizen who just happened to be a dungeon core. All so the brass could get their hands on a inter world portal. Benedek suspected that if it wasn’t for the portal, the brass would have ignored Waverley’s plight.
They were met by two agents at the other end of the portal that linked the dungeon in Louisiana with Conimbriga on Tarifax. Claude Melancon and Susan Wilkins had welcomed them with a mixture of relief and frustration. The four local guides looked at them with approval. Benedek had been surprised by the presence of the telepathic winged cat.
They had been hurried through the town and straight to the airport. They were currently on a large smoke belching passenger air ship. It reminded Benedek of the old Mississippi steamboats.
After two days they changed to a less comfortable air ship for the last leg of their journey. This one was obviously specialised for cargo rather than passengers.
* * * ALASKA – ANCHORAGE * * *
Mandy Fallbrook stared blankly at her laptop’s screen. She was having difficulty understanding the information displayed there. Two judges she knew well, and liked, had been disbarred. She could not accept that... No he couldn’t possibly be guilty of that...
At least her report had resulted in a councillor being selected to interview the children of that appalling settlement. Guy van der Camp was not someone she trusted, but even she had to admit he was honest. He was just too trusting. Gullible even.
Then her fingers blurred on the keyboard as Mandy called up her notes and elaborated a new, and detailed report. Hopefully van der Camp would pay attention to her points. Surely he would, he was a human after all, not one of the monsters.
* * * ALASKA – FINDER’S VALE * * *
Once again captain Benally watched the snow covered wilderness out of the chopper’s windows. This time there were three big choppers. And they were being escorted. No doubt because of the team from the Department of State.
Once again the locals congregated in the snowy street to watch them arrive. Once again the children weren’t in evidence, and all the adults were armed. As he got out of hiss helicopter, Benally noted that the councillor, van der Camp did not generate the hostility Fallbrook had. The lawyer was still present, leaning up against the open door of his peculiar vehicle.
Benally had studied everything the FAA had on the example they were evaluating. The ‘Flying Coach’ had an incredible range, but it was relatively slow and unmanoeuvrable. Though he cautioned himself that this example might be different.
After introducing the negotiating team to East Oxendine and Oscar Waverley, Benally watched the contingent from the United States Army Corps of Engineers as they set about creating the future base to protect the dungeon and portal. Benally’s orders stated he was to supervise the work, but he had decided that that meant, watch the professionals do the work.
* * * TARIFAX – CASAR VITARA * * *
On their arrival at Casar Vitara Benedek was surprised to be met by an odd couple. Iluak was a massive man, heavily built and over two meters tall, Sandaara was waiflike and was less than one meter sixty tall. When they first saw them Sandaara was carrying a racoon and standing very close to Iluak, as if seeking his protection.
Iluak presented Benedek with a crystal amulet. “Someone needs to invoke this in the dungeon’s domain so that the portal can be established.”
Benedek looked round cautiously as he accepted the small crystal knick-knack. “Anything else I should know?”
“Make sure the other amulet is in Oscar’s domain on Earth,” said Iluak. “The Oscar on this world is in charge of the Covered Market. It’s the town’s principal market. The owner rents space, stalls and shops. The town’s main slave mart is located in the market’s east quadrant. I believe it’s presence is mandated by the town council. I have heard the market’s owner is not happy at having to host the slave sellers.
“Not because Rupinius Baltor objects to slavery, but because of security concerns, and because his rent is regulated by the council. He could make more if he was free to rent the space to whomever he wished.”
“Do you believe this guy would sell us the market and Oscar? Or just Oscar?” asked Claude.
“Maybe, but it would be ruinously expensive. And the moment you freed Oscar the alarm would sound. You must understand that the locals are rightfully terrified of a free dungeon,” said Iluak.
“So what do you suggest we do,” asked a frustrated captain Benedek.
“Mother suggested capturing Oscar’s core in conjunction with Earth’s Oscar freeing his other self and liberating this companion. Then getting out of town and finding a cave somewhere along the shore to set up Oscar’s new dungeon, and giving you lot a free hand to set up a fortified bridgehead.”
* * *
A fortnight later all was ready. Oscar had conferred – via the Dungeon Exchange – with various others who had freed their other selves from Azurea’s chains. He was ready, he infiltrated his other’s sleeping mind and carefully took control of what he could.
He focused on Cyrdwynne’s collar. Then he absorbed it. The act of outright rebellion broke his other self’s chains. All the spells controlling him and Cyrdwynne broke.
The Town’s bells rang the alarm. “Rogue Dungeon – Free Dungeon” they rang. In the market chaos ensued as after a stunned moment, everyone who could, stampeded for the exits.
Cyrdwynne froze in shock when his slave collar vanished, even as the alarm bells clamoured the alarm. Then his companion, his dungeon sounding very different from his bound self, spoke in his mind.
« Cyrdwynne, I have backing, I will be leaving Casar Vitara to create my own dungeon. Do you wish to remain my companion, or do you want to part ways with me now? »
Cyrdwynne watched, shocked as the two minotaurs who habitually guarded the heart room of the market moved without his orders. They opened the heavy doors and allowed several strangely armed humans in. The one with a winged cat on his shoulder carefully used a silken cloth to pick up his Oscar.
“I want my revenge on Rupinius Baltor. Then I want to go home. Release me from the bounds please,” explained Cyrdwynne with a low growl.
« So be it Cyrdwynne. I release you from our bond. »
« Let it be so, » confirmed Cyrdwynne before collapsing into his chair as the bond parted. Cyrdwynne watched bemused as the men left the room. They were hurrying.
Cyrdwynne grinned savagely when he realized he still had access to the dungeon’s monsters. His control was far cruder than it had been, but it was more than adequate to unleash them on all invaders. He rose and hurried towards Rupinius’ office.
Benedek and his men raced after the native guide Ax, even as Ax made good use of Silk’s scouting. They blended right in as they joined the fleeing customers and workers. They were well on their way towards the north entrance when the Kobolds and minotaurs who had been standing about woke and started to attack everyone they could reach.
As they left the entrance the market’s dungeon domain collapsed and the majestic roof started to collapse. They kept hurrying, passing city guards on their way to suppress the rogue dungeon. They found the town gates open and unguarded. They left the city with several other panicked locals.
They were lucky and had no trouble crossing the bridge over the river that separated the Northern Lands from the former Empire.
From there it was a two hour walk to the cave they had selected as a potential dungeon and outpost.