I stared into the night sky, thinking about what Duncan had just told me. Was it possible that the Caddyverse was some alternate version of Earth? Or was that cave he found a leyline between the two worlds. If the second was true, it didn’t explain the alternate version of Daisy he had seen in his dreams. I regretted asking about the scars now as I was left with more questions than answers. Tee snored beside me as he bobbed up and down in the air. I didn’t know how he slept and flew simultaneously, but there was a lot about this world I didn’t know. I lay back on the ground, looking into the strange blue sky, lost in my thoughts.

At some point during the night, I must have drifted off to sleep because I awoke the next morning to the sound of Dunca making coffee. With our crude supplies, the coffee wasn’t much more than Zoombeans soaked in lukewarm water, but it was better than nothing. The beans worked their magic as I drank, and before long, the fog of a sleepless night was lifted. According to Duncan, we would make it to the Shatar village by the end of the day as long as we left now. I gathered what little I had, and we started off once again towards the village.

The going was slower now that we were in the mountains. We had to watch our footing as we traversed the rocky landscape. We also kept alert for more barbarian attacks. Duncan told me that he had made sure to take us out around their territory, but I wasn’t so sure. The sun was hanging low in the sky as we reached the top of the mountain range. Ahead of us, we could see the flickering of the light from the village entrance.

It didn’t take long for the Shatar to notice us and send guards to intercept us. As the guards came into view, I was taken aback by their appearance. They looked like centaurs I had read about in fantasy novels, half-human, half-horse creatures. Except the bottom half of the Shatar was that of a crab instead of a horse. The guards drew their weapons as they got close to us and yell out.

“Halt! You are trespassing on Shatar land. Turn back now, or you will be considered an enemy and treated as such!”

Duncan slowly raises both hands to show the guards he isn’t armed.

“My name is Duncan, this is Brodie, and that’s Tee. We have come to speak with Kreagur.” He said, arms still raised.

Duncan nodded toward Tee and me as he spoke, and we followed his example and raised our hands above our heads as well.

“Duncan? Like Duncan, the leader of the Rising Star?”

“One and the same. I came to you once before to ask for your aid and was turned away.”

“Then what makes you think Kreagur would want to speak to you again?”

“Things have changed. Aqua Marine attacked my people. She killed all of them, every man, woman, and child. She is after Brodie. He is a caddy, but he can wield the power of a Golfer.”

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

The guards stopped and stared at me for a second. I couldn’t tell if they believed Duncan or not, but judging by the expressions on their faces, they were definitely more interested in me than they were a few moments before. I shrugged ever so slightly, not exactly sure how to react with my hands still raised over my head.

“Alright, put your hands down and follow us. Don’t try anything stupid, or we will kill you.” The bigger of the two guards tells us after a few seconds.

The guards led us into a valley that held the tiny village. By comparison, the tree house village of the Rising Stars was a metropolis. There couldn’t have been more than a dozen huts here, all of them made from mud. Because of the porous nature of the ground, the huts resembled large round sponges with wisps of smoke exiting the top. Groups of Shatar wandered around, going about their daily tasks. Some of them stopped and gave us a glance as we walked towards the biggest of the huts in the center of the village.

As we entered the hut, an old Shartar sat behind a table, pouring over a heap of scrolls. He looked up when we entered and glared at us over the rim of his glasses. It reminded me of the look teachers would give me when I was caught talking in class.

“Duncan, welcome back.” The old Shartar said.

“Kreagur, nice to see you again.”

Let’s not waste time on formalities. What brings you back to my village?”

“Fair enough. We come seeking your help. Aqua Marine attacked my village and murdered every one of the members of the Rising Sun.”

“I told you before I want no part in your rebellion. The fact that she attacked you reinforces that. I don’t want any harm to come to my people.”

“I understand that, and I’m not asking you to join my cause. I know your people built the temple of Yoganoth, and I was simply hoping that we could have access to the designs of the building.”

Kreagur gave Duncan a slight smile at this request.

“I see, and who are your companions?”

“This is Brodie and Tee. Brodie here is different than other caddies that have come here in the past. Brodie is able to use the powers of the club as if he was a Golfer.”

Kreagur’s eyebrows raised, and his gaze turned to meet my eyes. I couldn’t tell if this was a good or bad thing. I never knew how people would react to learning this information. So far, it seemed to be one of two reactions. Either they viewed me as some sort of savior here to liberate the world, or they wanted to kill me.

“I may be able to help, but only with the plans, nothing more. I get the feeling you are planning to go to war, and while I understand, considering what happened to your people, I want no part of it.”

“I understand, and I would never ask that of you.”

The door behind us burst open, and two guards entered out of breath.

“Sir! Rose is gone; she said she had a lead on the disappearances and took off towards the caves.” The guard said.

“Why didn’t you stop her?!”

“She wouldn’t listen to reason. She said she was tired of doing nothing while people kept going missing.”

“Form a search party and find her!”

Kreagur looked towards me and then to Duncan.

“Rose is my daughter; I must find her.” He said.

“Let me guess, you want our help?” I said without thinking.

“Yes, I want your help. People have been going missing from the village lately, and apparently, my daughter has taken it upon herself to solve this problem. I have little faith in my guards to find her, she is not only my daughter but the best tracker and hunter in the village. Someone who can use the magic of the Golfer can surely find her, though. Find my daughter, and the plans are yours.”

“We will find her and bring her back safely,” Duncan said.