My second week of training with Higgins was an even more intense regiment than the first. In addition to the fitness and sword training, Higgins introduced archery. I was a little worried at first but by this point my stabilizer muscles had been worked out enough that I was able to fire the bow without much trouble. Accuracy was another story. Higgins set up three targets for me, each further out from the house than the other. I was able to hit the first target at ten yards without much problem. The second target, at twenty-five yards I was able to graze by the end of the first day but not hit the bullseye. The fifty yards target out by the pond, I couldn’t even land close to.
“All in good time, Master Noble,” Higgins encouraged, “You’ll not perfect everything at once.”
He took the bow, eased back the string, and launched a shot right at the bullseye at the fifty yards target.
We trained on, like this, for the next couple of weeks. It was coming up on about three weeks since I returned from Murk with Emily and likewise, a month since bringing Anabel here. I was starting to notice real results from my intense regiment. My body’s physique had not set in yet, but my skills were sharpening. I decided to take the next logical step in my advancement against the Devils.
“Higgins, I have a question.”
“Yes, Master Noble?“
“What’s the most difficult world you’ve traversed? I’m not talking about difficult past Devils you’ve faced, I just mean, most difficult world day to day to live and move around in.”
“Hmm, let me think a moment,” he said, as he pondered, “I think that would have to be Callist.”
“The Sword and Sorcery fantasy realm? My father wrote a little about it in the journal, but nothing about a Devil.”
“Yes, he traveled there more than I ever did. I was mostly in a support role back here at the Mansion by that time. However, from what time I did spend there, I can tell you it was harsh.
No Devil has been located, but as you can see by the faint pulse of the stone, they must not be much of a threat yet. I’d take that as a further sign of the world's difficulty.”
“Well, I plan on going there in a couple days.”
“You what?!”
“My training here with you is wonderful, but I need something more real to help me along my journey. I can always hone my skills here with you in between visits. But I figured if I went into the most intense world I could find and defeat the Devil there, that the other worlds would fall like dominos.”
“An interesting strategy. But I should note, you won’t always be able to come back and hone your skills with me,” Higgins noted, somberly.
“What’re you talking about, Higgins? You say that like you're some ancient relic. You’re not that old yet.”
“True, but one can never tell. Look at what happened to your father.”
We remained quiet for a moment before I added, “I’m going the day after tomorrow and I’ll assess the situation as I go. If it gets too dicey, I’ll come back for a while.”
I decided to do light training that day and to abstain from it the next day so I could rest well. I also decided to wait until the next day to tell the girls I was going. That morning I sat up in my room for a bit and looked through the journal a bit more. Reading my father’s adventures was definitely inspiring. I’d already done a fair bit myself, but nothing compared to what was to come. I looked at the shelf in my bedroom that held the sword and knife I brought back from Bristol and the pistol I brought from Murk. In my closet was my hand sewn colonial getup and tricorn hat along with the suit I wore to court in Sin City.
Alright, that was enough pondering, time to let the girls know what was up and let loose a little bit before heading back down the well tomorrow.
* * *
“What? You’re leaving again already?” Anabel cried out.
“Yes. The time has come for me to scout out another world. It’s unlikely I’ll have the same levels of success I had with the last few, but I can at least hit the ground running and see what turns up. But don’t worry. If it gets too dangerous, I’ll come back. I realize I got very lucky both times before.”
Anabel walked over to me, grabbed my hand and with tears in her eyes, said, “I know I can’t talk you out of it, but please, please be careful.”
“I will, and it's not like I’m leaving right now. We can all spend some time together tonight. How does that sound?”
“What do you have in mind?” Emily chimed in.
“Probably not whatever it is you’re thinking. But maybe we could do something else new to Anabel.”
If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
“Not sure what you were insinuating by that, but fine. How about we take her to the movies?”
“That’s a great idea, Emily! You really are a genius.” She shrugged her shoulders and smirked at that.
“Haha, yeah, bet you didn’t know there was a better way to watch TV did ya Anabel?” I asked.
“Huh? There is?” she asked, puzzled.
“Yes! But I won’t ruin it. We’ll just show you in person. So, what kinda movie should we see? I like comedy but I think Anabel needs to spend some more time in this world, so she has more time to grasp modern humor. Hey, Higgins, care to join us?”
“Quite alright, Master Noble. I’ll drop the three of you off at the theater and run some errands while you enjoy yourselves.”
“Ahem, I have a suggestion,” Emily stated.
“Yes?”
* * *
So, the four of us loaded up in the Royce and headed down to the movie theater. Higgins dropped us off at the front door and drove off. Anabel seemed amazed just at the glowing marquee outside the building. We still didn’t have this outfit thing down yet so people in line must’ve thought the girls were cosplaying some characters for a movie premiere or something.
At Emily's suggestion we were going to see a horror movie. Once we paid for tickets, we got into the snack line. I asked the girls if they wanted popcorn and Anabel replied, “Popcorn!
Now that's something I’ve had before. Very popular at fairs and carnivals.”
At the counter I ordered a large popcorn, three sodas, and three candy bars. I was rich now, so I didn’t give a damn anymore. I only hoped I’d be able to splurge like this for Stephanie in the near future. But for now, this might be my last chance to enjoy myself and relax for a while. So, I was going to make the best of it.
After collecting the snacks, I waited outside the theater for the girls to use the restroom first.
“Come on Anabel, we’d better go before the movie starts,” Emily suggested.
“Go? Go where?”
Emily whispered to her in response and Anabel got it. She followed her into the restroom while I salted and buttered out popcorn.
“Ah, Emily! This sink turned on by itself!”
“Yeah, this is called a sensor. It can detect your movement and turn the faucet on and off for you.”
“Oh, thank goodness. I thought maybe a witch was nearby…not that I have a problem with witches or anything!” she carefully retracted.
“Anabel, I’m not a witch.”
Inside the theater, we sat in a middle row about halfway up the stairs. I sat between the two girls. The lights dimmed and we started in on our snacks. Anabel seemed absolutely blown away at the sight of the ‘giant TV’. The previews had her excited but when the movie Emily picked out started, Anabel was visibly nervous. By the twenty-minute mark, she was clutching my left arm and turning away shaking. I looked over at Emily and she was tossing popcorn in her mouth and laughing with a gleam in her eyes.
After the movie, we went outside to find Higgins waiting for us in the car.
“Good evening, all,” he greeted us, “how did you enjoy the film?” “It was amazing!” said Emily.
“It was terrifying!” Anabel added.
“Same thing,” Emily expressed.
“I still had a good time though. Thank you all for treating me so well despite all of the knowledge I lack.”
Aww, she was so sweet and innocent but so appreciative and loyal!
The remainder of the evening was uneventful. We went home and said our goodnights before going to bed. I shot a few text message updates out to Wraith and Stephanie before I went to sleep just in case I forgot to before heading to Callist in the morning. What adventures awaited me there, I wondered?
* * *
In the morning I had a quick breakfast and prepared to depart into the well once more. Higgins stopped me on our way to the basement and said, “you’re going dressed like that?”
I was wearing a t-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes.
“Correct,” I answered, “I want people to know I’m a world walker on this visit!”
“I’m not sure I’d advise that, sir. You could get away with that in Murk and you had some luck in Bristol, but the residents in Callist may not appreciate cavalier presentation.”
“I’ll be fine. At some point I’ll acquire some local clothes but for now I just wanna gauge the reaction. Like I said, I’ll come back if it gets too dangerous.”
“Very well. I wish you luck as always sir.”
Anabel approached next, “come back safe, okay,” and gave me a big hug attached to a small kiss on the cheek.”
Then came Emily, with a light hug of her own, “good luck. I’m gonna write you a eulogy just in case, alright.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less from you. Thanks,” I laughed.
Afterwards, I took the stone for Callist and got into the well. That familiar red glow started intensifying and soon I felt the lightweight sensation. In an instant, I was gone, only to reappear in a pool of water surrounded by tan cave walls. There were about thirty feet or so around me in every direction, but it was rather dark. The only light was directly above me about forty feet, where I could see a rope hanging from the ledge. I began to climb and immediately started thanking Higgins in my head for the strength training. On my way up, I saw evidence of pitons in the wall. It must have been how previous world walkers got up here before they installed the rope.
A minute or two of climbing and I was up and out of the cave in an arid and rocky, canyon-like area. This was apparently a water spring that was tucked away from the eyes of most people since there was no civilization to speak of. I stood up and tried to get my bearings based on the notes my father had put in his journal for me.
I remembered from my father’s notes on this place that from the point of entry into this world, there were three different regions in the immediate vicinity of the desert-like area I was starting at. To the south was just more desert before hitting the sea. But to the north was an area called, ‘The Barbarian Lands’. My father wrote that it was pretty dangerous up there. So, it’d probably be best for me to avoid that for now. To the west of here was a plains region with a scattering of villages and small cities at the foot of a mountain range. And to the east was a lush forest kingdom, known as Vale. Apparently, they were quite wealthy and fairly civilized there but didn’t always get along with other nations so they had an organized army, and it might be difficult to get in without a good reason. All three of these locations were just a couple days' travel from here by foot.
Hmm, so of the choices I had, it would seem the smaller villages to the west were the best place for me to start. If I could make it there and get a good feel for the people, I might be able to find some allies and identify who the Devil of this world is and where he may be. That settled it, I was heading west, to the grassland plains and rolling hills!
Now, if I assumed that this world worked the same way my own world did and the sun rose in the east and a set in the west, then I should be able to find my way.