Chuck was offered an armored wagon for the trip but he was planning on using his pickup plus the last armored wagon hadn’t made it. He got some strange looks but assured them he had a plan. He didn’t want to reveal all his secrets just yet. From looking at the map, he figured he should have enough gas to get there and back but after that he would be about out. Then the only way his truck would move is if was pulled by one of those snail things or if the alchemy guild somehow figured out how to make gasoline. Chuck also exchanged his plastic water bottle and the promise of his remaining plastic bottles for some kind of jerky and a never ending canteen. It was just a water skin with some symbols on it that made water out of thin air - magic sure was useful. Chuck was hoping for a portable magic communication device but the one at the outpost was large and had to be built on site. He went to bed early, staying in the same room at the alchemy guild. He was offered a room at the governor’s mansion but his pack was still in his old room plus the alchemy guild was much closer to the South Gate. The guild master had no objection to him staying longer. He wasn’t confident of getting up on time without an alarm clock so politely asked if Mer could wake him.
The next morning came too soon and Chuck yawned while he headed to the South Gate. There were already two beast people waiting for him. One looked like the wolf variety and the other a smaller black panther type. They both wore leather armor, had swords at their hips, and bows on their backs. “Good morning, I hope I didn’t make you wait too long. I’m Chuck, nice to meet you.” He said looking at the two. “I am Torj and this is Kyt. I was expecting more for an otherworlder. We aren’t here to watch over a stripling. Do you expect us to carry you on our backs all the way to the outpost?” The wolf glared at him. “I know I don’t look like much but I can hunt and I do have transportation. If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you - it isn’t far.” Chuck said smiling, trying not to be intimidated.
They walked across the bridge, past the crossroads, and up the hill to the top of the dark road where he had left the pickup. Torj stopped his grumbling when Chuck started uncovering the truck. “Let me back it out then we can get you situated. Kyt should be able to fit inside but Torj, you are going to have to ride in the back. The cab wasn’t designed for 7 foot tall werewolves.” Chuck said glancing at the wolf’s huge frame. “I am beast-kin not werewolf, whatever that is. Is this a magical carriage? I have heard tell of them being used in the capital but have never seen one.” Torj said eyeing the pickup curiously. “I guess you could think of it that way although my world doesn’t have magic.” Chuck replied getting in the truck. They both took a step back and put a hand on their swords when he started the truck. It had a hole in the exhaust so was a little noisy. Another thing he hadn’t gotten around to fixing. He backed it out onto the road and cleaned off the passenger seat, throwing the dead cell phone, a CD case, and his pack behind the seat. He had borrowed some of his dad’s CDs since his pickup had an older after market stereo in it. It was mostly 80’s and 90’s rock music and was way better than listening to country music on the radio. There were several empty plastic pop bottles on the floor that the guild would love so he tossed them behind the seat also, thankful for once that he was so lazy when it came to cleaning. He dug out his shotgun and made sure it was within easy reach.
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Next, he got out and climbed in the back to make room for Torj. First he worked on storing the bad tire back underneath the truck bed which was always a pain. The beast-kin pair walked around the vehicle, knocking on it occasionally and seemed impressed that it was made of metal. “Yup, they made them to last back in the day. Although the grill guard I put on the front helps as well.” He thought to himself grinning. After fiddling with the tire he took apart the fishing rod and shoved it and the tackle box in the storage/tool box and whatever else he could cram in. The truck bed was now as clean as it was going to get. He had Torj jump in the back and opened the door for Kyt who cautiously climbed in. Chuck got in also and put it into gear and they started heading south.