After the interview with the JLR, I asked Tarragorn to walk back to my home. It was going to be another 2 and ½ hours before we would be swapped back, and I couldn’t just walk through the front door as a Half-Elvin Ranger.
Also, Tarragorn didn’t have any money to catch a bus with.
Tarragorn was confused by the strange world he found himself in. I suggested we go to the park, thinking he might be a bit more comfortable near trees and gardens. As Tarragorn sat in the park he asked me to tell him about my world, of the “strange horse-less carriages and the strange street lamps with no flame”. I told him as much as I could. But I think I only confused him more.
Then I asked a question. One I had never thought of asking the others before. “Where do you come from Tarragorn”?
The ranger looked around, “I am no longer sure. I thought I was dead…”
“What do you mean”? I asked.
“The land I came from was under attack from a dark mage - Morthryn was his name - a man… a demon of ruthless ambition. We meant to stop him, to end his tyranny over our lands, our homes…”
“We”?
A sad smile played across the ranger’s lips. “I was one of a small band of… adventurers, who offered our unique skills and abilities to bring down the dark wizard. But he was prepared for us. He had magical… stones, that struck my fellows, Thorfen and Alovaren with a strange light..”
“Thorfen the Dwarf and Alovaren the Elvin archer”!?! I interrupted.
“Aye. You know of them”? Asked Tarragorn.
“Yes, we have swapped places before, like we have now. What happened in the battle? Did your party win”?
“Once Thorfen and Alovaren were struck, their bodies vanished, never to return. Alas, I do not know the fate of the rest of my party, as I was struck next by the strange force. Tis the last thing I remember, until I found myself in your world”.
“Obviously this wizard Morthryn and my dice are connected. It can’t have been coincidence that I summoned all three of you… Perhaps the disappearances are temporary”? I suggested. “Maybe this Morthryn collects people and creatures from your dimension, when I roll my dice? But tell me were, you travelling with a Troll, a Minotaur and a Pegasus”?
“I keep better company than Trolls, young Alex”, replied the Ranger, who sounded slightly offended by the question. “And I have not been fortunate enough to encounter a Pegasus. Alas, I fear Morthryn’s magiks are not as temporary as you would think. Or benign…”
But before we could continue our conversation further, our three hours were up. Now I was sitting in the park and Tarragorn was… well I hope he was safe, wherever he was.
I finally snuck into home at 1.40am. As I lay in my bed, my mind was swimming with all of the evening’s events.
Now I had this Morthryn dude to worry about. Obviously the stones Tarragorn was talking about were the dice. But why did I have them? Surely if that strange man knew what they did, he wouldn’t have given them away? And would the JLR accept me if they knew about the dies… questionable past?
These were questions that I would have to answer another day. My last thoughts before I succumbed to sleep were of the JLR. Especially Cowgirl Jack, and her sweet smile…
Tap Tap TapSuddenly a tapping on my bedroom window wakes me up.
I look at the clock. “2.30am? Ugh”, I mutter as I drag my sleepy body out of bed and walk over to the window to investigate.
I must be dreaming? “Cowgirl Jack”! I pinch myself, just to make sure I’m not. “Ow”.
“Hi Alex. And call me CJ. All my friends do”.
“But what are you doing here”? I whisper.
“Do you mind if I come in first”? Asks Cowgi… CJ, looking worriedly down towards the ground.
Then I remember. My bedroom is on the second storey. “Oh. Sure”, I say, as I unlatch the window.
CJ flies into my bedroom with her jet-propelled boots. They make a bit more noise than I would like, but I didn’t want to offend, CJ by telling her so. After she lands, she looks at me again, with that sweet smile of hers.
“Alex. Centurian. I am here to offer you membership with the Justice League…”
Did I just hear right? The JLR wants me! “Woo Hoo”!
I yell out.
“Shush”, shushes CJ with a smile.
“Oops”, I say, quickly covering my mouth with my hands. After checking that my Mom hadn’t woken up, I ask in a whisper, “Really”?
“We can only offer you probationary membership at the moment. But we’ll make it permanent, depending on your performance and after a period of training with Midnight Spectre”.
My spirits fall at this news. “Midnight Spectre”?
“Don’t worry”, reassures CJ. “Underneath, he’s a big softy”.
I’m still not convinced. “So, do I get some nifty communicator device or something”?
CJ lets out a soft laugh. “Not yet”. She suddenly looks more serious. “I’m sorry to do this Centurian, I know it’s late. But we have an emergency. We need your help to stop Vegi-La”.
Oh no. I quickly think what would Mom do if she realised I wasn’t at home. She probably wouldn’t even notice. Plus it’s Saturday, so no school. “Sure”, I reply. “But I’m not quite dressed for it”, looking down at my pyjamas.
“Pack a change of cloths”, says CJ. “We have to leave at once”.
I throw some cloths into a backpack, pull on my robe, put my dice in a dice bag, placing them in my robe pocket and finally slip on my Nikes. “Let’s go”.
We climb out of the window, standing on the ledge. CJ puts her arms around me, and then… we are flying! High above the town. I can see for miles!
Wow, I’m the newest member of the JLR!
I’m going to be a hero!
I think I’m going to be sick…
