—— ? ——

  Bright white light poured into Simon’s eyes as he stepped out of the portal. He immediately shut them as he stumbled away from the dimming archway behind him.

  “Goddamn it's bright.” He muttered as he slowly cracked his eyelids open. The sheer glare reflecting off the white landscape bored into his head.

  He glanced up, spotting the midday sun beating down on them. The deep blue sky was spotless.

  Simon’s head snapped down as he remembered why he was here. He forced his eyes to focus despite the pain and carefully scanned the environment.

  His right hand tensed as he gripped the long metal tube instrument. Slowly turning, he took in every detail of the surroundings through the blistering light.

  No movement. There wasn’t even a whisper of wind as he stared intensely. Glowing spots formed in his eyes between blinks as he did a complete revolution.

  It seemed to be safe. As well as he could tell anyways.

  Not like I can actually see anything with the blasted sunlight. We have magic and monsters, but no polarized lenses?

  Kaelalin and him had honestly been surprised when they had accepted the prompt to leave the dungeon. They had assumed they would be whisked away through some form of instant teleportation.

  Instead a glowing archway had slowly formed over a minute. It was good they hadn’t tried to use the damn thing as a get out of jail free card. That would have ended badly.

  Simon had insisted he was to leave first. He wanted to make sure there weren’t any demon bunnies waiting for an easy meal.

  Now he just felt dumb. Simon blinked again as swirling after images flickered across his vision.

  After a few more seconds, the archway behind him glowed with magic. Then a portal formed and Kaelalin strode from it, her hands already crackling with magic.

  “See anything?” She asked, staring at Simon through thick dark lenses with a grin.

  “... Asshole!”

  —— ? ——

  “I still think it was funny.” Kaelalin laughed as they trudged down a rise. Simon slid down the snow, now wearing large dark lenses.

  “Uh huh. What if there had been one of those hoppers?” He said, snow crunching under his feet.

  “What are hoppers?” Zerathis asked, the lizard man turned pool ball’s voice emanated from a pocket on Kaelalin.

  “Nasty little demon bunny-like things. They have long-ass limbs and glowing green eyes.” Simon replied instantly, then added. “Oh, and they loooooooooove eating people.”

  Kaelalin shook her head. “They are also a lovely kickable size and sluggish during the day.”

  “You call that sluggish!?” Simon screeched. “They are ambush predators from hell.”

  “Simon.” The Frost-kin gave him a flat look. “We just got done fighting literal molten giants… and you are still worried about… hoppers?”

  Simon met her gaze for a moment, then dropped his eyes to the snow. “Still would have sucked to get attacked by them,” he muttered.

  “Which is why I said we should all leave the sub-realm together.” Kaelalin shook her head. “But you wanted to be dashing, brave, and blow out your eyes. Who am I to keep a man from his destiny?” She laughed as Simon’s face soured.

  “Come on Simon, less talking, more walking.”

  “Does that apply to me as well?” Zerathis quipped. Kaelalin’s lips curled into a smile.

  “No, Zerathis. You are welcome to talk.”

  Simon squinted at the frost kin as she stepped away from him. An idea struck him and he carefully bent over and scooped up a handful of snow. The snow took shape in his hands as he applied his strength to it. It was almost too easy.

  He focused on the receding back of the woman and bent his arm back. Simon took careful aim, then whipped the snowball as hard as he could. As soon as the projectile left his fingertips his mind screamed at him. What was he thinking? This wasn’t Earth. He had this jacked up, pumped up, system stat body.

  The glistening ball rocketed through the air, arcing perfectly towards Kaelalin.

  Ah, well, you see, Brian, she totally survived the hellish realm we explored. Oh? What killed her? Well… she didn’t tell me about sunglasses, and so I figured the only logical thing to do was remove her head via snowball. Oh? Prison you say? For life? Yeah, seems fair. Ill…

  Simon never finished his thought as the unthinkable happened. One moment he was watching his companions' impending doom; the next his vision turned blue. His brain quickly registered the stinging sensation coming from his face and the taste of snow melting in his mouth.

  He sat back up and stared dumbly at Kaelalin.

  “Whas” ptui “What the hell just happened?” Simon asked, spitting out snow.

  “Weak,” Kaelalin said matter-of-factly. “Dravlen is way more subtle with those. I knew what you were doing the moment you touched that snow.”

  “I threw it so hard though.” Simon groaned.

  “You did. Which is why it hurt so much when I redirected it back to your face. Did you know there's a skill for projectile redirection? Dravlen discovered it within a week. The next week was hell for anyone important in Varnholt. Even Serel got pelted until she learned it.” Kaelalin reflexively rubbed the back of her neck. “That sneaky ass would attack from anywhere. He always would quip about how he was ‘head of security’ and it was ‘for our own good.’”

  She smiled.

  “The only one who escaped his wrath was Kurda. Turns out, you piss that guy off, and he has no issues with dunking a short Yoreboon's head into ice water repeatedly.”

  Kaelalin held out her hands as if she were holding hedge clippers pointed at the ground. She lowered them and raised them over and over.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “‘Ts fur yer own gud’ gush. ‘Ts fur yer own gud’ gush. Ts fur yer own gud’ ”

  Her eyes beamed with laughter as she kept miming the actions.

  Simon couldn’t help himself. He started laughing at the mental image of the brooding head of security being waterboarded. “Oh man, I would have PAID to see that.”

  Kaelalin wiped a tear from her glistening eyes. “Ohh… it was great.” Her face firmed and got serious. “Whatever you do. Never. And I mean NEVER, mention the great dunking of Dravlen. Definitely don’t whisper the nickname either. Also, don’t ask our favorite barkeep for a drink made in commemoration of that event.”

  Simon nodded sagely. “That sounds like good advice.”

  Kaelain nodded back, then continued walking. Simon kipped up and moved after her. He listened as she and Zerathis went back and forth discussing magical theory. The conversations went completely over his head, but he still enjoyed it.

  After everything they had been through, this felt so calm. Simon scanned the valley, but for once his eyes drifted upwards. Rolling white drifts and hills greeted his eyes as he took in Varnholt Valley. Large forests stood at the edges of the open spaces they walked through, trees reaching toward the skies. With no wind, the world felt muffled around them, the snow blanketing the world. In the distance, Simon could see mountains in every direction. They towered over the valley, dwarfing any he had seen on earth. Just how high did they reach?

  Even with the clarity of midday, and clear conditions, some of them were still obscured by clouds. Simon stared at the nearest peak and wondered just how this valley would look perched on top of it.

  Throughout this entire ordeal, Simon had few quiet moments to contemplate the changes to his life. It had been what, less than a week ago that he arrived? Turning his head to either side, he tried to find the mountainside he had crashed down on all those days ago. It seemed like every day had gone by in a blur.

  Simon frowned as he thought.

  The world’s urgency had taken a breath, and reality sunk in. What was he going to do from here on out? Run headlong into danger? What about everyone from Earth? Were his old friends okay? Who… Who had died during this change? Was there even a way he could figur–

  Snow showered over him, caking him in white fluffy chill. His head snapped towards the offending culprit.

  “Hey!” he exclaimed. “What was that for…” his words caught on the look she gave him.

  “Just another silly rule Dravlen enforces. It's called a snow check. You okay?” she asked, her worried look not leaving.

  “Yeah.” Simon let out a large breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “I’m good. Just got a bit in my head. Thanks.”

  “Happens to the best of us. We still need to talk,” she eyed him dangerously, “about a lot of things. But those could wait until we have some tea and time in the lab.”

  She paused, a frown creasing her brow. “Actually, speaking of talking. When we get back to Varnholt, I will do all the talking. Both of you.” she gestured to her pocket, then to Simon. “Are not going to say a word about what happened regarding Zerathis. Understood? As far as everyone else is concerned, he just came out with us and never was a reward.”

  Simon cocked his head. “Why?”

  “I also do not understand. To not give proper credit to my saviors would not–” Zerathis began, but was cut off.

  “Because I said so.” Kaelalin snapped. “You two do not understand what type of people the councilors are. Hell, even the people in town may freak out. I’m not sure exactly what happened there.” She shot a look at Simon again. “But I know for a fact that this entire thing needs to stay between us. I cannot stress this enough. Just let me do the talking. I wouldn’t ask this if it wasn’t important alright?”

  Simon met her intense gaze, and then finally nodded.

  “Alright. Works for me. I trust you.”

  “I also trust you. I will speak only if absolutely necessary.” Zerathis chimed in.

  Simon laughed. “Now, that I don’t believe. Just don’t talk about the stuff in the tower, alright, eight ball?”

  Kaelalin’s pocket glowed brighter as Zerathis responded. “You have said that name before. I think I don’t appreciate it.”

  “Oh Zerathis, nicknames are a sign of endearment!”

  “But what does it mean?” Zerathis pressed. “Eight ball? Is this a weapon? A rank? A sphere of some power?”

  Simon chuckled. “Not exactly. It’s… well, where I’m from, there’s this little black ball with the number eight on it. You shake it, and it gives you answers.”

  Zerathis went very still. “A divination relic?”

  Simon paused, thinking carefully. “... yes.”.

  Kaelalin stared him down, searching his face. Oh? She doesn’t know either? He grinned inwardly, then plastered on the most sincere look he could muster.

  “That’s why I keep calling you that. It’s what you remind me of. Where I’m from, being an eight ball is like… well its like…”

  Zerathis’s glow pulsed.. “A sage? A mentor spirit? A thing that guides?”

  Simon didn’t even blink. He nodded solemnly. “Exactly that.”

  Kaelalin raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

  “Really,” Simon said, deadpan. “Wise, mysterious, occasionally frustrating, but always pointing you somewhere important.”

  “Eight ball…” Zerathis seemed to taste the word. “I think I like it.”

  “It has a nice ring to it.” Kaelalin added.

  Simon kept his face perfectly straight, but internally he pumped his fist and cheered.

  —— ? ——

  The trio came within sight of the walls of Varnholt. As they approached, two familiar figures were waiting on top. What wasn’t familiar was the new low ring of stone that encircled the town several hundred feet away from the original wall.

  “Hey! Simon!” one figure, Rellin, called out from the wall. "Weren’t you supposed to come back half-dead, covered in blood again?” The guard's voice carried effortlessly across the snow. “Coming back in one piece is going to hurt your image!”

  Simon cupped his hands around his mouth and hollered back. “But then I’d have to pay you extra, like I promised!”

  “Damn,” Rellin said, shaking his head. “So you did remember. Guess I’ll be paying for my own drinks after all.”

  They closed the distance to the wall and moved through an open gate. Jorik stood with folded arms, unimpressed but a tinge of a smile on his lips.

  “It's about time you two got back,” he said. His eyes flicked briefly to Kaelalin’s coat, where something faintly pulsed with light before dimming. He didn’t comment on it, just gave them both a steady look.

  “Brian’s been pacing holes in the floor,” Jorik went on. He lowered his voice. “And I’ve been instructed to bring you straight to the council hall the moment you returned.”

  “Of course.” Kaelalin exhaled sharply. She gestured to the stone encirclement. “What’s that?”

  “I can tell you on the way there.” Jorik replied.

  Simon groaned. “Can’t we just, you know, pretend we saw nothing and go grab dinner?”

  Jorik’s brow rose a fraction. “If it were up to me, sure. But Serel would send Dravlen to come get us, and no one wants that.”

  Simon grinned. “Wouldn’t Kurda be worse? I hear he’s got what it takes to play basketball.”

  Jorik raised an eyebrow, then looked at Kaelalin. She gave him a confused look.

  “Parden?” Jorik asked.

  “It’s a sport from our world,” Simon said, still grinning. “Trust me, you’ll laugh later. Ask Brian about it.”

  “Earth-born,” Rellin groaned from the wall. “Always dropping references no one understands. I was hoping Brian was just the exception.”

  Simon shrugged. “Hey, don’t you have any traditions from your world?”

  “We do. We just don’t blab about them to everyone.” Rellin leaned on his spear and jabbed it toward the street. “Now quit stalling. Council’s waiting, and I’m not covering for you if Serel gets impatient.”

  “Lead the way!” Simon said cheerfully. “Onwards to meetings! Wahoo!” He turned to Kaelalin.

  “Aren’t you just ‘excited’?”

  Kaelalin shot him a flat look. “Thrilled. Truly. My heart can barely contain itself.”

  Jorik snorted, then gestured them forward, leading the way into the heart of the town.

  As they followed behind him, Simon whispered to Kaelalin.

  “Hey, can I see the artifact we found for a few minutes? I think it would be a good idea for me to keep a firm grip on it as we walk through town.”

  Kaelalin raised an eyebrow, but then thought for a moment. She nodded and covertly handed Zerathis to him.

  “Keep ‘it’ safe.” She said under her breath.

  “Don’t worry, I will. I’ll hand it back at the Council Hall,” Simon said, his face stoney.

  Kaelalin studied him for a moment and then gave a quick nod. She took a few steps forward and walked beside Jorik.

  Simon's grin glinted in the sunlight.

  —— ? ——

  — AUTHOR NOTICE —

  I just wanted to let you know we are approaching the end of book 1 for Doomed and Damned.

  I will still be publishing chapters as they are finished on Pateron, but going into book two I want to make sure I have a buffer so my posting schedule regains consistency.

  Thanks for reading!

  ~TheBusyBard

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