The Lowerland

Chapter one of something new(ish)

Image by Omni Matryx from Pixabay 

THE LOWERLAND

“You’re sure?” Sonny Luce stood with arms crossed, leaning against one side of the dank counter. Painted peeled from the walls and something in the sink stunk, badly, but his eyes were hard and focused as he looked to his partner.

“I’d bet my life on it.” Axim Walker leaned against the counter, every muscled was tense and taut.

“Would you? Because that is exactly what we’re doing if we make this call.”

“Make the call, Son. I’m right about this. It’s loose. In your Realm.”

Sonny picked up the cloaked two-way Orb and with a mere thought it sprung to life, illuminating a purple hue as the small round device hummed and swirled in his palm. He dreaded this call, but with this thing loose, time was of the essence. It didn’t take long before the other end picked up.

“Luce here. Confirm action. Yep, he’s sure,” Sonny took a deep breath and looked over at Axim who nodded knowingly. “Yes, sir. We just need secure the cabin and then we’re heading north. Of course, we’ll be as safe as we can be; what other choice do we have?” This creature was bad news, but there was so much more than that. He could feel it deep in his soul. “Over and out.”

“And?” Axim asked.

“And what? You know, dude.” The Orb darkened as Luce replaced it. He turned and furrowed his brow, “What’s with your stupid grin, man? How can you be happy?”

“Far from happy, my friend, more like amused.”

“Amused?” Sonny asked. “What in all the realms could be bringing you amusement?”

“You…you’re nervous,” Axim gave his friend a teasing half grin, “Forgive me, if I find a tad bit of humor in our terribly unfortunate situation, but this is rarity for me.”

“Terribly unfortunate situation? You Earthians and your downplaying of dangerous events.” Sonny said, running his hand through his dark curls. “And of course, I’m…nervous, I mean you know…and we’ve been…”

“Yeah, and I do know…all about this creature…believe me, I know,” Axim’s congenial grin fell under a quick shadow for just a moment, like a cloud rushing past the sun “But it’s not a monster that has you rattled…you love monster attacks…this is different.”

Sonny stared straight at him for several seconds, and neither man spoke, “Well, you’re right yeah, now I have to take you to meet the Chancellor of the Realm. And I’m scared as shit you’re gonna muck it up and get us both thrown in an Ozian jail.”

Axim threw back his head and laughed, then stuck up his middle finger, a crass Earthian insult.

“Could you be any more juvenile? This is exactly what I mean!” Luce laughed but returned the gesture. Then he picked up board and took it to the window.  With a snap of his fingers, the board levitated and secured itself into place.

“Eh, what can I say?” Axim grabbed a piece of wood and held up. “I own my juvenile Earthianness.”

With another snap of Luce’s fingers, the board was in place. “And seriously Ax, for the love the realm, do NOT behave like that in front of the Chancellor.”

“Awwww, come on Son, you know how charming I can be, when I want to, in fact. You could learn a thing or two, instead of your chronic surliness,” Axim rebuffed.

This time Luce stuck up his middle finger first. They both chuckled, but the laughter disappeared as they worked to secure the cabin. Axim whistled as she worked. It was dark and low, but somehow soothing.

After the proper hexes, the two gathered all the magical paraphernalia they were taking and surveyed their home away from home for the past year. Satisfied, Luce picked up his bag, “Ready, Earthian?”

“Always,” Axim picked up his own bag and walked out.

Luce pulled the door closed behind him.

The stench of the Lowerland Swamp filled their senses, but neither man flinched.  They’d smelled worse.  Lived in worse.  Fought in worse.  As always, it was time to move.  Chasing, following, tracking. But this time, the dank, isolated cabin in the Swamp of the Lowerland was better than the news they had to deliver to the Chancellor. 

As the two men walked away, Luce snapped his fingers and the cabin disappeared behind him. Without looking back, Axim gripped Luce’s shoulder.

Another snap of Luce’s fingers, and both men vanished.