Beyond The Wall Read online

  Beyond The Wall

  by Pwyll Duggan

  Forward and Thanks

  Thanks go to my Wife, Trish. For saying to give it a go and then supporting me. And never nagging about it… mostly.

  Mila Young. Author, Friend, Mentor and fire under my butt.

  Dave, my best man, reliable back-up guy for catching my worst mistakes.

  My boys Connor and Riley. For adding those extra months of work.

  My gaming buddies for the last 30 odd years of fighting bad guys, being the bad guys and kicking the odd dragon’s arse.

  Krispy, Norm, Gary, Nick, The Daves and Bazza plus the kids added over the years, Kyle and Emma.

  Youtube

  Shadiversity and Skallagrim. Channels whose knowledge and insight I plundered.

  Blackheart Music Videos. For the GMVs that kept the beat going.

  Tom Day and his ethereal music.

  Neffex for pumping the blood when caffeine failed.

  Cover is by Christian Bentulan

  Covers by Cristian

  And to you.

  For giving me a go.

  Please enjoy.

  (Book 2 was finished before this came out. Honest)

  Chapter One

  "Konichiwa."

  I spin around shocked, expecting the coffee in my hand to spill. But it isn’t there and standing in my study is a small Japanese lady in a rustic kimono. Only I’m no longer in my study, I’m standing out in the open. With no coffee and no clothes. I rush to cover myself and the small lady covers her smile with her hand. She bows slightly.

  "Konichiwa." She says again.

  "Um..Hello." She beams a smile this time and bows more deeply. She motions to a small bench next to her upon which sits a pile of clothes, there are some wooden sandals on the ground underneath. Then she turns and waddles off using those short steps the Japanese make with those clothes on. I bend over for the robe on the bench while looking around. I’m definitely not in my townhouse anymore.

  Around me is the entrance to a small Japanese medieval village. I say Medieval because there are no powerlines, neon signs or roads as far as I can see. No footpaths only a dusty dirt road. No buildings over three stories tall. I’m standing inside some sort of black rock circle in the ground, wooden bench to its side. I could see a small table and chair to the left, with a paper sun shade. Bamboo water fountain off to the right in a small pool, with the connecting stream heading off down the side of the village.

  I put on the robe, much like a bath robe and give up on the sandals. My feet are way too big for those. I keep looking around, rubbing my recently shaved bald head or stroking my red beard. It was uncanny. It appears as if I am truly in an old-time village.

  I rub my eyes. Flex my hands and even pinch my arm. Yup, all still here. Villagers start to poke their heads out of windows, or around corners, wide eyed and extremely curious. I see more female than male faces, the only male faces seem old, looks of worry lifting as they see me.

  The little lady that waddled off is coming back with a strange sight. Another small lady, this time blonde. As she gets closer I can see she has her blonde hair up in a bun, with slightly pointy ears sticking out of the side of her head. Very petite figure with ample breasts and deep blue eyes. She has one of those cute button noses but no smile.

  "You speak?"

  "Yes. I speak. Where am I? What's going on?" I stay calm as I look around. Panicking won’t help, and I need to know where I am.

  "Follow. House. Meal. Food. Get Priestess for you. Tell then." She motions eating and walking and I just shrug. Can't hurt, hopefully.

  "I'll follow you." She nods and points a direction to go. I walk off that way. The first lady shuffles off on another path.

  I slow so the blonde is at my side as I walk. More heads poked from buildings and people start to come out onto the street. One tall girl pushes aside some Japanese style curtains out of a doorway and trots onto the road. I stop and stare. Trots as in she has the bottom half of a horse and torso of a girl. She has woven baskets strapped to her flanks full of vegetables. She is chatting in language I think is Japanese, but I am only really guessing from the subtitled anime I’ve watched. I only speak English, and bad English at that. I keep staring as an older woman with black hair, silver skin and pointy ears sees me through the curtain. She smiles and waves. The brunette centaur turns to look at me and also smiles and waves. I weakly wave as my guide grabs my arm and drags me off.

  I keep staring as I suddenly realize over half of every one I see aren’t human. They are demi-humans, like in the games I play - elves, goblins, centaurs, minotaurs and even a cyclops. All living together in this village. All looking happy now, or at least they all smile at me. And most of them are female. With no children around at all. I stop again, and my companion tries once more to move me, but I plant my feet.

  "Kids...where are the children? Or men, men my age?"

  "Children grown. Men became Shielders and went past the shield." She points behind me as she speaks and I twist to look. Behind the village, behind where I appeared was a faint black shimmering wall going up into the sky. It stretched as far as the eye could see...upwards and to the horizon in each direction. It wasn't totally straight, with parts jutting out or in-wards. She pulls on my arm as I stand there.

  "We must go. Go house. Eat. Priestess' come - explain. Come. Come." I let her drag me again as I think. No kids, no young or even middle-aged men. Why? Why did they go past that shield? And more importantly what does it stop? But the people appear happy to see me.

  As I go through the village, past stores, stables, bakery and an inn, everyone comes out to see me. I see many smiles, a fair few waves and the odd look of disappointment, the disappointed ones going back inside. A few younger adults, but still no kids. Blondie drags me through the whole village and I can now see the countryside outside, Paddy fields and crops growing all around. The odd copse of trees and dirt roads leading off into the hills in the distance. And just in view a military camp, long flags waving in the wind.

  Those flags match the ones on the armor of the men circling a walled house ahead of us to the right. Exactly where we were heading. As they see me they stand straighter. My 6'2" frame towers over them, none taller that five and a half feet. All in light armor with spears, each trailing a small red ribbon. One guards the wooden gate going in, looking more like an officer than a soldier. He bows gently and presses a small scroll towards me silently. I take the scroll and he bows again and makes way for us to enter.

  A white pebble path leads on from the wooden gates that are being closed behind me. I realize the latch is on the other side of the gate. This is my prison, my gilded cage, and a very gilded cage it is. Before me is a beautiful two story traditional Japanese house. In this case I have stone and wooden walls on my cage. It has an absolutely beautiful traditional garden. Small pond, stone paths, trickling waterfall filling the pond, Koi fish swimming around it. There are willow trees on one side - well back from the wall around the whole compound. The water garden takes up a whole side of the house, with one room surrounded by it. Dibs on that room.

  The outside terraces are open waiting for us to arrive. Women are hurrying around the inside, cleaning and setting up a room. Three girls are standing at the entrance, dressed up formally. An older lady is fussing around them, making them perfect in her eyes. As they spot me the matron looks down at my bare feet and calls out an order to the ladies inside. As I get to the steps, I stare at the three dolls made up before me.

  One is a dark elf. Silver hair, dark skin, deep purple eyes, standing just over 5 foot tall. Beautiful face, soft yet there is strength to it. Stunning in every sense of the word. Like all the girls her eyes are downcast. She is wearing a white kimono, purple highligh
ts matching her eyes. Beautiful and captivating.

  Number Two looks slightly older, mid 20s Japanese girl. Jet black long hair. Wide soft brown eyes. Petite and soft on the edges. Small like the elf with hidden grace in her form as she deliberately sways, peeking a look at me as she does so. Her eyes sparkle, either with mischief or cunning. She seems trouble. Fun trouble. Her kimono is dark with red trim.

  Third is a taller green skinned orc or half orc. Small tusks jut up out of her mouth. Not as jarring as you would expect. She has long black hair, tied back in a long braid that flows down her back. Her tight kimono shows off her Amazon build, at 5'8", taller and more muscular than the guards outside. She has a harsh look to her face with thick eyebrows and long lashes to match. By human standards moderately beautiful, but I think she's gorgeous. Her kimono is green patterned with swirling leaves falling down the dress. It seems the most elaborate of all the kimonos I have seen in town.

  As I gauge what is before me, I too am judged. My once fit body is now not so fit. 6'2", bald, red beard and brown eyes. I never rated myself more than average, the standard 5 out of 10. My smile always gave me points with the ladies, at least when I used to try. I hit 45 recently. Divorced and no longer trying. Working from home most of the time means my social interactions are normally Dungeon and Dragons sessions, online games and the occasional night out. Which has been fewer and fewer recently. Doesn’t help that my ex getting married again...number three for her now. Yes, I've been in a bit of a funk, but that's life.

  As I reflect on my failings a tub of hot water and some towels are put down before me. I sit on the steps and reach for the tub, when the matron panics at the fact I am going to clean my own feet. Blondie waves her hands at me in an emphatic no. She grabs my hands and points at the three girls.

  "Choose. Maids." I shake my head.

  "Fine, her." I point to the little Japanese girl whose face lights up as the others droop. Looks like I'll have to select each in turn to prevent favoritism. Great, choosing between maids for slave duty. Hopefully I can speak properly with the priestess when she gets here.

  The girl gets me to sit at the tops of the steps as she starts to wash my feet with a damp cloth. The other girls retreat inside, leaving the matron to supervise. My little maid tickles my feet with the wash cloth and jumps slightly when I giggle. Once she sees I am smiling she smiles back and starts washing further up my leg. The Matron clears her throat and the hands go back to my feet. She's still smiling as she dries my feet and slippers are bought to me, large enough to fit this time.

  I'm led through the open house to an area with a large long low table and pointed at where I am to sit, at the head of the table. To my left is the opening, where I can view the water garden and yard. The long table only has one place setting. Chopsticks and bowls are ready for food, along with a small clay jug and clay cup. Before I sit I turn to blondie.

  "I would like to know everyone’s names please." She looks at me blankly.

  "I am not to answer. Priestess will answer." She smiles brightly. "Sorry. I mean no disrespect. Priestess always does this. Honor bound to obey. Sorry." Ahh the old ‘who's in power’ routine. This is going to get interesting. I may need to rock the boat.

  I sit at the head of the table and my little Asian maid moves to pour me a drink. I stop her hand at the jug.

  "Water." I say. She looks at blondie and then looks at me, trying to take the jug again. "Water. Only ever Water. Please." Blondie then says something, and she nods and goes out of the room to get it. While she is away, I look at the patterns on the floor. A runic circle is around this whole area. As I go to stand up, the Matron and Blondie both motion me to sit. I ignore them. In the tatami floor I can make out faint lines going in a circle around the room.

  My little girl comes back in with a jug of water as I examine the patterns. Looking closer as I kneel, I can see there are two lines very close together, with symbols between the lines. It's been inked into the mats, so well that they all line up. The maids have no idea what I am seeing and neither does Blondie. But the matron reacts, and that's enough for me to get nervous about it. She's yammering at Blondie who is nodding as I trace the pattern around the room.

  Well what do you know, it ends up with me in the center of the circle. The maids are getting nervous, hearing what matron is saying as Blondie starts translating.

  "No need for you to look at that. It's...traditional. Sit and eat. Drink and wait for the priestess." I turn to her, looking at the Matron with a smile. Holding my smile while looking at her I ask.

  "Does she know any of this language?" Blondie replies.

  "No, you are the first in over a decade that has spoken it." I keep smiling and turn to her.

  "Ask her if the person that did such good ink work is still in town. Ask her, keep smiling and then answer my next questions." She keeps smiling and asks away. As the matron thinks of her reply I ask.

  "Is that for a spell or something, maybe a ritual or sacrifice? Keep smiling."

  "Ritual yes. My mother was a caster. It extends the duration of the spell it is designed for." She turns and nods to Matron. "She's asking why you want the person."

  "Tell her I love the skilled work and would love to see more of their work - make out like I love it and go on and on." As she talks, I return to the table.

  As I sit, Blondie finishes the translation and Matron is smiling again.

  "I take it the priestess will cast a spell on me." Blondie looks a little nervous but smiles quickly.

  "I do not know. I am sorry. This is not what is expected. You are to have a feast and meet your maids. Told of our ways and fight beyond the wall tomorrow. And we all hope your return and do it again for us. There is no mention in our history of spells needing to be cast, apart from the translation spell she uses, and that one is personal. My mother used it all the time to help teach me American." I chuckle at American.

  "English. The language you are speaking is called English. America is only one of the countries on my world that speaks that language, along with Australia where I come from. It's the language of trade on my world. Mostly."

  "Oh, like the Trade Tongue is here."

  "Makes a lot of sense. Is the Matron okay now, not nervous?" I smile at the matron again and keep talking.

  "Ask if there are any painters in town. I like paintings." While I smile at her I drink my water. It tastes fine, so I guess I will be as well. I move the clay jug closer to my right side, in reach for later and keep smiling. Blondie keeps the matron busy and I turn and smile to my maids, calming them as well. I hear the wooden gate open. Fun and games have arrived.

  Chapter Two

  The precession of overly dressed people winds up the path towards us. Leading the way is an older stern-faced lady wearing white, with a headdress of yellow spikes haloing her head. She's chanting as she takes careful steps. Behind her follow two rows of two, female acolytes in rather nice clothes, nowhere as nice as the head priestess' robe. Her all white robe is draped with small golden chains with extremely fine filigree on the sleeves, neckline and ears. I get the impression her robes are worth more than this house, maybe the whole village.

  I whisper to Blondie. "Is she casting?" She looks at me, fear flicking through her eyes.

  "Is she casting?" She finally answers.

  "Yes. I know not the spell, but it is a long one." Matron is sort of looking at me. Time for dumb plan one. I stand and turn to the precession and bow, low to the ground. I watch to see what everyone else does. Blondie bows first, and stays bowed. The maids also stand and bow low, holding the bow. Matron has to stand and turn away from me to bow. That's my cue.

  I quickly turn around, grabbing the sake bottle and pour some over my face and front. The maids look at me and I wink and smile at them. The orc blushes. It looks good on her. I palm the chopsticks into my robe and turn back to the priestess. I stagger a little and bump the table, making Matron look. I put the bottle to my lips and say.

  "This is not water. Oh nooo
." And stagger more. Blondie gets the point and raises her voice, talking at Matron.

  I stagger forward. And Matron gets in front of me, blocking me leaving the circle.

  "Watchya doing Matron." I slur then look at Blondie still slurring.

  "She still casting? Has she noticed?"

  "No, but her acolytes have. The front two are moving forward." I nod and put my arm around Matron's shoulders, shocking her to stillness.

  "She still casting?" I hear the chant now and the pace is slowly building up.

  The two acolytes are at the edge of the circle, two steps from me and matron. I smile at them and raise the jug. They smile back, which is all I can tell from the veils that cover most of their faces. Of the two acolytes at the rear, one seems unsure and the other looks fuming. Even through her veil she seems pissed off, and she's not looking at me. That's a first in a long time.

  I move Matron in front of me and smile.

  "Sorry." And push her hard into one of the acolytes. As they fall, I step forward and kick up between the legs of the second. Male or female, that hurts at my full strength. She crumples, I wind back my arm as the head priestess raises her head, starting to spread out her arms as her chanting reaches crescendo. The sake jug flies threw the air from my perfect pitch, even if I do say so myself. Her nose breaks as the jar smashes into her face. The spell is destroyed along with her nose. She clutches her face, sake spilling everywhere, and I run forward more steps, jump down to the path and let loose with a punch straight into her gut.

  She crumples around my arm and collapses to the ground as gasps of shock come from the rooms behind me. One of the rear acolytes has her hands covering her mouth in shock and the fuming one is ripping off her veil in a rush. I roughly turn over the priestess, place my slippered foot over her throat and push, ever so slightly.