Post by Greybeard on Dec 27, 2015 14:46:55 GMT -5
A continuation of Light Reading in Light Armor
Al groaned and smacked his lips loudly while shifting in his chair slightly. "I dunno, the Panthers might end up running the table." Al finished with a long yawn. His eyes were open just give someone the slightest amount of hope he may be awake listening.
Greybeard shook his head with disappointment and a look of exasperation. After a long sigh he spoke. "Get yourself prepared Al, we must meet with the wise council of wizards at once. Our mission is clear, retrieve Lute Boy as soon as possible. After we defeat Stampy's team at One, his safety may no longer be guaranteed."
"So what do you want me to do?" Al said like a whiny teenager. He looked rather comfortable wedged tightly into a chair near the fireplace which now burned with only embers.
"I need you to make arrangements for us to meet with the elders, gather your weaponry, and prepare our means of transportation." Greybeard said confidently.
"The Ford Focus?"
"Yes Al, the Ford Focus. We will meet with the wizard council, glean what we need from their wisdom, and execute the plan."
With that, Al stood up with a groan and headed for the large double doors of Greybeard's keep, throwing the doors open and letting them slam behind him. The sound echoed through Greybeard's keep and much of the rest of the tower. Greybeard watched him exit, turning back toward the window. His look of confidence faded as the doors slammed shut. He peered outside, his viewpoint high above the trees. He could see for miles but nothing stood out, nothing moved. He let out another sigh, the weight of his duty finally getting to him. He lingered there until morning.
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The sun rose, illuminating the horizon and Greybeard's room. After a stretch and some light calisthenics, Greybeard descended the stairs and made his way from the tower toward Al's Ford Focus, giving the gateguards a respectful nod on the way. They pulled open the gates and allowed the duo of Greybeard and The Alchemist to pass through, their belongings carried by a few servants. Greybeard opened the trunk, depositing his staff, shortsword, and spell book inside. After that, Al dumped a duffle bag of clothes and peanut butter crackers for the road (they might get hungry). They both climbed inside and away they went on their journey.
"All the arrangements are in order, correct Al?"
"Oh yeah, I took care of it last night. This is going to be fun. You know, we've been on a few road trips together and I think...."
Greybeard was already tuning him out. It was growing harder however. Al had successfully found "Roses" by Outkast on his iPod and was blaring it through the mighty Ford Focus speakers. The stress and concern of the previous night was catching up to Greybeard however and he was soon overcome by a deep sleep....
Suddenly, a loud CRASH woke Greybeard up. It was night now, the moon barely visible through the thick clouds that traveled at a slow pace overhead. Al had crashed the Ford Focus into a tree in a strange forest filled with ancient, gnarled trees. Greybeard peered through the thick smoke that was billowing out of the car in confusion and then toward the driver seat where Al rested, unconscious from the impact. As he looked around in a haze, he noticed several figures emerging from the darkness. They crept slowly toward the car wielding what appeared to be spears and wearing elephant masks. Frozen for what seemed like an eternity, Greybeard pondered his next move. His usual fighting companion was nowhere to be seen and the Alchemist was incapacitated. He scrambled to the back quickfast, unbuckling his seat belt in a frenzy. He pulled down the back seat and retrieved his sheath. He kicked open the back door and faced the now present danger of the three masked men wielding weapons of their own.
"Put down your weapons!" Greybeard commanded, his voice and sword arm quivering a bit.
Nothing but a few laughs escaped the masked men as they looked at each other. Suddenly, without a word, one lunged forward, thrusting his spear. Greybeard parried the blow, countering with a sword hilt to the face. Another lunged forward but missed, losing his balance. Greybeard landed a boot to the back of the head as he stumbled past, knocking him out. When his back was turned the third took a step forward, but did not raise his weapon. Out of instinct, Greybeard whirled around, decapitating the figure cleanly. Breathing heavily, Greybeard looked around to make sure the danger was taken care of. Nothing but the sound of oil dripping out of the car and the hiss of escaping steam could be heard. Greybeard sheathed his blade and bent down next to his victim. He slowly removed the mask to reveal his old friend, Lute Boy. A feeling of terror overtook Greybeard and he fell back, scrambling away from the decapitated head of his friend. He scooted on his butt backward, shaking his head in disbelief until he backed into what seemed like a tree. He peered upward to find Stampy looking down at him. "Look what you did." Stampy said coldly before thrusting a spear of his own downward into Greybeard's chest.
"We're here." The Alchemist said, jarring Greybeard out of his nap. He jumped in his seat, beads of sweat on his brow and cheeks. His chest heaved as he looked around bewildered.
"Wha....where are we?"
The Alchemist simply got out of the car after grabbing something from his visor. Without a word, Greybeard followed, still dazed from his dream. Down a dark stairwell they descended in silence before coming to a set of double doors.
"Is this our council room Al?"
"Yep, we're just a little late." Al managed to get between large bites of peanut butter crackers.
Greybeard inhaled a deep breath, trying to compose himself, straightening his cloak and checking his breath before throwing open the doors. Inside the spacious room were countless lockers, flat screen TVs, and towels....lots of towels. Bewildered, Greybeard began walking around aimlessly, examining the area when he was approached by a large, muscled man in a yellow security shirt.
"Are you supposed to be here?"
"Oh it's alright, I have the passes right here." Al interjected, producing two laminated passes and showing them to the large man.
"Oh alright, go ahead. Right over there." He pointed toward a locker with a giant man sitting in front of it...well giant by most mortal's standards. Greybeard looked around, now even more confused than before, but followed Al anyway. The man stood up, towering over both of them at 6'11. "Hello, I'm Marcin Gortat, center for the Washington Wizards." He said extending his oven mitt sized hand.
Al was quick to shake his hand, gushing with compliments for the NBA big man while Greybeard continued to look stupefied.
"I hear you guys have had some trouble with losing friends recently. Well I know what that's like. When I was traded from Phoenix to Washington, I had to leave a lot of good friends behind, and even play against them. It gets easier over time though. I've averaged double digit points for the last two years."
"And your rebounds are up to!" Al wedged in, eager for approval.
"Yes they are Al. So you guys are a team now, you just need to figure out how to make it work. I hope this helped."
Greybeard stood silent in, nearly in shock courtesy of his nightmare and Al's constant buffoonery. While Al and Marcin made small talk, Greybeard realized that yes, he was on a team. However, he knew the match would be up to him...that he could no longer rely on his support system. The team and friend he knew was gone and would likely never be the same. He exhaled a deep breath and headed for the door after selling some weed to John Wall.
