Chapter 1
I don’t know where I am.
One moment I was killing zombies and the next minute Lilith’s mother threw me here.
It isn’t like there’s anything strange in particular, it seems like just a normal landscape. That’s the thing, it's strange that it's so normal. Ice covers everything there is to see, and icicles drip off tree branches.
There isn’t anything strange about winter.
There isn't anything strange about ice.
So why do I have the feeling that something is very, very wrong?
I’m not one to trust my intuition, usually, I need evidence, but here my intuition is all I have. I mentally scan the place, seeing if I can find any reason to be afraid, any weapons, any strange people - this is another dimension after all.
“You, what the hell are you wearing?” A voice yells from behind me, and I turn around to face a man wearing a blue robe and a fur coat.
“Sorry?” I say, wondering if I could play along.
“You’re Decrardis, are you not?”
I nod furiously, mentally begging him to believe me.
“I am Decrardis, yes?”
“Well boy, what the fuck are you wearing?”
“I- er- their- um-”
“God, don’t you understand what that makes you look like! You’re lucky I decided to take a closer look before I shot you.”
He was going to shoot me? That made sense, of course, I would have felt uneasy.
I’ve always had the uncanny sense when someone was watching me, especially when they meant me harm. Many people do, but I can tell the difference between the two.
“What the hell are you doing, wearing green like that.” He mutters.
I want to ask his name but I don't know if Decrardis would know that or not, or if it would be offensive.
“Decrardis, you were always wild, but dressing up in green? That's suicide.”
My name is Aaron Banks
I hate lying. So it's ironic I do it a lot.
I just nod. I wish I could beat the answers to my questions out of him but he’s my disguise here. Some questions are better not answered anyway. I desperately want to ask what’s so wrong with green, but he starts to speak again:
“Here, have my spare robes. You aren’t a Scholar so you’ll get some strange looks, but you won’t be shot.”
He hands me the blue and white garment. It's built to slip over clothes and I slip it over my suit.
“You’re awfully quiet, Decrardis.”
“Sorry sir,” I say, taking on the role of a nervous Scholar. This would be easier if I knew what Decrardis is like.
“I’ve told you a million times, call me Scholar Berns!” He says. He seems to be the grumpy type of Scholar. Perhaps he’s in a bad mood.
“Sorry, Scholar Berns.”
“That's more like it. Now, once we get there I’d like a nice bottle of wine.”
“Red or white?” I hate that I have to be his servant now.
“Oh, Decrardis!” He laughs, “The usual, of course!”
This is it. My disguise is hopeless. I have no idea which type of wine he prefers, how could I? I could guess, but if I get it wrong... It's ridiculous. Scholar Berns is ridiculous.
This whole situation is ridiculous.
All I want is to get back to Lilith, who’s still bleeding unless she isn’t already de-
“We’re almost there now, but make sure not to catch anyone's eye. An Apprentice wearing Scholar robes is... Unheard of.”
They must have a very strict uniform policy.
“Aha! Here we are, the good old castle!”
