Chapter 55: The First Step to Falador
I growled, and pushed my way through droves of reporters and newspaper journalists, who were yelling questions at me and my friends.
"Aubury! Is it true that you've hired the famous miner, Elite, to the Glory Troopers?" one particularly annoying one screeched.
"To the man in front, with the big mace on his belt! Is it true that you killed several guards yesterday? Why weren't you arrested?" another one yelled.
"To Clayguy7 of Barbarian Village! Is it true you are supplying free clay items to the Glory Troopers?" another one enquired, not as eager and as pushy as the others. I recognised that one as Story Rover, editor and writer of the Lumbridge paper.
I hissed. I was starting to get angry at these annoying people, hell-bent on getting scraps of information for their newspapers. I tried to force calm on myself.
Aubury put his hand up.
"OK, that's enough interviews!" he yelled. "Now please get out of our way, or I will be forced to ask the guards to make you." At hearing this, all the journalists and reporters scuttled off, muttering.
No wonder they were eager for news. Recently, a very famous and talented miner named Elite had joined the Glory troopers. His job was gathering supplies, mainly ores and bars of metal. I hadn't gotten the chance to meet him ye.
We were leaving today. I'd made the travelling arrangements, and now, in one hour, we would leave Varrock, to finally continue on our adventures. Next up, was Falador. I'd looked at the world map, and had decided on my route. We would travel to Falador, stay there and explore the area, then we would travel back to Lumbridge, to say hello to some old friends. Mainly, we needed to go back to the wizard's tower.
We'd read a newspaper article recently, that the Herblore mage had been reported dead. I knew this, because I encountered it in a horrible dream. She was killed for information on a horrible potion I'd seen, both with my very own eyes, and in visions and dreams that I had. First, I needed to tell the people at the tower this. Second, I had another package, including the strange object that Aubury had dubbed 'the air talisman', to give back to the head of the wizard's tower, Sedridor from Aubury, to continue on my 'rune mysteries' quest. That was in my bank, safe, ready to be removed when needed.
Third, there was a wise old wizard who lived at the top of the tower, who had lost four coloured beads. He'd asked us to help him find them. Imps stole them from him, and they could have been anywhere. I remembered this yesterday, and talked to Aubury about it. He told me that, coincidently, there had been an infestation of imps in the shop's cellar while he was in the stronghold of security. He'd sorted the imps out when he arrived back, but three of them had been holding beads. He gave them to me. All I needed to do now was find the last one, and I could complete that quest.
I stepped inside the welcoming shop that I could call home, before letting everyone else in. I slammed the door, deciding that for now on I didn't like annoying reporters.
Aubury gathered everyone inside the kitchen, before reaching inside his larder, coming out with several cake slices, and handing them out.
"Who here is going with Mainiac97's gang in an hour?" Aubury called out. I put my hand up along with: Osrie1, Amy11, Capablanca, and Slinky, as well as Aaron the explorer (who'd offered to tag along, and who could refuse his help?), and finally Mark (who wanted to meet a friend in Falador, and then he'd travel ahead without us). That was seven people altogether. I daren't imagine the catering problem while camping out, but then I discovered Slinky's cooking, something off this planet. That cured that problem instantly, with the right utensils and ingredients. Haldir6 would be replacing Slinky as commander.
Right, I had an hour to sort out my bag, gather my possessions, say goodbye to Varrock, and then meet the others in Barbarian Village. Eek the spider stirred in my pocket, and jumped on my shoulder with the help of a web, where he nestled. I gave him a handful of cake crumbs to feast on for his breakfast. He greeted me in the usual chirpy, eager voice. As people left the kitchen after the light snack to do their own thing, I sat up, and left. People congratulated me and wished me good luck as I passed them.
I went up to my room. The entire contents of my wardrobe were set out on my small, comfortable bed. I would miss this cosy room dearly. I wondered if the hotel rooms in Falador were anything compared to the room here, or the rooms in the Lumbridge hotel, or even the sleeping quarters of the quest master on Tutorial Island!
I sorted my clothes out, automatically deciding which clothes I should keep somewhere in my bag, and which clothes to store in my bank. I'd gone out and bought a small pile of pillows which would serve as my bed in the outdoors, if I ever needed to sleep outdoors. I didn't like that idea, though-the idea of having someone like Madrey1 sneaking up on you as you slept wasn't a very nice one!
I finished clearing out my wardrobes. The contents of my bag included: my sleeping pillows, my world map, a small food container containing several meat sandwiches and glass bottles of wine and water, my clothes (I was wearing my favourite silver jacket), my survival kit, my mining and Smithing kit, a small alarm clock Aubury had given me as a farewell gift, and even more. All the junk that used to clutter it was now in my bank. I also had my bag pockets. I checked I had everything on my weapon belt, before double-checking everywhere in the room.
I left my room, and walked outside. I went to different places, saying goodbyes to the people and even the places. I was looking for one person, specifically- Elite. I wanted to meet him before I left. I passed Ballbags32 in the street, and I stopped him.
"Hello," he greeted me cheerily. "I heard you're leaving. I'll talk to you occasionally, if I can, though the chat functions on the friends list."
"I can't use the chat function, as well as my friends list or ignore list, at all," I said gloomily. "Neither can anyone else that I know. It worked when I was on Tutorial Island, but now it breaks down. At least the book still works. It has something to do with the darkness that's spreading everywhere, according to Aubury." He nodded.
"That's bad," he noted. "I'm sure mine will start playing up too soon."
"Do you know where I can find Elite?" I asked.
"Yeah," he told me. "He's resting from mining in the Jolly Boar Inn. I'd watch that pub, though-you don't half see some dodgy characters in there."
"Where is it?" I asked, unfamiliar with that pub. Ballbags32 smiled.
"Follow me," he suggested. He walked casually past the fountain, in the direction that led past the general store. I followed him, eager to meet the new Glory Trooper.
He led me down a labyrinth of paths, the area getting dirtier as we went. We passed loads of trees, guards, and we passed the famous Varrock lumber mill. We ended up wandering off the path and onto grass. I heard the cry of a bird, and the sound of the wind blowing through the trees. This place felt lonely. My mood started to droop. Why would anyone want to go to a pub here?
We finally arrived at the pub. It was right on the edge of the wilderness ditch, for a start. I couldn't see as far as half a mile, because it was so dark and gloomy. The wood that this pub was made of was rotting, and was barely strong enough to hold the place together. The sign that read 'The Jolly Boar Inn' hung on rusty hinges, with a picture of a decapitated boar's head smiling eerily on it. Ballbags32 opened the door, and gestured for me to enter. I nodded, nervous. I kept my hand on my mace.
Inside the bar was freezing. Straw littered the floor, and the tables and walls were greasy and filthy. Pictures of crying children and disfigured creatures decorated this already miserable bar. It was very empty. The only people that were inside included me, Ballbags32, three shady men in the corner, the bartender, and another man that sat by the bar, drinking from a dirty mug. The bartender was ugly, with a filthy red beard and a dirty apron. He looked up at us suspiciously.
"Can I get you gents anything?" he asked quietly. I shook my head, but Ballbags32 nodded.
"Can I have a beer please?" he asked. The bartender sighed, and reached under the table, getting a mug. We sat down next to this man by the bar. I noticed that the man was wearing a shiny white outfit. My heart brightened up.
"Are you Elite, the new Glory Trooper?" I asked. He looked at me. His cheeks were round and rosy, and his eyes were a cheerful light green. His smile nearly illuminated the dingy pub. I noticed he wore a belt like mine that held a rune sword, a rune pickaxe, and a Smithing hammer.
"Yes I am," he replied. "I take it that you are the infamous Mainiac97 that Aubury was telling me about?" he beamed. I felt happier already in the presence of this very cheerful man.
"Yeah," I confirmed. "Why is a talented miner like you going in a bar like this?" The bartender stared at me angrily at this statement.
"It's peaceful," Elite mused. "Plus, it's closer to my mining spot then the Blue Moon Inn. I like it here." The bartender seemed happier at this statement. Ballbags32 was given his drink in a filthy glass. Shuddering, Ballbags32 downed the whole thing in one gulp.
I spent about thirty minutes chatting animatedly to Elite as Ballbags32 drunk. He was a very nice man to know, and I was glad I'd met him. I remembered where I was and that in ten minutes I was supposed to be meeting the others to leave. Ballbags32 asked for another drink, and started chatting to Elite.
"Goodbye, Mainiac97, I hope to meet you again," Elite said. Ballbags32 nodded in agreement.
"Yeah," ballbags32 added. The alcohol seemed to have no effect on his speech. "I wish you good luck on your travels." I thanked them both thoroughly, shook hands, and left.
I wandered through the trees, looking for landmarks that would help me get back. I finally discovered the stone wall that led to some yew trees behind Varrock palace. I grabbed hold of some loose bricks, and climbed to the top. Looking down, I noticed that if I dropped, I'd land in a cage containing a sleeping bear. I didn't like the look of that. I shimmied to the side, and fell to the ground. I sat up, dusted myself off, and ran, ignoring the bewildered glances of woodcutters and lumberjacks.
I followed the stone path, and ended up back in the town square. I stared sadly at the glorious, sparkling fountain that I might not see for a long time again. Busy people went in different directions, doing many things. I walked casually past the fountain, past Gypsy Aris's abandoned tent. I wondered where she was, avoiding Master Samuel's cronies who were hunting her down because she held an orb with the mist of the future in it-something they needed for their dark, evil potion. I had the dream/vision which told me that after defeating Gunther the brave, if I remembered correctly.
I walked down the path, feeling down. This city had been my home. Now, I was moving on. This feeling was a lot like the feeling I had when I left Lumbridge.
I crossed the unstable bridge which led to Barbarian Village. Osrie1, Amy11, Capablanca, Slinky, Mark and Aaron stood there, chatting, waiting patiently for me. I waved at them.
"Everyone got everything they need?" I asked. Everyone nodded. "Then let's go."
We started walking down the unfamiliar grassy path which led to Falador. The environment was changing slowly-spiky evergreen trees towered everywhere, and way above us, towered a very icy mountain. Small avalanches of snow and ice fell down this mountain in clumps, and if I squinted, I could see a red tent at the top. I could feel the cold environment from here.
We passed this massive mountain, and just as I was about to pull out my map to tell me how far we had to travel before we arrived at Falador, I heard a strange noise. I put my hand up, signalling to everyone that I wanted to stop. The noise grew louder. It sounded like an angry wolf growling. It then turned into a very unfamiliar noise, which sort of reminded me of the black fly's curious sky-stick. Then, the weirdest object shot past us. It spun around with a screech, and raced towards us again. It stopped. A towering man got off it.
He was wearing full black, which included black leather trousers and shirt, black shoes, black gloves, and a strange black helmet with a glass visor, with a picture of a flame with a roaring face and horns engraved on the top of it. The vehicle was even more unfamiliar. It had a leather seat, with handles that steered the thing. It had metal covering the whole thing, with more pictures of flames painted on. It had two wheels, one in front of the other. Unfamiliar machinery which seemed to be covered with filth, dust and oil controlled the whole thing. I felt like I'd seen this somewhere before, though I couldn't put my finger on it. The man chuckled. His taut muscles rippled under the dark, sleek leather. This man and his choice of clothing (minus the helmet) seemed oddly familiar….
"You like this beauty?" he wheezed, his voice muffled by his helmet. He patted the leather seat. "Obviously, you wouldn't know what it is. It's called a motorbike, a form of transportation that was invented in a different dimension-my dimension. Of course, we needed….help to get them all over here, but it was worth it." I heard more revving noises and growling noises, and six of these motorbikes with more men on them surrounded us. The man we were talking to flipped up his visor. We gasped.
The sneering face of the black fly was seen. He took off the seat of his motorbike, and underneath was a container. He took out a massive, evil green sword with sharp, blunt blades, and a flat metal square with pipes and odd buttons on it. He pressed a button on this metal square, and it grew, transforming into the black fly's sky stick. The other riders revved up their motorbikes, ready to speed off. The black fly smiled.
"I swore revenge on you, and now I will get it. Prepare to die," the black fly hissed. The black fly whistled, and another man in black leather with a helmet jumped on the black fly's bike, prepared to use it. "Feel the wrath of my clan from a different dimension-the demon clan," the black fly chuckled. What did my instincts tell me to do? Run. That is exactly what I did. The motorbikes revved up furiously, and began speeding after us, the black fly in the lead on his sky stick, cackling madly.