RotoRuner

What are you up to, Forscythe?

Was the only thought on Jack Procyon’s mind as he watched his surveillance target shuffle across the desolate snow banks of Foth.

Two weeks ago Jack’s boss and friend, Rex Runer, had asked him to take care of a job involving a fellow Rexaminer employee.  Ever since a mysterious encounter near the Unknown Glen, Forscythe Quidlen had been acting agitated.  This was strange, for as an assistant to the Rexaminer Staff Xenozoologist, Ms. Valentine Ghostseer, danger was par for the course yet Forscythe had never been affected, until now.  This raised worries amongst Rex and Jack who had a theory concerning the boundaries of the Unknown Glen.  That it had a way of affecting people of questionable moral alignment.  Jack figured his thoughts had to hold some merit.  After all, he and Rex were two of the few people alive who had crossed through unharmed of mind and body.  Forscythe was not so lucky.

Jack had his reservations about Forscythe for awhile now.  Every time he attended some pointless Rexaminer gala event, he couldn’t help but notice the way Forscythe’s eyes would endlessly search the room.  Anytime Jack had to attend a mandatory staff meeting, his stare would always pick Forscythe out of the crowd with a kind of instinctual suspicion.  What raised such an alarm within Jack, he had no idea yet it was impossible to shake.  Being a man who relied on instinct to strive at his job, Jack knew it was an investigative duty to follow through on a gut feeling.

The swirling snow subsided for a moment and Jack could now see the destination of Forscythe’s trek as the gaping mouth of a cave revealed itself ahead of them.  As Forscythe continued on, Jack held back for a moment to inspect a map he has secreted away from the City Library in Bob.  After careful inspection, it was clear where they were.  Calgogi Caves, the only location on the map marked with a skull and crossbones.

“Great…” muttered Jack.  He returned the map to his coat pocket and trudged onward.

Rex Runer nervously paced from one wall to another waiting for something, anything to snap him out of his worried state.  He had been waiting on word from Jack for some time and Rex did not like this type of lapse in communication. All this agitation clashed the aura of calm that Rex tried to instill in his office.  Endless volumes of his favorite books and texts lined nearly two and a half full floor to ceiling walls.  His desk was spartanly decorated with only an antique ink well made from a DrrGnn tooth which was placed next to a small sheaf of papers.   There was also the well stocked cabinet full of an assortment of expensive spirits such as Brandleman Chestnut Wine and the ultra rare Asvalturian Grassberry Sherry.  The sherry was reserved for entertaining only the most important occasions.

None of that did anything to calm him though as he stopped for a moment to ponder by his massive bay window looking out over the shifting sea.  What could possibly be keeping Jack?  It wasn’t that Rex was worried about Jack.  If anyone could take care of them self it was Jack.  Rex was absolutely certain of this, but something about the whole situation didn’t sit right.  Maybe it could be chalked up to instinct but Rex felt like he was missing a major clue.  A sudden knock on door finally broke him free of his thoughts.

Rex turned to the door.  “Come in.”

His personal assistant Tabitha poked her head through the door.  The half-sprite assistant appeared tiny between the huge double doors of his office.

“Ms. Ghostseer is here to see you, sir.” Tabitha said, “Shall I send her in?”

A smile broke across Rex’s face.  “Why yes, of course.”

Upon Tabitha’s exit, Rex adjusted his hair and suit quickly before settling into a relaxed position by the bookshelf with the hardcover copy of “Cherubian: The Lovers Language”.  At some point during his reading of some random page, the door opened and two well-placed footsteps were heard before coming to a quick stop.

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything important, Rex.” Valentines voice was both welcome and familiar.

“No not all.  Please, why don’t we have a seat?”

Dressed in her explorer gear, Valentine looked ready to begin research on her next article.   Rex couldn’t help but marvel her beauty and poise as he replaced the book on the shelf.

“Thank you.” Valentine replied.

Valentine gingerly placed herself down atop the opulent fabric of one of the high back chairs near the fireplace.  Rex made his way to the shelf of liquors.

“Can I get you anything to drink, Valentine?” asked Rex as he reached for the Asvalturian Grassberry Sherry.

“No, I must be leaving soon.  My Hippopparoo ferry departs within the hour.” she said, stopping short.

Something had entered into her voice as she turned her face to the floor and prepared her next words carefully.  Valentine’s right hand had found a loose thread in the chair which she twirled and twisted nervously.

“I just wanted to ask you something before I left.”

The tone in her voice struck Rex as odd.  It was something he’d rarely ever seen in her; fear.  Rex’s gaze implored her to go on.

“It’s about the recent expedition to the Unknown Glen.  Something obviously happened to Forscythe while we were there.  I worry because I feel responsible.” said Valentine.  “Please Rex, do me the favor of keeping an eye on Forscythe till I return from Yaj Tiles?  I won’t be gone long and since his home isn’t far from here, I figured it wouldn’t be too much trouble.”

Valentine’s eyes gazed intently at Rex, full of worry for her faithful assistant.

“You have my word, Valentine, I’ll make certain a watchful eye is kept on him.  He will be taken care of.”

Valentine jumped out of her chair and kissed Rex on the cheek. “Oh thank you so much Rex!” Valentine beamed.  “I really must be going but I’ll see you in a week or so.”

And just like that she was gone, leaving only her lingering warmth on Rex’s cheek.

Keep moving!

Thought Forscythe Quidlen again and again in his nerve racked brain.  There was no doubt he was being followed.  In such a stark environment it was hard not to notice the dark speck constantly behind him.  The question of who was following him was the far more pertinent worry that kept Forscythe on edge as he shuffled through the darkened corridors of Calgogi Caves.  He had been in this place before but those were terrible thoughts he didn’t care to recall right now.

Forscythe stopped to check his rear again.  It seemed as if his knowledge of the caves had paid off.  He had yet to hear another footstep for quite some time now.  A modicum of ease returned to Forscythe as he continued on his path.

Get a hold of yourself Forscythe, we’re almost there.  Nothing to worry about.

Just then, mere feet from his face, a torch ignited, stopping Forscythe dead in his tracks.

“Things are not looking good for you, Forscythe.”

It was hard to make out the figure through the light but the voice of Jack Procyon was unmistakable.  Forscythe couldn’t stop a subdued yelp from escaping his mouth.

“A person’s gotta have a real good reason to come all the way out here.   I got a feeling that your little trip is anything but good.” spoke Jack again.

This was a most unexpected.  Forscythe knew he had to think quickly.

“Jack!  Thank Rando you’re here, you have to help me!”  said Forscythe.  “My family has a farm near this area and they were attacked by Snowrangutans not two weeks ago.  My father was taken by them!”

Jack stared emotionlessly at Forscythe during his short explanation.  His only reaction was a pity-filled head shake.

“Your father has been dead for close to 10 years and Mother Quidlen lives in a condo in Danto.  I’d appreciate cutting to the chase since I’ve been following you since Rando City.”

Forscythe did his best to stifle the urge to yelp once again at the revelation of the extent of knowledge Jack had on him.  How much more was he aware of?  Could he possibly know the real reason he’d come to these caves?  No.  They wouldn’t be having this conversation if Jack did.  At a loss for what to do, Forscythe decided to go on the defensive instead.

“I don’t have to tell you anything.  And why have you been following me?  What did I do?

Jack shook his head slowly in the same ingratiating way as before.  “I think you know.  I’ve had a theory concerning people like you encountering a bit of trouble when they come in contact with the Unknown Glen; let just say you confirmed my……”

All was quiet for a moment as Jack stopped short.  Soon another shuffle was heard though the echoes in the cavern made it impossible to discern the location of where it came from.

“Friends of yours?” asked Jack sarcastically.

“Do I look like I have a lot of friends, Jack?”

Due to Forscythe’s prior experience here, he knew for a fact that whatever was making those sounds wasn’t good or friendly.  This cave was definitely still home to some kind of animal and whatever lived here probably didn’t care much for company.  Jack moved closer to Forscythe and scanned the area using the light of his torch.

More shuffling occurred all around them.  It was hard to distinguish which direction the threats were coming from now.  Jack and Forscythe now stood back to back for 360 degrees of protection.

“Forscythe, I swear, if you’ve got anything to do with this I’m going to……”

Jack’s voice cut off sharply.  As Forscythe leaned back slightly, he found that 180 degrees of their protection was now gone.  Only Jack’s flickering torch was left on the ground in his place.  Forscythe snatched it up and scurried back several feet in terror.

Fear began over taking Forscythe as he swept the dying flame back and forth in a feeble attempt at safety.  The torch was almost dead but Forscythe didn’t stay conscious long enough to see it die.

Looks like a storm is coming.

Rex thought absently as he watched the waves crashed harder and harder on the shore outside his window.

Upon rousing himself from a lengthy trance, Rex rose out of his chair’s comfort to pour another drink.  It wasn’t much of a special occasion but Rex needed something strong.  He poured himself one, two, three, four fingers of the Asvalturian Sherry.  A long swig of the strong liquor took his feet back over to his office’s massive window that overlooked the Northern Sea and Foth beyond that.

He couldn’t say it aloud but deep down Rex had to finally admit that he really was worried about his friend.  Any number of horrible things could befall someone in Foth.  Lost and freezing to death.  Injured by the growing number of Dire Snowrangutans.  Not to mention those new gateways to the Nightlands that Jack had been researching only one month ago.

The last swig of amber liquid swirled and danced at the bottom of Rex’s glass before reaching his mouth.  He hoped the drink might clear his mind and reveal a hidden answer.

No such luck.

Unconsciously, Rex began pacing a familiar path around his office once again.

To be continued…