Chapter 1

Khurick Atorn was just now leaving his brother Kruzax’s home. He had just opened a portal to travel to his tower when an outside force seized him. His knees buckled, and his vision grayed. He knew he was being shifted elsewhere or else-when. This wasn’t a local transfer; it was taking too long, and it was draining more power than normal.

When my mind cleared, I knew I wasn’t on my home planet, Rukac. For there are no moons in the sky. My home world, Rukac, always has at least one moon overhead.

My essential core of magic had been depleted greatly to get me here. It took a few minutes and a muttered spell for me to begin restoring my depleted power.

I was so weak I had to classify my last portal trip as bad. Crossing great distances can do that to you. I feel depleted in every way. I had left my home, my women, and my family for what? This place I find myself in is almost a hellhole.

The issue is exactly where I am now and what dangers I will encounter. I no longer sense the portals on my home planet of Rukac. That means escaping or returning right now is not possible. I am stuck here on whatever planet I am on for now. I don’t know for how long.

My master, Loditte, is also known by many as one of the unnamed Gods. I know him fairly well, by extension. I troubleshoot and fix problems anywhere Loditte sends me. As an older arch-mage, I receive various boons. One is a greatly extended lifespan and additional powers from Loditte.

I know my God’s name, but I’m sworn never to reveal it. I am not much of a physical fighter. I was not trained to protect myself physically. There was little need because I am a powerful Arch Wizard. At home, I always wear a wizard’s robe, and everyone at home knows, just by looking at me, that I am a powerful man. A man who is not to be tampered with.

After standing up, I dusted myself off and performed a basic cleaning spell. It cleared the dust from my royal blue robes. Looking around, I decided to change into desert-patterned trousers and an open-collar shirt. I did this for comfort.

I put my hat back on. Since I had no idea what I was up against, I removed the spell on my hat that made it look like a cone-shaped wizard’s hat. What I wore now resembled a mesh straw hat. It kept me dry and out of the sun.

I am bald because I don’t care about things like that anymore. At 138 years old, I look and feel like a 25-year-old. Yet, in my head, trivial worries like that are irrelevant. I could have hair if I wanted. I didn’t want the bother of grooming several times a day and getting haircuts. I actually prefer no hair at all. Many ladies like that, often the most wanton ones.

I had come from my brother’s place. Rorick’s land was a dry, sandy desert parcel on Rukac; it was a different desert from wherever this is. This spot has no sand dunes or rocks, only arid grassland, low rolling hills, and small rocks.

Looking around, I see mostly semi-arid desolation. I appear to be standing in a large field of dry prairie grass. Off to the West, I see a small group of something besides grass. A greener area, perhaps a small grove of stunted trees or bushes? At least there, I might find water or something edible.

I reached into my null space, withdrew a water bottle, and took a long, cold swig. I screwed the lid back on, put it back in my null, and headed toward the lone patch of greenery on the horizon. The bottle will refill itself.

My null is through a small portal that is physically tied to me. My null has cabinets and rooms where I keep what I need for my job as a troubleshooter for Loditte. It’s been a Godsend, actually.

I have many needs when I travel to other less civilized worlds. I have several walk-in-size closets in null. My large kitchen has a big, fully stocked pantry. That alone has saved me a few times. That and my tents; I have several stored away. Some for cold weather, others for hot. Some are well-appointed.

I have slug-throwing weapons, weapons that can disintegrate people or wild animals. I have a multitude of pointy things, like knives, swords, and archery equipment. Weapons from every style and era. I also have long spears and short ones for every conceivable need.

I do not step into null. I put my hand in its entryway and call an item to me. To do this, I must remember each room as if I were standing there. I must remember each item and where it is in the room. For this, I need a perfect memory, which I have after years of practice.

As I neared the greener area in question, I called my power wand and palmed it out of sight, just in case.

I walked through the bushes and stunted trees. Many different mushrooms and other fungi grow in their shadow. Some are red, and others have white-and-brown polka dots. Some are orange. None of them make me feel comfortable, so I decided to do the smart thing and avoid them altogether.

I stepped back and walked around that immediate area. Other fungi have white and brown polka dots. I feel less stressed just being near them. Still, I never eat something I have concerns about.

On the other side, I saw a stream running through the immediate area. That’s the source of the moisture the trees and bushes need.

The stream has fish swimming in it that resemble trout. Well, even if I am the only person alive, I can get and eat at least one local food. I noticed that it is getting close to dusk.

I called my three-man tent out of null and set it up. I pulled out a fishing rod and used a hand spade to pry up a few rocks, finding plenty of fat white grubs. They look like perfect trout bait.

I baited the hook and cast it near one of the trout-looking fish.

The fish in question took it, and I set the hook and reeled it in. I used a knife to clean it. I dusted it with flour, salt, and pepper, then put it in a frying pan with a glob of ghee. I soon cooked my small fish in butter. I sprinkled Mr. Fish with pepper. It’s more than enough fish for me.

I pulled a folding saw from null and later visited some dead trees for firewood. Deserts can get cold.

I put a small pan of water on the other burner, and when it starts to boil, I add a packet of dehydrated rainbow flint corn. Others may call it glass gem corn. It is shiny and colorful. It is not dent corn, which has health issues attached to it.

Then I add a mix of dried peppers and some salt to the pan of corn. I set the fish on the edge of the fire while I wait for the corn mixture to cook. I got up, walked around, and set wards around my little camping area.

I sat on a folding camping chair and ate my meal as the biting insects began to come out. I used a hand-drawn ward to keep them away; they come in several sizes and varieties. Not being a local, I will not take a chance that they will suck my blood. Who knows what vermin are in their systems?

I start a fire in my folding camp stove. It’s soon warm and cozy inside his tent.

The next morning, I enjoyed a travel sausage with black tea and a bowl of thick gruel with jam to lighten the taste. As the sun rose higher, I could see something worth investigating across the broad stream. There may be a trail over there.

It looks like it loosely follows this stream, on the other side.

I packed everything up and put everything away in null. I followed the stream to a narrower spot. I called up a portal to pop across the stream; it’s close and shouldn’t drain me.

On the other side, I moved over to scout the trail. It looked to be a narrow cart trail. Looking at the faded hoof prints in the dust, I turned southwards, in the direction the latest horses had headed.