We reached the impact point, a massive crater surrounded by downed trees. The ground and trees were covered with a thick pink substance and a mist of pink was floating down from the cloud of vaporized particles that was beginning to cool.
“Is this what I think it is?” Cris asked.
“Yeah, I think it is. Vaporized Cyclopes. Don’t worry; our shields will keep it off of us.”
“Did you get them both?” Tess asked.
“Beats me. I hope so, but if one survived I’m sure he’ll think twice before coming after us again.”
“That seemed awfully easy,” Cris said.
“Easy?” I asked. “Did you see the size of those rocks they were throwing? Any one of them could have killed us if we’d been caught unaware without our shields being up.”
“Yeah, I saw, but these were Titans. They’re supposed to be as powerful as the ancient gods. It seems like a mortal man shouldn’t be able to take two of them out that easily.”
I clutched at my chest and pretended to swoon. “Mortal man, I’ve never claimed to be a mortal man. I’m a Wanderer. We stride the Earth and right wrongs, correct injustice, and prevent evil doers from wreaking havoc on our planet. Let the Titans and gods be warned. Earth is ours, not theirs.”
“Oh, please,” Tess said with a laugh. “You aren’t trying to make Cris think you’re an idiot are you?”
“Watch it, Apprentice,” I said and shot her another image of her bent over my knee. “I’m in a good mood today and I won’t have it spoiled.”
Tess laughed and Cris joined her. Tess stopped suddenly and pointed. “Ah, Boss. Look there,” Tess said.
I followed her finger’s aim and saw a shield just wink out next to a portal. I got a glimpse of long dark wavy hair and a feminine shape before the portal closed. There’d been someone else here. Someone who’s shield had withstood my meteor’s impact. I frowned, my jovial mood destroyed.
“Damn, that’s going to be trouble,” I said. “But not something I’m going to look into today.”
“So what are we going to do about Alex and Rowle?” Tess asked.
“Well, since Rowle swears he’s given up his quest for starting Ragnarök and Cris confirms he hasn’t been the one responsible for these other attacks on us, I guess I can give the old man a chance to train Alex. Besides, if there is another player out there with the power to challenge not only us, but Rowle as well, we may just need the old man as an ally in the future. We’ll check with them in a few months and see if Alex wants to continue with him or train with you.”
“Are you sure you aren’t just making the more convenient and easy decision?” Tess asked. “I know you must have been thinking how the dynamic would be with both your son and me as your apprentices.”
“Nonsense,” I started before I remembered we were still meshed.
Tess caught my guilty emotions and put a smug smile on her face.
I dropped the mesh before my embarrassment showed through.
“Beast, let’s go home,” I said and opened a portal back to Colorado Springs.
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Richard Bamberg was born in small town Alabama, to a great pair of middle-class working parents. After high school, he enlisted in the USAF. He earned a degree in engineering from Texas Tech and went on to work for Boeing and the Missile Defense Agency.
He sold his first novel, Emerald Eyes, to Books in Motion in 1994. Since then he’s published ten novels. His novels range from modern action/adventure, to horror, to urban fantasy, and finally science fiction. He’s had numerous short stories published, including one in the award-winning anthology Bending the Landscape: Science Fiction.
He discovered reading at the Hale County Library in Greensboro, Alabama, when he was ten and rapidly devoured all of the science fiction books the small library had to offer.
His hobbies, when not writing, have been fencing, shooting, fishing, RPGs, computer games, and reading. He’s an avid fan of SpaceX and their long-term goal of occupying Mars.
Other WORKS
by
Richard A. Bamberg
The Phoenix Egg
Strega
Emerald Eyes (with Joy Bamberg)
The Nazi Legacy (with Joy Bamberg)
Doors Without End
The Hunters: Monster Hunting 101
Ancient Enemy
Wanderers 1: Ragnarök
Wanderers 2: Apprentice
Wanderers 3: Garden of the Gods
