Chapter 6 The Driver and the Magic Crystals

Chapter Six

The Driver and the Magic Crystals

Bubba woke just before dawn. His body ached. Why was he aching again?

“Oh yeah…” he remembered where he was, in another world, and how he had spent his first two days.

He shuffled in the darkness to light a match and then a lantern.

“Seraph, time?” He asked.

“It's 550, big guy, and now, your news for the day! Mountain Girl hasn't been bothered, despite the starring. The weather balloon confirmed our location, as well as spotting major cities and road networks. Also, the weather, crystal clear sunshiny day! The perfect day to let the local government decide whether to give us a crystal or…” Seraph paused.

“Or something else.” Bubba finished her sentence.

Bubba sighed and walked to the door with his lantern. He traveled the dark hallway and made sure to choose the right staircase to head down. The dining hall greeted him, with Wakasi and her family already awake. The smell of bread and eggs filled the room.

“So they have bread?” He mumbled.

Wakasi noticed him as she spoke to her aunt and cousin behind the counter. She turned to speak but her cousin interrupted her.

“Steel Driver! Is your spirit awake?” She questioned with enthusiasm.

“Down girl!” Seraph chastised her.

“Red Tails, are you ready for our trip to the Nashali?” Wakasi asked.

“Ready as I'll ever be. If this goes well, will I be able to check out the merchant district?” Bubba asked, walking to sit at the counter.

“I don't see why not. I'll accompany you.” Wakasi offered.

“I wanna accompany them!” Yamali looked to her mom.

“Now, dear, the Driver and Wakasi can't be forced to watch you all day. Besides, we've still got work to do here. Red Tails, we've cooked an early breakfast just for you and Wakasi. She said you would be eager to leave, and I couldn't let my patrons leave on an empty stomach.

“Thanks! I'm starved.” Bubba admitted as his stomach rumbled.

Hili brought a tray of soft bread, a cocoa drink, and eggs from the kitchen and placed it onto the bar counter. Bubba smelled the food, and exhaled in ecstacy. He ate quickly, wanting more and more of the delicious bread. Wakasi ate next to him in a more refined manner.

“Hili, do yall have any jam?” He mused.

“Jam? Sure, why?” Hili asked with a raised brow..

“Heh, I like Jam with my eggs.” Bubba chuckled before downing a hit of his fermented drink, Octli they called it.

“Jam? With eggs?” Laughed Yamali.

“Aye, you're certainly a strange one. I'll bring some jam.” Hili went to the kitchen and returned with blue jam and a spoon.

Bubba graciously opened the jar and spooned out a helping.

“Mmpf! Blueberry?” He guessed, taking his first bites.

“Aye, we've got a few others too.” Hili informed him.

“Amazing.” Bubba said between bites.

Wakasi tried some jam with her eggs, her ears twitching in delight. “It's not bad. When you're ready Red Tails, we'll head to the Nashali Pyramid and get you a crystal.”

“Urm, will it really be that simple Wakasi?” He asked with growing anxiety.

“Why wouldn't it be?” She blinked.

“Ah, my origins.” Bubba explained.

“Oh, that won't matter. The crystals will know your intentions. The Nashali never disobey them.” Wakasi eased the tension.

“I see.” Bubba continued his breakfast as the morning light spilled through painted glass. A kaleidoscopic of color dancing over the wooden floors and painted walls.

. . .

After their meal Wakasi led him outside and into the bustling city. The dew of the morning hung over the cool settlement. People of all races moved quickly down the streets and alleys. Bubba stayed close to Wakasi's side as the pyramid loomed ever closer. The city buzzed with activity, children playing with a ball, carts being pulled and unloaded with raptors, a building being made with cob and brick.

The pyramid, a step design from the south, was enormous. Easily 1000 feet at the base and over 100 feet tall. People walked slowly up and down the steps, speaking in hushed tones under the wind. Bubba gulped, the weight of the previous days still on his shoulders.

“Like you said Red Tails, no time like the present.” Wakasi walked to the right of the steps and raised her crystal necklace to the structure.

Bubba fell back as the steps before him rushed back into the structure to reveal a passage. No one around them paid any mind, as though this were a daily thing.

Wakasi chuckled, “Did that startle you Red Tails? Good, that's what you get for showing me Mountain Girl without better warning.”

Wakasi walked into the opening, where a soft glow from hanging crystals lit a long hallway. She turned back and waved him along. Bubba released a breath he had been holding and followed. As they walked down the corridor, steps behind them moved back into place, sealing them inside.

The hall smelled of incense and burning leaves. He could hear water somewhere in the distance. The lights flowed and pulsed like waves.

Wakasi walked forward without issue, and Bubba followed. They passed rooms full of men and women in robes with feathers and shells. They chanted and dipped their hands into water. It glowed softly as they sang.

“This way Red Tails.” Wakasi caught him starring.

Bubba quickly rushed back to her side. The sounds of whispers and hushed chanting echoed through the stone labyrinth, with only the soft crystal light guiding them. Wakasi stopped as they hit a dead end.

A man stepped out of a shadowy room. His hood covered his face, and his robes were draped down to the floor. Bubba thought he looked human, though he couldn't be sure.

“Young Wakasi. Who have you brought today? The crystals speak of an event, a man. Rumors in the city spread of a steel home with wheels and weapons.” The man whispered.

Wakasi kept her voice low, “Master Nashali. This is the man… he appeared in the Great Wawona as you've described, and with a machine spirit. He is a good man.”

“The crystals will determine that. Though I feel as though they have already.” The Master said.

Bubba gulped.

“Let us enter the chamber and let the selection begin. Are you prepared to take on the responsibility, Steel Driver? Losing one's Crystal is no small thing. Though … I see you have Skookum Tyee’s. And these totems,” The Master reached out and grasped Bubba’s totem necklace, “This top totem isn't from here, and yet… It is from our people. Come Steel Driver, destiny awaits.”

The master pulled off Skookum Tyee’s crystal necklace and shoved it into a hole on the wall that Bubba could have missed. The wall lit up with chiseled lines of sacred geometry. Patterns that Bubba felt familiar with, yet ancient. The wall moved to the left inside itself as a doorway.

Inside was a cavern of crystals. Blues, whites, reds, purples and more all shined together in a chorus of light. In the center was a huge crystal stalactite, it hung from the ceiling into a bubbling pool of water that rose just above the floor.

“Wow.” Bubba couldn't help but stare open-jawed at the place.

The master gently placed Skookum Tyee’s crystal into the pool. The room instantly vibrated. His hair stood on edge. The crystals lit up with a green pulse that flowed like waves in water.

Bubba clutched his chest, afraid he might truly be under the sea, and heaved a breath he didn't realize he was holding.

“Easy, big guy. The crystals are radiating thousands of swirling magnetic fields. They’re…communicating.” Seraph explained.

Wakasi put a hand on his shoulder as he flinched. They chuckled together.

“Your machine spirit speaks the truth, Steel Driver. No. Bubba. The crystals have taken a liking to you all right. But one speaks louder than the others.” The Master walked to the other side of the room.

He reached out to a green and white shard resting in a hollow from the rocky wall. He returned to Bubba and held out the glowing crystal growth. It was a small shard, not unlike the totems he wore in shape and size.

“Connemara marble. Only native to Ireland. What's that doing here?” Seraph asked in wonder.

“This came to us long ago from a distant land. It recognizes you, young man. Take it. Wear it. Bond with it. You shall live amongst the people of Turtle Island from this day onward. This I see.” The master presented the crystal and took out some woven string.

He slid the crystal onto the string and handed it to Bubba. Wearing it it glowed one last time before the chamber went silent, its light dimming and the waves ending slowly.

“Incredible. I haven't seen this since my own ceremony, and the whole room didn't light up back then.” Wakasi whispered.

“So, what all does it really do? We don't have these back home. Well, not like this, not magic.” Bubba asked, still in awe.

Bubba noticed the master’s smile behind his veiled hood. “It will speak with the other crystals for you. It will transfer your intent, your information, and your location to the others. You saw the large crystal atop the shell correct? It can speak to everyone in the city walls. Further on storm nights.”

“Storm nights?” Bubba asked, rubbing his fingers across his new ID.

“Right, he is unaware, master. On stormy nights, crystals sprout from the Earth. Some are corrupted crystals, or grow to be such in darkness. They summon monsters and dangerous wildlife. This is the reason for the adventurers guild.” Wakasi explained.

“It can also transfer information to your party members, such as danger and the rest.” The Master continued.

Seraph whistled, “That is useful. Sort of like a cell phone, health watch and an ID all wrapped into one.”

“Your spirit is wise Steel Driver. However, crystals are not so straight forward. It will not speak to you so plainly in our tongue. You must learn to listen. I'm hearing that you wished to check the markets, yes? You're on the right track. Go forth, hear and see our world. So the crystals will it.” The master spoke powerfully before turning and leaving the chamber.

Wakasi followed and turned back to him at the door. Bubba took one last look at the enchanting chamber before leaving.

. . .

The market bustled and hummed with life. Bubba walked ahead of Wakasi now, amazed by all the art. Crossbows, dinosaur-derived weapons, swords, textiles, clothes, hand bags, you name it! Bubba clocked the tech level immediately, late medieval. The dinosaurs and dragons he'd heard about allowed the natives to create new inventions and melt new minerals, or they thought of it on their own for all he knew. Bubba had no idea what year he was in relative to his own time. He could only think of a renaissance festival in his own experiences in comparison.

The whole place smelled of food and sweat, the heat of noontime bearing down on them all. Hundreds of small and large stalls with vendors selling exotic fruits and vegetables, grains, and milks dotted the huge open markets. People walked to and fro with dresses and tunics full of geometric designs on lighter colors.

The sounds of children playing and people haggling filled the air. Smaller dinosaurs hissed and bellowed as their owners bartered for the best prices.

Bubba noticed some simple gear mechanisms powered by crystals, like giant pocket watches. He cleverly bartered his and Seraphina’s knowledge to sell some smaller designs, like advanced gear shapes to make enough coin to stock up on food and a large back pack of dino leather.

The native coins were cocoa beans for small scale and large axe heads for bigger purchases. Bubba didn't mind, money was always fake anyway. Metal coins didn't have any more value than cocoa beans in his opinion.

“You're a natural at bartering RedTails.” Wakasi mentioned, more an accusation than an observation.

“We teach our kids the art of barter back home. Don't you?” asked Bubba.

“Not to this degree, not for the average man. What else can you do Bubba?” she asked.

Bubba smirked as he filled his bag with the last of the vegetables he could carry. Heaving it back into place and pocketing the last of his coin he stared at her.

“So, about the adventurers guild…” he asked.

“Ever the eager one for that. Yes, let's get onto that. I hope you don't expect me to help with a dangerous job Red Tails.” She lamented.

“No worries. I just wanna look.” He lied.

. . .

Bubba looked up at the three-story guildhall, it had cob and brick at the base painted with monster-slaying murals, and heavy logs stacking the top two floors.

“Thing’s a damn work of art!” Bubba laughed aloud in amazement.

“You said it! Way better than all the box stores and brutalist architecture we experienced on most of the road trip, big guy.” Seraph decided.

Wakasi giggled at their impression, “You're both so easily impressed by the city. You would think you've never traveled outside of the forest. Come, the adventurers guild awaits. Perhaps your… unique skill set will find a task on the board that suits you.”

People of all races walked in and out of the building and down the busy streets. Lively conversation filled the air over the dinosaur dung and sweat of laborers dealing with their wagon loads. Wakasi opened the large double doors to the adventures guild and a wash of cool air swept over them.

The interior was just as striking. An open center of the building let the other floors look down on them from the railing and in the center was a small dragon skeleton hung from the high ceiling. Floating lanterns hung from magic crystals floated lazily through the upper floors. People paid them little mind, some only stopping to check out his glasses.

“Now that's fantasy for you.” Bubba picked his jaw up off the floor.

“Okay, now I'm impressed!” Seraph shined.

“I'll admit this place has a certain charm to it. Let's head to the job board.” Wakasi led them to a series of large boards taking up the walls.

Beyond the boards, the hall was filled with a local tavern, a registration office area, trophies and paintings of past heroes. The whole place was full of life and conversation. Bubba noticed a group lamenting a failure at the registration office, blaming a pink racoon girl for their troubles.

Bubba couldn't help but get irritated as they berated the woman. But the party walked out with her following behind before he could say anything. Feeling vexed he approached the counter. Wakasi followed behind, not having expected this.

The woman behind the counter was wearing a more formal set of fabrics with hide and fur accents. The whole outfit was white with colored shells and beads. She looked up with tired brown eyes, exasperated by her former clients. A flicker of intrigue passed over them as she took in Bubba's strange outfit and glasses.

“How can I help you Mr?” she asked.

“Bubba. And this is Wakasi. I wanted to know what those rude people were berating that woman about. I understand if you can't tell me due to policy…”

“Oh they always do that. Real pieces of work that party! They always have some new lackey they berate and blame for all their problems!” The woman lamented.

She cleared her throat and regained her composure, “The job is mana mapping a forested set of hills a few kilometers outside the city. They say that the local wyverns abandoned the area, but no one has been able to confirm it. The job is unique in that it's one of the few unmapped regions, and the job's client, the wizard Metuune. Yes, there's probably a corrupted crystal spawning monsters there now…”

Bubba took this in and looked to Wakasi with eyes wide as saucers.

“Oh no…” She began

He turned back to the woman, “Why is Metuune interesting? What's mana mapping?”

“He’s new to… well the whole region really.” Wakasi offered her apologies to the woman.

“Oh it's no bother really! Metuune is a local shut in, brilliant, but stays hidden in her tower. The poor girl can't stand crowds or the outside anymore. She's trying to build a crystal map that can be transferred to smaller crystals with ease while holding a uniquely large region inside. It's unprecedented to have a map that can update such a large region in real time, though I don't know how often it would need to be updated.” The woman explained further.

“A magic map! And it's a crystal? And you can share it? That reminds me of GPS! How does the mapping work with a crystal?” Bubba asked, not hiding his excitement.

“Oh well, a mapping crystal absorbs the local mana to form a map. Her special map can be shared very quickly and easily, without a crystal ritual of any kind. Usually that much information takes a ritual, but the girl is a prodigy.” The woman continued.

“Wakasi, mapping? That sounds like just the job for us!” Bubba spoke to her like a school boy.

Wakasi sighed, “Us?” she asked.

“Ah well, I'd hate to go alone-” Bubba stammered.

“Alone… no, I'll be coming along.” Wakasi relented, “Skookum Tyee has taught me all he knows. I think our meeting was fate Red Tails. I think my next lesson will come from you, and yours from me.”

“Wow… thanks Wakasi.” Bubba grinned.

“Well take it!” Wakasi slapped her hand onto the parchment.

The guild woman smiled and took down their names and the time of acceptance of the job. “You'll need to meet with Metuune to stone this mapping crystal to hers.” She handed them a pink and white shard.

Bubba took it and rubbed its jagged features with his fingers.

“Well, let's get to it.” Wakasi clapped his back and began walking to the door.

Bubba rushed behind her, adrenaline and butterflies fueling him. As they walked out the door he looked up to the noon time sun and smiled.

“Our adventure begins, big guy. Unless you get eaten or run over before lunch.” Seraph chuckled.