Cadman stood up, replaced his helmet and as
the blue aura diminished, the temple returned to its normal gloomy state. He turned and
strode purposefully toward the door and where his new companions were waiting beyond. The
door was oak, about 10 feet tall and thicker than a llama's best spit, it took most of
Cadman's strength to open and then close the beast. Outside Mester and Bloke sat on the
steps waiting.
"Waiting for Keith ?" Cadman asked.
The two jumped up and faced the weathered old warrior. "Did you hear the word of
Keith ?" Mester questioned.
"Yep, I heard him. We're off the Global City then. Try our hand at the Quake
Trials."
"That is the way" agreed Mester
"We are the New Keith Order !" sang out Bloke.
Cadman regarded the enthusiastic pair with a degree of cynicism, he'd been around, seen it
all, discounted most...........except the vision in the temple a few minutes earlier.
Global City was many days walk south and
Cadman didn't relish the thought of the trek there. "How many days for our journey do
you think ?" he asked the two.
Bloke's eyes twinkled. "One and a bit. I have transport"
"I thought we were broke, Bloke ?"
"I met this cloaked geezer in a tavern, did me a deal on this newly new llama"
and Bloke pointed.
Cadman look with mildly disguised disbelief at the rickety old trap behind the equally
rickety looking old llama.
"May Keith preserve us" muttered Cadman as the trio climbed aboard.
Bloke glared at Cadman as he slipped the llama into first and slammed his foot to the
floor. The llama wheezed and pulled away dislodging two grains of sand in the process.
Cadman and Mester looked at each other and shook their heads.
---
On the horizon, late on the third day of
travel, Global City became visible as a hazy glow through the smog. Cadman stretched and
groaned as his tendons and muscles protested at being forced to sit in the trap for twice
as long as the journey had supposed to take. Mester stirred form his slumber and rubbed
tired eyes as he strained to see the detail of where Cadman pointed.
"Nearly there then" yawned Mester.
"2 to 3 hours, no more" reassured Bloke for the 3rd time that day. Cadman
grinned and tried to remember that last time he'd been in Global City. Seven maybe eight
years he decided. The time before Quake and the other holo games had dominated the arena.
Now there was money to be won if you were good enough. The networks would pay a tidy sum
for the battle video and there were the royalties from merchandise. Good players became
stars but most just got by........
Cadman chuckled to himself, last time in Global City he'd got a busted rib from the trials for "Revenge of the Mutant Llama". In its way that had paved the way forward to the Quake trials that took place now. Oh sure the VR was far better now, more realistic but the simple games were the best ! Bloke turned to look at Cadman as he burst into uncontrollable laughter at that thought.
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