Bk 2: chapter four (1)

The morning air stung. Water from the floating mist soaked the fabric of one's clothes causing them to cling to one's body. The sun debated showing its face, yet the moon was too tired to stay around; twilight smiled.

Walter dismounted off his horse with his entourage and approached a portal. One could see many paying their way in. He nodded to D'huile and he immediately went forward to complete the process on their behalf. He stood aside and watched as the portal rotated open and sucked in those who wished to travel into its black nothingness. The portal was a large and tall stoned doorway.

D'huile returned to Walter's side after a while.

"I have rented a carrier with a few others," he said and Walter raised a brow.

"Carrier?" he asked.

"Those walking into the portal like that are not normal people, they are cultivators," D'huile answered and the rest frowned.

"Ah," Walter said in understanding. "I thought you were one,"

"Our world is too low a level to be able to train a cultivator past foundation level. Those are not the kind of cultivators from our world," D'huile answered. At this moment, Walter wondered whether the emperor's shed could help him survive if he walked into the portal without a carrier.

"Don't you dare try it, boy. You may have the emperor's shed, but you have no idea how to use it," the spirit of the emperor's shed said, reading his mind and Walter nodded.

"Let's go, then," Walter said and D'huile led them to the carrier. It was basically almost a replica of the one they had used to travel from Thriergor, except larger. It looked like a big carriage, 16 feet tall and five hundred square feet wide. Many walked in and found places to sit on the wooden benches nailed to the walls made of white wood.

Walter and his entourage found an empty corner and sat.

"So, you decide to show yourself?" Walter asked the spirit of the emperor's shed in his head.

"Don't expect me to be at your beck and call, boy," the spirit answered in his mind.

"You better think clearly what your part in my life is, because my employer does not quite mind killing me," Walter thought.

"You should seek better employment, then. But don't worry; you will not die," the spirit said.

"Says the spirit too scared to show himself," Walter commented.

"Ah, so this is what bothers you. You do not know what form I exist in. It worries you that such an intangible form as myself exists within you. Let me tell you, boy, no matter how.," the spirit started to say, then suddenly went silent.

Walter frowned for a second before a young boy in his teens approached and took a seat next to him.

"Your belt," the boy said and Walter threw him a look of confusion.

"This must be your first time using a portal. Strap on the belt or else the speed of the carrier through the portal will cause you to tumble around," the boy explained. Walter and the rest did as he said; put on the belts on the wall and thanked him. Oddly, when the belt was secured, it suddenly felt as though one had them bound to their seat.

"So, What is your name? I'm Little Nse," the boy introduced.

"Walter," Walter answered a little wearily.

"Do you need any maps?" Little Nse asked.

"Why?"

"I am what you would call a road maker. As such, I have a lot of maps and sell my maps to those interested. Since you are new to the area, want to buy maps?" Little Nse asked and Walter relaxed. Even though he still remained cautious, a salesman approaching him was not out of the ordinary.

"I am fine," Walter answered and Little Nse nodded and turned away.

At that moment, the carrier rumbled for a second then a burst of energy seemed to crash through it, jerking everyone in one direction.

"Look up," Little Nse said to Walter and he did as told. His eyes found that the top of the carrier was completely open. On second thought, it was instead, transparent. One could look out into the darkness of the portal. His men sensed his actions and those of others around and looked up as well, just in time to meet large stone faces staring down at them.