Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

L osing track of time and falling asleep, Solomon rose to consciousness by a soft voice and the buzz of the silent perimeter alarm.

“Professor? Professor, it is time.”

Opening his eyes and blinking past the discomfort of dry lenses, Solomon shifted his gaze to find Muriel standing near his seats. He flicked off the silent alarm. “Pardon?”

“Morning, Professor. I apologize for waking you, but we’re about an hour out from our final stop.” She pointed down to the other end. “There are two bathrooms down there. Enough room for a change of clothes along with freshening up. I can offer you a cup of coffee or tea, along with some pastries. If you require anything more, I would suggest waiting until you’re in the station for better breakfast options.”

“Oh, ah, thank you. I would like to freshen up. A cup of strong black tea would be perfect. Do you have any options?”

“We have a choice between Monk’s Barberry, Heart Blossom, or Black Moss teas.”

“Black Moss. Two sugars. That would truly hit the spot.”

Muriel made a note on her little pad. “I’ll bring it back here. The bathroom on the right is free.”

Leaving his blanket and pillow, Solomon gathered his satchel and suit jacket. Then he moved into the main aisle and down to the bathrooms.

He passed six other sleepy passengers along the way. Sliding into the bathroom first, he locked the door. Stretching out his limbs, he glanced at his reflection.

A little sleep-deprived, outfit rumpled, and his eyes red from the dry lenses, he had a lot to fix. Setting his things on the narrow shelf, he stripped down to his undergarments and sent the rumpled clothes into a pocket. After using the facilities, he wiped down his pits and lower body with a dampened towel and groomed himself. He added drops to his eyes to lubricate the lenses and remove the redness. Opening his magical small-closet pocket to access his luggage, he selected a new outfit.

Choosing the golden brown trousers, a brown, moss green, and gray tweed vest and jacket, along with a gray button-down shirt with a banded collar, he changed into the fresh clothes. He felt that gave him a bit more appearance as a museum curator. Not sure what to expect at the security station, he paired the outfit with his preferred leather band silver watch and soft brown ankle boots. The boots were fashionable, but he could run in them.

Closing the pocket, he fixed his hair into the new style with his fingers and a comb.

“As good as you’ll get in a bathroom this size.”

Gathering his satchel and jacket, he left the bathroom and nodded to the next man waiting. Then he returned to his seat. After sitting, he updated his watch to the current time.

Moments later, Muriel stopped by with a small tray with his tea, sugar, spoon, and a muffin. “I hope you like honey, chestnuts and winterberries. These are my favorite muffins. Warmed it up a bit for you.”

“Thank you. What do I owe you?”

She only charged him for the tea, but he added a generous tip.

After enjoying the simple breakfast, he left everything on the tray while Muriel moved around to collect any last trash.

“Fifteen minutes to arrival of the twenty-two-oh-four CrossRealm overnight service at the Leeside Station, Caelkirk. Fifteen minutes. Please take your seats and buckle in for our arrival at Leeside Station with access to Flintspire Checkpoint for the North and Central border gates.”

Solomon pulled in a deep breath and released it slowly to calm himself.

Here was his first test.

Leaving the train and following the passengers through the station, he paused long enough to pull on his suit jacket and button the vest. Then he draped his heavier coat over his arm and satchel across his body with another sticky spell. He double-checked that his identity booklet, portal passage ticket, and transit approval information were within easy reach. Glancing around, he saw the signs for the portal landing that would take him across to the North.

The series of portal landings was in a large building across the street from the train station.

Waiting at the crosswalk, Solomon followed others across the street and entered the new building. He tugged his passage ticket and looked for the portal number.

“Can I assist you, sir?”

Glancing up, Solomon smiled. “Ahh, yes, sorry. I’m looking for the portal crossing to Gledinium. My ticket says Portal Five, but…”

“That portal is down for maintenance.” The portal attendant pointed up to the message board. “I apologize for the inconvenience, but it’s a known problem with major border portals. You can take Portal Seven instead. It’s been re-routed to Gledinium. Though you need specific transit papers to go there.”

“Ahh, thank you and I have those papers and approval,” Solomon said.

“That helps with a smooth transit.” The attendant pointed toward Portal Seven. “Please head in that direction for a security check and portal transit verification.”

“Thank you.” Solomon moved forward while the attendant assisted other travelers.

Finally reaching the correct security station near the portal, Solomon joined the very short queue. Unlike the other portals, this one wasn’t as busy. To his disappointment, it gave the security guards longer to question the travelers.

Carefully, Solomon sent out a sniffer smell. Both guards pinged back.

Carmine.

On this side of the East Realm.

Solomon swallowed hard and composed himself. He quashed down his magic, layering it with lightning and air magic.

“Next!”

Solomon stepped forward and smiled. He tried to keep things light and pleasant. “Greetings and good morning.”

“Identity booklet, portal ticket, and transit approval to Gledinium papers,” the security guard snapped.

Looks like short and nasty were on the menu instead.

“Of course. Here you go, sir.” Solomon handed over the required paperwork.

“Place your satchel and coat on the table. Open all the pockets,” the other guard said.

With a nod, Solomon placed his coat down. Then he removed the satchel and set it down. He opened the different pockets.

The guard took up his coat and moved his hands all over it, testing every inch and crumpling the fabric. Then he dropped it with no care. Dragging the satchel closer, he pulled out several items and used a thick wand he picked up to shove other items around. He snatched a bag and opened it. “What is this?”

“I wear contact lenses or glasses. That is saline and lubrication fluid. The case holds my lenses while I sleep. The other case has my glasses,” Solomon said while the guard opened and closed things. Then he explained the items in the other bags.

“State your name, home city, realm, birth date,” the guard with the paperwork said after scanning everything manually and then with the system. He picked up a special wand to double check the protective magical chip that confirmed all the details.

“Maxwell Sydney Addington, Strafield, Ibemar Realm,” Solomon said and stated his altered birth date.

“Destination?”

“Adenata, Gledinium. Cad-Wyn Laboratories,” Solomon said.

“Reason?”

“Business. I’m a museum curator. Doctor Grayson Cadogan is my contact.” Solomon kept his calm while the other guard pawed his belongings.

Then he shoved everything back in the satchel and said, “Items cleared.”

“Step over to the circle for magic testing.”

Recognizing this as one of the Carmine alterations to traveling, Solomon stepped to the circle, dropped his hands to his sides, and settled while the circle lit up. A column of light moved up and down several times.

Then the electronic system beeped multiple times while it printed a report. The guard snatched it and read the scan.

“Move back to the table, Mr. Addington.”

“Professor.”

“Excuse me?” the guard looked up at him.

“I prefer Professor as befitting my profession,” Solomon said.

“Along with lightning and air magic.”

“Yes.”

“Not quite the magic of a museum curator.”

“A curator can work with any type of magic. It is a love for mythology, art, and history that helps to create a curator.” Solomon glanced at the guards. “Is there a problem? My name should be on the verification list for Cad-Wyn Laboratories.” Then he repeated, “Doctor Grayson Cadogan is my contact.”

“Dr. Grayson Cadogan. That is who you contacted.”

“That’s what I said. We work all the time together when his laboratory receives new artifacts for inspection and restoration. They do brilliant work there.”

“This ticket was created three days ago.”

“After we spoke and confirmed a meeting. The artifacts are at a point where I can examine them and consider procuring them to the museum’s collection. Or I can assist in other proper placements for them,” Solomon said. “Gentlemen, I apologize, but I don’t see a problem with my travels as I pass through this portal multiple times. I am already late for my meeting. Doctor Cadogan is a very busy scientist with a full schedule.”

The guard did something else with his system. “The history looks a little too perfect. Like someone fixed it.”

Time to play a little hardball and get this situation moving.

“Contact Cad-Wyn. Request to speak with Doctor Cadogan. He’ll confirm everything.”

The second guard moved closer. They whispered back and forth. One guard pointed back to the circle and waved at Solomon. The other guard held up his hand and stopped his protests. Then the guard swung out a phone, dialed a number, and placed it on speaker.

“Cad-Wyn Laboratories. How may I direct your call?”

“This is Guard Kleeze at the Flintspire Security Checkpoint in Caelkirk. I have a Professor Maxwell Addington. There is a transit approval for his portal passage to speak with Dr. Cadogan,” the guard said.

“Yes, Professor Addington is on our approval list. A wonderful gentleman and frequent visitor to Cad-Wyn. Is this the reason for the delay in the meeting? We have been expecting him for over a half hour now,” the lady said.

“Who is that? Is this about the Professor? Where is he?” another voice called out.

“Guard Kleeze at the Flintspire Checkpoint in Caelkirk. He’s holding up the professor’s passage,” the lady said.

“This is Doctor Grayson Cadogan. Who are you to hold up the professor’s passage? A guard? Give me your badge number. I’m reporting both of you for this horrific insult to the professor and the autonomy of our realm. Badge number. Now,” Grayson snapped.

“Doctor—”

“Now!”

The guard reluctantly gave his badge number.

“I know you have a partner. Badge number,” Grayson said.

The second guard offered his number.

“Move the professor through the checkpoint and open that blasted portal. I’m not waiting another minute or I will travel there and demand to speak with your superiors. Waste of my time and patience! Release him. Immediately.”

“Yes, Doctor Cadogan. We’ll certify his travel now.” Guard Kleeze applied a stamp to the ticket, transit approval, and the identity booklet. He handed all the papers back to Solomon.

Solomon gathered up his coat and satchel and held everything in his hands.

“Professor, I shall meet you on the other side,” Grayson said.

“Thank you, Doctor. I apologize for the delay,” Solomon said.

“This isn’t on you. And I will rectify this egregious situation immediately after your passage,” Grayson said and hung up.

“You may pass, Professor,” the guard said.

Not thanking them after what happened, Solomon stepped away from them.

Moving forward through another section, the area opened to the portal. Another guard bumped into Solomon and jostled him around. Something sharp poked his lower back.

“Please step through the portal,” another guard called out.

Ignoring the pain, Solomon stepped through the portal. Eager to get out of there. He wanted to leave these obnoxious Carmine members.