Chapter 20

CHAPTER 20

“ D earest Travelers, the Carnival of Mysteries is closing in a half hour. Please create your final memories and make your way to the gate,” someone called out over the loudspeaker.

“That’s our cue. Time to find that Ringmaster,” Solomon said while they left the last show of The Flying Galliers.

“I could watch those amazing aerialists for days,” Mac said. “Too bad we can’t catch that last show with the magician. Would like to see someone else’s magic.”

“We did come here for another reason, Cormac,” Solomon said.

“Still counting this as a date night,” Mac said.

“It’s been a wonderful one. Now we need to…”

“Get back to the business of infiltrating Abbethan.”

“Putting it that way?—”

“Let’s find that Ringmaster.”

While the crowds thinned out as most visitors made their way to the exit, they searched for the Ringmaster. When they couldn’t spot the bright tailored coat and hat, Solomon changed gears.

Finally, he spotted a tall, rail thin man dressed in jeans, a dark shirt, and heavy work-boots along with a tool belt moving around the rides with a few other similar dressed men.

“Those must be the roustabouts who break everything down. Let’s see if we can talk to the one with the belt,” Solomon said.

Moving faster, they caught up to the tall man.

“Excuse me. Could I have a moment?” Solomon asked.

The tall man looked around and at Solomon. He had a mustache, pale skin, dark hair, and brown eyes. His voice was soft and accented when he spoke, “Time to make your way to the exit, traveler.”

“I know, sir, but I truly need to speak with your Ringmaster or the owner, Mr. Ame. It’s a sensitive matter and could help sway a dangerous problem that is affecting our home,” Solomon said.

“Please, sir, we wouldn’t ask this if it wasn’t truly important,” Mac added.

The man straightened and turned fully to address them.

“Please,” Solomon said.

With a nod, the man said something to the roustabouts to keep them on task. “Follow me. They’ll be over by the caravans behind the colored tents.”

“Thank you. I’m Solomon and this is Cormac,” Solomon said.

“Name is Nik, the carnival engineer.”

Solomon kept up the simple quiet talk, while Mac followed close.

They reached a group of tall men near one of the caravans. Heads tilted close while they carried on a conversation. One wore the unique Ringmaster coat, but Solomon recognized the others too.

“Errante, Rafe, Jim, these two fellas need to speak with you,” Nik said when he stopped.

The three men turned around to see what was interrupting them.

The tallest one stepped forward. The charisma and energy surrounding him was immense. “I’m Errante Ame, owner of the carnival. How may we assist you?”

Mac squeezed Solomon’s hand and pushed him to step forward.

“Good evening. My name is Solomon and this is my partner, Cormac. I hope that I could request something a little different from all of you. Perhaps I could gift back something that might assist all of you in your further travels in return for your assistance,” Solomon said.

“Go ahead with your request,” Errante replied.

“There’s little time for lies and secrets so perhaps a little explanation about what is happening. I believe it will help in your understanding of our situation.” Solomon offered a brief explanation regarding the arcane magic and the recent destructive actions caused by the Society of the Carmine Knot and their spread of hatred. He mentioned that they were part of the side fighting to stop the Carmine Knot and their destruction of the realms and the gemstones.

“If they continue with this gem destruction, it will destabilize the realms until they completely collapse. Anyone trapped within that realm will die,” Cormac added.

“Do you want our assistance against this society?” Errante asked.

“No. No, sir, we wouldn’t want to put you or anyone involved with the carnival at risk. I’m an arcane mage and therefore I can’t use the regular portals or gates that separate this section from where we need to be in the Central,” Solomon said. “I went through one gate and unfortunately, it didn’t go too well. The security recorded my energy flux and flagged it.”

“What do you believe we can do?” the Ringmaster, Jim, asked while he stepped forward.

“I was wondering if we could borrow your fun house. The sign caught my attention during your visit to my home realm, Nucira, and I remembered it. Especially about the line where you could end up in another realm,” Solomon said.

“You want to go through the fun house and end up in this Central realm,” Errante replied when he caught on to what Solomon meant.

“A specific address if possible where we would have someone waiting for our arrival,” Solomon said.

“We’re gathering a team all around the Central realm and making preparations. Without Solomon’s strength, we might not have a chance to stop the Carmine,” Cormac said.

“Unless you have a better idea of how to get us through the gate. We wouldn’t expect for you to move the entire carnival. Again, we don’t want to endanger anyone here. If this isn’t possible, then I have a few other options to consider, but the funhouse would be the safest,” Solomon added.

“An interesting scenario,” Errante said.

“I would like to offer a large gemstone, a laumeldite, as a gift in return for your assistance. It can store any type of magical power and can assist with any power or equipment problems.” Solomon opened a magical pocket.

A large deep red gemstone appeared in his hands.

“Consider it like a magical battery,” Cormac said.

Errante raised a brow. “A princely payment, indeed.” He reached out to take the gem, and it glowed it his hand for a moment before he passed it to the man who had led them to him. “Nik can best make use of it, I believe. And we can assist you. Once the park closes and everyone leaves, I will meet you at the Fun House.”

“Thank you very much. We truly appreciate it.” Solomon stepped away with Mac and they went off to hide closer to the Fun House. Along the way, he pulled out his phone since he didn’t think the card connection would get through the carnival’s magic. Dialing Layton’s number, he waited while Mac kept watch on the crowd.

“Hello?”

“Layton, it’s Solomon.”

“Where are you?”

“Safe. For now. We have another way into Abbethan. Not via a portal, but a little different. I need an address where we can appear that’s safe,” Solomon said.

“Right. I’m with two members of the Guild. They’ve been thoroughly screened and it’s a safe location,” Layton said. “Moonriver Manor. Esterville.”

Solomon repeated the name to confirm. “Thank you, Layton. Cormac and I will arrive shortly.”

Mac let out a small sound that caught Solomon’s attention.

“What is it?”

“Nothing. Nothing. I’ll explain later,” Mac said.

“We’ll be waiting,” Layton said.

After the last of the crowd left and the carnival officially shut things down, Solomon and Mac left their hiding spot and met Errante and the others in front of the Fun House.

“We have a landing place,” Solomon said. “The estate of Moonriver Manor. Esterville.”

With a nod, Errante pointed to the house. “It is done. You will go straight through the house until you reach the ‘emergency exit’ in the back. Once you step through and close the door, there is no return. It is a one way only portal. The door will disappear once it’s closed.”

“No spell?”

“There is none required with my magic. Once you gave me the address, the door was connected.” Errante tipped his head to them. “Good luck on your journey, travelers.”