Prologue

Quin Stephens adjusted his collar and pulled a neck tie from a suitcase pocket. Other ties were scattered on the bathroom counter, all of which had been wrong for some mundane reason. Quin looked into the mirror admiring his choice, and put away the rest. After one last critique of his hair, he grabbed his jacket and headed out for a very important interview.

Paris was nothing like Quin had imagined. So far he had only seen the inside of a bus and his own hotel room but the feeling around the city was less than jovial. Quin was disappointed how much American television had failed him in portraying parisian life. Of all the places to meet a movie producer, why Paris France? Quin shook his head remembering that he had to focus, this was perhaps the most important meeting of his life. This was gonna be his big break.

Nervous, Quin adjusted his tie for the tenth time and made sure his suit jacket was still lint free. He watched the traffic and waited for the lights to change. A fancy cafe was packed with patrons looking for their morning caffeine. He checked a wrinkled piece of paper to verify the address. This was the place.

He made his way into the cafe and approached the host who said something he didn't understand. Quin was not quick enough to hide his puzzled look. The host sighed “Im sorry sir, English? We are full for now, you will have to wait outside.”

His curt tone was lost on Quin.

Quin was not sure if the host knew English or had practiced that statement. “Abraham? Im here to meet Abraham?” The host brightened.

“Oh bien sûr, pardonnez-moi. Par ici. Right this way.” The host turned and Quin followed.

They arrived at a table on the other end of the cafe. There were already three men sitting at the table and none of them was Abraham. Quin noticed only one empty chair. He looked around at the other three men who were looking back at Quin. “Sorry im late, im Quin Stephens, this is my first time in Paris.” The three men at the table did not seem very amused and Quin felt like he had blown his opportunity. Quin sat down and no one said anything. “Are you guys also here to see Abraham? Is he here?”

The man on Quin's left spoke first in a light Spanish accent. “Abraham was suppose to meet me here, and I am getting impatient. Tell me, why are you here?” This man did not look like someone Quin wanted to disappoint so he kept it simple. “I think im here to audition for a part in a movie?” The Spanish man seemed very confused.

The same expression was found on the other two men as well. “Abraham was suppose to answer a question for me. “ A second man was wearing a dark suit and had a british accent. The third man was also dressed nice but more reserved than the other two.

“It may be best for us to just wait for Abraham.” He was Asian and had thick silver glasses, Quin guessed his accent was Japanese.

Not even a minute later a waiter approached and placed a briefcase in the center of the table. Next to it she laid down one American dollar bill. The four looked at each other and for a while no one reacted. After a moment the Spanish man pulled the briefcase closer and attempted to open the briefcase. “Its locked and there is an eight digit combination.” The Englishman examined the dollar. “What is my birthday?” He shrugged and gave the dollar to Quin.

Written underneath of George Washington was the sentence “What is my birthday?”

Quin looked at the Spanish man. “February 22nd, 1732. That's my birthday, 250 years later, of course.” Quin looked around the cafe and suddenly had a thought. Could the cameras already be rolling?

The others looked on as the Spanish man entered the combination. The suitcase opened. The four man peered into the suitcase as the Spanish man cautiously lifted the lid. The suitcase was foam padded with shapes cut out for six different objects. A digital audio recorder that is labeled “play me”. A cell phone. And four identical pistols. The Spanish man quickly shut the case. “¿Qué carajo está pasando aquí?”

The Spanish man looked around the cafe, and placed both hands on the suitcase.

Quin smiled brightly “I can do action.” The Spanish man squinted at Quin. “What is wrong with you? Do you have any clue what is going on?” Quin got serious immediately. “You're right, we should listen to the message on the audio recorder.”

“I would also like to hear what is on this recording.” The Japanese man agreed. The English man pulled the briefcase over and grabbed the recorder from inside. Quin looked back to the Spanish man. “I believe thats a vote to listen to the message.” The Spanish Man half-smiled and threw his palms into the air. “Do as you wish”

The Englishman examined it closely and hit the play button. “Gentlemen, if my planning was precise, Shinji, Julian, Dante and Quin are sitting in a cafe in Paris, France. And you are no doubt wondering why I have gone through all this trouble. The truth is I'm offering you all a very important job. And due to the nature of the work, I had to protect you from certain ‘roadblocks’. As careful as I have been these ‘roadblocks’ are quite tenacious. The very act of tracking you down has exposed my anonymity. This was not my intention, but I have placed you all in danger and we are running out of time.”

The Japanese man and Spanish man grew visibly concerned with the message. The Englishman seemed very skeptical. Quin was smiling loving every minute of it. Then he remembered that he should be acting serious right now. The message continued. “I understand this is a leap of faith but I promise if you listen to me, you will all be fine. Each of you will arm yourself and meet me at the top of the Eiffel Tower. You will be approached by men who will want you dead, I promise these attackers are no longer men. Kill them or they will kill you. When you are safely on your way, call me with the supplied cell phone. Now go!” The recorder suddenly expressed a thin column of smoke.

“This is madness. I am stopping this now. I am a spanish federal officer, I will turn these guns into the Parisian authorities. This is over.” Dante said, his Spanish accent getting thicker as he grew angrier. He stood up and grabbed the suitcase, Juilian was quick to his feet and put his hand on the briefcase. “I dont think you get to make that decision for all of us mate. Leave if you want but the briefcase stays with us.” Quin also stood up doing his best to defuse the situation. “Lets just sit and talk about this for a second. Maybe we can do what he says and we wont have to shoot anybody.” Quin looked around as patrons began to notice the commotion. The men sat down.

“Gentlemen this is not a game, I am on a special investigation tracking a very dangerous individual.” Dante looked accusingly at Julian. “Tell me friend, when was the last time you were in Madrid?” Julian looked confused. “Are accusing me of something ? I have never been to Spain. Im just here because Abraham said he could tell me what this is.” Julian pulled the sleeve of his shirt up. On his forearm was a circular tattoo with an array of intricate emblems weaved throughout the center. Quin taking mental notes of what the two men were saying just incase he would be tested on this later. This was certainly turning out to be an interesting audition.

Two limos pulled up outside the cafe, their drivers caring nothing of the traffic they were creating. Three parisian police officers wearing dark sunglasses exited each limo, the first set entering the cafe. Quin was the first to notice. “ Oh shit, guys!” He said instantly grabbing the attention of the four men. The four men looked up as the three police officers spotted them. Without warning the officers drew pistols and fired. Patrons in the cafe panicked as they duck for cover. Those that could make it out the doors fled. An unfortunate patron attempted to tackle one of the officers from behind but the officer turned immediately firing his weapon ending the heroic attempt.

Quin and Shinji lept for cover around a large plant base and Julian was flat on the ground as if this was not his first time being shot at. Dente knelt down but only long enough to extract a pistol from the briefcase. He was back up in an instant returning fire on the assailants firing four times. The officers fell, as each bullet found its home. The patrons quickly started flooding out of the doors. The other three officers were pushing their way into the cafe. Quin quickly got up and grabbed a pistol for himself. Shinji did not grab a weapon. “We have to get out of here.” Shinji pleaded. Dante agreed. “We will go out the back.”

A patron suddenly started to convulse, her eyes turning an inky black. She stopped her run towards the exit and grabbed a gun from one of the fallen officers. She then fired on the four men as they made their way into the kitchen. Dante fired back but only to provide cover, though the woman seem to have to no regard for her own life. Dante was the last into the kitchen, Quin leading the way into the back alley.

The men raced down a series of alleys, Quin not knowing where to go but knowing they just had to get away. “Hide your weapons but keep them ready!” Dante yelled from behind. Quin led them to a subway station. Quin noticed a security camera in the corner and did his best not smile. He stopped the group and deepened his voice. “We need to find the Eiffel Tower. Abraham will know what to do.” Shinji was looking at a map of the subway system. “We can ride this train to nearby station. Only a few blocks.” Quin nodded. “Good work, uh... “ Quin blushed and quietly asked “What was your name again?” The Japanese man did not seem to understand the mannerisms “My name is Shinjiku Iaiamaki.” Dante started heading for the proper boarding area. “We are wasting time, lets go.”

The men calmly made their way through the station and waited what seemed like hours for the subway train to arrive. Julian was first on the car and sat next to an attractive woman who was playing a game on her cell phone. The other three men sat near by. Jullien leaned over to the woman “So how do you all keep your trains smelling so nice? In london all the tube cars smell like ass.” The woman seemed confused and not interested in chat, she nodded and went back to her game. Julian shrugged and caught Shinji’s eye “Thats one thing similar to the London tubes, stuck up women.” He smirked and leaned back if nothing else than to gain a look at how well she was doing in her game. And to sneak a peek down her blouse.

Once the train was on it’s way Dante grabbed the cell phone from the briefcase and called the only contact in the phone. It rang for a bit then a surprisingly happy voice answered in Spanish. “Hello Dante, you all are doing very well.” Dante cut him off. “Listen to me, what the hell is going on here? We are not going any further until you explain yourself. “ Dante looked around the car to see if anyone might speak Spanish. “Dante, the very same man you have been investigating is currently trying to find me and all of you. I promise that you will have your answers soon enough. I will not ask you to trust me, instead I ask that you trust in your instincts. We will be able to chat very soon but for now, be safe and follow my instructions. “

Quin was watching as Dante spoke on the phone, he could not understand what was said but clearly Dante was still on board with the plan. There were only a few stops before they arrive at the closest station to the Eiffel Tower. They left the subway and made their way back onto the street above. There were signs that pointed to the Eiffel Tower and the tip of the tower could be seen over the buildings here. They could hear sirens in the distance but it was not clear if they were coming for them.

The men walked the few blocks to the park entrance at the base of the tower. A large crowd of tourists where walking around and there was a large line waiting to board an elevator to see the tower. Julian took out the gun and fired it into the air. “That man has a gun, take cover.” Danta quickly grabbed Julian’s arm and glared at him. The tourist quickly exited the line and ran from the scene. The four men boarded the elevator and rode it to the top.

As the elevator opened Abraham was standing in the observation area with a spectacular view of Paris behind him. He was smiling and still wore that horrid green striped suite from Quin’s first meeting. Sirens can be heard in the distance but still Abraham did not seem stressed. “Gentlemen it is so good to see you all made it here alive. I have here in my pocket the answer to all your questions. “ Abraham reached into his jacket interior pocket and produced a glass sphere that seems to be filled with swirling light. The four slowed their approach having never seen anything like this before.

Abraham waives the sphere in front of the four men for them all to see. He began to speak a series of words that Quin did not understand. Abraham increased his volume causing the light in the sphere to brighten. He slammed the sphere onto the floor between him and the four men. Suddenly a door sized ring of light appeared and the scene of a 1950’s styled dinner began to come into focus. Abraham stepped out from behind the portal entrance. “Gentlemen after you.”

Quin could no longer contain his excitement. He looked all around for the projectors and pyrotechnic engineers but it all seemed so, real. “Well then. “ Quin said as he eagerly head into the portal. The other three men hesitated but also followed.

The four men were standing in a 1950’s diner looking back through the portal which displayed a scene they had just left. Abraham took two steps towards the portal when two sword blades explode through his chest. Abraham’s eyes went wide open but his mouth was furiously saying a string of words, blood spilling out of his mouth muting the inflections. Abraham fell to the ground, standing behind him was a man in a dark black suit and holding a finely crafted sword in each hand. As the man started toward the portal, it disappeared, fizzling out in small puff of energy.

Chapter 1

The men found themselves standing in a small train car dinner. The dinner sat in a forest of tall buildings on a busy road. Shinji walked to the window and looked into a bustling city that resembled 1950’s Chicago. “Greeting heroes, we got the griddle all fired up. Ill cook ya whatever you want. Free of charge.” Dante was still very skeptical, seemingly unable to believe what has just happened. “This is some kind of joke...I am dreaming.” Dante’s mind was so fixed on the events at hand he was not sure if he had spoke in english or spanish.

“Ill have two pancakes with scrambled eggs, double bacon and/or sausage and a tall glass of milk and orange juice.” Quin was quick to take advantage of the free food.

The three men were looking at Quin whose smile could not be contained, Quin quickly remembered that he should be more serious in this sort of scene. “Right, I just thought we should enter the situation with um…. optimal energy. I haven’t eaten anything today.”

“Coming right up for you hero. I would be happy to do that for you.” The plump cook had short shaggy grey sideburns sneaking out from beneath an off-white chef’s hat. Dante watched as the cook turned to get started on Quin’s meal. “Why did you call us heroes?” Dante said calmly to the cook who looked back briefly. “Corwin’s Heroes are welcome in my dinner anytime.” Dante watched as the cook worked the frying pan. “I don’t understand, who is Corwin? Who are you? Who do you think we are?” The calm was starting to flee from Dante’s voice. Without turning around the cook replied happily. “You can call me Cookie, and this is Cookies Dinner. Welcome folks, just tell me what you want and Ill make it for you.”

The cook then turned around with a nice plate full of food, precisely what Quin had ordered. Quin hesitated for a moment, half feeling guilty about eating in front of new friends. He shrugged giving in to the pleas of his stomach. As soon as he sat at the counter Cookie was right there with his tall glass of milk and a tall glass of orange juice. “C’mon boys, whos next?” Dante sighed and stepped away from the counter to ponder. “ Julian walked over to Quin’s plate taking a piece of bacon. “Fuck it, ill have eggs and sausage, toast with marmalade and...a side of black pudding.” Julian smirked thinking he may have stumped the cook. “Coming right up friend” Cookie smiles and turned back to the stove.

Shinji was standing at the glass door watching the cars go by. He began to count the people through the window. He pushed the door open to get a better look and was surprised to find a stone worked hallway lit by sconces along the corridor. “Its an illusion. Its all an illusion.” Shinji opened and shut the door to show the other three. Quin looked down at his food, which appeared and tasted very real. He shrugged and continued to eat. Shinji continued down the hallway which seem to circle around. Shinji stopped at the first door which was shut with a symbol glowing in the center. Just beneath the symbol was a word written in an unknown language. However a moment later the word changed into english. “Divine”

Shinji took note and continued down the hallway, following behind was Julian who pushed on the “Divine” door. It did not open. Shinji passed three more doors on the left, each with a label, “Arcane”, “Martial” and finally “Natural”. At the end of a corridor there was a fifth door with another foreign word that morphed into it’s English translation “Finale”. Shinji turned back towards the diner as Jullien approached. “The Martial lit up when I touched it. The other appeared to be locked. Shinji tapped on the “Natural” door and nothing happen. “I wonder what other secrets this place holds?” Shinji said pushing on the door.

The door did not budge so Shinji pushed on the “Arcane” door. The the word on the door light up bright and door started to swing open. Dante came into the hallway next and saw as Shinji and Julian were testing the doors. “It seems like there is a specific door for each of us.” Shinji talked as he tested the doors, he then found himself once again in front of the “Arcane” door. “This is my door.” Without warning Shinji pushed the door, the hallway was flooded with light and then the light was gone as the door shut. Shinji was also gone.

Julian went to the door and pushed on it. The door did not open and the words that were once magical inscribed on it had also disappeared. Julian knocked and spoke into the door. “Shinji, are you alright in there?” There was no reply. Quin was still chewing as he entered the hallway. “Whats going on?” He said with a mouth full of food.

“Apparently we each have a special door.” Dante said almost jokingly. His tone suggested he had given up on logic.

“Special door eh? I smell a training montage.” Quin examined the first door, the word “Divine” suddenly appeared. “Ha, well this is clearly my door.” Quin tried not to crack a smile. He knew this was potential close up footage.

Dante was standing in front of the ‘Natural’ door. “I do not understand, how this one is for me? Me and Nature, we do not get along too well.” Julian was standing in front of the “Martial” door. “Well I never thought of myself as being Martial, guess im about to learn a lot about myself. See ya on the other side mates.” Julian walked through his door and like Shinji, was gone. Dante looked back to Quin who had a big smile on his face. “I do not get you American.” Dante smiled and walked into his door.

Quin was left standing there alone in the hallway. “Lets see where this goes.” He pushed on the door and was blinded by bright light. He walked into the doorway and faintly heard the door close behind. Quin cried out as he felt the floor go out from underneath his feet, though he did not feel like he was falling. Instead it was forward acceleration that unnerved him, he still could not see. Then suddenly the floor appeared and the acceleration stopped. The bright light lessened revealing the exterior of a small but clean horse stable. The stables were connected to a small house and there was a large stable yard full of obstacles and what appeared to be training dummies.

The construction style was very old, medieval by Quin’s guess but everything was very clean and new looking. If it was old, it didn’t look it. The large door of the stables was open and there was a single black horse eating some hay in one of the two stalls. The second stall was empty but Quin could hear what sounded like the hooves out in the stable yard. Suddenly from thin air an armored white horse appeared racing through the obstacles out in the stable yard. The horses rider was also wearing spectacular light gray armor and a helm with fist worked into it. The rider was controlling the horse with his left hand and wielding an enormous sword in his right. The pair were tearing through the stable yard, leaping walls of varying heights, zig zagging through small patches of posts and dismembering spinning dummies that hung from slender gallows.

“Whoa, that is really cool. I hope I get to do that stuff.” Quin admired as the horse-man then changed direction and started full sprint toward Quin. He picked up speed and lept over the fence and the horse came to a sudden stop. In one motion the rider was off the horse and a shield appeared in his hand. Quin looked around and took a step back as the warrior approached Quin.

“Defend yourself, worm” The warrior thrust both his shield and sword threateningly in the air toward Quin. A metal shield and sword appeared in Quin’s hands, a metal breast plate appeared on his chest and a helm was now sitting on his head. Its visor was pulled up. “Um, you want to fight me now?” The warrior did not hesitate and within two steps he was on Quin. The warrior swung his sword toward Quin who turned and got his shield up. Quin followed his shield block with his sword toward the warriors sword side. The warrior had his own sword there to block, then stepped forward leaning into his shield arm bashing it into Quin’s shield. Quin was not prepared for the attack, his shield arm giving in under the force of the blow. His own shield flew back and hit him square in the face sending him reeling to the ground. He felt the ground suddenly on his back but felt no pain as his vision blurred and then darkness took over.

Quin could taste dried blood in his mouth as he started to wake up. He had been propped sitting up against the one of the stalls. His helm and breastplate had been removed. There was large cooking fire being tended by the warrior who had removed his armor and helm. He had long gray hair that was braided in many areas but mostly flowed free. He had a full but well kempt white beard and mustache. The smell of roasted meat brought Quin closer to consciousness enough to ask a question.

“Are you going to kill me?” Quin was starting to test his legs preparing to stand up. The old warrior laughed. “After a fight like that, you may well wish I had killed ya. Corwin didn’t tell me how green you were going to be.” He has prepared two large birds and was spinning them over top the fire. “Who is Corwin?” Quin asked as he gained back his motor skills. “Corwin is our boss, you are here to save the world. I think that’s what you want to hear right?” The warrior had a certain calmness to his voice, it was very father like. Quin had made his way to his feet and started walking over, looking for a spot to plop back down again.

“My name is Quin. Is the Earth in danger?” Quin had found himself a nice wooden bench to sit on just outside the fire’s extreme heat. “Earth is where you come from, you are now in Corthan. This world was created long ago by Corwin himself. I have been tasked to train you in the ways of the Paladin. As long as you complete your quest here on Corthan, Earth will be protected from danger.” Quin thought to himself for a moment.

“Did you have to hit me? I mean I know we both want this to be as real as possible but they can fix it in post you know.” Quin was touching his nose to see if it was broken. “I think you broke my nose.” The old warrior looked over at Quin and smiled. “We may each trade many blows before this is done. It is my job to train you and I promise you Quin, I will not let you down.” Quin began to smile. “That is fucking awesome. So right your a Paladin, and im gonna be a Paladin too? This is awesome. But dude, do you have to hit me so hard?”

“Yes I do. The enemy will hit harder, and will actually be trying to kill you. You must understand, this not like other responsibilities you may have taken on in your past. You were chosen because you can handle it.” The warrior smiled as he rotated the birds again. “These are almost ready.”

*****

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