Besieged by Alans’ questions, the elegant gentleman can’t avoid chuckling, points to the bug couch inside the cart and takes a seat. After inviting Alan to make him company, he takes a peanut bottle from under the seat and offers him some.
-Hahaha, easy young one… one question at a time and this shall be much easier for both of us… you want some peanut while we talk? You look hungry.
Alan had to accept his offer since his stomach was rumbling and mumbling as a wild lion on the hunt. While eating some peanuts he realised that he was either very hungry o it was the best peanut he ever tasted, anyway, he used the pause to get his ideas in order and then proceed to speak.
-Much better, let’s see… first thing’s first, where are we?
The gentleman still amused by the question, took a moment to give the best answer he could. Before he started explaining, he took a map from among the workshop to explain things better. He sat beside Alan and finally began with his explanation.
-We’re in the Avalon continent, it has several towns reign by a great city called New London… Currently we don’t know, nor have an efficient way to find what’s beyond the great sea, all we know is that there are other lands out there and where there’s land, there’s people… or at least creatures. And right now we’re here.
He points towards a small set of mountains, surrounded by forest with only a small way that goes through the forest connecting a small town at the southern part of the continent and what appears to be the main way towards New London.
-The big forest around us is called The Forgotten Forest and the cave right in front of us is The cave of memories… so, here’s the thing… there is no civilization in kilometers around us, so… where did you came from young one?
Alan surprised by the map and his current surroundings, finally realized that he was indeed nowhere near known lands, and above all he was totally lost. He took a small pause to try to organize his thoughts and kept answering as he looked dazed at the map.
-Hah… this is confusing… i don’t see my hometown, Basil anywhere on this map… and New London? All of this sounds like fantasy from a fiction book to me if i’m honest.
The gentleman takes his hat off, puts it aside and starts pacing around the cart while scratching his head. After almost a whole minute of deep thinking he finally retakes his place beside Alan, and looking straight to his eyes he says.
-You’re not joking with me, right boy? There is no place known in this continent with that name… i’d be the first to know about it since i’m the head chief of the research and development department of New London... and sitting next to the queen, i have access to almost every single bit of information around this place.
Alan was a bit intimidated by the gentleman reaction, he starts to get nervous and awkward, but even considering his adventurous soul, he was no liar, and being accused of lying gets him mad. Besides, there was no logic way or at least a believable way to explain how he got there. Without many options to choose from, he decided to be honest with the gentleman about how he got there.
-Hey! I can be many things, but i’m not a liar sir -Replied Alan with a troubled look- I’m from Basil, a small town away from almost all civilization, i arrived here after a small mischief on a traveling merchants cart where i touched a book… i know how crazy it sounds believe me, but it’s the whole truth.
The gentleman sighs and after being at a loss about how to proceed about the crazy story he just heard. he takes a locket from under his clothes, opens it and stays staring at it for while. He finally snaps out of it and sighs again.
-Ok, let’s imagine for one minute that you’re not lying and i believe you… that means that for you all of this is inside a book? It doesn’t make any sense at all… however, i’ve seen my good share of weird things in my lifetime… enough for it to not sound totally nuts.
He stands up and walks towards the workshop to take a hidden picture from under it, then he approaches Alan and gives it to him. Finally the gentleman makes a bow and presents himself.
-Very well, since you obviously don’t know where you are, you definitely don’t know who i am… Harrison Van Rensselaer or Dr. Harry for my friends…scientist, royal counselor, explorer and retired adventurer.
Alan finally stops eating from the bottle of peanuts, sees Dr. Harry`s introduction and watches the photo, in there was a group of what seems like four friends and among them he notices really quick Dr. Harry in his younger self. After the look at the picture, he realized it was his turn to formally present himself, he stands up and roughly tries to imitate the bow.
-Alan Strauss, Alan for my friends and actually to basically everyone… farmer, adventurer and a pain in the butt for almost everyone in my hometown hahaha.
After Dr. Harry presented himself, he looks worried through the window and sees his pocket watch. His worry gets more evident by the minute as its’ getting late, and almost desperate to make time go faster he keeps talking.
-It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance Alan… about your earlier question, normally my apprentice and i take turns to rest at the couch, that way while one of us is working or driving the cart, the other can recover… speaking of my apprentice i’m starting to worry about him… this forest is known to be very dangerous at night and it’s getting pretty late now.
That is when Alan realizes how late it was, it’s been a while since he found the cart and met Dr. Harry. He looks outside from the window at the forest, and remembers his hometown. Since it looks pretty much like the forest around his hometown, he can’t figure out how could it be dangerous in any way.
-Dangerous? please… the worst thing you can find in a forest is a bear… and if we find one, we just need to run it over with the cart and problem solved.
Harry starts to look more serious and pointing at some crates at the workshop he answers.
-Take a look for yourself… those are parts from different creatures we’ve found in our recent travels and we use them to forge work tools and interesting gadgets… some of those creatures are specially vicious.
Alan takes a quick look at the crates and astonished, he lost himself for a while looking at the trophies. From claws to nails, some fangs and even a strange mane or a weird gland emitting a strong and funny smell. There simply seemed to be no end to the wonders inside.
-Wow… wouldn’t you be better at being a hunter, rather than a scientist? there is some amazing things in here i’ve never seen in my life.
The banter was abruptly interrupted by a big explosion coming from the depths of the forest and shakes the cart. After recovering from the impact, both of them look outside the window to find out what was happening.
-What the hell? Your apprentice tends to blow things up professor? He reminds me of a certain madman in my hometown who uses to blow everything up experimenting.
Said Alan, but Dr. Harry looks very perturbed at the sight of the forest, animals running away in fear, and the black smoke rising high from the depths of the forest.
-This is bad news my young friend… very bad news.
Harry rushed to pick up some gadgets from the workshop, hides them as best as he can in his coat and before going outside he gives Alan a small book.
-Try to learn this driving manual as soon as you can, you should be able to start and drive this cart if you follow the instructions on it… if the things out there are half as bad as they look… we’re going to need to be prepared for a quick run soon.