The Portal Key
Copyright© 2025 by Duncan7
Chapter 6: Making Plans
The elders rustled out of the large council area, leaving behind only Elion, David, Saria, and Bob.
Dust motes danced in the sunbeams slanting through the forest canopy, illuminating the wooden table.
“Please have a seat, Bob,” said David. They all settled into their chairs.
“So,” Bob began, his brow furrowed, “can you tell me what’s happening? I awoke in the cold dungeon of a castle, and I don’t understand how I got there,” asked Bob.
“This is a different world, called Elyria. I found it only recently myself. It’s an amazing coincidence that we both worked for the same company in our world.”
“A different world, okay, I can accept that. What else?” Bob asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
“Our boss, Mrs. Ellis, is evil.”
“A lot of bosses are evil. It’s almost a job requirement.”
“I mean, she is more evil than anything you know. She also knows how to travel to this world. When she comes here, she goes by the name the Dark Queen.”
“Wait,” said Elion, his voice sharp. “You know the Dark Queen?”
“Unfortunately, yes. In our world, she uses another name. Saria can confirm that. She met her in our world.”
Saria nodded vigorously, the movement rustling her tunic. “Yes, I’ve seen her. David speaks the truth.”
“This is hard to accept, David,” said Bob, stroking his tired face.
“You can believe your eyes, Bob. This is another world. It’s not our world. Mrs. Ellis is the Dark Queen. She takes people from our former office and turns them into her mindless minions. You were under her spell until I removed your tabard.”
Elion looked at David, his gaze intense. “So, she uses the tabard to control her minions?”
“Yes, Bob was in the dungeon when I was rescuing Saria. He collapsed when I removed his tabard. I didn’t wait to see what happened next. I had my own problems then,” said David, a weary sigh escaping his lips.
“When I awoke, I couldn’t remember what happened and why I was in a dungeon wearing strange clothing.”
“Exactly, Bob. It was a cursed tabard. She mind-controlled you and turned you into her minion. I don’t know how long you’ve been here in Elyria. You’ve been absent from CHI for quite a while.”
“Crap! My wife won’t know what happened to me.”
“Well, I know a way back. I’ll help you get home to your family. I need your help, though.”
The Dark Queen emerged into the throne room of her castle, the cold stone floor echoing with each step. An eerie silence filled the vast space, devoid of any presence.
She swept out of the keep and paused within the high castle walls.
“Where are my minions? No guards? This is how he gained access to my castle,” she thought.
The Dark Queen produced her wand, its smooth surface cool in her hand, and pointed it skyward. With a crackle of energy, a bright flare shot forth, momentarily illuminating the courtyard.
Assured that she’d sent a summons, she strode towards the main entrance.
Soon, scattered groups of minions shuffled back from their patrols, surprised to see their leader waiting for them.
“Perhaps I’ll kill one of them as an example to the others,” she thought, tightening her grip on the wand.
Her minions halted before her, their blank eyes reflecting the sky, waiting for orders. Their trance state made them obedient, but with little initiative. She sighed, the sound lost in the wind.
The Dark Queen brushed past her minions and marched towards the shadowy treeline, her wand still clutched in her hand.
“Somewhere in this accursed forest are the álfar, and David Edwards is probably with them,” she thought.
“If I can’t track them down, I’ll burn them out of existence,” she said aloud, her voice echoing in the still air.
The Dark Queen pointed her wand at the treeline and unleashed a barrage of fireballs. The trees erupted in flames, the smell of burning wood filling the air.
Bob turned to David. “Okay, I’ll help you if it means I can go home,” he said, nodding his head.
“Great! These people are the álfar. They’re good people. The Dark Queen is at war with them. She abducted people from CHI and made them into her minions, as she did with you.”
“Right.”
“But we learned that removing the tabard lifts the mind-control. We must catch her minions, preferably one at a time, and remove their tabards,” said David.
“Okay.”
“These are all former coworkers. We’re doing them a service to free them from her control.”
Elion’s voice, tinged with worry, cut in. “Her minions usually travel about as a group. I’m not sure you can catch them easily.”
“I’m open to suggestions. As minions, they’re not too smart and more easily distracted. I was hoping we could remove the curse from a tabard, so we could use it as a disguise.”
Saria’s voice, light and thoughtful, piped up. “David, what if we just made a similar tabard? It might be easier than removing a curse.”
“You can make a replica of the cursed tabard?”
“Saria has a point. We’ve álfar skilled with fabrics. It would be easier,” said Elion.
“If that’s easier, then great! Can you make some replica tabards?” asked David.
Elion nodded. “I’ll arrange it after we’re done here.”
“So, my basic plan is we capture the minions and remove their tabards. If they’re willing to help, we supply them with fake tabards, and they help us capture others.”
Bob, Saria, and Elion nodded in agreement.
David turned to Elion. “Elion, can we include the álfar in this plan?”
“We can position archers in the trees, but we’re terrified of the Dark Queen and her servants.”
“So me and Bob will do what’s required. Your archers are there in case things go wrong.”
“Yes.”
“I’d rather we not kill anyone. They’re under her control, and not responsible for their actions.”
“I’ll pass on the word. At most, they’d shoot the humans in the leg.”
“I suppose that’ll work,” said David.
Just then, another álfar elder arrived.
“What’s the matter, Gorred?” asked Elion, his voice echoing slightly in the open space.
“It’s the Dark Queen; she’s burning our forest!” His urgency was palpable.
Gorred and Elion switched to the álfar language, their tones low and rapid.
Elion turned to David, his face disturbed. “This is bad. David, we’ll have to finish this later. Can you look after Bob?”
“Sure. How can we help?” David asked.
“We’ve already put protective spells around our forest. If she tries to burn it all down, it will take a significant effort.”
“Okay. Could you send archers to the treeline on either side of her position? They might get a lucky shot.”
“Your suggestion has merit; it may distract her from her attack,” said Elion. He ordered something in the álfar language to Gorred, who left.
“I’m terrible with a bow and arrow,” said Bob. “I’m better with spreadsheets. But if I can help...”
“Understood, Bob. Once we get a fake tabard, I have some plans for you.”
“Okay.”
“I’d better go see the álfar who are skilled with fabrics. I’ll see you shortly.” Elion got up and left.
“David, what do you have planned for the fake tabard?” asked Saria.
“Bob lures coworkers away from the castle. We then remove their cursed tabards. Each one we can free of her influence will help our effort.”
“What about we shoot them with arrows dipped in sleeping potion?” She asked, with a glint in her eye.
“That would be very helpful. Do you have that?”
“I can get some.”
“Please do. It avoids the risk of armed confrontation with the minions.”
“I’ll be back soon.” Saria left David with Bob.
“So I’m to lure our former coworkers away from the castle. She puts them out, and you remove the tabards?” asked Bob, his brow furrowed in thought.
“That’s the basic plan. We’ll have to adapt it as needed.”
“Okay.”
The Dark Queen paused in her attack on the forest. Acrid smoke stung her nostrils.