A Wizard of the White Council by Jonathan Moeller Read Free Book Online Page B

might take a while.”
    A bus stopped at the intersection. “Then show me the important places. The market square, the residences of the lords, places like that.” Perhaps he would find Marugon's gun-merchants there.
    “I think we’ll go downtown, then,” said Robert. “We’ll take the bus, and then switch to the EL.”
    “The EL?”
    “Here.” Robert handed him eight small coins. Arran gave the coins a dubious glance. They did not look like real silver. “Since you gave me fifty dollars, I suppose I can pay for your bus fare. Put those coins in the machine. The driver will give you a ticket. Then we’ll go find a seat, if there’s one free.”
    The bus ground to a stop before the bench, and the doors hissed open. Robert bounded up the steps and put his coins in the machine. The driver, a large black-skinned woman, handed him a small piece of paper. Arran followed Robert up and put his coins into the machine.
    The driver gave him a dubious look. “You can’t be taking those big swords on the bus.”
    “My swords?” said Arran. “Why not?” He was relieved he had hidden his guns.
    “They’re just painted plastic,” said Robert, leaning back. “My Dad's taking them to school with me so we can use them for the play.”
    “All right.” The driver pushed a pedal on the floor, and the bus lurched into motion. Arran grabbed at a support pole for balance. “But you cause any trouble, I’ll be calling the cops on your sorry ass faster than you can blink.” 
    Robert led Arran through the crowded bus. No one spared them a glance. Robert claimed an empty seat, and Arran sat beside him. 
    “Charming woman,” said Arran. The bus’s vibrations made him feel queasy. “And I’m not your father.”
    “Like, duh,” said Robert. “What was I supposed to tell her? That you’re some crazy guy I met? She’d probably call the cops.”
    “The cops?” said Arran.
    “Yeah, the cops. You know, the police.”
    Arran nodded. “You mean the city guard. So we are going to…Down Town, you said? Where is Down Town?”
    Robert laughed. “No, downtown. The center of the city. There’s a lot of cool big buildings there and stuff. Maybe we’ll go to the Willis Tower. I think it’s open today. Yeah…then you can see how big the city is for yourself.”
    “How long will it take for us to reach downtown?” said Arran.
    “About half an hour, I think.”
    Arran blinked. “Half an hour. In this vehicle?” He felt his stomach twitch. “Just how big is Chicago?”
    Robert grinned. “You’ll see.” 

    ###

    “Astonishing,” said Arran, watching the elevated train shoot away. “I have never traveled that fast in my life.”
    Robert laughed. “Airplanes are faster. This way.” He led Arran across the crowded train platform and down a broad set of stairs to the street below. 
    “An airplane?” said Arran. “What is that?”
    “You know, an airplane? Wait. You probably don’t. It flies in the air from place to place.”
    Arran blinked. “You mean there are machines that can fly?” He could not fathom such a thing. 
    Robert laughed. “Yeah. I’ve been on one. My parents took me to Disney World when I was nine.” He seemed to find all these marvels commonplace.
    Arran frowned. “Disney World? Did…you travel through the Tower?”
    “What Tower?”
    “The Tower of Endless Worlds,” said Arran. “Is that how you reached this world of Disney?” 
    “No, we took a plane. Disney World’s in Florida. That’s way south of here. I’ve never heard of this Tower of Infinite Planets, or whatever you said.” 
    Perhaps most of the people of Earth did not know about the Tower. After all, the door had vanished as soon as Arran had stepped through it. Perhaps a few merchants had discovered the Tower and used that opportunity to sell guns to Marugon.
    “Mr. Belphon, you okay?” 
    Arran nodded. “I’m fine. Just thinking.”
    Robert grinned. “Well, if you like towers, wait until you see this close-up.