Episode 11: The Brothers Galdin and Vilda
At last, the document was notarized, and all that remained was to deliver it to the Council of Sorcerers. But Thomas claimed this would be the hardest part yet… what did he mean?
Night fell, and they stayed the night at Thomas's modest home—a single living room—but they didn't mind. It was their first night in the Land of Wonders, though their dreams were haunted by the massacre of their families that day. Vilda even cried in his sleep.
Morning finally came. Thomas had prepared three cups of coffee. After drinking, they set off for the Council of Sorcerers. The council's building floated in mid-air, tethered to the ground by four massive chains—a sight truly majestic.
Galdin: "Whoa! How was this place built? And how is it floating like that? And how are we even supposed to get up there?"
The building stood four stories high, with nothing nearby to climb—except for a small phone booth directly beneath it. Thomas stepped out of the booth holding three slips of paper.
Thomas: "These slips will let us in."
Galdin: "Hey, explain this whole crazy building to me."
Thomas: "Alright, here's the story. This place was built ten centuries ago by the Great Sorcerer, the first human ruler of the Land of Wonders. It floats using a complex flight spell only he knew. He anchored it with chains so it wouldn't drift away into the sky. Back then, the land swarmed with monsters, so raising the council into the air kept it safe."
Galdin: "And the slips? And that phone booth?"
Thomas: "To enter, you need an entry permit. The phone booth is the only way to contact them."
Galdin: "Okay, so how do we get in now?"
Thomas: "…I don't know."
Galdin & Vilda: "WHAT?!"
Thomas: "The gate opens only once a month. It opened last week. Unless you can fly, you can't enter—and we can't fly."
Galdin: "Great, another problem. So, if it's once a month, how do others get up there?"
Thomas: "See that platform on the west side? It rises up to the gate, but it only works when the gate's open. And right now… it's closed."
Vilda: "What about the chains? We could climb them."
Thomas: "Impossible. They're anti-magic chains. Touch them, and your powers are sealed for a whole day."
Vilda: "Damn."
Galdin: "Come on, Thomas. Didn't you say your father's a big-time businessman? Surely he knows someone on the council."
Thomas: "He's not here—he's at a meeting in a nearby town."
Four hours passed without a solution.
Thomas: "I'm starving. Let's grab a meal at that restaurant—maybe food will give us an idea."
Galdin: "Fine."
The restaurant was run by a small family. Among the staff was a peculiar girl: curly black hair down to her shoulders, a pointed black hat, a black cloak and gloves, dark circles under her eyes. She served all the customers.
At one table, a group of rowdy men laughed obnoxiously. When the girl brought their drinks, one of them tried to flirt and asked her out. She grimaced, slipped off one glove with a smirk, handed him his drink, and said:
"In your dreams."
He ignored her and kept laughing—until the glass spilled in his face, soaking him completely. The whole place burst into laughter, calling him the fool who couldn't even hold his own drink.
Galdin: "Hahaha! He's drunk."
Thomas: "Haha, no, he's just an idiot."
Thomas noticed the girl chuckling as she put her glove back on, avoiding touching anything with bare hands. (Hmm… was she the reason that glass slipped?)
He stood, called out:
"Ooooh, my beautiful lady, may I kiss your hand?"
Producing a rose from nowhere, he knelt on one knee.
"Please, accept my humble gift."
Flustered, she slapped him hard—sending him flying—then returned to her work.
Galdin: "What were you THINKING?!"
Vilda: "You embarrassed us! Everyone's staring!"
Galdin: "What if they'd kicked us out?!"
Thomas: "She's strong… and she made sure to slap me with her gloved hand. She avoided touching me with her bare hand."
Galdin: "And who cares?"
Thomas: "That girl's hiding something. I'll find out. Waitress! Another drink!"
When she brought the juice, Thomas "accidentally" spilled it on her dress and apologized. She went to the restroom to wash it.
Thomas: "I'm going after her. I'll get her secret."
In the shared restroom, she was washing her dress without taking it off. Seeing Thomas in the mirror, she turned, hurried to finish, and tried to leave, but he blocked the door. Twirling his cane, he said:
Girl: "Who are you? What do you want, you creep?"
Thomas: "I want to fight you."
She froze, taking a defensive stance. Thomas lunged, swinging his cane. She dodged skillfully, but he pressed the attack, driving her into a corner. Striking fast, he ripped off her right glove—she immediately fought one-handed. He pulled off the other, and she hid her hands.
(Haha, how will you defend yourself now?)
He grabbed a bottle of cleaner and hurled it at her. Instinctively, she raised her hand—knocking it to the floor. Then something unexpected happened… the bottle came alive, shouting:
"How dare you attack my mistress, you scoundrel!"
It leapt at Thomas, but he smacked it with his cane and sent it flying out the window.
Silence.
Thomas handed back her gloves. She put them on.
Thomas: "Hmm… strange magic you've got. But you're hiding it. Here's my deal: help us, or I reveal your secret."
Girl: "Help you with what?"
He pointed out the window toward the floating council building.
Thomas: "Getting up there."
So… how will the strange girl help them reach the skies? And what will happen next?