JACOB FROST Chapter 5; Part 1 – Sentinel Village

The passage through the dimensions was just as choppy as before, and when they reappeared Jacob along with Emalynn were tightly grasping onto the wooden seat with both of their hands. They turned curiously in their seats, reorienting themselves by studying the area. To their sides was a beautiful deep blue lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains and a meadow covered in light green grass. And directly ahead of them rested a quaint village that was surrounded by scattered cottages all roofed with dried thatched grass. Within the village clusters of brick and wooden buildings could be seen strewn between wide cobblestone streets, and in the town’s center a magnificent medieval castle rose up, framed with tall sandstone block towers.

Mr. Pitts shook the reins and they began to roll forward, following a dirt road that changed to cobblestone at the village’s entrance. They rolled past a cottage and Jacob stared down through an open door at a bearded man who was standing with a measured height of no more than four feet.

“Is that a dwarf,” he asked, amazed at his small size.

“Yes indeedee,” replied Mr. Pitts. “About a quarter of the Sentinel Village’s population are dwarfs.”

“I thought all real dwarfs lived underground,” said Emalynn, seeming surprised by Mr. Pitts’ answer.

“At one time they did,” replied Mr. Pitts. “But since the Enchanted Realm was evacuated, many live above ground with us now. The evacuation was bedlam, and no one kept track of everybody’s where-abouts. So over the years we sentinels have made stupendous efforts to locate and map all of the escaped populations. But we have yet to find one group that simply up and disappeared, a true mystery in the making, the lost Kingdom of Dwarfs. So the dwarfs that you see here with us now are stragglers left behind from their own kind, and gathering here as sort of a meeting spot. Seems Sentinel Village has become the official home for lost dwarfs.”

As they rolled up onto the cobblestone the wagon shoved upward with an abrupt jerk, and Jacob again tightened his grip on the seat. Mr. Pitts responded by immediately pulling back on the reins to slow the wagon and ease the back wheels up over the sharp hump. The village streets were crowded with brightly clothed people of diverse ethnicity; it was a thriving community with an abundance of small shops and an assortment of businesses lining the streets. The store buildings were constructed of multicolored bricks with blazing colored tiled roofs, each displaying their own unique patterns. And inside the shops, customers were crowded around the counters purchasing bundles of merchandise. Along the store frontages stretched wooden walkways, all packed with bustling shoppers. They continued on, passing an assortment of fascinating merchants; ‘Crum the Baker’, ‘The Sentinels’ Gear’, ‘Smiley’s Dental Office’, ‘Cruddy’s Toy Shop’ and ‘Harry’s Dwarf Barbershop Fur Thee Short En’ Tall.

“Yes indeedee, this is the main street of Dallanbach,” said Mr. Pitts. “Where you can find just about anything you want, the best shopping in town.”

A stocky dwarf popped his head out of the barbershop door and waived. “GOOD EH MORNIN’ MR. PITTS,” he called. “HOW ABOOT EH HAIRCUT JUST TAS SHORT TAS MINE?”

To their side another wagon rolled past, partially blocking the view.

Mr. Pitts placed his cuffed hand to the side of his mouth and hollered back, “SORRY NOT TODAY HARRY, BUT THANKS ANYWAY FOR YOUR KIND OFFER.”

Passing by several more shops they came to a stop in front of a sign reading “Mum’s Boarding House.” Set back from the boardwalk the boarding house rested between two neighboring businesses, ‘The Frosty Mug Tavern’ and ‘Twinkles Homely Dwarf Miracle Beauty Supplies.’ Mum’s Boarding House was a traditional two-story wood framed building with bay windows. On the porch rested two rocking chairs surrounded by an overgrowth of potted plants. The dwelling immediately grabbed Jacob’s attention, resembling similar homes found in his dimension. Yellow in color and bordered by a white picket fence, it appeared completely out of place with the rest of the buildings in Sentinel Village.

“This is it!” exclaimed Mr. Pitts, “your new home! Most sentinels are married and able to host their apprentices in their own residence. But since I’m single, a poor cook and my cottage is piled full of splendid rummage, you’ll both be staying here.”

“Then there are other apprentices like us in the village?” asked Emalynn.

“Nope not at all. They’re all scattered throughout the vast dimensional realms. You see sentinels along with their apprentices are strategically placed to guard the world from underhanded skew-whiffs. But whenever there is a need for a rescue squad, or whenever duty calls us to a boring meeting, or whenever we sentinels just get the urge for some good eats, or to do a little shopping, we all valiantly pop into Sentinel Village with only the push of a few buttons. Ahhhh the beauty of orb travel, we sentinels are truly spoiled and can pop in and out of wherever we want to go. But you two serendipitous apprentices are really the lucky ones, assigned here permanently with me. As one of the local area protectors we get to live right here in the very headquarters of the fabulous sentinels.”

They climbed down from off the tall seat and Jacob then helped Mr. Pitts with the unloading of their luggage from the back of the wagon’s hovel. Emalynn eagerly marched ahead and pulled open the front door holding it open as she impatiently tapped her foot. Jacob was the first to lug his suitcase up the stairs and across the porch, while Mr. Pitts arduously followed behind him. Hunched over and red in the face he wrestled with both of Emalynn’s heavy suitcases, heaving them one at a time up over the steps.

“Oh how charming! I’ve always wanted to stay in an old fashioned place like this!” exclaimed Emalynn, peeking inside the home and ignoring Mr. Pitts’ exhaustive effort, as he struggled past her into the house’s entryway.

Inside to their left was a large parlor with a wide stone hearth fireplace. The parlor’s hardwood floor was covered with a round carpet that rested underneath the claw feet of a Victorian styled couch that had been unjustly upholstered in ugly green velvet, and hubbed between two non-matching red arm chairs. Directly across from the parlor was the dinning room with an attached well-fitted kitchen, and centered in the middle of the house was a wide stairway, climbing upward with a slight bend to the left.

On the wall Jacob immediately spotted an odd looking poster labeled in big blue letters ‘DCR’, with illustrated pictures of flying carpets piloted by frenzied-eyed dwarfs speeding high above the village streets.

“Golly, do they really fly on carpets here?” he asked, finding it hard to imagine.

“Yes indeedeedoo,” replied Mr. Pitts, “wildest race you’ll ever see. The Dwarf Carpet Race is the biggest thing that ever hit Dallanbach!”

Emalynn stepped up closer and vocally read from the poster, “The DCR is a dangerous magical carpet race through hidden caves and the city of Dallanbach. The winner will receive the bones of a Barbary lamb.”

“Who would want the bones of a dead lamb?” questioned Jacob, thinking the race may not be so wonderful after all.

“I don’t know,” she replied shrugging her shoulders. “They probably use it to make a tasty soup or something. What do you think Mr. Pits?”

“Oh you’re here,” came an unknown voice.

“Hello Mum, your new borders are here,” said Mr. Pitts, placing a hand on Jacob’s shoulder.

Jacob turned to see an elderly lady with a pleasant smile ambling out of the kitchen. She wore her gray hair up in a circular cluster wrapped tightly on the back of her head. Her dress, made from a simple material wtih printed patterns of red and yellow flowers, draped around her heavy-set frame like a loose curtain. Affectionately she stepped in front of them and carefully looked them each over with her hazel eyes. “My oh my, you two children are so young and must be frightened to be here without your parents,” she said and then smiled, showing her crooked teeth. She drew closer to Emalynn and bent over giving her a warm hug. “Oh it’s so nice to have you both here with us,” she said, ending her hug and turning to assault Jacob with her mollycoddling. Straight away Jacob moved behind Mr. Pitts, determined to avoid any unmanly affection.

“Please call me Mum, dear old Mum,” she said, as she starred at Jacob grinning. “Welcome to my boarding house.” Mum turned, and Jacob breathed a sigh of relief. But swift as a striking viper, Mum whirled about and lunged behind Mr. Pitts.

From out of the corner of his eye Jacob caught a blurred glimpse of something big rushing towards him, however before he had a chance to react she had him trapped snug in her out stretched arms, squeezing him tight like an oozing sponge. “Oh fiddlesticks! I should’ve seen that coming,” he mumbled, turning red with embarrassment.

“Oh how sweet,” teased Emalynn. “I can tell that Jacob likes to be cuddled.”

With a satisfied sigh Mum released her grip and then continued, “As you requested Mr. Pitts you have two delightful rooms available—number three a girls room, and number five a boys room. You two children will find the keys to your rooms on your beds. Bedding is supplied once a week. Breakfast is at 7:30 sharp and we do not wait on breakfast so be prompt. Everyone is to be in bed by 9:30 PM with no exceptions, especially youngsters.” A loud repulsive click sounded from her mouth and she paused, holding her hand to her lips. “Oh my!” she exclaimed. “Please excuse me! You’ll find that as you get older your body does some strange things, like making unexpected noises when your tongue sticks to the roof of your mouth. Please pardon me if I make any more odd smacking sounds when I talk.”

Emalynn giggled, and Mum resumed her orientation with a smile. “I have just one more request to ask and then you can go to your rooms. We have two other borders, Ms. Suomy Nona and Mr. Gorfnam. Ms. Nona never comes out of her room, and Mr. Gorfnam works at night sleeping during the day. Now please listen carefully, both of them are never to be disturbed. So be extra quiet in your rooms and in the hallway. Please do not wake or bother them.”

Obediently the apprentices nodded in response.

“Good then,” she said, adding another loud smack. “If you have any questions or need anything at all, please don’t hesitate asking me, dear old Mum.”

“Thank you Mum,” said Mr. Pitts. “Once you two are unpacked you can start on your first training assignment.”

Mr. Pitts bent over and once again picked up Emalynn’s luggage with both hands. His face turned red and he began to slowly stagger up the stairs. Jacob followed close behind managing his own small suitcase while Emalynn effortlessly shadowed Jacob. Dangerously Mr. Pitts leaned backwards, and Jacob not wanting to end up like a flattened pancake held back his ascent.

“Hurry up Jacob,” complained Emalynn, nudging his back.

Gasping heavily between breaths, Mr. Pitts began to explain, “Your very first homework assignment—huff—huff—ughh—will be to—huff—huff—ooumph—tour the Dallanbach Zoo, a sentinel needs to know about the unexpected. Be back here by 5:00 p.m., we have a banquet to attend at the castle, the Magistrate—huff—huff—aaaurggh— of Dimensional Keeping is honoring all new apprentices today.”

Reaching the top of the stairs Mr. Pitts staggered down the hall with his legs wobbling, at last coming to a stop in front of Emalynn’s room. Then with a loud “THUD,” her luggage fell out of his hands smacking the floor. Red in the face, he loosely shook his arms and noisily breathed in and out as he rolled his head in circles. “Judging from your suitcases,” he gasped, “I can tell you really like reading Emalynn.” He stood frozen for a moment, panting for more air, and then pressed a finger to his lips, whispering, “Now remember to always follow my lead, like being quiet in the hallway so you don’t wake your neighbors—huff, huff, huff.” Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a wad of folded paper. “Now here’s some spending money for you two—huff, huff—with a little extra for a tasty lunch if you get hungry. I always enjoy having lunch—huff, huff, huff—and remember to keep an eye pealed for anything new and strange so we can chat about it latter—huff—huff. This will be your very first adventure as apprentices, so be careful and have fun.”

“Thanks,” replied Emalynn, taking all the money. “By the way Mr. Pitts, you did know that my luggage has wheels didn’t you?”

“Well—uh yes—indeedeedoo I knew exactly that—huff—huff. I was just testing my manly strength, otherwise I would have always wondered whether I was up to the challenge of carrying your luggage all the way into the house, up the stairs, and down the hall—huff—huff—without even rolling it once. Good luck with your assignment.” said Mr. Pitts. He turned and held up his hand, waving as he slowly walked back through the hallway to descend back down the stairs, huffing and puffing while mumbling something about wheels under his breath.

Eager to see Sentinel Village Jacob rushed into his room and without delay he began to unpack his belongings, while Emalynn casually rolled her luggage into her room. Inside Jacob found his room furnished with a bed, dresser, and an undersized desk and chair. The room reminded him of his own room back home, and immediately he felt at ease. Anxious to go and not wanting to be late, he rushed through his unpacking and then dashed down the stairs, where he ended up impatiently waiting for Emalynn in the parlor. As the time passed he began to regret how he had sloppily heaped his clothes into the dresser drawers. Since he had to wait anyway, maybe he should have taken the time to sort and fold them first. In time Emalynn sauntered into the parlor and Jacob, anxious to go, led the way out of the boarding house and onto the crowded boardwalk full of shoppers who mostly had their hands full carrying boxes and bags.

“So what’s it like growing up with an uncle that’s a powerful enchanter?” asked Emalynn, as they squeezed through the crowd.

“Ahh, he never did anything magic, least ways that I know of,” replied Jacob, hurriedly side stepping around a tall lady holding an armful of full shopping bags.

“Same here. Back home most everyone I know are from the enchanted realm, but until now I’ve only heard about enchantment, we’re not allowed to actually use it. Not like it was before everyone fled from Lacsar and that jerk sealed up our realm.”

“That Lacsar must be one evil fellow.”

“He’s horrible! They call him the Dark Realm King, but I just call him the Bum! He doesn’t deserve the title of king!”

“So are there many others like us from the Enchanted Realm?” asked Jacob, accidentally bumping shoulders with an elderly lady. “Oh excuse me,” he quickly apologized.

“Rrrrrruff,” growled back the lady, snapping her teeth like an incensed dog.

The old woman ambled away and Jacob surprised by her behavior stood and stared at her, wondering if he had been any closer, would she have bitten him? He then hurried through the crowd to catch up with Emalynn.

“Oh Yes. I’ve got cousins, aunts and uncles who are all enchanters and enchantresses, and most of my friends are also from the Enchanted Realm,” replied Emalynn, not especially bothered by the oncoming shoppers, while easily slipping in between them. “The Dimension of the Modern is loaded with us second dimensionors. But we’re taught that since we’re refugees in a dimension that’s not ours that we’re to respect it and not pollute it with our way of life. That’s why we keep our traditions a secret.”

They drew close to the Frosty Mug Tavern, and Jacob curious to see inside, rushed ahead and cracked open the tavern door. Emalynn immediately crowded in next to his side, and together they both poked their heads in.

“COME EN’ YOUNG’UNGS, COME EN’,” came an elderly woman’s voice. “WE BE OFFERIN’ FREE CELSER WHIFF AND CONFECTION TO ALL FIRST TIME CUSTOMERS. WE’RE TRULY DELIGHTED TA EH HAVE YE VISIT OUR LOBLY TAVERN.”

Jacob pushed open the door and then politely held it for Emalynn. She entered the eatery first and he eagerly followed. The tavern was crowded with a medley of customers made up of dwarf and men, all engaged in noisy conversations. Tables, counters, stools and benches were staggered to comfortably fit their different sizes, giving the room an unbalanced but comfortable look. In the far corner there was a wooden dance floor with a colorfully painted organ crowned by tall wooden organ pipes. Lining evenly across the exterior of the golden pipes were enchanted faces, and magically puffing their cheeks in and out their mouths energetically tooted the harmonous organ music. A portly dwarf sat on a bench banging out the lively tunes on the wooden keyboard, while customers crowded the dance floor stomping fast paced jigs in rhythm to the merry melodies.

“No one back home would ever believe this!” shouted Jacob over the loud music, reckoning the tavern had to be stranger than any of Miss Kipper’s tall tales.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before either, isn’t it cool!” agreed Emalynn.
Jacob looked at her puzzled, and then replied, “Well for me it’s a bit on the warm side.”

“No Jacob that’s not what I meant,” answered Emalynn with a grin. “We say cool in my dimension when things are wonderful.”

“Cooool! In my dimension we just say nifty.”

From the center of the room a stocky dwarf made her way around the tables, and eyeing the apprentices she headed directly towards them. Her pure white hair curled around her head, and from a wrinkled round cheeked face a comical wide nose bulged out between green puffy eyes. She was roughly four feet tall and wore a long red dress that swept across the floor. Over the front of her dress hung a white apron that was attached by red buttons lined evenly on both sides.

“E’llo, me name tis Mrs. Oubladew, owner of this wonderful magical tavern. Me husband tis over there, tending thee counter,” she said, as she pointed with her chubby hand.

Jacob looked over to see standing behind the short end of a long staggered counter, a baldheaded dwarf with outcroppings of purple hair sprouting from the sides of his head. His nose looked similar to Mrs. Oubladew’s, round and pudgy, and his face was weathered with loose wrinkled skin and drooping cheeks. The plump dwarf bent over briefly disappearing behind the counter to suddenly pop back up again. In his hands he held two empty glass mugs and a full glass pitcher. Carefully he ascended a short stepladder and placed the mugs and pitcher on the counter. Once set, he motioned with his hand for them to come.

“YE TWO STEP OBER HERE ENN’ TRY EH WEE BIT OF ME CELSER WHIFF. TIS ENCHANTED ENN’ EH FAVORITE DRINK AMONG YOUNG’UNGS,” he cried.

As the two curiously approached, Mr. Oubladew poured the reddish drink from the pitcher to graciously fill both mugs. Jacob was first to the counter and eagerly he picked up a foaming mug of Celser Whiff and held it up high. He then stared through the frosty glass at the tiny bubbles rising upwards to the foam. The organ began to blast away with an even louder tune, and boisterous conversations throughout the tavern grew even more clamorous, as customers began to shout over the blaring melody.

“WHAT’S SO ENCHANTED ABOUT IT?” hollered Jacob.

“WELL LAD DRINK UP ENN’ SEE,” shouted back Mr. Oubladew with a big open grin, showing off his yellow teeth.

Emalynn stepped up to the counter and stood next to Jacob. As Jacob slowly brought his mug to his mouth, she stared into her clear bubbly drink. The foam slid over the rim of his glass, dripping onto the counter, and enthusiastically he took a stout gulp, guzzling a full mouthful down to leave a foamy white mustache pasted over his lip. Satisfied, he smacked the mug back down hard on the counter and wiped his mouth with his shirt sleeve. “THAT WAS REAL TASTY!” he exclaimed.

Oddly Emalynn reacted by placing her hands on her stomach and rubbing. Her eyes squinted and her mouth formed a tight lip expression, as if she were straining to hold something back. From her lower back end a slow rolling and dreadfully loud, “POPPETY, POP, POP, POP” burst out, scenting the area in a pleasant sweet smell of cinnamon apple cider. With a sudden start she dropped open her mouth and turned toward Jacob, giving him an innocent ‘that wasn’t me look.’ Uncontrollably Jacob responded back with hysterical laughter.

Expressing her embarrassing anger she glared at Jacob and cried, “IT’S PAY BACK TIME JACOB!” Red in the face she lifted her mug to her mouth, took a stout swig of the bubbly drink, and swallowed a very generous portion.

At that exact moment Jacob felt something unusual, a growing violent twisting pressure building up in his buttocks, and not being able to hold it in, he relinquished a passing frosty vapor that exploded similar to a discharging cannon. “BANG, BANG, BANG,” echoed through the tavern. The air around him carried the tainted odor of a strong sweet orange. Mr. Oubladew happily scurried up his stepladder, leaned over the counter, and took a long whiff of the perfumy treat.

“Aaaaah!” he exclaimed, as the apprentices exploded in unrestrained laughter. “MINT TANGERINE ORANGE WITH A HINT OF LYLAC,” he shouted, followed by surrounding customers heartily cheering. “YE SEE YOUNG’UNGS,” he enthusiastically continued. “WHOMEVER YE ARE THINKUN’ ABOOT WHEN YE SWIG ME CELSER WHIFF, WELL, THEY EMIT EH TOLERABLE BANG ENN’ EH WHIFF OF FRAGRANT PERFUME INDIVIDUALLY CREATED FUR THEE OCCASION. EACH WHIFF TIS UNIQUELY FORGED TAS EACH INDIVIDUAL’S LOWER FOUNDATION TIS DISSIMILAR. QUITE EMBARRASSIN’, BUT TAS I SAID YOUNG’UNGS ARE QUITE ATWITTER FUR THIS BREW.”