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The original was posted on /r/hfy by /u/DrDoritosMD on 2025-06-24 21:19:09+00:00.
Blurb/Synopsis
Captain Henry Donnager expected a quiet career babysitting a dusty relic in Area 51. But when a test unlocks a portal to a world of knights and magic, he’s thrust into command of Alpha Team, an elite unit tasked with exploring this new realm.
They join the local Adventurers Guild, seeking to unravel the secrets of this fantastical realm and the ancient gateway’s creators. As their quests reveal the potent forces of magic, they inadvertently entangle in the volatile politics between local rivalling factions.
With American technology and ancient secrets in the balance, Henry’s team navigates alliances and hostilities, enlisting local legends and air support in their quest. In a land where dragons loom, they discover that modern warfare’s might—Hellfire missiles included—holds its own brand of magic.
NOTE: Prepare for Senry
Chapter 49: First Time for Everything (1)
The convoy ground to a halt in front of what had to be Arnsburg’s premier lodging establishment – a respectable three-story structure that actually looked like it might have proper beds. After the day they’d had, Henry would’ve settled for a barn with clean straw.
“Captain Donnager,” Perry’s voice came through the comm. “If you could join Mr. Wolcott and myself to speak with the proprietor? Lord Brusk will be accompanying us as well.”
“Copy that, Ambassador. On my way.” Henry hopped out of the MRAP, muscles protesting after hours of getting knocked around on shit roads. He caught Ron’s eye. “Keep everyone buttoned up until we know what we’re dealing with.”
“Yup.”
Henry made his way to Perry’s vehicle, where the Ambassador was already out and adjusting his jacket – everyone had exchanged their envirosuits for apparel more suitable for sleeping in an inn. Wolcott stood nearby, already cataloging sight lines and entry points. The man never switched off.
“Thoughts?” Perry asked Wolcott, though Henry could tell the question was meant for both of them.
“Solid structure. Defensible, clear egress,” Wolcott assessed. “And this damn weather’s on our side, much as I hate to say it. Oughta slow ‘em down, even if their mages can handle the cold.”
Henry couldn’t have put it better himself. “Yeah,” he agreed. “We’ll get the guys on a perimeter, too. Get some acoustics out, IR trips.”
Lord Brusk emerged from the vehicle, his family remaining inside for now. Despite the dirt and dried blood on his armor, the man still carried himself like someone who’d been trained from birth to project authority.
The inn’s door cracked open, a dwarf’s head poking out cautiously before the rest of him followed. It was a stocky guy in a leather apron, gray streaking his brown beard. His eyes kept darting between their group and the vehicles behind them, but this wasn’t just casual curiosity. The guy looked genuinely shaken, like all the other Ovinnish citizens they’d met.
“By the forge…” he muttered.
He cleared his throat, composing himself before he looked up to address them. “Evenin’ to ye, sirs – though I’ll confess, I thought the world was crackin’ apart when I heard them demons’ growlin’ comin’ up the road! ‘Tis Mal’dan Karlin speakin’, keeper o’ this house, an’ in forty years o’ takin’ travelers, I’ve never seen the like.”
Mal’dan was a fast speaker, probably better fit for being a political commentator than a dwarf. Before Perry or Brusk could even respond with an introduction of their own, Mal’dan continued, “What sorcery drives them beasts? They reek o’ burnt iron an’ move like they’re breathin’, but there’s nary horse nor ox I can spy! Are they… are they tame, sirs? They’ve gone still as death now, but that rumblin’ fair shook the stones from me chimney.”
Henry caught Perry’s glance. They’d dealt with this before, enough that it was veering into routine territory.
Perry stepped forward with a warm, disarming chuckle. “Oh, I assure you, Mister Karlin. They’re tame, alright. These are… self-propelled carriages of a sort, from our homeland.” He gestured to himself with formality. “I am Ambassador John Perry, representing the United States of America. We seek lodging for the evening – both for ourselves and these refugees from Lord Noran Brusk’s territory of Addelm.”
Karlin’s eyes snapped to Brusk, recognition dawning through his obvious anxiety. “Lord Brusk? Heavens preserve us – my lord, I scarce knew ye! What devilry has befallen? Ye look like ye’ve been dragged through the pits, beggin’ yer pardon.”
“I am well enough, thanks to these men, Karlin. The machines are strange, aye, but they’ve done me no harm. Quite the contrary – they saved my people when we came under attack by a pair of Bralnors. We’ve many souls in need of shelter for the night, before we continue our journey to Enstadt.”
“Bralnors? But surely –” Karlin’s face went pale, whatever thoughts he’d had about the vehicles temporarily overwhelmed by a more familiar terror. “Yer pardon, my lords. How many rooms will ye be needin’?”
“Enough for around seventy people. What do you have available?” Perry asked.
“Fifteen rooms I’ve got, all told – ten doubles, five for singles. Also got a part o’ the inn out back, with toilets and baths. But sirs, with respect, if half yer company needs housin’, they’ll be sleepin’ rough in the common room or doubled up tight. Though after what ye’ve been through… aye, we’ll make do somehow. Can’t turn away souls fleein’ the claw, can we now?”
“Indeed so. Your common hall,” Lord Brusk said. “How many could it hold for sleeping?”
“For beddin’ down proper?” Karlin scratched his beard, still occasionally glancing at the purring vehicles outside. “Thirty souls, maybe more if they don’t mind sleepin’ shoulder to shoulder. We’ve had harvest crews an’ drovers’ companies bed down here plenty o’ times – laid out like cordwood when the weather turns foul. ‘Tis no luxury, mind ye, but the hearth keeps it warm through the night, an’ there’s straw enough fer decent beddin’. Better than freezin’ under the stars, ‘specially with them beasties prowlin’ about.”
Perry glanced at Henry and Wolcott. “Recommendations?”
“Rooms for the refugees,” Henry said, turning to Brusk. “How many do you need?”
The nobleman must’ve already run the numbers, answering immediately. “The ten doubles shall suffice for my entire caravan, including Lady Livia’s party.”
“Alright. Then that leaves the singles for us, with everyone else down in the common area.” Henry gave a nod to Wolcott and Perry. “I’m guessing we’ll be prioritizing the diplomatic staff for the singles.”
Wolcott clarified, “Oughta be four rooms – one for the Ambassador, three for his and my staff, so that leaves one.”
“It can go to Captain Donnager,” Perry offered with a perfectly neutral expression that somehow still managed to convey amusement. “Unless of course the Captain has already made alternative arrangements? I understand Lady Sera requires accommodation as well.”
Henry kept his face blank even as he felt heat creep up his neck. Perry’s tone was pure diplomatic innocence, but the implication was clear enough.
“I’ll sort out accommodations for my team, Ambassador,” Henry said evenly.
“Of course.” Perry’s slight smile suggested he knew exactly how those accommodations would be sorted. “Just ensuring we account for everyone.”
Wolcott coughed in a way that sounded suspiciously like suppressed laughter.
Even Lord Brusk seemed to have caught the implication, but he didn’t dwell. “Mister Karlin,” he said, “I vouch for these men personally. Whatever they require, pray see it done.”
The innkeeper nodded. “Aye, my lord. An’ these… carriages o’ yers? Will they be needin’ stable room?”
“Oh, the vehicles? Nah, we can just leave ‘em outside,” Henry said, waving a hand dismissively. “But we’ll need to store some equipment in the rooms. That going to be a problem?”
“No trouble at all, sir. I’ve had many adventurers storin’ their gear. Every door’s got good locks, an’ we’ve never had bother wi’ thievin’. Not in my house, we haven’t.” Karlin straightened with pride. “Though I must ask – will yer folk be takin’ meals? Kitchen’s well-stocked, but feedin’ this many… ‘tis a fair challenge, I’ll not lie.”
Perry handled that smoothly. “Lord Brusk’s people must take priority for hot meals, of course. Master Karlin, please see they’re fed first. My people have our own provisions.”
Henry appreciated Perry taking point on that. Saved him from having to be the bad guy telling his troops they were eating MREs while refugees got real food. Not that anyone would complain – they all understood the optics – but coming from the Ambassador made it a diplomatic decision rather than a military one.
“Right then, sir. Shall I show ye the rooms, then?”
“Please,” Perry said. “Mr. Wolcott, Captain, if you’ll begin coordinating getting everyone inside? Lord Brusk, perhaps your family would prefer to get settled immediately?”
“Indeed.” Brusk turned back to his carriage. “I’ll see to them directly.”
As the group dispersed, Wolcott fell into step beside Henry. Here it came.
“Fifteen rooms,” Wolcott mused. “Gonna be tight. Sure you don’t wanna consider alternative arrangements? Maybe double up with someone?” His tone was perfectly professional, but Henry caught the undertone.
“I’ll figure it out,” Henry said evenly.
“I’m sure you will.” Wolcott’s smile was just shy of a smirk. “Perhaps that elf advisor of yours might have some …
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