Asskickers of the Fantastic by Jim Stenstrum

Author:Jim Stenstrum [Stenstrum, Jim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-12-30T05:00:00+00:00

In 2009, the Asskickers flew to Romania, responding to an urgent summons from Father Blaskó, the sole survivor of the bunker massacre. Over the years, the priest had watched helplessly as Spiderback usurped control – slowly, behind the scenes — of the Romanian government. But when the Demon Lord announced a move to England, intending to expand his sinister dominion across Europe, the priest knew he had to act fast and quickly called in professional help.

The Asskickers met Father Blaskó at the Cluj-Napoca Airport in Romania, and in the airport lounge, the priest laid out the particulars to the team.

“You will travel by car to Moartea, a small village on the way to Castle Spiderback,” the priest instructed them. “I will not be accompanying you there. Spiderback would certainly kill me if he found out I spoke to you.”

“I quite understand,” said Lars.

“I have made arrangements for your team to stay at the inn there for as long as you need. It is run by good people who can be trusted.”

Father Blaskó unfolded a map, and pointed to a pass in the Carpathian Mountains.

“From Moartea, you will have to go through the Borgo Pass to reach the castle. It is very dangerous. Do not travel it at night.”

“I’m well aware of the danger,” said Lars. “My own parents were killed in the Borgo Pass when I was a child.”

The priest nodded sympathetically, and then laid out another document, a hand-drawn diagram.

“These are the plans to the restored castle, which will help you to find Spiderback’s resting place. Be safe, my friends, and may God grant you the strength you will need to destroy this hellish abomination forever.”

“Thank you for your help, Father,” said Lars, taking the documents. “I promise you, Vargos Spiderback’s reign of terror will soon be at an end.”

“I’ll kick his ass clean off and mail it to you,” said Rex.

“And I’ll burn down his castle,” said Springer.

“And I’ll try to explain things to the authorities, as usual,” said Bruno, with a laugh.

Two hours later, the Asskickers arrived at a small rustic inn in Moartea called the Han Ambuscadă. By this time it was dusk and much too dangerous to venture any closer to the castle, so they took up rooms at the inn for the night.

After unpacking, Lars and the others sat down for supper in the quaint dining room, which had changed little since the communist takeover in the 1940s. Through the window, Lars could see Castle Spiderback on a distant mountaintop, illuminated by the moonlight. It looked as if the castle had been completely restored to its original 12th century splendor, and added a paved road and electric street lights, probably to impress foreign dignitaries.

As the young waitress served the meal, Lars watched the innkeeper close all the shutters in the dining room, blocking the view of the castle. Obviously, nightfall made the people of the inn especially uneasy. He looked at the villagers dining at the other tables, and all of them were eating their meals in grim silence.

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