Free Helen and Troy's Epic Road Quest by A. Lee Martinez Page B

serious about this, Jillian. Game over.”
    She mumbled something before turning and jogging down the street.
    â€œGood luck with…all that,” shouted the cook insincerely.
    Troy and Helen stepped up to the counter.
    â€œShe’ll look back,” said the cook.
    They glanced to see the woman looking over her shoulder at them.
    â€œEverybody looks back. Welcome to the Meat Wagon,” said the cook. “What can I get you? Might I recommend the brisket? Got a pretty good ham sandwich too.”
    â€œAgent Waechter sent us,” said Troy.
    â€œNever heard of him.”
    Helen and Troy flashed their badges.
    â€œPut those things away,” said the cook. “Never could stand those NQB suits. Did they give you the Greater Good speech yet? If they haven’t, they will. Biggest load of bull you’re going to hear. Mortals who think they’re smarter than the gods above. Not that the gods are any better. Bunch of clueless morons, every single one of them.”
    Helen and Troy were unsure of what to say, so said nothing.
    â€œAh, hell. Sorry for the rant. I’ve been on this job too long. You can only gaze into the future and all its possibilities for so long before it gets to you. Now why don’t you give me a minute to fix up an order of brisket. And some French fries for the lady. Sorry, but it’s about the only thing I got suitable for vegetarians.”
    â€œHow’d you know I’m a vegetarian?” she asked.
    â€œKnowing things is my thing,” he said. “Pollux Castor is the name. Seeing is my burden. I see what even the gods cannot see, know what even the Fates are uncertain of. I’ve also mastered the art of barbeque, but nobody ever seems as excited about that.”
    â€œWhere are we?” asked Troy.
    Pollux disappeared into the shadowy regions of his vehicle, but they could hear his voice. “We are currently in a sacred glen, a hidden place where neither mortal nor immortal treads lightly. Many years ago, civilization succeeded in doing what the gods never could and paved over it. But you can’t destroy something like that. So it returned as this hallowed city block, this perfect realm between.”
    â€œBetween what?”
    â€œYou name it.” Pollux shuffled into the light and dropped a paper plate of meat. “But it’s lousy for business, so I’m going to have to charge you for the meal. That’ll be three bucks. Also, you might want to remember that the future of your entire quest depends on what I say in about four minutes when you consider the tip.”
    Troy was worried Pollux might not take their NQB credit card, but money was money. The oracle didn’t discriminate. He informed them it would be a few minutes on the fries, and that while they waited they should get their sword and wand out so that he could explain how to use them. They had no place to sit and leaned against the Chimera while Troy ate his late breakfast.
    â€œHow is it?” Helen asked.
    â€œGood. Kind of greasy.”
    A three-legged dog trotted up and sat before them. The fluffy brown-and-gray mongrel lowered its floppy ears and whined.
    Troy put down his plate, and the dog wolfed down the meat.
    The back door to the Meat Wagon opened, and Pollux exited. He was a short, hirsute man. Not fat but certainly stout. He thrust a cardboard tray of fries at Helen. “No charge, miss. They aren’t very good.”
    â€œUh, thanks?” Helen looked at the soggy planks of undercooked potatoes but didn’t take a bite.
    Pollux wiped his hands on his stained apron and studied the dog eating brisket.
    â€œI had a big breakfast,” said Troy.
    â€œYou paid for it. You can throw it in the garbage for all I care.” Pollux held out his hand. “OK, let me see the sword.”
    Troy gave him the weapon.
    â€œWhat you got here is a standard enchanted weapon. Supernatural sharpness, of course. That’s a