David E. Dresner - The Blighted Fortress

Traveler leaned far back in his chair and took a deep breath. He was stuffed. As full as he was, he still had energy left to pull a stealth prank. Stealth was an early skill vested by the books as a form of invisibility. As long as Traveler remained motionless, he was part of the background. To practice his stealth skill he needed to remain absolutely motionless or risk appearing as a fluttering hologram.

Traveler enjoyed practicing his stealth by pranking Glenda, his study buddy. Her startled reactions always amused him and annoyed her, they never got old. One favorite prank was to suddenly appear out of nowhere sitting in his chair and stunning either Glenda or M, or best case both. He wisely avoided pranking Theo.

Sitting and waiting for his victims he realized that his back-leaning chair was a giveaway. He quickly sat forward putting all four legs on the ground. Now he appeared as just an empty table chair waiting for a body to sit down.

Leaning forward now put pressure on his full stomach, his stealth composure was compromised. An involuntary burp of epic proportions rocked the room. Seismic meters shot off their Richter Scales everywhere in Chicago. No way could stealth mask that eruption.

Embarrassed, he instantly looked around to see if the noise had spoiled his stealth trick. A resting Theo was the only audience and was looking at him with what seemed to be a judging grimace. Cats, even tiger-sized god-cats, dont have facial expressions, Traveler assured himself.

Moments later Glenda came striding toward him. She stared at his empty chair, Did you hear the explosion? she asked with smirk. I thought they were dynamiting for the subway system. Traveler sadly recognized her Caught ya, big boy look. His attempt at stealth humor was foiled and he reappeared in his chair.

Very witty, princess, I guess a guy has no privacy. The gentleman in me wants to say Excuse me, but that would just fall on deaf ears.

Well, my hearing was just fine until a minute ago. You werent planning on pulling an eighth-grade prank, were you? So sad your tummy has a mind of its own and calls out. Speaking of tummies, wheres M with our dessert? You didnt scare him off, I hope.

Traveler was scrambling to fire back a snappy retort when M appeared carrying a large covered silver casserole dish. Prepare for the dinners coup de grce. I would have been out sooner but I heard a cannon and thought we were under attack. Glenda gave M a high-five grin, while Traveler only managed a weak smile.

First being caught, then being the target of their jokes, stifled his dessert desire. He found himself saying, Okay, guilty as charged, I was just using the waiting time to practice a skill. You two go ahead, Im really full and think Ill pass on the dessert.

Glenda and M exchanged looks, they both knew better. Virginia, Travelers mom, had often wondered whether he had a trash compactor inside his stomach. His dad, the doctor, would smile and nod, Hes a medical miracle.

Well, I certainly dont want you to force yourself to eat if youre full and cant enjoy it, said M. Ill just give you a small, tasting-size portion. Glenda, Ill give you the usual growing young lady portion, besides, your coltish figure can easily handle it.

Pile it on, M. Ill take Travelers portion since hes too full. Ive got plenty of room left, I always pace myself for dessert and it smells delicious.

M ladled out a generous portion first to Glenda then to himself. He gave a petite portion to Traveler. This is my own version of bread pudding, but its so much more, it has my special added ingredients. I highly recommend lots of the cream sauce, drown the pudding if you will!

Glenda immediately dug into her bowl. A look of happiness passed over her face. Looking at Traveler she exclaimed, This is nobodys mothers bread pudding. Its beyond great! Its dense yet light even with the cream sauce. Ill have seconds as soon as I finish this up.

Traveler knew he was still having fun poked at him, but his ego was refusing to acknowledge the humor. He put a small amount of the cream sauce on his pudding, then took a polite-sized bite. Glenda and M were surreptitiously watching him. They saw the look of delight with his first bite. Neither said anything while Traveler finished the bowl in a second spoonful. Yes, that is very acceptable M, he acknowledged.

With a now empty bowl Glenda leaned back in her chair, took a deep breath and said, M, my stomach is a tad smaller than my eyes. Im not sure I can eat another serving. Traveler, help me out, we dont want Ms specialty to go to waste.

Traveler knew Glenda had just thrown him a lay-up pass and he popped out of his funk. Grinning he said, OK M, Ive got no dessert pride, please load me up. Besides my noisemaker stomach will be quiet once I pack it down.

M removed the casserole lid and thick, sweet steam rolled off the pudding. He ladled out three more generous portions. Then he added an extra scoop for Traveler. A little make up scoop, Traveler. Now lets all enjoy round two.

Dessert time is serious time and it passed without conversation or unwanted air bursts. Finally, they all came up for air at the same time. M, I have an after-dinner request, said Glenda. Traveler and I want to hear your own story. All we know is that you became an orphan a very long time ago. Please tell us about your childhood and how you met Theo. Did Theo start your training when you were young like us?