Lone Ranger Chapter 53

53.

If there were words to describe the city behind the wall, it was madness. The city was built down into a huge series of pits that had fumes spurting out. The train tracks will plummet down the side of the pit into the depth losing its need for electrical assistance. It defies gravity how the tram cars could be running on the tracks but it remains then. Not all the tracks went down the same pit for there were numerous others it could take. Once the train scaled-down the pit, the tracks will level up and then formed a series of spins as it plunks downwards. You could describe it as riding a roller coaster but the speed of the tram cars was exceedingly fast. Lance sat firmly on the seating with his limbs shackled onto the seat and flooring. He felt the pull of gravity as the train spiraled downwards, with his cheeks drawn taut by the pressure and his heart having to move upwards towards his throat. Bile taste surfaced inside his mouth and then he looked at his partner seated across him. The other was in a deep trance of sort for he was immobile and only moved when the car jolted on the tracks. His hat was tucked into the waistband of his pants and it was obscene to the impression that he was huge.

“Ton…” Lance voiced out and regretted it for his mouth content had taken its course toward the other’s front vest. “I am…”

“Speak no more, Kemo-Sabe.” Tonto struggled with his speech when his tongue was mostly hovering just above his tonsils. “I forgive you.”

It was then the tram car stopped and the duo found their abrupt stop had its implications of a sudden jolt that pained the flesh where it was under restraint. There was no moment of respite for new wardens have arrived to unshackle them and dragged them by their shoulders to the next part of the journey. Lance took the trouble than to study his captors which were dressed like the ones on the docks.

“Pinstriped? It does look nice.” Lance muttered to the warden dragging his bruised body. “I like mine plain with….”

“Silence!” Lance was cautioned but he cared not. His next part of the journey was on an open carriage that powered by the steam engine contraption. It sat six in the carriage with two guards facing Lance and Tonto while another pair stood on the side of the carriage holding onto the side for balance. The carriage was driven by another at the far front dressed similarly. The ride was uneventful but the scenes that greeted them were. They drove past structures that were built into the wall and scaled downwards. It was after all a pit and the carriage tracks ran along with it like spiral tracks or in some corners, it was a deep angle drop to the next level.

On each structure was seen the inhabitants of the pit forthwith their daily routine as if it was like any city seen in the physical world. There were taverns and shops of essential needs. The inhabitants were dressed in a simple tunic and loose pants, unlike the guards. Their journey came to an end soon at the large structure that was built jutting out of the wall and it held some levels below. The open carriage turned off on the main tracks and then towards a high gate with sentries standing there. The gates were flung open when the carriage arrived and then the scene there changed.

It was a huge and wide lawn with the planted rows of trees and even the path they were traveling on was inlaid with fine cobbles of stone. The side of the path was the border with the flower beds of roses of assorted shades. There was the open sky above with the scattered clouds.

The carriage then came to stop at the huge whitewashed walls of the mansion. It held two levels with the frontage displaying the four huge columns that formed the main façade of the mansion. Lance counted seven high glass entrances on the ground level and twenty windows on the upper level with four attic windows at the rooftop. The mansion borders have rows of flower beds and there was a cobbled yard for the carriage to pull over.  They were met by a figure dressed in the butler dark suit complete with the white gloves and polished shoes. He was huge in the frame with the Adonis features that were complemented with the bald look on the top.

“Master Maamon awaits you in the Drawing Room.” The appearance of the butler bowed his head and motioned to the main doorway into the mansion. Lance took to the cobbled yard with Tonto next. It was then the shots rang out. The casualties were the two guards on the side of the carriage. They had fanned out on the side of the carriage holding vigil on the open yard. The assailants were hidden on the lawn with their camouflage cover and unseen by the unobserving eyes. Then more shots rang out. The shooters were armed with rifles and had crouched up to continue their firing. There were six of them there. 

Lance jumped for cover behind the carriage and reached for his guns. It was then he recalled that his guns were taken away when they surrendered. He looked at the others and saw two more guards went down before the butler joined Lance for cover.

Just when Lance thought they were done for, the high glass doorways at the mansion opened with a loud noise and figures appeared from behind it. The figures were armed with what appeared to be rifles and they return fire. The newly arrived figures weapon was able to shoot more bullets without the need to refill. The guns splattered like the Gatling guns with it repeated firing. The six assailants went down in the first hail of bullets.

“Pardon the interruption, Sir.” The butler then stood up and lent out his arms. “May we now proceed to meet the Master?”

Just when Lance stood up to follow the butler he heard the barking of the hounds and then saw the canines had attacked the dead shooters. He turned away from the carnage scene and stepped into the mansion.