Nexus of the Worlds: The Askinar Towers, #1

By Christopher Mentzer

Sara’s tenth birthday was concluded by a visit from the family friend known only as The Professor. He gives Sara a special key that starts her on a great adventure! Along with her sister, Erika, she gains access to a world dominated by four towers.

Their goal is to find a way back home and that means finding the Fifth Tower, which is considered a legend. Along the way they join up with a detective from 1935 New York, a female secret agent from 1969 Washington D.C., and a King’s Champion. Together they encounter obstacles that delay their travels.

But someone else is ever present watching the progress of the girls and their friends. A black robed figure trails behind with an agenda of some sort. Does it want the key or the girls?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christopher Mentzer
• Release date: Jan 31, 2014
• ISBN: 9781497732810

Christopher Mentzer

Having read the Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, and all fantasy books by David Eddings, Chris took a stab at Fantasy with minimal success.  He even attempted Science Fiction with a couple of buddies while in college. The bottom line was, he lacked discipline and the desire to stick with any one project. All that would change in 2005, because in November of that year, Chris entered his first writing challenge held by the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) website. Although the goal was 50,000 words, he obtained his personal goal of 25K, which went on to be the foundation of book 1 of The Askinar Towers Trilogy. He later wrote foundations for books 2 and 3 in ’07 and ’09 respecitvely. His inspiration for the towers books came from John DeChancie’s Castle Perilous series and Doctor Who’s Paradise Towers. Chris lives in Mesa, AZ. He is currently employed in the retail industry working as a personal shopper. In his spare time, when not writing or stalking the social media streams, Chris loves to read books by fellow indie authors.

Book preview

Chapter 1:

The Key, the Mirror and the Doorway

An elderly man in a white lab coat grabbed a sheet and threw it over the full length mirror and wheeled it into the corner of the attic. He adjusted the sheet to make sure it was fully covered then checked his watch. It was ten minutes past five.

Right on time, he said aloud to himself, and then allowed a smile to play across his face. He picked up the small package; wrapped in ‘Happy Birthday’ paper, then walked down to the first floor and out into the garage.

#

Sara stood at her bedroom window and stared at the rain.  It had rained all day and prevented her birthday swimming pool party. Her mother had come to the rescue with some fun games and a couple of craft projects.  Sara had even made Dad swear up and down that he wouldn’t suggest Simon Says like he did for her fifth birthday party five years ago. All of her friends had gone home but that wasn’t why she was sad. 

Daddy, Sara whined, Professor promised he’d be here.  He said that he had a special gift for me, but my birthday party is over and he’s still not here.  Can you call him again?

Dad appeared at her door. Sweetheart, that’s all I’ve done this afternoon, he replied.  Besides, now that you’re ten, don’t you think you should give up the whining?

Yes sir, replied Sara.

Dad started back down the hall. Your mother is going to drive Grandma back home.  Make sure you say ‘goodbye’ and thank her for the gift.

Before Sara could respond, she saw an old white Cadillac pull up in front.

Professor! Sara shouted.  She ran out of her bedroom, past her father, and right out the front door into the rain. 

As the Professor got out of the car, Sara slipped but managed to catch herself. She then him a bear hug.

Hold on there! the Professor said.  He shuffled the small gift in his hands.  Let’s get inside before we’re drenched.  They walked up to the porch where an unhappy father stood.

Sara, how many times have I told you not to run in the house or into the rain? he asked.

Oh let her be, Chris, said the Professor.  It’s her birthday after all.

Did you close your door when you left your room? Dad asked.

No, I didn’t, replied Sara then hung her head as she knew what came next.

What is Dad’s rule about doors? he inquired.

Sara cleared her throat and looked up at her father. When you leave a room, always close the door, she said.

That’s right.  Now come in both of you, Dad said. 

He extended his hand to the Professor. Glad you made it.  Have trouble finding the house? He joked.  We are, after all, two whole houses away.

I certainly did not get lost! the Professor answered.  I went out to have Sara’s present gift wrapped. He entered the house behind Sara and another person charged up to him.

Professor! said Erika, Sara’s eight year-old sister.  She was helping Mom in the kitchen.  She, too, gave him a bear hug.

Quite a welcoming committee you have! said the Professor.

Just then the girl’s mother appeared. I came out to see what the commotion was about, she said, and then she saw the Professor.  Oh, Steven. I’m glad you could make it, she said flatly.  I’ve left some cake and coffee for you on the counter. 

Sara noticed her mom was not smiling when she spoke.

Mom then turned her full attention to Dad. I’m taking Grandma back home, she announced.  All of you stay out of trouble while I’m gone.  Mom then stared back at the Professor in particular. 

The Professor looked back at her and smiled. Still mad at me for the Birthday Blizzard of ‘03? he asked.  "That was three years ago.  How many times must I apologize?"

When you arrive at that number, she replied, I’ll let you know.  Keep them out of trouble, please.

Will do, Naomi! Dad said cheerfully.

I was speaking to the children, she said, going back to the kitchen.  Dad and Erika returned to the dining room to finish cleaning.

Sara stared at the gift in the Professor’s hands. Is that for me? she asked innocently. 

Oh, I’m sorry, he replied.  Here you go!  Happy Birthday!  He heard the kitchen door slam shut. Your mother still doesn’t trust me since the July snowfall, he said.

Well, the idea was to give me snow to play with in my backyard for my birthday, Sara replied as she tore into the gift.  But instead you blanketed the whole town with five inches.  She thinks you’re weird, but I think she likes you.   

Inside the wrapping was a small, flat box.  She recalled Dad getting a similarly sized box from Mom and thought her gift was a pen and pencil set. 

Sara opened the box and found an old bronze key. Wow!  Thanks, Professor. What does it open?

Well, your dad mentioned that you and Erika like to play house and you always want to borrow keys. As for what it opens, it just might open something in the attic at my house.

Cool! she exclaimed.

What’s cool? asked Dad as he returned to the living room.

Look what the Professor gave me, Sara said as she thrust the key toward Dad.

Hey, that’s pretty neat! he replied.

Let me see! Erika demanded.  Sara showed it to Erika who studied it and then looked up at the Professor. 

Do you have one for me? she asked sweetly.

I’m sorry, Erika.  That’s the only key I have, replied the Professor.  Erika turned her back on everyone with a huff.

Erika, remember this is Sara’s birthday and not yours, said Dad.  I’m sure your sister will share it with you.  He turned to Sara.  Won’t you, Sara?

Sara thought about it a moment and then declared, You can play with it too.

Okay, replied Erika. 

Why don’t both of you come over to my house tomorrow? asked the Professor. 

You mean both of us? asked Sara.

Both of us? added Erika.

Yes, both of you, he replied.  We can have lunch and then you can play in the attic.  I have clothes and dolls you can play with.  I’m sure your father won’t mind.

Sounds good to me, said Dad.  I have some errands to run tomorrow afternoon and I can get them done faster by myself.

Then it’s settled, said the Professor.  Now how about that cake?

That evening after the family had finished dinner, they settled down to watch a movie. 

Since it’s your birthday, Sara, said Dad. You get to pick.

"Pick Godzilla," Erika suggested.

Sara looked over at her sister.

"No. It’s my choice, not yours.  I want to watch The Wizard of Oz," she announced as she grabbed the DVD and put it into the player.

Oh, the witch is very scary, said Erika, pretending to hide behind a pillow on the couch.

Sara, now that you’re ten, said Dad, have you changed your mind about what you want to be when you grow up? 

No, I still want to be a fireman, she replied. 

And I want to be a wrestler like Chad Fury! Erika announced. 

Mom gave Dad a look of disapproval.  Sara giggled, knowing that Mom didn’t like it when Dad showed them the Godzilla movies and wrestling shows. 

Dad simply shrugged his shoulders. What? he asked She’s only eight.  She’ll change her mind at least a dozen times before she graduates.

No I won’t, said Erika.  She giggled along with Sara.

I think someone will be sleeping on the couch tonight, Mom announced.  She pressed play on the movie.  Everyone settled down as the movie began.

#

The next day Sara and Erika spent most of the morning playing with the key.  They went outside and played pirates.  They came back indoors and played detectives.  At one point, they ran throughout the whole house trying the key on every door. 

Dad, come make this key work! shouted Sara.

Sara, no shouting in the house, Dad called back.

Yes sir, said Sara

Yes sir, added Erika.  Sara glared at her.

Why are you always copying me? Sara demanded.

I don’t know, Erika replied defensively.

Dad, Erika’s...

Girls! said Dad as he came to the kitchen.  I’m right here, and I can hear everything you say.  Sara, you have to understand that Erika is younger and she will be doing the same things as you.

But why? asked Sara.

It’s because she likes you and wants to be like you, Dad replied.  You have to learn to set a good example.

Okay, Sara said sadly.

Good.  Now I have some work to finish.  Why don’t the two of you decide what you will take over to the Professor’s house. 

The girls turned and ran to their bedrooms.

#

We heard Mommy call you Steven, announced Sara, as if she were sharing a secret.

The Professor laughed.  Well, that is my name, he replied.  Your mother rarely calls me Professor.

But everyone else does, said Sara.

Yes, that’s true, he said.  But then, your mother isn’t everyone else.  She doesn’t think I’m worthy enough to be called Professor and when she found out my name was Steven, she only calls me that. He took a sip of his soda before he continued.

I have some work to do in the lab, but you and Erika can play up in the attic.  As I mentioned yesterday, there are some clothes and dolls you can play with up there. 

Sara pulled the key out.  You said there might be something to open with this.

Perhaps, but remember, Sara, I don’t want you to get mad if it doesn’t open anything.  Your father informed me how frustrated you got this morning.  I told you it might open something in the attic but I’m not sure. Okay?

Okay, said Sara.

Okay, added Erika.

Good. Now that that’s settled, who would like a piece of cake?  Both girls shot their hands into the air.

#

Inside the dusty attic, the girls looked around.  Everything was covered with white sheets.  Sara removed one sheet to reveal an old steamer trunk.  She opened it to find some big clothes inside.  She pulled out a shirt and a top hat.  Erika found an old suitcase and opened it to find dolls.  She looked over at her sister.

I want clothes! she said.  She went over to the trunk and pulled out an overcoat and a cowboy hat. 

Sara took off the top hat, smoothed down her blonde hair and went to get a doll.

We can play house, she announced.

Erika dropped the coat and removed the cowboy hat.  She then spied a tall, flat object in the corner.  She pulled the bed sheet from it to reveal a full-length mirror on casters.

Erika, what are you doing? Sara asked in a bossy tone.  Her attitude suddenly changed when she saw the beautiful mirror.  Wow!

Let’s pull it into the middle of the room so we can see ourselves dressed up, said Erika.

Okay, agreed Sara, but be careful.  We don’t want to break it.

It’s on wheels.  It should be easy to move.  Erika pulled the rest of the sheet off and tossed it aside.  With her sister on the other side, they managed to move the mirror over by the trunk.  In the process, the heavy mirror made a rumbling noise on the floor and got the Professor’s attention.

What’s going on up there? he shouted from the bottom of the stairs.

Professor, Sara shouted back, we found this mirror up here and we want it next to the trunk to see ourselves playing dress-up.

That’s perfect!  I mean, all right Sara, just be careful, he answered.  I’m in the room right below.  If you need anything, just holler.

We will,