Starchild: Crossroads #2

By James A. Owens

Normally I'd refrain starting from a 2nd issue before reading the first, but I'm gong to continue, since these were too tantalizing not to check out, not being certain if I'll discover the first issue for some time. It intros with the TwoPenny Inn being a place 1 could trade with real and imagined tales for drinks and rooms, at 1 point, the yarns being few and far between, the inn also being made with myths and folklore, memories and poems, it housed on the Crossroads. The Innkeeper's Tale shows Martin Keeper weary with the dragging day, what with committing suicide not being easy. He attempts 1st drowning himself at the pond, but walks away with bad sniffles, he tries poison and gets the shits, he even cuts his neck, but spends some time cleaning up his rug of the blood.

By the end, he'd lain in a road and a cart finally runs him over after almost waiting an hour, he instead offering the man who hit him a drink. They walk to his inn close by, the man being the first to stop, since Martin'd broken his wheel with his bod, the man offering to listen to his woes, and Martin beginning with his trouble starting when he'd made the soul deal with Satan!? This surprises the man a bit, but they're then interrupted by TwoPenny Jack, Martin looking fearful, but offering a drink, TPJ sharing a story per the house rules. His story follows a good man, but had high hopes, and not much good fortune, he hoping aloud of his hopes, and the devil listening for having a spot open for a soul, the good man getting his inn and desirable location with full wine stock, the man untouched for a decade before his debt was to be collected, until this evening, Martin's face impassive throughout listening, the devil, 2PJ concluding with the time coming at midnight, the man who ran Martin over, speaking about wishing to see the contract, 2PJ ID'ing him as Oberon of the Fay, he able to determine a way around the deal being to return 2PJ's coin and answer an unanswerable riddle and vice versa.

2PJ clarifies Oberon'd take Martin's spot if he doesn't succeed, Oberon agreeing and Martin attempting to dissuade him, but Oberon insisting, since Martin's life was worth the little effort this'd take him. Oberon's riddle contains mention of Starchild, and his q concerned the origin of Ezekiel Higgins and why he'd gone to Fool's Hollow. 2PJ is stumped, it now his turn to ask. 2PJ has a doozy, as well, it regarding how the war of heaven and hell'd have gone if the Fay hadn't bowed out, Oberon unfortunately not having the answer so Martin is taken and his only request is for Oberon to remember him.

When 2PJ returns, he asks whether Oberon wanted another go, jokingly, he stating Oberon had free reign to add to the inn, but couldn't exit, and whilst he couldn't take his soul, his physical body had been forfeit to him, 2PJ revealing the answer to his riddle, shocking and leaving Oberon looking weary. A GOOD 1! Wishing I had them complete, but I shall suffice on the 2 left I do have! I believe these stories to be fairly insular, but even if I'm wrong, this is how it be. To the next!