The Talisman

In the Territories, Jack slaps Richards to calm him down. They are in a grain field, somewhere near the Outposts. Jack sees railroad tracks heading west. Richard still thinks he is dreaming as they walk up a hill to a depot. There is a massive hourglass on the counter inside. An old man shrieks at them to leave and says the train will be ready in the morning. Jack gives him the coin with the Queen’s face on it. The man drops to his knees and calls Jack Jason. As the man cries, Jack is uncomfortable with the worship.

The man’s name is Anders. He tells Jack about the Blasted Lands beyond the depot. He tells him about rumors of monsters and giant fireballs that cause what sounds like radiation poisoning to Jack. Anders was planning on going to the west in the morning, carrying a machine for Morgan. He also planned to take his goods to the Black Hotel.

Anders tells Jack that bad Wolfs joined Morgan over the past 15 years. When Anders asks about the Queen, Jack confirms that his mother is ill. Anders tells him that originally, Orris was a small-time lord. He rose to power after the King’s death, and Osmond came with the slaves who built the railroad tracks.