by Martha Carr
Bronze sparks spilled out into the air and a staircase appeared quickly followed by a line of schoolchildren running down them toward the ground with a ball in their hands.
“You have recess here!” Leira watched them kick the ball back and forth. “Just like Earth…no…wait…” A little boy pulled a small ball out of his pocket and spun it in the air, releasing it as it raced ahead of the larger ball, pulling it along as the children ran after them both. “Okay, that seems more like it.”
Correk laughed and pointed out the woman draped in what looked like a coat but was really a swarm of purple bees in constant flight wrapping themselves around her. “That’s common on Oriceran. They feed on anxiety or grief. Those bees will do wonders for your day.”
They walked quickly down the wide boulevard between the ancient trees. Trolls played among the roots, occasionally peeking out and blowing raspberries at Leira and Correk. Leira laughed but when she saw the startled look on Correk’s face she held up her hands. “I swear, no rescuing any more trolls. One is enough! Didn’t even know you could bond with more than one.”
“It’s rare to find someone foolish enough to rescue more than one but it’s happened.”
“You have to admit, Yumfuck grows on you.”
“He told me Top Chef this morning. Not sure if that means he liked what I gave him to eat or he wanted me to up my game. Look over there!” Correk grabbed Leira’s arm pulling her closer to his side. “Don’t move,” he whispered. He could feel the muscles in Leira’s arm tense.
“Look at the treeline over there.” Correk pointed to the tall spruce just ahead of them. “Do you see it? Just behind them.”
At first, Leira couldn’t tell what was moving just behind the trees. At last, a large white elk emerged out of the stand of trees and stood in the clearing. “The rack on his head must be easily five feet across,” said Leira in a hushed voice. “He’s got to be well over seven feet tall. I’ve never seen anything like that. His fur is glowing.”
“The Gardener must be nearby. That is a very rare beast and an omen.”
The elk pawed the ground, snorting as it raised its head and let out a loud bleat.”
“A good or a bad omen?” Leira was captivated at the beauty of the animal as he easily maneuvered his antlers through the branches. It raised its head again and let out a bleat. It bent a front leg and lowered the rack toward Leira.
“Omens aren’t always about a good or bad event. It’s more like it’s a sign of something new and powerful. I think the new power he’s heralding is you.”
Leira watched the elk rise up to his full height, looking her right in the eye, holding her gaze. She nodded her head and said, “thank you” as the elk slowly turned back into the woods, picking up his pace to a trot as it vanished among the dense trees.
“Even the stream of magic knows you’re powerful. You’ve learned a lot from Turner and you’re letting the magic float through you more effortlessly. Everything around you is becoming aware of you.”
“That could be a bad thing if Rhazdon figures out I’m here before we find an artifact.”
“We’ll take care of that at the market.”
“No, you’re a flaming asshole!” Louie yelled cheerfully at the customer who stomped off, his fingers singed from handling an artifact. “Separates the beasts from the boys!” Louie picked up a stone and playfully tossed it into the air. “See folks? No problem here. Want to see if you’ve got what it takes? Prove you got a little juice!” He held out a small stone to a young Wood Elf. “I’ll cut you a deal on this one. It’s puny.”
Correk walked up to the table and scanned the various items piled on top searching for the armband he saw the last time. It wasn’t there.
“Who’s the Harrison Ford guy?” Leira stole a sideways look at the tall blonde dressed in leather boots and a grey tunic over tight leather pants.
Correk glanced up at Leira. “Down girl. It’s not like you to be drawn to the love them and run like hell kind.”
Leira kept glancing over at Louie. “I’m not dead, Correk. I can look at the merchandise without wanting to take everything home.”
Louie finally noticed them lingering over his table and came over, a big grin on his face. “Well, hello.” He leaned in closer to Leira. “You think you got the juice to take the ride?”
“Smooth.” Correk rolled his eyes. “Do you still have any armbands?”
“Sure, sure pops. Hang on. What’s your story? You looking to buy an artifact?” Louie picked up an azure blue stone and held it out for Leira. It bounced around in his palm under its own power.
Leira slowly picked up the stone, not sure what would happen and held it out in her open palm. The stone gave off a low vibration and took on a lacy glow showing the interior of the stone. “That’s beautiful.” Leira stared at the stone, entranced at its beauty.
“That’s fucking amazing! I didn’t even know it could do that!” Louie looked at the stone and up at Leira. “You’re hotter than I realized…” He was grinning from ear to ear, his blue eyes shining in the sunlight.
Correk cleared his throat. “The armband? Hello?”
“What? Oh yeah, right, right.” Louie stood up straight. “Gotta make a living, am I right? Okay! You want an armband.” He clapped his hands together. “May still have that thing here somewhere.” He rooted around under the table occasionally taking a look back up at Leira.
“You’re not sure of your inventory. Great.” Correk drummed his fingers on the table. “If I’d known this was going to be more of a date for you I’d have come alone,” he whispered to Leira.
“Put your fur down. It’s just flirting. It’s in the Berens’ women DNA. We’re regular Amazons.”
“You’re a little small for an Amazon, trust me. I’ve met them on my travels to the other side of Oriceran. Big gals. Could snap you like a dry twig.”
“Here it is!” Louie emerged from under the table, his curls pushed back off his sweaty forehead, holding the metallic armband in his hands. Set in the middle was a deep green emerald. “Want to try it on?” He held it out to Leira but Correk pulled out a handkerchief and scooped it out of Louie’s hands before Leira could touch it. He dropped ten gold coins on the table.
“We didn’t do any bargaining yet.” Louie was still smiling but his face was tighter and the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Not a McDonald’s buddy. No set menu.”
“We bargained the last time I was here. There’s your money,” Correk said with some menace. He wasn’t in the mood for one of Louie’s scenes. “Worse than theater in the round.”
“This armband for you?” Louie switched tactics, taking Leira’s hand and stepping closer. Leira gave a crooked smile and waited to see what he was planning to do.
“Ten gold coins,” she said, not answering his question. She put the blue stone back on the table. “A deal’s a deal.” She pulled her hand back and smiled at him.
“Okay, I’ll tell you what. Keep your money.” He slid the coins back across the table. “Instead, I want this recharged.” He pulled out an old scepter, two feet long with a round red glass bulb at one end. “I know you need that armband.” The smile dropped from his face. “We’re cool, no worries. We’re going to do some business but I need something too.” He slapped his hand on the metal shaft of the scepter. “I’m gonna have to insist and you’re going to have to come back for that armband. You see it takes about ten Wizards to recharge this baby. One Light Elf and one half Light Elf aren’t going to cut it.”
“We don’t have time for this. Give it to me.” Leira held out her hand. “Come on, hand it over.”
“Alright but I’m telling you…”
Correk stood back, his arms crossed as Leira held the scepter and set an intention, letting the magic flow through her, lighting up the symbols on her arms as it sought out the scepter and recharging it within seconds. The red glass bulb on the end glowed brightly.
“Holy fuck! What did you say you are? Never seen a Light Elf do t
hat before!”
Leira felt the magic recede and the glow fade from her eyes. She handed back the scepter. “We have a deal now, bitch?”
“Okay, okay, no need to get personal. Damn, girl! We have a deal and to show you what a great time I’ve had you can keep the stone. On the house.” He scooped it up and placed it in Leira’s hand, folding her fingers over top. The stone glowed through her fingers.
“That is still fucking cool.” He felt the warmth through her fingers. “You’re an open channel, baby.” He shook his head in amazement. “Never met anyone like you,” he whispered.
“Okay, enough. I’ve reached my limits. Cousin, we’re done here.” Correk folded the cloth over the armband and stowed it in his satchel.
“Cousin, huh? Light Elf but not all Elf. You must be like me, half human.” The creases deepened around his eyes.
Leira slipped the stone in her pocket. “Thanks for the stone.” She gave him another crooked smile and a nod and turned to go.
“Come again! Here every day!” Louie shouted as Correk and Leira headed back toward the castle.
“Good grief. It’s a wonder someone doesn’t shoot him clean through with an arrow.” Correk shook his head.
“Noticed you made a point not to handle the armband. What was that about?”
“It’s ancient and powerful. I didn’t want to find out in front of your boyfriend that it was more than I could handle.”
“You didn’t want him to know your magic was smaller than his magic. I get it.”
“Juvenile.”
Leira laughed. “Fucking amazing!” she said, imitating Louie. “Let’s get back to Turner and try that baby out.”
Queen Saria paced the large ballroom in the castle throwing out her arm making walls appear and disappear out of frustration. Her long silver gown swished behind her. She stopped at one of the tall windows, clenching her fists.
“Something bothering you?” King Oriceran stood in the doorway calmly watching his wife.
“I was distracted…” She looked away for a moment, pain in her voice. “I took my eyes off what matters in the kingdom. Now, we are not that many years away from when the gates start to open again and we’ve done nothing to get ready. Nothing.”
“There’s still time.” He went and stood by his wife at the window.
“Not as much as I’d like. There’s a lot to do and you’ve seen what the prophets are doing. They’re jumping out ahead of all of us. Earth needs protecting just as much as Oriceran but we haven’t forged any alliances. Our ancestors were way ahead of us at this point.”
“Not true. We have made unexpected alliances on Earth. Leira Berens is on our side and grows more powerful every day. She’s even taken on a role in her country’s government.” The King looked down on the gardens below.
“I want to speak with her. Directly.” The queen gently waved her arms making all the walls vanish. She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Time to negotiate with Earth on behalf of our people. Stop letting the prophets run the show.”
“I know you don’t agree with all of the prophesies.”
“I don’t agree with the way they’re interpreted. But it’s more than that, my love. I don’t trust the prophets. They meet in secret, they tell no one of their plans and yet we all give them free reign. I tell you, someone let that human into our walls and he killed our son.”
“Surely, you can’t suspect a prophet.”
“I suspect almost everyone and if I find out who it was…” Her eyes glowed brightly and the symbols ran up her arms and covered her chest and neck. The king didn’t need to read them to know what intention she was putting into her magic.
“Trust me,” hissed the queen, “their death is one prophesy that I will make sure comes to pass.” She slowly curled her hand into a fist, holding it up in front of her before letting her hand drop. “I will protect my people the same way. They will learn to listen to Queen Bitch. I know that’s what Leira Berens called me.” She lifted her chin. “I’ve heard the way that woman swears. I think it was meant as flattery. So be it, we understand each other. We will see if there is a way to forge a relationship with Earth.”
“While there’s still time.”
Chapter Nineteen
The troll slipped out the door of the guest cottage early in the morning before Correk or Leira were awake, dressed in his cowboy hat and boots, determined to visit Eireka and Mara in their new apartment again. He was armed with the map Mara drew for him and a small bag of Cheetos for the road.
It took him an hour just to get to the bridge at South Congress overlooking the Colorado River. He took a break, crawling under the bridge and onto the steel rafters where he could sit down and have a view of the river, away from any humans.
A million bats lined the entire underside of the bridge, their wings folded. They had all returned just a few hours before to sleep off the day. A bat lazily opened one eye and looked at Yumfuck.
“Yumfuck!” He waved and pulled out a Cheetos, taking a bite. The bat stirred, resettling its wings and went back to sleep.
The sun was fully in the sky and people were out in kayaks in the river below as runners ran along the paths.
The troll swung his tiny legs over the river quickly eating his way through the bag, letting out a loud belch at the end, disturbing the bats closest to him. A few fluttered, taking flight briefly or crawling away. Yumfuck shrugged and got up, trilling softly as he petted the one sleeping bat that remained near him. “Survivor,” he chirped.
He climbed back onto the bridge, being careful to stay close to the railing and away from the quickly moving feet of the tourists. He made his way to the other side, crossing over Riverside Drive as he looked for another place to take a short break. Preferably someplace with food.
The small troll put his nose in the air, sniffing around for a scent. Nothing. He kept moving, wandering by the small businesses that lined the street, tripping over a small pile of cigarette butts. “Son of a bitch!”
He picked himself up and brushed the ashes carefully off his boots. “Hmph! Wha?” The smell of bacon hit his nose. He turned around and around but the wind was changing direction making it difficult to tell where the smell was coming from.
The troll moved closer to the buildings, running through the short front yards of sparse grass, the occasional palm tree or clusters of cacti, stopping briefly in intervals to take a good whiff again. “Bacon!”
At a long, red brick building with a sign outside that read Ladybird Assisted Living the troll smelled the air. The bacon scent was stronger. He trilled, clapping his hands and made his way toward the front entrance. A middle-aged woman in colorful pink scrubs rushed right by the troll without noticing him, headed for the double glass doors.
Almost late for work again. Second time this week. She clutched her blue lunch bag tighter, picking up the pace as the automatic doors opened up in front of her and she rushed inside, headed for the time clock.
“Oooooh.” The troll walked up to the doors, waiting for them to open but nothing happened. He jumped up and down and waved his hat, frustrated.
He went back to sit on a bench in the front, the smell of bacon still in the air when a man walked briskly toward the entrance and the doors opened again.
The troll got there just as the doors closed. “Motherfucker!” he chirped, waving his fist. He leaned his head against the glass and watched an orderly wheel a cart down the hall with trays of food. “Rat bastard!” he yelled through the tiny opening between the doors but no one heard him.
The troll stepped back from the doors and looked up at the cameras, waving his hands and looked back at the doors. Nothing. The orderly came out of one room and went in another further down the hall. The troll stuck out his tongue and blew a raspberry, marching back toward the bench just as a large dog ran in front of the doors, triggering the sensors, opening the doors.
Yumfuck scrambled back just as the doors closed. He looked at the dog who was trotting away in
the distance, looked at the doors and looked back at the dog and smiled.
He stood back and let out a roar, growing to the size of a large dog, waving his arms as the doors opened and he ran in, already shrinking back down to size. The orderly came wheeling out of a room as Yumfuck slid on his belly toward the wheels, grabbing on as the cart turned a corner.
“Morning Mrs. Toler, how are you doing today? Let me set this up for you.” The orderly pulled out a tray with a menu sticking out of the side and put it on the table over Mrs. Toler’s bed.
The troll peeked out from the wheels he was clinging to and swung himself over to the bottom shelf, quietly lifting the cover off a tray and carefully taking off his hat. He put his head underneath, burying his face in scrambled eggs, letting out a tiny muffled ‘yumfuck’.
The orderly looked up, confused at Mrs. Toler who smiled sweetly and said, “Yumfuck”. It was the first word she had said all week.
“That’s an auspicious word, Mrs. Toler. Not sure how your family is going to take it. Wonder if I should even report it.” He scratched his head. “Maybe I should just put down yum.”
“Yumfuck.” Mrs. Toler smiled again.
“Okay, have it your way.” The orderly carefully wrote down ‘spoke today, said yumfuck’ in her chart.
Two guards ran by the door on their way to the entrance looking for the large furry animal that waved at the cameras by the front door.
“Nothing yet, Bob,” one of them said into a walkie talkie. “Damndest thing. Kind of a cross between a small bear and a dog.”
Yumfuck ate his way through the tray till the food was gone. He pulled his head out, putting his hat back on and slid out of the cart while the orderly’s back was turned. The orderly turned around just in time as the troll got to the door.
“Yumfuck!” He waved and lifted his hat before scampering down the hall.”
The orderly’s eyes grew wide. “Have to stop taking these double shifts. They’re gonna find a bed for me in here. Not even forty yet!” The orderly pushed the cart to the next room, muttering the entire way.