by Martha Carr
The Crystal sighed, as a spray of snowflakes floated to the table, melting as they landed. “I agree with my friend. My silence may be temporary, at best. And I will spend the rest of my days making up for what I’ve done, whether anyone else ever knows or not. May I restore my family’s honor someday.”
“May we all,” said the Pixie, rustling her wings. “To Oriceran and her people.” She raised her thimble as the others raised their tankards.
“To Oriceran and her people.”
“I’m going back to Oriceran, just for a little while to help the royal family and to see if I can track Rhazdon.” Correk saw the disappointment in Leira’s face but he was determined. The king and queen were ready to travel back through a portal and go home. “They’re ready to go. Thank you for agreeing to fight with us, in your own style, of course.” Correk gave her a crooked smile and put his hands on her shoulders. “I will return as soon as I can.”
“Make sure you do. I’ve gotten used to hearing you snore in the next room, and Yumfuck will be beside himself if you’re gone too long. Gather all the energy you can. We can’t pick the battle place or even the day this time. Rhazdon has a complicated plan in play and it’s hard to say what she plans next. From the stories of her Lady Godiva moment in the post office she wasn’t broken up about being literally exposed. She sounded relieved, inspired even. Like the next phase of her plot was underway.”
“Open a large portal and somehow keep it open. I’d swear that was impossible until I heard that an eight-hundred-year-old ghost had returned as a young looking woman.”
There was a crackle behind Correk and sparks as a portal opened.
“Your ride is here. You better go. Don’t hug me that’s not necessary.” Correk ignored her and hugged her anyway, smiling.
Leira patted him on the back. “Okay, okay, we’re not fighting off anyone today, hopefully.”
“If only to annoy you before I go so you don’t miss me too much.”
“No need to miss you. You’re coming back soon. You gave me your word.”
“Indeed. Keep up with your studies with Turner and tell the troll everything. Mara may be right. He’s smarter than he’s letting on and if he has all the information he can make better decisions if Rhazdon decides to make the next appearance on Earth first.”
“A smart troll who’s been playing the long game with us.”
“Here’s one thing I do know about trolls. They bond with whoever saves them but out of choice. It’s not a guarantee. I know, I know, I left that out but you got on my nerves more back then.”
“A million years ago and a few adventures. Does this mean I don’t get on your nerves anymore?”
“Far less…Ow, don’t punch. Use your words. Ow!” Correk laughed as he held his arm. “At least take off that ring before you hit me. You have a pretty good right hook.”
“I’m bringing Hagan and the Feds into this. Not a discussion.”
“Wasn’t going to argue. Earth has just as much at risk and without the knowledge of Rhazdon’s history with violence and war. They have a right to know everything and make their own decisions.”
“It will be interesting to see what the magical beings who’ve lived on Earth for generations decide to do. Earth or Oriceran.”
“It was easy for you. It may be for them as well.”
“In the end, I’m fighting for the ability to choose for myself and give that same right to everyone else. It’s ironic that the part of Rhazdon she cherishes most, the half of her that’s Atlantean is from Earth originally, not Oriceran. You’d think this would feel more like home to her. I know, the same could be said of me. I suppose there’s something to be said for where you’re raised and what you know.”
“In the end, it doesn’t matter. Rhazdon has betrayed everything she’s ever known and for her own ego. Beware an Atlantean of every stripe. They are rarely magnanimous.”
“I’ve met one myself and there’s room for improvement but they can be persuaded. You better go.”
Leira gave Correk a small push toward the portal. “Those things don’t stay open for long and the last thing we need is for you to fall through some crack into the world in between. The dark mist isn’t strong enough to tear open a hole just yet.” All those teenagers and a dark Wizard. That’s not justice. Leira gave a small shudder but shook it off.
Correk gave her a nod and turned to go, helping the queen back through the portal and shaking hands with Turner Underwood before he stepped through and closed the portal.
“Back to work, young lady. Let’s see if this artifact works after all. Just because we know who we’re seeking doesn’t mean we won’t find valuable information. I have a feeling being able to disguise your magic so Rhazdon doesn’t see you coming may yet still prove to be very useful. Now focus…”
Chapter Twenty-Four
The queen and king walked into the library’s outer room ahead of Correk. The king patted Correk on the back. “They’ll probably throw a few books at your head but Gnomes are not known for holding resentments. They tend to deal with things and move on.”
“They’re too busy devising a new vault, anyway. Rhazdon broke in far too easily. We all got lazy, thinking she was dead. Even if she was, we acted like no one just as strong could ever come along. Leira is living proof that was wrong.” The queen held up her hand to silence Correk. “Thank the two moons she fights alongside us. But if there’s Rhazdon, and now Leira there may someday be more. We need to prepare better than we’ve bothered. I’m tired of losing and reacting.”
Correk stepped fully into the room, his muscles tense, fully prepared to duck. The Gnomes were busy filing books and sending out late notices or working on the vault in the very back. A poppy on a bowler near the front noticed him first and blew a raspberry, baring its teeth.
“I deserve that one, given the Willen and the late book…”
Several more poppies noticed and joined in a chorus of growling. The Gnomes noticed the chatter from their hats and turned, peeking around corners and coming out from behind the stacks to see what was the bother.
“Let’s get this over with…” Correk pulled in just enough magic to reflect any flying objects headed his way.
The queen came and stood at his side, crossing her arms and glaring at the Gnomes. “I’ve had enough for a lifetime of any pettiness. Get it out of your system, Gnomes and surrender it.”
The Gnomes glanced at each other, waving to the Gnomes in the back and came forward standing in a crowd at the edge of the library.
“This is new,” said the king. “Correk, how late was that book?”
“Just a week or so, I’m sure of it. This can’t be because of a Willen,” he said, incredulous.
“Someone has to go first.” The queen scowled at the Gnomes as the poppies drew back and closed their petals.
“No need to encourage them.” Correk wondered how many he could fight off at once. Steady, steady…
The Gnomes, in unison, all doffed their bowlers, holding them in one hand as they went down on one knee bowing their heads.
Correk hesitated, looking through the crowd of Gnomes all huddled around the front, some in the aisles between the stacks. “What’s this?”
An older Gnome lifted his head and put his bowler back on top. “We have a common enemy now. Rhazdon has killed at least two of our kind. That much we know. And he sullied our reputation breaking into the vault.”
“She broke in…” said the king.
“Really?” said the queen. “Take a beat.”
“Right, right.”
The Gnomes looked up, confused.
“Rhazdon is really a woman,” said the queen, lifting her chin. She took a deep breath. “It’s a lot on top of a lot of secrets and lies. You were saying?”
“We are one of the oldest magical beings on Oriceran dating back before anyone can remember. Light Elves were not around when we were great warriors and fought to protect our kind. We are ready to do so again. We will leave a skel
eton crew to guard what’s left of the library. The rest of us are going with you to find Rhazdon and justice.”
“Not necessary…”
The Gnome shook his head. “Queen Saria, we are of service to the Light Elves but we are not indentured or subjects of yours. We choose to be here. We choose to fight. We’re not asking for your blessing. We’re going.”
The Gnomes stood up, forming straight lines, pushing into the outer room.
Correk and the king bowed and the queen gave a curtsy. “We are honored to have you by our sides. It seems I’m to learn a thing or two about working as a team today.” The queen straightened out the folds in the front of her long dress.
Correk stepped forward and put out his fist for the Gnome to place on top in the Oriceran custom. Several of the Gnomes rushed forward and placed their hands on top, letting out a battle cry. “We fight with honor and to the end!”
As the noise subsided the elder Gnome leaned closer to Correk beckoning him with a finger. Correk leaned closer.
The Gnome harrumphed and gave a hard nod. “A month’s ban on checking out a book.”
“Seems fair.” Correk straightened back up, doing his best not to roll his eyes.
The king was moved by the Gnomes’ gesture. “Our forces are growing. Go back to Earth and help them organize, Correk.”
“There are groups that we still need to make sure are with us.”
“I’ll talk to Perrom, myself. You have my word,” said the king. “Help Leira spread the word on Earth among the magical community at least that Rhazdon lives and help them prepare. Not all may live but we must finally find peace for both worlds.”
“Especially since the gates will start to open soon and the humans are growing increasingly aware of us. Go, the king is right. The prophets have meddled in Earth business already and many may have seen through their antics. That was bad enough. At least the celebrity lived and was healed quickly. If Rhazdon creates mayhem on Earth it won’t matter if we point out she comes from their planet. They’ll see it as a lie and fight all of us. Go. We know how to inspire others here to join us. Rhazdon has made that fairly easy.”
“Of course,” said Correk, reluctantly. “As you wish.”
“Gather as many as you can. There may not be much time. I can feel the energy from Prince Rolim’s necklace right here.” The queen held her fist to her chest. “Every time someone tries to use it, I know and the energy is stirring. Whatever Rhazdon has planned, it won’t be long now.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Clever of you to hide the necklace where there’s no kemana and the altitude saps energy. Harder to tell where it is. Harder… but not impossible.” Rhazdon stood menacingly over the cowering Wizard. She had managed to trace the necklace to his house but not the exact room. “I’m kind of short on time, your lucky day.”
They were in the Wizard’s large living room by the roaring fire on the outskirts of Denver, Colorado. The tentacles on her head were rolling in waves over her shoulders, warming themselves. The Wizard sat in his leather wing chair contemplating his options. Measuring his own dark magic. First people in our clan start disappearing, now this. He wasn’t sure what to do.
“You can see how much sense I’m making, right?” Rhazdon smiled, her eyes an icy black. She was dressed in thigh-high suede boots and dark brown leather pants with a sage green tunic belted at the waist. Her old clothes from her days on Oriceran centuries ago, altered to fit her curves. Finally able to take them out of storage.
The only concession to being on Earth was the long mauve winter coat, held open by her hands on her hips. “You hand over the necklace your family took from me and fight by my side. Or you die here and now and I tear this house apart looking for it. Your choice, of course. I like to be fair.”
A Witch appeared at the doorway, holding out the necklace.
“Wise woman. Part of the decision has been made. Now the rest.” Rhazdon tilted her head. “Fighting with me or dying to stay home?”
The Wizard swallowed hard. “We fight with you, of course. I’ll see to it that the other families understand.”
“There you go.” Rhazdon took the necklace, feeling the current of magic pass through her. “Beautiful,” she whispered, admiring the diamond shape with an O cut in the center.
The Wizard stood up, gripping the chair. “Rhazdon…”
His wife shook her head but he had to know.
“What is it? Let him speak.”
“There are plenty of stories about you. Legends, passed down through my family.”
“Flattery, not a bad start.”
“All of them talk about how you wanted to form alliances. You were interested in building a new kind of world for magical people. You wanted us to have respect. Your followers mattered to you. Has all of that changed?”
Rhazdon clenched a fist at her side, gripping the necklace tighter as the energy flowing through her head mixed with the pulse of dark magic that filled her veins after so many years of waiting to come out of hiding. It made her feel lightheaded, almost giddy. Almost. “It’s all I ever wanted,” she said between clenched teeth. “We deserve at least that much. Recognition for who we are, what we can do! I always had the best of intentions…”
She looked into the fire, lost in memories over eight hundred years old. “There was a time when Atlanteans were everywhere on this world. They were respected by everyone on Earth. We advanced technology beyond where the humans have managed to take it to this day! But no one cared.” She shook her head, looking back at the Wizard. “They wiped out my kind. The only safe place to live was on Oriceran… in hiding.” A smile came back to her face, curling her lip into a sneer. “But today’s a new day. There are new followers in the magical communities around Earth and some on Oriceran. We can let the past go and rebuild. Find some closure.”
“Then why the battle?”
Rhazdon felt the surge of anger and sent a fireball into the center of the hearth making the flames explode out into the living room. “Do you think this is my idea? Is that what you’re saying? I’m defending myself! Just like before…” she hissed. “They are coming for me. No room at the table, again. No one can let me live in peace, gather a few followers. So be it. It is what it is. We defend our rights.”
The Witch stamped out embers on the Persian rug as the Wizard stood between his wife and Rhazdon. “Where do I tell everyone to meet?”
“A favorite kemana of mine called Lavender Rock. There’s a certain half-Light Elf I need to meet and greet. I’ve heard great things about her and I have a feeling if we don’t size each other up and get it over with this will only drag out forever. Tell them to be there tomorrow night. I’ll make sure to send Leira Berens an invite so she doesn’t miss our meeting. This shit is going down.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Leira felt the tug of energy pulling at her and the swirl of dark energy. “Rhazdon is doing her best to get my attention. She’s been sending out waves of darkness since yesterday. I keep having visions of Lavender Rock. Subtle wench.” She stood in her living room surrounded by her mother and Nana and Correk. The troll stood on the back of the couch wearing his cowboy hat and red boots, watching Leira pace.
There was a knock at the door and everyone looked up, startled out of their thoughts. “Feels like deja vu all over again.” Mara answered the door as Toni came piling in, closely followed by Jack and Larry.
“Hey, I brought Eric and Jim,” said Molly, following them in, talking in her typical loud volume. “Eric explained the minutiae of battle to us on the way over. We’re ready!”
“Because we’ve lost the will to live and are willing to fight our way out of taking him home.”
“The battle’s not here, is it? You have a lot of humans out there. I’d swear that dame with the red hair is one of us but I checked. Human!”
“Jack, you came too.” Leira recognized the owner of the Jackalope.
“Wouldn’t miss it! Rhazdon’s alive and a woman! Crazy ass
trip! I shut down the bar and we all piled into cars. There’s more coming. It looks like you’re having a party.”
“This one is going to be hard to get past the regulars at the bar. They’ll think I left them out.”
“We’ll call it a family reunion. Celebration of Mara and Eireka coming home. As a matter of fact, let’s go have one beer with them. Introduce ourselves.” Toni was already headed back out the door.
Leira whispered to Correk. “Is this a good idea? When worlds collide. Kaboom…” She held out her hands, pulling them apart.
“Probably not but they’re already headed out there. If you haven’t noticed, we keep doing things that if we thought about it, we’d realize are impossible and shouldn’t work. Should never work even with magic. We’re about to try again. Let’s go have a beer with everyone who thinks of themselves as your family. Holidays are going to be very busy for you. That eating holiday, Thanksgiving, how did you celebrate it last year?”
“With Estelle at the bar eating creamed turkey over rice and a beer with a little cigarette ash mixed in. It was a slow year.” She followed Correk out the door but turned back to the troll. “You good here?”
The troll smiled and shrugged.
“You ready for what’s coming?”
The troll let out a soft trill and flexed the muscles in his arms.
“In case there’s no time later I want to tell you something. I’m glad you’re here. I know you had to choose to follow me through that portal. I’ll bet you didn’t expect so much danger. Regrets?”
The troll let out a cackle. “No regrets at all,” he said. “I know a winner when I see one.”
Leira’s eyes filled with tears. “You little shit, you can talk.” She smiled through the tears, determined to tell him. “Don’t take too many risks tonight, okay? I know you can grow to be big and scary but you don’t have to prove anything.”