by Martha Carr
Leira felt the hard tug from them and was ripped back toward the bar, her eyes snapping open, even as her head swam and it was hard for her to focus clearly. Something inside of her recognized the new element and bonded to it, returning to the Jackalope.
She grit her teeth and held out her arms, determined not to faint or fall over as she looked up and saw the roof reappear. The spangles quickly returned to Toni’s dress.
“Leira! Leira! Can you hear me?” Correk was still holding onto Jim as he tapped the side of Leira’s face, making her look at him. “Look at me.”
Leira’s eyes gradually focused and faces took on more definition. Everyone was staring at her, their mouths open and a few were still pointing toward the ceiling. There was a humming in Leira’s ears and her head was still swimming but she still felt peaceful inside. She looked back and forth at Correk and Toni. “What happened? Why are you holding onto Jim?”
The symbols on her arms slowed down to a crawl and gradually faded and she felt the floor solidly beneath her feet. The troll came bouncing off the deejay’s booth, and hopscotched from arm to arm till he landed on Leira’s shoulder, sitting down. His fur was ruffled and he was still a slight shade of blue.
“What the fuck was that?” Jim was ashen and sweating all over.
“I guess you showed everybody you could top your last trick!” Toni reached up and held Leira’s face in her hands as others backed away. Jack quickly waved his clipboard and read off the next name on the list, doing his best to distract everyone and get the party back on track.
“Girl, you are something special,” said Toni. “Almost quite literally out of this world.”
“What did I do?”
“What did you do?” Spit was dribbling down Jim’s chin into his neat beard.
Leira looked around surprised, still unconcerned. She saw the look of concern on Correk’s face and wrinkled her forehead trying to figure out why.
Turner Underwood stood just beyond the small group and watched Correk assess the situation. Correk peeled his hand off Jim’s arm when he was sure Leira’s energy was still once more. “You left your body and floated out there,” he said, quietly.
“You even took us on some of the ride.” Jim squeaked out the words, his voice breaking as he ran his hands through his hair. “Never been on a ride like that! Why’d you grab me like that?” He looked down at his arm and could still see the red handprint from where Correk had held on tight.
The troll grabbed onto Leira’s collar and stood up. His fur was gradually changing back to pale white, tinged with green.
“You were the closest human element to me. I took a chance based on something I read in the Gnomes’ library. The human element in nature bonds together and grounds everything. That’s its natural state. You were slipping too far away.” Breaking the bond with the troll.
Turner Underwood nodded his head and gave a sly smile, making his way closer to Correk. “Well done. You and I should talk.”
“What? What about?” Correk was still trying to process what he saw Leira do. He didn’t take his eyes off her.
“The light energy was pulling her away and you knew what to do.”
“What if I wasn’t here? That was like the dark mist but she didn’t seem to know it. She didn’t resist.”
Turner put his arm on Correk’s shoulder. “Take a deep breath. You were here. The rest can be taught. Right now, Leira’s magic is like a runaway freight train on some really good weed. Somewhere inside of her she has an idea that it’s going too far but it feels so good, so why not?” He shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve sensed this in her before but I wasn’t sure of the origins till tonight. We should talk. I’m getting on, even in fucking Elven years. It’s time for a new Fixer.” He tapped the side of his head. “You know I wondered how I would find the next candidate, but I should have known that the magic would do its own choosing. Come by my estate tomorrow in the morning. Don’t be late. There’s much to discuss and not a lot of time. Bring the Grateful Dead girl with you.” He let out a chuckle and grasped Correk’s arm. “The danger has passed. Learn to let it go as soon as it does. Easier to live your life that way. Elven 101.”
“Leira was not in control of the magic.”
“No, she wasn’t.” Turner Underwood gave a grave shake to his head. “That’s good and bad.”
“The good part?” Correk glanced over at him, frustrated.
“Leira’s paid attention to her lessons and trusted the energy enough to let it go on ahead of her. The bad, of course, is that she has the ability to access a large amount.” He held his arms open wide.
“Bit of an understatement.”
“Well, yes, but there is a limit. It doesn’t go on forever. Which takes us to the bad part. It ends with Leira slipping over and becoming one with the light. Fused, you might say. Never actually seen it happen before. Only heard stories. Lots of them. Ever heard of the Jasper Elves?”
Correk gave Turner a meaningful look.
“Ah, so you have heard of them. I thought as much. That’s what you were reading about in the Gnomes’ library. The Jasper Elves were said to be amazing. Their powers knew no limits but there was a price to be paid. Give in to the power and use it to its full extent and eventually be absorbed by it. Did them in, in the end.”
“How did they last as long as they did? They were around for thousands of years.”
“For a very long time there was a force of darkness that existed on both planets as well. I think you call it the dark mist but thousands and thousands of years ago it was much larger and was constantly seeking out others to infect and absorb. The dark mist kept the light of the Jasper Elves in check. Gave them something to push against. The Jasper Elves’ magic kept the dark mist in check. Constant battles and skirmishes, back and forth.”
Someone brought Leira a chair as the magic tricks continued in the center of the room. She took a seat as the troll jumped down into her lap and sat down, resting his head against her belly, watching the magic. Someone was making the silverware square dance in mid-air as everyone clapped along. The Wizard making them dance was acting as the caller yelling out “Dosey-do your partner!”
Turner followed Correk’s look of concern he was giving to Leira. “She’s not anywhere close to being lost. Let me finish the tale. There are some things the books may have left out and were only told from one generation to the next. Never written down. Since the gates first opened however many millennia ago that was, humans have also existed, along with the Crystal and Kilomea and assorted Elves. We’ve all been here for a very long time. It seems we’re much better at wiping things off of planets than coming up with anything new. But I digress.”
Turner took off his bowler and scratched his head, his cufflink twinkling in the dimmed light. He put the hat back on and leaned on his cane, thinking about his next words. “All of those same beings have always had a hard time keeping it in their pants. This one slept with that one. There was a little horizontal boogie over there. A little knockin of boots over here. Before you know it, there’s a few Jasper Elves who are also a little human. Very important part of the story.” Turner pointed his finger in the air.
“Right around this time, the darkness was pushed back. Not the first time, but never in such a large way. The light was actually winning! First time in recorded history that the balance was so disturbed and for such an extended period of time. Not always a good thing. You’d think it would have to be, right? The Jasper Elves were free to try their hand at magic and could take their eye off the problem.”
“I know this part.” Correk could feel a slight headache from trying to hold back Leira. The backwash of energy she was putting out had run partially through him. Correk looked over at Jim to see if he was alright and saw his hands trembling.
“He’ll be alright. Helluva ride,” said Turner. “Might give him a nose bleed later, of course. Anyway, where was I? Right, the Jasper Elves! Fight between good and evil! Fucking epic stuff.” He shook his head. “T
he Jasper Elves did their version of flying too close to the sun and one by one they fused with the light. Poof! Gone!” He made a gesture like something blowing up with his hands.
“Why are you not more concerned about any of this? Are you always this calm in the face of…”?
“Death?” Turner considered the question, pursing his lips. “At a thousand years old I’d have to say yes.” He raised his shoulders, holding out his hands. “But in this case, there’s not as much to even worry about. Leira has something else going for her. That other part of the story and all that fucking around. Turns out human beings may not be magical but some of them are still a little something extra. An extra chromosome in the DNA of very rare human beings that normally does nothing.” He waved his hands and shrugged.
“No one would ever know they had it. Even if scientists found it they would think of it as a harmless anomaly. But when mixed in the soup of life with some magic DNA it springs to life and acts like a grounding for a magical being. Comes out in different ways. Can serve to temper some of these headstrong teenagers who want to use their magic for no good.” Turner grimaced. “Shows you there must not be much of that DNA around. So many kids playing with dark magic and now some of them are disappearing! In a Jasper Elf that twinkle of DNA managed to serve as a brake of sorts, speaking to the Elf and coaxing them back to their bodies.”
“It’s too late to give Leira a different DNA makeup.”
“You don’t need to. She already has it. It’s why she can pull off the things she does here on Earth before the gates open. But her will is strong. She’s managed to override the cautionary voice. Now, Jim over there. When you grabbed onto him, his basic humanity did what always happens with humans. It sought out that human part of Leira and bonded to it momentarily. That was the extra kick in the ass she needed to snap out of it. Now all she needs are lessons and a little tempering. Her best quality of running into danger is also her worst, if staying alive is crucial.” Turner let out a chuckle.
Correk wasn’t laughing. His face was still tight from the pain of the headache and from watching Leira slip away so quickly and powerfully. “She was even showing us where she was going.”
“Fuck, yes. That was amazing.” Turner slapped his leg with enthusiasm, smiling. “That was the human side of her wanting to share the experience.”
“Leira needs to learn how to listen to the human element within her.”
“The sooner the better. The way that girl finds trouble, it won’t be long before the magic takes over again and from what I saw, it’s starting to take the lead a little too much. Everything has its limits.” Turner patted Correk on the back. “Come by tomorrow. We’ll talk some more and I’ll teach you how to be in the right place at the right time. Till then, there’s a party going on over there. Enjoy it and raise a glass to old Larry. He fought well to fight back the darkness.”
Correk looked at Turner. “That’s why Leira didn’t go off the deep end at the battle. She had darkness to push against.”
“Now you’re catching on. Leira, come dance with me.” Turner held out his hand to Leira and helped her up as the troll jumped on to her arm and ran up to her shoulder. Correk plucked him off her shoulder and settled Yumfuck in his pocket.
Turner spun her around the room, creating a waltz that only they could hear as he steadied her magic, grounding her further.
“I feel fine. It was momentary dizziness.” Leira let Turner spin her under his arm.
“You are fine. There’s not a thing wrong with you. You’re learning something about cooperation. You have some big adventures ahead of you, I dare say, young lady. Because wherever there is this much light, darkness eventually comes calling.”
Chapter Eighteen
Harvey Lansing got off the bus and made his way to work. It was the closest stop but still left him with a half a mile to trek before he could finally sit down for the day. The commute to and from was the hardest part of his day, especially by bus but his salary didn’t leave him enough for a car payment.
He kept to himself, ambling along down the pavement, used to the stares he would get from small children and the occasional adult. The old man was stooped over so low he raised his chin just to see where he was walking. His gait was slow and labored as he made his way down King Street in Alexandria, Virginia on his way to his job as an accountant in a small firm downtown. His clothes hung off him at odd angles and the features on his face didn’t seem to be in exactly the right spots.
Still, he was content with his life and even happy at times. There is goodness in everyone, he thought. Time after time he was proven right. It took time for him to get to know his coworkers but he kept saying a kind word to whoever he passed and brought muffins on Monday, remembered birthdays with a card. He even left handwritten notes on the desk of anyone he saw going above and beyond their job or just being kind back to him. His gestures eventually won everyone over. They finally were able to see him.
I will bloom where I’m planted. It was his favorite mantra and he said it over and over again, hundreds of times a day. Life is good.
He came to the top of King Street and looked down at the Potomac River in the distance, gleaming in the light. This was his favorite part of his walk. All downhill with a view of the area. He could even see the top of his office building from there.
He loved the way the sunlight shone off the surface and on some days he even caught a glimpse of rowers and their slim, fast boats darting across the water. Everyone working in harmony together. He squinted, trying to see if there was anything in the distance today.
Something tangled with his large, orthopedic shoe, tripping him as he tried to hold on to his lunchbox. Harvey tumbled, putting out his arms, throwing his weight to the side so he could land in the softer grass. He rolled to his side in time to see the teenage boys, their lips curled in disgust as they pummeled him with their fists, throwing his lunchbox toward the street.
He was more surprised than scared. He didn’t even know any of their faces.
“Freak! Even the circus didn’t want you!”
“Lawn gnome!”
Harvey looked up surprised to see if someone had actually recognized him. “Not a lawn gnome,” he managed to get out. “A royal Gnome.” But no one heard him. They weren’t listening.
He saw the swish of a black cassock in the background as he covered his head with his arms.
“What are you doing? Stop that!” The rector from nearby St. Paul’s Church came running, swinging a bat like he intended to use it. The boys scattered running in different directions but it didn’t matter. The minister was more concerned with Harvey curled up on the ground. “Are you alright? Can you stand?” He knelt beside him and heard Harvey still muttering something. He leaned closer putting his ear closer and pulled back, surprised. “Let me help you.” The minister knelt closer and held Harvey’s face gently, letting his eyes glow for just a moment.
Harvey’s eyes filled with tears. The good still found me.
The minister helped Harvey into his old Ford Fairlane and drove him to the Seminary. He called ahead to let the dean know he was coming and bringing a very special guest.
“I’m sorry this happened to you,” he said, glancing over at Harvey, leaning against his seat belt. One of his eyes was swollen almost shut and his hands were scraped.
“They were afraid of me. I could see it in their eyes. I’m not wrong, just different.” He tried to smile to reassure the minister but the bruise on his cheek was making it difficult.
“Astute observation. I recognized a couple of them. I’ll make sure they’re punished.” The minister could feel the anger bubbling up inside of him.
Harvey reached out and touched the minister’s arm. “No, please don’t. What will that add to anything? Can you find them and let me meet them? If all we do is meet anger with anger, no one wins. I may as well go first.”
The minister pulled onto Seminary Road, driving into the main entrance of the Episcopal Seminary, past the
Slow, Children at Play sign. He turned to the right, driving down Deanery Drive behind Aspinwall Hall to the dean’s home just beyond the old cemetery. The dean was waiting for him when he pulled into the driveway.
They helped Harvey into the kitchen and sat him in one of the old wooden chairs with a bright yellow oil cloth seat faded from the number of bottoms that had slid across it. Harvey sat with his head resting on his hands at the table.
“Are you a Gnome?” asked the dean, softly. He looked up at the minister. They were risking nothing with their question, except looking cruel if they were wrong.
Harvey lifted his chin so he could see them better. The dean smiled at him to put him at ease. It had been years since Harvey had admitted the truth. “I am. I’m a royal Gnome from the Light Elves’ castle.” It was a relief to say the words aloud and have someone hear them.
The dean started and blinked his eyes, stepping back slightly. “A royal Gnome. It’s true. You did hear him correctly.” He looked at the minister who was attempting to dab at Harvey’s cut above his eye with a wet washcloth.
“What are you doing here on Earth? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a royal Gnome on Earth before.”
“It was an accident. Happened over sixty years ago. We were transporting powerful relics and something went wrong. Next thing I knew I was here. Had to make the best of it.”
The dean’s expression softened. “You fell through a portal. Have you met no one magical in all this time?”
The minister looked up at the dean. “He’s a royal Gnome. They don’t share their secrets with anyone. Would make it hard to sort out who’s who.”
Harvey winced as the minister wiped away a smear of blood.
“Sixty years…” whispered the dean. “Well, it’s about time you fell back through a portal. But we have to do this the right way. Call the PDF and get some kind of permission.”
“Maybe the Silver Griffins?”
“No, they don’t do portals as a rule and they might put the kibosh on the whole thing. Magic on Earth twists their panties something awful. It needs to be the PDF.”