Sky Elf: The Anti-Matter Chronicles (The Matter Chronicles Book 2)

by P. G. Thomas

  Jumping in the front of the wagon, Ryan steered the horses towards the back of the cleared property and into the woods. Following on foot, Lauren stopped every ten feet to plunge her tri-wood staff into the ground, causing the wagon ruts to fill in, making compressed grass once again stand tall, restoring crushed plants to their original vigor, and erasing all traces of their passage. The dwarves, once mounted, raced ahead to ensure that no surprises lay ahead of them, as the Earth Guard held back to protect the Earth Daughter. Traveling miles deep into the forest, when Bor finally found a small suitable clearing, he called for Ryan to stop the wagon. There they waited for Lauren and her Earth Guard, who emerged from the forest an hour later.

  When Lauren saw them, she turned to Alron, “Post guards.”

  He signaled to the Dawnfalcons, who turned back towards the road. Secretly he was pleased, as her words were those that a leader should give, meaning that she still embraced her role as Earth Daughter, even under these dire circumstances.

  Bor called out to his brothers, “Fen, Hakk. I claim this land to be Ironhouse. Enter none shall.” The two dwarves followed the Earth Guards to lend what assistance they could.

  Lauren went up to the wagon to check on the injured four: burns, gouges, cuts, broken bones, bruises, and more, but under their clothing, she knew more injuries were hidden.

  “Gingaar, where’s my leaf pouch?”

  “We put it in the wagon to keep safe.”

  Pulling out Mirtza’s cloak, finding the amulet, Lauren threw it on the ground, and tossing the cape over it, she pulled it off the wagon, retrieving her pouch from the back. She called to the Ironhouse brothers, “Gor, Fodu. Leave two in the back, and put the two least hurt on the ground.”

  “Earth Daughter, injuries all are great. In the wagon, which two do we leave?” asked Gor.

  “It looks like Eric and Mirtza have broken ribs so leave them.”

  Pulling Logan out first, Lauren went to look at her brother. While he had extensive bruising on his chest and back, the worst was a huge goose egg the size of a softball on the left side of his head. Having seen similar trauma on medical shows, she knew the swelling would be forcing the skull down onto the brain, and from the size of the wound, she guessed his skull was most likely fractured, but she lacked the necessary resources to relieve the pressure.

  Placing John beside Logan, as his back resembled a piece of raw meat, they laid him down on his stomach. Fresh wounds, too fresh to scab over, showed where his skin had been violently ripped apart, exposing muscle, and fresh tears still oozed different colored liquids. With his lower back being black and blue, Lauren worried there may be kidney or liver damage.

  Then she went over to the wagon. “Mirtza, is this not where we started? However, now our roles are reversed. Don’t worry, friend, all will be well.” Huge burn marks were visible on his legs, chest, and neck, which all had large blisters trying to sweat out the captive liquid. One of his hands was red like a lobster, and with his entire chest being a huge multi-colored bruise and burn, she was uncertain of where one stopped and the other began. Going to the other side of the wagon, she examined Eric’s condition. With his chest bare, she felt along his ribs, which moved under his bruised skin. Having his right arm broken in two spots, she was sure that most of the bones in his right hand were also broken. Pausing, she looked up to the sky, “Mother, your challenges are too great, and I could use a little help.”

  “What do you need, Earth Daughter?” asked Gingaar.

  “Mirtza kept a medicine bag under the wagon seat. Get it. There should also be a box with a red cross in one of the backpacks. It’s the healing kit that we brought with us.” Dumping the contents of the leaf pouch onto the wagon tailgate, she scooped a couple of berries into her hand, squeezing the juice into Eric’s mouth so that the pain would not wake him. “Gor. Fodu. Eric’s arm is broken, and we need to set it, or it’ll heal wrong. Have you set bones before?”

  “Times many, Earth Daughter,” answered Fodu.

  “This arm is broken in two spots. Fodu you secure the top. Gor, you pull from the elbow, but be careful of his lower arm, which is also broken.”

  As Fodu climbed into the wagon, Gor took up his position at the back. When both were in place, they pulled on the arm. The berries, having done their job, resulted in him remaining motionless. Carefully wiggling the bone, she felt the pieces pop back into place. The three then repeated the process for the lower arm. Looking to Gingaar behind them with the medical kits, she asked, “Do you know how to secure broken bones? Find some thick sticks, wrapping them tightly next to the arm to keep it straight. We’ll have to splint his hand later.” Going over to the pouch, she retrieved a piece of bark, “Gor, crush this into a fine powder and then start a small fire. Bring the water to a boil before adding the powder. Call me when it’s done.” Grabbing a few more berries, she headed to Logan, squeezing the liquids into his mouth, “Sleep, brother.” She looked at John, “Fodu, what can we do about him?”

  “Earth Daughter, much barber surgeon experience I have.”

  Repeating the berry procedure with John, she asked, “Can you stitch him back together?” Fodu nodded his head, and after Gingaar had splinted Eric’s arm, Lauren called to her, “Mix these into a paste. We need to treat the burns. Do you remember how to mix them from your training?” Then Lauren went over to Alron, “I’m worried about Logan. I don’t know how to treat such an extensive head wound. Alron, Alron.”

  He was busy staring into the woods. “Earth Daughter, five were taken, but only four are tortured?”

  Zack was sitting at the base of a tree, his knees pulled close to his chest, his arms wrapped around them. The bloody rag used to clean himself lay by his side, as he rocked back and forth, mumbling to himself.

  “What do you mean?” asked Lauren.

  “Do you not find it odd that friend Zack has no damage? Blood covers him, but it is not his. Mock injury for sympathy I think.”

  Being concerned about the injured, from what she saw, Zack had no apparent wounds, “What’re you getting at?”

  Walking over, Alron stood in front of him, “Please speak of what happened.”

  “Dude, I don’t know, I really don’t know. I woke up this morning. There were dead bodies in the room, and the cell was unlocked. I found you guys out back.”

  “How long were you in your cell?”

  “Dude, I don’t know.”

  “What killed them?”

  “Look, Dude, I don’t know?”

  “Why did the beast kill the black-clad? But not touch you?”

  Trying to back up, Zack remembered the repetitive questions from the cell and the pain, “Look, I don’t know what god damn happened. OKAY!”

  “Your friends are near death, yet you are like a newborn fawn. How can this be?”

  His anger was growing, “I told you, Dude, I DON’T KNOW!”

  “I think that you conspired with the black-clad. You talked while your friends are beaten. You are a coward, a traitor.” He started to pull out his sword.

  “NO, NO, no, noooooooo...”

  As the others watched, Zack went out of focus, causing Alron to back up. There appeared to be something present, but at the same time, not there. Then a figure began to stabilize, transforming into a huge timber wolf, standing four feet tall at the shoulders, which stood on top of Zack’s clothes. Its appearance had on oddity, as each leg had ‘white socks’ that went up to the knee joint.

  IT not like. (“Not again, no, no, no. I’m losing my mind. Please stop, please stop.”) Little man. Fresh. (“No, no, no.”) Hungry.

  When Alron took a step towards the wolf, Lauren jumped in front of him, “Zack! Listen to me! You know it’s me, Lauren. Calm down.”

  No more pain. IT not like pain. IT will hurt. Fresh (“NO, NO, NO, Stop.”)

  “Everybody put away your weapons, now!” She turned to them, “Drop them, or you’ll be sorry.” The weapons all fell to the ground, “Zack, it’s me, Lauren. You’re with fri
ends. Calm down.”

  Revenge. Kill. No more pain. IT will survive. Little man dies. (“NO. They’re my friends. STOP THIS NOW!”)

  The beast curled its lips back, exposing huge white canine teeth.

  She dropped to her knees, “You’re with friends. Nobody’s going to hurt you. You didn’t do anything wrong. Do you hear me?”

  Slowly the wolf calmed down, and losing its focus, it became a blur. Zack soon appeared in his human form, naked and on all fours, “Oh, crap!” Grabbing his clothes, he covered himself, running behind a tree to get dressed again. As he did, they all could see the bizarre patchwork quilt of furs that covered most of his abdomen and chest, including the snakeskin on his arm, and the feathers sticking out of his back. The blood that covered him a few minutes ago, which had dripped out of his hair, was now gone. After dressing, he sat down beside the tree, being too ashamed to face them.

  Lauren’s voice was cold, “Alron, go protect the fire.” Then she slowly walked over to Zack, “Are you feeling okay?”

  “No, this doesn’t feel okay. At first, I thought they were dreams or flashbacks of some kind, but no, this is so far from okay. I feel like a reject from a horror movie.”

  “Can I come closer? I just want to talk.”

  He began to cry, “What’s happening to me?”

  Sitting down, she hugged him. “Gor, bean juice, please.” The two continued to rock back and forth until Zack was out of tears. By this time, Gor cautiously approached with two mugs, setting them down beside Lauren. “Let’s have a cup and just talk. Tell me what you know.”

  “For a long time since we arrived here, I’ve had these dreams. I was different animals, hunting and killing, which seemed so real. When I woke up in the cell, there was so much pain. I thought I was losing my mind, or somebody was playing a sick game with me. What’s happening?” He took off his shirt, revealing his secret. “What am I? Look at me! Even a traveling freak show would reject me. Did a drunken gypsy with a speech impediment curse me? If I need a haircut, do I go to a barber or a pet groomer? Lauren, the images of the blood, and the look on their faces, it was horrific. When it eats, oh, the taste of blood, swallowing flesh, it’s hard to describe.”

  “That’s okay so please don’t. I don’t think you’re cursed,” replied Lauren, holding back the shudder that tried to run down her spine, being glad her stomach was empty, so there was nothing else she had to hold back. “What did you bring onto the bus that morning?”

  “I was working on a late science project. I had a bunch of furs that I bought at a fly tying store and some other animal skins. I was slapping together a biology project. It was going to be a sad effort, but if I finished it, I wouldn’t fail.”

  “I think, when we came into this world, it knew you were hurt,” replied Lauren, “and it tried to heal you, like it healed Ryan. You remember, before the accident, he could barely walk, yet four days later, he was on his feet. Then, a week later, you would never know he used to rely on a wheelchair. Well, when that explosion melted the plastic case, it also burned you, and the furs ended up in the mix. When this world tried to heal your injuries, it found dead skins attached to you, and it most likely thought they were supposed to be there, healing them also. The magic that’s in this world wanted you to live, so it healed you and everything attached. It probably didn’t understand how you were supposed to work, so I think it left that option up to you. I don’t believe you’re cursed. I think you’ve been blessed.”

  “So you’re trying to tell me this is like that movie where the guy steps inside the teleporter with a fly. The computer is only programmed to materialize one body, so it merges the two together.”

  “Sure, we can go with that.”

  “It can’t be a blessing. I can’t control it.”

  “A little while ago you did. You were scared when Alron reached for his sword. The sensation of pain still fresh in your brain probably activated it. However, you didn’t attack, and you stopped it from doing that. Now listen carefully.” She looked deep into his eyes, “Don’t fight it. Let it out. If you try to stop it, it’ll come out on its own, so embrace it and let it help you. To be honest, I’ll trade you my staff, title, and all the stuff that’s happening to me for your simple blessing. Okay?”

  “No thanks, I look terrible in a dress.”

  She smiled, “How would you know that? Now I have to go back to see what I can do for the others. I’ll tell everybody to leave you alone. Are you going to be okay?” He nodded. As she walked away, she turned back for one final glance, seeing him curled up asleep on the ground. She advised Gor when the liquid was done to spoon-feed it to Logan. After examining the splints that Gingaar had placed on Eric, she watched Fodu stitch John’s back for a few minutes, and finally, she helped Gingaar treat the burns on Mirtza.

  By this time, Alron had sent replacement Earth Guards to relieve the Dawnfalcons, and upon their arrival, they approached him to provide an update. Lauren listened in on the good news, hearing that nobody had entered the forest and that all was quiet.

  Gathering the rest, she explained her thoughts on what had happened to Zack. How the world had tried to heal him, but when it was too complex, magic stepped in. When Alron started to voice his concerns, Lauren cut him off. “Then you explain the bloody wolf and bear prints in that jail, and the wounds on those men because they didn’t die by steel. He’ll be okay, as he knows us but don’t threaten him. He has finally found a way to apply himself, which he seems to excel at.” She continued, “Alron, I think we’re going to be here a while. I doubt if they’ll look for us this deep in the woods, especially with no reason to look back here. Send out scouts to see what they can learn. Right now, time is on our side, so we don’t need to rush anything. We only need to check to the south. The further south we went, the more black-clad we found, so something is happening down here, and we need to know what it is. Aaro, Bor, while the elf’s scout, the security of this camp falls upon your shoulders. Is that okay?”

  Bor nodded in agreement, “Earth Daughter, all will be safe.”

  Even though she had no reason to doubt him, Lauren also had no justification to believe him.

  Chapter 3

  The next morning, Lauren was one of the last to rise. Gingaar was cleaning wounds and changing bandages. The other elves and dwarves were absent except Bor, who was at the small campfire drinking a cup of hot bean juice. As Zack sat by himself, Ryan was talking to an unresponsive Logan.

  “Bor, what news do you have to share?” asked Lauren.

  “Brothers secure the perimeter. Setting traps, looking for signs, setting false trails. Elf to road went. Earth Daughter, your friends…”

  “Speak your mind, as I already have enough of my own doubts. The thought that others may harbor them will rob me of sleep.”

  “Friend Zack, beast in boy. Ryan as well. Can we trust them?”

  “I don’t know how Ryan avoided the capture, but I’m sure that mystery will be answered at some point. As for Zack, he controlled the beast once. When he learns to accept that it’s a part of him, I imagine his control will be better. Just don’t threaten him and treat him like you always have.”

  “As Earth Daughter wishes. Concern of injured I also have. The damage is great, and I have not seen worse, unless it was in battle. All will need great time to heal. How long do we wait?”

  “Right now, we’re going to take it one day at a time. I’m hoping that Mother is making arrangements to protect and help us.”

  “Earth Daughter…”

  “I told you not to hold back.”

  “Understand I do not. Mother chosen, Earth Daughter. Of the order, you are not, yet Mother, you trust. Why?”

  “If a beast leaped out of the trees and attacked us, would you first check to see if your ax was still sharp?”

  “No need to check as it is sharp!”

  “When was the last time you sharpened it?”

  “Long has it been for stone to caress steel.”

  “It has
been months, has it not?” Bor nodded, “It’s the same for me. I may not be able to touch Mother in the same way that your ax brings you comfort, but I need to believe since it’s all I have. We’ve come too far, seen too much not to believe, not to trust.” Why won’t she talk to me? Standing, she began walking towards the injured.

  Ryan was having a one-sided conversation with Eric about football, and noticing that, Zack had begun to engage with Mirtza in a one-sided conversation also. Gingaar, having knelt down next to Logan, was singing softly to him.

  “Your feet are all dirty!” Lauren exclaimed, “Where are your shoes?”

  “I spent too much time in shoes on stone floors. I miss the dirt between my toes,” replied Gingaar, who was smiling.

  “How’s Logan doing?”

  “His breathing is strong, and his blood flow is good, but he does not move, Earth Daughter.”

  John was the first to wake, if you could call it that, when he attempted to roll from his stomach onto his back. The ensuing scream made Lauren leap towards him, placing her hand over his mouth. As his shrieks turned to crying, she brought his head to her lap, rocking him back and forth, and massaging his temple, slowly his crying stopped.

  Squeezing his eyes shut, he somehow hoped it would help with the pain, “What happened?”

  “When the black-clad men found us, they captured five, and...tortured you.”

  “My back. The pain. Why does it hurt so bad?”

  “They whipped you.”

  “How bad is it?”

  “It’s looking better, as Fodu has stitched you back together.”

  “Where’s everybody?” he said, remembering the dwarves and the elves.

  “Don’t worry about that right now. Everything is under control. I’m going to mix up a salve for your back. Do you want anything for the pain?”

  “Not right now but maybe tonight to help me sleep.”

  When Lauren went over to her pouch, she noticed her supplies were getting low. Crushing some flowers and seeds into a thick pulp, which was diluted with water, she then returned to John. “This is going to hurt, but it’ll help.” She heard him groan when she applied the mixture, his back and shoulders tensing, but eventually, when the pain overtook him, his body forced him to sleep.