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

by P. G. Thomas

  Walking up, Logan sat down beside her, “A horse walks into a bar. The bartender says, what’s with the big pause?”

  “You idiot, it starts off with a bear walking into a bar.”

  “Why would a bear walk into a bar? That doesn’t make any sense. So what has you so glum, chum?”

  “I don’t know what to do. We found the children and tried to show them the truth, but somebody pushed it back. There are even more rumors about the plague than when we first arrived. Do I wait until an army is outside the walls to show them the evidence of the invasion? I can’t stand up, saying ‘you’re being invaded,’ because they’ll all think I’m crazy. I might as well move into a little apartment with forty cats. Even if I had a movie camera, filmed our trip south, they would think I was some sort of witch.”

  “Nobody calls my sister a bit—”

  “I said witch! Take a bath and wash the wax out of your ears.”

  “Well, I don’t think we should wait until the black-clad army is here to act. That wouldn’t be good, no, not at all. There’s no way we can drag them to it because we don’t even know where they are. These people have to meet you half way, but first, you need to tell them the truth. Last week you had them search the fort. Yeah, it went sour on you, crap happens. I think you said that you promised Mother you would find her children and tell them the truth. So tell them the truth. Maybe some of them will see it and seek you out? What do you have to lose?”

  “They already stare at me like I have the plague.”

  “Well, give them a reason to stare at you harder. Maybe some of them will see past you and see the truth?”

  “Have you been hanging around Zack? And if they don’t see the truth?” asked Lauren.

  “Maybe we go back through the pass and head north for a bit. Take Eric on a play date for a few days. Then we’ll have him fill Mirtza’s wagon with evidence, which we can bring back here. If your words don’t get their attention, that should. You worry too much. Just tell them the truth.” Logan smiled, “Once you’ve done that, you can go out with me and the dwarves. This little town has some wicked bars, and they don’t ask for ID. They don’t even know what it is!”

  Lauren tried to correct her brother, “The dwarves and I.”

  “That’s right, we’ll all go out.”

  Shaking her head, she pushed her brother away.

  *******

  Lauren was apprehensive about the town meeting that night, and after the morning meal, she took a long bath, trying to figure out what she needed to resolve, and with the water cooling down, her temper began to heat up. Logan is right. I’ll tell them the truth. As she walked by Eric’s room, she stuck her head in the open door, “Wear your armor to the meeting tonight.”

  Eric smiled.

  Late in the afternoon, after the entire group headed down to the town hall, they waited in the courtyard for the doors to open. Alron was anxious standing around in public, having everyone looking at Lauren and Eric. In addition, he was uncertain why the giant had worn the dwarf armor. When the doors opened, he made sure that Lauren went into the back row so that her Earth Guard and the Ironhouse brothers could surround her, as he had a feeling something was going to happen. Before the mayors entered, three dozen of the meanest town watch members entered the hall, taking up positions in the corridors between the seats.

  When all six mayors were at the front table, Lo banged his gavel, “We will suspend our usual meeting tonight. We sent a party to the Royal House fort, and we found signs of plague. We have dispatched a report to the south Royal House post, advising them that they need to rebuild the fort. The plague is their issue, not ours. That is all.”

  When Alron heard the words Royal House post, he cast a glance in Eric’s direction and then heard Lauren speaking. I am getting old, slow

  “There is no disease stalking you or your lands. The Royal House fort with those black-clad soldiers, they’re the plague. You’re under attack, and from the looks of it, the east has already fallen, so the west is next.”

  Murmurs from the crowd were overheard. She has the plague. As the words grew louder, people began to move back.

  Hoyle banged his gavel, bringing it down so hard that it echoed throughout the hall, “We are not under attack by anybody. We investigated as you asked, and we found evidence of the plague. Those at the Royal House Fort went mad, most likely attacked themselves, burning the place to the ground as they burned alive with fever. The Royal House Fort is not our expense or concern. They will be notified shortly, being advised to rebuild the fort to keep the plague from entering our lands.”

  “If you say there are other Royal House posts in the west,” began Lauren, “then it’s too late. The plague, clad in black, already walks your lands. You’ll be attacked, and the fate of those in the east shall be your fate also.” She looked at John, “Can you explain it to them. Please listen to him.” The crowd never realized it, being too subtle, yet it was a command from an Earth Daughter: an Earth Bond.

  John was a little surprised at her request. When Gayne had told his story the other night, he finally had all of the pieces of the puzzle. While he knew he could explain it, he needed a prop to sell it. Before the meeting had begun, he had been watching two midlanders playing a card game, attempting to figure out the rules without knowing the game. When she had interrupted his observations, he asked to borrow their cards, but they failed to respond.

  Bor coughed, “Brother, he asked to borrow your cards.”

  They quickly passed the cards to John, who began sorting through the deck, looking for one card that was all black, and when he found it, he stood up on the bench.

  Somebody from the middle of the room shouted, “Stand up, so we can see you!”

  Eric, hearing the snickering and laughter, tilted his head to one side like he was trying to force a thought to fall into place. He stood, pulled off his cloak, exposing the dark dwarf armor. “My brother will talk. You will listen. Do not interrupt him.” Everybody in Newtown knew Eric, as he was easily a foot or taller than any of the residents, and they had all seen his sword, which was as tall as the silent giant that carried it. The room went quiet.

  John again held up the black card, making sure he showed it to the group around him also, “Can everyone see this card?” Hearing enough hums of agreement, he put it in his pocket, “About fifty years ago, ships first appeared on the Bright Coast, being eager to trade bags of gold for food, lumber, supplies, and more, or so you thought.” As the crowd focused on John, he switched from the trade on the Bright Coast to the strange northern town, the beachhead for the invasion. The more he talked, the more entranced the crowd became with his words. With the story a third complete, he asked about the card one more time, but this time, he added one word, “Does everybody still remember the white card?” He then continued for another twenty minutes, asking several times about the white card, but by now, the regular questions seemed to be part of the story. He mentioned the plague posters, deserted towns, omitting the mass graves being afraid that the focus might shift from invasion and back to the plague. He also skipped over the massive army building up on the far side of the mountain range, thinking it would be best if she told that part. In the end, when done, the room was quiet with all eyes focusing on him. “Now, does everybody still remember the card? In his hand, he held the black card he had originally shown them. A chorus of ‘it was white’ rolled through the hall.

  Lauren stood, “The card was black! During his speech, he kept referring to it as white. You all heard ‘white card’ so many times that it changed from black to white in your minds. Even though you have never seen any signs of plague, you still believe in it. Those who warned you about the plague are the plague! The plague that infects your lands walks on two legs and kills with steel!”

  Hoyle banged his gavel, “This meeting is over.” Before the mayors stood, the guards started to clear out the meeting hall.

  Being uncertain if the crowd had understood John’s message, she just hop
ed somebody would believe her like Logan had said. Otherwise, she had no idea how to proceed.

  With the night still young, Pintar rushed back to open up the tavern, hoping that the displaced crowd would relocate back to his place. He never expected so many to show up only to stare at his boarders, especially Lauren and John. As he brought over a tray with three pitchers, he tapped Alron on the shoulder, “Friend, can we speak outside for a minute?”

  Alron had been expecting the reaction. Somehow, he had a feeling that Pintar wanted to show him that the welcome mat was missing from the front door, and with it, their welcome. “Friend, you have been good to me, very good to me, but tonight your young lady friend changed the game. I have no need for any trouble, and she has focused a very bright light on herself. However, that light also removes me from the shadows, and I do not like attention, as this town has a way of making those who seek it disappear.”

  “Pintar, our rent is paid in full until months end. I will post guards so your establishment shall be safe. I will personally guarantee it.”

  “Should any damage be incurred, I will subtract the cost from what you have already paid. You are advised to look for other lodgings for the end of the month.”

  As Pintar returned to his bar, Alron looked up into the sky. Mother, please guide Earth Daughter. You do need to help her, advise her. If not, could you at least send help? For out of the dark shadows your Earth Daughter stepped this night. Alron went inside, issuing his commands. The Dawnfalcons would take the first watch: one on the roof, one on the street. Upon seeing Alron’s mood change, Aaro called to his brothers, arranging dwarf guard shifts also.

  *******

  Early the next morning, Alron was waiting on the front porch for Panry. Having the last watch, they were to relieve Erust and Cethail at any moment. The report that Erust had provided was disturbing, as he had heard numerous fights in the street that night. The dimly lit street in front of the inn was a dead end, as the north ended at one of the old fort walls, and the only way to gain entrance was from the main street to the south. Erust reported that several small groups had entered the street, but the shadows had swallowed them up, so he only heard the sounds of the fights. Alron was concerned that stronger gangs were fending off the weaker ones, waiting for reserves. Since Fen and Gor were on shift, he had them go to investigate the potential fights, but they had found no evidence of anybody or anything. Alron told Erust to warn the other Earth Guards and Ironhouse brothers, as he had a feeling something was going to happen.

  When Panry joined Alron, he advised him of the situation. Although he acknowledged the report, Panry’s silence was troubling. Before Panry could leave for his station, Alron grabbed his shoulder, “Your concern, speak it. What troubles you?”

  “She is dangerous.”

  “Who? Earth Daughter?”

  “Yes, she acts too quick, does not think.”

  “What do you mean, Panry?”

  “Town Council meet last night. Her actions were wrong. You saw how all now look at her, and now we have street fights. They arrive to silence her and her words. She is like a flame, attracting moths with her words. How can we protect that which invites danger?”

  “Earth Daughter does not invite danger, and the truth she speaks. Her doorstep this is not, it is mine. Guests who we do not invite, who bring gifts unkind, Earth Guard shall receive and return.”

  “Alron, she rushes forward without thought. She lacks tact, discipline, clear thought.”

  “Panry, do you refer to the Earth Guard oath where you are given the right to guide, criticize, or even restrain those we protect.”

  “There does not be any such section.”

  “That is correct, Panry. What is the oath?”

  “Protect and serve.”

  “Pretty simple it is and not much room for interpretation.”

  “She is dangerous.”

  Alron shook his head, “If Earth Daughter wishes to be dangerous, she shall be. If she does not wish to advise us, then she shall not. If she wants to stir the crowds, well, you get my point. Her concerns are Mother’s children and to push the plague hoax shadow back. She does as Mother wants. Should Earth Daughter wish to confront the black-clad army, who will stand in front of her?”

  “Earth Guard.”

  “If Earth Daughter does as Mother wants, what about Panry?”

  “I have concerns!”

  “Ten forefathers before Panry there were, all Earth Guard. What was their concern?”

  “Protect and serve.”

  “Your concerns, Panry, who are they for?”

  “Earth Daughter, couple with death she shall if her actions do not change.”

  Alron let out a sigh, his voice a mixture of quiet and anger, “The cold embrace of death will not find her. Earth Guard protects her, my Earth Guard. Failure, embrace myself it will not. If this was your command, your second questions you. How would you reply?”

  “Alron, I have seen the look in your eyes, and test you she does.”

  “That is between Mother, Earth Daughter, and myself and is not your concern. Now, answer my question. When your second questions you, how would you respond?”

  “What is the oath? That is what I would ask.”

  “Panry, what is the oath?”

  “Protect and serve.”

  “Can you fulfill your oath?”

  “Ten generations past, all Earth Guard like I am. Oath in granite it is carved, and until one can better my skills, my duties are clear.”

  “Why?”

  The simple question caught Panry off guard. He had never questioned the oath or his motivations. One does not ask why the forests grow, or why the rivers flow, they just do. The same was true with the oath, it just was. For the first time, Panry was unsure about himself.

  “Panry, I understand your concerns. I wish for the old days, even back at the Ironhouse Mine. I know not why Mother does what she does, as consult myself she does not. Years past, I answered ‘yes.’ Do you know what the question was?”

  “Protect and serve.”

  “Can Panry still protect and serve?”

  “Yes.” Without asking, Panry turned towards the dark street, heading to his station so he could think.

  Watching Panry blend into the darkness, Alron thought back to his conversation with the Earth Mother about Lauren, and how she had said that Mother had named her Hope, called her the fourth sun. He was pleased with her progress, as she had remained focused on finding the populations that had fled. The Earth Mother had advised he may have to mentor her, but from the moment that she had called him an Earth Guard, she never wavered from her quest, though she had sufficient reasons. Part of him wanted to tell Panry what the Earth Mother had told him, and part of him wanted Panry just to uphold his oath without questions. He had hoped once they had found Mother’s children, that they would recognize her as an Earth Daughter, or Hope, or anything. With nobody reacting in any way, he knew that she was getting frustrated with the lack of progress. Having all fought so hard to get here and then nothing. He was beginning to wonder if they had shown up at the wrong place. That maybe somewhere further north a large group of Mother’s children had gathered, waiting to welcome the Earth Daughter. Even though the fourth sun was trying to rise, the darkness from the shadows seemed unpenetrable

  Chapter 11

  That morning Pintar’s mood remained unchanged; the breakfast was hot, the service was cold. As Mirtza and John went to visit Gayne, Alron signaled for two of the Earth Guards to go with them, as John was no longer able to hide in a crowd.

  As they were leaving, five ladies walked into the inn: two were elves, two were midlanders, and one was a half-elf. As a rule, Pintar only served breakfast to his guests unless other arrangements were made. When the five sat, he went to them immediately, and taking their order, he returned shortly with a large teapot and five cups. Alron saw Panry at the door, signaling that he wished to talk to him, so he slowly walked over. In the street, a disproportionate number of e
lves, half-elves, and midlanders were present, all with swords, but he recognized the Earth Guard blades.

  Returning to the dining room, he saw Lauren had joined the ladies for tea, and seeing their pins, he knew they were Earth Daughters or Earth Mothers. Saying a silent prayer to Mother, he headed back outside, advising Panry that the guests had arrived.

  After they had ordered their tea, having also seen the pins, Lauren went over to ask if she could join them. As she sat, they began to introduce themselves. The first was Arora, who was an elf, sharing the same common elf features of size, hair, eye color, and deer ears. While she was the oldest of the group, Lauren had no idea of her age. On her jacket, she had seven pins similar to the ones given to her. Beside her sat another elf, Brook, also of considerable age, having five pins. Fritza and Lindo, both midlanders, each had three pins. Fritza was about forty, slim with brown hair. Lindo was about thirty, a little bit on the plump side, and had blonde hair with big blue eyes. Nur was taller than an elf, having a larger profile, but was the youngest. Were it not for her ears, she could have been mistaken for midlander, but her appearance was odd with the black hair, green eyes, and deer ears.

  They talked with Lauren, asking various questions; how long she had been in town, where she had arrived from, where she was going, and such. Being vague with her answers, she was uncertain why they were at the inn.

  “That was a different town hall meet last night,” advised Brook.

  “Your young friend told an odd story,” continued Arora.

  “Let us cut to the chase,” began Nur. “Why has Mother sent you?”

  “Pardon?” The midlander speech from Nur caught Lauren off guard.

  “What business do you have here? Why does Mother send you?” Nur then switched to Midlander, “I speak both midlander and elf. I guess you could say I go both ways.”