by P. G. Thomas
Lauren was unsure how to respond to the last statement.
“Young ones are always in such a rush,” began Arora, “and have no time to enjoy events new, just rush, rush, rush.”
Brook replied, “If your feeble age affects your recall, I can recite stories about you, your younger days.”
“No, that will not be necessary,” replied Arora. “Now, Lauren, what are you up to?”
While she had seen the pins, she wondered if they were actually Earth Mothers, but she also had no way to test them, “I don’t know what you mean?”
Fritza tried to break the stalemate, “We know you have the gift. You issued an Earth Bond last night. Only one with the gift could do such a thing.”
“Pardon? What’s an Earth Bond?”
“An Earth Bond is the influence of Mother, spoken by one with the gift, her power but your direction,” explained Arora. “The magic compels those from these lands to answer the bond, satisfying the request you made. Last night, when you asked the people to listen, they did.”
Fritza nodded, “It was weak, but you bought your friend enough time to open everyone’s eyes. Where did you get your training?”
“I don’t feel comfortable talking here.”
“None will disturb us,” Lindo said, “Now give us more details.”
“I met an Earth Mother while I was at the Ironhouse Mine. We met about seven months ago.”
Brook smiled, “Did she arrive with you? How is she?”
“Mother called her home about six months ago.”
The five all bowed their heads for a moment.
“I am so sorry to hear that. I always liked her,” Fritza said, “She had such great stories about the old days. Now tell us about more recent events.”
“First, the story my friend told. Do you believe it?”
Lindo nodded, “Yes, Mother has advised us of your arrival, but she failed to provide details.”
She began to explain her story, starting at the Ironhouse Mine, when she suddenly stopped, “Has she talked to you in the last six months?” When all five nodded yes, Lauren wondered why Mother had informed them but had shunned her, However, at the same time, she had no desire to admit her removal from Mother’s calling list. She started her story again: exploring the midlander towns, finding the mass grave, the armies, the journey south, the capture of her friends, the jail cell with the mass graves behind it, and of the army at the river.
“Do they still stage there?” asked Fritza
“No, they’re gone.”
“Where did they go?” inquired Lindo.
“Into the afterlife.”
Arora held up her hand, “Please explain more.”
“When we were camped out after the escape, the elves went to find a route to continue our journey south. They came across a huge army staged beside a river that blocked our path. There were so many of them.”
“So many of them? Could you be more specific: one hundred, one thousand? How many?” asked Nur.
“I was told over a hundred thousand.”
Nur dropped her teaspoon, “What?”
“The camp was four to five miles wide, stretching back twenty miles plus, and campfires for more than a hundred miles could be seen at night, going back to the east.”
“Wait one moment,” interrupted Arora, who turned to face the bar. “Pintar? I know it is early, but this tea is weak. Can you please bring us stronger?”
“That is the strongest I have, Earth Mother.”
“From a bottle, please.”
Pintar was now worried. Last night, so much attention, and me sitting in full sight when everybody stared at John. Today, five Earth Mothers walk into my dining hall. Five. You never see all five of them together. Now they want alcohol, it is still morning, and they want alcohol. Something bad is happening, and Pintar, you are sitting right in the middle of it.
He took over a bottle of the spiced cider, six glasses, and a pitcher of water. It would be on the house, as he wanted to keep them on his good side. Setting the contents of the tray down, he added, “I will have my wife prepare some sandwiches for you.”
Nur poured a half glass for each, “Would anybody like some water?” She asked, filling her own glass. The four ladies declined while Lauren accepted. Brook and Arora downed their drinks while Fritza and Lindo sipped theirs.
Brook started, “Where did you leave off? An army of a hundred thousand staged on the south bank I recall. You helped them into this afterlife. Is that right, Lauren?”
“Yes.”
Arora half-filled her glass before adding some water. “What did Earth Mother teach you girl? What happened?”
“I called upon the mosquitoes, the bugs, the snakes, the rats, the fleas, and anything else that would hear my song. I declared the south bank open for lunch, suggesting that they should gorge themselves. In four days, many were sick or dead. By the time we returned, all were gone.”
“You sang?” asked Arora.
“Yes.”
“What did you sing?”
“I don’t know.”
With all five asking questions now, Lauren was having a hard time finishing one answer before she was looking to find out who had asked the next.
“Where did you learn such?”
“I didn’t.”
“You sang to the bugs, and they responded?”
“Yes.”
“You attacked an army with bugs?”
“Yes.”
“With a song that you do not know?”
“Yes.”
Arora slammed her glass down, “Do you expect us to believe this? Do you mock us?”
The Earth Daughter in Lauren appeared, “With all due respect, if you want me to lie to you, ask me to. I can accommodate that request. I met an army, and I crushed them. My friends were severely injured, and I thought it would be months before we could travel here. In that time, the army would’ve finished their bridge, invading the west. I didn’t want that to happen, and I don’t think you would’ve enjoyed it either. I called forth an army, and I slaughtered many. I didn’t enjoy it, but I had to do it. Should you wish, we can go for a tour, as I’m sure some signs still remain.”
Arora backed down, “I am sorry. It seems so unbelievable. I have never heard of any army of bugs before. I believe you. Then what happens? You made your way to the fort I think. What happened there?”
“I didn’t do anything there.”
“I heard it burnt to the ground, all are dead,” started Fritza. “You said so yourself they were not victims of the plague but died by steel. What happened?”
“Ironhouse made a sword. I named it and the champion, and it awoke that night.”
Arora and Brook both filled their glasses and drank them completely.
“Sword, named, champion?” asked Arora.
“Its name, what is it?” Brook asked with caution.
“Tranquil Fury.”
“That is an odd name,” Nur said.
“It’s an odd sword.”
“Can we see it? Is it here?”
“Eric, please bring Tranquil Fury over here,” Lauren called. “We have some friends that would like to be introduced.”
Even though he was without his armor, as always, the sword was close by. They had noticed him with the impressive armor at the town hall meeting, but they had been sitting at the front, being unable to get a good look. As he stood, the five found it hard to believe his size. When he picked up the sword, they were astonished to see that it almost matched his height. Walking over, he silently pulled the sword from its sheath, holding it upright, and then lowered himself to one knee.
They seemed intoxicated by the craftsmanship, and the beautifully carved runes. Watching their jaws drop open, Lauren saw their eyes grow wider, “Thank you, Eric, thank you, Tranquil Fury.”
Sheathing the sword, he went back to his seat.
“A dwarf made that? It is huge. Why is it so big?” asked Nur.
Lauren shrugged her shoulders, �
��Ask Mother.”
“This Eric, he is the champion?” asked Nur.
“Yes.”
Nur continued, “You are telling me, that that big man with that big sword did all of the damage at the fort? That you had nothing to do with any of it, that one man, and one sword destroyed that entire fort?”
“He had some help. Who is Father?”
Before any could answer, Pintar arrived with sandwiches. Brook filled Arora’s glass and her own, “Pintar, this bottle seems to have a hole in it, and the contents have drained out.”
Before Lauren could ask her question again, Brook advised it could wait until after the meal, and as they ate their lunch, the conversation changed to the weather, the evictions, new shops opening, and other trivial events in the town.
Pintar went back to the bar. If I sell this place, how much can I get? Buy a couple of fast horses for the wife and me. Maybe take the kids, she will probably insist. I will need more horses. Head north, yes, head north. A second bottle! We are all doomed. He brought it over and left quickly. After the meal, Nur filled the glasses, and everyone except Lauren drained their drink.
“Did you just use the F-word?” asked Fritza.
“You mean Father?”
Arora held up her hand, collected her thoughts, “Dwarf sword, Mother’s gift it is not, as not would she gift an instrument where the sole design is death. Father’s path that is, but we shall not talk of such here.”
Nur had heard enough about Father to know she should not raise any questions, “Did anybody else help?”
“Well…,” Finishing her drink, Lauren wiped a tear from her eye, “Sister seems to have become attached to my brother. He was responsible for the burning part.”
“And?” prodded Arora.
“I’ll tell you later about our pet,” When Lauren held out her glass for a refill, Nur filled them all.
“Friends, let us toast to the good old quiet days; may they return soon,” said Fritza.
Lauren looked at the five, “I need a nap. Where can I find you?”
“We will return tomorrow.”
“No, please let me meet you somewhere,” began Lauren, “anywhere but here and later in the day.”
“We will send for you,” Brook replied, “as you have given us much to think about.” As she stood up, the world moved in a peculiar way for that time of the day. She turned back to face Lauren, “We will call for you in two days, not tomorrow.” After Brook then helped Arora up, Nur slowly followed them, laughing to herself, as she saw the four slowly work their way to the door, but quit when she walked into the post.
When Arora went out onto the porch, an elf went to her. At first, leaning in to listen, he then moved back. Looking inside the dining hall, he saw the two empty bottles. When he whistled, an elf at the far end of the street ran around the corner, returning a few minutes later with a horse drawn coach.
As Arora continued to talk, the elf delicately tried to hold her steady without offending her. When the carriage stopped in front of the inn, different members of each Earth Guard helped each into the coach. When the senior guard from Arora’s team signaled to the other team leaders, each team leader then notified their members. Knowing the signs, Alron could read the conversation; one man from each guard would stand duty around the inn, identifying him as the captain. As the coach headed out, five from each of the Earth Guards blended into the alley shadows. The remaining Earth Guards followed the carriage with the tipsy Earth Mothers back to their house.
Alron looked up to the sky, “Mother, I thank you.” As he went inside, he noticed Lauren asleep on the table, and walking over, he picked her up, taking her upstairs. When he returned, he advised the rest that members of five Earth Guards were outside. After last night’s show, her friends may have failed to understand what could happen, but the dwarves were very aware. They were pleased to hear five additional now stood watch, so should trouble brew, many would help to provide aid.
Alron then went up to Pintar, “Did they settle their account before they left?”
“Charge them? Are you crazy? My wife may not pleasure me as much as I like, but should she offer, I would like to participate. Offend them, and that option may be removed from me and much more. No, they are like the mayors, drinking for free. I just like them more and prefer to see them less. Alron, this does not bode well. I was thinking of selling my place, moving somewhere safe.”
“Where does this safe place be?”
“I was thinking I would stop when I was…really far away.”
“You are safe as they left friends outside. I think they like Lauren. See, I gave you my word that your place will be safe. Now relax, you worry too much.” He signaled to Erust to advise that his watch would start early, “Pintar, could you please hand myself a glass and a bottle of cider. I shall replace it tomorrow, and the two that the Earth Mothers consumed. Better yet, three glasses.” Taking both over to a table in the far corner, he pointed to Aaro and Bor, who joined him. “It bothers my eyes to see so much drank, so early.”
“Neither Bor nor I have had any to drink,” Aaro replied.
Alron filled the glasses, “Not you, them. You saw it with your own eyes. They drank if they were dwarf. Two bottles, six ladies, two hours. Aaro, those numbers, what does they spell?”
“Brother, you have numbers and letters mixed up,” advised Bor. “Add numbers and spell, you cannot.”
“John, add and spell he could,” suggested Aaro.
All three raised their glasses, “To John!”
“Pintar thinks he needs to sell his inn,” Alron said. “He considers moving far away. I think I may join him. Any thoughts?”
“Work it will not. Mother, she will find you.”
“I suppose you are right.”
*******
The discord John had caused at the meeting followed him that morning. Being present at the meeting, Gayne had seen John give his speech. While he both understood and agreed with it, he had no interest in being seen with him, especially entering his building. He had waited for them on the porch, and as people walked by, John could feel them stare. Calling Mirtza to the side, Gayne advised that the studies would halt until things settled down.
When the news was conveyed to John, he was vocal about his displeasure. “Fine, I’ve learned what I need to know. Mirtza, they’ve lied to you. Your teachers don’t understand magic. They have no comprehension of what, how, or why. They’ve seen or stumbled upon something, and they’re ignorant of what they teach, and they’re just too stupid to admit it.”
“John, please, I understand you are upset, but Gayne has been very accommodating.”
“He doesn’t know crap! Here, let me show you.” Opening the house door, without asking, he went to the study where Gayne had been teaching him. Walking up to the blackboard, he started drawing circles, “This is your planet, and these are the three suns. Each sun is a huge neutron bomb or consider it a massive dwarf forge. Each contains a vast amount of energy. As they provide light, some of that energy escapes, and it’s a very different energy. Are you still with me? Now if we were to take a plant, an animal, and energy from those suns, and buried them outside, they’ll begin to decompose. The amount of time it takes them to become part of the soil is called the decay rate, and part of that decay rate can be used to define the complex nature of an item’s construction. Within a month, if you dug the plant back up, there would be nothing left of it. Within a year, there would be nothing left of the animal. Both the plant and animal, just like you, are constructed from matter, which is composed of neutrons, electrons, and protons. Each of which has a different decay rate, but the energy from those suns, it can last thousands of years, even tens of thousands. This energy is called radiation. You know when you look up at the northern skies, and you see the light show? That is caused by radiation entering this atmosphere.”
“If I’m going too fast,” continued John, “let me know. Now these three suns spit out excess energy. This radiation, plus gravity—
that’s a lesson for much later—attracts this energy, pulling it down to this planet. It’s consumed by the lands, compressed, concentrated. When it’s caught in a limited aquifer, another lesson for later, it comes to the surface under forests. There plants absorb the radiation or energy. It finds some element in that plant and intensifies it. Like with Iron Wood trees, it finds strength, and it makes them stronger. In other cases, it falls onto a glacier, what you call an ice shield. Over hundreds of years, it slowly makes its way to the bottom. Hundreds of years of compressed energy, and for some reason, it seeks out precious metals. Somehow, I haven’t yet figured out this part, but that energy joins to those metals. You then do…something, and in the end, you think it is magic, but it’s science.”
He thought back to the words the Earth Mother had spoken to him. Her name is strange, and pronounce it right I hope I do. Mother calls her Science. John was surprised that he had just used the S-word, and that the prophecy she had told him had revealed itself. He thought of the first prophecy, that what you want the most, that what you do not think possible, it does be possible, and he hoped that the last prophecy would lead him to the first.
“It’s repeatable, predictable, probable, but it’s not magic. Somehow, you do a process to those precious metals where they want to amplify or intensify a result of that process. That’s the final element that I don’t understand, but I’m positive that those suns are the origin of your magic. With your help, I can help you to better understand it, and what it can do for you.”
“Could you start over from the beginning,” asked Gayne, “and go a little slower? It has been a while since I have been a student.”
They returned to the inn before the last meal. While John was smiling, Mirtza was wearing a look of confusion. Alron, Aaro, and Bor raised their heads from their own table and joined the others. As Lauren was slowly coming down the stairs, Pintar brought over a tray of food, and the dwarf in Lauren re-emerged. Aaro, Bor, and Alron only had a little bit to eat, and then they retired to their rooms. Overall, it was a quiet night.
Some did arrive to make trouble that night, and while action was swift, proportionate, no alarms sounded to call the night watch. In most cases, when the additional Earth Guards would step out, the trouble would turn around, allowing them to melt back into the dark shadows between the buildings. For those who showed no fear of elves, they taught them a different lesson, one that was more painful.