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

by P. G. Thomas

  “The six-legged oxen that drove Mirtza’s wagon. What about that amulet?”

  “The goldsmith we first used had a drinking problem that we were unaware of, and when he made those amulets, he was drunk. The students that received them never thought to question them, and sedating the oxen, they attached the amulets. When they brought them to us, we never examined them either, so when those beasts appeared, we were both excited and terrified.”

  “Okay, when we fled the forest, Mirtza used an amulet that looked like a horse, but it had eight legs and ran fast. What’s its origin?”

  “We commissioned several eight-legged horse amulets. There was some mix-up in the lab, and an amulet attached to one horse already was reattached to three more. We failed to realize the mistake until somebody had to ride the horse. Poor student, he was so scared, he was unable to stop the horse for a full day. By the time he altered it back to an amulet, it took him several days to get back to the school.”

  “The food and kitchen boxes that Mirtza was lent?”

  “A student commissioned several different food amulets to be made. When he received them, he stuck them in the appropriate food for varying periods. He finally made amulets change into food, but none would eat the results. He placed the amulets into a chest for safe keeping, but in that chest, he would also hide food from his roommate. One night, he wanted an apple, but he thought they were all gone. When he opened the box, there was one apple left. The next night he wanted another apple, and checking the box, there was an apple waiting for him. After eating it, he wanted another apple. Again, he found one. So we made a box, placing the food and amulets in it, and closed the top. When we went to remove the food item, we opened the box from the bottom, leaving the amulet stuck on the inside of the box. Soon we found we could reach into these boxes, pulling out whatever we liked. With liquids, unfortunately, we failed miserably.”

  “The pots, pans, dishes, and such. What about them?” asked John.

  “As long as the amulet was attached to an object made from a single piece, the gold would replicate its shape and structure, so making pots and pans were easy. What shocked us was that when we put them back in the box, they would go away. Once again, we are uncertain what causes this to happen. The same thing worked for bandages, clothes, and other assorted items. We were unable to replicate all items, and in some cases, we had to change how we constructed the source material. As I said, I would need the journals from the school to show you the complete matrix of experiments compared to success.”

  “The wagon?”

  “We attached a wagon-shaped amulet onto a wagon and left it on for six months. While it is not as complicated as a living animal, there are many different materials, but after a while, it figured it out, and we could materialize a full-sized wagon.”

  John sat down in front of the blackboard, “This is what we know: First, platinum is required to activate the gold magic. Second, there’s some form of telepathy incorporated into the magic. It has the ability to receive and interpret energy emitted from your brain, thoughts, and then convert its energy to satisfy the requirement. Third, the gold magic has the ability to integrate and memorize structure, even complex ones. As well, we have energy to matter conversion abilities, and I guess lastly, it has some form of aptitude to translate mixed signals. In the case of the six-legged ox, it was able to find sufficient similarities between its shape and that of its temporary host. It was able to identify the differences and adapt accordingly. With the fast horse amulets, it knew it was horse-shaped, but when it encountered multiple hosts, it modified the capabilities, making a single horse that ran four-times faster. What of the portals created from the bracelet?”

  “A good friend of mine stumbled onto that one. He had a collection of rocks from numerous student trips. He had a nervous habit of dropping them through his bracelet when he was working on problems. One night, one failed to land back in the dish. As he looked at the bracelet, a misty ring floated off it and formed a portal. At the time, he was unaware of what it was or what had happened. He stepped through it, but before he realized what had happened, the portal closed. Took the poor bastard two months before he found somebody he could hitch a ride with. We looked high and low for him for over a month before we gave up. Then, three months later, he walks in the front door. Once we train a bracelet, it helps if the item dropped through it is unique. If you drop a gold nugget through it, it could take you to numerous different spots or fail to open a portal at all. It might take you to where it originated from, or it might take you to the closest place that has gold nuggets, but you would never be sure of where you stood. That was one of the missions of our students that we sent out; look for unique items from any area they were in.”

  “So, by dropping stones through the bracelet, the gold magic interpreted a desire, which was to go to the place where the rock was from. It seems my friends that you’ve a very powerful resource in your hands. It has some form of communications, intelligence, and extraordinary energy management capabilities. What happens if you don’t have a platinum ring on when you drop the stones through the bracelet?”

  “Nothing,” replied Gayne.

  “You seem so matter of fact about this,” stated Mirtza. “From my perspective, this is more than what I thought magic was. Is what you say true, or are you making fun of us?”

  “No, it’s very true. Where I’m from, long story Gayne, we use this radiation or magic to do some impressive stuff. You heat this room with one fireplace. We have buildings that convert this radiation or energy into heat. Those buildings have a mechanism similar to a giant size fireplace in them, but the heat they put out is able to power one hundred thousand houses. We have used it for good, for bad, and bad in the name of good. Ours is as powerful, but it doesn’t have the intelligence, or whatever you want to call it that yours has. However, that’ll take longer to understand. Also, where I’m from, with some very expensive and complicated equipment, they’ve discovered extremely small forms of life. So small, you cannot see them without this powerful equipment that magnifies them. It’s possible this radiation has some sort of life, which is beyond description at this point in time.”

  “So, what’s next?” asked Gayne.

  “Now we need to find the magic, but I need time to think about that, and the town council is tonight so that’ll be all for today.”

  Chapter 13

  That morning the Earth Mothers had shown up with a coach, and instead of going to their house, they had packed a picnic lunch. After picking up Lauren, Alron, and Panry, they headed out into the country, escorted by fifteen Earth Guards. They all made idle chit chat while the coach progressed down the road, arriving alongside the stream bank. One of the elves unloaded the coach while the others set up a perimeter. One of Nur’s Earth Guards brought out folding chairs, a folding table, and two medium-sized picnic baskets. After he had left, Nur pulled out a pot of hot tea, pouring six cups, and as each received their drink, they sat down.

  “So, Earth Daughter,” Arora began, “do you have any questions?”

  Lauren looked at Nur, trying to determine who the question was asked to, then replied, “I sort of understand who Mother is, but what of Father?”

  Arora let out a sigh, “Before Mother, there is only Father. We know of him, but we know very little. In the distant past, Father counseled many, but his answer always was fight, war, and neither side would he favor. When those that fought tired of war, and they sought council from another, finding Mother. Slowly, years passed, and the fights ended. When Father they left, Mother they found, but beyond this, much of Father is not known since the stories are old, forgotten.”

  “Would that mean that Tranquil and Fury are the children of Mother and Father?”

  “What?” the five said in unison.

  “When I named the sword, they actually chose the name. I felt two personalities when I picked it up. They were both fighting and holding a truce at the same time, but there were two. It’s obvious who the Father is, a
nd I can’t imagine there being another Mother.”

  “Can we please go over that part of the story again, about the naming of the sword?” asked Lindo.

  Lauren repeated the story of the naming ceremony, what she had felt and said. She concluded with, “I’ve been wondering for a while if Tranquil and Fury are the children of Mother and Father?”

  When Arora pulled a green bottle from a bag, Arora and Brook dumped the tea from their cups. She filled her cup, handing the bottle to Nur. Arora looked at Lauren, “Earth Daughter, you did say he who shall make rivers of blood flow? He who will fill the night with screams of terror? He who no army can destroy? He who has a blood lust? This is correct?”

  “Yes. Did I not mention that the first time I told the story?”

  “You did not mention that,” Brook said, setting down her cup, “This is fresh news.”

  “Well, there was so much to tell, I had a hard time remembering everything. What’s the problem?”

  “Did the Master Weapon Smith ever tell you how he constructed the sword?” asked Brook.

  “His son told me the story. He said it was from the finest ores, three special weapons, diamond dust, and a sky rock.”

  “Sky rock?” asked Nur.

  “Yes, many years before the sword was made, the Master Weapon Smith saw an object fall from the sky. He found a large strange metallic rock that he kept for all of those years. When he was making the sword, he added it to the molten metal.”

  Arora pushed Lauren’s descriptive image to the back of her brain, “Even when you told us of the sword, and we saw it, we were not sure of what to make of it. When you told us about the sword and champion, it did seem strange to us. At the fort battle, where you said the Champion called on Father, that we understood, but I think that Father is the culprit. I think this sky rock explains much. Would Mother and Father make plans together?”

  “War is not Mother’s way,” advised Brook. “Only if no other option she has. I think Tranquil Fury is Father alone.”

  “Why does Tranquil Fury not fight now? He heard about the Royal House post to the south. Why does he not run off looking for battle?” asked Nur.

  “Before we approached the fort, I had a talk with Eric. You know those Earth Bond things you told me about? I may have placed one on him so that Tranquil Fury couldn’t start a war. I didn’t know that I could or if I did. I told him I was in charge, but I never expected him to twist my words.”

  “Please explain Tranquil Fury and Eric better since I have unclear thoughts,” said Arora.

  Brook quickly pulled the bottle from the table before Arora had finished her sentence, so she was unable to refill her cup.

  Expanding on how Eric had changed after the capture, Lauren explained that his sentences had grown shorter, and his emotions had disappeared. How when they crossed the bridge, he looked ready to attack and what Ryan did. How she had made the earth nearly swallow Eric until he backed down, and then what happened at the fort.

  “So you control Eric,” began Arora, “but Tranquil Fury wants to prophecy fulfil?”

  “Eric listens to me, but I don’t know what pull Tranquil Fury has over him. The odd thing was, when I forced the ground to swallow him, he asked why I cared. It seemed out of place.”

  “That, that one thing of all the stories, that seems out of place,” replied Nur. “The rest seem like all of the pieces fit together?”

  “Well, it seemed more peculiar than the rest.” Even Lauren had to admit that her meter used to measure normal had broken a long time ago.

  With the middle sun high up in the sky, Nur rose and began to set out plates of food. As the small group ate their lunch, the conversation became lighter. They talked about the weather, the trees, and the new dress that Lauren had worn. When done with the meal, Brook’s questioning resumed, “So Earth Daughter, what do you plan?”

  “To be honest, I don’t have any. I guess I was hoping to find people and make them aware of the invasion. They would raise an army. Eric would act, which I hope doesn’t kill thousands. We would win, and at some point, we would be allowed to go back home. I was hoping to take a backseat to whatever is supposed to happen next.”

  “I think Mother likes you too much to leave you at the back of the room,” added Nur, “She generally does not work that way. Mind you, she will not tell you what you are supposed to do, as she simply makes sure that you are in the right place at the right time, leaving the rest up to you.”

  Lauren was doubtful if that thought could provide the comfort she sought, preferring instead to have someone tell her where to go and what to do.

  “Earth Daughter, we have talked much about what you have told us,” began Arora. “I am sure that Mother will continue to help you as necessary. For now, I guess we shall wait, but I have good news. You have accomplished so much in a short time short that I think Earth Daughter does not name you correctly.” She reached for her bottle as Brook passed it to her. Filling her cup, she passed it around to the other members of the group. Each filled their cups, including Lauren. “Earth Daughter, we have thought long and hard about this. We proclaim you to be Earth Mother.” The five raised their cups and drank.

  “Pardon?”

  “You are now an Earth Mother,” Brook replied.

  “Just like that? No test? No sign? Nothing?”

  “I think Mother has tested you more than enough,” replied Arora, “and from what I hear, you have passed all. You are now an Earth Mother!”

  Lauren took a large drink from her cup, “So what’s next then?”

  “We shall advise all at the town hall this night, and then we shall see what happens.” Brook called to the Earth Guards, who began to load the carriage.

  As Alron made his way over to the wagon, Lauren approached him, “They made me an Earth Mother. What does it mean?”

  “Earth Mother, it does be good for you.”

  “What does it mean for you, Alron?”

  “That my life shall change with challenges new. Let us go attend your town hall meet to find out how much it shall change.”

  *******

  As they approached the fort, one of the midlander Earth Guards came out of the woods, riding up to the carriage, “Guards came to the house today. They had an arrest warrant for the one named Lauren.”

  “What’s happening?”

  “I have no idea and was sent to warn you.”

  Fritza spoke up, “Driver make haste. Go to the west gate fast.”

  The horses galloped to the fort, and as the carriage approached it, Nur began to play her flute. The horses slowed down for the crowded streets in the shantytown, but as they passed through the gate, no guards stopped them, and Lauren had a flashback to an old movie she had seen: these are not the droids you search for.

  Once inside the fort, Brook and Arora dismounted from the coach, advising they would head back to their house on foot, and instructed the driver to take Nur and Lauren back to the inn. As they traveled, Nur kept playing her flute until they turned down the street to the inn, and that was when they realized something was definitely up. Twenty town watch were lined up across from the inn. On the inn porch, and in front, stood twelve Earth Guards, the six Ironhouse brothers, and all of Lauren’s friends. As the carriage approached, the Earth Guards moved out to form a wall in front of it.

  When Lauren exited it, one of the town guards walked over, “I have an arrest warrant for the one called Lauren.”

  Nur stood, “She was proclaimed Earth Mother today, and she is above your laws. GO AWAY!”

  While Lauren was aware that she had issued Earth Bonds, she had never really felt anything, being somewhat shocked to have felt the one that Nur had just issued. The twenty guards walked down to the main street and dispersed.

  Alron quickly rushed Lauren inside, followed by her friends and the Ironhouse brothers, “What happens?”

  Erust advised, “They showed up before lunch and stood there all day. They did not move or say anything until Lauren arrived.”


  Nur looked at the group, “She was proclaimed Earth Mother today. At the meeting tonight, we will proclaim her Earth Mother to all, so no longer does she have to hide.” A few minutes later, when the other Earth Mothers arrived, Nur advised of the waiting guards, and Brook told of a similar situation at their house.

  “This night, we shall go to the town hall meet, and proclaim you Earth Mother,” Arora said, “You will stay here, and extra Earth Guards we shall leave. It will be easier to keep you safe here.”

  “No, I’m going to the meeting.”

  “Earth Mother, please stay here,” suggested Alron.

  “No! They seem to want an audience with me, so I’ll provide it to them. In fact, I grow tired of waiting, so let’s head down now.” Then Lauren walked out to the waiting carriages.

  Alron shook his head. Could not even wait for the meet for my challenges new? “Dawnfalcons, stay here. I shall make sure others will also remain.” As Alron spoke, he sent signals to the other Earth Guards.

  Bor looked at his brothers, “The town go search. We need all dwarf this night. Brothers all must attend. Earth Mother, our help she needs,” and the six dwarves headed out into the town.

  The Earth Guard surrounded the carriages as they headed down the street with Lauren’s friends riding on the back or walking beside it. Leading the procession, Eric wearing his dwarf armor, which had all of the spikes extended. When they arrived at the meeting hall, the courtyard in the center of the town was already crowded, as many had seen the guards in front of the inn and the Earth Mother’s house, and with rumors running wild, everybody wanted to know what was happening. The carriage pulled into the crowded courtyard, filled with the curious citizens, and with so many already waiting, Lauren feared they might not gain entry.