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

by P. G. Thomas

  Scent. Wrong. (“What’s happening?”) The wolf approached the servant, growling.

  The servant backed up, “Earth Mother, the beast has gone mad.”

  “Earth Mother, call him off!” exclaimed Arora.

  “Zack, stop, come here boy,” Lauren called out.

  The servant backed up into a corner, “Earth Mother, call off your beast.”

  “Zack, down boy, come here.” Lauren was unsure of what else to try.

  Unsheathing his sword, Alron realized the threat that Zack smelt, remembering his words; they smell odd. “Do not touch your water Earth Mothers.” When he whistled, a dozen Earth Guards entered from three different doors, and one even jumped through a window. He approached the servant, “My friend here has taken a dislike to you. Why would this be?”

  “I have no idea. It has gone mad. Maybe it has the plague?”

  “I can assure you that he has not gone mad and does not have the plague. Now, if you do not tell me what I want to know, Earth Guards and Earth Mothers will leave this room. Then you and my furry friend can work out your differences.”

  Before he could close the distance, the servant pulled out a dagger, jamming it through the base of her jaw into her brain, and as she fell to the floor, a pool of dark blood quickly formed around her silent body.

  Going over to her, the wolf began to lick the red liquid, and Zack could hear everybody gasp. My job. Coward. Cheated. (“Calm down, anymore? And stop that!”)

  Alron turned to the Earth Guards, “Two Earth Guards will stay here, and the rest shall assemble the servants in back yard, NOW!” Bending down, he looked into the wolf’s eyes, “Now, friend, we shall go meet the servants. Please advise if any deserve my attention.”

  Walking Zack into the backyard, Alron found a dozen servants waiting in a line, and standing behind each was an Earth Guard. “Friends, my pet shall be a regular visitor here. I want him to get to know you, so he recognizes you. Please do not be afraid.” Alron scanned the line of normal looking carriage drivers, cooks, and maids. If any were confused as to what was happening, none displayed any signs of fear. He walked down the line with Zack, passing all twelve without incident. As he breathed a sigh of relief, Zack went back to the carriage driver, sitting in front of him. When Alron whistled, the Earth Guard behind the carriage driver grabbed him, pinning his arms behind his back.

  Mine. (“Back off.”) Bad man. (“Sit.”) Not funny.

  Alron looked at Zack, “Anymore?”

  He shook his head from side to side.

  “Get the others out of here. Take them inside and do not let any leave. Lock all of the doors if you have to.” Alron looked at the Earth Guards, who had the driver now pinned to the ground who continued to struggle, “Search him. Strip him if you have to. Check every possible place he can hide weapons, and I mean every possible place. Bind his hands and gag him. If he escapes or dies, you will not answer to the Earth Mothers; you will answer to my anger.” While his reputation was well known, none understood why he now protected a child, as his last post was guarding the most senior Earth Mother. Acceptance to his squad was the highest honor an Earth Guard could receive. For every hundred that applied to his guard, he only accepted one. The other Earth Guard captains moved in to take charge, but Alron had not finished yet, “Two Earth Guards, your eyes on the roof. Panry, you will stay with him. That bastard lives until I say otherwise.” Without realizing Alron had started to scratch Zack behind the ear, whose right rear foot was thumping the ground.

  IT like. (“Man that’s better than any organic.”)

  Noticing Panry looking at him, Alron looked down to the wolf, whose head was tilted back to one side, attempting to gain the greatest amount of pleasure from having his ear scratched. He pulled his hand back, “We…, uh. We…, uh, we need to get back inside, Zack.” Turning, he went back into the house, followed by the wolf. When they entered the large room, he updated them, “We found a second, your carriage driver who still lives.” He called Arora’s Earth Guard captain over, explaining about the traitors, telling him to search the quarters of both. Adding that all food in the house should be thrown out in case any was poisoned, and suggested sending someone trustworthy to pick up a fresh lunch, as the other servants were being questioned and debriefed. Alron then dumped the pitcher of water out of the broken window.

  “What happened!” demanded Arora.

  Going to the middle of the room, Zack went out of focus, changing into a large otter, which jumped into Nur’s lap.

  “He is so cute. Where can I get one?”

  “He’s one of a kind, sorry,” replied Lauren.

  Nur started to pet Zack, scratching his belly.

  IT likes. (“Oh yes, yes, yes, yes.”)

  Arora stomped her foot, “I demand answers now!”

  “The sun is still up, Earth Mother,” began Alron. “You did say to inform you as events happen, not afterwards. Those were your words, were they not?”

  She realized she could have dealt with last night’s events better, as she was clearly receiving payback by all, “Yes, those were my words.”

  “I think that he has simple communication skills in his form. I think he has advised you of the situation as best as he can.”

  “Zack, we have a few questions. Could you please join the conversation?”

  He stood up on Nur’s lap, and turning around, raised his tail to Lauren.

  “Would you please take your regular form?”

  Again, he raised his tail.

  Lauren shook her head, “Zack, thank you. I think you’ve done us a great service, but I need details.”

  Snuggling deeper into Nur’s lap, he rolled over exposing his belly, which she began to rub, causing him to purr.

  Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! (“Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”)

  “Earth Mother, I need my friend back. Could you please pour us a drink?”

  When she set him on the ground, he looked up at Lauren. Looking around the room, he then curled up into a ball.

  “Brook, could you please call a servant and get some towels? When he changes back, he’s naked and a little shy about the process.”

  “I would like to see that,” replied Nur, smiling.

  He quickly raised his head and looked at her.

  When Brook rang a bell, a door opened, “Please bring us towels.” A few minutes later, the door opened, and into the room, somebody threw in two towels.

  “John, Alron. Could you please hold it up so that Zack can rejoin us? We need answers that all can understand.”

  Zack then appeared between the towels. As he stood, he put his pants and shirt back on, “Well that was interesting. They smell terrible.”

  “Explain what happened here!” demanded Arora.

  Zack scratched behind his ear, like a flea had attached to him,

  “Your servants didn’t have your best interests at heart.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Those who invade have a different smell to them and a different taste. I don’t know what it is, but when I’m close to them, I can smell them.”

  “What do you mean you can smell them?” asked Brook.

  “Earth Mother, I don’t know how a wolf’s sense of smell works. I just know that it works. As for your maid and carriage driver, they shared the same scent as those who dress in black and invade.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’ve hunted and killed many, so I know the scent well.”

  “I do not mind long stories, but when you bring in such demonstrations, it distresses us,” advised Brook.

  “You all need to explain slower,” began Arora,” as I need to understand this.”

  Alron signaled to the Earth Guards, “Earth Mother, it will have to wait until after lunch. I wish to make sure all are safe before we continue. Zack, your help I need.”

  Shimmering out of focus, his clothes fell to the ground. As he headed out the door with Alron, he saw Nur pick them up. It took an hour for them to search the rest of the house,
and when they found no additional threats, they headed back to the main room. Zack was walking on two legs, having changed into some of the carriage driver’s clothes, and he saw the disappointed look on Nur’s face. He was about to go to her when Alron announced that lunch had been set up in the dining room.

  As they all stood, Zack looked at the body in the corner that the elves were now removing. A threat no more, it was only covered up while the house was searched.

  Lauren looked at him, “No, you’ll eat with us.”

  “You take all the fun out of it. Add a little bit of hot sauce, and you might even enjoy it.”

  Walking up beside Zack, Nur grabbed his hand, “We need to spend some time together,” which caused him to blush.

  They had to serve themselves lunch since no servants could be found— the thought of the beast had made all of them scarce. After the meal, Arora began the questions, “Where did we leave off?”

  Lauren started, “Well before this story began John spotted an oddity at the last town hall meeting. He mentioned it to Alron who told Zack to watch the Mayors. He followed two of them who met with black-clad soldiers. The Mayors are traitors. The end. That’s my short story, and, in fact, I hope it’s my last story. John tell them what you saw and then you Zack.” Reaching for the bottle, she filled her glass.

  After John had repeated what he had seen at the town hall meeting, Alron repeated his instructions to Zack. Then Lauren had to cough several times, pulling Zack from the trance as he stared into Nur’s deep green eyes. He repeated what he remembered from that night, and as he turned back to Nur, he concluded, “The news didn’t make it back as intended. They took it to their graves.”

  “You are such a bad boy.” Reaching up, Nur scratched behind his ear, and Zack smiled.

  Returning to the front room, Brook reached for the bottle, but it was empty.

  Fritza spoke, “As I understand it, the mayors are in league with those who invade our lands, and even take gold from them. The invaders are very aware of us. They have even placed spies in our midst, even in our house. In fact, they most likely know more about us than we do about them. Does that sum it up?” No one spoke.

  “There is a town hall meeting tomorrow,” added Lindo. “What are we going to do?”

  “For now, we shall wait,” began Arora. “The messengers that your friend Zack has intercepted would most likely not reach any for a week. We do not have to worry about that right now. As for those who disguise themselves as servants, they most likely have someone to carry messages. Their absence they shall notice, but it shall take time before they receive communication on how to proceed.”

  “We owe a debt of gratitude to your friend,” advised Brook. “Please thank him for us.”

  Lauren smiled, hoping that Nur had not already provided the thanks, and then she returned to the house with John.

  Heading into the basement, Alron found the driver tied up. “Friend, I have many questions. I hope you are in a talkative mood.” Alron nodded to the Earth Guard behind the driver who removed the gag. The driver screamed obscenities at Alron, who calmly waited for the bound driver to run out of breath, “We have muffled the walls, so scream all you want, as not any will hear you. Should you not answer my questions, you shall test their silent abilities.” It was a long night for Alron and the other Earth Guard captains, as none enjoyed this aspect of their job, but they all knew that it was necessary.

  As the first sun woke, he went to the captain of Arora’s Earth Guard, “This is your house, and your charges are in danger. This problem belongs to you. Take one from each Earth Guard, and find out where he lives, whom he talks to, even his favorite spot to crap. Follow any and all leads. They all make mistakes. Report what you have discovered.”

  Alron made his way back to the inn, looking at all that he passed. How many more are there? When he arrived at the inn, the rest of the group was having breakfast, and Zack was wearing a wide grin. He then updated Lauren, “The carriage driver did not survive the night. He did not disclose any details.” He then went up to bed, needing to rest before the town hall meeting that night.

  Chapter 16

  Rolling to his side, Alron heard a knock on the door, and getting out of bed, he stumbled towards the offensive sound, opening his door to find Erust standing there. “We need to leave for the meet soon as Earth Mother is anxious.”

  “I will be down shortly. Erust, before you head down, can you arrange hot water? I need to wash off the blood from night last.” Alron wandered down the hall twenty minutes later, filling the tub with hot water, and sinking slowly into it, the water turned pink. Tough bastards. Plugging his nose, he submerged his head, and the resulting wave knocked over an open bottle of bath oil on the side of the tub. As he walked back to his room, he became aware of the scent. As he went down the stairs, he noticed that the scent followed him. As he sat down, the dwarves moved away. “What?”

  “Dude, use some moderation. They can already smell you at the town hall.”

  Lauren smiled, “That stuff is expensive. Next time, try adding some water when you bathe in it.”

  “Mother, a long day it shall be, and it has only just begun.” When Alron opened his eyes, he was sitting at the table by himself.

  As he finished his meal, he heard the Ironhouse brothers, “Early we will leave. Wind from the west blows, and we will not follow you, though easy it would be. Clans we will gather at the hall, and we will meet you there.”

  As they were getting ready to walk to the meeting, Lauren and Gingaar each grabbed one of Alron’s arms.

  Lauren smiled, “We like this side of you.”

  “Mayhap the next time Alron would like to choose the soaps and oils,” added Gingaar.

  “It stings Mother,” replied Alron.

  Lauren’s group arrived several hours early to the town hall meeting. The dwarves that Aaro and his brothers had gathered were already waiting in the courtyard, standing upwind from Alron, and when the other Earth Mothers arrived, Zack went over to hug Nur. As Lauren headed to the building, she overheard Nur say, ‘my huge frost bear,’ but quickly erased the image from her mind.

  Approaching the doors of the meeting hall, guards moved to block her way, “The doors are not scheduled to be open for another two hours, Earth Mother.”

  “Please let me in.”

  “These doors cannot be opened from the outside, Earth Mother. They can only be opened from the inside.”

  “Yes, I see they’ve been repaired. They look much stronger. Eric, the guards say they cannot open the doors from the outside. Would you agree?”

  Eric, clad in his armor, walked up to the new doors, and after studying them for a minute, kicked them off their hinges, causing wood to clatter down the hall. “No, they are wrong,” then he asked the guards, “Can we enter?”

  Lauren never waited for a response, “Thank you, Eric.” Entering the hall, instead of sitting in the back row, she went up to the front table. Alron shook his head. Mother, your fourth sun rises, but I fear her ascent is too quick. He signaled for the entire party to head down to the front: the Earth Mothers in the front row, the elves behind them, and the dwarves filling the third row. Zack now a large wolf walked in beside Nur, and as she sat down, he walked up and sat beside Lauren.

  Alron went over and sat between Arora and Brook, “Did either of you know about this?”

  “No,” replied Brook.

  “Does Mother know about this?”

  “Mayhap,” said Arora.

  As Alron lowered his head into his hands, Arora stroked the back of his head. “I know that Earth Mother tests you, Alron, but she only does as Mother requests.”

  His frustration was building, “Perchance….”

  “Mother may not tell us, and may not even tell Earth Mother, but Mother will direct her as she requires.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I have thought long about this,” began Arora, “In all honesty, I have no idea what happens or why. I had one thought; if Moth
er speaks too loudly, then others may hear. I think she whispers to Earth Mother, as much has happened in a short time. I think Mother tires of being in back position. I think she is trying to get in front of what is yet to happen. Be strong, Alron, as there are reasons that Mother has chosen you.”

  “Please speak to her. I cannot prepare for what I do not know.”

  “You know like I do, Mother can ill afford to select those who are meek of heart or lack strength. She shall test them like they test you. It all has a reason, and one day we shall all understand.”

  Alron slowly made his way down the row of seats to the main aisle. Walking through the gate, he took a stance behind Lauren, and bending down, whispered into her ear, “I wish I had known of this earlier.”

  “I had the idea when I was walking down the aisle.”

  Maybe Mother does whisper to her? Please, also whisper to myself.

  When the town guards came into the building thirty minutes later, they noticed Alron, Lauren, and the wolf sitting behind the head table. As they started to move to the front of the room, those seated in the third row all raised their battle-axes, and the town watch moved to the back of the hall. Another thirty minutes had passed before the Mayor’s entered the packed hall, who were inside before they realized the change in events. When they turned to leave, two dwarves stood at the closed door, blocking their exit.

  “I call this meeting to order,” Lauren started, “It has been brought to my attention that some of you don’t believe my story of an invasion, yet others are actually helping its progress. As an Earth Mother, I cannot permit these travesties of injustice to prevail. My week hasn’t been kind to me, as I am constantly provided with unpleasant news.” She scanned the crowd, “My story may seem beyond belief. In fact, there are times when I hear my own words, and I can barely believe them. This week I heard a new story, one that seemed even more outrageous than one of mine. I received confirmation that there are those in this town, in the west, who know about the invasion. They not only know, but they help and profit from it. Ignorance is one thing, but for those who have a responsibility and blindly turn away from their obligation, well, that’s an offense I can not—will not—tolerate.”