by P. G. Thomas
She addressed the crowd, “Friends, citizens. You’re all aware that this town is called Newtown, and it’s called that because the mayors were unable to decide on a name. I lost a good friend here who was helping to defend it, and I would like to name the town Alron. Should any oppose, we can discuss it next week.” Then Brook called the town hall meeting to a close.
As they waited for the building to clear out, Lauren looked at Panry, “I hope you don’t mind, but I wanted some way to honor Alron, and I couldn’t think of anything better.”
“Earth Mother, I am sure Alron embraces this honor that you have bestowed upon him.”
Chapter 24
Panry watched Lauren walk around the huge map. It had been almost three weeks since their last meeting when they showed the map to the dwarves and the Earth Mothers. He could tell by the look on her face that it overwhelmed her. Runners had been sent out that morning for a meeting at midday, but Lauren never told Panry what the gathering was about. As he watched her circle the map, he realized that she had no idea of what she was going to say.
John was the first to show up. He had been visiting the map room at least once a day, knowing that there was an element that was eluding him, and figured that if he looked at it long enough, it would reveal its secrets. Lauren was standing at the north end of the map while John was standing down by the south port town. He looked up, meeting Lauren’s gaze. On the map, he was over twenty-one days away from her. It had been forty-five days since they first wandered into Pintar’s, and sixteen days since they routed the last of the black-clad spies. That was enough time for somebody to have left Alron, riding to the south port town and back. In addition, it would be three weeks before the first letter from the south port town arrived. Distance and time, two of the simplest measurements, yet they plagued his dreams.
When John looked at Lauren, he could sense that she shared his bad dreams, “John, can’t you make a telegraph or maybe a wireless anything? You’re smart. There must be a method we can use to minimize the distance?”
“I’ve had over a hundred ideas, but none of them work. They don’t have the technology here. Heck, even using a pony express to communicate is pretty old school. Everything here moves so slowly.”
“What about Mirtza?”
“What about him?”
“Don’t you remember when we fled the covered forest to the Night Forest? He had those horse amulets that ran fast. Can’t we borrow them?”
John’s jaw slowly dropped, as he had only been thinking of ways to adopt the technology that he understood, and he had never considered applying the resources that already existed to their current problems. “You’re a genius. I’ll find Gayne and Mirtza tomorrow and ask them. Brilliant.”
“When you said everything moved slowly, did that also include you?”
“Hey, I’ve been working on the town books for weeks. I haven’t been focusing on the Earth Scouts.”
Lauren was unable to hold her smile back, “Well, to be honest, it seemed to take you a long time to even do those. I figured you would have them done in a couple of days.” It had been a long time since John had seen Lauren smile, and he smiled back. Slowly the room began to fill. First, the Ironhouse brothers led the dwarf clans in, and then the Earth Mothers followed. All eyes were staring at Lauren, and she felt like a deer in the headlights, indecision freezing her in place.
Pintar stood, cleared his throat, “The Earth Mother asked me to give an update on the Postal Service.” As everybody turned to him, he spoke about the progress made over the last three weeks, and what he expected next.
“Progress is being made with the Earth Scouts also,” Brook then began. “We have hired many and in two days, they will go into the forest searching for elf allies. News of the invasion they shall carry to all elf, advising them to send one here to Alron. In one month, the first shall arrive, and then more will follow. Soon elf, dwarf, and midlander, side by side, shall all stand, and deceptive shadows we shall all push back. All shall rise up and crush the black-clad.”
“Good news this night we hear,” began Aaro, “but news not heard, is not good. Stories unwritten number four, but we will only hear one.”
“One month before allies meet,” added Bor, “if the black-clad attack, we will not be prepared. Armies and ore, time to process both we need. Months more we need before we are prepared. Months many, ready we are, and the fight to them we can take. Fourth story simple it is, strange reasons occur, nothing happen it does.”
“I understand the four scenarios,” replied John. “They attack before we’re ready, as we’re getting ready, after we’re ready, or not at all. The problem with building forts is that it’ll take a massive amount of time and resources. Other than the pass, there are no natural features to restrict their movements. Even if we build a fort in the pass, they could invade from the south. If we built a fort on the south road, they could just ride around it and wouldn’t even have to engage it. If we spread ourselves too thin building forts, we’ll weaken ourselves. Their armies are massive, and they’ll be able to destroy any one of our forts in less than a week. We need to know where they’ll attack and prepare to meet them head on.”
Aaro shook his head, “Brother John, dwarf is born to battle. Plan this, let us. Proper placed the forts will be, and slow them down they will. Where and when, they will show us. Then we will act, crushing them all. To find them is not possible.”
John shook his head, “There must—”
“Earth Mother, bed rest brother needs,” began Bor. “His brain, forge baked it seems to be. Strange words he speaks.”
“Bor, I’m not going crazy and stop saying it.”
“What were you thinking?” asked Lauren.
“I keep thinking about all the wars that were fought back home, and how aerial surveillance played such a key role in all of the battles. I was thinking of hot air balloons, but we would need too many. Even if we had enough, the news would still arrive too late. If we could spot them from the sky, we would know where we need to stage.”
“Could you please explain what you talk of?” asked Arora.
Aaro knew the other dwarves would ridicule them over John’s foolish idea, “Pictures from the sky, John wants to see.” From behind him, he heard the dwarfs holding in their laughter.
“Fly? You can fly?” asked Arora with a puzzled look.
John knew there had to be some way to duplicate aerial surveillance, “No, but…”
From the corner of the room, someone spoke softly, “Mountain Eagle, capture one, and ride it you can.” The crowd around Del Firegem slowly parted until Lauren could see the dwarf.
“What did you just say?” asked Lauren.
“Mountain Eagles, here they live. Capture one, ride it you can.”
“You mean like a giant eagle?”
“No, Earth Mother. Giant eagles are small. Mountain Eagles are not small. Giant eagle have a wingspan of fifteen feet, maybe more. Mountain Eagle, wingspan is great. Giant eagles, feed a family it will. Mountain Eagle, a clan it will feed. Bigger than horse, ride you could.”
“Del, where do I find these Mountain Eagles?”
“They are not plenty, but present they are. Travel north one week. Mountain’s watch, and you will spot. Morning or evening, fly they do. When sun is high, mountain roost they will.”
“Do you think you could help us catch a few? See if we can train them?” asked John.
“Many huge nets you will need. Deer as bait, their attention will get. Careful be, talons big as my arm they have. Capture yes, train I know not.”
Lauren and John both thought of Logan, hoping that his connection with Sister and birds would play to their advantage. The group talked for another hour before Lauren again tapped the floor with her staff, “For now, the dwarves are building us weapons and attempting to watch the east. We are sending out the Earth Scouts in a few days and should have elf allies here within the month. Before then, we should be receiving mail from the nearest towns. Hones
tly, I hate waiting, but for right now, we’ll wait. I don’t know if we’ve the time to build the fortifications that Aaro and Bor have recommended, but we’ll discuss it with the Earth Mothers and the dwarf clans. Del, please don’t leave town, as I want to hear more about these Mountain Eagles. Now Pintar, let us all go and fill your wife’s pockets with gold.”
*******
John went to see Mirtza and Gayne the next afternoon, who were both surprised to see him. “I’ve been very busy these last few weeks. Everything that has happened, the death of Alron, Pintar’s Postal Service, it has been a little crazy.”
“What can we do for you?” asked Gayne.
“Mirtza, do you remember when we fled the covered forest to the Night Forest, and you used your fast horse amulets? Lauren would like to borrow them for a while.”
“Mirtza has returned all of the items that were leant to him, to me, and John, we will not be lending them out again.”
“Seems sort of harsh, Gayne. Why not?”
“The threats are increasing and the attack inside the town. I have a dozen students that I am responsible for, so if we need to leave this town, magic will ensure that we leave first and fast.”
John was uncertain if Gayne was actually concerned about his students, or if he had other motives. “Then, I would like to order six of those amulets and the rings to activate them.”
As John was most likely the first person outside of the school who had seen what they could do, Gayne was uncomfortable with the idea. “We do not make a habit of selling magic for common usage. We have standards.”
“Earth Mother would greatly appreciate it.”
“Are these for this postal business?”
“Go ask Earth Mother, and she’ll explain.”
“No, that is okay. We trust you, but they are quite expensive.”
“Why?”
“This is an expensive place to live.”
“Your taxes were reduced by 40%. Everything is cheaper than a few weeks ago.”
“Well, yes, but it is not cheap like it was back in the east.”
“Give me a fair price, and we’ll pay it. If they work, I’ll see if I can get your taxes reduced more. That should help you.”
“Let me think about it.”
John had no interest in playing mind games, “How long before I can pick them up?”
“I have not decided if I will do this.”
“Gayne, Earth Mother has decided you will do this.” John needed those amulets for the Postal Service, as they could mean the difference between loss and victory, “How long before I can pick them up?”
“Give us a few weeks. We need to make the amulets, buy the horses, and sedate them.”
“Put each amulet in eight separate horses.”
“Eight? Are you mad? None will be able to stay on it,” exclaimed Gayne.
“Eight.”
“The price will be higher.”
“Eight. Not one less, not one more.”
*******
After the meeting with Gayne and Mirtza, John went looking for Fodu, finding him back at the house, “Fodu, do you miss playing with gold?” He nodded. When Del had mentioned the Mountain Eagles, John had an idea, which he had sketched onto a piece of paper. The drawing had three perspectives: one from the top, the front, and the side. He handed the paper to him, “Can you make me two of these amulets? One from gold and the second from platinum, and I need them to be of the highest detail and accurate.”
Fodu shook his head, “Wrong this is. These do not belong.”
“Yes, I know it looks wrong, but that’s what I want you to make.”
“Pencil, please, I will fix it.”
“No, don’t change it. Please, make me the amulets like I’ve drawn them.”
“Do you get enough sleep?”
“Fodu, can you make the amulets?”
“Rent the space, I will. Complicated it is and time it will take. John, are sure you. Drunk? Head bump did you?”
“It is very important. Make me the amulets. Detailed, accurate, precise, the fact that it doesn’t look right doesn’t make it wrong. Make them exactly like I have drawn them.”
*******
Lauren stood in front of the three-paneled dressing mirror. Today she would address the Earth Scouts, telling them of their true purpose, and she wanted to look like an Earth Mother, whatever that was. As she stood in front of the mirror, she had an odd feeling like she was looking into her three futures, imagining each reflection receiving a letter. The letter in the right hand mirror advised the armies of the west were ready, marching to engage the black-clad army. The letter in the middle advised the army was ready, but the black-clad army had brought the fight to them. As she glanced at the mirror on the left, she saw the reflected image of herself go pale. Black-clad armies marched towards them because the north and south towns had fallen without a chance to defend themselves. Their dwarf weapons still stored in the mines, as they never raised an army in time. The Earth Scouts with their elf allies would never arrive, as the black smoke from the burning embers of Alron would send them a different message: flee. Lauren scanned the three images, wondering how she could push the left reflection into the center or right mirror, and she thought about time.
In every conflict, there are three parties: the aggressors, the defenders, and the third unbiased participant: Time. Each side tries to harness more time, which they can use to defeat their opponent. Each opponent tries to find some advantage so they need less time, being able to engage and end the conflict quicker. Time has no cares for when the battle starts or how long it lasts. It will neither favor nor hinder either side. At the end, when all is done, Time does not care what happened or why, as it just continues on its journey.
Lauren was still considering each reflection in the three mirrors when a knock on the bedroom door broke the spell she was under. It was Gingaar, ‘Earth Mother, it is time.’ She grabbed her tri-wood staff, followed her down the stairs to where her Earth Guard waited. As they went out onto the street, Lauren could see the other Earth Mothers enter the post office and looked up to the sky. Mother, I need four weeks. Four months would be better.
When they were inside the post office, Pintar led them through the large rough-cut door into Hoyle’s old house, and in the main room, sixty elves turned to face Lauren. Sensing a special event was about to happen, all of their ears rotated to face her so that they would hear every word that she spoke.
Lauren had prepared her speech the night before, knowing exactly what she needed to say, but during the speech preparation, she knew she would be sending sixty young elves out into the unknown. If anything went wrong, nobody would ever look for them, as nobody would know where they were. What bothered her the most was that she must rob them of their free will. Once she started to talk, none would be allowed to leave, but she told herself it was to protect them. When she was done, she would seal their mission with an Earth Bond, forcing them to serve her. She was hoping that none would raise any protests, accepting the challenge with honor. If needed, she could separate those that seemed weak or scared, issuing a second Earth Bond so they were unable to repeat what they would now hear.
“My special friends, welcome.” As she began to talk, she leaned her tri-wood staff against the front wall, and she started to walk through the room filled with the young, eager elves. “When you were recruited, you were told we needed riders to carry letters for the new post office. It was a lie.” As she walked by each one, she would touch their shoulder, or place her hand on their heads. She was uncertain of which ones would never return, but she knew, when done, many of the seats would be empty. Ears and heads swiveled, trying to anticipate what was happening. “Many of you have most likely heard my stories of the black-clad invasion, thinking I was crazy.” A few of the soon to be Earth Scouts chuckled. “Weeks ago, the Earth Mothers were attacked in our town by those black-clad forces. Soon we fear that it will not be a few that attack but their entire armies. We’re going to try to ra
ise an army of our own, but to do this, we need our elf allies. When the elf came to the west, they spread out, so we don’t know where to find them.” She paused, “You’ll not be post office employees, and instead, you’ll be my Earth Scouts. It’ll be your actions that help save the west, helping to save the nation of elf.” As she continued to walk through the silent crowd, she was surprised on how many female elves were in the group, “I wish we had more time to recruit more, but we don’t. Tomorrow you’ll leave, riding into the forests, searching for those who have no desire to be found. They fled the east because of a hoax plague and the expanding midlander population. I need you to convince them to send a delegation here, so we can show them the threats and try to win their support.” She had thought some might raise a challenge, but when she looked into their eyes, she saw them sitting taller, filled with pride of being selected to serve Mother. None asked to leave or showed any signs of fear or doubt, and instead, she saw pride in their eyes. Lauren made her way back to the front of the room, “You should also know we have talked with the dwarves and they help us already. The post office is a hoax, so we can communicate with the north and south settlements without raising suspicion.” When Lauren was at the front of the room, she grasped her tri-wood staff and faced the eager group of young elves. “I name you all Earth Scouts. The word of Earth Mother you’ll deliver to all elves that you find. The next full moon, tell them to gather in this town. Speak this only to elf, and not to any others that you meet. If you’re captured by black-clad forces, you’ll forget all you heard today or any acts as Earth Scouts.” She stamped the floor with her staff, issuing the Earth Bond to seal their service.
Pintar, who had been supplied with translation ointment, joined Lauren, “All those on the left hand side of the room; you are short-range scouts. Tomorrow, you will ride out seven days, looking for elf gatherings. You will continue to look for elves until the next full moon before heading back here. All on the right, you are the long-range scouts. You will ride north through the forests for three weeks. Those that you contact may be unable to arrive before the next full moon. Tell them to come for the month after, and we will continue to meet with them, explaining what is happening, and two weeks after the next full moon, head back here. Sunrise tomorrow you all leave, but tonight, my inn is closed to the public. This night, it welcomes the Earth Scouts. Food and drinks are on me.” Everybody cheered, but he quickly calmed them down, “Drink lightly, for you need to leave before the first sun rises. Make your preparations tonight so that you may leave quickly tomorrow, and you tell none of what you do, where you go, or why.” He knew his words were meaningless because the Earth Bond would prevent them from talking.