by P. G. Thomas
*******
The first day at the camp, the Mountain Eagles never arrived, so on the following day, the Earth Mothers returned to the landing site, hoping to see the massive birds. Late in the morning, when an Earth Guard called out, they looked to the skies, seeing the huge birds, and watched them grow larger as they approached. Landing two hours later, Zack changed back to himself. Waiting for him, Nur holding his clothes, who gave him a big hug, and then he quickly dressed. Thirty minutes later, the great beasts started to land, and once on the ground, lowered themselves so the elves could dismount. In all, eight eagles landed.
Nur approached the sky elf leader, “Welcome, friend Pike. I would like to introduce you to the Earth Mothers that I spoke of.”
Pike nodded to the small group, as Logan walked up to one of the birds, who bowed to him so he could scratch under its beak. Pike looked at him, “I know they are called Earth Mother. What do I call you?”
He shrugged his shoulders, “Logan.”
“That is a strange title for one who has Sister’s gift,” replied Pike.
“It is not his title, it is his name,” advised Nur.
Pike tilted his head to one side, “Title absent he is. This is odd. Sister’s Voice I shall call you.” He turned to face the group, “Now tell me why Mother sends one that begs for my help. Why does Sister send her Voice? Our clans are small, your land is large, and we are too small to fight. I fail to see how we can lend help?”
“A great army has invaded the east,” began Arora. “We believe they intend to invade the west also. Our problem is like you said and the land is large. Hide from us they can, and it will take us time to find them. Small you may be, but small your eagle is not. That which we cannot see from ground, you can easily see from sky. I imagine that both your eagles and your eyesight is great. Your eyes and wings we wish to borrow.”
“We would like you to tell us where they hide,” advised Lauren.
“She is an Earth Mother? Not from here she does be.”
Lauren, taken aback, was used to how people in Alron either respected or feared her but Pike did neither.
“It was Sister’s bond that merges flock and tribe,” began Logan. “She grants you your sky domain, but now she asks a favor in return.”
Pike was still uncertain of what was happening. “This threat, land it invades, not the sky. I do not see why we need to involve my clan.”
“When they have defeated the west,” began Arora, “they shall find you also. Then you shall stand alone.”
The thought of getting involved in a conflict that could put his people in harm’s way was upsetting to Pike. “Those that walk, great are their numbers, and we are few. I do not believe that a threat is so great that you need our help.”
Lauren took a chance. Even though it had been three months since she crushed the army at the south bank, they had passed several armies in a mountain valley, so there were most likely others. Something had to be happening, and she felt it. “While we talk, send forth two of your friends. Let one fly over the mountains to the south, one fly to the north. Have them return here a few hours before sunset. Go see the threats for yourself.”
When Pike held up two fingers, two of the sky elves mounted their huge birds, heading to the mountains.
Considering the plan flawed, Panry was apprehensive that if they failed to find any threats, they might just fly away.
There was a tension in the air, which Brook tried to break it by talking to Pike, “Please tell us of your clan. It surprised my ears to hear of elves who ride eagles.”
“Earth Mother, many years ago we left the forest to climb the mountains. Sister we called to since Mother was silent. In the mountains, we found our clan brothers. That is our story.”
After being around Lauren for so long, Arora had forgotten how short a story could actually be. “Would you like some tea or a beverage? We have food also. We have many hours to wait.”
Looking at Lauren, Brook whispered under her breath, “You can take lessons on how to story tell from that elf. Short and simple he does be.”
Pike kept looking at Logan, Sister’s Voice, realizing to deny her request could have grave consequences for his people. He called his men to the tent for refreshments and food. Even though the Earth Mothers tried to make small talk with the sky elves, they shared no interest in talking to the outsiders.
Nur finally made a break through to Pike, asking if he could introduce her to his clan brothers, the Mountain Eagles. When he led her out, as he approached the large bird, it lowered its huge head down towards the ground. The eye alone was bigger than her head, and the beak was over two feet long. Looking at the talons, she realized they could rip a deer apart. “Can I sit in the saddle?”
Nodding in agreement, Pike helped her onto the huge bird.
They spent an hour examining the Mountain Eagles, even taking Nur for a short flight, but eventually the two groups separated while they waited for the two Mountain Eagles to return.
Lauren was nervous, pacing under the tent, “This isn’t good. What’s wrong?
“I think it’s culture shock,” advised Logan. “I think it has only been them and Sister for a very long time.”
“But will they help?” asked Lauren.
“It has to be their choice. I don’t think Sister will force them if they don’t want to help. She has tried to sway their decision in your favor, but honestly, I have no idea on what’s happening.”
Lauren continued her pacing, “I should’ve brought John. Zack, can you talk to them? Tell us anything about them.”
“Dudette, the entire time I spent with them, they hardly talked at all. They just knew what had to be done and did it.”
“Can we trade with them? Buy their services? Offer goods or gold in return for their help. Nur, please go talk to them by yourself. See if you can figure out what they are thinking. Zack, please be an eagle and go along for the ride. Maybe having a bird in their presence will make them more at ease.”
Nur returned an hour later, “I am sorry, Earth Mother. Their wants are simple, and all of their needs are met.” Then, seeing the large shadow cross over the camp, they looked up at the circling eagles. After they had landed, Pike went to his men for the report, but once he heard it, he headed to his mount.
“Wait,” Lauren screamed, “We need your help.”
He turned to her, “Your request we shall pass to clans other. Their sightings we shall report to you every three days. It shall take tme for all clans to know.” He looked to Logan, “Sister’s Voice, your favor, has Sister’s price be met?”
He nodded.
“Thank you, Pike.” replied Lauren.
“Why did you help?” asked Panry.
“Mother and Sister are right, and you need our help. We shall fly to the distant mountains, and when we turn north, there you shall find first threat that you look for. Its number are great, and how so few shall fight so many, I do not know.”
HERE ENDS BOOK TWO OF
THE ANTI-MATTER CHRONICLES.
BOOK THREE “Blood Bond” IS NOW AVAILABLE
A note to the readers;
While it is my hopes that you enjoyed this book, which provided you with days of enjoyment, the actual publication required a two-year investment on my part, including more funds than I had anticipated. Reviews generate exposure (allowing me to advertise), and in turn, produce sales. Even though I have no delusions of becoming rich, I would like to recoup my investment, and that is only possible by support from readers who leave reviews. To date, I am averaging one review for every 250 people who have read, purchased, or acquired it for free. However, without reviews, it falls quickly into the Amazon basement, being harder to find.
If you were lucky enough to pick up all 6 books for free, I beg you to leave a review. The purpose of that promotion is both gain readers and to increase the sales rank. When thousands of people download them, it helps to create a presence for the books, but when reviews fail to materialize, my efforts are
relocated to the shelves of obscurity.
While I was hoping to be able to afford a better editor for the next trilogy, as it stands right now, I may not even be able to afford covers. Being different from most authors, when I publish a trilogy, all three books are released at the same time so that you do not have to wait. Is that not the kind of author you want to support?
In closing, please leave a review.
Sincerely,
P.G. Thomas