“I haven't seen a lot of this silence you mention, Aeris,” he said. “Keep working on that, would you?”
The air elemental made a face and dropped back to follow along behind them while Kronk rumbled a laugh.
As they crossed the yard, Ethmira placed a delicate hand on Simon's arm.
“Now that we are meeting in person, allow me to say how sorry I am for Daniel's loss. Both myself and my people mourned his passing.”
Simon cleared his throat and nodded.
“Thank you. I miss him and I guess I always will. But I know what lies beyond this mortal life now and I am sure that we will see each other again.”
Ethmira smiled gently.
“Of that I have no doubt,” she agreed.
They reached the front door and Simon waved his guest in ahead of him. They entered the tower and crossed the room to sit at the kitchen table.
The elf looked around at the room fondly and watched as Simon began making tea.
“I've missed this place, you know,” she said as she leaned her bow against the table next to her. “I remember the first time I visited. Even then there was a feeling of warmth and home here.”
Simon chuckled at the memory.
“I remember that as well. My shock at meeting an elf for the first time, and then learning that you knew Daniel? It was a lot to take in.”
He hung the kettle in the fireplace and waited at the counter for it to boil.
“So what can I do for you?” he asked Ethmira. “Are you having trouble? Or is this just a social call?”
“It's actually a bit of business and pleasure both,” she replied as she watched Simon take out two cups and a tin box of dried tea.
“Both?”
“Yes. I wanted to see you in person, of course. It has been a while since we're met 'in the flesh'. But also, Daniel gave me a task to perform before he passed; a task that he was very insistent should be done by myself alone.”
Simon added powdered tea to the cups and stepped over to the fireplace to grab the kettle.
“He did? What sort of task?”
Ethmira waited for him to make the tea, nodded when he asked if she wanted honey in it and then accepted the hot cup gracefully.
“Ah, as delicious as I remember,” she complimented him after her first sip.
“Thanks. Are you hungry? I can make something.”
“No, no. I'm fine, thanks.”
Kronk and Aeris had moved to stand on the table and watched both of them quietly. Ethmira glanced at them several times and the wizard wondered if she was reluctant to speak in front of them.
She sipped some tea and then untied a pouch from her belt and set it down on the table between them.
“Um, what is it?” Simon asked. He was reluctant to touch the bag for some reason.
Ethmira stroked the canvas gently and then pushed it toward him.
“This bag contains,” she hesitated, “Daniel's ashes.”
Simon had been reaching for the pouch. He snatched his hand back and stared at her.
“What?”
“His ashes. His last request was that he be laid to rest in the city he was born in.”
She contemplated the bag for a moment and then patted it one last time.
“My people do not believe in this sort of thing, you know” she said. “When we die, our bodies are consigned to the earth to become one with nature. But Daniel requested this and we could not refuse him. So I have brought his ashes to you, Simon, as he asked me to. Whether you choose to honor his last wish is now up to you.”
Simon looked at the pouch, not quite sure what to say.
The room became somber and silent.
“Master, I mean no offense but returning to the city would be extremely dangerous,” Kronk said, breaking into Simon's thoughts. “Ottawa is a wasteland now. You know that there are rogue Changlings living there. And what sorts of monsters now stalk its deserted streets is anyone's guess. It would be very risky to go back there.”
“Risky? It would be madness,” Aeris said firmly. “I know you respected your friend, my dear wizard, and I hate to sound harsh, but the man is dead. Life is for the living and traveling to that city could mean your death as well.”
“Blunt speech, little ones,” Ethmira said. “But I have to agree. I brought the ashes to you, Simon, because I came to love Daniel as a friend. But I would not think less of you if you buried him here and cherished his memory in your own way.”
“No, I'm sure you wouldn't,” Simon replied in a low voice.
He reached out and picked up the pouch. Did it feel strangely warm? Was there a faint beat, like the pulse of a distant heart? Surely it was just his imagination.
“You wouldn't think less of me, Ethmira, but I would. I am alive today only because of Daniel. I would just be another nameless casualty of the dragon attacks if he hadn't told me to get out of Ottawa before the Night of Burning. Should not his last wish be respected if only because of that? How could I ignore it and still live with myself?”
Ethmira nodded once.
“I knew you would say that,” she told him with a sad smile. “Your loyalty is one of your strengths, and occasionally, one of your weaknesses. The choice, of course, is yours.”
She finished her tea and stood up, picking up her bow and slinging it over her back in one graceful motion.
“You're leaving already?” Simon asked in surprise.
He stood up as well and followed Ethmira to the door.
“I am afraid I must. There are events occurring in the elven realm that require my attention. Leaving even for a short time was risky, and our time runs swiftly now, but I had to honor my word to Daniel.”
She grasped the wizard's hand in both of hers and pressed it tightly.
“If you are determined to journey to your ravaged city, take great care. We do not want to lose our only wizard ally and I could not bear to lose yet another dear friend.”
Simon was touched by her concern.
“Don't worry about me,” he said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. “Cautious is my middle name. Well, actually my middle name is Robert but you know what I mean.”
Ethmira laughed and shook her head as she stepped out into the morning sunlight.
“Ah, my friend. Never change. Now, there is no need to see me to the gate; I must move quickly to get back to the portal. It will not remain open for long.”
She looked around one last time, smiled affectionately and nodded at the wizard.
“Be careful, Simon. And be well.”
He opened his mouth to respond and found himself speaking to empty air. Ethmira had moved so swiftly that she had virtually disappeared.
“I forgot that they could do that,” he said as Kronk and Aeris joined him on the front steps.
“Yes, they don't use that skill very often,” Aeris told him. “It takes a great deal of energy, I believe. She must have really been in a hurry.”
Simon sat down on the top step. Kronk moved to sit to his right and Aeris floated on his left.
“I wonder if there is trouble in the elven lands, master?” the earthen asked. “The lady seemed quite anxious to return.”
“What sort of trouble?”
The little guy twitched his shoulders, his version of a shrug.
“I do not know, master. But even with the dragons purged from their world, the elven realm still holds many dangers. The elves are not the only sentient race that lives there.”
“They aren't?”
That was news to Simon.
“Ethmira has never mentioned that.”
“Why would she?” Aeris said in a reasonable tone. “Her people are proud and independent. The only reason they asked for your help when the dragons invaded was because that was a danger they were not equipped to handle. They would probably consider other dangers a private affair, not to be spoken about with outsiders.”
“Hmm.”
Simon put his elbows on his knees and rested his chin i
n his hands. It was a beautiful day and he just closed his eyes and enjoyed the warmth of the sunlight and the mild sweet breeze gently wafting by him.
“So, what about this death city of yours?”
Aeris' sharp question snapped the wizard out of his tranquil mood. He turned to glare at the elemental.
“Thanks a lot,” he snapped.
“What? You've committed to taking your friend's ashes back to this devastated place. You should at least map out a plan of action before you go. Or were you just going to breeze in, plant Daniel like a seed and waft out again?”
“That was entirely disrespectful, Aeris!” Kronk said sternly. “Daniel was a great man.”
“Of course he was a great man!” the air elemental replied with a glare. “A great man who probably wouldn't have wanted his best friend ripped to shreds just to indulge his last wish!”
Simon ran his fingers through his hair and pushed himself to his feet.
“Guys, don't argue. I'm going to do this but I won't rush headlong back to the city. It's been what, four years since my last visit? I'll scout it out first with Magic Mirror and then decide on the best place to lay Daniel to rest.”
He brushed off the seat of his robe and then smiled as he thought of something.
“Hey, at least this time I won't have to ride Chief there and back. I can Gate to the spot I choose, do what I have to do and leave. Pretty straightforward, really.”
Aeris grumbled but didn't say anything.
“Where's Ana, by the way?” the wizard asked and looked around curiously.
“Back at the lake, master,” Kronk told him. “She was,” he frowned, “testing the ground water for viability? Whatever that means.”
“It means that she wanted to make sure it's drinkable,” Aeris told him with a hint of superiority in his voice.
“Is that what that meant? Well then, that is what she is doing, master.”
Simon smiled down at him.
“Good. Too bad she missed Ethmira though. Oh well, another time. Anyway, Aeris, would you do me a favor and close and seal the front gate please?”
“Certainly. We can't be too careful, can we?” the air elemental said with some emphasis and zipped off toward the gate.
Simon shook his head at Aeris' attempt at a subtle jab.
“Kronk? Feel like taking a walk? I want to go back and spend some time with the animals.”
“I would like that, master,” the earthen said happily and he bounded down the steps as Simon descended and turned to the left.
The two of them wandered around the tower and out of the back gate. It was open but an earth elemental was standing on the arch above it, keeping watch. Simon waved up at him as they walked through the opening.
The pasture between the tower wall and the lake was already covered with thick grass that waved and shimmered like a surreal green sea. The horses; Chief, Tammy, Sunshine and her daughter Sunbeam, were all grazing down by the lake. Several massive cows wandered around the area, chewing their cud and staring dully at the wizard and the earthen.
The sheep, as usual, moved in a little group from one patch of grass to another.
Chief whinnied a greeting as he spotted Simon and trotted up to meet him. The stallion's massive horns, similar to those pictured on mythical unicorns except that there were two of them, swung to the side as the horse was careful not to impale the wizard.
“Hey big guy,” Simon greeted him. He stroked the smooth neck as Chief delicately rested his chin on the wizard's neck and nickered happily.
The other horses watched with interest but allowed the stallion his time alone with Simon before each approached to receive some attention.
Sunbeam was as lemon-yellow as always but she had grown quickly. She was no more than a few hands shorter than her mother now, but slighter in build and much more mischievous. She allowed the wizard to rub her neck, then pretended to snap at him and ran off with a high-pitched squeal.
Simon laughed at her antics and felt himself beginning to relax. Spending time with the small herd always had that effect on him. He watched the horses as they went back to grazing, then strolled down to the lake shore and sat by the water.
He stared out across the shimmering surface, watching the glints of sunlight as it reflected off of the ripples. His thoughts were pulled reluctantly back to his last visit to Ottawa, his hometown.
He recalled the journey vividly. He had ridden Chief because his knowledge of spells at that time didn't include Gate.
He snickered at himself and Kronk looked at him curiously.
“Sorry,” Simon said. “I was just remembering my last visit to Ottawa. Not only couldn't I Gate there, I knew practically nothing about my magic. Not even Magic Mirror. I went in there totally blind to the dangers. God, what an idiot.”
“Not an idiot, master,” the little guy said stoutly. “Simply innocent. The world was being remade at that time, was it not? I remember it too, you know. I never told you this, but I was so worried about you when you left, I could barely go about my duties.”
Simon smiled at him and patted his narrow shoulders.
“I guessed, actually. My God, things were so different then, weren't they?”
He looked over his shoulder at the tower, rising up over forty feet behind its protective wall.
“We didn't have the wall, or Aeris, or your fellow earthen to stand guard.”
“Master, we had practically nothing,” Kronk told him. “It was just you and me. The three horses were here, but Sunbeam hadn't been born yet. Your neighbor, the herb witch Heather, was still trusted. And it wasn't until you returned from the city that you first met Ethmira.”
“Yeah, that was a shock.”
Simon pulled up his knees and rested his chin on them.
“She just walked up to the front door and knocked. Imagine that!” he exclaimed with a laugh.
“A more innocent time, master. It is difficult to accept that it has only been four years, more or less.”
“When you say it out loud like that, it sounds so unbelievable. And now I have to return to Ottawa, where it all started.”
He turned his head and rested it against his legs as he stared at Kronk.
“Tell me honestly, just between us; what do you think of Daniel's request?”
The little guy sighed, a tiny squeak of sound, and looked across the lake. He didn't reply for several minutes and Simon waited patiently. He knew how deliberate Kronk could be when organizing his thoughts.
When he looked up at the wizard, his expression was carefully neutral.
“Very well, master, I will answer you honestly. I had great respect for your departed friend. He was immensely intelligent and fiercely loyal to you. And as you have said many times, he saved your life. Plus he set you on the road to becoming a wizard, which has made a tremendous impact on the future of this world. But,” he looked back toward the tower for a second, “I must agree with Aeris. Daniel was in his last extremity when he asked to have his remains buried in Ottawa. I do not believe that, if he had been in his right mind, he would have made this request. It is, forgive me, madness to go there. We do not know what dangers await you and even spying out the place using your magic may not make you safe.”
He tilted his head to the side as he caught Simon's gaze and shrugged.
“You asked for my honest opinion, master.”
“I know I did. Thanks Kronk. I appreciate that.”
Simon shifted around and rested his chin on his knees again. He should have been surprised by the little guy going along with Aeris; they rarely agreed on anything. But when it came to safety, Simon knew that Kronk would always choose the more cautious approach.
He was probably right too, the wizard thought. Daniel was near death and possibly nostalgic, thinking of his life before the world had changed, when he had asked Ethmira to bring his ashes to his best friend. If anyone knew how dangerous the ravaged cities were now, it was Daniel.
“But I have to respect his dyin
g wish, don't I?” he blurted out.
Kronk looked at him but remained silent, seeming to know that Simon wasn't speaking to him.
The wizard stood up abruptly.
“I need to take a walk. Watch over the place until I get back, okay?”
Kronk looked up at him quizzically.
“Of course, master. Take your time. It is an important decision.”
“Thanks, bud. I don't think I'll be gone very long.”
He waved at the earthen and walked away, circling the little lake clockwise until he entered the forest. He headed north following paths made by unknown creatures. Simon wondered if they were deer trails or had been cut into the earth by something much more dangerous.
Once he had been walking for five minutes or so, the wizard stopped and held out his arm.
“Mortis de Draconis,” he said.
His staff appeared in his hand and he immediately felt safer.
“Hey there,” he said to it. “We're about to do something really stupid. I hope you're ready.”
The length of wood and metal didn't answer, of course, but Simon fancied that it warmed under his fingers.
“Shield,” he muttered and an opaque barrier appeared around him, flattening the grass and small bushes on both sides of the game trail.
Just in case, he thought, and began walking again.
He was making for the Ottawa River, which was about an hour's brisk walk directly north of his tower. He had no idea if Kronk was suspicious of his motives for walking off, but once either elemental noticed the staff's absence, he knew that they would probably guess.
Well, sometimes you just have to follow your heart, even when your head is screaming at you to turn back.
“Yeah, because that makes sense, you dink,” he said to himself.
No monsters attacked him and all Simon heard were bird calls as he traveled. Once a very loud buzzing noise filled the forest and he stopped and listened, searching for the source. Eventually though, it faded away again and he walked on, wondering what could have caused it.
Despite the circumstances and his general mood, Simon found himself enjoying the day and even caught himself humming several times.
The sun was just climbing toward noon when he emerged from the forest to see the broad expanse of the river spread out before him.
Tales from the New Earth: Volume Two Page 58