Simon nodded but felt a wave of sadness. These strange, gentle people had been driven from their homes for no reason except the enmity of the dark gods. They deserved better than the fate that awaited them.
“What can I do to help?” he asked Galder. “Whatever is in my power to do for your people, I'll do.”
“Ah Simon. My friend.”
The chief smiled down at him and patted his shoulder gently.
The wizard had a weird moment of juxtaposition. He wondered if Kronk felt this way when he reached down and touched his small shoulders. It was a weird feeling.
“You have saved my people,” Galder told him. “What more could we ask of you? If you take us back so that we can get our belongings, that will be enough.”
“Of course. Whenever you're ready.”
The Haladanin were prepared to leave in a surprisingly short time and Simon Gated them and the elementals back to town. It was still early in the day and Galder wanted to gather what they needed and leave so that they would have a head start on any attackers before nightfall.
“Do you think that you will be able to travel far enough away from the town to lose them by nightfall?”
“We can only hope so. What choice do we have?”
Simon stood in the center of town with Kronk and Aeris. Galder was with them and the other Haladanin were searching through the buildings for anything they thought they might need.
“What about your beehives?”
Galder sighed heavily.
“We will have to leave them, I'm afraid. It is too bad. We love honey and enjoy caring for the bees. Perhaps to the west we will find fields of flowers that do not grow as thickly in this part of the country.
A light seemed to go off in Simon's head and he felt a surge of excitement.
“Wait. I have an idea!”
The chief and the elementals looked at him with almost identical expressions of surprise and Simon almost burst out laughing. He was so excited that he felt giddy.
“Galder, a couple of years ago I had to travel west to the Rockies, to find a special plant to use in a ritual. Anyway, the meadows in the lower part of the mountains are thick with flowers. There are forests further down as well. That entire part of the country is dotted with lakes and streams too. It might be the perfect spot to start over. It's certainly far enough away from Ottawa or any other city.”
“The Rockies?” the chief muttered.
He frowned in thought and then nodded slowly.
“It might do. Could you do me another favor and take me there to see it? Or is that asking too much?”
“Hardly. We can go now while your people finish up here.”
“Excellent. Let me tell them that we're leaving and I will be right back.”
Galder hurried off and Aeris waited for him to get out of earshot before moving close enough to Simon to whisper.
“Is that a good idea?” he asked softly. “You were in and out of that part of the country very quickly. There could be a lot of dangers that you don't know about.”
“I have no doubt that there are,” the wizard agreed. “But whatever is out there can't be worse than what they will face if they stay around here. They want a new start, Aeris; a new beginning. This might be ideal.”
Kronk listened silently but smiled a bit when Simon looked down at him.
“You may be right,” the air elemental said hesitantly. “I just thought I'd mention it.”
“I understand. But despite his appearance, Galder is far from slow or stupid. He knows very well that danger awaits them no matter where they go. He's a good leader for the Haladanin. I think they'll do well, if he decides to move them out there. Let's wait and see what he says.”
The chief returned shortly.
“I have told them that we will be gone for a while to do some scouting. So, shall we go?”
“Sure. Kronk? Aeris? I wonder if you'd mind staying here. Keep an eye on things. I know it's the middle of the day, but we can't be too careful.”
“Of course, master. We'd be happy to. Wouldn't we?”
Aeris shrugged.
“Certainly. Be careful out there.”
“We will be. Galder? Your hand on my shoulder, please.”
The chief moved closer and laid his large hand lightly on Simon's shoulder. The wizard lifted his staff, pulled out the memory of the lush meadows on the slopes of the Rockies and examined it. When it was locked firmly in his mind, he cast the spell and slipped into the void.
“Will they be all right, do you think?”
“They will be fine. Between our master and that bear man, there is little that would challenge them out in the wild.”
“Let's hope so,” Aeris said under his breath.
The Gate wrapped them in complete darkness for a count of twelve and Simon was becoming a bit concerned when he and Galder suddenly burst into the pale, pink light of predawn.
They were standing knee-deep in grass and a cool, sweet breeze blew past them.
“Oh jeez, I forgot about the time difference,” he said to Galder.
He could vaguely see the chief looming over him in the gloom.
“The sun isn't even up yet.”
“That is not a problem,” the Haladanin replied as he turned in a slow circle to survey the land.
“Ah, it is beautiful, is it not?” he said with quiet delight. “So pristine. So fresh.”
“It is. I remember thinking back when I first visited here that I wished there was a way to move my tower and set it up somewhere in the mountains. But my roots run too deep where my home is now and I wouldn't move unless I was forced to.”
The pair of them became quiet and watched the world wake up around them. It was exhilarating.
Strange trills from unseen birds and the rustling of swaying plants filled the air. As the sun crept over the horizon, the world filled with color.
Flowers opened themselves to the light and their scents became almost intoxicating. Simon looked up at the chief and saw him breathing in deeply, a joyful expression on his face.
It's amazing that someone who can look so frightening can also seem so childlike, the wizard thought.
“So what do you think?” he finally asked.
“Think? I thing that it is wonderful here,” Galder answered. “It is still springtime. My people and I could begin building new homes and have them ready before the first snow flies, I am sure.”
He pointed downward at the slopes below them.
“See? There are many groves of trees that we can use for building materials. We have tools and the skill to use them. And, if you would indulge me somewhat, my friend, we could perhaps bring a dozen of our hives with us and set them up near this meadow. That way, our supply of honey would remain uninterrupted.”
“I'll help in any way I can,” Simon assured him. “So does that mean that you think this place would suit you and the others?”
“I do. You are a genius to have thought of this. I have yet another reason to be grateful to you. How can I ever thank you?”
“Survive, my friend. Survive and thrive. That will be thanks enough.”
The Haladanin were thrilled when Galder reported back to them. The group was sitting by the gate with their belongings when Simon and the chief returned and looked a little forlorn. But the description of the beauty that awaited them in the mountains cheered them up immensely and they were obviously eager to put their old home behind them and get a new start.
Simon Gated the people and their supplies separately. There were simply too many bags, boxes and bundles of tools to take all at once. Kronk and Aeris had seen no signs of trouble, so the wizard took his time and made sure that the Haladanin had everything they wanted to bring with them.
Between Gates, Simon took Kronk aside and asked for a favor. The little guy was thrilled with his suggestion and happily disappeared underground.
Aeris had joined the wizard on the first trip and Simon sent him off to scout the area around the meadow, just in ca
se.
The final Gate involved transporting a dozen beehives.
“I'm not sure how bees will react to the deep cold of the void,” Simon said to Galder.
The two of them were standing in the field outside of old Nottinghill, watching while one of the Haladanin, a male, moved the hives gently to where they could be transported all at once. Each one was covered with a tarp to keep the bees inside.
“They could die.”
The chief nodded his understanding.
“True. And that would be unfortunate. But it is the structures themselves that are most important to me. We can rebuild our bee colonies. We seem to have a knack for tracking down wild hives. But the beehives are hard to construct, especially for people like us with our large hands. Don't worry, Simon. I won't blame you if the bees don't make it.”
“Well, it's your choice,” the wizard told him. “Maybe they'll be insulated enough inside to survive.”
As the last hive was moved into place, Kronk popped up from the ground and shook off some loose dirt.
“Master, I found one!” he exclaimed.
Galder watched curiously as Simon got down on one knee and accepted an oval, milky-white stone from the earthen.
“Ah fantastic. Thanks, Kronk. Hmm, this one's pretty, isn't it?”
“It is, master. And you are welcome. Shall I break it into two pieces?”
“Please.”
The stone was half as large at the little guy himself, but Kronk easily snapped it cleanly in half and handed the pieces back to Simon.
The wizard stood up, brushed off his robe and noticed Galder staring at them in puzzlement. He grinned and offered the chief one piece of the rock.
“Uh, thank you. But why do I need this?”
“It's what we call a lodestone, Galder. Each one is unique. If you ever need my aid, all you have to do is concentrate and think of me and your half of the stone will energize my half.”
The chief looked skeptical and Simon chuckled.
“Go ahead and try it,” he suggested.
Looking unconvinced, Galder held up the stone and stared at it.
A few seconds later, the piece in Simon's hand began to glow with a bluish luminescence and shook in his palm.
The chief gaped at it and then smiled broadly.
“But this is wonderful!” he exclaimed. “You are truly a great wizard, my friend.”
Simon pointed at Kronk who was watching them quietly.
“No, Galder. There's your wizard. Kronk and his people have an affinity for the earth beneath our feet. They can find lodestones, although I'm told that they are rare. I'd never heard of such things until my earthen friend told me about them.”
“Then I owe you my thanks,” Galder said to Kronk and he placed his large hand over his heart in salute.
Kronk hurriedly bowed in return.
“You are very welcome,” he said, obviously flustered by the Haladanin's gratitude. “But I am only a servant. My master deserves your thanks, not I.”
Simon shook his finger at the elemental and Kronk hurried to correct himself.
“I meant helper. I am my master's helper, not a servant.”
The wizard sighed and rolled his eyes.
“You'll never change, will you?”
“I try, master. I really do. But I am what I am.”
Galder watched them, his eyes glinting with amusement.
“I shall thank you both then,” he chortled. “Knowing that we have an ally that we can call upon will reassure my people. And they have come to trust you, Simon. I assure you that I will not abuse this gift.”
“I'm know you won't,” the wizard told him. “Okay, so let's get you and the hives back to your people.”
Finally the Gating was finished. The Haladanin began getting themselves organized and Simon and the elementals stayed back and out of the way.
“Any signs of trouble?” Simon asked Aeris as they watched the bear people.
Galder and several of the others were moving the beehives to the far side of the meadow and the wizard wondered why that was the perfect spot. He knew nothing about bees.
“Not really.”
Aeris made a circular gesture with his hand.
“I patrolled the entire area for several miles around and saw only small animals and birds. No imminent threats presented themselves.”
“Good. These people deserve a chance to rest and recover from their losses.”
Simon watched the Haladanin silently for several minutes, lost in thought and then jumped when Kronk tugged on his robe.
“Master? What is wrong? You seem sad.”
“Sad? No, not really. Well, maybe a little.”
The wizard nodded toward the bear people.
“They've lost so much in such a short time; their home, most of their friends and family. Why did that happen? What did they do to deserve it? I don't know; it's all just so unfair, don't you think?”
“I know that this sounds simplistic, my dear wizard,” Aeris said as he bobbed gently in the mountain breeze. “But life isn't fair. I know that the Chaos lords want you and all other Changlings, including these gentle giants, dead. But even if that were not so, sometimes things just happen. And in a world inundated with magical energy and all that entails, danger is never really very far away.”
“Yeah, I know bad things happen to good people, Aeris. That's always been true. It's just...”
Simon stopped himself before he went on a rant.
“Anyway, it doesn't matter. They are here now and hopefully will get a chance at a fresh start.”
“They will do well, master,” Kronk reassured him. “They are strong and Galder is a good leader.”
“I hope so. I really do. Okay then, let's say our goodbyes. It's time to go home.”
Chapter 25
Summer rolled in early, not long after the Haladanin had been relocated. It was lush with colors and smells and cheered everyone up enormously.
Simon and Kronk worked in the garden and their produce grew quickly. Aeris helped where he could but he really hated gardening and so spent most of his time either puttering around the tower, cleaning and dusting, or off on patrol.
One incident that did depress the wizard was a report by the air elemental a few days after the journey out west.
Simon was weeding in the middle of his rows of carrots when Aeris zipped around the corner of the tower and stopped abruptly a few feet away.
“Ah, the intrepid farmer,” the elemental said with a faint smile.
The wizard sat back on his heels and wiped off his forehead with the back of his hand, unknowingly leaving a dark smudge of dirt there. Aeris didn't mention it.
“Hey there,” Simon said with a grin. “Thanks for the compliment but I'm hardly a farmer. Now those people worked hard. If any of us fits that description, it's him.”
He nodded across the garden and Aeris turned in time to see Kronk unearth a massive rock and carry it effortlessly to the edge of the garden. The earthen dropped it there, hurried back and began to refill the hole.
“Hmm. Good point. But we both know how much he likes working with dirt.”
“Well, he is an earth elemental, Aeris. What did you expect? Anyway, he keeps finding those blasted rocks. It's like the damned things grow overnight. So what's up? You seem to be in a rush.”
“I am, a bit.”
Simon stood up, brushed off his knees and walked to the side of the garden. He was wearing shorts and a t-shirt today, robes were just too hot for gardening, and he picked up an old towel he'd left there.
“Why?” he asked as he wiped the dirt off of his legs.
“I have some news. It's not urgent, just curious.”
The wizard dropped the towel, picked up a flask of water and began drinking as he motioned for Aeris to continue.
“Well, it's about the old town of Nottinghill. Apparently the enemy of the Haladanin was, um, upset that they got away.”
Simon let out a deep breath, closed th
e flask and looked at Aeris curiously.
“How could you possibly know that? Although it's probably true.”
“Because he razed the town to the ground.”
The wizard frowned at him.
“I beg your pardon?”
“It's been flattened, destroyed, obliterated. What part of 'razed to the ground' wasn't clear?”
“But, you mean all of it?”
“Everything. The outside wall is rubble and all of the buildings have been burned to their foundations; even the well in the center of town has been poisoned. It smells incredibly foul now. By the Four Winds, all they neglected to do was salt the earth. It's horrible.”
Simon sat down with a thump and looked across at Kronk, who was blissfully unaware of the news and happily digging away.
“But why? Why do that? What's the point?”
Aeris settled to the ground in front of the wizard and looked up at him.
“Who can say what the motivation was. But I'll tell you what it looks like to me. It's something a child would do when they didn't get their own way; a spoiled, impetuous child.”
“We're talking about an incredibly powerful necromancer here, Aeris, not a child.”
“Maybe not. But very powerful people who are used to getting what they want can act like children, don't you think? I've certainly witnessed that kind of behavior before.”
Simon slapped the dried dirt from his feet and wiggled his toes, watching as small clumps of earth dropped to the ground. He preferred gardening with his feet bare; it saved wear and tear on his shoes.
“Okay, that's worrying. If our opponent is some sort of egomaniac who is also an evil wizard, we could be in even greater trouble than we thought.”
“Or less. Immaturity can lead to mistakes, my dear wizard. Emotions controlling a general's strategy will defeat him every time.”
“You're calling this guy a general now?”
“Isn't he? Aren't you both? You each command forces. The necromancer has his undead armies and you have us, the elementals. Each of you must counter the other. It's a classic struggle seen time and time again with your species.”
Tales from the New Earth: Volume Two Page 71