Tales from the New Earth: Volume Two

by J. J. Thompson

  “The front gate has been shattered!” Kronk exclaimed indignantly. “The tower courtyard is exposed! That will not do, master; not at all. How is the tower's interior?”

  Simon walked over to join the earthen and looked down at the wall below them.

  “Not good, my friend. The front door was destroyed, I assume in your fight with Lacertus, and Mother Nature has had a good time over the past few seasons. The main floor is a mess, my bed on the second floor is ruined with damp, and there's dirt and dust everywhere. Fortunately the doors to the storage rooms in the basement are still sealed, so a lot of what was ruined can be replaced.”

  He ran a hand through his hair and leaned heavily on his staff.

  “At least I have dried meat and fruit to eat, new candles and clothes, all of that. And I have a couple of rolled-up mattresses stored in plastic as well, so that's a relief. But still, the clean-up is going to take a while.”

  Aeris flew down to join them and the trio spent a quiet few moments just looking around the tower.

  “Three years, huh?” Aeris finally said. “Well then, we'd best get to it. My dear wizard, if you have the strength for it, may I suggest you summon back the earthen who used to inhabit the tower? Not only will they be able to begin patrolling the outer wall again, they can help us to clean up and repair the tower.”

  “I'm not sure if that's a good idea,” Simon replied hesitantly. “I mean, it's going to be dirty, boring work.”

  “Our favorite kind,” Kronk said firmly. “No offense, master, but Aeris is right.” He smiled at the air elemental. “For once. We must make the tower safe and snug for you again. My brethren will be happy to help, just as I am. Please summon them.”

  He hopped down off of the parapet and tip-tapped to the open trap door.

  “In the meantime, I shall begin working.”

  He looked back with a frown.

  “What are you waiting for, Aeris? You heard our master; time is passing. Let us get to work!”

  He hopped through the opening and disappeared below, leaving Simon and Aeris staring after him.

  “Um, is it just me or is he more assertive than he used to be?” the wizard asked.

  “Perhaps. But you know Kronk; he's a mother hen. And he is devoted to you. And this time he's right.”

  The elemental flew over the edge of the roof and floated there a moment.

  “So do get on with it, my dear wizard. We have much to do.”

  And with that, Aeris dropped out of sight.

  Simon took a moment to absorb what had just happened and he found that he couldn't stop smiling.

  “Well,” he said as he raised his staff. “Here we go again.”

  Chapter 6

  In the end, it took longer than Simon wanted, but less time than he expected, to repair and refurbish the tower.

  Once he had summoned the five earthen who had previously patrolled and protected the grounds, things moved along at a steady pace.

  Kronk had been right; all of his fellow elementals were thrilled to be back on Earth with something to do. Simon welcomed each one back and gratefully sent them off to get their orders from the little guy. After that, he did his best to pitch in and help where he could.

  The comfy chair, couch and his mattress were taken away by several of the earthen and buried outside of the wall. Along with the furniture, all of his blankets and sheets, his clothing, towels; basically anything that could be rotted by dampness or ruined by mold had to be disposed of.

  “Well, at least my shoes survived,” Simon said as he watched the elementals carry away all of the trash.

  “Fortunately your dear friend Daniel thought ahead,” Aeris said as he followed the wizard down to the storerooms. “You can replace almost everything you've lost.”

  “Yeah,” Simon replied as he summoned a magical globe to light up the basement. “Everything except Daniel himself.”

  He sighed with regret and entered one of the storerooms.

  All of the clothing, bedding and in fact anything that was susceptible to rot was tightly wrapped in plastic. So were the two replacement mattresses that were rolled up and lying in a far corner.

  “Now you can change out of that...outfit,” Aeris told him with obvious disapproval as he looked at the leather clothing that Simon was wearing.

  “Hey now, there was no point in wearing a robe in the elven realm when I had no magic to draw on,” the wizard said as he poked through the large cabinets full of clothes.

  “Besides, these leather outfits are both comfortable and protective. Although I have to admit, mine have seen better days.”

  Simon looked down at himself for the first time since he had arrived home and laughed in surprise.

  The pants were cut and slashed in several spots and the tunic was torn as well. The leather itself was filthy and it dawned on the wizard that he was as well.

  “Hmm, maybe I should head out to the lake and wash up before the sun goes down,” he muttered.

  “An excellent idea,” Aeris said primly. “Dig up some soap and a towel and take your new clothes with you. I think you will feel much more like yourself when you're clean and dressed like a proper wizard again.”

  Simon glanced at the elemental and Aeris winked at him. Both of them laughed.

  “You have a point. Okay, let me find a robe and some underwear. Hmm, socks as well. These boots that the elves gave me should be fine for now; I'll just have to clean them later.”

  He found everything he needed and headed back upstairs. Aeris told him that he would move one of the mattresses up to the second floor and Simon didn't question him; he had learned long ago just how strong the elementals were and had no doubt that Aeris could easily handle the load.

  On the main floor, Kronk was directing his cohorts as they scrubbed the floors and walls. He himself was in the fireplace, sweeping out the old ashes and a bunch of leaves. He waved cheerfully as the wizard headed for the door and went outside.

  They do love to keep busy, Simon thought. Lucky for me.

  The sun was going down but hadn't set yet when he reached the small lake behind the tower. The water looked as fresh and clean as ever, little minnows darting about in the shallows, and Simon got undressed quickly. Once it got dark, the air would cool down in a hurry and he wanted to be done before that happened.

  The water wasn't hot but it wasn't cold either.

  Just right, as Goldilocks would have said, Simon thought and he grinned as he slipped into the lake.

  He dove underwater to get thoroughly soaked and then stood knee deep as he soaped himself down. His cuts and scrapes burned as he washed them, but it would limit the chance of infection and pain wasn't something that Simon paid much attention to anymore.

  When he was sufficiently lathered up, he waded in again, ducked under the water and rinsed himself off. Then he swam across the lake and back and got out. He was too tired to do more. It had been a long and crazy day and between the escape from the elven realm and the use of magic for the first time in months, he was surprised that he could still function in a reasonable manner.

  But now as he dried off carefully, he could feel waves of exhaustion starting to wash over him. He pushed them back with some effort.

  Not yet, he told himself. Soon, but not yet.

  The clean clothing felt wonderful and the robe, received in a trade with Nottinghill Castle not long before he had escaped Lacertus, was soft and warm and just felt right against his skin.

  He ran his hands across the dark blue cloth and smiled contentedly.

  “I think I'm me again,” he said quietly. “I'm me and I'm home. What more could anyone want?”

  When he entered the tower again, Simon was surprised to find only Aeris there, puttering at the kitchen counter. He could hear the small army of earthen over his head, banging around as they continued their cleanup and repair work.

  The main room looked almost new again. Granted, the comfy chair and couch were gone, but the kitchen table and its six wood
en chairs were cleaned up, as was everything else. The table top gleamed as if freshly polished and there was a fire cheerfully burning in the fireplace.

  Candles were set up and lit on the mantle and on the table; a welcome sight as the evening descended outside. Simon closed the newly replaced front door behind him and then stopped to run a hand over it.

  Perfectly made, as everything built by earth elementals was. The wood was dark and heavy and had been smoothed out.

  “Kronk wanted me to tell you that they would be sealing the wood tomorrow,” Aeris said from across the room. “Also that they would add iron strapping and proper locks. They wanted to make the tower livable for you tonight and fine-tune everything later.”

  “Amazing, as always,” Simon said.

  He slipped off his boots and put them in the cabinet near the door. Then he slowly walked across the room and sat down at the table with a tired grunt.

  “Long day for you,” Aeris said from the counter.

  He was cleaning something in the sink that Simon couldn't quite see and the wizard just sat back and closed his eyes for a moment.

  “You could say that, yes. I think at this point I'm running on adrenaline. Once I burn that out, I'm going to collapse.”

  The air elemental chuckled and Simon heard him using the pump beside the sink.

  “Well then, perhaps a cup of tea is in order. It might keep you going for a few extra minutes.”

  “What?”

  The wizard opened his eyes and sat up in time to see Aeris pick up his old kettle and float across to the fireplace to hang it over the flames.

  “You cleaned it up!”

  “Of course I did,” Aeris said and rolled his eyes. “You don't think I'd forget one of your favorite things, do you? And the tea box was closed tightly enough that nothing got in to ruin it. It may not be as strong as you'd like, but it will do until you can get some fresh.”

  “Aeris, you are a life-saver,” Simon said sincerely.

  “Well, perhaps not a life-saver. But it is important to remember the little things, I believe. We'll have to send one of the earthen out in the morning to raid a wild bee hive for honey though; what you had was ruined.”

  “Unsweetened tea will be just fine for now,” Simon told him.

  He took a minute to look around the room.

  “It's amazing how much they can do in such a short space of time,” the wizard said as he saw how clean everything was again. “I was sure that it would take days, or longer, to get everything back to normal.”

  “It would have, if it had just been you and I and Kronk,” Aeris told him as he waited for the kettle to boil. “But six earthen together can do almost anything and in record time. You're lucky to have them.”

  “Oh, I know that. And I've told them all that many times.”

  Simon chuckled at a memory and Aeris looked at him curiously.

  “Oh, it's nothing,” the wizard said. “Just that every time I compliment Kronk or any of his people, they get so flustered. It must have been a hard existence, working for the wizards back in ancient times, when a simple compliment was such a rare thing.”

  Aeris picked up the boiling kettle and carried it to the counter.

  “It was a nightmare, my dear wizard. An absolute nightmare. Back then, no elemental from any plane wanted to be summoned to Earth. We knew what was in store for us.”

  He poured hot water into a cup, put down the kettle and carried the cup over to Simon.

  “Thanks.”

  The wizard watched as the elemental landed on the tabletop and sat down, his expression rather sad.

  “Old memories?” Simon asked softly as he sipped his tea. “This is delicious, by the way.”

  “Thank you,” Aeris said absently, his thoughts obviously on something else.

  “Yes, old memories. Between the two of us, my dear wizard, I cannot express how much happier I've been in your service. And I can speak for Kronk and the other elementals who have served you as well. You treat us as people, not things, and that is partly why the earthen are so enthusiastic when you call upon them for help.”

  Aeris looked up at Simon and smiled broadly.

  “And partly it is because they just love to be doing something. Busy as a beaver, wasn't that the expression?”

  “Yes, that was it,” Simon answered with a laugh. “At least it was up here in Canada. Well, it's good to know that you are all happy to be back. And while we have this quiet moment,” he glanced up at the ceiling, “and the others are still busy, can you tell me what happened with Lacertus?”

  Aeris stood up and then ascended to hover at Simon's eye level.

  “Ah yes, that creature. I was rather wondering when you'd get around to mentioning him.”

  Simon sipped more tea and sat back. His lower back was burning with fatigue and he knew that he'd have to get some sleep soon.

  “Were you? To tell you the truth, when I got back and saw the front door ripped off of its hinges, I really feared the worst. That's another reason I was so happy to see you both safe and sound. So what's the story?”

  Aeris bobbed up and down. He looked over at the new door and shook his head.

  “I would love to tell you a gallant tale of a brave battle against that little god, but the truth is rather more mundane. Kronk and I held him back for only a few moments before he broke free of us. He flung us aside, smashed open the door and chased after you.”

  He smiled ruefully as he remembered.

  “We recovered and pursued him.”

  “That was foolish, Aeris,” Simon chided him. “You could have been killed the second time around.”

  “Heat of the moment and all that,” the elemental said with a shrug. “Didn't matter anyway. A few minutes later, I could feel myself being pulled out of this world and back to the plane of air. That meant one of two things; either you had escaped into the elven realm or you had been killed. And until today, I never knew what had truly happened. I'm pleased it was the former and not the latter.”

  Simon laughed at Aeris' sly expression.

  “So am I, Aeris. So am I. Also, I think my premise was correct. My journey to another plane and back again must have altered my physical makeup enough to stop Lacertus' ability to track me. If it hadn't, he'd probably be here by now.”

  “By the Four Winds, that hadn't occurred to me!”

  “Relax. I doubt that he knows I'm back. And I'd like to keep it that way for as long as possible.”

  “Agreed.”

  The noise from over their heads had died down and a few minutes later, the entire troop of earthen came clattering down the stairs, speaking softly in their rumbling, bass voices.

  “The upstairs rooms are clean, master,” Kronk said brightly as he led the others over to the table. “My brethren will take their places on the outside wall and begin patrolling, if you will allow it.”

  Simon smiled at the small troop of earth elementals. Each one was slightly different from each other; some were formed of lightly-colored stone, others, like Kronk, were almost black. But all of them had the same burning red eyes and innocent, bright expressions.

  “I would be honored if you all want to stay and secure my home. And thank you for your work today; you're an amazing bunch.”

  There was a general rumble of pleasure from the group and all of the earthen bowed before they headed for the door.

  Kronk hopped up on to the table and tapped across it to stand near Simon.

  “Your bedroom is ready for you whenever you want to sleep, master,” the little guy said. “Aeris brought up a new mattress and we threw the old one out of the window. One of the others will take it away and dispose of it.”

  “Did you replace the bedding?” Aeris asked him.

  “Of course we did. We had to stuff a pillowcase with some towels because you had no pillows in storage, master, but I believe that it will do for now.”

  Simon grinned at him blearily.

  “I could sleep on a pillow made of cement
right now, my friend. Thanks a lot.”

  He drank the remnants of his tea and stood up slowly.

  “I'm going to head up, guys. I can't keep my eyes open. Thanks again, to both of you. The best part of coming home is having you back.”

  “We feel the same way, master,” Kronk said sincerely. He looked over at Aeris. “Don't we?” he prodded.

  “Well, I'm not looking for a hug, but I'm happy to be back and pleased that you are well, oh most powerful wizard.”

  Simon rolled his eyes and chuckled as he stumbled to the stairs.

  “Never change, guys. I'll see you in the morning. Good night.”

  The next morning, Simon woke up in a panic and leaped out of bed, staring around wildly. Sunlight was blazing in through the windows and he was blinded for a moment as he tried to remember where he was.

  “Easy there, my dear wizard,” came a reassuring voice from the doorway. “You're safe and sound.”

  Aeris floated into the room and hovered at head height as he watched Simon. He appeared to be amused and the wizard let out a long breath as he realized that he was home.

  Simon sat down on the edge of his bed and ran his fingers through his hair with a sigh.

  “Thanks, Aeris. I was dreaming that something was stalking me, but it was invisible and I started to run and...woke up.”

  “Ah, I see.”

  The elemental flew across the room and landed on the bedside table.

  “My kind don't dream, obviously, because we don't sleep, but that sounds frightening.”

  “It was. It was like being back in the elven realm, being hunted in the forest there. Scary.”

  “You'll have to tell me the story sometime,” Aeris told him.

  “Yeah, maybe. But not right now. What time is it?”

  “Two hours after sunrise. You slept well.”

  Simon nodded once and then realized that he was sitting naked as he chatted with the elemental and neither of them even cared.

  It really does feel like I'm home again, he thought with an internal laugh.

  “I did, for sure. Between the panicked last run to the portal in the other realm, and the magical energy I used here, I'm actually surprised that I feel as well as I do.”