by P. G. Thomas
Eric lifted his hood, “What do I do now?”
“A few years back, Ryan took me to that new Chinese restaurant. One of the choices on the menu was fried eggs with black fungus, so fry it.”
“What did it taste like?” asked Eric.
“Don’t know. We had chicken balls with pork fried rice.”
“Probably a safe bet.” Rolling his shoulder, he felt the heavy weight fall, which he tried to grasp with his cold hand. Bending down, he picked it up from the mud, muttered ‘sorry Fury,’ and began cleaning it off on his raincoat.
Lauren cleared her throat, “You can do that when we go back.”
With his long reach, Eric extracted the mighty sword from the muddy scabbard. Walking to the center of the yellow protrusion, he stabbed the heart of the root. “Father’s Rage, this obscenity befouls Mother’s Forest, gifting her pain, weakening her. Fury knew the taste of evil, and if present he was, vanquish it he would. It seeks to bring death and suffering to these lands, so reward it now.” He had to use all of his strength to hold the sword in place when the ground began to buckle, trying to force him off, but he remained, as lightning bolt after bolt discharged from the sword into the death fungus. The Earth Guards watched the legend battle the subterranean opponent, seeing small geysers of steam erupt from the ground in all directions, as the unleashed electrical storm raced through the underground branches of the root, gifting rebirth to the forest of Mother.
When Eric was done, Lauren walked over, looking down at the black smoldering mass, “Pretty impressive.”
“Thanks, I took a few acting courses last semester.”
“I was talking to the sword.” Then she smiled before heading back to the carriage.
“Before we go?” Eric was holding the sword up to the sky. “It’s on empty. Do you mind if I refill it?”
She nodded.
Spreading his legs, Eric bent his knees. “Father’s Rage. With Fury’s permission, join me once again.” From the heavens, bolt after bolt slammed into the sword, causing blue sparks to arc across the deeply cut runes, and the entire time he smiled, as lightning vaporized the plaque from his teeth.
Silmon Freshspring walked over to Jasmine, shielding his eyes from the spectacular display before him. “While I always thought that dwarf exaggerated, they do not have the skills to show that which I now see.”
When a massive bolt slammed into the sword, Jasmine turned to the side, “Nor do they have the size, yet even if they were ten feet tall, not any can mimic that.”
Ten minutes later, Eric walked over to Lauren, “That feels better. Do you want to get some hot bean juice?”
Having been in the forest for over an hour, somewhere behind the angry clouds, the last sun had embraced the horizon, so in the darkness, all followed the glowing light from the staff. Getting close to the carriage, Lauren, slowing down, began looking around. “Where’re the Guardians?”
“This group will do.”
They all turned to the new voice, looking across the clearing to see three men step out from behind trees, who were all dressed in black. The first one looked at the other two. “Being out this late at night, they deserve what they get. Having a carriage that size, they must be wealthy, so it will send a message to the rest.”
With Eric and Lauren thinking a mugging, Jasmine, Jacping, and Silmon circled around them.
Eric, rolling his shoulder, felt the muddy scabbard slip out of his hand, “Sons of—” Picking up the soiled metal, before he could extract the refilled sword, one of the black-clad men spoke.
“Release them.”
The command seemed out of context, but then two men stepped out of the dark shadows, holding chains leashed to trollmares. Of the strange beasts seen, these were small, being only six feet long with six legs. They were identical looking, like oversized dogs, covered in scales, having a single spiraled horn extending from their foreheads. When they snarled, the five saw the large sharp teeth, which seemed impossible to be contained within the jaws of the beasts. When the two men gave the chains a shake, the clasps disengaged, and with a horrifying speed, the living nightmares raced towards the five.
Even though the Earth Guards were highly skilled in their craft of protection, having vanquished many opponents in their long service to Mother, they had only seen one terror like this before, which was in a cage. They tightened their formation in front of Lauren to fulfill their pledge of protection, as each whispered a prayer to Mother to gift them the skills necessary to do the impossible. However, Mother never answered them, Father did. From the surrounding forest, six blood wolves with mounted dwarves burst into the dimly lit clearing, as the blue runes on the strange swords glowed brightly. When the trollmares, surprised by the introduction of the new offerings, stopped to reposition, so did the Guardians. With four dismounting, the last two warriors circled the activity.
Lauren, looking at the black-clad men, who no longer understood what was happening, squeezed the staff in her hand, “Sleep.”
The trollmares lunged at the blood wolves, but when one jumped out of harm’s way, another would attack, or one of the Guardians would distract it. While the strange beasts were snapping to the left and right, they failed to taste blood. When one trollmare slipped on the wet mud, the blood wolf that carried the Guardian who held Beast Fang, launched into the air. In one smooth action, he dropped his elongated sword, disengaged the massive ax strapped on his back, and propelled himself to the beast. With tremendous force, he slammed the edged weapon into the terrifying creature, severing the head, but with his velocity so great, the wet grip of his ax slipped from his hands, and he tumbled to the side. When the Guardian who held Heart of Earth Mother slapped his magical blade on his chest, the others moved back, forming a perimeter around the last one. The dwarf formerly called Jaykil Ironhouse slowly advanced on the remaining trollmare, and if gifted intelligence, it would have acted on the word removed from the dwarven language: retreat. The Guardian met the attacks of the trollmare with a blinding flurry of counter-strikes from his elongated sword, slicing into it at will. When blood obscured the beasts vision, sidestepping a poorly thought out lunge, the Guardian brought his sword down with so much force that not only did he remove the head, but he also buried the unique weapon almost a foot deep into the moist soil. With his incredible dwarven strength, he extracted the sword from the ground, wiped it off on his sleeve, before walking up to Lauren.
“I was wrong, as it would appear I still need you.”
Jasmine looked at the small fighter who, single-handedly, had just defeated the most terrifying beast she had ever seen. “Earth Mother, you cannot send them back, as we all need them to stay.” However, the complement of such high regard failed to raise an emotion in the dwarf.
Eric walked over to the five sleeping black-clad men, “What do we do about these?”
“We take them with us.” Then she looked down at the silent Guardian. “Look, I said I was sorry, so you can stay.”
Even though the Guardian remained, the others went to the five sleeping black-clad men. Securing their hands and feet, they started dragging them back to the carriage.
Lauren looked at the Guardian, “What do you want from me?” Then she stepped around him, dwarves.
Eric pointed to the two trollmare bodies, “What about those?”
“They won’t tell us anything.” Then she continued back to their magical transportation.
After Eric had tossed the five black-clad men into the carriage, Lauren climbed onto the bench to sit beside him, as the nine mounted protectors stood formation around the coach.
Pulling off the bracelet, Eric, retrieving the platinum disc from his pocket, turned to her, “I always wanted to do this.”
Never hearing his comments, her thoughts were on the words spoken by the black-clad men; carriage that size, they must be wealthy, so it will send a message to the rest, but who is the message for?
Dropping the disc through the bracelet, Eric watched the portal focus on Gay
ne’s stable, which he then drove into. Behind them followed the three Earth Guards, all mouths slack, while the clean-shaven dwarves showed no sign of awe. At the house, all of the occupants inside heard Eric’s call for assistance, rushing out to find out what was happening. When all were present, Lauren began to explain the events from the night.
As she did, Panry, opening the carriage door, looked at the sleeping occupants. “I shall question them.”
Looking at the black-clad prisoners, anger filled Gayne’s voice, “You cannot bring them into my house. In fact, get them away from here, now! Mirtza, open a portal to get them out of here! Take them to the center of the town, push them out, and then go home.”
“No,” ordered Panry, “your concerns I do not understand, but with Mirtza, I shall go.” Whistling, Cethail Highbreeze, Erust Huntinghawk, and Catic Winterfox all started to saddle their deer mounts. Whistling a second time, when Oxron Icefeather raised himself from the back of the stables, he signaled for him to join them. As Jasmine tried to register her protests, he ignored the words. Then he held out his hand to Gayne, “I will need your ring, so the carriage I can return.” Gayne quickly handed it to the Earth Guard captain. Lauren was the last one Panry addressed, “Did any command the others?” After she had pointed to one, he climbed onto the front bench, as the Earth Guards mounted their stags, and he coaxed the horses into the portal that Mirtza had opened.
*******
Lauren was sitting in the front room, “I don’t know what happened,” Then she saw John looking at her, “Past tense and the sentence had five words in it. Eric had just electtrorfried the root.”
Logan interrupted his sister, “Electrocuted?”
“Yes,” then she looked down at the Guardian who held the Heart of Earth Mother, standing directly in front of her. “I said I was sorry. What else can I say?” The Guardian, much like the mountains in the dwarf valley, did not move. She turned her gaze back to the rest, “Then the dwarves attacked the trollmares, and I put the black-clad men to sleep.”
Steve could see something unspoken in Lauren’s eyes. “And?”
She looked at him, repeating the message they heard.
Steve set down his mug. Zymse. “Where did Panry take them? Forget that, I already know. Gayne I need a horse, and I need it now.”
Having become accustomed to the demands, though not really liking it, he did so, as Steve’s voice spoke with both urgency and authority. From his pocket, he retrieved an amulet, pulling off a horse that he handed to Steve. “Mirtza, lend him your ring since I gave mine to Panry.”
“You were right. Is that what you want to hear?” Lauren felt everybody staring at her. “A few days ago I suggested the Guardians may want to go back to Ironhouse now that I have an Earth Guard.”
“You didn’t?” stated Eric.
“Yes, I did,” then she turned her gaze back to the dwarf. “Is this what you want?” Grasping the shortening staff, when she held out her other hand, a flat rock the size of her palm materialized.
The clean-shaven dwarf picked it up, examined the inscription of dwarven symbols carved into the granite: Earth Mother Ironhouse apologizes. Tucking it into his mithril armor, he walked away.
John took a long drink. That wasn’t magic, it was creation! What the hell did they give her? Uncertain of how to broach the subject, he went looking for a fresh refill, hoping it would also contain some inspiration or courage.
*******
The thief, sleeping at the guild door never heard the knock, quickly jumping back when it exploded into the room. Steadying himself, reaching for his sword, when his eyes focused on Panry Moonshadow, he brought his hands up.
“Get Jedimac.”
“Not here right now.”
“I did not ask you where he is. I told you to go get him!” Because the thief remained, Panry’s words expressed his irritation, “ARE YOU DEAF?”
Since questions were not the usual currency the door guard was accustomed to, failing to understand the angry transaction that currently engaged him, he called out for help.
From the dark corners of the room, four large midlanders stood, who approached the door. The first to emerge was from the day shift, who had knowledge of the Earth Guard that regularly violated the rules of their establishment. “Da, boss, go get.” As the first thief scurried out the back, the large thief looked at Panry, “Wants something to drink whilest yeah waits?”
“In my carriage out front five sleep. Your men shall bring all inside.”
The large thief shook his head, “Knot twine house. Does I says it right?”
“You were not even close, but as it is your other skills I require this night, my anger you shall not taste.”
The back door burst open, “Damn it, Moonshadow, this is my house, my rules. What gives you the right to break into my business?”
“I know you were here, and if I need guild approval, there are many that will gladly sanction such. If you wish, in one hour, I can return, and in my hand, I shall hold such permission! Then this den of snakes shall not be anymore, or you can be in my debt.”
Jedimac smiled, “Debt, I understand.”
“Then worth of my gratitude you do know,” advised Panry.
“Not right now, but we can discuss that at some point in the future.” Then the thief leader turned to the others, “You heard—our new friend. He has guests in his carriage so go get them.” Walking behind the bar, he retrieved two bottles and numerous glasses, “Let us talk.”
When the front door opened, the thieves carried in the silent guests.
“I am interested in talk but not mine,” replied Panry. “Words from them I want to hear.”
Jedimac looked shocked, “Are they from Darkpaye?”
“I do not know.”
“GET THEM OUT OF HERE, NOW! Take them to the docks. Use procedure number thirteen.”
Panry watched the thieves head out the door, “I do not understand.”
“There is much you fail to comprehend, my friend, including the debt you are now in. Follow me.”
*******
When Sam and Hope saw the mixed breed pawing at the large pile of garbage, they both thought they had wasted the last four nights on a wild goose chase since they had no interest in rubbish. Pulling a piece of fabric out of the mound of trash, she carried it over to Sam, dropping it in front of him. Bending down to sniff it, after he began wagging his tail, he licked the nose of the female dog. Picking up the scent, Hope also started to wag her tail, and all at once, the three began to howl at the moon, signifying they had completed their quest.
*******
Steve arrived at the desired location. Waving his hand over the magic steed, picking up the amulet from the ground, he headed to the thief guild.
“Password.”
“Don’t know it,” he replied.
“Wrong.”
“Don’t care.” Then Steve kicked open the broken door, “Where’s Panry?”
*******
Jedimac was pacing across the front of the deserted office. “Have you not you seen the damn dwarf play? Everybody knows those from Darkpaye smell differently, yet you drag five into my house!”
“Not have I seen the great dwarf saga, as I was there. What provokes you?”
Jedimac pulled out a small bottle with a label from Thaxson’s. “Do you remember? Yes, you do. When you and the Unnamed burst into my house in Alron? Accusing me of kidnapping the Earth Mother and holding her for ransom?”
“Rage Heart they call him.”
“You have seen the play! I knew it!”
“I have not, as Ryan told me.” Then Panry quickly thought of Jasmine, hoping Jedimac would not see through his innocent deceit.
“When I came back from Alron, I informed the Shadow Council of this most unusual transaction, acquiring exclusive rights to it, which I also licensed. While there were limited opportunities at first, when we cast our eyes across the river, as they had so much gold, well, it seemed like a blessing. Yet every tran
saction the guilds tried to engage them in, they basically canceled. Having guilds by the dozen seeking compensation, you have no idea how much dancing I had to do to get out of that mess.”
“You dance?”
“Your translation ointment is sometimes too literal. It was more like maneuvering in a sword fight, but to be short, like you, they can track their own. While we were never able to figure it out, it cost all of the guilds, and some of them have never forgiven me.”
“It is not my problem but this procedure? Number thirteen. What is that?”
“Precautions. Did that translate? So my indebted friend, from me, what do you want?”
“Those men attacked mine—attacked Earth Mother with trollmares.” When the door opened, five large scar covered thieves carried in the still sleeping black-clad men, followed by the elfin Earth Guards.
Jedimac’s anger was growing, “WHAT DO YOU WANT?”
“My request is simple. I wish to know what they hide, and you have talents to find that which others conceal.”
“Cut the crap, Panry. I need to know what the hell is happening.” Jedimac pointed to the derelict building where they stood. “This, all of this, you now own, and within the hour, two at most, it will be burning to the ground, which will be part of your debt to me. Even though it might not seem like much, it does have a prime location, and the Arson guild has been begging me for months to burn it down. Right now, a rider is seeking out their guild leader, as I’m hoping to get a discount before he realizes the evidence that is about to torched.”
“Will you reduce my debt for the discount received when you sell?”
Jedimac threw his glass across the empty room, screaming at Panry in elf, “Not!”
Panry stood, his own anger boiling over, “Zymse Darpac you know of! He branded a baby and then placed it in trollmare cage. Now five walk trollmares in forest, yet they are without harm. That is foul, and the stench belongs to Darkpaye, but I do not have to be the Legend Absent to smell that!”