Residual: The Gray-Matter Chronicles Book 3 (The Matter Chronicles 6)

by P. G. Thomas

  “I can help,” pleaded Logan.

  “Then help.”

  “I need to know what is happening here!”

  Croy pointed to a window, “Then go find out.”

  “You’re lying. I saw the gifts from Sister.”

  There was a look of shock on Croy’s face, “I have a sister?”

  “You’re a Bastard in more ways than one.”

  “Umm—already confessed.”

  “Why won’t you let me help?”

  Croy looked around the room, “I was not aware I was stopping you.”

  Logan rolled back his sleeves, stroked the feathers, “I can prove I’m a Bastard!”

  “Look, I have no idea who you are, or what you think you know, but I have been tested and cleared, so I am not a Bastard. For the record, I have seen all the tricks your kind use.”

  Logan, giving his head a shake in frustration, left the room.

  Damn bounty hunters. Croy remained in the room for fifteen minutes, regaining his composure, before heading back to his Earth Daughter.

  Krisp looked at him, “What did the Bastard want?”

  “He—he was a Bastard, not a bounty hunter? How do you know?”

  “The First Bastard. Knowledge from Mother, I guess.”

  “I will be right back.” Racing down the stairs, Croy was unable to find Logan in the restaurant or on the surrounding streets.

  *******

  When John stepped into the forest, he heard Tranquil, but it was not until the portal winked out that he saw her—or part of her.

  Her voice boomed from the treetops, “Yes, it is what Mother wanted! However, they should be smaller, like your name.”

  John looked at the lower halves of the arguing gods, as their upper features towered so far above, they lost focus.

  “Worthy of us they are!” Fury bellowed back.

  Scanning the horizon, John was uncertain of the strange objects behind the gods, but then he spotted a large stone forty feet tall, which was carved with scenes of the great battle. “Thrones?”

  Turning, Fury saw the diminutive figure in the clearing, waved his hand, and the images disappeared, replaced by a vision of the forest.

  “Earth Mother, how have you returned?”

  John turned around, looked up to a regular sized Tranquil, “What’s happening?”

  From behind him, Fury spoke, “How have you entered?”

  Taking a few steps back, he looked at them both, “I’m the freaking Unchosen who unlocks mysteries, and I think we’ve met before. Now, what’re you two doing?”

  “Of your concern it is not,” replied Fury, “Now tell me how you gained entry to the First Forest, or I will banish you to the extensive southern deserts, so you can explore the secrets of the hot sands.”

  “That would be a bad idea,” began John, “It’s been a long week. Everybody in the Bright Coast is stressed out, and since I forgot to bring a bottle of wine, make me a seat, give me a drink, and explain what I just saw.”

  “You can cure Mother?”

  John turned to Tranquil, “Chair, beer, explanation.”

  Then all three were sitting. John’s chair was carved from a stump, having a large mug of dwarven beer resting on the arm. While Tranquil was sitting on something constructed of clouds, as it lacked solid lines, Fury sat in a large elaborately carved stone creation, completed with his favored footrest.

  After taking a long drink, John looked at Fury, “I liked you better when you were in the plain metal scabbard. Why don’t you demonstrate the humility Ironhouse taught you?”

  “Do not test me, little man!”

  “I already have enough names, but that sounds like a good idea. If you can tower over the trees, I imagine you can also become smaller, so let’s make this a level playing field, where we can see eye to eye.”

  “Fury, do what he says!”

  “If you can see the cure, then take it.”

  “See it I can, but understand it I do not.” The image of Tranquil with her cloud chair shrank until her height equaled that of John’s.

  “For the love of—”

  Tranquil finished her brother’s sentence, “MOTHER!”

  The dark god, sitting on the stone throne, began to shrink in size, “Better?”

  “The humility?” asked John. When the elaborate carvings vanished, he nodded, “Now what did Mother want?”

  “A future, one different from the past,” replied Tranquil.

  “Of this, he does not need to know,” grumbled Fury.

  “Without his help, Mother’s vision may whither, but the same may provide him with the clarity he seeks.” Tranquil turned back to John, “Mother began to understand how large this—I think your word is planet. How large it is, and how small she is. She began to realize with the changes, she would no longer be able to tend all of the flocks. In her youth, the words and thoughts she heard were few, but after the Darkpaye invasion, they were so many. Thus, she started to make plans to share her governance of these lands. Unfortunately, her weakness interrupted the process of selecting those worthy. Then she went quiet. Her purpose was simple: to prevent something like this from happening.”

  “Her timing,” added Fury, “that could have been better.”

  John gave his head a shake, “You’re recruiting gods. That must be a tall order to fill.”

  “Thus my suggestion for where they would sit,” advised Fury.

  Tranquil lowered her head, “Brother, he was speaking metaphorically. It means—”

  “Yes, the word is long,” began Fury, “and my speech skills are short—or something like that. Save it for later.”

  Before they could be sidetracked, John interrupted them, “Where’s Father, and why are the dwarves going to war over the Morning King?”

  Tranquil took a sip from her goblet, “Even though the presence of Father is still unknown, without a doubt, his spoon stirred that pot.”

  “Why do you ask of the Mourning King?” asked Fury. “That foul gift was from Mother, and it was Father who removed that obscenity from dwarf history.”

  “From Mother, Father removed it?” asked John.

  Tranquil stamped her foot, “Foul and obscene it was not, but Father would never rebirth that legend, would have nothing to do with it.” Then she added, “Recently, Mother has stirred, so it is safe to assume Earth Mother has found a way to rekindle her divine presence, using bugs and plants?”

  John shook his head, “No, she made some Earth Daughters—”

  “WHAT!” both gods bellowed at the same time.

  “She made Earth Daughters and Earth Guards. What was in that staff you gave her?”

  Tranquil, the gift should be natural, not presented like candy to children. Only Mother should be able to do such wonders.

  Brother, in her hands she holds Mother, and that which she does, it awakens she who sleeps.

  John coughed, “The staff?” However, his interruption failed to break the angry stare the two gods now shared.

  At least, it was wise of you to gift her a small branch, as the magic should be consumed shortly with such outrageous acts.

  I made it small so she could carry it.

  However, it was old, the magic tired.

  Since it fell that morning, I thought a sign from Mother it was.

  The wood was green, the size was large, and in a child’s hands, you placed it?

  With confidence brother, since she is worthy and chosen—by you.

  That was in the past when I failed to realize my future was so close, but now my words you twist like Mother’s branches? Of this, I will have no more. Then Fury vanished.

  “Is something wrong?” asked John.

  “My brother and I seldom agree.”

  “What was in that staff you gave Lauren?”

  “In Earth Mother’s hands, she holds my faith in her abilities. Now how can you help Mother?”

  “We need Sister.”

  “Since she is not here at present, time it will take her
to answer this call. We will talk when she arrives.”

  Then John yawned, blinked several times and fell asleep.

  Forgive me, Unchosen, but permit you to wander through the First Forest I cannot. It secrets are many, and hidden here they need to remain.

  *******

  When Gayne arrived at the room where the root was kept, John was absent, which caused a great deal of excitement to the Earth Guards standing outside.

  When Babartin whistled, the Earth Guards raced for their deer mounts.

  As Gayne tried to call after them, his pleas to stop had no effect. Stepping back into the room, he pulled off a bracelet, dropped a medallion through it, and walked into his front room. There he headed to the open patio doors, finding Lauren leaning on her staff, with Jasmine sitting at the patio table, coughing to get their attention.

  Jasmine quickly grabbed the piece of wood, placing it into her tunic.

  After Lauren had exchanged greetings with him, she added, “John told me he has a plan to kill the root, and I have an idea I’m working on.”

  Walking over to the table, Gayne pulled up a chair, “I have what you asked for,” From a satchel, he extracted a cloth bag containing a platinum bracelet, five small amulets, and four large discs, having strange symbols engraved on them: one platinum, three gold. He held up the platinum one, which was the size of Lauren’s palm. “This is the primary key. Since we trained all of the bracelets to find it, you can place it wherever you want. Dropping anything you want through the bracelet, it will take you to the primary key. The gold ones are secondary keys, which these will open.” In his hand, he held up the small amulets. He pointed to the satchel, “Inside there are several kitbags, either containing bracelets or triggering devices.” Then he explained the association between the secondary keys and triggering amulets. “This way, Krisp can bury one in the forest, one at the pizzeria, and two at any spot she wishes to return to often. If there is a similar gathering spot, take the fourth to it. Earth Mother, these are expensive, as most in the Bright Coast would kill for this much wealth, so warn them to be cautious. “

  Pushing away a tear, Lauren smiled, “Thank you, Gayne. I don’t know how to repay—”

  “Bring back Mother and find your daughters.”

  *******

  Ryan, Steve, Eric, Panry, and Mirtza had just exited the stable beside the house when they saw a carriage stop in front. Just when they were going to inquire about its presence, they saw Logan stumble from it.

  “Buddddiees—hows youes doinnn—” Then he bent over, vomiting in the grass.

  Eric shook his head, as he walked over to his drunken friend. Guess John has a new subject to tutor Logan in.

  Mirtza reached into his pocket, pulling out a few coins, which he offered to the carriage driver.

  The driver, shaking his head, looked at Panry, “Elf has already paid, generous tip also, but I have to double the service charge—as your friend decorated the insides, twice.”

  Panry’s gaze turned from Logan to the driver.

  “Jedimac put this ride on your tab, his bar bill also,” and then the driver smacked the reins, heading down the street.

  Logan was on his feet, more or less, swaying back and forth. “I like better—dwarves drinking with.” Then he grabbed the fence, letting out several dry heaves. When done, he wiped the tears from his eyes and the spittle from his chin, “thay—they don’t ask questions.” Falling onto the vomit-covered lawn, he began to snore.

  Steve groaned, “Stupid kid,” then looked at Panry, “Could he tell him anything?”

  “Even silence shall answer the guild leader’s questions. Gold is not the only currency he trades in, as his greed of knowledge is great, and he has many gifts to acquire both.”

  “Hey, since I carried in Ryan the last time, this one is all yours,” advised Steve.

  Eric picked up Logan, following the rest into the house.

  *******

  Panry only stayed in the house for ten minutes before walking out to the stables. Once there, he approached Babartin and Careel, “Where is your Earth Mother?”

  “Earth Mother said he went to the First Forest.”

  “He did not take his Earth Guard?”

  Babartin looked to the ground, “He left without us.”

  “Do you not remember my shame in Alron? Not once, but twice we lost Earth Mother! Did you not learn!”

  “Panry,” pleaded Careel, “He was in a locked room.”

  “Have you not seen the great play by dwarf. How they act out Earth Guard that lost Earth Mother. It is bad enough that we now fail Mother, not finding Earth Mothers three, but now we lose another? You both know that legends will challenge you! From Earth Guard other, such would I expect, but not from my own! If you lose your Earth Mother once more, I shall send you both back to the academy for extensive retraining, and there you both shall learn how to protect and serve Earth Guard mounts. Never again will I see Earth Guard humiliated on the dwarf stage!”

  Chapter 7

  Steve walked up to Gayne and Mirtza, asking to talk to them in the study. “Look, even though John has gone to the First Forest, we still have problems here. There are six spots that we should be watching, but we don’t have enough eyes, and Darkpaye controls that part of town.” Riding in the carriage back to the house, he had thought of the panels of television sets he had watched with satellite feeds, hoping John would be present to translate technology into magic. “I was wondering if you could enchant something?”

  Gayne looked to Mirtza, “Enchant?” Then back to Steve, “What is enchant?”

  “Seriously? You make gold amulets that change into whatever you want. Then there are those portal bracelets. How did you make them work?”

  “We trained them,” advised Gayne. Then he explained how they would fashion the metal into the required shape, finding the appropriate host, and a method to achieve the specific result. “Though it can take months to get the effect we want. If you would like, I can show you our experiment journals at the school tomorrow.”

  “Train them? You don’t just wave your hand over them?”

  “Only when we wish to transform them,” Mirtza replied. “We would have to go back to the school to see the exact words that John used to explain magic, but basically, he thought it had intelligence, needing time to interpret our desires into the required action. Much like a child, we train them, but something that can view images, showing it to us elsewhere, it is not possible. How would you do this thing you call enchant?”

  “I don’t know. I always thought that if you wanted to make a broom to sweep the floors, you would just tell it what to do. You know, add some gold to it and instruct it.”

  “We never thought of making a broom,” replied Gayne. “If we did, we would first make a small gold amulet, attaching it to a real broom. Then, over the course of weeks or months, we would just sweep the floors. Even if that worked, we would only be able to create a replica of the broom, not the action, but even if we could do that, it will not help you to watch the spots you wanted to see.”

  “Wait here.” Steve headed up to the bathroom, returning after a few minutes. He then told Gayne to stand at the far end of the study, asking Mirtza to hide behind the massive desk, so that Gayne could not see him. Once both were in place, he angled the small shaving mirror he had retrieved, so Gayne was able to see the reflection of Mirtza hiding. “This is what I mean. The mirror sees Mirtza, showing that image to you. Can’t you make a mirror to do the same? Where we take one part of it, the glass, placing it somewhere else, but when the metal part receives the image from the glass, we can see what it sees? Maybe on the back engrave something like imagious reflectious.”

  When Mirtza stood up, Gayne walked over, “Imagious reflectious?”

  “Something like that,” advised Steve. “Engrave words onto it, so it knows it’s supposed to reflect the image from the glass. That way, when you separate the two, the glass can be in one room and the metal reflector in another, but it sh
ows you the image.”

  Mirtza nodded, “Highly polished platinum back, married with a piece of glass, and instead of showing it what we want it to do, we tell it?”

  Steve sat down on the finely crafted desk, “Sure, why not? You said it had intelligence, so quit treating it like a child, as I wouldn’t be surprised if it already knows your words. Just carve them into the metal, telling it what you want it to do. If you have to, use a mirror to show it what a reflection looks like.”

  Gayne walked Steve over to the door, “We shall consider this, letting you know what we think later.”

  After it closed, Mirtza stared into the mirror, “The new portal bracelets, did we ‘enchant’ them. We trained them to key on certain amulets by engraving like symbols on both.”

  Gayne smiled, “While he may have named it, we did it before he told us how. Tomorrow, after I assemble the top students, I will commission having the mirrors made.”

  *******

  During the last sun set, the sound of a growl woke Sam, but a beast did not make it. Instead, it was his sister’s stomach, and shortly, his did the same. While it was one thing to accept treats when they were wolves from their parents, neither had mastered the art of stalking and killing wildlife. Unlike their father, who really liked rabbits: stewed, roasted, or raw. While they enjoyed watching him race after them, when he caught one, both would turn away—especially Hope, who thought they were cute. She still remembered asking her father for one to be her pet, how his eyes lit up, but quickly changed her mind. It had been a week since they had eaten, and even though the mixed breed had taken them to some of her best restaurants, both were very hungry. With the river so close, all they had to do was make it across the bridge. Then, after finding some clothes and a carriage, they could reunite with their Aunt and Uncle, telling them the good news. When the shadows had sufficient length, so none would realize how much they dwarfed normal sized strays, Sam started back to the streets, followed by his sister. With people still being out, they would turn into alleys to avoid getting too close, and if lucky, there was an exit at the other end. When they did, he would linger back in case anybody followed, to scare them off, and after traveling for two hours, they saw a large group of boys heading in their direction. Once again, they found an alley with an opening at the other end, which they entered. While Sam kept his eyes on the opposite end, Hope continued to the exit, and when the boys passed, he turned to locate his sister. Hearing her yelp in pain, he raced towards the street, sniffing the air for her scent. Feeling a sharp sting, he saw a dart sticking out from his fur, and turning, he saw two men standing in the distance beside a cart, which held his sister. Starting to advance, his legs felt funny, and then his vision began to blur. After taking a second step, he collapsed onto his side. Even though he was still conscious, his body was motionless. He tried to transform, hoping it would purge the poison from his system, restoring his health, but the magic gifted to him by his father was unable to counter the toxins, which now attacked his body.