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

by P. G. Thomas

  Having also seen the stairs and throne, Gril headed towards the lower level.

  Steve called out from the other side, “Don’t go down there. Those seats weren’t meant for you.”

  Gril stomped his foot, “You are not dwarf! Be here, you should not!”

  Aaro cleared his throat.

  “Are there none that Ironhouse will turn away?” stammered Gril.

  “You don’t understand,” began Steve. “This isn’t a place to rule, it’s a place to mourn the fallen, and those destined to arrive here.”

  After his military service had ended, Steve found himself in Germany. Deciding to stay for a while, trying to make sense of everything he had done, he went on tours of the various war monuments, and one day, headed to Warsaw to view the monument called the Heroes of the Ghetto, which struck a nerve with him. At that moment, he decided to take the leave owed to him, viewing more wartime monuments and the cemeteries of the great wars. Once home, he visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Marine Corps War Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, and many more. Waking one day, with his desire to reenlist gone, he went looking for a new life. To this day, he still remembered the quiet reverence that seemed to fill the air, as those who had fallen tried to pass on their message of honor and peace. He pointed to the large painting at the back wall, “Don’t you see the dwarf in the middle?” However, the spot he pointed to was void of any displayed images. “That dwarf, he’s the same one that sits on the Throne right now, yet nobody hears him. Those pictures on the walls of the fallen dwarves,” then he pointed to the tiered benches, “they look upon you right now, and they don’t want any more to sit beside them.” He pointed to the Throne, “He’s not the Morning or Dawn King, he’s the Mourning King. The Crying King!”

  The assembled dwarves started to process the painted illustrations, the refusal of weapons into the dwarven carved hall, and they began to understand.

  Walking over to a wall, after Steve wiped the wet from it, he licked his salty fingers, “This isn’t condensation, it’s tears. This entire place is mourning the Battle of Nevermore.” Then he pointed to the back wall, “That’s not a painting, it’s a doomsday clock. Its measuring the amount of time to the final battle when dwarves will exterminate themselves. Mother knew how Father had influenced you, turning you into great warriors. Even though I’ve heard the story, you have the ending wrong. While Father wanted violence, Mother wanted peace, and I think she brought all of the dwarves here, wanting to explain what would happen if you continued your wars. I remember the words I heard; ‘of Mothers’ final promise, that should he bathe the lands in red, she would consume them in darkness, as never would the suns see the horror he had unleashed.’ She wasn’t talking about the suns in the sky; she was talking about your daughters and sons, because not even they would live. She knew you would keep fighting to win Fathers affection, even if every last one of you had to die to gain it. That’s why the Crying King already occupies the throne! Because his future of ruling the dead has arrived!”

  Gril turned to Lauren, “Are his words true?”

  She nodded, “Go back to your mines. Finish the story, and let the Mourning King rule his peace, like Mother intended, alone.”

  Pointing to the large painting at the back of the wall, Steve saw the speed of the painted figures increase, “NEVERMORE IS ARRIVING. Go stop the bloodshed before it’s too late.”

  When the clan leaders looked up, seeing the movement, they rushed into the hall. Approaching the entrance, they all heard the sounds of battle beginning to filter in, and when they stood in the sunlight, they saw hundreds of small fights taking place. In unison, the thousand plus Clan leaders screamed out their command with all of their might, and it echoed off the distant mountains, “STOP!”

  Gril scanned the silent mob, and seeing the dead dwarves, he stepped forward, “NEVERMORE WILL DWARF FIGHT DWARF.” He finally recognized the truth, that the message was battle nevermore, not the Battle of Nevermore. He pointed to the top of the carved doors, “DWARF HELPS DWARF. THE MOURNING KING SITS ON HIS THRONE SITS AND HAS DECLARED PEACE. To your mines return, and you clan leaders will explain all of this day.”

  Lauren with the other legends walked out into the day, and hearing the quiet, smiled.

  Gril turned to her, “Understand all, I do not.”

  “Mother explained it to me last night. With Father’s plan, it would have taken decades for all of the battles, and most would never realize the actual size of the slaughter, or the brutal efforts you would utilize. She knew that the lessons learned would be too slow, and before any would understand, most of the dwarves would be dead. She arranged to bring all together, so if the battle did happen, some would see the insanity and try to stop it.”

  “One did,” and Gril pointed to Steve

  Aaro nodded, “He is Ironhouse.”

  Then Lauren turned to the mountain, “Mother, four Granite Guardians served me bravely, yet their honor is like cut beards in the winds, without a home. The families are shamed, without honor, and with their Granite Brothers in the mountain valleys, they cannot serve, so let them protect the Mourning King, and make them his Royal Granite Guardians.”

  From the sides of the mountain, four pieces of rock began to emerge. Each was a perfect replica of Dax Steelfire, Siletz Deepmine, Jakel Goldfinder, and Kraj Silverbright. They stood fifteen feet tall; a stone version of their mithril armor covered their bodies, having large great axes strapped to their backs, and in their hands, the elongated swords born in the forges of Ironhouse. Most importantly, on their chins, their beards and honor.

  Jaykil and Breax had walked down to the entrance when the small battles had begun, as she was still Earth Mother Ironhouse, and neither would risk their honor. Jaykil bowed to her, “A great honor to my Granite Brothers you have bestowed. I thank you.”

  Aaro nodded, “All Ironhouse thanks you.”

  Gril bowed to her, “The nation of Dwarf are in your debt.”

  Lauren smiled, “The Royal Guardians will ensure the doors remain open, so if any dwarf wishes to visit the Mourning King, all can. When you return to your mines, finish the story oldest told, and once again carve your Granite Peace. I imagine it’ll remain intact for the eons to come, having only thick layers of dust embracing it, but it’s what Mother wants.” Being an Earth Bond, the clan leaders all nodded. Then Lauren added, “Since trollmares still wander the shadows, only dwarf has the ability to erase their presence from the lands. Can the nation of dwarf once again reunite, fighting as one?”

  Remaining quiet, Aaro looked at Gril Stonefist. He needed the one who wanted to be king to regain his rightful pride, and to restore it, he knew all the dwarves should hear the words of Stonefist first.

  When Gril realized what was happening, he nodded, “It is a challenge worthy of dwarf, but we will need the help of Ironhouse.”

  Aaro smiled back, “You will have it.”

  *******

  From the mountaintop, they all watched the dwarves slowly make their way to the passes that exited the valley. It was the great elfin eyesight that saw dwarves who had brought insufficient supplies feed those who had a surplus. They saw clans, which still held grudges, send their barber-surgeons to help those who they had injured. John had opened a portal for Ironhouse, not to reward them, but in payment for the deceit of the gods, as all knew they had never wanted to participate. Then he created one to Alron for the Bastards, Zack, and his children.

  Lauren turned to John, “How much longer to fix the machine?”

  “I’m working on it, and I know I need to get us home before the triplets age anymore. It’s complicated, but Fodu should’ve some free time now.”

  She nodded, “Just try harder, please.”

  Eric walked over, “Is that how it was supposed to happen?”

  “More or less,” she replied.

  Steve, explaining the events from inside to Ryan, heard his name mentioned, “What?”

  “I was just telling Eric,” began Lauren, “tha
t the dwarves were supposed to figure out what was happening so they would better understand it.”

  “I didn’t know! It all worked out, didn’t it?”

  “Yes,” replied Fury

  Lauren turned to her suspended Earth Guards, snapped her fingers, and they moved to intercept the new threat that had suddenly appeared. She raised her hand, “It’s okay, there—old friends, I guess.” She then turned to Fury. “Stop screwing with my Earth Guards since this isn’t the First Forest!”

  Eric advanced, “You used me!”

  Tranquil smiled, “No, he did not, I did. I knew that for Nevermore to arrive, all of the granites had to break. If we waited for Ironhouse, the bloodshed would be great, as battle lust would fill the dwarven thoughts. With all broken, their focus would be here. Champion, I am sorry for the role you were forced to play.”

  “Well, okay, I guess.”

  Fury looked out over the green grass, “Grand it would have been. A battle like no other, and while Father it would have pleased, I think even he failed to understand the lengths that dwarf would go to fulfill his wishes.”

  Tranquil looked down to the four Royal Guardians that paced around the mountain, “A fitting reward for bravery so great.”

  Steve nodded, “I just hope none of those Rockeaters ever make the pilgrimage here.”

  “Will Father be—upset?” asked Eric.

  “Once Mother released me from the Forest,” Fury began, “I traveled to the dwarf mines to find where the first Granite broke, but Father’s influence was absent. Mother’s magic in the hard rock is strong, having many purposes. When I arrived here, I examined the clan in question, finding the dwarf responsible, but Gril it was not. In one, I saw the torture endured, and the spell cast that compelled his actions. While he may have shattered the granite, his actions were not his own. Thus, I removed all burdens from his memory, so no shame would he have to embrace. The name of the one he called Master, the same that stole your daughters. Even though Zymse realized that both midlander and elf he could control or scare off, dwarf would only accept injustices limited, rising to stand against him.”

  Tranquil then added, “While Father saw the terrible beasts and Mother weakening, her thoughts are that of Zymse Father had no knowledge. This information she withheld from you, Earth Mother.”

  “What?” asked John.

  Fury shook his head, “Of all the bastards in these lands, you suffer from mixed parentage. When you return to the Bright Coast, Earth Father, a High Guard waits for you. Mother’s magic was for life, but with it, you birthed death. While the title she cannot revoke, she never anticipated her magic answering your call.”

  “Earth Father, High Guard? I don’t understand?”

  “Unchosen, I strip this title from you, as Mother has both accepted and rejected you,” explained Tranquil. “When Earth Guards bestowed the title to you, Mother only thought it—cute? She realized what Panry did, that protection you would need. While you fought for her children and are in her gratitude, her magic you can too easily corrupt, and with it, bring death to her children should another influence you.”

  Fury continued, “She created the High Guard, gifting them secrets, that, should you turn her gift on her children, they have but one purpose. Thus, I would strongly advise that you do not unlock this mystery since you will not enjoy how it will end.”

  John was uncertain about how to receive this update, as Fury seemed to over-emphasize the last word.

  “Earth Mother,” Tranquil began, “Mother withheld the information of Zymse actions with the dwarves, as she determined it would only muddy this river that she needed to arrive at the desired location.” Then she looked at Steve, “Though one still managed to dilute her purpose.”

  “What? Nobody told me anything.”

  Lauren smiled, “Been there.”

  “Of Father,” Fury began. “It was him we think who brought you here since we cannot find him. To your world, he has been before,” and then he began to mumble something.

  Tranquil smiled, “It is a long story.”

  “Holy crap!” Steve exclaimed. “You can even affect them?”

  “Bite me,” replied Lauren.

  Fury shook his head, “We think his original intention was to protect the lands, gifting the runes removed to Ironhouse, and the knowledge of Iron Wood Ore. His hopes were simple, that they could find a way to battle the threats of trollmares, which he failed to understand. When Mother weakened, going quiet, he sought other paths to restore the voice of the one he loved.”

  “What?” they all asked, except for Steve and the Earth Guards.

  Tranquil shook her head, “The words required to explain such matters would exceed the number of dwarves that now head back to their mines by fivefold. During that story, your daughters will grow, fall in love, and marry midlander, elf or dwarf.”

  Ryan stepped forward, “It’s okay. We can live with some mysteries.”

  Then Tranquil elbowed Fury in the ribs.

  He sighed, “Once again, in your debt we are.”

  Tranquil smiled, “Within the week, the Bastard will be healed,” and then both vanished.

  When Lauren called out to John, he pulled off the bracelet, speaking his destination, “The inn.” Then they all stepped through the portal.

  Chapter 32

  The next morning, walking down the stairs alone, John felt strange since Babartin and Careel were absent. In the back dining room, he found the others gathered at the large table. Lauren smiled when she raised one of the giggling triplets in the air, and Ryan was spoon feeding a second. Panry held the third, and even though Jasmine was begging for a chance to cradle the young girl, he would not relinquish his hold.

  “Come on, Brooke, you need to eat,” pleaded Ryan.

  “That is Earth Mother Hope,” replied Panry, “This is Earth Mother Brooke.”

  “How would you know?”

  “I am Earth Guard.”

  “Lauren!”

  “He’s right, but don’t worry, one day—”

  “Yes, my love, one day I’ll be able to tell them apart. Now, Hope, you need to eat something,” and the smiling child gladly accepted the spoon of food.

  The innkeeper set down two pots of hot bean juice, smiled at Panry, as the inn seemed brighter this day.

  John sat down between Babartin and Steve, looked at his Earth Guards, “You couldn’t wait for me?”

  “Earth Father, your High Guard arrived last night, and I have been assigned to Ironweed…I mean Ironwood’s Earth Guard.”

  “Where are they?”

  Three large elves stood from a table in the back and walked over to John. They were almost six feet tall, and their frame resembled a dwarf, being thick and muscular. Green fabric shirts and pants covered in fractal images were stretched at the seams, but they did have the same deer ears like other elves. However, their eyes appeared to be large multi-faceted gems. After nodding, they returned to their table, but John focused on the large double bladed axes that rested against it.

  John turned to Panry, “That’s my High Guard?”

  “They are timber elf, and live in secluded forest, master wood builders.”

  John turned to Steve, “Those three do not look happy.”

  “No, they do not.”

  “Do they need translation ointment?” asked John.

  “Social skills are the words you’re looking for.”

  That morning John with Steve used the portal bracelet to get to the school. Once there, they loaded the stripped components onto a cart, which Gayne had placed in the room. When done, John told the High Guard they were going to the Ironhouse mine, but they just followed him into the portal. Staying there for the week, John instructed Fodu on the necessary repairs, and Steve listened to the stories told by the dwarves. On the last day, they portaled back to the inn, as this was the day that Tranquil said Logan would be released from the First Forest.

  Lauren, who held Samantha, Ryan, John, Steve, Eric, John and all of the pro
tectors headed into the gardens behind the inn, and all twelve stepped through into the First Forest. Only Panry stayed behind with three Earth Guards with the remaining triplets.

  Tranquil smiled when she saw the group in the meadow, “Greetings, Earth Mother, Earth Mother, Earth Father, Rage Heart, Champion, and he who the bards now struggle to name.” Then she floated over to Lauren, looking at the small baby, “Never before has one so young been proclaimed Earth Mother.”

  Lauren lowered the blanket to expose the brand.

  “We will help,” advised Tranquil.

  “He’s going to get a title. Crap”

  When the crowd separated, Lauren handed Samantha to Ryan, as she ran over to her brother, and hugging him, she began to cry tears of joy. “I missed you so much.”

  After Logan had looked at the rest, he turned his gaze to the ground, “I’m sorry—”

  “Don’t say it, Kid. It wasn’t you.”

  As the first four gathered around Logan, Steve, seeing Fury standing beside a large lake, went over to him.

  Fury looked at his reflection in the still waters, “It grows every day.”

  Steve’s reflection nodded back, “It will for a long time, as this is the currency used to purchase freedom, honor, and peace,” and then he headed back over to the others.

  “How did they heal you?” asked John.

  “I don’t remember what happened when I arrived, but for the first few days, Sister made me bath in some sort of healing spring.”

  “Your sister bathed you?” asked Steve.

  “Not my sister, Sister!”

  Then Logan saw the smile on Steve’s face, “I’m looking forward to hearing about you, old man.”