by P. G. Thomas
John walked over to Fury, “Mother’s plan to share the governance of the lands. Can you persuade her to speed it up?”
“With her we have already talked, and your concern she agrees with. We know that Zymse still lives, and he will seek retribution, but those worthy, few they are.”
“Fury, I don’t ever want to come back here.”
“Your words, only when carved in granite would I believe.”
When Tranquil floated over to Ryan, a cottony material appeared in her hand, which she placed on the shoulder of Samantha. “Even though we understand this not, a method to cure the infliction we have found. This injury is but skin deep and easy to remove.” Then she began to rub the shoulder of the baby, and in doing so, the white material began to turn black, consuming the brand. When done, dropping it, it vanished.
John scanned the group, “Ironhouse wants to have a celebration next week, and they want us to bring that midlander who helped in the fight. Are we ready to go back to the inn?”
Lauren turned to Steve, “Can you go to Alron, bringing back Zack’s family? I’d like to spend some time with them, but I would feel safer at the inn.” When they arrived back, she sent Earth Bonds out to Krisp, Croy, Gayne, and Mirtza.
That night, the innkeeper had to close the back dining room, as it had a capacity of thirty-eight, and all but eight chairs were occupied. Even if more had arrived, none would sit at the table of honor. Because in dwarf tradition, they had made accommodations for the fallen. Sitting beside each plate, small pieces of paper identified the guest that would never arrive: Dax Steelfire, Siletz Deepmine, Jakel Goldfinder, Kraj Silverbright, Silmon Freshspring, Catic Winterfox, Ahee Springbud, and Helight Woodwild. However, during the evening, they served both food and drink to the eight place settings, and throughout the night, the inn staff replaced the untouched stale drinks with fresh ones. When somebody needed a break from the laughter or crying, they would wander over to the silent table, paying their respects.
John scanned the faces that showed a range of emotion: pain, anger, tears, confusion, joy, and so much more. Panry was holding up a young baby, blowing bubbles on her tummy, making her laugh. Lauren and Ryan, arm in arm, smiled at Gayne and Mirtza who cradled their daughters. The anguished look on Logan’s face, searching for the apologies that none would accept. Steve’s continued rebuttal of his plan, ‘Bond villains always talk.’ Gingaar and Nur smiling when they pried the smiling babies from Gayne and Mirtza. Hope chasing after Sam, ‘It was your fault,’ and Nur calling out to Zack, who then began to chase after his kids. All of which caused John to smile since the bards would never know this side of the story, so it would remain theirs forever.
It was later into the evening when Croy walked over to Lauren, sitting down beside her. “I have a question. Can Earth Mothers wed?” Even though he spoke the words to her, his eyes were on Krisp.
“Do you love her?” asked Lauren.
“Since the first time I saw her, but I’m a Bastard, and she is of Mother.”
“Yes, you can wed her if she’ll have you. Where do you think Earth Daughters come from?”
“Sister? Will not my Bastard abilities be passed on?”
“I’m sorry, but if you wed Krisp, you’ll never have any bastards born to you.”
“Thank you, Earth Mother.”
Lauren, feeling something bump her legs, looked down at Sam and Hope, and reaching down, picked them up. “I’m so proud of you both. I don’t know what we would have done without you.”
“We know,” and as they jumped down, Zack rounded the table.
*******
The next morning, Jedimac showed up at the inn. Taking Lauren with Jasmine out to his carriage, when he opened the door, they saw the branded elf healer. “Some thieves…I mean the new Watch members found her north of the Key. I was unsure of what to do with her, and since you claimed all possessions of Zymse, I was wondering if you could…I don’t know, do something?”
They looked at the skeletal figure, who had draped rags over her brands, trying to hide her shame. With her body covered in grime, the smell was overwhelming. Shaking from both malnourishment and fear, she was curled up on the floor of the carriage, but the most disturbing of all, her eyes. Even though Zymse may have cut out her tongue, her eyes screamed in silent agony.
When Jasmine whistled, Careel with Babartin came running out. “Take Earth Mother to the Iron Wood tree. Now!”
Following the two Earth Guards, they watched her silently shuffle towards the inn, and stepping inside, she immediately calmed down. Reverently pacing themselves, they supported her tired walk on her final journey. At the bar, the innkeeper had raised the gate leading into the back, and in his hand, a silver flask. With her arms so weak, she was unable to grasp it, so Careel accepted it. The others being curious had followed Lauren to the front, watching in silence.
When she stumbled, with his god-gifted speed, Eric jumped forward, catching her. Seeing the shame in her eyes, he kissed her forehead, “It wasn’t your fault.”
The others formed an honor guard in the back room for her to pass by, and when she scanned the faces of those she had healed, only so they could be tortured more, she began to cry. Once in the room, Panry was standing beside the tree, his arms outstretched. Eric allowed him to take her from his arms, like a parent accepting a child, and Panry respectfully placed the small Earth Mother into the large cavity. Carell walked the flask over to her, having already removed the lid, and handed it to her. Being so weak, she was unable to raise it to her lips, so he did it for her. After her sip, she caressed the inside of the tree, and they could all see the look in her eyes change from one of horror to peace. Even the triplets, who were also present, seemed to understand that something special was happening.
Then Lauren walked over, and leaning inside, kissed her forehead. “Mother thanks you so go to her now.”
With the last of her strength, she raised the silver flask, taking a small sip, and after closing her eyes, she smiled.
Panry headed for the door, “Careel, Babartin, this night, she is your Earth Mother. Let none enter this room.”
*******
The next morning, while Steve failed to understand what had happened to the body, he also realized he would never understand any of the happenings in Calicon, but he could live with that. Later that day, Lauren sent out an Earth Bond to the Earth Daughters and Earth Guards she had created in the Bright Coast, inviting them to the inn. During the night, she listened to all of the amazing stories they had to tell, up to and including the final battle. Throughout the night, each would break from their friends, wandering over to Lauren, and tell her how they now heard the words of Mother. Of how she had thanked them, welcoming them into her heart, and the young Earth Guards, filled with similar pride, would do the same. When the suns began to set, Lauren called Croy and Krisp forward, and after he proposed, Lauren married them on the spot. Then she returned to her room, to the one she loved, as the next order of Mother’s servants celebrated long into the night.
Several days later, Steve showed up at Jedimac’s guild, advising the large thief with the small name of the celebration at Ironhouse.
Tiny turned to Jedimac, who nodded.
“Can I takes my wife n kids with me.”
Steve nodded in agreement, although he was unsure of the actual protocol.
Then Tiny turned to Jedimac, “And you’ll come, boss, won’t ya?”
When Jedimac looked at Steve, he already knew the question. “No harm will come to you.”
The next day, a carriage pulled in front of the inn that favored those who served Mother. From it, Tiny exited, holding the door open for his wife and children, who were all dressed in their finest clothes. Jedimac was the last to enter the inn, and in the gardens behind, twenty-two waited for them, including Gayne and Mirtza. John opened a portal to the guest terrace, and all stepped through.
A dwarf stationed by the door went to notify the clan when he saw the crowd arrive. As he did, M
irtza walked over to Jedimac, Tiny, and his family, showing them how to apply the translation ointment. Then Aaro, Bor, Fen, and Fodu walked out, and with them Ruby and Amber, who offered to take the midlander children to play with the young dwarves.
Aaro walked over to Lauren, “You found your daughters like I said you would.”
“How could I ever doubt Ironhouse?”
*******
That night all tables in the great dwarven hall were occupied, but the eighty closest to the front all had one empty chair, being reserved for the absent guests. Arranged at the sides of the hall were tables with regular and large chairs, as these were the tables for the families of the largest, who worked in the deepest of the mine, and at them, one large and one small chair sat vacant. Four special tables had been reserved for the families of the fallen Granite Guardians, who had failed to return, taking their beards and honor with them, but who now stood vigil on their royal assignment. At the front of the hall, raised on a platform, a great table with nineteen chairs waited for the ceremony to begin.
When the doors opened, Aaro dressed in his humble attire walked out to the center of the table, his thick voice echoing off the walls. “This night, much to celebrate we have. Peace ordained by the Mourning King, old friends returning, and more. Let the Celebration of Hero’s True begin.” After clapping his hands, a procession of blood wolves ridden by Granite Guardians or Trollmare Slayers started to lead the guests in. Jaykil and Breax, with their chins bald, dressed in mithril armor, led Lauren to the center chair, taking their seats beside her, and Aaro sat beside Jaykil. Then Fodu and John walked out, followed by Bor, who led Ryan and Eric to their sears. When each group sat, the wolf riders would head to a similar spot on a smaller table in front. Then Fen led Logan with Steve out, and Gayne with Mirtza took their seats closest to the doors. Tiny then led out one of the Rockeaters, who carried two massive hammers to the largest chairs. Even though three remain empty, all in the hall knew the three not present: the Legend Absent, Hakk and Gor Ironhouse; the Legends Fallen. Then the elf Earth Guards, Tiny’s family, with Jedimac, and Torango were led to a table in the front. Those who looked upon the great table were confused, as it was customary to call out the names of the guests after they had taken their seats.
Lauren stood, “I spoke with my old friends, Aaro and Bor this day. I asked them a favor and not to call us legends. We were blessed by Mother,” then she looked to John, “for even my dear friend she has adopted.”
John nodded, more or less, and then he looked at the three silent timber elves.
She nodded to Eric, “We were blessed by Father,” then turned to Logan, “and by Sister. It was those who gifted us the abilities to do the legendary acts the bards write about. However, this time, those gifts were insufficient, and if not for Ironhouse,” she then pointed to the front tables, “those chairs would be filled, and I would not be standing here. We called to Ironhouse, and they came to our rescue, failing to understand the price they would pay. Thus, I did not want your praise for us to overshadow their sacrifices. While we may be legends, absent are the true heroes.”
When Aaro nodded to the farthest table, a dwarf child stood, and holding back their tears, they spoke their father’s name aloud but remained standing. Going from table to table, one from each one would stand, announcing the missing guest, but as more sounded off, the tears became less, and the pride of their spoken words increased. Then one stood from the tables where the families of the fallen Granite Guardians sat, calling out a name, their voices were filled with pride, as they had seen the tribute paid by the Earth Mother. The chorus of the fallen continued, and then along the walls, the tallest dwarves stood, calling out more names. Then the Rockeater sitting beside Tiny stood, spoke the last, and all one hundred plus shouted out, “LEGENDS FALLEN, HEROES TRUE.”
*******
As Tranquil and Fury stared at the large body of water in the First Forest, they saw the small ripples start, watching them increase in size.
“Brother, what happens?”
“The Legend New was wrong. Sorrow may be the currency that purchases freedom and peace, but honor is an investment that both fills the void and builds the future.”
“Brother, do you care?”
“I have much to think about,” and then Fury vanished.
*******
All of the dwarves raised their glasses, toasted the same, “LEGENDS FALLEN, HERO’S TRUE.”
As the echoes filled the great hall, the tallest dwarf at the front table called out, “Now that I can see all, I will speak. I am Cassum Ironhouse. My brother, Master Tunnel Smith, became Legend Fallen, Hero True at the first battle for Rockeaters. With his death, our vision left,” and then he slapped Tiny’s shoulder so hard that the midlander spilled his drink. “Then one sounded for us, birthing both sight and victory. His name he told me, but it is not dwarf, so I named him Victorious Thunder, Rockeater, Ironhouse.”
A rousing applause and toasts erupted in the hall, except from one, as Gril Stonefist had been visiting Ironhouse. When he heard the announcement, he spit out a small mouthful of beer, glaring at Aaro.
Aaro looked back, shrugged his shoulders, and mouthed one word, Tradition.
Fodu walked over to Tiny, trying to place the largest Ironhouse ring he had ever crafted onto the gigantic fingers. When it failed to fit, he pulled out a long chain, running it through the ring, and gave it to the newest clan member.
Cassum slammed his large chilled mug down, “Warm it is, colder I need it.”
Reaching over, Logan touched the mug, turning it into a beer slushy, having large chunks of beer-ice floating at the top. Cassum felt the cold, powered the drink back, and chewed on the ice, demanding more and colder.
Hearing those words, a chill ran down Logan’s back, as he remembered the elfin Earth Mother when she had discovered his gift, but he reached over, making the next mug even colder.
Cassum then reached for the massive hammers, “We have a tradition that when a Rockeater is no more, the great hammers sound for all to know. Victorious Thunder, wil you honor me and my brothers lost.”
When Tiny stood, because the adrenaline of the battle from the dwarves dying was absent, he struggled to lift the massive hammers.
Lauren looked at the growing shame on his face, whispered her Earth Bond, and the strength of Mother helped him fill the hall with the metal thunder. When she looked down at Tiny’s family, covering their ears, she saw the look of pride in their smiles.
Aaro stood, “The feast. Let it begin.”
Before the doors opened for those who fought the battles in the kitchen, Jaykil handed Lauren a rock, “In granite we carved our thanks.”
Looking at it, she failed to understand the symbols, but when she turned it over, one engraved word in English was present, Gratitude. “How?”
Jaykil pointed to John.
After the meal, the dwarves began to chant, “Stories, stories, stories.”
Lauren stood, “This night is not for us, it’s for the Legends Fallen, Hero’s true. Amongst us, we’re privileged to have those who fought, yet can still kiss their wives goodnight, waking their children in the morning. It’s not my words you want to hear, it’s theirs. Warriors Brave, who witnessed deeds great, please stand.” The one hundred plus who had either walked away or been carried off stood. She smiled on those that desired to be legend, knowing they enjoyed the embrace of family and friends even more. “Even though Legends they may not call you, your acts were legendary, so I name you Heroes all.”
Clearing his throat, Aaro stood, “Earth Mother Ironhouse, your request I honored, yet my price, you have not paid.”
“The Master Weapon Smith is correct. He granted my favor only if we would honor your legends like legends. While history has a way to forget the names, this hall never shall.”
Eric stood, and while not wearing the armor, he had brought the sword. Picking it up from the table, with his long reach he extracted the demi-mortal blade with electricity dancing acr
oss the deeply cut runes. When he held it straightforward, the torchlights extinguished, and a bolt of lightning filled the massive hall.
From the dark, they heard the Earth Mother, “Bastard.”
Both walls ignited in flames, and then Lauren called out to Mother, Now. As the flames extinguished, the names of the heroes fallen were carved on the left wall, and the hero’s present appeared on the right one. “Earth Father.”
John stood, tasked the magic in his bracer, and converted the engraved atoms to gold, gilding the names in metal worthy of their deeds. When all eyes turned back to the front of the hall, they saw the twelve-foot tall rock monster called Rage Heart, and one of equal size made from a gray-silver metal, each holding a massive mug of ale. In unison, they raised them, “LEGENDS FALLEN, HERO’S TRUE,” and the entire room stood, toasting the same.
Then those, who had both committed and witnessed heroic deeds, went to those who sat beside the empty chairs, telling the stories of the hero’s absent.
Jaykil and Breax stood, thanked Lauren, and headed to the tables where the dwarven families of Steelfire, Deepmine, Goldfinder, and Silverbright sat.
When Jedimac had overheard the requested tribute, he asked John if he could portal him back to the guild since one there knew an unknown story, and when he saw Lauren nod, he sent Torango to join the families of the four clean-shaven dwarves.
Having seen Jedimac go to where Panry sat, Steve could see a pained look in the Earth Guards face and wandered over. “So, Jedimac, what’re you going to do now that you don’t need forgeries to travel across the Key?”
“We have recently found out that those from Darkpaye are notorious collectors of art, and therefore, we will be prominent in their efforts to expand their collections.”
Walking over to the table, Lauren nodded to the top thief. “That was a very nice gesture on your part.”
“Let us just hope the dwarf habit of naming everything as tradition does not rub off on me, as I prefer my acts of generosity to be rare.”
“So, it’s back to the shadows for you?”