by P. G. Thomas
“Ironically,” began Jedimac, “yes, Earth Mother.”
“What were you two talking about,” she asked.
“It does not be—”
“Of any interest to you, Earth Mother,” and Jedimac smiled.
“Ryan can you retrieve it now.”
“Be there,” and he disappeared.
Lauren smiled, “May I talk to you in private?”
“I would be humbled to grant such an honored request, Earth Mother.”
As Lauren stood, her Earth Guards fell in behind her, and they all headed to the door with Jedimac following. Once in the front grand entrance hall, she paused in front of the mural, “I need to do something about that,” and then headed up to the guest quarters. Inside her room, as she sat down on the bed, Jedimac remained standing. “As I understand it, the recent events were very favorable to you.”
“We all have our purpose in life.”
“While my friends and I paid a great honor to Ironhouse tonight, I also know, if not for your intervention, a different ending would have been written. As does Mother, but we both know such a public demonstration of gratitude you would not welcome, preferring to keep your deeds unknown.”
Jedimac paused for a second yet nodded in agreement, “I claim my own rewards, Earth Mother.”
“Mother knows of you, of deeds unknown, and of recent appointments. She has a large flock to tend to, and occasionally, some wander off into the dark, transforming from prey to predator, which also help to teach her children the lessons she cannot. However, even the sheep of the night still need a shepherd, and she is pleased the Shadow Council has appointed you.”
Jedimac was becoming nervous, “Thank you, Earth Mother?”
“Your actions—”
“Earth Mother, my safety was guaranteed.”
“I know, but your actions cannot go unrewarded. There’s much that you covet in life, and while you’ve gone to great lengths to acquire what you desire, there’s one item that still eludes you.” Lauren held out her hands, holding a portal bracelet in one, a large platinum disk in the second.
Jedimac smiled, “I am most thankful.”
She continued to hold them. “This portal bracelet will only travel to two locations. The first is your office, and the second is where you place this disk. Before you start thinking otherwise, should you try to use it for any purpose other than its honest intent, Mother will know and not be pleased.”
“Honest intent?”
“Even though you desired your position, others also covet it the same, and there are many that would like to see you fall from grace to grave. As such, they’ll be watching you and your significant other.”
“I have no sig—”
Lauren shook her head, “There is one. Ryan, please enter.”
Jedimac, suspecting a trap, turned to the door. Standing in the doorframe, he saw a diminutive lady, who was neither young nor old, having long black hair, and a fragrant perfume floated from her, but her eyes were not absent. “Bellawa?”
She walked over to him, closed her eyes, and ran her fingers over his face, caressing his eyebrows, cheekbones and then stroked his wiry beard. “Even though they tell me your name is Jedimac, I always called you gentle.” Then she kissed him on the lips.
He turned to Lauren, pushing away his tears of joy, “I do not understand?”
“Your heart was in the right place and always has been. While you may walk in the shadows, the light of truth guides you, though you’ll deny it. Having taken great chances, Mother deemed you worthy of a similar reward, but one that you would be unable to obtain on your own.”
Jedimac smiled, “I suspect, like me, more than one motive she has?”
“That’s between you and Mother. Now Ryan will take you back to Gayne’s, and from there, arrange transportation to someplace safe.”
After kissing Bellawa’s forehead, he turned to Lauren, “I have no idea on how to thank you.”
“First, keep her safe, and second, there’s a small matter with Panry’s debt.”
Jedimac shook his head, “Mother has paid it back tenfold.”
“Should you fail to try to collect your debts, others may desire the same from you, and that would only lead to chaos—again. In addition, Panry also has his honor to consider. When we return, I’ll make arrangements for the payment, but I’ll warn you now, I had John calculate a more reasonable interest rate.”
“I will trust his numbers.”
When Ryan opened a portal, Jedimac picked up Bellawa, carrying her over the threshold.
As Lauren walked down the stairs, the large mural that filled the wall also filled her thoughts, and she sent Oxron to see if Aaro was free.
“Something is wrong, Earth Mother Ironhouse.”
“Master Weapon Smith, Clan Leader of Ironhouse, we’re alone, so please call me Lauren.”
“Lauren Ironhouse? It does not sound dwarf.”
“I have a personal favor to ask. Please, paint over both murals, replacing these images with the battle of the fort. Ironhouse lost many, and even though I may have preserved their names, their images will fade. Children will wonder what their fathers looked like, and it would be nice if they could still see them, and one day, have their families introduce their children to the Hero’s True.”
“I was thinking the same, and the images of legends will be less life like.”
“Thank you, my friend.”
Chapter 33
In the following weeks, life became more normal, compared to the previous five months. Lauren took her daughters to the tree so that Mother could meet them. She also visited Alron and Ironhouse often. In addition, she met with Mother Krisp and the Earth Sisters to see if they needed any help. Logan spent time with all of the Bastards, and he even went to the First Forest to talk with Sister. Eric went on a tour of the dwarven mines; a request from Gril Stonefist so he could tell the dwarves about the Nevermore Battle. Being both dwarf and not, he had nothing to gain but was legend. Mirtza and Gayne, returning to the school, started to experiment more vocally with magic, and Jedimac stopped spending so many long hours at his guild—though he was still up late most nights. Ryan was content just to play with his daughters when he could get to them, as between the Earth Guards that would never give them up, or the other visitors always wanting to hold them, he sometimes felt like an absent father. Steve helped John transfer the various components back and forth to Ironhouse, and there he was overwhelmed with their stories that seemed unending, but he noticed that John also suffered from a similar a never-ending defeat with the machine.
“Look, Kid, take a break. You’re stressing yourself out.”
“I have to make this work. If the twins grow much more, people will notice, asking questions.”
“Kid, we’ll figure something out.”
“I want to try just one more time, and then I’ll head back.” After he hooked up the recharged mithril battery, checked all of the connections, John turned the switches on, but nothing happened. He thought about what Steve had said to Gayne; just tell it. Desperate, out of time and options, he lowered his head in defeat. “A portal to my office,” adding a date and time. To his amazement, the large ring rose, shimmered and an image formed, showing the table with the coffee pot and cups still steaming on it. Light bleeding in from the portal illuminated the dark back wall, and there he spotted the calendar he had marked with the spring break with the clock on the wall showing the desired time. Turning it off, he sat down and began to cry. It was never me, it was the magic. After finishing the bottle of honey wine, he teleported to his room at the inn and stared at the ceiling until his shame chased him into unpleasant dreams.
*******
The next day, John returned to the school. With Gayne’s permission, he looked for some special components, and the entire time he searched the classrooms, labs, even the janitor closets, his three High Guards followed him. When he had what he could scavenge, the four headed to Ironhouse so that Fodu could connect the pieces. He spent the day
in their workshops where Fodu or the other assistants helped, directing them to complete the simple mechanism he had designed. As the first sun set, he walked out onto the terrace, knowing only one event waited: the trip home.
When Fodu walked out with a pitcher of beer and five mugs, John’s High Guard stayed where they stood.
“I would think you would be happy.”
“I am, but I just wish I could change something.”
Stroking his short beard, Fodu pointed to the mountains, “Listen carefully, and the same you will hear from that granite. While their past behind them stands, your future in front of you waits. Even though time you will have to change many things, regrets are heavy like granite, so you should collect few.”
Nodding, he issued an Earth Bond, “Return the Sword to Ironhouse.”
Fodu set down his drink, “When the sword to Ironhouse returns, legends depart?”
Before he could reply, Eric dressed in the dwarven armor and holding the sword stepped out of a portal. Walking over, before sitting down, he poured himself a drink, “To John.”
Fodu raised his mug, repeating the toast.
When John raised his, he made a different one, “To the Magic.”
When a second portal opened, Ryan, Lauren with her Earth Guards stepped through, and when no emergency greeted them, they joined the others at the table.
Even though Ryan poured himself a drink, when Fodu offered one to Lauren, she politely declined.
Eric smiled, “John fixed the machine.”
He nodded, “We’re going home.”
Lauren and Ryan both let out a sigh of relief at the same time.
Then Fodu stood, “Champion, please follow me, wo we can return the gifts to the Master Smith.”
“Are you okay, buddy?” asked Ryan.
“I’m just glad it’s over, and that we have a happy ending.”
“Still,” replied Lauren.
“The first time, it was hard,” then John took a drink to help hide the lies. “The second time, it’s just not the same, as it’s like watching a movie you’ve already seen. While you enjoy it, you know how it’s going to end. Let’s go get Eric and head back.”
When they entered the secret room, the unsheathed sword was on the mantle, the deeply cut runes now shrouded in shadows, and the expensive sheath depicting the great battle hung above it. Below it, a short, plain sword with a blade three feet long lay on the mantle: Beltok’s Revenge. Beside the fireplace, the once animated armor, which had answered the call of the Champion, hung motionless, and then Aaro and Bor walked in.
Aaro smiled, “You are Eric Ironhouse once again?”
The Champion remained silent, staring at the sword, knowing that shortly he would only be Eric, and the legend would be forever gone.
When Lauren walked over to Aaro, before she could speak, he started. “Our thanks to Earth Mother Ironhouse. You have birthed great pride to our clan. With Mother present, she will protect her children, and Ironhouse will help her.”
Bor nodded, “Three children, they need only one mother. Lauren, be that.”
Bending down, she kissed each on the forehead, and whispered, “Even though Mother may thank you, this mom thanks you even more.”
“You have peace again,” advised Ryan, “so make sure it lasts like those mountains.”
“In the lands maybe, but in one room dwarf blood still flows,” replied Aaro.
Bor shrugged his shoulder, “Bards argue over the name of the new legend.”
“What did they call him?” asked Eric.
“Decided, they have not,” replied Fodu. “Choices, would you like hear?”
“We had to suffer through his plan,” replied Ryan, “so he can suffer never knowing.”
After John had opened a portal, they stepped back into the garden behind the inn.
Before they headed inside, Lauren pulled John aside, “I need a few days before we go back.”
John smiled, “We have time.”
*******
The next morning, Lauren issued an Earth Bond to the Bright Coast before heading out to meet Mother Krisp at the Calicon bank, as it was there they had deposited the wealth seized from Zymse. The withdrawal was secured into several heavy carriages, protected by guild members supplied by Jedimac. Taking a carriage to the boarded up New Age Academy of Insight, outside of it, a huge crowd of Darkpaye immigrants had gathered.
When she stepped out of the carriage, Ryan with her Earth Guards followed her. Walking to the top of the stairs, she waited for the crowd to go quiet before talking. “A dark past follows you to these bright lands, and twice the nightmares birthed here began with one word: Darkpaye.” Lauren turned to the building behind her. Now Mother.
The building seemed to melt, like a candle having a flame that exceeded the size of the wick. When nothing of it remained, a single Iron Wood tree began to grow rapidly, standing over one hundred feet tall within a matter of seconds.
“This is Mother, and these are her lands.” Then Lauren pointed to the other side of the river, “Those are her children. Even though you were welcomed, you failed to embrace those who already lived here and that was wrong. While she could chase you from these lands, two wrongs don’t make a right. You’re welcome to stay and don’t have to praise Mother, but by the same means, she cannot allow your disrespect to grow. If you wish to stay, then place your hands on this tree, confirming you’ll treat those who live here already with respect, bringing no harm to them. Should you not, no food grown in these lands will you eat, no water will satisfy your thirst, and any food unloaded from distant shores will wither. You have free will and can stay, partaking of her bounty, being generous to those who have welcomed you. However, from this day forward, those born in Calicon are equals to those who arrived by wind and sail. Should you not wish this, you will not taste Mother’s vengeance; you will taste nothing. If you stay and do no harm, she’ll accept you. Do wrong, and you’ll quickly hunger for her approval. That which was, will never be again, so tell all, they can stay, but under Mother’s terms.” After she was sitting in the carriage, she saw most of the gathered go to the tree, but she also saw others head away from it. Knowing that in the days to come, a choice they would have to make, she directed the coachman to the next destination.
*******
The next day after breakfast, Ryan, Lauren, and her Guardians made a quick trip to Alron with the triplets and her Earth Guards. There they said their goodbyes to all: Zack and his family, Gingaar, and the rest. With tears in her eyes, they returned to the inn.
When they arrived, Eric, Logan, Steve, and John had changed into the clothes they had worn that fateful day. After Lauren with Ryan had done the same, both legends and protectors portaled to the school.
Having sent the students and staff home that day, Gayne with Mirtza waited in front of the double doors that secured the machine.
Lauren walked up to Gayne, “We would all like to thank you for your hospitality and help.”
He smiled, “The lands have their Mother back, just like your children do.”
“I have left instructions with Mother Krisp to repay you.”
“There is no need.”
“Not for your help, but for what we drank,” replied Lauren. “She’ll make sure that your wine cellar never runs dry.”
Mirtza looked at the large group, “I don’t think we could ever drink that much.”
“Then you’ll know our thanks to you will be like your wine cellar, ever overflowing.” Then she walked over to Panry and held out his arms.
He nodded to the other triplets.
She walked over to Jasmine, who reluctantly held out Brooke to her, “Earth Mother, I do not know what to say.”
“There’s only one thing I want to know,” replied Lauren.
Jasmine placed her hand over her abdomen, and then touched Lauren in the same place, “I am like you, and shadows from the moon grow.”
Lauren smiled when she kissed Brooke on the forehead, and then handed
the baby to Logan.
Ryan walked over to Oxron, “Your father would be proud of you.”
“The stories that Panry told me, I did not believe, and then many legends I met. One day my children shall hear stories similar, and they will know the legend of Alron.”
Walking over to Erust, Lauren accepted Hope, kissed her on the forehead, “My loyal Earth Guards, thank you.” Then she handed the baby to Eric.
John walked over to Mirtza, “Old friend, you never told me how you made the mirrors work.”
Their first protector wiped away the tears, “You may have shown us the way,” but then he pointed to Steve, “He showed us how to jump off of the ledge. Go home, Chosen and Earth Father.”
Then John pulled off the platinum bracelet, handed it to Mirtza, “Please, melt this.”
When Lauren walked over to Panry, he held the child close to his chest, “You have two, so can I not keep this one?”
Lauren looked at Jasmine.
“I do not tell him all!”
When she grasped her daughter, Panry released his hold, wiping away his tears.
“That’s so sweet of you,” replied Lauren.
“I shall miss Earth Mothers three.”
“Why?” asked Lauren.
“It is the first time Earth Mother did not argue back, it was—so quiet. Lauren, I am proud of you, and I am sure your heart and spirit lives in all three.” Then he walked over to Logan, “Mother with Sister have talked, and into the Earth Guard, Sister’s Bastards will join where they shall protect more than just innocents.”
Then Steve saluted all of the Earth Guards.
John walked over to the three High Guard elves, “What can I say to you?” They just turned and left. “Guess nothing.”
Waving his hand over the magical lock, Gayne opened the doors to the machine. Then Mirtza, Gayne, Lauren, Ryan, Steve, Eric, Logan, John, and the three triplets entered the room.
John pointed to the machine, “When the ring is upright, it’ll trip that lever. Thirty seconds later, it’ll release salt water into the various components, causing them to short out. Once I start it, I cannot stop what will happen. I’ve checked it out, and we’ll arrive on the same date we left but ten minutes later. Does anybody have any questions or unfinished business?”