by P. G. Thomas
Lauren had little interest in food or drink, “Bor what just happened?”
“Earth Mother—”
“Don’t call me that!”
“EARTH MOTHER IRONHOUSE! You will calm down.” Bor filled a large mug with ale, taking a long drink, “The lands last time were different, as the black-clad were many. This time, the black-clad are ants compared to trollmares. Six Ironhouse and your Earth Guard could easily handle a hundred or more black-clad, but one trollmare can kill hundreds. No, these times are different, and you need protection.”
Lauren shook her head, “What happens when we go back to the Bright Coast?”
“They will go with you.”
“How are they going to help me find my daughters?”
“The last time our clan was small, so we could go with you, and black-clad deaths fueled our march. Now we are many, and our problems are great, so with you, we cannot go.”
“How are they going to help me find my daughters?”
Bor stomped his foot, “Should Aaro and I, brothers Fen and Fodu walk away, joining you. How would we find your daughters? You are Earth Mother and will find a way. With you four brave stand; Unchosen, Rage Heart, Bastard, and brother Eric. Father’s rage he many no longer control, but he is dwarf and will have dwarf sword and armor. You will find Mother, and she will help you. Until then, you will be safe.”
Unable to argue Bor’s points, Lauren, who was frustrated, marched back to her room.
“Can you please explain these Granite Guardians to us?” asked John.
Bor pulled up a chair, finished his drink, then began. He told of the past, the really old days, when Father and bloodshed ruled the lands. How the battles told from the earliest stories talked of dragons stalking the lands, frost giants invading, and if that was not enough, dwarf clans also warred with each other. Battles written in languages so old, most were now forgotten. He explained how Ironhouse formed the first group of elite warriors, tasking them with the impossible. They would ride protection around clan leaders, master weapon smiths, battle marshals, on expeditions, and more. Whether the attack came from beast or other, their primary purpose was to protect either the mission or somebody in it. In those days, the battles were brutal since Father guided all. Quite often, one side would find themselves outnumbered, and to lose a dwarf of importance would be devastating. As such, all of the clans targeted the most important dwarves they could find. Adding that the weapons were weaker, wooden spears and stone-headed clubs, as dwarves had not learned how to forge metals. As such, when battles happened, the more determined won, resulting in a considerable number of the elite fighters never returning, making it harder to find new volunteers. Extending great honor to those who accepted the challenge, they named them Granite Guardians. Pointing to the mountains around him, Bor explained how that when one died, they would bury the beard in the silent granite mountains that surrounded them, so until the end of time, they could continue their pledge to protect their clans. Adding, those who accepted knew they only had three fates. Live to reclaim their beard, and be a dwarf once more. Die heroically in battle so that in the mountains their beard would be placed, bringing great honor to their families, or die a shameful death, causing their families to burn the beard, their essence to forever swirl in the winds that caressed the massive mountains because they were unworthy.
Eric looked to the mountains, “How many beards call them home?”
“That number is unknown, as some peaks are not granite. Stacked so high, the weight of their honor turned those beards to granite.” Bor stood, “The Granite Guardians will go with you and protect you. Gor, my brother, cared much for Earth Mother, was her friend. Granite Guardians are not your friends; their vigilance will be as hard as the mountains, steadfast as peaks you now see. One day, if they are fortunate, they will grow beards again. Mountain or face is the question unanswered. Aaro is the clan leader and has spoken. She is Earth Mother Ironhouse, and more clans than I can remember. Years past many, Aaro granted Earth Mother protection, and he extends the same again. I will warn you now; do not bring shame to Ironhouse. If you reject our offer, you will shame all dwarf.” Then Bor left the terrace.
Steve, looking a John, refilled his drink, “In your story, you never told me how ‘determined’ they were.”
“Determined? I was determined to finish high school,” advised Logan. “I don’t know what you call that, but they’re not the same dwarves that I drank with in Alron.”
“To think I used to think that Panry was a pain in the ass at times. John, what are we going to do?” asked Ryan.
“We’re taking them with us. There’s no way we’re going to piss off this group, or for that matter, all of the dwarves. Ryan, you have to talk to Lauren.”
Mirtza remembered the carefree days he had spent at the Ironhouse Mine, wishing for them again, “So what’s next?”
“No offense, Ryan, but after you calm Lauren down, we thank Aaro and Bor first. Mirtza, did you say you had a medallion for the covered forest?” He nodded as John continued, “I would suggest we go there first to see if Lauren can find a staff, or Logan can reconnect with Sister. If somebody was going to leave us any gifts, that would be the most logical place. Then we can go to Alron since I really don’t want to camp outside.” Everybody nodded. “After we find Zack, we convince him to come back to the Bright Coast. Pick up my cloak, and see if anybody has any other information. Then determine what we’ve learned and figure out our next steps.” John finished his drink, remembering Aaro and Bor on the night he drank with them before the final battle, wondering what happened in this world.
Ryan stood, “Come on, Logan. Let’s go talk to your sister.”
“Why me? You married her. Do you’ve any idea of how she’s going to react? Can’t we bring her out here, so when she blows her top, that mountain doesn’t fall down on everybody?”
Ryan shook his head, “You’re such a bastard.”
“Yeah, I’ve been told,” but he followed, hoping for the best.
When they entered, Lauren had a towel wrapped around her. Offering immediately to leave, Ryan told Logan to wait as she changed in the washroom. When she returned, Ryan walked her to the bed, sat her down, and he tried to explain the great honor it was to have the Granite Guardians protecting them.
As he was about to continue, Lauren stopped him. “I know. Let’s face it, in this world, I don’t have the free choice I would like. It’s about time I became accustomed to that again. Aaro was right, and I introduced myself to them as their Earth Mother. If I hadn’t, then—I don’t know. Bor is also right since they can’t help me find our daughters. I guess we’ll be safer having them around since this world already has enough surprises. I need to apologize to Aaro and Bor before we leave.”
Logan started walking around the room, looking into the bathroom, under the bed, “Who are you, and have you seen my sister?”
Lauren squeezed his hands, “Me getting mad isn’t going to help us find our daughters any faster. If this world wants me to have protection, there’s nothing I can do about it. I know I can’t run or hide, so I might as well accept it. When are we leaving, and where’re we going?”
Ryan leaned forward, kissing her on the forehead.
“Get a room.”
“We’re in our room.”
“Oh yeah, in that case, I’ll leave.”
Ryan looked at his wife, “He’s adopted, right?”
“My parents deny it, but we can’t prove that he wasn’t switched at birth. Now where’re we going?”
He quickly repeated John’s thoughts, and when done, Lauren leaned forward and kissed him. “Let’s get this show on the road, Rage Heart,” then smiled, “I like how that sounds.”
“My love, our daughters need us, so let’s go find them,” and then they walked hand-in-hand back to the group.
Logan had warned everybody on the terrace that a body double had taken over his sister, but when Ryan and Lauren walked out onto the terrace, holding hands, th
ey knew that she had regained her focus. John both wondered and hoped that Mother had influenced the change.
“Are we ready, Chief Council?”
Before John could answer, Eric raised his hand, “First, we need to get the armor and sword.”
Ryan held open the door for the rest, “Let’s go thank Ironhouse, get Eric’s toys, pick up a six-pack of Granite Guardians, and head out.”
As the others finished their drinks, Steve went back to his room and pulled off his jacket. He fastened the two short swords diagonally across his back with the handles pointing down, being held in place by leather retainers. Around his forearms, he tied the armor pieces meant to protect dwarf legs, placing the sheathed knife inside of the left one, and then put the longer sword on his belt. As he headed down the stairs, he saw the magic carriage that Gayne had brought forth, much to the delight of the dwarves who watched. After several dwarves had helped Eric load the armor, the little dwarf children squealed with joy when Gayne turned the carriage back into an amulet, which he had to quickly pick up when several of them ran towards it.
Aaro, Bor, Fen, and Fodu, as well as their wives and children, stood in the grand entrance. Lauren walked up to them all. “Master Weapon Smith, I brought anger into your house. I am—”
Aaro held up his finger, “Panry told you never apologize any. You are Earth Mother, and I understand your anger. These times test all, but your test is the greatest. Your daughters you will find.”
“Still, for your hospitality, I would like to thank you,” replied Lauren.
“It was not hospitality,” advised Bor, “your home this will always be.”
John walked over to Fodu, “I will try to get back soon to find out about the cloak and kites, and bring you the mithril chains. There are a few other items I may also bring, which dwarf crafted long ago, and I’ll need your help with them.”
Fodu nodded.
“Aaro, your gift, my guardians. Where do we find them?” asked Lauren.
“Bor, take legend to meet legend. I still have much to do. Safe journey friends and return soon.”
*******
Having just finished his beer, he was cradling his head in his hands, rubbing his temples.
“Crap hole.”
Without looking up, he replied, “My nickname from the Earth Guard Academy. I prefer Panry.”
“Oxron saw you, and stories he tells, distracting the others.”
Panry raised his head, looked into Jasmine’s jet black eyes, “I imagine he protects and serves the memory of his father. Is that not his right?”
“They are not stories, lies I imagine.”
Panry raised two fingers to the bartender, “I do lie, but usually at night with my eyes closed in my bed.”
“Your boasts have their origins in dwarf beer.”
He smiled, “I wish they were ale born, but they are not. How goes your search?”
“Not well,” replied Jasmine. “Your purpose here, what is it?”
“I search for the same, though illusive she does be.” Panry picked up his fresh mug of beer, taking a long drink.
Jasmine nodded, “I imagine you could not find the bottom of your drink.”
Turning over the almost full mug, the contents spilled over the table, and he touched the glass bottom.
Grabbing her mug, Jasmine headed to her Earth Guard squad.
He watched her walk away, “One day, she shall learn not to challenge a Moonshadow.”
Chapter 9
Escorting them down towards the stables, Bor walked past them, entering another large room where the smell of dogs was thick in the air, and all of the animals either snarled or howled. The kennel master, banging one of the cages, quieted them down. The room, which extended deep into the mountain, housed a dozen rows of large metal cages, each numbering more than a hundred. Inside of each, a huge wolf stood, measuring over four feet tall at the shoulder, and unlike most wolves, which were sleek, these ones were thick and muscled.
“Bor, what’re we doing here?” asked Lauren.
“Advantage four. Aaro craft new weapons new from old ores. Father’s ancient gifts were rebirthed. Fodu spins mithril into thin protection. As war ponies are no match for fang or claw, Father sent us to the north, and we captured blood wolves, breeding and training them. Soon trollmare will know fear, born from dwarf anger.” After Bor had whistled, the six clean-shaven Granite Guardians entered the kennel, dressed in the mithril fabric that Fodu had woven. Over their shoulder, a great ax reflected the torchlight, and on each side of their belts, swords. In their hands, the long curved blades that Aaro had crafted. At their sides, a large satchel that carried their necessary supplies. Beside them, a huge wolf, having large blood-red eyes stood, with a saddle on its back and wearing similar mithril armor.
“At what point, do you become accustomed to surprises like this?” asked Steve.
Eric shrugged his shoulders, “I thought I told you, I was here four years last time, and when I arrive at that point, I’ll let you know.”
Steve looked at Eric, when did I ask him that?
“Bor, I don’t mean to be—ungrateful, but we can’t take those into the Bright Coast. Can they stay here?” asked Lauren.
“The Granite Guardians need there mounts, so they cannot stay here.”
Ryan whispered, “We’ll figure it out later.”
“Thank you, Bor,” but then, speechless, she turned her gaze back to the unusually dressed and saddled wolves.
Walking over to Bor, something had been bothering John. “Brother, I mean no disrespect—the talk of Father and runes. I thought much about this last night, and does he present you with trollmares to kindle a fire that will ignite your dark and bloody past?”
“Bards not born wait for stories untold to be spoken. What will be and why? Questions not for dwarf. Our clan members, slaughtered by unnatural beast, and our lands are no longer safe for us to walk, even though under them we prefer, but in rocks alone dwarf cannot live. Our Granite Guardians watch the valley and weep with sadness, as they cannot protect us. When mountains cry, and dwarf blood flows, that which is, no more can it be. In the recent years, a new story started. Soon, new acts we will write, and blood of trollmares will be our ink, as no more dwarf blood will script the sad words. Our story is long, and we will need much ink.”
John, who liked the first dwarves he had met better, asked, “After that?”
“I am dwarf, and I do miss battle, but peace I also understand, and I can walk either path. Unchosen, brother. Mother and Father ignored you both, and they were wrong, but you looked into the darkness and unlocked mithril for all dwarf. Our gratitude is deeper than our mines for John Ironhouse, but when this booked is penned, and we need no more ink, another will start. Be John Ironhouse, grasping what is not there, and to your bosom embrace it, doing as you did with mithril. In your hands rivers flow, filled with water or blood, I do not know. Change the future if you can, if not—Now go! Earth Mother Ironhouse, her daughters need a mother as do these lands.”
“Do they also need a father?”
“Go,” and then Bor headed to the far end of the kennels.
Lauren walked over to John, “What did he have to say?”
“May the forces be with you.”
“What?”
John gave his head a shake, “I think he wished us good luck. Let’s get out of here.”
Heading to the open doors, where sunlight flooded into the dark cavern they gathered outside, including the silent six and their mounts, and Gayne pulled off his satchel, looking to John, “To the great elfin forest?”
Nodding, his thoughts still struggled with Bor’s cryptic words.
Gayne opened the box with the medallions in it, selected the one for the elfin forest, then tucked the box back inside. Pulling off the platinum bracelet, he dropped the medallion, and as it passed through the wrist hole, disappeared. Raising the bracelet upright, a ring shimmered forward, forming an image of a great forest. Before any could enter, two
Granite Guardians rode their huge blood wolves through the opening, followed by the eight with the remaining wolf-mounted Guardians.
Even though clouds obscured the blue sky, it was not raining, and Lauren surveyed the vast forest, “It looks like somebody removed the tarp.”
John scanned the scene, “It doesn’t seem right.”
“Do you really think that Mother may have left me something here?”
“A few days ago, yes,” began John, “After visiting Ironhouse…so much has changed. Let’s get this over with and head down to Alron.”
Two of the mounted Granite Guardians slowly advanced into the forest.
Eric rolled his shoulder, embracing the comforting weight of the long sword when it fell into his hand. Then, with his long reach, he brought the once death-hungry sword into the daylight. “Sure wish you were back here with me buddies.”
John walked up to one of the trees, grabbed a yellow-stained leaf, which crumpled in his hands, “This forest is dead.”
“Again? How?” asked Lauren.
“I—I have insufficient knowledge to determine—” Cutting his reply short, he noticed all of the plants, trees, shrubs, and grasses had an odd yellow tint to them.
“Logan, what’s he trying to say?”
“Lauren, give me a break,” John protested, “we just arrived here. I’m not some sort of super computer.” Standing at the forest edge, he scanned the group, “Does anybody recognize anything?”
“Knot,” replied Logan.
John rolled his eyes, “Bastard.”
“Find me Sister.”
“She’s standing right there,” but then Steve saw Logan smile.
John pointed forward, “Okay, let’s see if we can find Lauren’s tree first. Do you remember where it was?”
“It all looks so different.”
Mirtza nodded, “It was to the west, almost at the end of the forest. There was a large trail of some kind that led towards it. If we keep walking north, we should find it.”
“I remember that trail,” advised Logan. “I turned the other way, I guess.”
“Then straight ahead it is.” As John scanned the group, he realized that only two of the Granite Guardians walked on either side of them, being unsure of where the other four were. Moving through the dead forest, he thought about the yellowing leaves, wondering what could cause such an effect, and his only plausible answer was saline poisoning. An abnormally high concentration of salt in the ground, but there was no solid foundation for that hypothesis. After traveling several hundred feet, they found the path and turned to the west. John looked back to Gayne, “Are you alright?”