by P. G. Thomas
Lauren spent the day thinking about what to do next. If she remained the Earth Mother, people were going to die. If she were absent, there would still be deaths, but not because of something that she did or failed to do. After a few more days, she knew the search would expand, allowing her to slip away. Thinking if she were alone, nobody would recognize her. While she might look familiar, without the crowd, nobody would realize who she was. As the Earth Mother, twenty or more could surround her, but few had ever seen Lauren by herself.
*******
For three more days, they searched the town and lands surrounding Alron without the desired results. On those days, the Earth Mothers went to the meeting hall each day, which ended with similar results of failure. On the last day, they had divided the room in two. Those who favored war, mainly dwarf, occupied the right side of the hall, but the division continued. While half thought they should only be concerned about defending the west, the others wanted to win back the east. The left side of the hall was even more crowded and undecided. Every person seemed to have a different opinion, changing with every conversation. They had looked for volunteers to form a negotiation team with the Royal House, but that idea vanished faster than the contents of Arora’s silver flask.
After six hours on the third day, the five Earth Mothers left, being no longer able to tolerate the bickering and arguments, as the concern for Lauren, who was now missing for six days, had shortened their tempers greatly. Nur had suggested they issue a number of colorful Earth Bonds; everything from ‘start thinking,’ to Zack’s suggestion of ‘growing a pair’, but she was unsure of what it meant. Today they were even more distracted because Eric, Logan, and the Ironhouse brothers were due back, and the sky elves were also expected. As they left the meeting hall, numerous townspeople approached them, inquiring about the missing Earth Mother, but their concerns went beyond Lauren, including what was happening in the town. All had been approached, questioned numerous times by numerous groups, but the presence of Lauren remained a mystery. The Earth Mothers realized that the crowds were smaller, as honest people were now afraid to venture out onto public streets.
As the Earth Mothers rounded the corner, they saw Panry receiving fresh updates, which only resulted in more pacing. Approaching, they could see how the fatigue of sleepless nights was chiseling away at his composure, and the distress of losing his charge was eroding his self-control, as the anger of absent results consumed his confidence.
Arora called to her captain, “Take one from each Earth Guard to form a new Earth Guard. Then relieve Panry and his Earth Guard, as they all need rest. If they refuse, advise that we shall give them the necessary rest.”
John, Ryan, and Fodu were each sitting, pacing, or standing in the backyard. It was like they were playing a game, where all three were not allowed to do the same thing at the same time. When one would stand, another would sit. When one would stand still, another would begin to pace. As the five Earth Mothers took a seat at the table, their calming influence slowly made the three join them. Arora’s Earth Guard captain approached, advising her he named the new Earth Guard, which would watch the missing Earth Mother’s residence, “Earth Mother, four does take rest, but Panry, into the town he went.”
Arora lowered her head, “Please call off the thief guilds and dwarf. They place all under a strain too much. Advise the Watch to search all that leave town.” The captain nodded and then left. Arora looked at John, “The sky elves, have they advised yet?”
“They arrived earlier this morning. They said the north pass is blocked with snow, and he mentioned that the army in the valley is gone, much like the valley. They haven’t seen any more threats. They’re also talking about visiting less often. I think they’re under the impression that the threats are all gone, and we’ll probably need an Earth Mother or Logan to change their minds.”
Arora nodded, “Is there any word of Eric or Logan?”
John just shook his head, as the cook brought out pots of tea and hot bean juice, which soon went cold like the trail of Lauren.
After an hour, Earth Guard whistles sounded, and from the roof one announced, ‘Six fast horses return.’ Going to the street, they had no interest in waiting for the news to come to them. As the horses arrived, Pintar with six Earth Scouts approached.
Before they dismounted, Arora realized not all was right, “Please advise on what does be wrong?”
With Eric remaining quiet, Aaro volunteered. “Eric, three choices he gave them. Leave, surrender, death. Warned them he did. Listen they did not.”
“Slaughtered. Squashed like bugs,” replied Eric.
Hakk continued, “When black-clad were no more, the south port town we went to. He gifted twelve life, and they set sail for peace.”
“Return, they will not,” began Eric, “Peace desired not. Battle-worthy they are not. Bugs for me to squash.”
Aaro shrugged his shoulders, “The south port town is now free of black-clad.”
“Then they started to attack in the pass,” began Logan, “Sister created an ice storm to slow them down, but it didn’t. They attacked the next night, and we barely defeated them. When Eric showed up the following morning, he didn’t want to fight them, calling them innocent like Mother’s Children. He said it was a fair fight between the two sides, but Sister disagreed. Eric talked us into closing the pass with avalanches, so neither side could fight. However, he tricked me, making me kill the black-clad, so he wouldn’t have to.”
“Something’s wrong with Fury,” advised Eric.
John was surprised, “He offered peace and refused to attack?”
The four dwarves all nodded.
Eric just shrugged his shoulders, and the spikes popped out.
“We have a different problem, Lauren’s missing,” began John, “Give your rings to the Earth Scouts, so they can search the roads.”
“What do you mean Lauren’s missing?” asked Logan.
“Six days ago, we opened her bedroom door, and her room was empty except for the staff on her bed. We’ve searched the town six times, questioned everybody, but nobody knows anything. If they managed to get her on the road, they could be in the south port town soon. Did you pass any wagons or carriages on the road?”
When all six nodded, Eric mounted his horse, “Join me, they can. I ride now.” Before Aaro and Hakk could hand their rings to the Earth Scouts, the tired Dawnfalcons stepped out of the house, walking forward with their hands extended. John nodded to the dwarves, who handed their rings to the exhausted Earth Guards. With rings in place, they leaped into the saddles, and turning their mounts, they headed out of town, beginning their journey south.
Erust and Cethail walked up to Bor and Fen, reaching out for the rings also. John nodded again, looking to Logan who shook his head. Pintar tapped his best Earth Scout on the shoulder, who took the third ring, and then the three fast horses started on their journey. Aaro, Bor, Hakk, and Fen went over to Fodu, wanting a dwarf update.
Logan stood in place, rubbing his forearms, questioning Sister, “It doesn’t feel right, John. Most times, if there’s an obvious threat to Lauren, Sister gets angry. Something’s wrong.”
“I don’t know what to tell you,” advised John, “We’ve turned this town upside down and inside out. We’ve searched the surrounding countryside also, but there’s no sign of her.”
“Is Zack in his room?” asked Logan.
John nodded. As Logan entered the house, the dwarves headed into town, and the Earth Mothers went into the backyard.
John noticed that only Arora remained in front of the house, and the expression on her face was one of concern, “I talked to Alron before he passed. He told me what Earth Mother said about the dwarf sword. It is not a gift from Mother, and it is Father’s idea alone. Before Mother, there was only Father and violence. I think Father tries to remake his past. Dwarf ceremony to name the sword, it does not have magic. Earth Mother told Alron that Mother’s words she heard when Earth Mother spoke Father’s prophecy. She took co
ntrol of the sword from Father to break his prophecy hold. Magic and more are still there, but Mother took control so that Father cannot wage war. Make Eric the champion, so Tranquil Fury must answer his call. Else your legacy of violence I fear will be reborn.”
*******
Lauren sat in the dimly lit room, rocking herself back and forth. A little bit of daylight streamed in through a single vent, being her only connection to the world outside, helping her to count the passing days. Having no need for light, she had surrendered to the dark shadows that had chased her so hard.
Since it was too early to try to escape, with nothing but time on her hands, there was nothing to do except think, and nobody to talk to, except herself. Maybe it was a dream or a hallucination. Possibly, what happens when you push a sane mind to the edge, nudging it one last time: it breaks.
Dividing the cell into two, she was sitting on the left-hand side with her back to the wall, in more ways than one. She was Lauren: the schoolgirl and now the prisoner. On the right-hand side across from her, she imagined the future, which so desperately wanted to embrace her. An image formed in her mind, taking shape before her eyes. Sitting across from her, she saw her friends materialize, followed by the Ironhouse dwarves, the Earth Guards, and Earth Mothers. Then more images appeared: all of the dwarf clans, the townspeople, and even Pike on his massive Mountain Eagle. At the edges of the tiny room, she could see the elves starting to arrive, and looking past the large group in the small space, in the distance she saw the approaching Royal House army, hundreds of thousands, all clad in black, advancing into her future. Then, in the middle of the large group, one more figure materialized. It was herself, but not the scared schoolgirl, weeping from losing another friend. Instead, it was a confident Earth Mother.
Scanning the far side of the cell, it was so crowded that her reflection was unable to move. With all of the images staring at her, each one silently asked a different question. The ground that her reflection stood on was also crowded. Beneath it, those who could ask questions no more, stared up in silence, gifted by death.
“How many will die? How many will you kill?” asked Lauren.
The reflection looked up from the ground, “You talk of death, but my answer is life. How many will we save?”
Lauren shook her head, “You couldn’t save Alron or Gor. Your hands will be filthy with grave dirt and blood. Will you save enough to dig all of the graves?”
The reflection nodded, “Yes, and they will rejoice, repopulate the land. They will learn from this lesson so that it does not happen again.”
“Foolish naïve young girl,” began Lauren, “Learn to die is the only lesson. Tranquil Fury will teach, as his bitter victory will sting the black-clad. Vengeance from victory denied, they will return, finishing what they started. Let them die now and get it over with.”
“Then why were we brought here?” asked the reflection.
Lauren rolled her eyes, “I don’t know why, or what we’re supposed to do. Tell all those who surround you, to look behind themselves. I can see the black-clad hordes that descend on you now, and they should also be able to.”
The reflection looked over her shoulder, “I know. They see them also. You think them a flock of sheep, and the black-clad a pack of wolves. In truth, they are like sheep, but not domesticated pen raised. Instead, they are mountain sheep, being able to defend against that which threatens them, but these sheep are special, as they have been gifted one to tend to their needs. Her name is Lauren.”
“Your flock doesn’t listen to you!” exclaimed Lauren.
“I know since we have not delivered the right message to them.”
Lauren pointed to the invading mass of black-clad soldiers, “Are they that stupid that they don’t recognize the threat? What do they want to hear from you? What will make them act?”
“We both struggle with that and much more, but I struggle with them.” The reflection held out her hands to the large group that surrounded her, “They provide me with strength and support. You struggle alone, so I feel sorry for you, over there all by yourself. Alone again, like when Samantha left you.”
Lauren wiped away the tears that quickly welled up, “You leave her out of this, bitch.”
“What would Samantha want you to do?” asked the reflection.
Leaning forward, Lauren blew out the candle, burying her face in the blanket, and began to cry.
Chapter 8
John thought about what Logan said; how it did not feel right when he told him that Lauren was missing. Even though distressed, Logan’s level of concern was considerably less. With whatever connection there was between his tattoos and his sister, it failed to register a significant alarm with him, which in turn caused John even more confusion. Walking past his room, he went to Lauren’s where the staff remained atop the perfectly made bed. Every element in the room was the same as when she was first reported missing, so he closed the door and quietly began to examine it. Opening the dresser drawers, he inspected the contents, finding nothing out of place. He then checked the nightstand and even under the bed. Frustrated, he sat down in the chair in front of the trifold mirror. At home, logic would help him solve this riddle, but here, with magic, the possibilities were endless.
John gave his head a shake, letting the logic push magic out of the window. Logic is king, as even magic has to adhere to rules and equations. He started his thought process over. They searched the town and questioned everybody several times. Lauren isn’t in it. He thought of the quote by the fictional character Sherlock Holmes, ‘Eliminate all other factors, and the one that remains must be the truth.’ Rechecking everything again, he realized that her leaf pouch was missing from her room. Unlike her staff, which she always carried, the leaf pouch was an event specific item. Then he noticed that common items: a pillow and blankets were missing. Even if somebody had magically abducted her, those items would still be in her room.
Creating an algebra expression to represent the facts, on the left side of the equation was the room as it should be. On the right side was the room in its current state.
Lauren’s room = Current items + missing items
He then wrapped the expression inside of an if statement;
IF Lauren = abducted, then room = mess
IF Lauren = magically abducted, then items = still here
IF Lauren not abducted, then room = normal
ELSE Lauren left with items, then abduction = null
END
Since the room was not a mess, it meant a forced abduction was also not true. Common items were missing, which ruled out a magical abduction, and if it had been magical, they surely would have taken her tri-wood staff. Nobody saw Lauren leave with the missing items, and in this house, everybody always knew where she was. There was only one logical explanation. John walked around the room one more time, now knowing what he was looking for, and when he found it, he smiled, as a sense of relief washed over him. Leaving the room, he returned to his room to think.
*******
Rolling over the next morning, Lauren lit the candle. Pulling a berry out of the pouch, she looked to the right side of the cell, “Are you all still here?”
“We had nowhere to go, and there is still much we need to discuss,” advised the reflection.
Lauren shook her head, “I don’t feel like talking today.”
“I know, but since you have nothing else to do, we will wait.”
Blowing out the candle, she rolled over facing the silent wall, but around noon, she finally sat up, “What do you want to talk about?”
“I never realized we were so stubborn. Mother’s children, how are we going to save them?”
Lauren let out a sigh, “We’re not going to save them because they need to save themselves. This time and every time they’re attacked.”
“You are right. How do we make them understand that?” asked the reflection.
“I don’t know. Mother said she would guide us. She didn’t. Mother said the children would liste
n. They don’t.”
“Maybe we haven’t said the right words.”
Picking up a spent candle stub, she threw it at the reflection, which it passed through, “You showed them a damned army on their doorstep. If they were blind, I could see us having to explain the threat. Seriously, if there are words they want to hear, I’ve no idea what you should tell them.”
“I understand. How would mother and father guide you?”
Lauren grabbed the roots of her hair, “Take the wood out of your damn ears. Mother won’t talk to me, and from what I can see, Father wants blood.”
The reflection shook her head, “No, our mother and father. You share her name, and your brother shares our father’s name. What would they say to us?”
Unprepared for the emotional tidal wave, it almost knocked her over, causing her to cry. “That they miss us. They want us back home.”
“I miss them too. There are times I can barely remember what they look like.”
Lauren cried harder, “I want to go home. I’m tired of this game, watching people die, and more armies invading. I can’t stop it. I tried. Gor died. Alron died. More are going to die. I’m tired of watching those I care about die. I want it all to end.”
The reflection waited for Lauren to regain her composure, “Would they want you to turn your back on so many?”
“That’s not fair,” sputtered out Lauren between sobs, “They don’t know what’s happening here. What if Logan dies? What do I tell them?”
The reflection nodded, “Think of our parents. What would they want? What would they do?”
For some odd reason, Lauren remembered the video her mother had filmed when her father had taught them all to ride bikes. The camera panned to her father sitting on the ground, taking off the training wheels. When the film restarted, it showed Lauren wobbling on the bike, her father running beside her, her crashing into the lawn, crying. Cutting to ten minutes later, Lauren was riding by herself up the street, her father walking back. Turning her bike around, she smiled riding back towards her parents. When the camera was passed to her father, she saw her mother pick her up, giving her a big hug. The video was a collection of several years of her and her siblings learning how to ride. Her parents had made one for each of them, starting from tricycles. Then more bikes, bigger ones, some with training wheels, and some without, ending with an image of Samantha, Logan, and herself, riding away from the camera down their little one-way mountain street.