by Eric Vall
“Let’s bring this meat to Elowise,” Aleia suggested as she shifted the large clay pot full of smoked cougar hoisted up onto her shoulder.
“You girls go ahead,” Wilfrim said as he gestured back toward the fire. “I’ll meet you there in a couple minutes.”
The gnome camp sat about twenty feet back from the road, and it was lit bright from the fire circle as well as several torches that were scattered around.
“Hi, Elowise!” Aleia called out as she walked toward the old woman, who was sitting by the fire with a mug in her hand and a merry expression on her face. “Where should I put this meat I brought you?”
“Hello, Aleia!” the gnomish woman said as her smile got even bigger. “Just set it down, and all three of you, come sit with us. We were having tea, but there’s still enough food for a meal left.”
“That would be wonderful,” Penelope said as she cast the old woman a grateful look and sat down next to her on a log. “What were you eating?”
“I cooked some squash and tomatoes together, and then I also roasted corn over the flames,” Elowise explained. “Does any of that sound good to you?”
“Absolutely wonderful,” the naiad gushed.
“Let me grab you some plates,” the old woman said with a nod, and she rose from the log. She was back within just moments with gleaming, eggplant-colored dinner plates, which were more than large enough for the priestesses, and I wondered why the gnomes had such big dishes.
Elowise served food to all three of the women, and the priestesses began to eat. For a few moments, everyone sat around in silence, and all I could hear was chewing.
“Don’t you pray to your god before you eat?” Balabar suddenly asked from across the fire. “Wouldn’t that be appropriate?”
“Jack has never demanded that of us,” Penelope replied and shook her head. “He is not a strict god in the slightest. All he ever shows is his kindness and wisdom, no matter what we do.”
“You never do anything wrong,” I chuckled in the naiad’s ear, and the blue woman flushed and giggled a little.
“Was he talking to you just now?” Nissa looked at Penelope with sharp eyes. The blonde gnome woman apparently didn’t miss a trick, since the naiad had barely reacted.
“Oh, um, yes, he did,” the blue woman replied, and she looked slightly confused. “Why do you ask? He speaks to me all the time.”
“He speaks to all of us,” Aleia confirmed. “Ever since we prayed to him by the altar in our garden, I have heard Jack’s voice in my mind.”
“And we’ve seen him in person,” Nicola interjected as she took a big bite of corn. “You’ve all seen this for yourselves, if you recall.”
I inwardly smiled at how self-assured the brunette sounded when she said this, and the three gnomes looked more than interested to hear what the women had to say about me.
That was a bit of a change.
“What does he usually do when he comes down?” Nissa asked in an innocent voice, and Balabar began to snicker.
“What?” Elowise asked. “Why are you laughing, Balabar?”
“Because they already told us, Mother,” the gnome man snorted. “Penelope said she wanted a baby.”
“Oh, that was just a… figure of speech,” Nicola laughed weakly. “Jack does many things when he comes down to be with us. He helps us plan things around the convent, and he does other… godly work.”
“Godly work,” Aleia echoed mechanically, but she was beet red by now.
“Jack loves us very much,” Penelope said as she leaned forward with wide eyes. “His love for us radiates through everything when he comes to join us here. If you would only believe in him, he would love you, too.”
“In a slightly different way,” I muttered under my breath, and Nicola almost choked on her corn.
I wasn’t kidding, though. I really hoped having the gnomes as my followers didn’t mean old Wilfrim would be begging me to visit him in his dreams.
“So you say,” Balabar muttered, and he studied the naiad more closely. His irises were so dark they looked like little lumps of coal glittering out of his face, but he didn’t seem as hostile as he could be sometimes.
“Do gnomes not have their own god to worship?” Aleia asked.
“Gnomes do not traditionally worship a deity,” Elowise explained. “We believe in the spirits of the forests and the waters, of course, like you, Penelope. But not a god, exactly.”
“Perhaps someday you could come back to our garden and pray with us,” the naiad offered.
“Penelope, I don’t think they want to--” I started to say, but Balabar interrupted me.
“Maybe we should try that,” the small, gruff man agreed.
This took me by total surprise, and Nicola’s jaw dropped open a little while she glanced between Balabar and the priestesses.
“You… would?” the brunette asked.
“Well, there’s no doubt we could use a little extra assistance… not that we’re not doing well around our camp, as you can see,” Balabar quickly covered his tracks. “We’re doing very well, in fact. Gnomes are some of the hardiest people you’ll ever meet. But I’d say my interest is a bit piqued.”
“About what?” Wifrim asked as he walked into the circle and sat down next to Nissa. “Where’s my tea, wife?”
“Get it yourself,” Elowise replied, but a big smile never left her lips. “We’re talking to the women about Jack, dear.”
The short old man nodded sagely and walked over to pour himself some tea as his wife had instructed. When he had a steaming cup in his small hands, he blew over the top of the liquid before taking a tiny sip, and he settled in beside his wife with a heavy grunt.
“Oh, no, I didn’t offer you girls any tea,” Elowise suddenly fretted. “Would you like some? It’s an old gnomish recipe. Now, I’m not much for liquor, myself, but this brew has some nice and relaxing properties.”
“Do we have to work anymore tonight, Jack?” Aleia asked.
“No, you’re fine,” I replied. “Just don’t get too relaxed. You still have to walk back home.”
“It is curious to see you speak to him and not get any answer in response,” Elowise said with her eyes narrowed. “I have met many worshippers of different deities, but none have behaved exactly like you do.”
“But he did answer me,” Aleia explained. “I suppose you just can’t hear it.”
“What did he say, exactly?” Balabar asked as he stared intently at the fairy.
“Well… d-did you hear me ask him if we needed to work anymore tonight?” Aleia replied with pink cheeks, and I could tell the strawberry-blonde was starting to get a little flustered being on the spot like this. “So, I asked that, and then Jack said no, I could have some tea…”
“So, you have to ask his permission to drink?” the younger gnome man snorted. “Perhaps I don’t wish to come pray in your garden after all.”
“No, I’m sure I could drink whatever and whenever I want,” the fairy persisted despite her blushing. “I ask him out of respect, because I like to know what he thinks. Jack always has the best plans. He can also scan the area to make sure we aren’t in danger, during our walk home, for example. So, if he sees a threat coming right now, I would think I shouldn’t drink the relaxing tea.”
“That’s very smart thinking, Aleia,” I murmured in her ear, and the fairy sat a little taller at the words.
“I suppose that makes sense,” Balabar grumbled, and he leaned back onto the log and sipped his drink.
“Our lord never deprives us,” Penelope added with a sweet smile, but then she took a sip of the tea Wilfrim had given her. The naiad immediately began to cough, and she quickly put the cup back on the log and cleared her throat. “Oh my, that is strong. What’s in here again?”
“Oh, you know, different herbs and wildflowers.” Elowise waved her hand in the air. “It’s a special combination of plants that only gnomes know about. But back to what you were saying, Aleia. I would not like a god who doesn’t le
t me drink my tea.”
“That’s not what I meant!” the fairy protested, and her voice squeaked a little bit. “You’re misunderstanding me. Jack is good, and kind, and sweet, and so handsome, and I like the way he cares for us.”
I tried to silence the chuckle I had in my throat, but it was just too darn cute to see the fairy defending me in such a blushy way. Nicola seemed to be fighting against a smile, too, and she lightly cleared her throat before stepping in.
“What Aleia means to say,” Nicola calmly explained, “is that she likes to ask Jack’s advice because he is wise, but he isn’t bossy. I can’t think of a time he’s ever told me no.”
“But sisters!” Penelope gasped. “Jack is our god. If he told us no, we would have to obey his words. That is what being a devout follower means, so do not misrepresent him to the gnomes. Jack should be taken seriously!”
“That’s what I was trying to say,” Aleia insisted.
“Yes, but most importantly, Jack wouldn’t tell anyone not to drink tea,” Nicola muttered. “Isn’t that really the point?”
All the gnomes were staring at the priestesses with bemused expressions, and Aleia fanned her cheeks a little while Penelope pursed her lips. Even Nicola seemed to realize how invested they’d all gotten in the conversation, and she took a big bite of corn in a forced-casual way.
“Well! Wilfrim and I were saying maybe we needed to come to the convent and see for ourselves,” Elowise finally said. “I have never felt like anything was missing in my life, but we could always use more blessings and protection.”
“Indeed,” Wifrim said. “I suppose we’d like to know more about this Jack.”
“Some of us, anyway,” Balabar mumbled.
“Well, you’re welcome to come to the garden any time, as I hope you already know,” Nicola told the gnomes. “Aleia fixed the broken altar, and it looks wonderful.”
“The garden certainly looked like a beautiful place when we stopped by there,” Elowise confirmed.
“Did you see the big mural of Jack on the wall?” Penelope asked as her eyes lit up again. “You know, I think that would be just the thing to convince you that you should worship Jack.”
“Penelope,” Nicola said in a discreet tone. “I’m sure the gnomes will make their own decision in time.”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right,” the blue woman sighed. “It’s just as well. I think I’ve gotten myself a little worked up over all this. I’m getting tired already.”
“Oh, honey, it is late, you’re right,” Elowise responded. “We should give you everything we wanted to send you home with. The seeds, the container to store the meat, the spices…”
“Yes, the spices,” Nicola said as she shot a brief glance at Balabar. “We wouldn’t want to forget those.”
“And your sword, of course,” Wilfrim announced. The short man stood up and immediately proceeded to trip over a log, and I wondered how relaxed the tea had made him.
“Really?” The dark-haired woman’s eyes brightened as Wilfrim stumbled off to the storage tent. “I wasn’t sure that was really going to happen.”
“We don’t make promises we can’t keep, dear,” Elowise chuckled. “My husband will find the perfect weapon for you, don’t worry.”
“Fantastic!” Nicola said as she stood up and grinned. Then she rubbed her palms together, and she bounced eagerly on her toes.
A few moments later, Wilfrim emerged from the tent with a golden sword in his hand that was about as big as his small body. The gilded blade had to be close to three feet long, and there was a large piece of turquoise embedded in the hilt.
“Oooh,” the priestesses all breathed in unison.
“It’s so beautiful,” Nicola murmured, and when her eyes misted up, I wondered if she might actually start to cry. Then the brunette held out her hand for the weapon. “Is it really for me?”
“It’s for you,” the old gnome man laughed. “It’s too big for me to use, in any case.”
“Where did you get it?” Penelope asked.
“The battle with the trolls was not the first time we’ve been victorious in warfare.” Wilfrim patted his belly with pride and rocked back and forth on his boots. “Sometimes certain rewards come alongside that. Trophies, if you will.”
“Wilfrim, you act like you’re a decorated soldier,” Elowise laughed. “Don’t listen to him, girls. We inherited half of this from our families.”
“Hey, we fought for some of it,” the old man protested. “I remember when I got this sword. We had just battled some ogres many miles east of here…”
“Yes, dear,” Elowise responded indulgently. “I’m sure the girls don’t need to hear about all that.”
“We would love to hear any of your stories,” Nicola said as she continued to gaze at her new toy, and the dark-haired woman brandished the sword in the air for a moment until an embarrassed look flashed across her face. “I cannot thank you enough for what you’ve given me. Truly. I’ve always dreamed of a sword like this.”
“It’s partly because we’re neighbors, sweetheart,” the old gnomish woman explained. “We care about you, of course, but we also know that if we give you a sword, you may use it to help protect us one day. I hope you know we value your bravery as much as your kindness.”
“Thank you.” Nicola smiled. “And of course I will.”
“Let me go get its sheath,” Wilfrim said as he walked back over to the tent. “I think I have a belt that will fit you perfectly, Nicola.”
“It’s sooo pretty,” Aleia admired, but I noticed she was swaying a little in her seat. “Can I touch it, Nicola?”
“Sister, are you feeling alright?” the brunette asked. “You look very… relaxed.”
“Oh, yes, I think it’s just the tea,” Elowise chuckled. “Don’t worry about her. She’ll be back to normal once she has a good night of sleep.”
“Do you hear something?” Penelope suddenly sat up straight and cupped her hand around her ear.
I zoomed out all the way on my God Vision, but I didn’t see anything. Unfortunately, the gnome camp was right at the boundary of the area the women had explored for me, and the sound of approaching horses were coming from that direction.
“No, I don’t think so…” Elowise replied with her brow furrowed. “What is it, dear?”
“I just thought I heard hoofbeats,” the naiad mused. “Silly, right?”
“Wait a minute,” Aleia said, and her expression quickly sobered. “I hear something, too.”
The entire party around the fire fell silent for a moment, and then I heard the ominous, rhythmic sound.
There were definitely horses nearby, and from the sounds of it, the animals were getting closer and closer to the gnome camp.
Chapter 7
“Oh, no,” Wilfrim sighed. “Who could it be this late at night? And to think we were just going to go to bed for the evening. It’s always more trouble…”
I could definitely relate to that sentiment.
“Children!” Nissa called out. “Morrick, Lorifer, Olwin! Go to your tent now!”
“But Mother--” Lorifer protested.
“No, this is serious,” the blonde gnome woman said as she flashed her eyes at her older daughter. “Don’t you hear that? Someone is coming. Go!”
The three young gnomes’ faces crinkled in worry as they rushed into the faded brown leather tent they called home, and their mother shut the flap behind them.
When Nissa whirled around, she already had her own golden sword in hand, and I realized all the adult gnomes had managed to arm themselves so quickly I hadn’t even noticed. Their blades looked a lot like Nicola’s but a little bit smaller, and they appeared to be hefting them with ease.
“We should go out to the road,” Wilfrim said in a grim tone. “I want to be far away from my grandchildren.”
Then the old man grabbed a torch and began to march toward the road with strong, decisive steps.
“Go ahead and follow him,” I urged the priestess
es. “You’re all armed. Nice sword, by the way, Nicola.”
“Thanks, Jack,” the brunette replied, and her dark eyes intently scanned the path ahead of her while she held the new weapon at the ready.
The hoofbeats were getting louder and drawing closer from the east, but there was a large bend in the path that limited visibility in that direction. I made a mental note to have the women explore a larger area as soon as possible, but it seemed like all there was to do now was wait.
“Balabar, come with me,” Wilfrim instructed his son. “Let’s go ahead of the women and see what’s coming.”
“Do you want this sling?” Aleia asked the older gnome. Nicola had given the fairy her bow when the brunette had gotten the sword, so it made sense for the strawberry-blonde to pass her old weapon along.
“Let me see that,” the old man replied and held out his hand.
The fairy handed Wilfrim the weapon and a bag of rocks, and the old man successfully loaded the sling, swung it over his head, and shot a stone into the trees.
“Pretty good for an old gnome, huh?” Wilfrim asked the group, who all nodded. “Come, Balabar, we should protect these women.”
“Yes, Father,” the younger gnome replied, and the two small creatures began to hike down the road on their stubby legs.
“Should we go with them, Jack?” Penelope asked in a worried voice. “They’re so… small.”
“They’re tough, though,” Elowise cut in with a frown on her wrinkled face.
“I’m sorry, Elowise, I didn’t mean anything by it,” the naiad said as she patted the old gnome woman on her shoulder. “I was just wondering if my sisters and I could get there faster.”
“Just wait here and see what happens,” I instructed the three priestesses. “I don’t want you risking your lives.”
Almost as soon as Wilfrim and Balabar were out of sight, though, the two gnomes came running back toward the women.
“What is it, Balabar?” Nissa called out as she gripped the hilt of her sword tightly in both hands. “What’s going on?”
Her husband was a little bit too far away to hear her, though, and the blonde woman just continued to stare at him with an anxious expression.
