by Martha Carr
Leira pulled onto the long driveway that circled around a campus of three-story brick buildings, green lawns, benches and modern sculpture with walking paths across the entire ten acres. Leira pulled into a parking space right near the main entrance.
“Looks rather friendly.” Correk got out of the Mustang and pulled the jacket closed against the cold, biting wind. “The heartland feels more like the land of the Crystals.”
“Looks can be deceiving and this isn’t cold for here. It can get cold enough for spit to freeze.”
“Something to look forward to.”
They were met in the lobby by an intern smiling broadly and talking non-stop as she handed badges to Correk and Leira and asked if they wanted a long list of possibilities to drink or something to eat. Leira answered no to both quickly before Correk could ponder trying yet another new snack food. “Singleness of purpose,” she whispered to him.
“No photographs of any kind while you’re on the premises,” said the intern, still smiling. “I’ll need your phones, of course.” She held out a plastic bag. Leira dropped in the burner phone she had ready, and watched the woman label the bag and cinch it shut.
“I can eat and focus at the same time,” he quietly retorted after the woman turned to give the phones to a security officer. “That young woman is very shiny and precise. She isn’t magical…”
“She’s human. She’s just young and optimistic with no pets, no spouse, no kids.” Leira smiled as the intern handed her a site map pointing out the various special attractions to the campus.
Correk waited till she started walking again to say anything else. “You can tell all of that from looking at her.”
Leira was walking along quickly studying the map. “Very basic detective skills. Come on, let’s get lost in this building for a little while.” Leira waited till the intern’s back was turned, pointing out a famous painting by a Midwestern artist, to pull off her badge and ditch it in a potted plant.
Correk followed her lead and did the same as they ducked down a side hall to a door that had a sign that read, Building B with a punch code lock on it. “This is it. Their research and development is behind this door. If we’re going to find out anything, we need to get in here.”
“You know what to do. Or do you need me to take over?”
Leira rolled her eyes. “Very funny, I think I got it.” She pulled in magic, her eyes glowing as she touched the lock and felt the magic seep into the lock, opening the door.
“Not like when we first met anymore. You’ve come a long way.” Correk pulled the door behind them till it locked.
They hurried down the corridor looking through the long glass windows that lined both sides showing the different operations in each room. Music was coming from one of the labs further down the hallway. On a hunch, Correk headed straight for the window, stopping at the edge.
“There,” hissed Correk. Researchers in white hazmat suits were dissecting and studying seeds and plants. There was a line of potted plants listening to old Beatles songs swaying to the beat. “Lennon is always a favorite. Especially off Abbey Road.”
Leira pulled out her phone from her boot and filmed the lab. One of the researchers turned around and noticed the glint from the light on her camera bouncing off a microscope and followed the light back to the window. “Hey! That’s not allowed! Security!” He hit an alarm on the wall, tapping in a code.
“Fuck me. Time to go,” said Leira, putting the phone back in her boot. “There’s no signal in here. We’ll have to send the video once we get clear of the campus.”
They headed back the way they came just as the door burst open behind them and security guards hustled toward them. Charlie Monaghan was behind them, waving his arms. “Take them into custody for trespassing! Unlawful visiting!”
Leira looked at Correk and gave him a sly smile.
“Do it,” said Correk. “This’ll be fun.”
Leira put out her arms and focused, taking in a slow deep breath. The guards ran closer just as the symbols lit up on her arms and neck and her eyes glowed. “Come and get it motherfuckers!” She looked over at Correk. “That’s my version of abracadabra.”
She let the magic pass through her and out into a wide stream of glittering light shoving the guards and Charlie back against a wall, pinning them just above the ground. Their feet dangled in the air.
“Come on,” said Leira. “That’ll hold for a little while.”
“You got the idea from the Gravitron, didn’t you?”
“You know it.”
“We had a deal!” Charlie was screaming at the top of his lungs. He squirmed like a bug pinned in a middle schooler’s science experiment as his underwear quickly rode higher and higher.
Correk and Leira ran for the lobby, bumping into the intern who looked startled and confused. “There you are! The tour’s not over!”
Correk brushed his hand along her arm and shrugged as they kept moving. “Very life-like,” he muttered.
Guards came running at them from the far side of the large lobby and Leira pulled in more magic, letting it ride through her and pinning the guards. They ran to the Mustang as Correk slid over the top and got in the front seat. Leira backed out, tires squealing and pealed out of the parking lot and down the road, away from the campus.
“Nice slide across the hood. You’ve been saving that one.”
“I saw my moment. That was actually a lot of fun. We made a good team. I’m Batman to your Robin.”
“Don’t go there. I’ll be my version of a super hero.”
“Fair enough, it’s a new day after all.”
“And all hell is breaking loose in it. What other options do we have besides reporting back to the general? Not sure humans policing humans over magic is a winning plan.”
“I take it you mean on Oriceran. Maybe it’s time that company met my friend, Perrom and found out how well a Wood Elf can look like a wall. He can slide in and dismantle their labs right under their noses.”
“We need to find their source for the seeds. At least, if we take this supply they’ll go hunting for more.”
“Given the prophets latest actions, I suspect they might be the ones. No one else has the resources.”
“If that’s the case, the prophets will be happy to give them more.”
“Not if we let the prophets talk directly to the government. It may be what they’ve really wanted all along. Most of them anyway.”
“We’ll need to be sure. Cover our bases.” Leira’s phone rang with the number from the burner phone. “Right on time. Hello?”
“You had no right to film anything on my property!” Charlie Monaghan was yelling so loud it was making the sound crackle.
“What’d we film, sir? Care to fill in the empty spaces?”
There was dead silence on the phone as Charlie’s mind raced.
Leira filled in the space talking first this time. She had something to say. “I’ll bet the average American would love to know what you were about to feed them. Wonder what the label would have read. Some long, complicated word with almost no vowels that was a code name for Oriceran. Listen up. We have our proof. The good news is, we’re not 60 Minutes. The bad news is we are the Feds and we’ll be coming back in larger numbers. Get ready but don’t try to hide. I’ll find you.” She pushed the button on the steering wheel and hung up.
“Impressive. You think he’ll cooperate.”
“He’ll negotiate. Corporate world’s idea of cooperation. It’s a start.”
“Good job, super hero Leira. The troll would have been proud of you.”
Chapter Sixteen
Jersey Willen, artist John-Paul Balmet
By the time Correk and Leira got home it was already late at night. They could both feel the press of time. Leira filled out the report for the general but she wanted to do something more. “I have an idea and you’re going to have to get comfortable with it. I want to go see the Jersey Willen.”
Correk narrowed his eyes but
only responded with, “Take the troll. He’ll come in handy. Magical people know not to mess with anybody who’s bonded with a troll. He could take their head off with a swipe. You’ve seen him do it.”
“You’re going back to Oriceran, aren’t you? It’s a good idea. I know I said I wanted to go with you but we need to divide and conquer this time.”
“I’m going to find Perrom and get a few answers if I can.” He held up his hands in protest. “I won’t do anything foolish like look for the cabin, you have my word. I’m just going to see if I can bring back Perrom for a short visit to Missouri and see what he knows. I’ll have him back in Oriceran before you even get home.”
Leira parked the car and put the troll on her shoulder as she navigated across the rocky terrain using magic to guide her way. She made it to the hidden passageway and pushed on the infinity sign opening the door to the underground world of Hilldale. She hurried down the steps, the troll sliding into her jacket pocket as she moved. She put out her hand when she got to the bottom and put him back on her shoulder. “Where everyone can see you.” He put out his paw and she reached in her other pocket and pulled out the cowboy hat. “Here you go.”
She hung a left and headed for the small grocery store in the square. The grocer remembered her and called out a hearty, “Hello! You’re home again! This time you brought a troll! You must be a very patient Elf. What can I do for you this time? Here to do a little grocery shopping?”
“I’m here to exchange some cash. I’ll give you forty dollars for twelve pintas.” She waited, watching him try to size her up. Correk had already warned her to ask for a little more or he’d see her as a novice and haggle her down.
“Fine!” He blurted it out, letting out a breath in a gush, slamming his hands on the counter. He counted out the diamond-shaped pieces of metal quickly and routinely, letting them drop with a plink on the counter. Leira waited till he was done before showing her money, sliding the pintas off the counter at the same moment she dropped the cash. A deal was never over at an exchange until both parties had their money.
She was going to need the pintas to negotiate with the Jersey Willen. He promised her a favor but she was hedging that with some cash. She figured his obligation would make him agree but the pintas would make him more agreeable, especially after his injuries on the last mission he did at their bidding.
She hurried down the cobble-stoned street, nodding at a passing Light Elf couple on a date. The troll tipped his hat and cheerfully called out “Yumfuck!” as they passed.
“The classic. I like it,” said Leira.
He held out his balled-up fist to Leira for a bump and she reached up and obliged.
The colorfully painted cottages grew shabbier and plain as she picked up her pace until she got to the block where the Jersey Willen lived. The troll looked around at the broken-down homes. “Fixer Upper.”
The Jersey Willen’s light was still on and Leira could see Willens scurrying back and forth behind the lacy curtain in the front room.
She remembered to watch herself on the wooden steps, picking her way carefully across the porch and pounded on the door. The curtain in the front window pulled back a few inches as whiskers and a nose peeked out.
Heavy footsteps approached the door and it pulled open with a loud squeak. That’s new. The house has gone downhill even since I was here last.
“You’re back for the favor so soon. That can’t be good news.” The Jersey Willen looked around the edge of the door and saw Yumfuck, letting out a frightened squeal.
Yumfuck obliged by hissing at the Willen, his teeth bared.
“No idea what that’s about but that’s not why I’m here. You cool it.” She slid Yumfuck into her pocket, purposely setting him on top of the bag of pintas. “Nesturnium.”
The Willen gave a shudder but held the door open so Leira could step inside. He was wearing a worn blue jacket with gold trim. That actually looks made for him.
The foyer was at one time grand with a solid oak staircase in the foyer, a library on one side and a dining room on the other. But everywhere she looked something was chipped or cracked or had a water stain. Nothing was in its original glory.
“Leira! You’re here! Are you staying?” The grandmother came and gave her a hug. Leira could feel her rummaging through her pockets but she waited for Yumfuck to do the inevitable, knowing that would take care of it. He bit down on her paw just enough to warn her, sending her reeling backward letting out a high-pitched whine.
“She has a troll with her.”
“Would have been nice if you’d warned your grandmother. Either one of you!”
“Nobody asked you to feel me up.” Leira arched an eyebrow and waited.
“You need something,” said the Jersey Willen, ignoring his pouting grandmother. “Nobody comes here for a social call. It’s alright, I get it.”
Great. A sensitive Willen. “Information.”
“Of course it is. You’re not the thieving type. But no more Gnomes. That’s off the table.” The Willen absent-mindedly whipped his tail around and held it gently in his hands. There was still a crick in the middle where it was broken getting information the last time.
“No Gnomes. I need to know how a human corporation is getting seeds from Oriceran. I want you to be there the next time they get in a shipment and tell me exactly who does the delivery. Follow him back to the source.”
“A much easier task. Child’s play.”
“I thought you’d think so. Do it and the favor is done. And, since you were injured the last time, something to help you on your trip.” Leira held out the bag of pintas, emptying them into the Willen’s hand. His eyes shined and grew wide.
“If you don’t find the source back on Oriceran and bring me a name, you can keep the money but the favor is unfulfilled. Do we have a deal?”
“Deal!” The grandmother rubbed her paws together.
“I need to hear it from you.”
The Willen looked at Leira suspiciously. “Deal. This is harder than it appears. I can tell you suspect something you don’t want to say. No matter.”
“I’ll say this. Trust no one.”
“As usual.” He nodded his head.
“More importantly, let no one see you, for your sake,” she said, solemnly. Just in case a dark force has something to do with all of this.
The Willen raised his brows as his whiskers twitched. “Fair warning for a Willen. I like it.”
“I’ll meet you back here tomorrow for the information.”
“That important? Alright, tomorrow it is.” He slid the coins into the folds of his skin before his grandmother could sidle any closer to him.
They steal from each other. Not a surprise. “I’ll see myself out.” Leira backed out of the door, not taking her eyes off the Willens, pulling the heavy door behind her. She quickly scooped the troll out of her pocket and put him back on her shoulder, releasing him from the nesting spell.
“Good job in there. You didn’t even break skin.”
The troll let out a trill and tipped his hat. Behind them there was a sizzle and a pop accompanied by a flash of light as the Jersey Willen took off through a portal to Oriceran. Good, thought Leira. Maybe he can find some answers.
“Hang onto that hat. We’re going to take a nice run through Hilldale and get the hell out of here and back home. I want to hear what Correk found out.”
The troll sat down on Leira’s shoulder and grabbed onto her collar, holding down his cowboy hat as Leira went down the stairs and took off at a run, passing through the old neighborhood quickly. It wasn’t long before they were at the square and headed up the stairs to the surface again.
Leira got to the top of the wide stairs and stood on firm ground, breathing in the cool night air. “That was a pretty good run. Maybe even a personal best and with a troll on my shoulder.”
The troll stood up and let out a cackle. “Yumfuck!”
Leira smiled and set off across the rocky ground, headed for the car an
d home.
Perrom stood in the small clearing and waved as Correk stepped back through the portal and into Leira’s living room. The portal closed with a small shimmer of sparks as Perrom looked up at the two moons of Oriceran and the night stars. It didn’t take him long to remove any evidence of Oriceran from the corporate labs and return home but he knew it was just a temporary reprieve. The humans would get their hands on more seeds.
Correk’s suspicions about Rhazdon left Perrom with a feeling of anger. Once should have been enough.
He looked down from the sky and peered into the dark woods.
“I know you’re there. You may as well show yourself.” His pupils moved in different directions, looking for the Gardener of the Dark Forest. “You know it’s easier for one Wood Elf to detect another.”
The Gardener stepped into the clearing, the scales on his skin quickly flipping back to a smooth tanned skin. The flowers on the vines woven through his long hair were all closed for the night. A hawk sat on his shoulder and his constant companion, the lion with antlers, came up quickly behind him, rubbing against his leg.
“It’s a wonder everyone still thinks you’re only a legend given the entourage you’ve got with you everywhere.”
The Gardener spoke in a deep baritone as he rubbed the lion behind his ears. “Anything that lives in the Dark Forest knows how to blend in whenever outsiders approach. You’re not really an exception to that rule considering you were born within the forest.”
Perrom’s skin bristled, strips of skin flipping back and forth, reflecting the night stars and shimmering with light.
“Not to worry. I gave you my word I’d keep your secret. I have no intention of breaking it. That’s not what family does. How is your life among the Light Elves?”
“Satisfying and necessary. I came here looking for your help.”
“You came here on your way back from Earth with your friend,” the Gardener said, pointedly. “Does he even know the truth?” The Gardener crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll let it go, for now. This must be important if you’re asking for my help. Tell me quickly. I can’t linger here for long in the open. There are a lot of eyes that pass through these woods.”
