The Leira Chronicles- The Complete Austin Series

by Martha Carr

  The waiter had moved to swat the bugs with a menu as the general grabbed him firmly by the wrist and gave him a strained smile telling him, “We’ll call you when we need you.” The general had already noticed something strange about their movements.

  Alan Cohen waited until the waiter had walked far enough away. “What is it? Not a line of ants, I take it.”

  “Not unless ants have learned Morse Code, can give out longitudes and latitudes and have met Leira.” The general kept his eyes on the bugs that were crawling all over his hat, quickly deciphering the message as he moved his lips. “We need to go. We can grab something on the way if you’re that hungry.” The general had gotten up, gently shaking his hat as the bugs took to the air again.

  Alan shook his head. “No, do we need the team?” He got up, pulling out his wallet, and left a five-dollar bill on the table tucked under his water glass as a tip for the waiter.

  “Good man,” said the general. “I always believe in leaving a little something even if I never get to order. In the PDF that happens way too often. Magical creatures don’t schedule very well.”

  At the edge of the forest Alan had taken a look around as the general checked the coordinates again. “Where the hell are we? I’ve driven down the highway on the other side of this ranch a thousand times and never noticed these trees,” he said, looking up. “They have to be well over a hundred years old… You’d be able to see these for miles.”

  A swarm of blue bees settled across his shoulders sending a feeling of bliss through Alan that only unnerved him more. He ducked his head and shook them off as they regrouped and flew on in a pattern, zigging right and then left.

  “We’re still on Earth, right? I didn’t miss something back there and we drove into Oriceran?”

  The general didn’t answer, still pondering the best way to go, confidently setting out, stepping over tall roots of a growth of live oak trees and pushing his way into the forest.

  The forest was dense and the general quickly pulled out a small flashlight to help cast a light over the uneven ground. Even though he was short in stature he was able to make good time through the forest, occasionally checking the compass on his phone. Alan stayed just behind him, adding the light from his phone to the trek as he kept a sharp eye out for anything that moved.

  A family of hedgehogs crossed his path between himself and the general and quickly disappeared down a mossy hole making Alan smile in the semi-darkness. I’m afraid of woodland creatures.

  He looked to the side and saw three pairs of glowing red eyes staring back at him from the deeper, darker parts of the forest, hovering near the ground. Shit… His expression froze as he kept moving, his hand grazing across his gun, glancing back to see if the eyes were getting any closer. Where the fuck am I? I’ve fallen into Wonderland…

  The general came to a stop at a divide in the canopy where the light streamed in, lighting up a center stone. Alan looked up, his eyes adjusting to the light again. They were under a large bush of trumpet flowers that towered over their heads, some of the yellow blossoms hanging just out of reach. A red and blue parrot vigorously flapped its wings just outside the circle of light and let out a loud caw, making Alan take in a sharp breath and hold it for a moment. I will never get used to this.

  The general was unfazed and even took off his hat, patiently waiting for someone to arrive. The undergrowth stirred and he felt the ground shake as a lion quickly emerged, antlers protruding from his head. On his back was the Dark Gardener, scowling, the vines and colorful beetles in his long hair, twisting in and out and flitting around his head. The Gardener slid off the lion’s back, holding on to a tall staff of wood. Just behind him Perrom appeared, and came and stood next to the lion. He stroked the lion’s neck as he shook his mane of hair and shut his eyes, leaning his large head against Perrom.

  Alan’s eyes widened as he watched the lion settle, lying down with a thud, the large antlers rustling the bottom branches of trees. He took in the two Wood Elves, watching the irises of their eyes move around, taking in every detail as their skin adapted to the background, changing texture and color to hide them. Finally, Perrom let his skin take on the smooth deep, honey brown tones of a Wood Elf as he leaned against the lion, one hand on the rack. “We’re waiting for two more to join us,” he said, his eyes still scanning the woods as he listened for their approach.

  The general gave a nod and seemed content to wait even though he was tapping his fingers against his leg, tightly holding his hat at his side. Leira and Correk popped out of the thick growth on the far side of the clearing. Leira’s face was flush from running through the woods, letting the magic within her help her place her foot or leap over a large bullfrog. Correk did his best to keep up, his tunic snagging on a bush filled with thorns that gave off a sharp smelling gas when disturbed. He shook off the fine dust that had settled on him, releasing the strong odor again as Leira turned her head away, squeezing her eyes shut for a moment. “You think it’s passed just as it knocks your head back again. I think it singed the hairs in my nose.”

  “Next time, don’t run through an old growth forest with me in tow.”

  “Everyone is here now, we can begin.” Perrom stood up straight, still stroking the lion’s fur.

  “You sent the message?” The general looked at Perrom. “How did you know where to find me?”

  “Part of the messenger bugs abilities. We speak our intention into them along with the message. Magic does the rest.”

  “That is some pretty big magic,” said Alan. “They found their way across an entire nation.”

  “Not exactly. Not the same messengers anyway. They live in large swarms that can darken the sky in Oriceran but given a task…” Perrom opened his hand as gold dust rose into the air and flew gently in different directions. “They split into smaller and smaller groups to deliver the message to as many as required and will even connect to other swarms to cross thousands of miles. That message came all the way from Iowa.”

  “Why not call?” Alan held up his cell phone as the general hid a smile, shaking his head at him.

  Perrom hesitated, pressing his lips together in irritation.

  Leira leaned closer to Correk. “You can almost hear him thinking puny human. Take me to your leader.”

  Correk nudged her, without changing expression.

  “No one can listen in to a swarm of messenger bugs and they are remarkably efficient at getting someone’s attention. Besides, if you haven’t noticed, I’m not from these parts and we don’t carry phones.” Perrom eyed Alan suspiciously, his irises focusing on him for a moment, making Alan shift his weight.

  “Enough of this!” The Gardener’s voice came out as a roar, echoing through the forest. The lion lifted his head and let out a low growl, shaking his mane. Alan instinctively took a step closer to the general, putting his hand back on his gun.

  “No need for that,” yelled the Gardener, his palm outstretched.

  “Seems we’re not getting off to a good start, here.” The general crossed his hands in front of himself, lightly holding on to his hat as he gave a relaxed smile that didn’t quite make it to his eyes. “In cases like this I find it helpful to begin again. I was told you need my help. Some kind of protection to our interests. That some are even plotting in case of some kind of war. That got my attention. I’m here. Tell me what’s happening.”

  “There are groups on both Oriceran and Earth that are aligning themselves to incorporate magic and technology to create something…”

  The Gardener cut Perrom off. “Something grotesque. They’re threatening what I’ve spent my entire and very long life protecting. I will not allow this!” His eyes burned brightly, energy flowing through him as the symbols spelled out his anger along his chest and neck.

  He held the staff into the air, sending out a shower of sparks as the trees fluttered and rustled. Living creatures of every kind were scurrying and flying for other parts of the woods. Small orange and black butterflies emerged from his h
air, seeking shelter elsewhere.

  The Gardener gave a low whistle and waved his staff again as another bison came into view, its mid-section a display of moving mechanical parts.

  For once, the General was at a loss for words and his eyes uncharacteristically widened. “What in the name of Sam Hill…” He stepped around to get a better look, careful to give the Gardener a wide berth as Alan leaned to the side to see the machinery better as well.

  “Is the animal in pain?”

  “This one is not because I’ve been able to give it something to relieve it, but I can’t say the same for the rest.”

  “The rest? What in hell has been going on?” The general stood up straight, putting his hat back on, his hands on his hips. “Can someone tell me when we all took a left turn toward Albuquerque into a new kind of hell?”

  “It’s part of the artifacts race, sir.” Leira let the magic light up the symbols on her arms and she sent out energy to comfort the animal. The magic curled around the mid-section of the bison, curious, feeling the suffering. This is new. Leira felt the magic circle back around her, checking in, before it went back out again, seeking out others just like the bison.

  Leira looked up in time to see a look of concern cross Correk’s face before he looked away. Her skin was glowing in the deep shade of the woods. She reached out and put a hand on Correk’s arm, sending the magic through him and tamping it down. The energy pulled back, splitting into different spirals to find all the bionic animals, but only going as far as the edge of the woods.

  Correk kept his face turned away as he grimaced from the powerful surge, gritting his teeth as the muscles in his neck strained. He held on, funneling the energy as it lowered down to a more manageable level. He turned and smiled at Leira.

  “This is part of what the corporations wanted the artifacts for…. These experiments.” She could hear her voice ringing in her ears, bouncing through the energy field and back out again.

  “Experiments.” The general spit out the word. “Reminds me of another dark chapter in our history. Are these to be used in some eventual war?”

  Perrom watched the bison breathe easier as Leira’s magic reached him. He looked up at Correk at the same time, raising his eyebrows.

  Correk rested his hand on Leira’s arm, regulating the magic. “The experiments have more than one purpose. To create beasts of war that can fight longer or cross greater terrain or gain information but also to find a way to create a kind of fountain of youth.”

  The general took a step closer to the large animal, slowly raising his hand despite the protests from Alan or the looks from Perrom or the Gardener. He steadied his hand, reaching out to stroke the wiry gray fur. The buffalo snorted, a fine spray dotting the front of the general’s uniform. He didn’t flinch. Instead, he looked just over the top of the beast’s eyes, gently bringing his hand down to stroke behind one ear as it twitched slightly.

  Leira suddenly gave an involuntary twitch, surprising herself as she felt a rush of emptiness fill her gut. Her eyes widened as she looked at the bison. He raised his head, his large dark brown eyes looking at her. I am connecting with the bionic animals. The artifacts are doing it. She shook her head slowly, confused. You can feel me too. Not in Kansas anymore. I may have to go Vegan. They’ll take away my Texas passport.

  “Are you okay?” Correk was standing close enough to Leira that she could feel his muscled arm pressing against hers.

  “Just another day in magic land. Need to get to Turner Underwood.”

  “About that… We should talk.”

  The general kept his breathing even, continuing to rub the animal’s neck. “My people can sometimes be a real sons of a bitches,” he said, softly, his voice catching slightly. “That’s when the rest of us have to step up and kick some ass.” He slowly lifted his hand, backing up a step at a time till he was a few feet away. “This really chaps me,” said the general in disgust. He took his hat off again and slapped it against his leg in anger. “Well, how do we make this right? How do we stop these cowards?”

  “A complicated question,” said Leira. “The answer will take some time to even figure out. The best thing we can do is keep getting to the artifacts ahead of them.”

  “Then why are we all standing around in the woods together?” The general’s anger and frustration were growing even as he kept his voice low.

  “To do some good, despite this kind of evil,” said Correk.

  “Lazy evil is what this is. No worse than any other but there’s something particularly cowardly about looking for ways to get some poor dumb beast to do your dirty work.”

  “The Gardener has a way to get ahead of this Frankenstein operation. To at least save a good number of these animals and protect others before they’re taken.”

  “Proactive! I like that more than being told the problem without an ounce of good goddamn thrown in to the mix. Tell me the details.”

  Correk gave a nod to Perrom and constructed a ball of light sending it into the air over their head, illuminating the area around them. The ground became alive with creeping and crawling insects and reptiles. Small furry animals took cover, waddling and hopping and scurrying back into the shade and insects suddenly appeared in bright shades of color as they burrowed into trees or drank from nearby flowers. The general turned in a slow circle as the light moved around to show different sections. Fuzzy baby birds with new blue and gold feathers squawked in their nests, their eyes shut firmly against the light. A small black monkey with a tan face swung in and out of the light, hanging on to vines that wound around every tree, hanging down at different depths.

  “This is all in Texas,” gaped the general, his head back and his mouth hanging open. “Greatest nation on earth. Can take that one home with you.”

  Leira looked at Correk and shook her head slightly. “It’s a Texas thing. Just go with it,” she whispered. Leira held out her arm as a cockatoo landed, his tail dipping down below her waist. “Perrom showed me this one the last time I was here.”

  Alan flinched as another large cockatoo landed on his shoulder, bobbing up and down. He quickly recovered and straightened up. “All good here.” The bird bobbed and dropped a scattering of broken seed shells on Alan’s shoulder. “Still all good.” He gave a long sideways glance. “Okay, seeds. All good.”

  Leira smiled and held out her arm. “We are all standing in a vast sanctuary on Earth that was meant as a safeguard to keep every species alive and intact, hidden from the rest of both worlds.”

  “Leave them at peace,” the Gardener said, his voice heavy with emotion.

  “But it’s no longer enough. We have the magic necessary to round up the animals but not the space.” Leira put her hand on the General’s arm, filling his mind with images of the animals already contained within the two sanctuaries.

  “This is better than Google Glass.” The General took a half step back to avoid a large flamingo running by. A wide grin spread across his face for the first time that day. “Felt so damn real.”

  “We need to create at least two more of this same size in other parts of the world.”

  “And you need the government’s help to get it done.” The general eyed the Gardener. “Why aren’t you speaking for yourself?”

  Correk cleared his throat and put his hand on Perrom’s shoulder. “Wood Elves have a certain innate mistrust of humans. Your kind did their best to kill them off the last time the gates were opened.”

  “Sir, our general history is one of major fuckups and glorious achievements in equal measures. It seems hardwired into us that each of us has to make constant choices which direction we’re gonna run headlong into at any given moment. I follow a code that dictates I protect those around me without regard for myself. It’s served me pretty well so far.”

  “Take us on a case by case basis.” Leira locked eyes with the Gardener. She put her hand on her chest. “Part human, part a few other things. Kind of a mutt, I know.”

  The Gardener held her gaze. “Mixture
s make the best of their species.”

  Leira raised her eyebrows and opened her mouth, ready to give an answer but the general cut her off, not wanting to know how she’d take it.

  “I’ll take that as a positive step forward.” The general rubbed his hands together, excited. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been a part of something massive that was about building something instead of tearing something down, even if it was for an eventual good. Where are these sanctuaries going to be located? I have a million questions.”

  “The first is in the northern most section of Alaska abutting the Noatak wilderness. We bought it from an old miner named Craig Martelle who hit it big in his day. He was a veteran of a few wars who wanted a place to live where no one would disturb him,” said the Gardener.

  “A frozen river basin at the top of the world would do it,” said Perrom.

  “A laudable purpose. Hopefully he knocked off five percent for the cause. No more. Practical in all things.”

  “Do you want to go there?” Leira gave a crooked smile and put her hand on the general again, not waiting for an answer, as she reached out with her other hand to touch Alan. The cockatoo fluttered and spread its wings with a squawk, taking off for a higher branch.

  Alan gasped as he felt himself pulled through a pinhole, whooshing over lands. He gasped for air as he found himself above the Arctic Circle flying well above a glacial melt atop Mount Igikpak in the Brooks Range out to Kotzebue Sound.

  “If the government can see its way to letting us use part of the preserve for a variety of animals…” The Gardener absently stroked the bison’s head as the lion rested on his front paws. “The preserve is perfectly situated in a transition zone between the northern coniferous forests and tundra biomes. The river basin will serve us well for those beings that fly or swim or crawl better in colder climes and already has one of the larger arrays of arctic flora and fauna. There are already caribou, brown bears, moose, wolves, and more than 150 songbird species migrate through the region.”