by P. G. Thomas
“Bullshit, you aren’t brothers.”
“Not by blood, brothers adopted by a dwarf clan.”
Steve rolled his eyes, “Just when I’m thinking I’m beginning to understand. What the hell are you talking about?”
One of the house staff brought out the meal, which John had requested, and Steve asked for a pot of the hot bean juice, but he was still wondering when they learned to speak English. By the time the requested liquid arrived, he had finished his meal. “If I don’t answer your questions, skipping over some of the lesser points, I might be able to tell you about what happened last time. Eric told you about the accident, but he left out one major detail that we found out later; a truck carrying enriched uranium ran into one carrying anti-matter, which opened up a wormhole to this world. Since Eric suggested that you should know, I might as well start.” John took another drink, “On our adventures here, I met a man, who said every story should start at the beginning. You wouldn’t have liked him, but let’s start there.” By the time the house staff brought out their second pot of hot bean juice, he was telling Steve how the Master Weapon Smith had died. As lunch arrived, the story reached Newtown. An hour before the last meal was to be served, the story reached the final battle. Then John explained how Lauren and Logan had miraculously arrived on the overlook, and she declared peace on the lands. “Then over the next year, I built that machine and took us home.”
“Earth Mother?” asked Steve.
“Who?”
“You.”
“Bastards. I told you I found a way to capture magic. I reached out to the skies, snatched it from the air, more or less, and I used it to help free the shield of innocents. Damn those elves and their Earth Guard traditions! Yes, they proclaimed me an Earth Mother because I fought for Mother’s children. They were afraid if I was captured, I might be forced to turn my magic on them, so they gave me an Earth Guard, who only protect Earth Mothers.”
“To be honest, I wish I had stories like that to tell my war buddies.”
*******
When Mirtza had arrived that morning, the sky was clear of angry clouds. Suggesting a diversion, Gayne proposed a trip into the Bright Coast. While Lauren lacked any interest in such, Ryan convinced her by saying they might see their daughters. However, he knew he would pay later that night for getting her hopes up that morning. Steve declined, figuring any excessive walking might result in unnecessary pain the next day. Instead, he offered to stay at the house, keeping John occupied. With everybody in agreement, Gayne retrieved suitable outfits for Logan and Lauren. When Mirtza went to the stable, the suns were still low in the sky, and he brought forth one of the magic coaches with a team of horses. Then he took Lauren, Ryan, Eric, and Logan into the Bright Coast. Gayne, sitting in the back, played the role of the tour guide.
Gayne lived in the highlands that surrounded the Bright Coast, which was in a prosperous section of the town, with large well-maintained houses and lots. However, as their ride continued deeper into the actual city, the buildings began to change, being smaller wooden constructions, and the majority were a single ground level dwelling. There were also some that looked like communal residences, which housed several families, sharing the cooking and washing facilities in a central section. While some were of stone construction, by far, the most common building material was wood. Traveling farther into the town, it began to change with the streets becoming more crowded, but they also saw crude structures made from discarded materials in the alleys. Even though most of the buildings appeared to be residential, sprinkled along the streets were some that sold food, clothing, and such. All of the shops had armed guards in front, who were kept busy chasing away the beggars or destitute citizens, and the images they saw, reminded them of the shanty town behind Alron. Explaining about the non-stop rain and the trollmare invasion, Gayne concluded with the fact that all of the citizens had returned back to the Bright Coast, which almost tripled the population. With too few jobs, most were unable to find suitable accommodations, and the poor living conditions provided a breeding ground for numerous illnesses, which occasionally turned into massive outbreaks. Taking over an hour of traveling through the twisting streets, avoiding the beggars, they eventually arrived at a wide road that paralleled a large river, which Gayne advised was the Key. Pointing to the far side of the river, he told the four of the large Darkpaye immigration. How, after the Earth Bond, the citizens had reclaimed their lands causing the economy to return, but after that, with no trade, it soon began to limp and then crashed. “At the same time, the Darkpaye immigration started, and their gold once again flowed into the Bright Coast, but this time, they purchased houses instead of supplies. With many of the residents overextended, they could no longer afford their tax bills, so they gladly sold their large houses to buy more affordable accommodations.” He talked about the first immigrants, who seemed out of place, but having so much wealth, they opened their own bank. Then, he added the rumors of those who had benefited from the Blood Bond, being chased out of Darkpaye by those freed from it.
Colorful shops lined the streets, selling everything from apples to weapons, but there was also a very noticeable presence of armed guards in front of all. As they rode along, Mirtza stopped at several of the stores selling food. Gayne with the others would enter, selecting the desired items, taking them back to the carriage. Stopping at a store selling dwarf beers and wines, he asked if they could deliver, as the coach was too small for his purchase.
As they rode along or walked down the streets, visiting the shops, Lauren scanned the crowds gazing intently at each small child she saw. Ryan, trying to encourage her to be less obvious, noticed some of the parents who were giving her peculiar looks back.
At one particular stop, Logan walked back up the street to an alley. Noticing this, Eric followed, and when he turned the corner, saw him examining the hands of an unkempt young lad, who looked like he was sleeping. Logan moved to what might have been a scruffy, young girl, her clothes torn, her face covered in dirt. Even though her eyes were partially open, she was non-responsive. Reaching over, pushing her eyelids apart, he saw the large dilated pupils. He looked at Eric, “They’re stoned,” and then both went back to the store, joining the others.
*******
As John finished telling his story, the front door opened, and the six returned with Eric carrying in a case of an elfin-spiced cider. The servants went out to the coach to retrieve the rest of the contents, who then proceeded to prepare the meal. As they waited, Ryan, Logan, and Eric told Steve and John what they had seen that day, but remaining abnormally quiet, Lauren sat alone.
Logan explained about the youths he saw in the alley. “They were stoned. I didn’t see any tracks or injection marks, but they were flying higher than John’s kites.”
“They were like Ryan, made of stone?” asked Mirtza.
Logan shook his head, “No.”
Gayne also had an odd look, “They could fly?”
“No, they were baked.”
Mirtza, being shocked, asked, “Somebody put them in an oven?”
“No! Buzzed, glazed, wasted, spaced.”
Mirtza and Gayne turned to John.
“I think what he’s trying to say, is that they consumed a substance that has altered their normal state into an unnatural condition.”
Logan looked at them both, “That’s what I said.”
“Enough,” Lauren set down her glass, “What’re we doing tomorrow?”
Even though the question may not have been directed at John, all eyes focused on him.
Seeing the strain on John’s face, Eric answered. “I think Mirtza is right. Let’s go to Ironhouse and Alron, get Zack and some dwarves. Gayne said that they have point to point connections, so no more surprises or long trips.”
Just then, a servant walked in announcing that the meal was ready.
*******
The lone Earth Guard sat at the back of the tavern, cradling his head. Mother, please hear my request, as I will not comman
d you again. Tell me how to find the Earth Mother that I search for. Hearing the door open, he looked up and saw a new Earth Guard squad. As five sat down in the front, one walked to the back section, which was reserved for the Earth Guard captains. Recognizing a belt buckle, his jet black eyes focused on one in the front.
The other captain sat down at his table, “Why do you stare so intently at my men?”
The first looked at the elf seated across from him, “I did not realize that Mother accepts lesser into her service.”
“She always accepted lesser male elf. I am the first to breach the unjust hurdle.” Then the female Earth Guard captain raised two fingers to the bartender.
“True that does not be. Compassion unjust she extends to one unworthy, who I now look at.”
The female Earth Guard nodded, “Mother’s trust, she places where she wants. My only concern is to protect and serve. My men call me Ironwood, though my parents call me Jasmine.”
“Why are you be in the Bright Coast?”
“Mother but what about my question. Why do you stare so intently at my men?”
“Icefeather. I am glad to see—to see him.”
“Your eyes are sharp, Oxron Icefeather, he is one of my men, but more stubborn than precious dwarf ore found at great depths.”
“What do you mean?”
“Some bastard named Moonshadow filled his head with great stories of his father.”
The first smiled, “I have met the one named Bastard, but his last name is not Moonshadow.”
“Does his first name be Panry?”
“No, that is mine.”
Chapter 6
As they finished the morning meal, Steve asked, “Where’re we going today?”
Going to his office, retrieving a map, Gayne unrolled it onto the freshly cleared table. “To the best of our knowledge, this is the extents of Calicon. We are here on the Bright Coast,” he said, then pointed to the various destinations. “Ironhouse is over here in the central mountain spine, and Alron is down there.”
“That has to be a couple of thousand miles. I thought somebody said we would be there this morning.”
“There are no airports or line-ups here, but if you don’t believe us yet, you will shortly, old man.”
Gayne rolled up the map. “John, I have something I want to show you.” When the door opened, impressive was the only word to describe the study. Bookcases, from floor to ceiling, covered the walls, except for the few windows. At the far end of the room was a large beautiful hardwood desk, which John realized used to belong to Hoyle. Closing the door, pulling out a pair of glasses with green crystal lenses, Gayne waved them at the backside of the door. A depression twelve inches long by three inches high formed in the center, exposing six keyholes. Pulling the necessary keys out of his pocket, he placed them in the receptacles and then opened the door. However, the hall was not there, and instead, it opened up into a small room ten feet cubed.
John smiled, “Pretty impressive. You’ll have to tell me how you did this one.”
“Later, but you need to know this was the type of lock that was protecting your machine. I developed it on my own, and I told none about the process, not even Mirtza, so you can imagine how surprised I was to find it a wooden door that day. As for the room, that is a much longer story.”
John took a step back, as the news added to both the mystery and confusion.
“We need to collect some items for our trip today,” replied Gayne.
Small bags, appearing to contain gold, were stacked waist high against one wall, and at the back, a set of wooden shelves. The top one had a dozen different sized platinum rings, and beside them, a tray of small gold and platinum animal figures. There were the regular items: ox and horses, some with four legs, others with eight. Some were in a harness while others had saddles, and there were also six of the winged horse amulets. Also displayed was a collection of metal figures, each one in sets of three: mountain lions, forest bears, wolves, and what looked like guard dogs. Sitting on a bag, a half dozen small guard bats were laid out. The next shelf down had two small wooden chests, measuring eighteen inches long, eight inches wide, but only six inches deep. Then there were four golden amulets; two were wagons, two were closed carriages. The next shelf displayed portal bracelets: four gold, two platinum. Beside them, two small open boxes each holding numerous paper envelopes.
“Will we be spending any nights outside?” asked Gayne.
“I don’t think so. Ironhouse has guest rooms, and we can either stay with Zack or at Pintar’s in Alron.” He reached for the two small wooden boxes, “May I?” After Gayne had nodded, John opened up the first, which had hundreds of small golden food amulets. The next contained similar, but they were camping amulets: pots, pans, dishes, glasses, blankets, and more. “To be on the safe side, we might want to take both— in case something happens. As well, we’ll probably need some gold. Gayne, I want you to know that I really appreciate your help.”
“As you all did enough for us the last time, it is the least I can do.” Gayne walked over to the pile of gold, taking two bags to the small table in the middle of the room. Waving his hand over the first, pushing it out flat, he then put it in his pocket, repeating his actions with a second bag.
John walked over, “When this is over, you’ve some explaining to do.”
“I told you that we just needed you to show us the path, the one without the cliffs, and we would figure out the rest on our own.” Gayne went to his desk, retrieved a cloth bag, and returning, collected up the various magical items. When done, he secured the room, and they returned to the dining room where Mirtza was waiting with the other five.
“Steve, you look like you’re doing better,” advised John.
“I still can’t tap dance.”
“Do you want to join us?”
“I’ve nothing else to do.”
John headed to the side door, “Let’s go to Ironhouse.”
After Gayne had given his house staff instructions, he followed the seven into the stable. While in the secret room, he had pulled out one of the rocks from the Ironhouse envelope, which he then dropped through the bracelet.
Everybody was looking at Steve, taking some delight when the smirk on his face changed to one of astonishment. Steve, completely befuddled, saw a wispy ring float off of the bracelet, stabilize, and then he watched the image forming inside of it. As Eric stepped through, he went to the side of the portal, expecting to see Eric, but only saw a black circle. Prodding Steve into motion, John led him through, suggesting he might want to close his mouth. On the other side, the Ironhouse dwarves became very excited, seeing midlanders mysteriously appear in their stables, and they circled the group, threatening them with whatever implements were in hand.
The tallest stepped forward, holding out his ring. “I’m Eric Ironhouse, dwarf,”
The dwarves circled tighter.
He turned to John, “Did the ointment wear off?”
“I’m John Ironhouse, the Unchosen, and dwarf.” More dwarves moved towards them, “Master of Mithril?”
Lauren stepped forward, “Enough! I’m Earth Mother Ironhouse. Now take me to the Master Weapon Smith!”
The dwarves backed up, taking to a knee, bowed to the legend who commanded them. One dwarf in the group pointed to a second and then to the door, which he ran to. The first dwarf stood, his thick baritone voice echoing off of the walls. “Earth Mother, grant us your forgiveness. No offense was meant.”
“Please do not kneel to me. As we surprised you, I should be the one to apologize.”
As the one who had addressed Lauren approached, the rest of the dwarves stood, “I am Detok, and my son I have sent to fetch the Master Weapon Smith. Please make yourself comfortable.”
Spotting a small stool, she sat down.
Ten minutes later, they heard the deep voices echo from the far hall. “As my troubles are great, I have no time for small problems.”
“Troubles maybe, but your thirst as well, as
our provisions it drains more every day.”
Then through the back door, a dwarf no more than four feet tall, having a short beard showing fresh singe marks from a forge, and wearing a leather apron walked into the stables. Beside him, another dwarf, six inches taller, whose beard was fastened with bindings several inches apart, forming a beard rope almost two feet long.
Lauren looked at the two arguing dwarves, “Aaro, Bor, what’s going on?”
Both stopped, looked up, and replied in unison, “Earth Mother?” They both walked forward, rubbing their eyes, and saw the hulking frame of Eric, and in his shadow, John with the rest. Steve, standing towards the back, raised no suspicion.
Aaro turned to the dwarves, speaking so fast that the ointment was unable to translate, and a dozen dwarfs ran from the stable to the upper levels. He walked up to Lauren, “I never thought I would see you again. Why are you here now?”
“John, can you explain what’s happening?” asked Lauren.
Before he could start, Aaro held up his hand, “This place is not worthy of legends. Your words you will hold until we go to the upper levels. Earth Mother stories are not short.”
Logan walked over to his sister, “I think they remember you.”
She rolled her eyes in frustration.
“The word you’re searching for starts with a B.”
With Aaro and Bor turning towards the back door, the eight followed, but so did most of the dwarves, including those who were supposed to stay to complete their tasks.
When they arrived at the upper level, Aaro and Bor began to lead them to the secret room that Tranquil Fury and the armor called home.
“Holy shit!”
Everybody turned to Steve, who was staring at a floor to ceiling mural. On the wall beside a grand stone-carved staircase, which once had featured a painting of dwarves fighting dragons, they saw themselves.
“Bor, what’s that?” asked Lauren.
“Legends greatest. Honor you, we did.”
Lauren walked closer to it, inspecting the figures that were ten feet tall. Her image in the front with the tri-wood staff, and Ryan’s rock-troll image filled the background. At her side, the Bastard, fire wicking from his clothing, and a raised burning fist. The Champion stood on the left with the great sword raised to the ceiling, mating with a painted lightning bolt, and an intense blue paint mimicked the electricity dancing across the deeply cut runes. On the left, a small figure dressed in a black cloak, wearing round-framed glasses. At the edges of the painting: a large wolf on one side, an eagle just as large on the other.
