by P. G. Thomas
Fritza and Lindo had returned to the east with the south port Earth Mothers, as much healing was still required. Gingaar smiled when people called her Earth Mother, and Pintar’s Post Office was a huge business. While Lauren and Ryan were never apart, John still taught his classes by day, working at night. He was teaching a class on astrophysics one day when Mirtza entered the classroom and nodded. Dismissing the class, he followed him to the basement.
When John was sure, he opened a portal to the Ironhouse Mine.
Eric fought back the tears, “You are serious?”
“Yes,” and the Ironhouse brothers followed them into the magic portal.
Aaro, Bor, Fen, Fodu, Bor, and his son Gor knocked on the Earth Mother’s door.
Bor smiled when Lauren pushed back her tears, reaching out to cradle his son. At the back, Eric smiled, when he saw Lauren and Ryan holding hands. Then Zack and Nur showed up with their children. They had named their son Sam, and their daughter Hope. Arora and Brook showed up, who loved holding the little ones, and smiled when they had a chance to hold baby Gor. However, when Gingaar and Pintar showed up, Lauren was unsure of what was up.
The cook complained, “If you had told me so many were going to arrive, I could have prepared for it.”
“Shut up and get used to it,” advised Panry.
Logan showed up, “John said I needed to be here.”
Everything seemed to start with John. Being pissed Lauren sent an Earth Guard for John.
Mirtza and John were waiting on his porch for the invitation.
“You are sure?” asked Mirtza.
“The west is safe, and the threats are gone. You’re beginning to understand science, math, and even magic. I’ll leave you my books. Use the translation cream, as you know how it works.”
“You have done so much for us. How do we thank you?”
“The debt is paid. You’ve done more for me than I did for you. Look our invitation arrives.” John looked up to the smiling Erust, whom they gladly followed.
Lauren greeted them at the front door, tapping her foot, with her arms crossed, and the fire known as Earth Mother burned in her eyes.
“Appease her,” but it was not Panry, it was Ryan.
John forced an innocent look to his face, “Lauren, what took you so long?”
“You will call me Earth Mother.” To add insult she added, “Earth Mother.”
“Not today, Lauren,” and John smiled.
*******
Lauren followed John into the backyard, which was filled with all of the people that John cared about, and in some ways, he considered them family. Mirtza sat down in the front room, cried, not wanting to see it end. Even though the Dwarfs were sad, which John understood, he knew they had said nothing, as he had threatened to strip their mine of gold if they did. He was Ironhouse, brother, and they would honor their word to him.
All went quiet when he walked into the backyard, but then they greeted him, “Welcome, Earth Mother.”
“Bastards.”
“What?” asked Logan.
The cook, still grumbling brought a mug of hot bean juice to John, damn this stuff grows on you, “The house I was gifted lacked a backyard large enough, so when Lauren failed to respond to my post, I assumed she agreed to it. You remember it. It was printed on black paper with white ink.”
She gave Pintar a dirty look.
“I received no such letter, and I deliver all.”
John pulled the letter out of his pocket, white paper with black ink. He was still upset about the town hall meeting. “I must have forgotten to mail it.” He continued, “Almost four years ago, this world summoned us for reasons now both understood and not. Back then, Mirtza stumbled upon an oddity with six scared children huddled around it. He was our first protector. His actions led us to elf. Elf led us to dwarf. I’m uncertain of where the story begins, but that is for dwarf to argue about. A challenge worthy of only their mighty story telling skills. We were outsiders, being foreign to this land. We were welcomed into the dwarf bosom, embraced by elf. Back then nobody knew how badly we would screw up your world.” He thought of Pintar’s postal service. Mother, forgive me for what I have unleashed on your world, “We were players controlled by others. I don’t know if we did like we were supposed to, but peace now occupies the land. War and threats are gone.” Setting down his mug of hot bean juice, he wandered through the crowd, looking for honey wine. Finding it, he filled a glass, “It has taken me two years, but I’ve opened a portal to my home. I’m sorry friends, but I miss my family, just like I’ll miss you. I’ve come to bid you farewell, and to my bus mates, you’re all welcome to join me.”
John was no longer the small skinny kid. He now stood five feet eight, weighing one hundred and forty pounds. Having spent too much time with dwarves, he had picked up their appetite. The others had grown a few inches, put on a few pounds, but the change in John Ironhouse was the most dramatic.
Lauren stood, “Don’t toy with me. Your suffering will be great. Do you speak the truth? A portal back? If you jest with me, you’ll suffer far worse than I did. You’ll wish for death, but it will not arrive.”
Mirtza stood in the doorway, “Earth Mother, the mind that sees so much, the mind that unlocks all, the comprehension of John Ironhouse is great. It knows no barriers. I wish it were not so, but it is. I have gazed on your world, the portal works, and my heart weeps. I am ashamed to say that I prayed for failure, but his powers are too great. He has always done what no other could do. The path back is clear, and our world is less for his powers.”
Eric stood, “John showed me, I saw the tunnel. Saw the mountain, the restaurant. I recognized it all, Lauren. It was home.” The captain of the sports teams wiped away his tears, “Home.”
“You really did it, I mean really, home?” Lauren was wiping tears from her eyes, “Home, don’t rip this from my heart, don’t toy with me. Speak the truth one more time. John Ironhouse, tell me the truth.” It was an Earth Bond.
“You’ll have to let go of your powers. Your Earth Bonds mean nothing to me. The portal home awaits me. Do you want to join me? That’s the only question.”
When Lauren began crying uncontrollably, Ryan hugged and comforted the one he loved. Eric walked up to John, “I told you back in the forest that I was counting on you getting us out of here. I knew you would do it.” Then he pulled John to the side. “I’ve seen what you’ve done. I still have one year of school left, and I might still be eligible for scholarships. I was going to major in sports stuff, as it’s all I know. If I get the chance, I want to switch my major to math or science, but I’m going to need a tutor.”
“That’s what little brothers are for.”
*******
When they gathered in front of John’s house the following week, the farewells were long because there were so many people. John went up to Mirtza, “You know how to make the machine work.” He handed his cell phone and solar charger to him. “I showed you how to use it, friend. If you need me, seek me out.”
“Friend John, you have given us so many gifts and taught us so much. How do I thank you?”
“I have told you. I have shown you magic, but it doesn’t know right from wrong. Protect it. If it should fall into the wrong hands, even Mother will not be able to protect you. Safeguard it against all. I have drilled the importance into you and Gayne, and I just pray you completely understand it all.”
Mirtza wiped the last tear away, “It is our concern now. Go home, friend, and embrace your family. Your worries are over.”
Gayne walked over, “Who will threaten me, forcing me to do that which I do not want to do?”
“I can have Panry visit you if you want?”
“NO, no, that will be fine. He is still asking about winged mounts. I was thinking about all last night, which was a long night. I remember when Mirtza appeared on my doorstep with a young lad, asking me to teach him magic. My intentions were gold. Even though I was the teacher, you turned me into the student, showed me ma
gic. I now understand there is so much out there that I do not understand. I am unsure if I should thank you or curse you for opening those doors. I may do both, praise and curse you, but both will end with the same two words: friend John.” After the two had exchanged a hug, they went their separate ways.
Logan received assurance from the Earth Mothers that they would continue to teach and nurture the Bastards. They swore to Mother and Sister that they would continue to help.
Seeing Pinter and his wife Evesnight, Lauren asked, “Are all of my tabs settled?”
“Are you going home, home to your mother?” asked Evesnight.
Lauren nodded.
“She will be glad to see you, as I would be to see my daughter returning home.”
“Our accounts are settled,” began Pintar, “and all monies lent to the post have been repaid. At the tavern, you have no outstanding debts.”
“Accounts and bills, talk to John. Pintar, Evesnight, you’ve done so much for all of us. How do I thank you?”
“There is no need. Every night we receive your thanks when paying customers come to visit Korg,” advised Evesnight. After they had cleaned up the mess, instead of painting the floor, they had varnished it, freezing the grotesque image in time.
“Lauren, go home,” began Pintar, “before you and John come up with another idea that will make my life worse. However, take my gratitude with you, as you both saved the west.” They both then embraced Lauren in a hug.
John went to Aaro and Bor, who held his son Gor, “Ironhouse I don’t know what to say to you. You’ve taught me so much.”
“You are Ironhouse so stop crying,” began Bor. “If dwarf sees Ironhouse cry the jokes will start over.”
“Brother, should you need us, call,” replied Aaro, “Ironhouse always answers.”
“I wish I could take you all back with me. Wall Street could use some dwarf persuasion.”
As John walked away, Eric walked over, “My brothers, when I return home, I can tell none that I am dwarf.”
Bor pounded his fist against his chest, “Dwarf is not measured by height, it is size of heart that matters. Dwarf you are, Ironhouse. Forget never.”
“Your word that adopted brother two,” began Aaro, “your eyes, look out for him you will.”
“Like he’ll ever let me forget. May your forges stay hot, your sagas grow long, and the praise to Ironhouse be tall.” Then Eric headed over to the rest. Where the hell did that come from?
Aaro nodded, “Dwarf he is.”
“Definitely, the last. What did he mean?” asked Bor.
“Forge he mentions,” began Aaro, “message from Pappy?”
Looking at each other, in unison, they said, “Dwarf beer.”
John walked over to Zack and Nur.
“John, I cannot go back, I will not abandon my children and wife, the one I love. There’s nothing back there for me.”
“I would be disappointed in you if you did. Look after this world for me, as I like it here. Nur, if he’s bad, please don’t send him to the doghouse.”
“It’ll never end. I’ll explain it to you later.”
Zack pulled John to the side. He was no longer the emotionless zombie, but instead, a proud father and loving husband. Ryan, being curious, joined them.
“John, it seems so long ago,” began Zack, “when we sat on that terrace at the Ironhouse Mine. It was after the Earth Mother left for her tree, and she told us each a prophecy. I asked you if it was true, and you told me it was. How did she know? How did you know?”
“What did she tell you?”
“She told me, that which I wanted the most, I would find here. It would be Mother’s reward for my service. How did she know? What did she tell you?”
Ryan had a puzzled look on his face, “That’s what she told me also.”
Thinking of the Earth Mother, John remembered her final night, what she had said to him, smart old bird. “That morning, Zack, she told me my mind was strong, and that my body was not. She was afraid that if any questioned me, that they may see through my lies. She didn’t want that to happen, so she told me the truth, like I told you. The night before, we had a long talk, but for that, I don’t have the time. What did you want the most?”
“Family, love, all that which I never had back home,” answered Zack.
“Go to Nur, hug her, kiss her, and never let her go. Do the same with Sam and Hope. You have here what you couldn’t have back home.”
When Nur walked over, she handed Zack his son, and they both walked away smiling.
“Ryan, what did you want?” asked John.
He pointed to Lauren, “I’ve loved her for so long. I never thought she would look at me the way she does. What did the Earth Mother tell you?”
“You may not believe me, but the night before, more or less, she told me the same thing. The rest of the story can wait.”
Ryan grabbed him by the shoulder, “What did you want above all else? Here you could rule the lands, as none can match what you have done, or what you could do.”
“In essence, she told me that, but what I want above all else is to see my family—and the internet, God I miss technology.”
Letting out a laugh, Ryan headed back to Lauren.
“Panry, I owe you such a huge debt,” began Lauren. “I don’t know how to thank you. You, Alron, the rest of my Earth Guards.”
“My Moth Flame,” he smiled when he said it, “I am Earth Guard, and you do not need to thank me.” As he spoke, he wiped the tears from his eyes.
“No, Panry, it went beyond service. I don’t know how you and Alron ever put up with me. I am sorry—”
Panry stopped her, “You are Earth Mother. You will never apologize to any, but in your absence, my heart will ache for your presence. Lauren, promise me, if you ever need help, do not shy from it. All those that you touch and help, they will help you. Turn to those that love you, care for you, as all that you call friend or family, they will help you.”
“Only if you do me one favor,” replied Lauren.
“I live to serve.”
“Find a wife and make more Moonshadows. This world needs your line to continue.”
Panry was one of the toughest Earth Guards to ever be named. Wiping the tears from his eyes, he knew he would never be able to live this day down. Even after Lauren was leaving, she had found a way to torture him. He swore silently at Alron, knowing that he was smiling.
She walked over to Cethail Highbreeze, Erust Huntinghawk, Careel and Babartin Dawnfalcon, kissing each on the forehead, “Mother does bless you, and I shall miss you.” When Morning Rose Huntinghawk had gone to her tree, it had created a hole in their hearts, one they thought would never be filled, but Lauren had. This day, once again the void came back, and they knew that their next assignment would never challenge them the way Lauren had, or at least they hoped.
Walking over to Gingaar, she handed her a small cloth bag, “I need to return these to the family that they belong to.” Opening the bag, she saw the pins that Morning Rose Huntinghawk, her great mother, had bequeathed to Lauren.
“They belong to you, Earth Mother.”
“No, Gingaar, I’m going home. I have no use for them, and I’m no longer an Earth Mother. They belong to your family. They belong to you.”
When she tried to push them back, the fire came back to Lauren’s eyes, the fire of Earth Mother, and she reluctantly accepted them. “You will always be an Earth Mother. When they proclaim you, you are an Earth Mother until Mother calls you home.”
“My mother is calling me home and my father, but I kept the one that Earth Mother gave me to remind me of here.”
“Mother shall not forget you. She may try, but your accomplishments are great.”
Lauren held out a second bag, “These are the pins from the south port Earth Mothers. When new Earth Mothers are found, give them these pins, and let them bring good into the world.”
“I have one favor to ask.”
Lauren nodded
&nbs
p; “Your clothes, if you are not taking them back, can I have them? We are the same size.”
“Yes, and take the mirror. Look for my reflection in it,” replied Lauren as she both laughed and smiled.
“I shall miss my friend Lauren.” Then they both hugged, and before they began to cry harder, the once timid elf ran to her Earth Guard.
“Unnamed, you may be,” began Panry, “but even as Earth Mother leaves, she is still be my charge. If I ever sense that you do her wrong, Mother I shall command to inflict great suffering on you. I care for Lauren much, and Mother has a great reach.”
“My friend, Panry, let us talk of sunsets, of flowers, or statues, but not of suffering or wrongs. For should I inflict suffering on Lauren, that pain will be doubled, as I’ll inflict pain on myself. She’s mine to protect now.” After embracing, they parted, as there were no more words to be said.
“John, last night, I heard Mother.” Lauren fought off the tears, “She thanked me, John. She thanked us all.”
He kissed Lauren on the forehead, “She chose well. She chose Lauren.”
“These last few years, I’ve sensed her every day. It’s like sitting in a house with all the doors and windows open: the breeze, the sounds; her presence always there. Why did she ignore me for so long?”
“I don’t think she did. I think she guided you the entire time, but you never felt her hand on your shoulder, as she pointed you in the direction you needed to go.” He scanned the crowd around them, “I think she provided the support you needed, and you call them friends. You were looking for a hard confirmation of her guidance, but I think her messages were subtle, being like a fragrance in the breeze. She guided and cared about you the entire time, otherwise, we wouldn’t have won.” He shrugged his shoulders, “It’s the best I have, other than that, I don’t know. Now, I’m tired of not knowing. I want to go home, read books where I know the answers, and search the web for what I don’t know. I’m tired of broken electronics, painted maps, having to rely on sky elves to show me what I should be able to see. Technology, it calls to me. We’re going home.” After he had wrapped his arm around her shoulders, he walked her over to Ryan, who embraced her. A special lady had already embraced John, whose name was science, and he could hear her calling him home.
