Tales from the New Earth: Volume Two Read online

  “It does not make sense to us,” Kronk corrected him. “I am quite certain that it makes sense to the dragons. But no one really knows how they think, do they?”

  “True.”

  Simon stretched and rubbed his butt. It was numb from sitting on the hard roof for too long.

  “Okay then. Aeris, would you do me a favor and keep watch for a while, just to make sure that they don't circle back for a sneak attack?”

  “Certainly. They are tricky beasts.”

  “I agree. Kronk? Please go down and remind your people to keep watch on the earth and the sky. I'm going to summon some help from the plane of air tomorrow, but for tonight, I need them to be extra vigilant.”

  “They will be, master. I promise you.”

  The earthen tip-tapped across the roof and hopped down through the open trap door.

  “If you see anything, Aeris, anything at all, call me please.”

  The air elemental began to glow softly as the sky darkened.

  “I will. Go down and get something more to eat, my dear wizard. You are still looking peaky.”

  “Thanks Mom, I'll do that,” Simon replied with a touch of sarcasm, but he winked at the same time and Aeris chuckled.

  Chapter 11

  It was quiet overnight and Simon managed to sleep fairly well. But he was up early the next morning and hurried up to the roof and scanned the sky, looking for any sign of dragons. But the cloudless expanse was clear and peaceful.

  The wizard went below, made some breakfast and then, after eating, went out back for his first swim of the season.

  Aeris had been spending his time since the previous day either on the roof or patrolling the outer wall. He joined Simon as the wizard went outside with a towel hanging over his shoulder.

  “Good morning,” he said as he floated across the front yard. “You're up early.”

  “Couldn't sleep in,” Simon told him with a shrug. “Still thinking about those damned dragons and what that whole show was about yesterday.”

  “As am I. I have to admit, I've gone through every scenario in my mind and it still doesn't make sense.”

  They reached the back gate and Simon unlocked it and pulled it open.

  The field leading down toward the lake was a verdant green in the morning sunlight and a gentle wind made the grass ripple like ocean waves. Simon took a moment to just breathe and enjoy it.

  “Beautiful day,” Aeris commented as he watched the wizard. He was smiling.

  “Isn't it though? Maybe it's because of my extended stay underground but I'm just enjoying every day so much more than I used to. I mean, even if it was raining constantly I'd still love it. Weird, eh?”

  He walked down across the pasture, dodging a few piles of horse manure as he went.

  “I think it's a natural reaction, my dear wizard. Humans are not cave dwellers. It only makes sense that you would be grateful to be above ground again.”

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  Simon pulled out a bar of soap from his pocket, wrapped in a washcloth, put it down on the shore of the lake next to his towel and got undressed.

  “Are you sure that the water isn't too cold?” he asked Aeris a bit nervously. The sun was warm on his bare skin but that didn't mean that the lake would be.”

  “I think so. Dip a toe in there and find out,” the elemental replied with a teasing grin.

  “Nah, I'll take your word for it.”

  Taking a deep breath, Simon walked slowly forward into the lake. The water was cool but not cold and felt delightful. He looked back at Aeris with a grateful smile.

  “You were right,” he said as he turned back to grab his soap and washcloth.

  “I usually am,” Aeris said smugly.

  Simon rolled his eyes silently and then walked far enough in to dive underwater. The small lake was just deep enough in the middle to be over his head and he swam around for a few minutes to loosen up his muscles and clear his head before returning to the shallow water near Aeris to get washed up. There were a few fish in the lake and they darted away as Simon swam past.

  He soaped himself thoroughly, swam again to rinse off and then just floated for a while in the center of the lake, watching the sky brighten as the morning went on.

  When he felt that he was completely waterlogged, Simon slowly swam back to shore, feeling completely clean for the first time since he'd returned home. It felt great.

  Kronk had let the horses out to graze while the wizard was swimming and Chief trotted up to meet him as he emerged from the lake.

  “Whoa, careful there, big guy,” Simon said as the stallion snuffled him. “Don't knock me over or I'll have to get washed again.”

  Chief settled for a cursory examination and then raced off to join the others, chasing each one in turn. The filly was obviously in the throes of joy as the stallion pretended to chase her and she squealed and ran away.

  Simon dried off and watched their antics with a deep affection. Was there anything more delightful, he wondered. He didn't think so.

  After he was dressed, the wizard and Aeris joined Kronk and the three headed back into the tower. The horses would spend most of the day outside.

  While the elementals moved to stand on the kitchen table, Simon put on the kettle and made some tea.

  “So, any ideas about that weird visit yesterday?” he asked the earthen. “Aeris and I are stumped.”

  Kronk shook his head, looking puzzled.

  “No master. I have discussed it with my people but none of us can explain it. Dragons are not known for such behavior. We are at a loss.”

  “Yeah, join the club.”

  Simon poured hot water into his cup and sat down at the table.

  “Aeris, do you remember the names of your two fellow air elementals? The ones that survived the scouting trip to Mexico? I wrote them down but I'll have to dig around to find the list, if I can.”

  “You're going to recall them?”

  “Yep. I'll ask them if they'd like to stay for a while and go from there. If they don't, then I'll have to actually cast the summoning spell a few times to find some volunteers.”

  “Their names are Brethia and Orriss, I believe,” Aeris told him after a moment of thought. “And I doubt that you need to worry. They will agree to stay.”

  “Don't assume,” Simon said with a frown. “They are free to say no, after all.”

  He sipped his tea for a minute, put down the cup and took a deep breath.

  “Okay guys, could you give me some room? We might as well do this now and get it done.”

  Kronk and Aeris moved to stand, and hover, beside the wizard. He nodded his thanks and then focused on the blank space in the center of the kitchen table.

  “Brethia, I need you,” he stated firmly and then hunched his narrow shoulders in anticipation.

  A flash of blinding light was followed by a crash of thunder that made his ears ring.

  Damn it, he thought painfully. Air elements always have to make a frigging big entrance.

  A hazy figure appeared several inches above the table and its features slowly came into focus.

  “Sir wizard?” Brethia said in surprise. She was the only female air elemental that Simon had ever met and had a lovely contralto voice.

  “Hello Brethia,” the wizard said with a smile. “Welcome back. How are you today?”

  “I'm fine, thank you.”

  She spun in a circle, waved at Kronk and Aeris and then looked up at Simon again.

  “You called for me specifically, sir wizard?” she asked in amazement.

  “I did, yes. I have a job for you, and for your friend, Orriss, if you'd like to do it. Could you come over here and give me some room to summon him please?”

  “Certainly,” she said and flew quickly over to join them.

  “Thanks. Okay.” He cleared his throat. “Orriss, I need you.”

  The flash and bang accompanied the summoning again and Simon rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

 
; “I wish you guys wouldn't do that,” he complained as he blinked his watery eyes. “None of the other elementals have to make a show when they answer a summons.”

  “Forgive us, sir wizard,” Brethia said contritely. “Our lord demands it. It pleases him to make our presence known when we are called upon to serve.”

  “Yeah? Well, I hate it. No offense.”

  Simon's vision cleared and he saw the figure floating in the middle of the table.

  “Hello Orriss,” he said with a smile. “Welcome. You look well. Better than you did the last time we saw you.”

  The elemental bowed deeply.

  “Thanks to you, sir wizard,” he said in his gentle voice. “I am quite well. Did you need my service?”

  “If you and Brethia agree, yes I do.”

  The two elementals exchanged a smile and then watched Simon attentively.

  “What can we do for you, my lord?” Brethia asked respectfully. She flew over to float next to Orriss.

  Simon explained the appearance of the flight of dragons from the previous day and their need for someone to watch the skies.

  “I don't blame the earthen,” he said with a quick glance at Kronk. “They are made to be more in tune with the world at ground level. Your people, as flyers, are aware of the world above ground. What we've agreed we need is a sentry to stay up on the roof and keep an eye on the skies. I asked both of you because I don't think it's fair to make one person a permanent fixture up there. If you agree, one of you can take a twelve hour shift on guard and the other can do whatever they wish and then you can change places.”

  He drank some tea and watched while Brethia and Orriss began speaking excitedly together in their airy language that sounded like gusts of wind. At one point, they turned and asked Aeris something. He answered with a comment and a noncommittal shrug and they continued their conversation.

  “So what do you think?” Simon asked as the two elementals fell silent.

  Orriss gestured for Brethia speak and she lifted her chin and looked at the wizard.

  “Firstly, allow me to say that both of us are so grateful that you would ask us to work for you again, especially after we failed our scouting mission in Mexico.”

  “You didn't fail,” Simon said quickly. “None of us knew that the country had been infested with goblins. You survived and returned to warn us. That was more than enough.”

  She bowed.

  “Thank you, my lord, but we respectfully disagree. My three companions were killed and Orriss only escaped the same fate because you recalled him in the nick of time. However, we will put that behind us, if that is your wish.”

  “It is.”

  “Very well then. We agree to serve you again, if you will have us. Aeris,” she nodded at him, “has said that you will need us to stay for a while?”

  “I guess so.” Simon leaned forward. “Look, if you're worried about being stuck here for an extended period, we can agree to a time limit, say a month or two, on your service and then I'll summon another pair to take your place.”

  Aeris chuckled and the wizard looked at him.

  “What are you laughing about?” he asked, puzzled.

  “Because you are exactly wrong, my dear wizard.”

  “Not wrong, my lord,” Orriss said hurriedly, with a worried look at Aeris. “You just have things a little...reversed, that's all. We both want to stay for as long as you need us. We are made to serve and, although you do not blame us for our failure in the mission down south, we do and we'd like to redeem ourselves.”

  He paused and Brethia began to speak.

  “And your kind offer to allow us time to explore on our own is a tremendous gift, my lord. We have never experienced such generosity from a wizard before. It is an exciting prospect.”

  “Um, okay. So since it seems to be a yes, then welcome to our home.”

  Both elementals bowed deeply.

  “Aeris, would you take our friends up to the roof? You can work out what shifts Brethia and Orriss want to take between them.”

  “Certainly. Come along you two and we'll head up.”

  “Thank you both for this,” Simon told them gratefully and was answered with a pair of wide smiles.

  “No, thank you, my lord,” Brethia said earnestly while Orriss nodded vigorously. “We will not let you down.”

  The wizard watched as all three flew off and zipped up the stairs.

  “Eager, aren't they?” he said to Kronk as he finished his tea and got up to make some more.

  The earthen snorted softly with amusement.

  “They believe they failed you before, master. No elemental wants to live with that shame. I would say that you could not have found a more loyal pair to serve you.”

  “That's not why I summoned them,” Simon said with a grimace. He put on the kettle and turned around to look at the earthen. “You know that.”

  “I do, master, but they don't. And explaining it again will not convince them otherwise.”

  Simon sighed helplessly.

  “No, I suppose not. Oh well, at least they seem happy to be helping. That's all I can ask for, I guess. I'll admit I'm feeling better already knowing that we are covered by sentries watching in all directions, including upward.”

  “Yes master. So, what is next?”

  “Next?”

  Simon watched the kettle as it swung gently over the fire.

  “Next I spend the day resting up because tomorrow you, me and Aeris are heading to Russia. I'm getting that blasted furniture back here if it kills me. And relax, that's just an expression.”

  “I know that, master.” The little guy grinned. “But please make sure that it doesn't.”

  After a quiet, uneventful period of rest, Simon was ready the following day to Gate to Russia and pick up a couch and chair. Aeris and Kronk seemed eager to go as well and he wondered whether his friends were a little bored. Considering the fact that they had spent many months stuck in the tower, he wouldn't be surprised if that was the case.

  He got ready to go, slipped his list of keywords into a pocket of his robe, just in case he forgot what they were, and waited for the elementals to join him.

  Kronk entered the tower through the front door, left open as usual during nice weather, followed momentarily by Aeris.

  “The horses are out and enjoying the pasture, master,” the earthen told him.

  “And our two new sentries are up above scanning the skies,” Aeris added. “They haven't decided who should take the first shift off and so they will both stand watch while we're away.”

  “Okay, that sounds good. You both ready?”

  They nodded and Simon grabbed his staff, excitement rising inside. His stomach began roiling with anticipation and he found himself grinning foolishly.

  “Okay, grab hold, guys.”

  Kronk touched the wizard's robe and Aeris flew closer and put his hand on Simon's shoulder.

  “Here we go.”

  A few long moments of mind-numbing darkness and intense cold and the three stepped out of the void into a dark, musty room. Simon gestured and a bright ball of light appeared and rose to float above his head.

  “Hey, we made it,” he exclaimed and both elementals looked at him in surprise.

  “You didn't think we would?” Aeris asked.

  “Well, I hoped we would. But after the last few days of weirdness, I had my doubts.”

  He looked around the room. It was, of course, the same bunker that Liliana had used for a short time as a shelter. According to her, it was deep below the mansion of an old Russian oligarch, a man who became wealthy under the fallen government. From the looks of the place, the guy had had expensive tastes.

  “Okay, everyone fan out and poke around. Besides the furniture, we might find something else that we can use.”

  Kronk skittered away and began peering into the darkened corners of the room, while Aeris floated off toward the only doorway leading out of the place.

  Simon walked over to the huge sofa he
had seen when Liliana had resided here. It was large and overstuffed, covered with a tan leather and when he sat down on it, he let out a contented sigh. It was like being enveloped in a warm bear hug. Awesome.

  The matching chair was just as comfortable and he pictured himself sitting in it in front of the fireplace.

  Ah, it's the simple things in life, he thought.

  “Master, I'm afraid that there is nothing here but cobwebs and dust,” Kronk said from across the room. “The rug is mildewed and some mold is growing along the base of the walls.”

  “Oh well, I was hoping for some pleasant surprises, my friend, but that's okay. It's the furniture that I was really interested in. Could you slip underneath the couch and see if there's any rot there? If it's moldy, I may have to pass on it. Damn.”

  While Kronk cheerfully examined the underside of the couch, Simon walked around the room. The walls were covered with shelves stuffed with books. He took down a few at random and then replaced them. All were heavy, expensive tomes, but unless he wanted to learn to read Russian, they were of no use to him.

  There was a large desk strewn with loose papers, a few pens and odds and ends; nothing that he could use though. It looked like the trip would only net him the furniture, if it passed Kronk's inspection.

  Aeris appeared in the doorway, glowing dimly in the darkened room.

  “I may have found something,” he said excitedly. “Piles of sealed wooden boxes. Care to take a look?”

  “Absolutely. Coming, Kronk?”

  “Be right there, master,” came the earthen's muffled reply. “Just as soon as I finish examining the furniture.”

  “Okay then. We won't be far.”

  Simon followed Aeris out of the room and into a long, narrow hallway. The walls were covered in rich wood, but the smell of rotting carpet and mold was even stronger here and pinched his nose with its acrid bite.

  “There are two storerooms off of this corridor,” Aeris said as he flew ahead. “And beyond them is a stairway that was closed off by a heavy metal door. It looks like your friend, the paladin, forced her way in. Strong woman.”