PARTS ALSO. HOW ONE MAY WEIGH ONE AGAINST THE OTHER IS A MATTER FOR ADDITIONAL STUDY AND DISCUSSION. I SUGGEST OFFWIG’S HYPOTHESIS OF DIFFERENTIAL SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS BE APPLIED. “
“Offwig’s what?” George asked aloud.
The boy sitting at the table where the elves stood looked up at George and Mary with a puzzled look. “Pardon?” he asked. He had no idea that his ham sandwich was in danger of being stepped on by two elves.
“Nothing, sorry,” said Mary. “I AM MARY AND THIS IS GEORGE,” she said telepathically in elfish. “WHO WOULD YOU BE?”
“OH MY, WE SIMPLY AREN’T USED TO BEING SEEN AND HEARD BY MORTALS,” said the woman, “AND WE FORGET OUR MANNERS. I AM BELINDA AND THIS IS MY OLDER BROTHER KIP. YOU ARE OF COURSE THE CHOSEN ONES. WE ARE MUCH HONORED TO MEET YOU FACE TO FACE, THOUGH WE VERY MUCH GRIEVE HARRY’S PASSING. WE WERE GREATLY SADDENED TO HEAR THAT NEWS FROM JEWEL.”
“WE HAVE MUCH TO DISCUSS WITH YOU BOTH, OF COURSE,” Kip added.
The bell signaling an end to lunch period sounded, and students around them began gathering trash and notebooks, and leaving the room for their next class. The elves had to move to avoid being bowled over by a book bag wielded by a departing student, which they did by moving so fast that George didn’t see them move. They seemed to simply disappear from one spot and to immediately re-appear a few feet away.
“We need to finish our classes today first,” said Mary.
“OF COURSE YOU DO,” said Kip. “WE ARE WELL ACQUAINTED WITH EARTH CUSTOMS THROUGH PREVIOUS VISITS. WE’D PREFER TO STAY WITH YOU THOUGH, WHAT WITH A YOUNG ROGUE DRAGON ON THE LOOSE SOMEWHERE. THERE IS NOTHING A DRAGON LIKES BETTER TO EAT THAN ELVES.”
“THAT LAST STATEMENT IS PRIMARILY UNSUPPORTED CONJECTURE,” protested Belinda, “BUT CAUTION IS PARAMOUNT PER THE PRIME PROTECTIVE PARADIGM OF THE THIRD COUNCIL OF WHINDOOM. THUS I AGREE.”
“HA! SHE AGREES!” said Kip, grinning. He pulled a small book and pencil from a pocket and after opening it, made a short entry to one of the pages. “TODAY I LEAD SEVENTY SEVEN TO SIXTY THREE, THUS PROVING MY HYPOTHESIS.”
“A STATISTICAL ANOMALY, BROTHER,” responded Belinda. “THE TIME BASELINE IS OBVIOUSLY INSUFFICIENT FOR LEGITIMATE GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. PLUS, YOUR HYPOTHESIS REEKS OF FAULTY EMPIRICISM, AS IT COUNTS ISSUES WITHOUT JUDICIOUSLY WEIGHING THEM.”
“I AGREE,” responded Kip, with a shrug.
Grinning, Belinda pulled out her own tiny notebook and entered a notation.
So it went. The elves followed George about for the remainder of the school day, riding on his shoulders between classes to avoid being stepped on. The entire time they talked to each other incessantly about not much of anything. George was at last forced to ignore their jitter-jabber, both to avoid insanity and to enable himself to participate in his classes.
“Do all elves talk so much?” Mary asked them, as they all walked home.
“CERTAINLY NOT.” Kip responded telepathically in English. “MOST FAIR FOLK TALK FAR MORE THAN WE DO. WE ARE PHILOSOPHERS, TRUE DEEP THINKERS, AND AS SUCH APPLY OUR FEW CHOSEN WORDS SLOWLY AND WITH GREAT CARE.”
“Thus we were picked to interact with humans, and we also even can tolerate for short periods conversations with dragons, if need be,” added Belinda, switching to voice mode.
“Though we would much prefer to not interact with dragons at all,” said Kip.
“We much prefer humans over dragons,” added Kip, “or even trolls, though that choice is less easy.”
“That is confusing sentence structure, brother,” chided Belinda. "To clarify, dragons usually think too slow. Humans and trolls both think and speak at much more tolerable speeds.”
“Not that dragons are dull, in the usual sense of the term,” said Kip.
“Or without interesting information,” Belinda added.
“However, being immortal they are usually in no hurry at all to state a point,” said Kip.
“Yet they are not so bad as many in that respect,” added Belinda. "There are many others that speak far slower."
“But they do eat elves,” noted Kip. "We are fairly certain of that!"
“There also is that, but not all dragons do so,” Belinda retorted. “That generalization sometimes proves untrue. Jewel has not eaten any of us that we know of, for example."
“As is obvious without saying, for here we are,” added Kip.
“A situation we hope to continue with the young male dragon you now befriend,” stated Belinda. “We must however classify him as ‘rogue’ for our own protection, until we are otherwise convinced.”
“Not that you should tell us, but do you know his name?” Kip asked George.
“I’ll clarify the question still further,” Belinda added, before George could respond. “If you do know his name, DO NOT tell us or anyone else what that name is, unless the dragon agrees. You can, however, tell us if you know his name, while not telling us his name.”
“Carefully,” added Kip. “Don’t think his name or you might let it slip out telepathically without intending to say it.”
“An important point that I fully agree with,” added Belinda.
Kip pulled out his notebook and pencil, at last giving George the opening he needed. “No, I don’t know his name. I’ve asked him many times, but he won’t answer me about that or anything else. He won’t talk to me at all!”
“Ah-ha!” exclaimed both elves at once.
“Who are you both talking to?” asked Johnny, who had just joined them.
Mary pulled Johnny aside to explain that she and George were having a conversation with invisible elves. He took the news fairly well.
"We will talk openly in your presence also, brother to Mary," said Kip. "As to you not being able to communicate with your dragon, this explains much, young George.”
“Perhaps all,” said Belinda.
“I agree,” both elves said at once, then smiled as they both recorded the agreements in their notebooks.
“Agree to what?” asked Mary, taking advantage of the unusual gap in elf-talk. “How does what he said explain anything?”
“A Chosen should already know the true name of their dragon,” said Kip.
“Or so the legends say,” added Belinda. “We don’t traffic much with actual living dragons.”
“But as natural philosophers we are of course experts in legends about dragons,” acknowledged Kip.
“Legends are usually correct,” returned Belinda. “Despite their poor reputation in your so-called academic community.”
“WAIT,” interrupted George, switching to telepathy. “HOW COULD I BE EXPECTED TO KNOW HIS NAME IF HE WON’T TELL ME?”
“AN INTERESTING QUANDARY, IS IT NOT, PURELY FROM A LOGIC PERSPECTIVE?” Kip remarked.
“HAVE YOU THE ANSWER YOURSELF, YOUNG ONE?” asked Belinda.
George considered.
“Or even a guess?” prompted Kip, after a few seconds of blessed silence. “Come now; anything at all?”
George was coming to greatly appreciate the brief straight-forward manner of discussion employed by Grog. “He told me already and I don’t recognize that he did?” he ventured.
“That is indeed one possibility,” said Belinda, “the other being that some degree of insight is expected of you that you haven’t been able to yet master.”
“Though only you can solve such a problem, of course,” said Kip.
“But what should I do?” George asked.
“That is perhaps too obvious for us to say,” said Belinda. “We may have already said too much.”
“We wouldn’t want to anger your dragon; no, no, no, we wouldn’t,” said Kip. “On to other matters, then.”
“I agree,” said Belinda, with a smile.
George and Mary went on to describe issues to the elves, including the Government related ones.
“Ellen, we would meet, and also the man Henry for a short time,” Kip finally agreed. “And Rick, of course. That meeting is a long time overdue.”
“Within the ward, at
the Simple House or yard,” added Belinda.
“Preferably today, as soon as it can be arranged,” Kip added. “We will officially renew the Treaty at that time.”
“Or not renew it, of course,” added Belinda.
“What about Johnny?” Mary asked.
“Certainly Johnny may take part,” said Kip. “We must all make due with our siblings." He glanced at his sister.
"All must swear secrecy," said Belinda. "Mary, you would have been added to Harry’s group in time, that had always been our hope. Johnny may be more a danger than an asset, but we have little alternative. Blood is blood.” She glanced with a frown at her own brother, and then at Johnny.
"I'm your man," said Johnny.
Belinda responded by bopping her brother on the head sharply with a tiny fist, but they were both smiling. “Dragons grow fast,” she added. “That secret may quickly become impossible to keep. Yet all must keep it as long as possible, even from our three Government friends.”
“We will try,” promised George.
“Your parents would be proud of you, but saddened with the pace and harshness of recent events, George, son of Joan and Evan,” said Kip. “The end of your childhood comes much too soon. Humans suffer an absurdly short life-span.”
“Some Elves, it is said, never grow up at all,” quipped Belinda, as she glanced at her brother.
Arrangements for Rick, Ellen and Henry to visit were easily made. They had to have been staying somewhere relatively close, since the three of them arrived together within an hour.
George greeted them at the street. Instead of the ominous black limo, the visiting trio arrived in a small bright yellow Volkswagen Beetle driven by Ellen.
“Nice wheels,” George remarked, as he shook their hands.
“Handy size for you or Grog to carry around, if you are so inclined,” quipped Ellen.
“When do we meet the elf representatives?” Henry asked excitedly, as they entered the pathway.
In truth, the invisible elves had joined the party as soon as the humans had started down the path, but George didn’t want to blow their cover. It had taken him only a short time to teach himself how to sense Kim and Belinda even when they were invisible. “Sooner than you think,” he replied, hoping that they would show themselves immediately.
“What are they like?” Ellen asked.
“Very talkative,” George explained. Indeed, he and Mary could even now ‘hear’ them talking to each other telepathically. “It must put a big strain on them to be silent.”
“Do they seem secretive to you?” asked Henry.
“No, not compared to you Government folks,” explained George. “They’re quite forthcoming with their opinions when they do engage in conversation. It’s just that they are used to physically hiding a lot in their world from enemies, I think.”
“Narma is a very dangerous place, I take it,” said Henry.
“Yes, given the Horde,” agreed George. But this wasn’t Narma. It annoyed him a little that the elves would remain invisible and eavesdrop on the humans. “How many elves does it take to change a light bulb, do you suppose?”
“I wouldn’t assume they have any light bulbs,” said Henry, taking the question seriously.
“If they did, it would require less than two of them to change one,” said George. “One elf is the only possible answer. Two or more couldn’t do it.”
“I think you’re right,” agreed Rick, with a laugh. “From what Harry has told me, two or more elves could simply debate the whole situation forever.”
This brought a distinct high pitched giggle from nearby, and hearty laughter only slightly deeper in tone. The laughter was audible to everyone; the three Government folks stopped in their tracks.
“VERY CLEVER, YOUNG GEORGE,” said Kip.
“HE’S FORCED US TO EXPOSE OURSELVES,” said Belinda.
“THE HUMAN SENSE OF HUMOR IS A POTENT TOOL,” said Kip. “IT IS NOT AS REFINED AS OURS THOUGH.”
“I AGREE,” said Belinda.
The elves stubbornly remained invisible and silent to the visitors, however.
“Kip and Belinda are shy,” George explained to the human guests. “They have made themselves invisible. They’ll show themselves once they become a little more comfortable with you.”
The party reached the house.
“My predecessor was able to briefly meet an elf gentleman named Kip seventy eight years ago, when the Treaty was originally established,” said Rick, as they walked into the study where Mary and Johnny waited. Grog arrived to stand in the doorway. “I myself have never had the pleasure, though on a few occasions I’ve heard giggles or had little pranks played on me. When I first got the job they didn’t show themselves, though they worked through Harry to ask me about a hundred questions. Harry described several elves to me in some detail though. Kip and Belinda are brother and sister philosopher diplomats.”
“An apt description,” said Kip, as he and Belinda materialized atop a table, which brought gasps from the Government folks. The tiny elves had removed their armor and weapons, and wore only green outfits that made them look very elf-like indeed.
George introduced everyone and they all shook hands. There were smiles all around.
“How do you become invisible?” Henry asked.
“A reasonable question of a scientific nature from the scientist,” remarked Belinda.
“And one which we have no way of answering,” added Kip.
“We think it, and it becomes that way, though it is harder to do on Earth,” continued Belinda.
“You speak of magic?” asked Ellen.
“We speak of a natural talent we elves have learned in order to survive,” noted Belinda. “Magic and science are human terms.”
“Harry said he thought we did something to alter or take advantage of quantum mechanics,” added Kip. “Whatever that is.”
“We find your science fascinating but of very limited practical value,” noted Belinda. “When one is fleeing a Gron or Bastic that wants to suck out your brain or feed your flesh to its young, a tasty elf must simply try to hide. Hence invisibility. It’s a natural elf adaptation that has also been very useful in eluding the Horde.”
“Fascinating,” said Henry, though he was clearly disappointed not to be having a detailed scientific discussion. “Still, we are studying samples we obtained of Narma materials. In time that may lead to important scientific advances. Could we discuss that?”
“In time, but first I think we should re-establish the Treaty,” said Mary.
“Yes, perhaps in time, young one,” said Kip, “but we are first currently working on something even more fundamental and necessary.”
“Trust,” suggested Rick.
“Yes,” agreed Belinda. “Your incite serves you well. In that regard, we have hopefully to your satisfaction at least established that we elves exist and are civilized. Also Jewel and the Horde dragons she destroyed should have added much credibility to claims made about dangers that the Earth faces from the Horde and so-forth.”
“Let’s talk about what some of us don’t know,” said Henry. “It is obvious that dragons play a central role and are enormously powerful. What can you tell us about dragons and their role in this whole affair? Are there additional good dragons?”
The elves were uncharacteristically silent for several seconds while they pathed each other furiously. “We can indeed confirm the general conclusion that you have reached,” said Kip at last. “Dragons are central. We can also add amplifying information, such as the fact that dragons are nearly extinct. This is because the Dark One has destroyed or consumed most of his rivals to become a super powerful dragon. We can say also that dragons are dangerous but not inherently evil, and that the few dragons that remain independent from the Horde oppose the Dark One and elemental Evil. We can also point out that dragons live for many thousands of your years and are very intelligent, independent, secretive, and strong willed.
“Narma and Earth
are fortunate that the dragon Jewel opposes the Horde. Dragons are best known by dragons, or by other elementals, and are known mostly by elves and other lesser beings largely through legends passed on for hundreds of their generations. Most elves have never seen a dragon.”
“And lived,” added Grog, from the doorway.
“We will not say more of dragons at this time,” added Belinda. She gave Grog a disapproving glance.
“Interesting,” said Henry. “So dragons can be good or bad! What is an elemental?”
“An elemental is a being not like other life,” said Kip. “All life such as you and I make use of what you Earthers call energy, but are fundamentally material in structure, and make use of complex carbon-based molecules and water, as described admirably in your science. Elementals are very different. In short, elementals ARE energy more amorphous in form than ordinary matter, though they favor certain stable forms and often are hosted by material forms.
"Harry has said that they are energy that has evolved, in contrast to normal life which is matter evolved. Such boundaries are indistinct, however, as some matter-based forms have learned to manipulate energy as well as matter, and most elementals have learned to manipulate matter and assume material form. Indeed, most elementals choose to assume the form of creatures that look like material life forms, and as well assume many of their ways. But they are not life such as you and I. They are often constrained by habit and custom, but with sufficient will and effort can in some ways remake themselves.”
Grog snorted, but otherwise remained silent.
“And this dragon you call the Dark One chooses Evil,” said Ellen.
“Both your people and mine agree that the Dark One is monstrously driven by Evil that he harbors,” said Kip, nodding, "Evil itself being a primitive elemental form that opposes and indeed feeds on normal life. The closest analog in your world may be a virus."
“The Dark One and Evil seek the death of all life?” asked Henry.
“Evidently. From hence arises our mutual interest in cooperation through a Treaty,” concluded Belinda.
“But how?” asked Henry. “How can our alliance hope to defeat such powerful enemies as the Dark One and his Horde? Not even our most powerful weapons of war are effective against even his Horde members.”
“Ah, that is the heart of the matter,” said Kip, beaming.
“Which we agreed you would indeed be clever enough to ask us about,” noted Belinda. “Compared to Narma, which is already beset by the Horde, Earth is a safe haven for the nurturing of our champions, who will one day save both our worlds.”
“They will first defend Earth against Evil,” said Kip.
“And when the champions are mature, they will go to Narma to fight the Horde,” added Belinda.
“And ultimately destroy the Dark One himself,” concluded Kip.
“So it is said in legends of our world and many others,” concluded Belinda.
“Maturing of champions!” said Henry, looking at the teens. “These children?”
“That is our hope,” said Kip.
Henry shook his head. “We are very impressed by George, of course, but it seems rather farfetched to think he would ever be a match for any dragon.”
“He and Mary are those whom we call the Chosen Ones. In time, as they learn more of what that means, they will enlighten both you and us further on what it means. You are, however, already familiar with some of the Earthly exploits of George’s illustrious relative, Harry?”
“We are,” said Rick. “As a young man I documented many of them myself.”
“He and George’s mother had many more exploits on Narma. Yet they were not fully Chosen,” said Belinda.
“George and Mary will face greater dangers and have greater exploits and much greater powers than their forbearers,” said Kim.
“So it is said,” added Belinda.
“Said by whom?” asked Henry. “You speak as though you already know what will happen.”
The elves looked at each other and shrugged. “Visions of what may happen in the future are rare but it is not unusual for dragons to have that power,” said Kip. “Dragon dreams are said to be the source of Narma elf and Earth human legends of the Chosen.”
“The legends are somewhat vague, but do specify that Chosen humans allied with elves will be key in destroying the Dark One,” said Belinda.
“Which is why most humans of Narma have been exterminated by the Horde,” said Kip.
“And why elves have also been decimated and made to suffer,” added Belinda.
“This whole Chosen One business is based on only a legend?” Henry asked.
“Legend based on dragon dreams that are of credible possible futures which are now becoming reality,” Kip clarified.
“And which are our only hope to end the nightmare of the Dark One and His Evil,” said Belinda. “Visions and resulting legends only offer guidance as to what is possible, however. Often they only become reality because of great struggle and sacrifice to make them come true. To end the nightmare we face however, any struggle, any sacrifice, is worth the effort. The nightmare we live in Narma is something that none of you Earthers can fully understand, but you should be very thankful for that.”
“What can’t we understand?” asked Ellen. “Please help us understand, whatever it is.”
The smiles had disappeared from the tiny faces of both elves, and Kip put his arms around his smaller sister to comfort her.
“Not a good idea,” rumbled Grog.
“No friend troll, perhaps it would help,” said Kip. “Very well, we will show you some of our own memories.”
“How?” began Ellen, “are you going to mess with our minds?”
“Do not be alarmed, it is only memories; mere shadows of reality,” said Belinda. “You will not be harmed, and it will last only a very brief time, though it will seem much longer span to you.”
With that the elves both closed their eyes.
To all the humans it seemed their own eyes reopened to another world. They were among a group of several smiling, laughing, playing elf children, prancing through a great forest, along a well-worn dirt path. The trees were enormous, even considering they were being viewed from the standpoint of a juvenile elf. The green trunks were sectioned bamboo-like and over ten feet in diameter; each split a hundred feet overhead into roughly a dozen great branches that shot in all directions and ended in monstrous pom-poms of huge green and purple leaves. High above the trees twin suns shone brightly through puffy white clouds.
Colorful, insect-like flying creatures flitted about in great profusion, many of them with multi-legged, multi-segmented bodies larger than the young elves. These paid particular attention to ten-foot tall, lily-like flowers that grew to each side of the path in clumps of hundreds of plants.
They were obviously seeing through the eyes of one of the elves as they trotted along down the path. Suddenly the point of view changed as the elf suddenly shot up dozens of feet into the air, than dropped head-first into a huge flower that enveloped them in cool, soft petals.
The humans gasped at the overpowering, rich sweet aroma of the flower.
“Kip!” said an incredibly high pitched voice, between laughter, “you’ll be sorry!”
The elf shot up out of the flower and literally flew towards another of the children, a grinning male elf significantly bigger and older than the others. There was no mistaking Kip, though he looked younger. He looked up in surprise, than first shot off in a dead run, and then took flight himself.
The chase took them off the path in into the forest, dodging among trees, flowers, and insects. The pursuing elf nearly caught Kip several times, but he dodged skillfully. Both were laughing as they went until at last the pursuer slammed atop Kip and tumbled him to the ground.
“Your flying has much improved, Sister,” said Kip, when he was finally able to cease his laughter and catch his breath long enough to speak.
“I agree, Brother,” said Belinda,
breathlessly.
They both lay back on the ground to rest for a bit, staring up at trees swaying in gentle breezes below puffy clouds drifting high overhead.
Suddenly the ground rumbled and shook violently, bouncing the young elves several feet into the air and causing tree leaves the size of table tops to fall to the ground around them.
“Not a quake,” said Kip. “But then what?”
In the distance they could hear the voices of their playmates, though too faintly to make out any words. Of their thoughts only fear could be detected.
“Are they screaming?” Belinda asked, puzzled.
“The tremor must have frightened them,” reasoned Kip. “I am eldest, I should be with them.”
“It’s more than that,” said Belinda. “Something is wrong; something very bad. Their fear is so great that they can no longer clearly form thoughts.”
“I know,” said Kip. He felt it too.
“I don’t hear them anymore at all,” said Belinda. “We need to get to them.”
“We’ll run on the ground to conserve our strength," said Kip, "and to stay under the cover of trees. Avid broadcasting thoughts also.”
Belinda felt puzzled about why they should stay hidden, but they were soon too busy running for her to ask any questions. As the elves ran back to the path, the human witnesses could feel tension and fear build in both elves. In a few minutes they were approaching the path.
Kip suddenly stopped so suddenly that Belinda nearly bowled him over again. She looked around him to see what he was staring at wide-eyed. At first what she saw was so odd and monstrous her mind had problems dealing with it, but in a moment the horror of it fully registered painfully. It was a small elf hand attached to a few inches of torn, bloody arm, lying lifeless in the branches of a small bush. On one of the fingers was a ring with blue stone that she immediately identified as belonging to her best friend, Rena.
What happened immediately after that was seen though eyes of a crying, terrified child. At Kip’s insistence, Belinda retreated deeper into the forest while he searched alone for signs of the other young elves.
The perspective the human viewers experienced then clearly switched from Belinda to that of a distraught Kip as he approached the path. Repeatedly he tried to contact his parents, and than any adult, via telepathy, but got no answer. Those efforts were forgotten when he reached the area where he expected to find the other young elves.
What he found was truly horrific: elf remains were strewn all about, crushed, torn or burned. Perhaps worse, he found one elf child near death, broken and torn beyond any hope of repair by even elf magic. All Kip could do was kneel next to her for a few agonizing minutes and use his limited skills to ease her pain until she died. There was almost no trace of whatever had attacked them; only a faint aura of Evil.
Kip ran back to Belinda and fled with her towards the town, though he was careful to bypass the path and the carnage. They ran warily, constantly alert for danger, but saw nothing.
As they ran, Kip’s numbed thoughts turned to speculation as to what had attacked the children. There were dangerous beasts in the forest that could take an unaware elf child, but not a dozen elf students that had defensive training. There were also occasional traveling strangers that could pose danger, but to what purpose? Besides, beasts or strangers would have left footprints and other evidence.
No, this must be related to rumors that a powerful dragon had turned rogue and along with his Horde of followers was killing and destroying everyone and everything they encountered. When last he heard, the problem hadn’t reached Narma, but the Elders were very worried. Now when he tried to reach anyone in the town telepathically, there was only silence. Were they staying silent to avoid detection, or had something terrible happened to them also?
As they approached the elf town, the two young elves began to find signs of massive destruction. The tops of trees were blackened and smoking, as though singed by fire. Soon they encountered entire trees that were dead and blackened, along with bushes and flowers similarly destroyed.
On a hill that overlooked the town their worst fears were realized. They saw that the entire town was blackened and smoldering.
“The protective ward exploded as it was overcome,” said Belinda. “That was the origin of the sound and quake. Only a dragon or unicorn would have the power to do this.”
“The burns are from some form of dragon fire, I think,” added Kip. He had never seen a dragon, but there were many stories told of them.
“Is that what killed the children?” Belinda asked. Kip had told her they were dead, but had provided no details.
“No,” said Kip. A dragon would not bother tearing each individual elf to bits. “Lesser members of the Horde, I suspect, were sent after elves in outlying areas while the dragon focused on the town. Something else that can fly attacked our party. Griffins, perhaps.”
The two elves said nothing else, but could only sob and cry as they walked into what had been their home-town. Some buildings still burned, but most were already reduced to ash. Elf bodies, burned almost beyond recognition, littered the ground by the hundreds. Elves, domestic animals, grass, trees: everything was dead.
At last they reached the blackened, smoldering remains of their own home. A half-dozen flame blackened bodies were inside. It had to be their parents, grandmother, and three older siblings.
The six humans came out of their trance to find Kip and Belinda hugging each other as they cried openly. It was obvious that they had become too distraught to continue.
The humans were all shaken by what they had experienced. Even the normally wise-cracking Johnny sat quiet and slack-jawed.
“That was only the beginning,” explained Grog, speaking almost in a whisper. “All elf, human, and troll towns on Narma soon were destroyed, and most elves, humans, and trolls were killed.”
“That’s horrible,” said Mary.
“Most that still lived were hunted down and made slaves to the Horde,” Grog continued.
“How many still live now?” asked Rick.
“Don’t know," Grog said with a shrug. "Maybe only few hundred humans, a few thousand trolls, a few tens of thousands of elves survive from populations of many millions. Of elves only few thousand hiding such as Kip and Belinda be not slaves. All humans except maybe a few be hiding. Most humans found are killed, not made slaves.”
“What have we showed you happened to us about a thousand of your years ago,” said a more composed Kip. “It was only the beginning of a nightmare for us that has never ended. Many hundreds of such scenes we have seen; many thousands more we know of. Death and misery beyond comprehension. We have also heard of similar disasters on many other planets besides our home-world of Narma.”
“So you understand better now, when we say this is our only hope to end our nightmare, that this is very important to us,” added Belinda. “It is everything.”
“And so that you also comprehend better what you face,” said Kip, “also understand that other planets have had science and weapons. Some had great ships that traveled between planets, and weapons far beyond yours.”
“None have stopped the Dark One or his Horde,” said Belinda.
“Most planets the Dark One visits become totally dead worlds,” explained Kip. “Your weapons would not stop them, any more than we could.”
“Thank you,” said Henry, after a few moments of shocked silence. “I think we understand much better now. Your story is both humbling and terrifying beyond comprehension.”
A Treaty very similar to the original one was soon agreed to. The most significant change discussed was one that involved the fact that in the eyes of the human community, George was a minor. Finally it was decided that Ellen had permission to live in the Simple House with George. She would be given paperwork making her his legal guardian as a long-lost aunt, even though in reality George would have final say in all matters.
“We agree to this despite what your superiors have told you,”
said Kip to her.
Ellen appeared shocked.
“We have seen your heart as well as your thoughts,” explained Belinda.
“I don’t understand,” said Henry. Rick also appeared to be puzzled.
“We are aware that Jerrod and his bosses still do not trust us,” said George.
“This we have all seen,” added Belinda, “even the young Chosen ones.” She nodded towards George and Mary.
“Your bosses have put you into a very awkward situation, Ellen,” said Belinda. “They think of using us all for their petty purposes, and still scheme to seize this house and all that live in it. However, we trust you personally, Ellen. Your stronger alliance is to a greater good. Rick has chosen well, under the circumstances.”
Ellen forced an awkward smile. “I am actually very relieved to have this out in the open.”
“I can’t say that I’m surprised,” said Henry. “There are different factions in our Government with very different opinions on how to deal with this business.”
“Tell them all that such games cannot be tolerated,” said George.
“The President will tell them,” said Henry. “However, it is their duty to retain skepticism about everything, regardless of what even the President tells them.”
“Skepticism is understandable and tolerable,” said Kip. “Betrayal would not be.”
“Betrayal would be a grave mistake,” said Belinda. “The safety and development of the Chosen is paramount. We would be forced to move them to another planet. We would regret having to do such a thing, but Earth is only one small world, while the fate of thousands of other worlds, including our own world Narma, is at stake.”
“I would also have to support leaving here, if the Government forced it,” said George. Mary simply nodded.
“Your world would then be left without immediate protection,” added Kip.
“From a Horde that has standing orders to kill all humans,” added Belinda.
“You are saying that we must trust you,” said Henry, “but there are things you do not trust us to know. Trust goes both ways.”
“You will learn everything soon enough,” said Kip. “But you humans have a rule about secrets having to do with a 'need to know'. When you need to know, you will know, that we promise you.”
“I wouldn’t support that position if it was something harmful to my planet or my country,” added George.
“Nor would I,” said Mary. “And we must insist that Ellen also keep certain secrets until we agree to release them.”
“What if I feel it my duty to report it?” Ellen asked. “For my planet or country?”
“We said that we trusted you,” said Kip. “You must first help George and Mary in deciding. We trust in George, aided by Grog and Mary, to represent both our interests and yours. But if Ellen were to come to feel she must tell your Government something we will not stop her.”
“Does your Government trust Ellen as much as we?” asked Belinda.
“To some degree,” said Henry. “If we didn’t, she wouldn’t be here today.”
“Very well then, it is decided,” said Belinda, as everyone else nodded their agreement.
Soon the Treaty was signed and the Government visitors left.
Much to the disappointment of the teenagers, Kip and Belinda announced that they must immediately return to Narma. George, Mary and Grog walked them to the Portal.
“But there are so many questions unanswered!” complained George. “Especially about dragons.”
“We two are not true dragon experts,” replied Kip.
“We are indeed very much inclined to avoid dragons altogether,” added Belinda.
“Your uncle’s library and Grog contain much more information on dragons than do we,” explained Kip.
Grog shrugged. “I can tell you more, but maybe you won’t like it.”
“Great!” said Johnny. "Dragons are SO cool!"
“What about witches?” George asked.
“We are unfortunately very familiar with witches,” conceded Kip.
“We suspect that Witch Greble may be the Witch that killed your parents,” said Belinda. “We had thought her dead by your mother’s hand, but can think of none other who would so strongly seek revenge on your parents and would possess the needed powers and skills. She must have somehow found the Portal and came here to Earth to seek out revenge on Joan Simple.”
George was too stunned to say anything. His parent’s murderer had a name now!
“She is very dangerous,” added Kip, “as well as very difficult to detect.”
“Jewel has the best chance of finding and defeating her,” added Belinda. “We hope to return to Narma and find out that Jewel has already succeeded in destroying her in Narma. In the meantime, be alert, young George, for she might not be in Narma.”
“I agree,” said Kip. “Logic dictates that she could possibly return to Earth.”
“Though that is perhaps improbable,” said Belinda, “as suggested by Jewel’s decision to seek her in Narma.”
Mary shook her head. “I don’t think that conclusion necessarily follows. Jewel went to Narma to prevent the worst-case scenario that the Witch may inform others of the Horde of what she suspects to be happening on Earth, and that the Sisters are in pursuit of something of interest to the Dark One. That doesn’t mean that she thinks that the Witch is in Narma for certain, only that it would the worst case situation.”
"Excellent logic!" remarked Belinda.
“I see what you mean,” said George. “That sort of reasoning is used by humans in something called operations research. So the bottom line for you is this: you think the Witch may be on Earth?”
“The bottom line is, I have no idea,” said Mary, “but I don’t think any of us do.”
“I agree,” said Kip, with a shrug.
“I too,” added Belinda.
“The witch be here only a few days ago,” rumbled Grog.
“By what logic do you arrive at that conclusion, my large and hairy friend?” asked Kip.
Grog pointed to his nose. “Her Evil smell of death lingers here, though she not be near here now. Maybe she go to Narma again, or maybe she be somewhere else on Earth.”
“Great,” commented Mary. "We don't even know which universe she is in!"
****