Hieronymus Jones and the Lullaby for the drowned.: Hieronymus Jones, #3

By Michael Palmer-Cryle

A shadow is falling over the island, one that threatens to tear apart two exclusive best friends... figuratively and literally.

 

Will their young hearts be ground to a fine paste under the uncaring boot heel of far too many people, things and monsters who should really be doing something more constructive than pooping all over Hiero and Gerty's good time?

 

The Mayor and his sociopathic whack-job of a son are bad enough but even their unfortunate levels of jerk-ness can't compete with the thing that has just clawed its way into the bowels of the island. Will Gerty ever get to ask Hiero her most important question?

 

New secrets and enemies are revealed, new feelings are realized and hope is fought for and lost. Return to a world of magic, hidden civilizations, impossibly advanced technology, and far too many blonde little snots running around with sharp objects. A world where Hiero and Gerty will be forced to remember something they never thought they would be forced to endure again.

 

What it feels like to be alone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sleepy Goblin Press
• Release date: Jun 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9780648422471

Michael Palmer-Cryle

Michael Palmer-Cryle began writing at an early age and his first illustrated children's book, "the Punk Puss" was published in the pages of his hometown newspaper when he was ten years of age. it was dreadful and embarrasses him deeply to this day, you will never be allowed to see it... ever. with the mortification of that event behind him, he now focuses on young adult fantasy fiction, as well as illustrated children's books. His debut novel 'Hieronymus Jones and the teacup squid' is available now and book two will be released soon. Michael is an independent (indie) author, publishing under the imprint of Sleepy Goblin Press. Michael lives in Brisbane, Australia with his partner and two cats

Book preview

Chapter One.

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The creature towered over him, twice his height, it stretched its rough, leathery lips over tusks and teeth… it bellowed. The almighty roar froze the blood in his companion’s veins, as she shivered. The ogre stretched out its powerful arms and took in a mighty breath, it fixed its yellow eyes upon the two standing before it and roared once again. Onlookers from several different Fae species, watched with interest, transfixed by the scene. An ogre in the prime of its life is one of the most physically powerful creatures in the entire Fae world. What made this such an unusual sight, was that this ogre was being challenged. Challenged by a human male, with a most peculiar mind and a young woman with impossibly red hair and perfect green eyes.

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Fourteen hours earlier

Gertrude Green lay on her bed, going over the previous day in her mind, as she often did. Miss Haversham was a memory, several months old now. Gerty’s part in the creature’s death still haunted her. However, Gerty had found a measure of peace in the knowledge, that she only did what she did, to protect him. Hieronymus Jones, Hiero, her best friend. Her EXCLUSIVE best friend. Gerty smiled to herself as she mused over the nature of their relationship. There were many rules in the world of exclusive best friendship. Snuggling was allowed, as were hugs and hand-holding, these were staples of the exclusive best friend arrangement… everyone knows that. Also, the occasional neck nibbling was permissible and was a totally normal thing to be done. Their friendship had certainly evolved, their supply of secrets was dwindling too.

Gerty closed her eyes and smiled once again, it was the smile of someone who was accepted. Many of her closely guarded secrets, things she had done, things that she was, had been spilled. Hiero didn’t run, he didn’t look at her as if she were less, he just hugged her and bit her neck softly a bunch of times. She had once hated herself for what she was, but now, she had started to accept the parts of her that were different. Hiero didn’t know everything just yet, there was still a secret or two she held on to, and they were big ones. Big secrets, big lies, but unimportant to him. At least she hoped, that was how he would see, the last of the things she hid. She still had a little work to be done in the whole self-acceptance arena, but she was working on it.

Gerty had admitted that she had found the Lemurian city to her adopted parents. Since that day, her parents had set her to work and visited their contacts on the mainland, many times. Her parent’s contacts were people with a dark purpose, they were filled with hate… so were her parents.

Gerty felt the tingle at her wrist. The one that told her, that the phase-shifted phone, hidden on her arm, was receiving a text message. This text was from the most important person in Gerty’s whole world, Hiero. She sat up on her old mattress, that lay upon the ground, she was so excited that she bounced up and down slightly on her crossed legs. Her message read,

Dear Gerty, if you would be so kind, I would greatly enjoy the pleasure of your company tomorrow at the library, if this is acceptable please reply in the affirmative. It being Sunday tomorrow, I hoped you might be able to spend the whole day? Sincerely, your exclusive best friend, Hieronymus Jones.

Gerty held her phone to her chest, she found that she often did this when she got a message from Hiero. As if the message itself, deserved a hug.

Dear Hiero, absolutely. My parents will be on the mainland until after midnight on Sunday, so I could even stay a bit later too. If you want me to? Your exclusive best friend, Gerty. Gerty hit send, actually, she double-checked what she had written several times, then hit send. She shuddered with shame as she remembered the night, she had signed off as Hiero’s girlfriend in a previous text. There had been much shame-flailing and Hiero-based teasing that day.

Gerty said the word ‘girlfriend’ out loud to herself several times. She blushed and curled into a ball. It was a happy, smiley, kind of ball. A new tingle, for a new text, Gerty sat back up to read again.

Dear Gerty, as your hateful, soulless, disgraceful, excuses for parents, will be away, how do you feel about coming to the library early and taking a small trip with me? You would see lots of non-humans if that is of interest to you. Sincerely your exclusive best friend, Hieronymus Jones. Gerty’s eyes lit up. See lots of non-humans? That’s a yes. A trip with Hiero? That’s a hell yes. Gerty replied.

Dear Hiero, yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes, Sincerely, your exclusive best friend, Gerty. The pair had taken to using the term ‘exclusive best friend’ a lot lately. Signing off on messages, casual conversation, whatever. It was kind of obnoxious to anyone looking in, but to them, it was important. It was a step closer.

Gerty lay back down, her feet hung over the end of the mattress that was too small for her, she smiled dreamily. As she fell asleep she wondered where they would be going and who they would meet when they got there.

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Gertrude Green, door open, the folding floor door in the rickety, badly built shed, that housed the entrance to the library, peeled away. Gerty ran down the staircase and unlocked the glamour that hid the internal door, she leaped through without looking. Hieronymus Jones was waiting for her at the base of the staircase. Hieronymus Jones was now flat on his back, bowled over, by a Gerty-shaped missile. She had not realized he was so close when she leaped through the door and collided with him. Hiero, I’m so sorry… are you dead? If you’re dead, can I have your stuff? Gerty smiled down at Hiero as his pale skin reddened.

Good morning Gerty, are you well? Hiero tried his best to sound casual. This was not an easy task to achieve, considering that Gerty was now sitting atop him, having accidentally come to rest there, post-collision.

Can’t complain, can’t complain. You seem a little bit red Hiero, do you have a fever? Gerty smiled wickedly, Hiero began to believe that her accidental positioning was not as accidental, as he had first believed. Hiero smiled, it started slowly then spread, until his whole expression was one of adoration. He sat up, Gerty still on his lap, and wrapped his arms around her. He whispered,

I win. Gerty nodded, her eyes wide, her skin just as red as his, as she hugged him back and buried her face in his neck.

The two had, somewhere along the line, decided that ‘exclusive best friends’ should hug, at least once a day. Whoever hugged the other first on each day, was the winner. Today it was Hiero, Gerty enjoyed losing this game as much as she enjoyed winning.

The two got to their feet, after a short while, and Gerty took Hiero’s left hand and pressed her lips to his palm. Gerty did that often. She had told Hiero, that since his left hand had been ripped off, eaten, and then re-grown, it needed to know how special it was. Hiero didn’t care about the reasoning behind the act, so long as he got to feel her soft lips on his skin. Exclusive best friends.

I have a gift for you, Gerty, an upgrade really. Gerty furrowed her brow for a moment then her face lit up.

Magical ultra-cool phone swords? Gerty put both of her palms on Hiero’s chest and stood on the tips of her toes as she asked. Hiero nodded,

Magical ultra-cool phone swords. Hiero withdrew the small black, matchbox-sized, device from his pocket. Gerty detached her phone from her wrist and Hiero attached the small device to the surface of the phone. The matchbox device scanned his thumbprint, then split open and immediately began reconfiguring her phone, following the instructions that were programmed into it. Gerty had seen this device working before, once on a drinking glass, once on the sand of a riverbed, to very different end results. The upgrade completed, Hiero handed Gerty back her phone.

It works exactly the same way as mine does. Hiero knew that was all he needed to say, Gerty had seen the way his worked, so emulating the commands was well within her abilities.

Gerty flicked open her phone and activated the new feature. The two halves of the phone split apart, the hard light holographic swords flickered into being. A pair of gently arching blades, molecule thin and impossibly sharp. The blade design was thinner than Hiero’s version, slightly longer too, he had designed them to be the perfect size and shape for her. Gerty giggled in a way that made Hiero wonder if he made a mistake in giving her a weapon like this. It was a cute giggle but also kind of evil. She spun the blades in her hands, slicing the air around her in a dazzling display. Her blades looked like nothing more than a blur, she was so fast and so precise.

Hiero took an unexpected step forward into the path of the flashing blades. They came to a stop, one at his throat and one at his upper thigh. Gerty’s expression was one of shock, then it was one of annoyance and anger.

Hiero what’s wrong with you? I could have chopped you all up. Gerty had her hands on her hips, her new ultra-cool phone swords, pointing into the air.

I wanted to see how good your reflexes were… very good, in case you’re curious. Gerty scowled back at him. Hiero stepped toward her and brushed her cheek. I know you wouldn’t hurt me. Hiero had succeeded in calming Gerty and drawing out her smile. Her smile meant so much to him. She thanked him, for her new carnage creating phone swords, then disappeared into another room to say hello to Squidgy.

Squidgy was still a demonic ball of slimy squid guts who disliked everything but Gerty. Hiero hated that friggen squid. He especially hated how jealous he got, of the diminutive cephalopod, when Gerty fawned over him like she was doing right now. Eventually the cooing and baby talk, informing Squidgy that he was cute and adorable and an ‘awesome little guy’ came to an end. Hiero could still taste the vomit.

I found something odd in the Lemurian book too, Hiero said out of the blue.

Did you discover something else that is coming to kill us and eat the world? Because we have enough of that already. We don’t want more. Gerty frowned at Hiero as she spoke, informing him that she was in no mood for crappy news. Hiero chuckled.

I have no idea what it is, the passage is encrypted, magically. Even if we had the key, we would still need someone who can actually use high-order magic, before we could decrypt it. So it will remain a mystery I’m afraid. Hiero said sadly.

But I’ve seen you use magic before? Gerty asked as she eyed off the comfy couch and moved toward it. The whole magic thing was a bit confusing at the best of times, so Gerty asked Hiero to explain the ins and outs of the practice. She also patted the comfy couch beside her, motioning for Hiero to join her there. Never one to miss an opportunity to show off his knowledge base, or sit next to Gerty, he quickly agreed to both requests.

Most anyone can use magic to the same degree I can. That kind of magic is extremely low-level and rudimentary. like the glamour on the door, or that little spell I used on Squidgy that time, to illuminate the magic enchanting him. Unfortunately, that was fairly close to the upper limit of what I am capable of. There are lots of small things like that, little slices of magic that I could use if I felt the need and if I studied. Of course, I would only ever be able to use low-level magic, because I am not a magical being. The next step up from me are members of the Fae races, like the Faeries and Go’blien, etc. They all have magic within them, that’s why they can use glamours to occlude their true appearance. However, that is all, that most of them can do. They can’t use real magic any more than I can. The next step up from them, are members of the Fae races that CAN use real magic, they are very few and far between. Faeries used to be able to, but after they lost their light, they lost their magic. After that comes high-order magic users, I have never even heard of one of those existing in more than legend and myth. Also, most beings can use magical items, like a unicorn horn or that fricken, squishy controlling, pendant, because the object itself is what holds the magic. So long story short, we are not going to be able to read that encrypted passage. Hiero nodded, his explanation being thorough and complete.

Speaking of Unicorn horns… Gerty picked up the Alicorn that was previously an object of extreme magic, now it was just old bone. There was the matter of Hiero’s hand too, an Alicorn cannot regenerate a missing hand, such a thing should be impossible. Hiero’s hand had regenerated though, Gerty knew this for a fact since she was currently holding that hand and playing with its fingers.

Indeed, regarding the Alicorn and my shiny new digits, I fear we will need to get outside information. Which brings us to today’s excursion. Hiero smiled mischievously as Gerty sat up straighter on the comfy couch. Knowledge is not the only thing we need, I finally got through all of the Ori Ki’al’s instructions on waking up her child and we will need a few things for her. Gerty was very grateful to hear that, Hiero had been spending an immense amount of time combing through the Ori Ki’al’s extensive instructions. She knew he felt a powerful need to help the Ori Ki’al’s seed, that seed was the first and last of its kind and it had been entrusted to them. I have almost all of what we need, but the seed will require a magically infused form of platinum to build the majority of her body from. Gerty raised her eyebrows.

She has to build her own body? She doesn’t just grow… like a baby? A people baby I mean. Hiero smiled over Gerty’s use of the term ‘people baby’ then explained.

As far as I can ascertain the seed will convert her own body from raw materials. We simply need to procure those materials, place the seed on top and stand back. I believe after a while the seed will emerge from this process, fully formed in an adult body. But to do that she first needs the raw materials. There is a magical process that can convert raw platinum into something capable of taking on many different properties. Once converted and controlled by a significantly powerful magical intelligence, such as the seed, the metal can take on the properties of flesh, bone, steel, a wide array of substances. Which makes it perfect for growing the body of an ancient technological/magical hybrid intelligence. Apparently, the Ori Ki’al thought this form of platinum was growing on trees, however, it took some significant effort to track down enough of the stuff for our purpose. I have set up the sale with a broker I have used before, for a reasonable price. Hiero nodded once again.

Isn’t platinum expensive? Like gold? Gerty asked reasonably.

Not quite that bad, gold is priced at roughly thirty-nine thousand, three hundred and ten dollars per kilogram. Whereas platinum is only about Twenty-seven thousand, three hundred and forty-five dollars a kilogram. Of course, the kind of platinum we need has been magically treated over the span of two centuries so it is roughly ten times that price. My broker has agreed to the price of only two hundred and fifty-six thousand eight hundred and fifty dollars per kilogram since I am buying in bulk. Quite the bargain. Hiero smiled and nodded, self-satisfied at the deal he had struck. Gerty was less sure this was a bargain.

That is a lot of money, a quarter of a million dollars, this kid better grow up to be a good person. Hiero frowned quizzically at Gerty’s statement.

Gerty, almost her entire body will be made of this metal, we need more than just one kilogram. Say seventy kilograms to be safe, assuming she is average adult human female size. Then an extra thirty kilograms in case she needs extra for some reason or is damaged in some way in the future. I ordered an even one hundred kilograms. Better safe than sorry. Gerty’s eyes grew wide.

That’s two hundred and fifty million dollars, Gerty exclaimed, Hiero nodded calmly.

This right here, is why people complain about the cost of raising a child. Hiero smiled cheekily, Gerty returned his smile and moved to sit a little closer. She realized that a quarter of a billion dollars was less important to him than helping the last of a species make its way into the world. Oh, also we need more of the Fae healing balm, we only have enough for one or two more treatments. Gerty snuggled up to him a little closer, as she thought of all of the times he had fixed her bruises and wounds with that balm. She couldn’t help but smile, her guilt over the high price of the balm, overridden by the memory of Hiero’s hands on her skin as he rubbed the balm on. Ready to go? We need to leave soon or we will miss the ferry to the mainland. Gerty sat up, overtaken by a wave of excitement.

We are going on the ferry?

We are indeed, we can only get to where we are going, from the mainland.

Where are we going Hiero?

The Go’blien bazaar, the goblin market.

Chapter Two.

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Aferry travels on the water, the water is part of the ocean, Hiero loathes the ocean. He was also absolutely terrified of it due to less than ideal circumstances from his childhood. Which is why, upon boarding the ferry from the island to the mainland, Hiero chose to sit on the upper deck. It was the point that was furthest from the water.

Hiero’s knuckles were white as he gripped the edge of his seat, still, he smiled. Gerty had only ever been on a boat once before, when she first came to the island, nearly a year ago. She had not been allowed to get out of the car she traveled on, within the bowels of the ferry. She had not even been allowed to roll down the window. This trip, she was free to roam anywhere she wanted. She chose to roam beside Hiero, holding his left hand, his right being firmly affixed to the edge of his seat. Hiero decided to fight through his fears and move to the railing of the ferry’s upper deck, in order to give Gerty a better view, without having to let go of her hand. As she stared out over the ocean, she smiled so joyfully that Hiero could not help but also smile, even if he was floating on the ocean.

Once docked, it was a short walk to the nearby helipad, where the white helicopter with blue trim, that would take them to their destination, waited. Gerty had never been on a helicopter and had giggled for most of the journey, this had caused the pilot to chuckle from beneath his mirrored sunglasses. Hiero enjoyed it immensely when he could do things with Gerty, that she had never done before. She would always remember those brand new experiences and so, would always remember him.

Hiero and Gerty had been deposited, by their aerial conveyance, on a small patch of cleared land in the center of an old and overgrown forest. There was a car park nearby, with a thin dirt road leading through the forest, connecting to a paved road some distance away. Gerty had waved to the pilot, as the helicopter became airborne once more and retreated into the sky. The pilot had waved back, embarrassed that he found himself smiling foolishly as he waved down to the beautiful young woman.

They waited until the helicopter was out of sight, then Hiero led them down a well-traveled trail through the gnarled, forest trees.

Gerty, I am sure I don’t have to say this but just in case, please don’t mention the Ori Ki’al or her seed ok? I am not sure how much the Fae as a whole know about the Lemurians and until I am certain, I don’t want to take any risks. The magic within the seed is intensely powerful and the raw materials it is made from, not to mention the ancient technology, could conceivably be worth billions. So you know, let’s just keep it between us. Hiero smiled and Gerty nodded with one eye closed and her finger to her lips.

A small and unimpressive cliff face awaited the pair, there was a cave within the cliff face, the cave was also unimpressive. On either side of the unimpressive cave within the unimpressive cliff, were a pair of deck chairs, upon which sat an unusual pair of people, sipping fruity drinks… ominously. At Hiero and Gerty’s approach, the deck chair inhabitants rose to their feet. Each was tall and lean, pale and dour, one was male, one was female. They each had blue eyes and very pale blonde hair, platinum blonde, not Ballantyne blonde. Each wore shorts, a singlet, and a Hawaiian shirt and each complained about the heat… incessantly.

Who are you? What do you want? Go away. The questions were asked, rudely, by the male deck chair inhabitant, in a thick Russian accent. He was pretending he was far more intimidating than he was. He still held his fruity drink, its small paper umbrella was in danger of being blown away in the chilly breeze yet this did not dent his confidence. His companion elbowed him in the ribs.

That’s Hieronymus Jones. The female informed her rude, fruity drink-holding, companion.

Oh… ummm. My bad. Please go through, sorry about that sir.

No problem at all. Hiero dipped his head respectfully and smiled. He also informed the pair of gatekeepers that Gerty was with him, which shut down any ideas they may have had to question her. Gerty smiled at what Hiero had said... she was with him. Heiro thanked both of the gatekeepers for their service, which made each puff out their chest with pride. Hiero adjusted his grip on the large bag he was carrying as he and Gerty headed into the mouth of the foreboding cave.

The cave was well lit with several well-used chairs and small coffee tables within. The song ‘Girl from Ipanema’ played merrily on some hidden device in the background. Honestly, it wasn’t terribly foreboding, just odd. At the far end of the cave, there was a large slab of what looked like polished quartz, it reached from the floor to the ceiling and covered the entire back wall of the cave. Gerty squeezed Hiero’s hand as she saw the odd object before her. Hiero smiled and squeezed her hand back.

It’s called an Oglieve, it’s a gate, it can connect to another gate that is its pair and take you there. A matched pair of Oglieves can take you anywhere at all. Hiero explained. Gerty nodded an impressed sort of nod, she had simply accepted that instantaneous world travel was a thing and had moved on. This one connects to the one in the Goblin market, which is in Siberia.

Siberia? I am not sure I am dressed warmly enough for that, I doubt a t-shirt and overall shorts are going to cut it. Hiero chuckled.

Maybe not, but you look so cute in a t-shirt and overall shorts. Gerty blushed shyly at her compliment. We can get you something warmer when we get there, but first come a bit closer, we need to be standing very close for this to work. Hiero stepped over to Gerty and put his arms around her. She had already been blushing because of the ‘cute’ comment but now she blushed a little more. Hold on tight ok… a bit tighter. You ready? Gerty smiled and nodded excitedly at Hiero’s question. He reached out his hand and touched the Oglieve. A moment later Hiero removed his hand, they had arrived.

Gerty was momentarily confused, she had felt nothing though the direction they were facing had changed, it was the opposite of the previous way they had been pointing. Then she realized that they were on the opposite side of the Oglieve, in Siberia. Her sudden shivering confirmed this, Hiero chuckled and rubbed his hands on her back to warm her.

What would have happened if we hadn’t been holding on to each other when we went through? Gerty asked, enjoying her free back rub. Hiero’s expression grew concerned.

Something terrible. I would not have gotten an extra hug from you. Hiero smiled widely, Gerty giggled and hit him on his chest very lightly as punishment for his deception.

Hiero and Gerty turned in unison, toward the chuckling that came from the large guards, who were looking on. Both Hiero and Gerty blushed, also in unison. The guards smiled warmly at the young pair and held open a large, intricately carved pair of wooden doors. Hiero took Gerty’s hand and led her through the ancient passageway, to the goblin market.

Gerty’s mouth hung open the second she stepped through. The market was underground, a vast cavern, large glowing orbs, gently illuminated the many stalls of the marketplace as they floated overhead. The stalls sold everything from clothing, to food, to weird crap in old jars. There was a surprisingly large market for weird crap in old jars, especially among this crowd. Gerty could not see a single Human except for Hiero, but she did see at least a hundred non-humans. They were buying and selling, chatting, and laughing. The majority had dark blue skin, elongated canine teeth, claws, and long elegant tails. Go’blien… goblins. Gerty instantly saw why Hiero, possibly, had a thing for goblins, they were beautiful.

Gerty saw many surprised expressions on the faces of the goblins that passed by, those surprised expressions, were always followed by smiles.

Hiero why do they seem so shocked to see us? Gerty asked as she smiled at a young family passing by.

"Humans are generally not aware of non-humans and they certainly don’t come to places like this. It’s almost impossible for an average human to get in here. The simple fact that you are here, shows everyone that you are not a threat and that you are allowed to be in the market. I own the land where we came through the Oglieve in the cave, as well as many other such sites around the world. The fact that the land is privately owned keeps casual interlopers away. However, I allow free access, to anyone who wishes to come here. The Oglieves are kept secret and safe, in exchange I get free access to the market. People that look like us are very rare indeed here. Almost everyone here would live in the human world, but this