Rose and Deshica

by Michael Ewing

  Chapter Eleven

  Word of the arrival of the Guardians and Deshica spread through the Fairy village quickly and before long they were mobbed by the curious onlookers who were wondering exactly why not just one Guardian but four of them had come to visit. Some were old enough to remember the last time that a Guardian had visited Fairy and were worrying that there was some danger or another that the team was there to prevent before Deshica called everyone's attention and put worries to rest, “My fellow Fairies, whatever you may have heard about my supposed kidnapping has been falsified by one of my suitors. He is going to get the punishment that he deserves but first I would like everyone to welcome four of our Guardians, two of their companions as well as a friend of mine that I invited to Faerie.”

  Murmurs grew to an uproar as the beloved Fairy Princess introduced her newest friends. Some of the Fairies gladly accepted the Guardians as well as Dice and Winter as part of the Guardians while others held onto their skepticism. All went quiet immediately though as King Delanno made his way through the crowd with his royal guard clearing the way for him. Not only did the crowd go silent but they parted to allow the King passage.

  King Delanno raised his hands and the crowd bowed before him and he spoke, “Guardians, why are you here? I haven't heard of any dangers to Faerie.”

  Turbulence stepped forward to answer but Deshica stopped her and spoke in her place, “I was kidnapped by Gonder and left in the world of Man during their winter. They are responsible for my safe return and I had brought the mother of the Water Guardian here to ease her pain and take away her illness as a favor.”

  King Delanno looked at the Guardians to study them, “You aren't the Guardians that I remember. There is more youth to you. Something else as well. Unity. Something that all of the other Guardians have lacked.”

  Turbulence was allowed to answer this time, “We came into our Guardianhood around the same time and we are all from Kirbyville. It was a common threat that had killed our predecessors so it was only natural that together we would track down Dusk and do what was necessary with him.”

  King Delanno nodded, “Yes. I heard of his passing but I also know that you had nothing to do with it. A mutual enemy of yours had arranged that. If you do not listen to rumors now you should begin to as soon as you can.”

  The team was confused because they were not yet welcomed enough by the Nations to actually speak with any of them on a regular basis so this information that King Delanno was dangling in front of them was going to remain out of their reach. King Delanno took advantage of the confusion that he had caused and with a wave of his hand he had dismissed the Guardians and Rose Draiman and sent them all back to the land of Man.

  Everyone arrived exactly where Rose left with Deshica, in the living room of the Draiman house. Dice was the first to notice that something wasn't quite right and threw up a quick spell that protected him and everyone else in the room. King Delanno appeared and shook a disappointed finger in Dice's direction, “John the Green. Your magic was unpredictable in Faerie but here in your world you are actually as strong as I am. You have affiliated yourself with the Guardians and because of this I will bring you no harm. If you please, take down your enchantment and allow me to do what I will.”

  Whirlpool shot down King Delanno's request, “No. Not only are you in my part of the world you are also in my neighborhood. This is my house. I want to know exactly what you have planned before you go using your magic. I know Dice and I trust him so I have no problem with him casting a spell or two – especially when it can benefit my family.”

  King Delanno wasn't used to being confronted directly but he took it in stride. Whirlpool's attitude was quickly becoming the stuff of legend among the Nations. King Delanno addressed the Water Guardian's concerns, “Your mother's life was saved when my daughter brought her to Faerie and cleansed her with the healing waters but your mother gained dangerous knowledge. She learned that you, her daughter, is also the Water Guardian. Does she know the identity of any other Guardians? Perhaps she does, perhaps she doesn't – the point is moot. With this knowledge you are in constant danger. What would happen if someone else, an enemy, learned of your identity and took your mother hostage? Your emotions would cloud your judgment and she can endanger the lives of every last one of you because she would have the knowledge of your Guardian egos. Her memory of Faerie is also a constant threat for me as well because not all of my kingdom would openly welcome her or even yourself. I'm sure you've met one such member of my kingdom with this isolationist perspective. The magic that I would cast is merely to erase Rose's memories of your identity and her time in Faerie. As far as she will know her cancer miraculously cured itself. It is not unheard of in your world, yes?”

  Anteus was the one that spoke up now, “We already deal with enough stuff in our daily lives and Mama Draiman is going to worry about us whether she knows what is going on or not. If knowing that I am Anteus and Chris Drake also means that she knows how to get in touch with me when she needs to then I am all for her keeping the memories. Besides, I don't know too many people who can get past a Troll in the backyard.”

  King Delanno turned to look out one of the rear-facing windows and gazed upon Kefmak, “You have and as a fledgling Guardian when it was done. As a Guardian you are powerful but you are not the most powerful. The choice is yours. I merely wished to offer a gift, the gift of ignorance.”

  Rose stepped forward, “I won't accept it if they are fine with me knowing who they are. Judging by who Eve and Chris bring over to the house I would say that Turbulence is Gail, Winter is Chris's cousin whose name I'm having trouble remembering at the moment because I've only met you twice now, Dice is Dice and finally Dragon would be Rick.”

  Dragon shrugged his shoulders, “It was just a matter of time. Besides, there's still thirty-six other Guardians that she hasn't met and unless she's planning a world tour then I don't see it happening. Okay, maybe she can meet the other four Guardians in North America but that would be it. Let her be dude. My folks already know I'm Dragon and they've kept my secret. Mouse already knows all of our identities and I'm still surprised he hasn't told anyone yet. What's one more person?”

  Turbulence took a moment to change from her costume to a light blouse and jeans, assuming her civilian identity of Gail Greene, “King Delanno, we appreciate the offer and we understand what we are turning down. Sometimes we just need a confidante. I am sure that you can understand that. We mean no ill will toward you but you must understand that our secret is ours to keep and ours to give. While the offer is appreciated, you still cannot speak for us as you speak for the Fairy Nation.”

  King Delanno understood and bid the Guardians farewell before returning to Faerie. Dragon, Anteus and Whirlpool followed Gail's lead and changed to their civilian identities while Dice and Winter excused themselves so they could change elsewhere.

  Once everyone had changed Rose started giving out assignments to help arrange the dining room so that everyone could be accomodated and also to run to the grocery store to pick up a few extra items since she didn't usually host this many people at once and the occasion was not expected. Once Rose had everyone occupied she took Eve aside, “If Dawn doesn't know it would be best if we keep it that way. I know that you don't like keeping secrets but this is one that she might be better off not knowing. Your sister has a tendency to gossip and this is something we don't want to become public knowledge.”

  Eve agreed, informing her mother that she was the first person she let find out other than the rest of the Guardians. Eve knew that her mother would have many questions for her but Rose had decided to wait until the dinner had begun, so that everyone had the chance to tell their part of the story.

 
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