by Wendy Owens
“It’s not hard, he acts like such a grouch, but he’s just a big old softy. He’d kill me if I told you, but did you know he keeps his mom’s jewelry box under his bed?”
“What?” Gabe exclaimed, a shocked look on his face.
“I’m serious! He was a complete momma’s boy, so after she died he kept her jewelry box. Sometimes, at night, I can hear him listening to it play music and he’s crying.”
“Wait, it’s musical?” Gabe laughed.
“Oh yeah, it has a dancing ballerina that twirls around in it, too,” Clarite said, leaning into Gabe as she giggled through the story.
“Wait, you have to stop,” Gabe bellowed. “I can’t take anymore, it’s too much.”
The girl collapsed onto Gabe. They lay there together, laughing hysterically, Clarite propped on his arm.
Sophie watched him; there was no pain in his eyes, no suffering. There was no ache in him for something lost like there was for her. She thought about Dina and the misery she was in, then about Uri and how he was handling the disappearance of Seraphine. Flashes of the battle at Rampart clouded her mind. The Guardians were about to embark into a war. There would be no safety for any of them.
As Sophie sat there thinking, she realized she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t take him away from this. He was already finding some piece of normalcy. She cared too much for Gabe to rip him away from this and bring him back into the den of misery. She knew she loved him, at least enough to let him go and have a chance at a life. She could now see that letting Raimie go, ending his suffering the way Dina had, was the hardest thing she could have ever done. Now, it was her turn.
Time passed for the Guardians. The seasons turned, one into the next. Dina finally began to consume food, though very little, when she did find the strength to eat. The guilt of Neru’s death weighed on her so heavily that the only way she found peace was to devote her life to a cause. The spell she had cast on Raimie had in fact taken its toll on Dina in many ways. She was weakened physically, now unable to fight in hand to hand combat like she once had. Instead, she devoted herself to curing the sick and to teaching others how to create the spells they would need to fight. It didn’t take long before she was the professor of potions.
She loved her friends, and as time began to heal her wounds, she was able to be close to them again. Though she was able to mend those relationships, she never allowed herself to become close to many others. In the late hours of the night she would lie in her bed, talking to the ceiling, wondering if Raimie might be able to hear her wherever he was. The fear that she had somehow damned both of their souls by using dark magic always lurked in the back of her mind, though.
Uri never stopped searching for Seraphine. He withdrew into the world of warfare, his closest companion being Haim, whom he trusted implicitly. The loss of Raimie was almost unbearable for him, but the search for Sera gave him something to hold onto. The distance between him and his mentor grew, and Michael doubted their relationship would ever be as it once had been.
The others tried to move on, to find a new normal, though it wasn’t easy for any of them. Some told themselves the lies they needed to hear in order to find the peace they needed. Years strung together, and many managed to accept their choices, their circumstances, but some could not.
Battles were intense and many were lost. Humans began disappearing with great frequency, but there was nothing the Guardians could do to stop the attacks. One fall afternoon, Uri was called upon in great secrecy. Behind closed doors he listened as his leader offered a mission filled with danger; a mission that had once been meant for his long lost friend, Gabe.
Without hesitation, he accepted, thrilled to be taken away from all the people playing make believe around him. Over the years, Uri began to see things in a new light. As a boy, everything had been tinted with rose colored glasses, but as a man, things were different. He came to realize that love was not something easily found, and a happily ever after was next to impossible.
Everyone around him continued smiling, laughing, and praising how blessed they were. He couldn’t see it; everything seemed so pointless to him. The things he did now for the cause were out of a sense of duty, almost all hope had been removed from the equation for him. Almost, because Uri still held on to the dream that maybe one day, somewhere along the way, he might be fortunate enough to find Sera.
“Uri, wait,” Sophie called out, chasing her friend who was nearly sprinting to increase the distance between them. “Please, stop!”
Halting suddenly, he turned, waiting for the panting girl to approach. “What is it?”
“Are you ticked at me?” she asked with a confused look on her face.
“Why would I be ticked?”
“You haven’t said two words to me since we announced the engagement.” Sophie had wanted to express her frustration for days now. Taking a moment, she absorbed the liberation of actually saying the words and then braced herself for his reaction.
Uri deeply wanted to unload all of the contempt he had for the situation on her. She was a perfect example of the absurd way people were behaving around Iron Gate. In the years after they relocated, a lot of time was spent trying to re-home the refugees. Over time, many of the guardians from Rampart became permanent residents of Iron Gate. For Uri, living there would never make it home. But Sophie had embraced the change, forgotten about the life she had and created a new one.
He couldn’t explain why it made him so angry, but it did. “What do you want me to say?”
“I don’t know, maybe congratulations?” Sophie suggested, furrowing her brow.
“You’re kidding, right?”
“What is your problem? Why can’t you just be happy for me?”
Happy? Uri thought. He’d had enough of hiding his feelings, “You can’t honestly be telling me this is what you want.”
“Why would I say yes if I didn’t want to marry him?”
“Sophie! We both know Peter’s just a distraction for you.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she insisted, briefly looking away from him, hoping he couldn’t see that the words he spoke in fact contained more truth than not.
“Fine, keep telling yourself that. I don’t have time for this, I have somewhere to be.” Uri growled, turning to walk away.
“Wait, when are you going to be back?” Sophie asked.
He hesitated. Turning to face her, he calmed his tone. “I don’t know, probably not for a while.”
“Where are you going?” Sophie pushed for more details.
“Just something Michael needs me to take care of.”
“I don’t understand, what would require you to be gone for a long time?”
“I can’t talk about it. Is there anything else?” Uri answered shortly.
“You can’t leave like this; I have to know why you’re so angry,” Sophie pleaded.
Uri didn’t yell this time, he remained cool. With a calculated tone, he looked Sophie squarely in the eyes, “You think we don’t know, but we all know your secret, Sophie.”
“What? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she insisted.
“Whatever you say.”
“I’m serious.”
“You go to check on him regularly. I don’t think it’s fair to agree to marry another man when you haven’t let go of Gabe.”
“What are you talking about? I don’t check on anyone. Why would I do that? I barely even remember him,” Sophie refused to let on to what Uri clearly already knew.
“I’m not stupid, Sophie, you can stop the charade.”
“What charade?” Sophie felt the grasp on her facade slipping away.
“I’ve known you’ve had your memories back since Raimie died.”
“What? No—”
“Yes, for years I’ve watch you pretend to be clueless. I don’t know why you would lie to all of us, but it makes me sick to my stomach to see what you’ve become. I can’t even stand to look at you sometimes.”
; “Who else knows?” Sophie asked, doing her best to ignore his hurtful remarks.
“I don’t know. I don’t talk about it with people. Do you think you’re the only one Dina told about the tracer charm? I’ve been watching over Gabe for years, making sure he was safe.”
“I haven’t said a word to him since that night on the cliff!”
“Do you go see him?”
“No!” she cried.
“Sophie! Do you check on him?”
She hesitated for a moment before relenting, “I don’t ever say a word to him when I go.”
“Are you really that much in denial? You check in on him because you love him. I know, because it’s the same reason I do it.”
“Uri,” Sophie heaved, careful not to allow the flood of emotions to overtake her. “You don’t think I’ve thought about telling him? Michael’s right, Gabe made his choice and we have to respect it. Of course I still love him, of course I want him back, but he made his choice. I have to let him go and Peter will help me do that.”
Uri considered her words before replying, “I hope for your sake, you’re right.”
“I have to try. I didn’t tell all of you I had my memories back because I knew everyone would expect me to rush after Gabe and bring him home. At first I thought he could be happier out there, but now, now I’m not even sure he’s the Gabe I fell in love with. He seems so different when I see him.”
“I know, I feel the same way—” Uri began, thinking about the last time he had seen Gabe. He had considered revealing himself to his old friend countless times, yet could never bring himself to do it, either. He couldn’t fault Sophie for handling things the same way he had. “Look— I promise, I’m not mad. We’ll talk when I get back, but I really do have to go.”
“Can you please tell me where?” Sophie inquired, trying to delay his exit.
“I’m sorry, I can’t. Michael told me I can’t discuss my mission with anyone.”
“I won’t tell anyone, I just need to know you’re going to be safe.”
Uri knew he shouldn’t tell her, but something in him needed to share his new destiny with someone. “You can’t tell anyone.”
“I swear.” As she looked at him, he thought about how, for the first time in years, it felt like he was really talking to his best friend again. There were no longer lies between them; she knew that he was aware of her memories returning. In an instant, it was as if all of that baggage between them had faded away.
“We’ve received intel that the future mother of the prophet has been located. I’m being sent to protect her.”
“Wait, future mother? I don’t understand.”
“Somehow, the demons have figured out who will one day bear the child that fulfills the prophecy. Michael wants me to retrieve her and keep her safe.”
Sophie shook her head. “Wait, what? You were given Gabe’s mission? That’s impossible! He’s the chosen one, the protector. You’ll be killed.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I’ll be fine,” Uri snarled before turning to walk away.
“No! Wait!” Sophie cried, reaching out and grabbing his arm. “Just listen to me for a second.”
Uri pulled his limb free. Standing still, glaring at Sophie, he waited for her to finish her plea.
“I know you’re brave, afraid of nothing, and one of the mightiest warriors I have ever known, nobody doubts that. Hear me out though, this was Gabe’s destiny, if you do this, he will never have a chance to make things right. You will be taking away any possibility of him changing his mind.”
“So, what are you saying? I should just let this girl die?” Uri questioned, his interest peaked.
“No, of course not,” Sophie replied. “What does Michael want you to do once you’ve retrieved her?”
“He told me to go off the grid, no contact with anyone in the network. It’s too dangerous any other way,” Uri explained.
“If you’ve been checking on Gabe like you say, then you know he made himself a home.”
Uri laughed. “Yes, his fortress of solitude.”
“Hey,” Sophie’s voice became defensive. “I’d like to see you build a cabin from scratch.”
“What about his place?”
“Where better to take her? Nobody will find you there. Give him a reason, just a little taste of what it was like when he was one of us. If he refuses, then at least you gave him one last chance.”
Uri didn’t speak, soaking in Sophie’s suggestion.
“Well? What do you think?” Sophie pushed.
“I’ll think about it,” Uri said before turning and walking away. Just before he was out of ear shot, he called over his shoulder, “You really should tell Gabe that the old Sophie’s back.”
Before she could reply, he was gone.
Uri sat silently in the corner, watching his old friend as he tossed and turned, sweating, tormented by some nightmare. For the past five years, he had seen glimpses of Gabe as he witnessed his new life from a distance. Until this moment, he had always respected Michael’s instructions to not interfere. His mentor had warned him that Gabe had already made his choice, and to take that away from him would defeat what they meant as guardians.
He couldn’t shake Sophie’s words though, and now found himself thinking quite differently. The rules changed when Uri found Sera. Gabe needed another opportunity to decide if he wanted to fulfill his destiny, his last decision to leave had been made when he was a boy.
Uri stayed in the shadows, silent as Gabe awoke, rubbing his eyes, and stumbling to the nearby table, fumbling for a cup. He walked over to the pitcher and then froze. Uri grinned, sure he had caught sight of him. To his surprise, Gabe did not react, in fact, he said nothing. He watched as Gabe stared hard into the darkness, squinting, confirming in fact there was someone sitting in the corner, staring back at him.
“Are you alright?” Uri finally asked.
Gabe shook his head, still saying nothing.
“Clearly you’re not … what’s with the lumber jack look by the way?” he asked with a laugh.
“It’s you!” Gabe cried. “Uri, how did you find me? I can’t believe you are here.”
“You look great, Gabe,” Uri’s said in a soft voice before slapping him in the arm repeatedly.
“Thanks, you too. How’s everyone? Is Michael still with the council? What about Haim? Still an ox? Oh, and you can’t leave out Raimie and Dina? Are they still just as in love as ever?” Gabe rattled off the questions without a breath.
“Gabe, can we sit?” Uri requested.
“Of course, sorry, I don’t really get visitors, so I only have the one chair I made,” Gabe said as he turned and nestled down onto his bedding.
“You made this?” Uri questioned in disbelief, inspecting the stool closer.
“I sure did, built this cabin, too,” Gabe boasted.
“I don’t believe it,” Uri shot back, looking around him.
“Well, this wasn’t my first attempt, but I have to say, I think I might be a natural at this carpenter thing.” Gabe replied as Uri moved the stool closer and carefully took his place on top of it.
“You really do look great, man. I am amazed at how well you are doing,” Uri added with a soft smile.
“It’s all because of Haven.”
“Haven? Who is Haven? She hot?” Uri asked.
“Not much has changed, huh?” Gabe replied with a chuckle.
Uri laughed as well, shaking his head.
“It’s not a who, it’s where. I call this place Haven because that’s what it has been for me this past year,” Gabe explained, glancing at his home lovingly.
“And the demons never found you?”
“Copper. The mountains are filled with it. It seems to block the trackers. I pretty much stay off the grid myself. Speaking of, how did you find me?” Gabe asked, eager to discover the hole in his security.
“Do you remember the bag of potions Dina gave you?” Uri asked.
“Yeah, of course, it’s over
there,” Gabe replied, pointing to the worn burlap sack in the opposite corner.
“Did you ever notice the charm on the strap of the bag?” Uri questioned, a slight grin on his face.
“Yeah, I assumed Dina had forgotten about it when she handed me the bag. I don’t see what … wait … oh, that tricky girl! The charm has a beacon spell on it, doesn’t it?” Gabe laughed as he thought of his clever friend.
“Leave it to Dina to always be three steps ahead of anyone,” Uri added.
“Well, I have to admit, I am a little shocked you waited five years to come after me. Really, why even bother after five years?” Gabe said.
“Well, that was the plan,” Uri said, glancing down at the ground.
“Huh?” Gabe looked up at his friend puzzled. “What was the plan?”
“After Dina told us you left, Haim and I were preparing to come after you,” Uri explained hesitantly.
“Changed your mind?” Gabe asked.
“Before we could finish our preparations, Rampart was attacked.”
“What? No way,” Gabe scoffed in disbelief. “How bad?”
“It was so fast. Baal’s legion, which we thought had been thrown off the trail, in fact had discovered our exact location. Inside of an hour, the entire compound was gone.” Uri’s voice cracked as he retold of that night.
“That can’t be,” Gabe insisted.
“That Bishop guy the council sent us was a joke. He was one of the first ones killed. We transported as many as we could, and others fled on the alicorns, but we lost so many souls that night.”
“Sophie,” Gabe gasped.
“She made it. She’s actually living at Iron Gate these days,” Uri explained.
“Did she ever get her memories back?” Gabe asked hopeful.
“Nope, never,” Uri hated to lie, but it wasn’t his truth to reveal.
“Is she happy?” Gabe added.
“I think so, her and Peter are to marry in the fall,” Uri regretted having to inform his friend of his old love’s pending nuptials.
“Peter? But I thought you …” Gabe began.
“I tried to tell you then, old friend. When you set your sights on Sophie, she was no longer an option for me,” Uri explained.