Sentry Rising

by Birkenhead, Naomi

  Miss Mirdy scowled. “Cursed to live here and put up with these disrespectful youngens,” she mumbled under her breath.

  “What was that?!” Mathias asked with an eyebrow raised in amusement. The old women rolled her eyes, turning her back to them.

  “I take it Gabriel has been kind enough to leave you ill informed,” Mathias chuckled. “Guess there is no easy way to tell you this, but we are on Minerva, Gabriel’s home world.”

  “I am sorry did you say home world?” Leath sputtered his voice cracking. A wave of nausea weakened his stance and he stumbled slightly.

  “Good old Gabriel,” Mathias sighed shaking his head. “You are part of a faction known as “The Sentry” it was created with a single purpose, to protect the Watchman.”

  “You mean like the justice league,” Leath jokingly interrupted.

  Mathias gave him a quizzical look.

  “It’s a comic book…. You know…..Uh never mind.” He said feeling embarrassed. “Are you sure that’s why I am here, where ever here is, because I have no special talents of any sorts.” Leath added his voice strained “For crying out loud, I fix telephone cables for a living. Frankly all this sounds a little far fetc…….”

  Leath was interrupted mid sentence by Gabriel emerging from the shadows.

  “So” Miss Mirdy asked, “Is it him, or have I wasted my time” a slight sarcastic edge to her voice.

  “You are always so cheery.” Mathias teased, “I love it.”

  Miss Mirdy shot him a dirty look.

  “The other keepers believe this boy is the next watchman.”

  Miss Mirdy's face was not the only one to register shock. "oh, what, I was being....um I am sorry but how is he the next Watchman? We were sent as back up for Mathias on a completely unrelated assignment, and now your telling us we stumbled upon our actual assignment?"

  “You must return to the Professor immediately. The fact a shade was sent to steal the boy is cause for great concern. We cannot risk another attempt on his life. The council has decided it is in the best interest of the child for you all to remain by his side.”

  “You mean I am still condemned to live….” Mirdy began gripping. Before she could finish her sentence she was interrupted by a handsome male voice coming from the doorway which had once again appeared.

  “Here in this house,” He said finishing her sentence. “You will all be expected to reside here.”

  “Exactly how long are we talking about?” Leath asked. “A few months…couple years…” his sentence faded.

  The man laughed. “I see Gabriel has neglected to give you all the details, as usual.”

  “So I’ve learned,” Leath said dryly.

  “What. I was worried he would freak out if I told him the truth.” Gabriel stated in his defense.

  “I am afraid this is your life now. The Estate is now your permanent home,” The Professor replied apologetically. He stepped towards the group. His tall form momentarily lost to the shadows.

  Leath took a nervous gulp.

  The man turned his attention to Gabriel. “So the wheels are in motion.”

  “Yes they are Professor,” Gabriel replied.

  “Come on Gabe, how many times have I told you to call me by my first name. You make me feel so old when you call me Professor,” The Professor said cracking a big toothy smile.

  The man turned his attention back to the group. “I know you ladies are familiar with who I am, but we have not yet had the pleasure of meeting in person.” He smiled warmly as he shook their hands. “And it is a great pleasure meeting your acquaintance young lad,” He said gripping Leath’s trembling hand firmly. “I am Professor Bartholomew Haynsworth IV, a respected and prominent scientist back on earth. And Miss Mirdy, I do apologize for this inconvenience.” he said taking the short women’s hand in his, “But I believe it will be in the best interest of the boy if he starts his training as early an age as possible,” He explained with a disarming smile.

  Mirdy blushed deeply. All the attention paid by the tall handsome scientist made her speechless.

  Behind her Leath stifled a laugh. He leaned over and whispered in Mathias’s ear “Guess I wasn’t the right kind of man to make her agreeable!”

  “It must be the impeccable styled grey hair!” Mathias replied with a chuckle.

  “I don’t know it may be that awesome double breasted suit!” Leath exclaimed. “The Prof’s got style!”

  The two grinned as Miss Mirdy stumbled over herself talking to the Professor. He intently listened to ever detail as if what she was talking about really mattered. Ever so often he would nod his head or raise an eyebrow.

  “He’s s real ladies man isn’t he!” Leath stated finding the situation amusing.

  Mathias nodded. “I don’t think I could fain such an interest in tea cozies.”

  With the excitement of the news sinking in, the group forgot the reason for their gathering. A small voice slowly making it’s self louder and louder reminded them.

  “Oh the poor dear must be starving,” Mirdy said her gaze never leaving the Professor’s as the boy’s little voice screamed louder.

  “No worries Miss Mirdy, I have a nursemaid ready and awaiting his arrival in the nursery,” He assured her, gently taking the baby in his arms. “I suppose we should be heading back now.” The professor instructed the group. “Will you be joining us Gabriel?”

  "Yes, for just a moment to ensure you all get nice and settled,” Gabriel nodded with a smile.

  As the group filed through the open doorway, Professor Haynsworth instructed everyone to meet in the large sitting room off the kitchen. “I will join you as soon as I am sure this little angel is settled in the nursery.”

  The Professor climbed the spiraling staircase to the second floor. He paid close attention to his footing, making sure the antique Persian runner didn’t clip his toes.

  “Hello there little Thaddeus,” he said softly, looking down at the small squirming bundle in his arms. His heart skipped a beat as big blue eyes stared back at him with wonder. “You are safe here my dear little boy. I will let nothing bad happen to you, I promise.”

  It was as if Thad knew what the old man was saying. He smiled and softly gooed, grabbing the old man’s finger and pulling it to his mouth.

  Bartholomew laughed. “Soon enough,” he said grinning at the little baby, “Soon enough.”

  When Bartholomew reached the nursery door he gave a gentle knock. The hired nurse stood waiting for their new visitor, bottle in hand. Bartholomew relinquished his precious cargo to Mrs. Osbourne’s open arms, pausing at the nursery door before closing it. He, more than any of them, had a connection to this young boy. His heart was heavy and light all at once.

  Bartholomew’s eyes glistened with tears bent on running wild down his weathered cheeks. He quickly dried his moss green eyes with an old hanky and took a quick breath to regain his composure. He slowly retreated down the stairs to rejoin the others.

  He passed through the doorway clearing his throat to gain their attention.

  “For years we have been tediously watching and waiting for any sign of this young boy’s arrival. Some of you,” He paused for a moment looking at Leath before continuing, “have only recently been recruited and do not understand the significance of your task.”

  “You got that right,” Leath muttered under his breath from his spot against the wall.

  “The most important life you will ever be apart of, is now sleeping safe and sound protected by these great walls. But we must keep a diligent watch over this boy. His life is connected to the balance of the universe and should we fail as a Sentry the consequences will be nothing short of disastrous. Do you understand?” No one moved. “Good. Now, Gabriel will be our contact among the keepers. If you have any questions at this time, Gabriel will be happy to answer them. If he feels like it!” he added slyly. “Now if you will all excuse me, this old man has had too much excitement for one day. I must retire for the night.”

  The Prof
essor bowed graciously, shaking everyone’s hand before retreating into the shadows of the house.

  Everyone remained quiet for a moment allowing the reality of what their lives have suddenly become to sink in.

  “Does anyone else feel like they need to throw up?” Leath asked as he stumbled towards a chair, resting his hands on his head.

  “I believe I have some explaining to do,” Gabriel admitted sheepishly, as he turned his attention to Leath.

  Leath raised an eyebrow, “Ya think!”

  “Please understand that I withheld information with the best of intentions. It is important the five original planets make up the Sentry and I feared you might not have agreed to or worse think I was loony if I approached you with the truth.”

  “I am sorry did you say FIVE original planets,” Leath repeated, peeking out from under his hands, positive his ears must have misunderstood.

  “He sure did,” Zyphera replied joining the conversation as she plunkered down beside Leath.

  Leath couldn’t help but stare. With all the chaos earlier in the night he hadn’t realized what beauty radiated off her. “Which world are you from? I am positive you’re not from my neck of the woods because I would have noticed someone as beautiful as you roaming my planet,” he said leaning in to whisper in Zyphera’s ear.

  Zyphera blushed and shot him a dirty look. She immediately left her spot beside him and marched across the room to where Miss Mirdy was intently staring at pictures of the Professor, taken on his many trips to distant countries.

  Mathias shook his head, unsure of his feelings for the newbie.

  “What I am nervous okay. I admit it wasn’t the best first impression,” He sighed heavily with rejection.

  “Don’t worry you have a lifetime to make up for it,” Mathias chuckled as Gabriel continued.

  “As I was saying, Miss Mirdy is from Uraleigha. Zyphera is from Aetherius, Mathias is from Fairum Celest, and of course you know of my home world Minerva. Your home, Earth, is the youngest of the original five planets.”

  “Are they all planets in the Milky Way?” Leath asked, wondering if his wonderful ability to block out his science teachers lessons resulted in an embarrassing lack of knowledge.

  “Actually, they are from two other galaxies far, far away,” Mathias informed him.

  “Star wars fan eh!” Leath grinned.

  “I am sorry?” Mathias furrowed his brow faking confusion and hiding a smile.

  “Ha-ha never mind,” Leath had never felt so out of place in his life, and he was on his own planet. “So you are all technically aliens then…………should I be worried?”

  Gabriel and Mathias both laughed.

  “Perhaps,” Gabriel winked.

  “Hey Mirdy,” Mathias called out. “Leath wants to know if he should be worried about us,” A wide grin splitting his face like a jack o lantern.

  Leath stared quizzically at Miss Mirdy who excused herself from Zyphera and headed towards the trio of men with her usual irritance. She seemed normal enough. She was about Five foot five with a plump hour glass figure. Her long grey hair swept neatly into some sort of French braided beehive up do, not that Leath knew the first thing about women’s hairstyles. Her appearance by all means was, well.....bland.

  “Now I don’t want to hear some cheeky response from you mister.”

  “Okay, okay, I promise.”

  Without a word spoken, a soft hum followed by light mechanical clicks and ticks emerged from the center of Mirdy’s forehead as her age freckled skin opened to reveal a silvery glass eye with an array of brass gears whirring away behind it. Leath’s mouth fell open. He stood there completely stunned. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. This eye, this third appendage acted completely organic, as if it were looking at what Mirdy was looking at. He could just make out a black lens nestled in the center. He noticed that it reacted to light and darkness much the same way as a human pupil.

  “Finally something shuts that yap trap of yours,” Mirdy chuckled enjoying the look on Leath’s face.

  It took Leath a moment to respond, still in shock by what he’d seen. “Did you just smile Miss Mirdy?” he asked when he finally found his voice.

  Mirdy’s face clouded over once again as she stormed back to Zyphera, who had been watching the whole event.

  “What the heck was that? Oh wait, you’ll tell me about it another day,” Leath added annoyed, before anyone could respond.

  “Do you mind if I ask how old you all are,” Leath asked abruptly changing the subject. He was getting a little tired of being left out of the loop. The only positive about this whole situation was that beautiful alien, even if she hada few years on his young nineteen he couldn’t deny that there was something about her that made his skin tingle. There was an air of mystery surrounding her. He felt there was more to her than what she allowed to be seen. He was so engrossed in thought about her, he almost missed Mathias' response.

  “I don’t think it is up to me to speculate about a ladies age” Mathias laughed. “Except Miss Mirdy of course, I think she was born some time before creation.”

  “I can hear you.” Miss Mirdy shouted, glowering at Mathias.

  “So early twenties then,” Leath hinted trying to get a more definitive answer.

  “Give or take a few years,” Mathias said nodding. “a few hundred years,” He added under his breath.

  Leath failed to notice Mathias’ last statement. He was busy trying to catch Zyphera’s gaze so he could dazzle her with his charm and good looks. His persistence paid off. Every so often Leath caught her looking his way, even if she was only scowling at him. At least it was a start.

  “Better quit while you're behind,” Gabriel advised him.

  Leath blushed slightly. “I… um… oh” He stuttered.

  “Just so you know, Zyphera is a Guardian,” Gabriel informed him.

  “She’s a what?” Leath said turning his head to look at him.

  “A Guardian,” he repeated. “Her race is a lethal breed of protectors and defenders. Despite her appearances she could kill you before you wiped that silly little smile from your face,” Gabriel gave him a friendly wink.

  “Now you have definitely piqued my interest,” Leath said raising an eyebrow “I love a girl who can handle her own,” He said rubbing his hands together.

  “Don’t forget why you are here Mr. Durum,” Gabriel cautioned his tone serious.

  “Your role here is crucial whether you understand that or not.”

  Leath felt slightly uncomfortable. “Just what am I doing here?” he asked.

  “One day you will know,” Gabriel smiled.

  Leath frowned at Gabe’s response. “I seem to be the only one who doesn’t know, and is a little less than extraordinary,” Leath stated, finding this topic bugged him more than he realized.

  “I am sure this is all a little…odd for you, but I am asking that you trust me,” Gabriel insisted, placing his hand on Leath’s shoulder “Everything will be explained in due time. I promise.”

  “I am going to hold you to that promise.”

  “I hope you do! Until then, I must return to my home. The moon is already starting to set and there is still much to prepare. Zyphera, Mirdy, I will see you two lovely ladies later!” he called out with a wave. The girls waved back and said goodnight. “We will discuss the events that transpired tonight another day my friend.” Gabriel added shaking Mathias’s hand. “The fact a Shadow Breather was at the residence is very…….”

  “I am sorry what is a Shadow Breather?” Leath interrupted, overhearing the keepers words.

  “Another time, I promise.”

  “Of course,” Leath nodded with an edge in his voice and a tight smile. Deciding he'd heard that for the last time he left the group for a view of the concealed estate grounds. As he peered through the sparkling window pane, with little more than seeing his own reflection, he kept one ear tuned to the conversations.

  It was almost the dawn of another gorgeous spring day by t
he time the Sentry dispersed and clamored up the stairs to claim a room. Zyphera waited till Leath had chosen his to ensure her room would be the farthest away from her newest admirer. But that did not prevent him from calling out a sweet “Good night” too her as she entered her quarters.

  She looked around at the sparse décor “Definitely going to be re-decorating.” She stated surveying the room with her hands on her hips. The small bed, who’s frame was about as old as the house, was situated under the overly large window that looked out over the immense front lawn. She noticed the mattress was new and the bedding was still in its plastic.