“If you explained that in English I might,” Thad replied looking perplexed “I don’t understand why I am that child. There could be a mistake, do you know how many children there are in this world…..or universe,” Thad added anxiously, his voice squeaky.
“The last census cataloged the number, including realms, at fifteen point seven hundred, forty four thousand and thirteen billion.” Gabriel responded without so much as blinking an eye.
Thad stared at him dumbfounded. He attempted to say something but his tongue felt numb.
"Talk about all knowing,” Gabriel gloated.
Thad shook his head.
Gabriel’s look of satisfaction faded “I know it’s important to know who you are, even necessary, but the decisions you make will have a ripple effect that spans the universe. I am sorry to tell you that your life is directly connected to the survival of all living kind. I am doing you a favor young Thaddeus. Don’t be so hasty to throw away the little piece of life the Professor has created for you. Appreciate it while you can. I am begging you,” he pleaded.
“He was right,” Thad whispered barely finding his voice “I will never have a normal life.”
It suddenly became very clear why his Grandfather always had an air of sadness about him and why he tried so hard to protect Thad from the outside world. “I am just a boy, a regular human boy,” Thad mumbled, trying to comprehend the meaning. “I don’t even know how to shave yet.”
“You still have plenty of time to learn.” Gabriel said smiling softly “That is why you have the Professor and the rest of your Sentry, to protect you, teach you to become a fierce young man. You have every right to fear your future, and I hope this information has helped you see why I don’t want to tell you everything. You are barely nine years old…..”
Thad put his hand up to stop Gabriel. Solemn faced he raised his eyes to Gabriel’s. “Did my Grandfather ever have someone?” Thad asked quietly
“Of course, he had a Sentry of his own,” Gabriel answered perplexed.
“That is not what I mean,” Thad replied.
“Oh…..you mean a companion,” Gabriel said a little surprised. His brain quickly debated weather this information was his to tell. “Yes he once knew the love of a very kind woman,” He replied hoping that his answer brought a tiny bit of comfort.
“What happened?” Thad asked feeling a heavy sadness rest on his bones, for even a boy of eight understood the natural progression of life, to love and be loved. To grow old in the arms of your soul mate as you watch the story of your life forever live on in the smiles of your children and grandchildren. To think the Professor had that and watched as it slipped away only to train up another for that fate. Thad’s heart ached, suddenly feeling his childish ignorance faded.
“I am sorry, but that is not a story for me to tell. Sorry this has not been as exciting as you hoped,” Gabriel said sensing Thad’s shift in mood.
“Oh no, it has been amazing,” Thad replied looking up at Gabriel with genuine appreciation. “I never expected things to be so….oh I don’t know,” He said exhaling gloomily.
“You didn’t expect it to be so depressing yet thrilling?” Gabriel said finishing Thad’s sentence.
“Yeah, don’t get me wrong, it is cool but completely depressing and a tad frightening,” He added measuring an amount with his fingers. “I still can’t believe that every thing you have told me is true.”
“Your Grandfather said the very same thing when I told him. Mind you he was a lot older than you when he came here.”
“You told this story to MY Grandpa?!” Thad said in amazement “But my Grandpa is old and you don’t look old,” Thad said studying Gabriel’s features a little closer.
“I am not just old, but I am very old by your earth standards!” Gabriel chuckled.
“So how old are we talking about? Old like I crossed the Prairies in a horse drawn wagon old, or old like Knights of the round table old?”
With a smile Gabriel responded. “I guess somewhere in between. I am three hundred and twenty three years old.”
Thad’s mouth fell open and the cookie he had been snacking on fell to the floor. “Your three hhuunddreedd……..”
“Yup” Gabriel said sitting up all proud “I look pretty good for being that old eh!” He said with a wink, happy to see Thad’s mood was improving. “Our genetics allow us to live for hundreds of years. Our bodies do not function like most of the other beings. Our women are only capable of reproducing up to three times over a span of four hundred years.”
Thad sat there trying to comprehend being that old. That was more unbelievable to him than anything else he had heard today, and boy did he hear some pretty unbelievable things.
Gabriel let him sit there a moment longer to digest things before nudging him to get up.
“Well we should go fetch your Grandfather before it gets to late. You need to get back to the door before it gets to dark.”
“Why?” Thad asked “Will we turn into pumpkins or something,” he added with a giggle.
Gabriel gave him a very serious look. Thad just nodded his head and with a loud sigh got to his feet.
The pair walked in silence. Thad’s mind was too busy processing the jumble of information Gabriel just fed him, to carry on any sort of conversation. Waves of emotions washed over him, excitement for being the next Watchman. Well that was like a mixture of excitement and terror. He felt sympathy and understanding for what his Grandfather must be going through, and Thad now had a new found fear, a monster known as the Shadow Breathers. The history lesson defiantly brought his life into perspective. He felt guilty for the times his behavior was less then appealing.
“What are thinking about?” Gabriel asked when he noticed Thad shaking his head.
“Oh, you know just feeling a touch guilty for my behavior in days past,” Thad admitted.
“Hey, you’re just a kid. You have a free pass to act a little unruly once in a while,” Gabriel replied.
“When does this pass expire?” Thad inquired, a sneaky expression crossing his face.
“Ten minutes from now!” Gabriel joked trying to keep a straight face.
“Ha ha, very funny,” Thad said rolling his eyes.
Gabriel broke into a big toothy smile. “You asked,” He said shrugging his shoulders.
“Next time I’ll keep my mouth shut,” Thad mumbled.
The two emerged from the forest by Zekiel’s house.
“Do we swim across,” Thad wondered, seeing no bridge or boat.
“Oh it is way better than that. I think you are going to like this,” Gabriel said kneeling in the overgrowth at the edge of the bank.
At first Thad couldn’t see what Gabriel was doing, so he inched a little closer. Before the question he was going to ask Gabriel formed on his lips he heard a loud “whooshing” sound. He turned around. His mouth fell open in amazement, completely speechless.
“Thought you might say that,” Gabriel chuckled. He walked up and placed an object in the outstretch hand of the giant ivory statue. Thad watched in disbelief as the statues fingers curled and the hand holding the sword drew back with a loud clang. Thad hesitated as the gates to the gruseomely looking bridge opened for them.
“Now it is very important that you do not touch anything, is that understood?”
Thad nodded his head. He and Gabriel slowly and very carefully began walking single file across the bridge.
Thad’s heart fluttered in his chest as if one of the little woodland sparrows was trapped inside. He concentrated as hard as he could on staying upright.
“Doing okay back there?’ Gabriel called over his shoulder.
“Oh fine,” He answered, “Nothing like the threat of impending doom to put a skip in your step,” he added wearily.
“Such a sense of humor you have,” Gabriel laughed.
As soon as his feet touched the first mound of grass Thad exhaled.
“Holding your breath again? Do you know how many brain cells you have
just killed?” he said with a childish grin.
Ignoring Gabriel’s comment, Thad looked back at the bridge, watching it slip below the calm eerie surface.
“So why couldn’t we touch anything?” Thad asked, curious as to why they would build a bridge with hand rails you could not utilize.
“It’s just a precaution,” was all Gabriel said. He figured he save Thad from a few extra nightmares.
“That is one scary precaution,” Thad replied probing for more details.
“I suppose,” Gabriel replied as he pushed open a heavy wood door. As soon as the door swung open they could hear two men laughing in the kitchen.
“Ah Gabriel”, Zekiel said as he noticed the youthful Keeper standing in his doorway, “Come to collect this young man here have ya,” gesturing to Bartholomew. “Oh and this must be Barty’s little protégé, Thaddeus Birk,” he added walking over, extending his hand welcomingly, “I am Zekiel, it is a pleasure to met you,” speaking with great sincerity.
“I am pleased to make your acquaintance Mr. Zekiel.” Thad returned, shaking the man’s hand.
“A right proper boy you got there eh Barty,” Zekiel said giving Thad’s hair a ruffle.
“Well no more lollygagging,” Zekiel said shooing them out the door, “The nights beginning to wander in, so you best be on your way.”
Zekiel and Barty paused for a moment, shared a knowing look. Zekiel nodded his head. "Gabriel, I need to have a word with you before you go,” never taking his eyes off the Professor’s.
“Uh sure, just let me say good bye to Thad,” Gabriel replied, his gut telling him this was not a conversation he would enjoy.
Gabriel stood in the doorway watching Thad and the Professor disappear across the bridge and into the approaching dusk. With in moments they were out of sight. “So what did you want to talk to me about?” Gabriel asked turning back into the house.
“I am afraid I have some disturbing news,” Zekiel said grimly. “It appears our friend,” he said using the term “Friend” loosely, “has decided to have another go at things. Apparently what we did to him the first time around wasn’t enough of a deterrent.”
“Are you sure about this?” Gabriel asked, his brow drawn together with worry.
“Yes. Barty come here to discuss the situation with me. But that is not all, he’s not working alone.”
Zekiel didn’t have to mention who, Gabriel already knew. “Does the Professor know how this happened?”
Zekiel shook his head.
“Is Bartholomew ready for this?” Gabriel solemnly asked, wondering what thoughts were running rampant in the Professor’s mind right now.
“Something like this is never easy to confront,” Zekiel replied, his eyes full of sadness.
Gabriel sighed. “So it’s begun than,” he stated mostly to himself.
“It has, and a lot sooner than any of us wished,” Zekiel replied looking at his protégé in despair.
Gabriel looked away from the old Keeper. Only moments ago his heart was laughing; his mouth speaking words of reassurance that now seemed nothing more than empty shells.
Indications of things gone wrong
had and the Professor made it home in record time. The night in hot pursuit on their heels. They burst through the door just as the darkness enveloped the sky on the other side.
“Phew that was close,” Thad said leaning on the hallway wall. “I never knew you could run like that Grandpa,” He said laughing.
Bartholomew smiled.
“So why did we have to make it back before dark anyways?” Thad asked between breaths.
“No reason,” His Grandfather answered, avoiding the question. “Just wanted to see how fast you could run,” throwing his arms around Thad. “Come now, they others will be waiting for us.”
When they entered the sitting room, Miss Mirdy, Mathias, Leath and Zyphera were all there. Suddenly Thad caught sight of a familiar little creature.
“Hello again,” Thad said giving an awkward wave.
“We have not met before young sir,” The creature replied chuckling.
Thad’s eyes looked over the creature with confusion.
“I am Remy’s younger brother,” he explained, “The name is Alywin,” offering his hand.
Thad blushed slightly while shaking his hand. “Sorry, I thought…” he murmured.
“No harm done,” Alywin replied patting Thad’s hand reassuringly, “It happens to me all the time.”
“I suppose it would,” Thad said, scrunching up his face trying to figure a way to tell them apart.
“If you look closely, I have a brown ring around my pupils,” Alywin said leaning in to give Thad a look at his distinguishing marker.
“Oh, I see it know,” Thad grinned, “Is that really the only way to tell you two apart?” He couldn’t imagine having to get that close to the gnomes just to figure out who was who.
“Ay, don’t fret. You will pick up on our other differences as you get to know us.”
“All right mister, it has been a long day, time for you to hit the hay,” His Grandfather interrupted shooing Thad through the door.
“But what about visiting with……”Thad tried to argue.
“You’ll have plenty of time to chat with Alywin another day. Now off you go.” He gave Thad one last nudge out the door. “Don’t forget to say goodnight to everyone,” He reminded the boy.
“Goodnight everyone,” Thad grumbled, hardly turning to look at them.
“Good night Thad!” everyone replied in unison.
As soon as Thad’s footsteps grew faint The Professor turned to the group. “I have some very important information you all need to know.”
“What could possibly be so important that you need to deprive me of my beauty sleep?” Leath asked as he stifled another yawn. “I am starting to get uglier with every passing minute,” he added smiling.
“Who said you were pretty to begin with,” Zyphera piped up, giving Leath a sly little smile.
Leath pooched his lips.
“Enough you two,” The Professor scolded as he began. “As you all know almost seventy worlds have been discovered over the last hundred and some odd years. The balance between these worlds is of vital importance. Should the balance be disrupted in anyway, it will send the universe into utter chaos.”
“Is there a point to this history lesson?” Leath asked feeling agitated.
The Professor ignored Leath and continued. “There are beings who thrive on chaos and their intentions are set on upseting this balance. These doors protect the individual worlds from the invading forces of darkness. It is a heavy burden being a Watchman, and one that will be bestowed upon Thad very shortly.”
A gasp of shock slipped from the mouths of everyone listening.
“You can’t be serious. Thad is so young,” Protested Mirdy. “I did not rescue the poor child from the very hands of evil, just to deliver him back into them.”
“I know this will be a lot for Thad to take on, but the Keepers and I believe he is capable of handling such a burden. Do you think that I would deliberately put Thad in harms way?” Bartholomew scowled at the implications.
“But why now? What difference would it make if you waited till he was older,” Zyphera asked, trying to keep her voice from cracking.
“Because the very being who sent his soldier to take Thad eight years ago has escaped, he has returned to finish what he started,” Bartholomew explained trying hard to keep the panic out of his voice.
“How did this happen?” Whispered Mathias, who until this moment had remained so quiet the others had almost forgotten he was there.
Bartholomew cast his eyes towards his dearest friend. “At a great cost,” He answered, “I am very sorry Mathias,” his voice heavy with sadness.
Mathias sat motionless a single tear ran down his cheek. “I must go,” he said standing abruptly, “The others will need my help.”
Before anyone could say anything, Mathias opened the door to the veranda. He
quickly walked down the few steps to the ground turning to look at the others.
“Tell Thad I am sorry I didn’t say goodbye.”
“I am sure he will understand,” Bartholomew replied.
Mathias stood silently before the others.
“What is he doing?” Leath asked in a whisper “is he waiting……..” Before he finished his sentence, Mathias’ shirt back was torn to shreds, revealing an impressive pair of wings.
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