Guardian

by Sam Cheever

  “He sought refuge with us when you were taken.” The monk at the center of the long table informed us. “We have learned much of the situation from him.”

  Faerydae turned a smiling face to us. “Come, we have much planning to do.”

  We stood upon the mountain face, immersed in a thick mist that muffled sound and blurred shapes. Although I couldn’t see them, I knew we were accompanied by an army of magical creatures, the Grigory Brothers among them.

  I turned to Ian and lifted my hand out, palm up. A small vial rested in the center of my hand. “Here, drink this.”

  He looked at my face, a question in his eyes.

  I sighed, feeling strangely reluctant to release him. “We might get separated down there and I don’t want to incapacitate you.”

  He took the vial I offered him. “How long have you had this?”

  I shrugged. “Not long, The Watcher gave it to me when we delivered Dawnia to him.”

  He drank the contents of the vial and shuddered, grimacing. “Not exactly ambrosia is it?”

  “I think The Watcher does that on purpose. At heart he really is just a nasty little gnome.” I felt strangely saddened, as if giving him the antidote that would release him from me would be the end of our time together.

  The end of us.

  Sometime over the last several hours I had realized that I’d been wrong to be angry with him about the bracelet, since I’d done the same thing to him with the potion. Now I wondered if it was too late to fix things between us.

  Ian didn’t seem to share my concern for the future. He chuckled, looking for all the world as if a giant weight had been lifted from his broad shoulders. “Shall we go kick some ass?”

  I smiled, realizing I was putting way too fine a point on the relationship thing. Ian Lavelle was a man. And as such he was guided in affairs of the heart by one thing and one thing only. Sex. I could definitely work with him on that.

  We would be okay.

  That is, if we lived through our current predicament.

  Lifting my arm I gave the signal, a bolt of lightning lit the sky above my head and we started down the face of the mountain.

  I had sent word via Unicorn to Princess Zillah, and I hoped her army of Shades would arrive in time to help. We descended carefully toward Faerydae’s castle, hampered by the chill mist the monks had created to obscure our approach and dampen the mood of our enemy. They’d infused the mist with despair that found only the dark heart.

  Even as we approached, the faint of heart below us would be sliding away in fear, using the very mist that ran them off as cover from Aubrie’s army.

  Though the mist didn’t create despair in us, it was a visual hazard and its chill made even the most hardy of us wish for an early rise in the twin suns of Aelfdane.

  Above us, Faerydae flew Broud and scouted. Riding the mist-free currents along with her was one of the monks, who telepathically reported their findings back to Brother Grimms, whom, I had learned, was the leader of the sect.

  The last report was that the troops on the ground were restless and roiled with movement. A few hundred of them had already slipped the edges of the camp and were making their way toward the Waterfall.

  We reached the bottom of the mountain and slipped silently toward Faerydae’s castle. The mist was so thick we almost stumbled over the edge of Aubrie’s army before we knew we were upon them.

  The first several dozen died without a sound, never knowing we were upon them until death stole the air from their lungs. Gradually though, the army became aware that it was under attack and the fighting began in earnest.

  I was quickly surrounded by sword and claw bearing enemies. My sword and long knife flashed and sliced with efficient relentlessness into the roiling, faceless shapes in the mist. When I could get close enough I used my power to take them down.

  I was aware of Ian fighting at my back and occasionally felt the carnage from his efforts hitting the back of my legs on its way to the ground.

  I dodged the more than capable sword thrust of a faery who had apparently joined the dark side and spun to my left, just as a thick, clawed paw swiped at the spot where I’d been. I reached out and cleanly removed the head of the demon and resumed my fight with the faery. We danced through the mist, thrusting, retreating, and thrusting again. I had my hands full, dealing with the talented faery warrior, but I thought I could best him, as long as I didn’t make any mistakes.

  My heels bumped into something big and squishy and I leapt over it, landing on the other side of a dead human just in time to parry another thrust from the tireless faery warrior.

  His face was obscured by the mist but I could see the flash of his white teeth as he grinned at me. “You’re mine, Monad Warrior.”

  I grinned back, catching the edge of his sword with my own and nearly flipping it out of his overconfident hands. “I wouldn’t count on that, faery.”

  I heard a cry from behind and ducked, but not in time to avoid the body flying past overhead. I was hit hard in the back of the head and went down. Before I could blink the faery held the tip of his sword at my throat.

  “Good night, sweet spirit.”

  I gulped, preparing to die.

  Suddenly the faery’s eyes widened and something pierced the front of his shirt. I slashed at the blade of his sword with my own, knocking it to the side before he could fall forward and impale me with it. A dark stain spread quickly from the knife in the center of his chest.

  I rolled to the side as he fell forward, landing on the spot where I’d been. There was no one behind him.

  Slowly, a shape started to form and I was looking into Princess Zillah’s attractive face. She grinned at me, saluted me with the bloody knife, and then disappeared again.

  I turned to meet the next attack.

  By the time the suns peeked over the horizon, we knew we had won the battle. As light pierced the magical mist, it slid away. Having done its duty, it was no longer needed.

  I stood beside Ian and surveyed the carnage. The grounds around the lake were littered with torn and bloodied bodies. The lake itself ran pink with spilled blood and bodies floated among the lily pads there.

  Brother Grimms floated toward us, the edges of his tall form made ragged by trailing wisps of mist that clung to his robes.

  “Any sign of Aubrie?”

  The monk’s hood made a negative movement. His voice filled my head. “Faerydae is missing too. We fear she’s been recaptured.”

  Ian swore. “What about Broud?”

  Brother Grimms’ hood turned and we looked out over the carnage to a spot, a quarter mile away, where a huge black shape lay on the ground. Several monks bent over it.

  I took a step forward, my mouth suddenly dry. “Is he dead?”

  The hood swung in a negative movement. “Very close. The brothers are attempting to revive him.”

  I strode toward the prostrate form, finding myself picking up speed as I got nearer. I’d thought I hated the big, stinky monster. But now that it looked like he might not make it I wasn’t at all sure that I did. Funny, squiggly feelings of alarm were winding their way around my heart. As I drew near I was somewhat relieved to see his massive sides rising and falling in breath.

  I looked at the brothers. Their hoods dipped in a sign that I took to mean things weren’t good. “What’s the problem?”

  “He has no will to live. We can attend the physical issues, but he must wish to live.”

  I frowned. “Why would he have lost his will?”

  Brother Grimms’ voice behind me caused me to spin. “He believes he’s witnessed Faerydae’s death.”

  “She was swept from his back and plunged through the mist.” Keane, Warrior Monad informed me. He stood not far away wiping blood from his sword onto the clothing of a corpse on the ground. I grimaced, hoping it was an enemy he was using as a tidy wipe.

  “He tried to get to her,” Keane continued, “but a human gun split his chest with metal.”

  I frowned. Bu
llets were deadly to most magical creatures, just as deadly as they were to humans. And the magical world had a deep dislike and distrust of guns for that reason. “Where did this shot come from?”

  “From me.”

  We all jerked around to find Aubrie, standing in front of the castle with Faerydae. He held a gun to her throat. “I will kill her if you do not do as I ask.”

  I looked at Ian, who had just joined our little group beside the dying unicorn. His eyes were fixed on Aubrie but his aura had flared brightly around him with alarm. We both knew that, if Faerydae were killed, The Wood would erupt in a bloodbath the likes of which we’d never witnessed before. “You cannot win at this game you play, Aubrie. Release her and we will treat you with leniency.”

  Aubrie laughed. “You and your little captor are the ones who cannot win, Lavelle. I assure you I have not been damaged by today’s little show. Far from it. I have resources you cannot even imagine at my fingertips.”

  I tugged on Ian’s sleeve, murmuring, “Let’s go along until we can figure out how to get Faerydae back.”

  “What are your demands, evil elf.”

  Aubrie snickered. “Your insults do not matter to me, Lavelle. You are a half breed who is under the power of a warrior spirit. You are an insignificant fool.”

  I felt Ian bristle and watched his aura flare to orange. I grabbed his hand before he could do something we’d all regret. “Stop speaking nonsense, Aubrie and give us your demands. I’m losing patience with you.”

  The elf turned to me and nodded. “As you wish, warrior spirit, I can be magnanimous in my victory. I will hold Faerydae until you travel to Olympus and bring me back the god, Pollux. When I have Pollux in my hands I’ll release the queen.”

  “Unharmed?” Ian asked through gritted teeth.

  Aubrie inclined his head. “Of course.” Aubrie lifted his hand and he and Faerydae disappeared.

  “Impressive.” I murmured.

  Ian all but growled. “Parlor tricks.”

  I bit my bottom lip to suppress a smile. “Pollux? Ian, why would he want Pollux?”

  Ian shook his head. “Damned if I know.”

  I thought about this for a while, staring at Faerydae’s castle with sightless eyes. Suddenly the words of the human God flitted through my mind and I realized what Aubrie was up to. “Merlin!” I turned to Ian. “The wizard didn’t tell us the whole truth, Ian. We need to go back there.”

  Ian glanced at the castle. “What about Pollux?”

  My fingers flashed as I built a signal to call The Watcher on the air. “We’ll get to that. But first I need to know exactly what we’re dealing with. I need to talk to Merlin.”

  A snorting sound behind me caused me to turn as the portal started to shimmer in the air before me. Broud was flailing around, his thick, black legs tearing huge chunks from the battered grass around him. I called out to the brothers. “Keep him alive, no matter what happens. I’m going to need him when I return.”

  They nodded. I had a sudden inspiration. “And for the gods’ sake, someone tell him Faerydae is alive.”

  Then I was looking into the ugly little gnome face of The Watcher of the World and Ian was grabbing my hand. “Merlin’s cave, Watcher. Quickly.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Sneaky Wizard!

  I shivered, swiping my hands over the gooseflesh on my arms and frowning. “I hate this spell.”

  Ian nodded, his handsome, warm chocolate face creased in worry. “ ‘Tis an effective repellent for sure.”

  Not all that effective, apparently, since we stepped toward the mouth of the cave anyway.

  The cave looked much the same as it had when we’d visited before, with one exception, the gnarled, tired old man did not make an appearance outside this time.

  I didn’t wait for him to appear. Without looking at Ian to see if he followed, I pulled my fork from my belt and slid the long knife out as well. The magician would make short work of them if I wasn’t careful, but you never knew who else might be in the cave with him when we arrived.

  Fortunately for us he was alone.

  He sat before the giant book of prophesies, studying it carefully. I strode toward him, anger and tension making me careless.

  When he looked up his eyes glowed.

  He didn’t look surprised to see us.

  Merlin stood, sparkling gold gowns swaying around him. His long, white beard lifted in a power induced breeze and his vibrant purple eyes sparked with building power. The magic was so thick in the air I could barely breathe. I realized my chest heaved from the effort.

  The wizard Merlinus was obviously cranked up.

  I had to wonder why.

  “Great one.”

  He stared at me for a long moment and then inclined his head slightly.

  “I believe you have further information for us.”

  The purple eyes drilled into me, roiling with power. Finally he tilted his head and smiled. As he did the power in the room began to drain away. My lungs felt the relief almost immediately. “Welcome, Warrior Spirit.” Almost as an afterthought he turned his gaze on Ian. “And friend.”

  Ian frowned but held his temper in check. A thin line of orange aura throbbed around him but he didn’t let it loose.

  Merlin stepped away from the giant book and it slammed shut, spewing sparkling dust from its pages in an iridescent cloud.

  The old wizard moved to a spot just a few feet away from us and stopped, crossing pristine, long fingered hands in front of his glistening robes. He perused Ian with a speculative slant to his eyes. “You walk between two worlds, teetering on the edge of disaster at all times. But your distinctive position makes you invaluable to those you seek to protect. It also makes you uniquely vulnerable. Take care that you consider the consequences before you seek to control and limit those within your sphere, Elfaery.”

  Ian’s aura flared bright and orange around him and, before I could blink, the point of his sword was at Merlin’s throat. “We have no time for your nonsense, Wizard. The worlds are a single foul breath away from total chaos. We need answers from you now. Not more prophetic gobbledygook.”

  Merlin stood straight and unafraid. Behind him the big book vibrated on its stand. The wizard smiled and Ian’s sword softened and turned on him with a hiss, the diamond shaped head of a snake just missing a direct strike at his face.

  Ian swore and flung it across the room. It hit the far, rock wall with a clang of metal and fell to the floor. He swore again.

  Merlin chuckled. “Things are not always as they seem Elfaery.”

  I stepped forward, placing a hand on Ian’s forearm. “I don’t know what business you two have with each other. And to be honest, right now, I don’t care. You’ll have to settle it later. Right now, Merlin, we need you to tell us about the spells you gave to Dawnia and Aubrie.”

  Merlin turned to me with a smug smile. “I have no knowledge of what you speak.”

  “You wish to gain from their scheme?”

  He frowned. “I do not involve myself with the tricks and intrigues of the magical world. I am of the human realm.”

  Then what prompted you to give them a spell to change physical appearance?”

  He narrowed his purple gaze at me. “Oh. That little spell.”The savvy wizard flipped a hand dismissively. “That spell is merely a parlor trick.”

  Remembering his bitter assessment of Aubrie’s disappearing act on the battlefield at Aelfdane, I kept my gaze determinedly from Ian’s. “And you gave them this parlor trick, as you call it, why?”

  He shrugged, looking disinterested. But I noticed the slightest shift of his purple eyes toward the big book before he lowered his bushy, white brows over them.

  “Prophecy?”

  He shrugged again. Losing patience, I created a wrinkle with my mind and stepped into it. Jerking his head up in surprise, Merlin lost his composure and his mouth fell open. “See here!” His long arms lifted and flailed as he turned in circles trying to find me.

  I em
erged from my wrinkle beside the big book and grabbed it. I gave it a mighty heave but it wouldn’t move.

  The wizard took a step toward me. He suddenly found Ian’s sword lying across the front of his neck.

  The sword immediately turned into a snake but Ian ignored its hissing. Then it became acid that hung in the air and stung Ian’s skin. His handsome face tightened but he held firm. The sword became a baby dragon, whose razor sharp teeth snapped at Ian’s face from the end of its long neck.

  Ian ignored it all, holding his ground.

  Finally Merlin sighed and the sword returned to itself. “That book is filled with things that will affect the future of all worlds. You must not dabble in things you don’t understand, Warrior Spirit.”

  I held the book with both hands, it was so big I had to stretch my arms uncomfortably to get both hands on it. The book felt alive. Where I touched it, the skin-like cover was warm. It wriggled. A moaning sound emerged from its pages. “I’ll destroy it if you do not tell me what you know. Everything, Wizard Merlinus. No tricks.”

  Merlin sighed, lifting his hands in capitulation. “Very well. Step away from the book and I’ll speak.

  I dropped my hands but didn’t move away.

  He arched a snowy brow at me but I stood my ground. Shaking his head he sighed again. “I did not lie to you when you came before…exactly. The day you arrived things occurred as I told you. The elf and the faery left before telling me why they’d come. They seemed to be running from something…or someone. However, what I didn’t tell you is that they had come to me several weeks earlier and asked if I could help them with some spells. I told them no of course, preferring to remain outside of whatever machinations they were planning. But when they told me the human realm was involved…”

  “Wait!” I said, “What?”

  He nodded. “Apparently a guardian angel is involved in some way.”

  I looked at Ian, my fists clenching at my sides. “Etta!”

  He shrugged and stayed silent.