Guards Vestige

by Alexander Adams

  His mother sighed again. “You are just as stubborn as your father.” She smiled at him. “Okay, I understand. But just so you know,” she said, leaning in and hugging him, “you’re already a hero to me and Jeremy.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  She let him go and ran a hand over the cover of the book. “You better go tell them they’re going to have company on their journey.”

  Daniel felt his heart swell. The sense of a heavy weight holding him down began to lighten. With a grin, he nodded at his mother, and after another quick embrace started down the street toward the inn where the Dragon Guards were staying. This didn’t feel real. His mother said Claudia had spoken to her last night. If not for Claudia, he doubted the conversation would have gone as well as it did. He would never be able to repay her for this. He was finally going to Vigil. As the thought crossed his mind it dawned on him, something so simple and obvious but at the same time terrifying: He was leaving. He knew he would come back to Sapella one day, but that wouldn’t be for a long time. He looked at the homes and shops on the main street. He would be gone a couple of years at the least. But he wasn’t going to back down now, not after everything that had happened.

  He approached the simple, two-story inn with a sign above the double doors reading The Hearty Hearth. The moment he opened the doors, he was bombarded by a dozen conversations and the overpowering smell of alcohol and cooking meats. The interior was filled with people sitting at tables and workers running to and from the kitchen carrying food and drink. The middle of the room had a large fire pit set into the floor. Four stone pillars supported the chimney above it and several cushioned chairs surrounded it. Daniel looked around the room until he spotted Kenneth towering over the crowd even while sitting at a table at the back corner of the room. The much-smaller Mila sat beside him, her hood up.

  When Kenneth saw Daniel, he waved at him vigorously and shouted across the room, “Hello, lad, it’s good to see you!”

  Daniel strode over and sat next to him. “Hello, Kenneth.” He looked at Mila, who hung her head low. “Hello, Mila.”

  Kenneth nudged her with his elbow. “Don’t bother with this one,” he said. “She’s not really a morning person.”

  Daniel smiled. “She’s probably hungover.” Mila turned her head enough for Daniel to see a glare beneath the hood.

  Kenneth laughed loud enough to turn several heads. “Nonsense!” he roared. “Mila’s never drank more than a sip of wine for as long as I’ve known her. It makes her rather boring at parties, to be honest.” He smiled and nudged her again before turning back to Daniel. “So how are you, lad? Sleep well after our little adventure?”

  “Yeah, I guess.” Daniel took a breath. “I just wanted to say thank you for saving us yesterday. I never really got a chance to say it before.”

  “No thanks are needed. As a warden of the Dragon Guard, it is my obligation!”

  “Warden?” Daniel said. “That’s one of the sects, isn’t it? Like a scholar?”

  “Exactly like that!” Kenneth stroked his beard. “Tell me, lad, how much do you actually know about the Dragon Guard?”

  In spite of how much Daniel wanted to be a Dragon Guard, he realized didn’t know much about them save for the very basics. “Not a lot, honestly,” he said. “Most of what I know I heard from other people or read in the storybook I’ve had since I was a kid.”

  “I see,” Kenneth said. “Well, don’t take what most people say about us to heart. I was much like you when I first left for Vigil. All I knew was that they slayed dragons in the old days.”

  “Are dragons still around?”

  Kenneth raised an eyebrow. “An excellent question. What do you think?”

  “Well, not anymore. I don’t think so, anyway. Someone would have seen one by now if they were, right?”

  Kenneth nodded. “More than likely, I suppose. Very dangerous and infamous creatures, so perhaps it’s not so bad they aren’t a common sight anymore.”

  A voice spoke from behind him. “Good morning, everyone.”

  Kenneth clapped his hands together. “Claudia! Will you be joining us for our morning meal?”

  “Of course,” she said. Claudia sat next to Daniel and smiled at him. “Morning, Daniel. So, did you happen to speak to your mother this morning?”

  “Thank you,” he said, “for whatever it was you said to her. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay you.”

  “You don’t need to repay me for anything. I just helped her see things in another light.” She waved a waitress over and ordered a mug of cider before turning back to Daniel. “So what were you all discussing before I interrupted?”

  Kenneth answered before Daniel could. “The lad was just telling us how excited he was to be joining us! Isn’t that right?”

  Daniel grinned. “When do we leave?”

  Kenneth roared with laughter and slapped Daniel on the back so hard he couldn’t breathe for several seconds. “Wonderful!” he said. “We were planning on leaving around noon. It will be a joy to have a fresh face among us.”

  Daniel’s jaw dropped. “You’re leaving today? I don’t know if I’m ready to leave today.”

  Kenneth laughed again. “Well, you best get ready lad,” he said. “My suggestion for you is to go say your goodbyes and to gather your things. Don’t worry about provisions, we’ll take care of those. Just bring the necessities, clothes and the like.”

  Daniel wasn’t sure what to say or do. Suddenly he felt panicked, that he had to get out of the room. “Okay,” he stammered, “I guess I’ll see you later today?”

  Kenneth waved him on. “Go on now, make the most of your morning here, you won’t have another for quite a while!”

  Mila elbowed Kenneth hard in the side, making him wince. He looked at her with a confused expression as Daniel stood.

  Claudia squeezed Daniel’s arm reassuringly before he rushed out the door.

  Chapter Four

  6th of Horace, 26th year of the Fourth Age.

  Daniel stood outside the inn and felt so overwhelmed he thought he would fall over. Not knowing what else to do, he started walking aimlessly. He was in a daze. He felt as if he’d walked only a few feet before he found himself at the fountain. He sat cross-legged on its rim, facing the dragon statue that sprayed water into the air.

  One of the reasons the Dragon Guard had lost so much respect was because so few people believed dragons were real. Even if they had been real, they weren’t around anymore. And if there weren’t any dragons, what was the point in a group of dragon slayers? The idea he would be considered something useless suddenly seemed to matter a lot more than it had less than an hour ago.

  He felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Evelyn Nilia. “Well, hello there, Mr. Summers,” she said.

  Her eyes were slightly sunken in and her hair was disheveled. “Hello, Ms. Nilia,” he said. “Are you all right?”

  She sat next to him. “I’m fine,” she said. “Just a little tired, I suppose. I had a surprise visit and a long night with an old friend. I’m glad you made it out of that forest all right.” She nudged him and smiled. “Must have been pretty exciting, seeing some real Dragon Guards in action!”

  He smiled weakly. “Yeah, I guess you could say that.”

  She crossed her arms. “Young man, I’ve known you since you were six. I can tell when something is bothering you. What’s wrong?”

  He was quiet for a minute. “I’m a little overwhelmed, I guess.”

  “Overwhelmed? By what?”

  “I’m finally able to go; they said I could travel with them, but they also said we’re leaving today.”

  She bit her lip and nodded. “But isn’t this what you wanted?”

  “It is,” he said. “But I just thought I would . . . have more time, I guess? I just didn’t think it would happen so fast.”

  “You’ve had
nearly a whole year,” Evelyn Nilia said. “Even more, if you count the couple years leading up to this. That’s anything but fast. Any more time and it will be too late.”

  “I guess,” he said. “I’m just worried about what my mom is going to say. She agreed to let me go but, I don’t think she thought I would be leaving so soon.”

  “I’m sure she will understand. Sometimes the best things happen faster than you would ever think and without warning. All you can do is just keep going and hope it turns out for the best. Besides, the Dragon Guard needs more good men and women like you.”

  He ran his hand through his hair. “Do you think I’m doing the right thing by becoming a Dragon Guard and leaving like this?”

  She smiled slightly and shook her head. “That is a stupid question, Mr. Summers.”

  He smiled. “Do you think she’ll be okay after I leave?”

  “That is also a stupid question. She will be just fine.”

  Daniel knew she was right, but in the back of his mind he worried for his mother. He knew he would see her again, but at the same time it felt as if this would be his last day with her. He also knew this was just his nerves getting the better of him. But he wasn’t sure he could shake them off. Then his mind drifted to Connie. He had been trying to avoid thinking about the fact he would be leaving her just as he was his mother and brother. But now that thought was at the forefront. He would miss her humor, and her smile. Everything about her.

  He wanted to talk about something other than the fact he was leaving, even for only a few moments. “So, uh, I gave Connie her necklace.”

  Thankfully, Ms. Nilia took the hint. “Oh, that’s wonderful! What did she say?”

  “She said it was perfect.” He stared at the water in the fountain. “Thank you again, really. Not just for the necklace, but for everything.”

  “Anytime, Daniel.”

  She left him at the fountain. He sat there a while longer before deciding he had wasted enough time and started to make his way home. Kenneth had said they would leave around noon. It was still early. The sun was low, so he had some time. He knew that his mother wouldn’t like the idea of him leaving so soon. He didn’t either. But as Ms. Nilia had said, she would be fine. Even if it took a couple of days, she would pull through, just like he would.

  When he reached the front door, he gently pushed it open and found his mother by the fireplace, her journal and a pen in her hands. She’d been writing in it for as long as he could remember. She had dozens of them already filled and stored in her room. She always said they were for him and Jeremy to read one day.

  “Back already?” his mother said. When she saw the look on his face, she set the journal aside and stood. “What’s wrong now?”

  He felt as if he was about to stop breathing. “I talked to Kenneth and the others. They told me we’re leaving today. At noon.”

  Her mouth was agape. She simply stared at him for several long moments. “Well,” she said, “I guess you better get ready.” She turned and walked to his room.

  He was dumbstruck. That was the last thing he had expected her to say. He followed her to his bedroom and stood in the doorway, watching her as she silently knelt down, opened the dresser at the end of his brother’s bed and started stuffing clothes into a pack.

  “Mom, are you okay?”

  “Of course I am.”

  “You’re packing Jeremy’s clothes.”

  She stopped. When she spoke, her voice trembled. “So I am.”

  “Mom, I know we both thought I would have more time before I left.”

  She sighed. “A day,” she said. “That’s how long it took for me to feel like I’d lost both of my boys and then get them back. Now I feel like I’m losing one of them again. I just thought I’d have a day or two so I could, I don’t know, process all this.”

  “I’m sorry, Mom,” he said. “Maybe I should stay a couple of days? I’m sure I can make it to Vigil fine on my own. It would give us some time.”

  “No, no, you can’t do that. If you’re going to go I’d rather it be with them so I know you’re safe. You can’t wait just for me. The sooner you’re at Vigil the better I’ll feel.”

  He looked at her for a second before kneeling down and pulling her in for a tight hug. “Thank you,” he whispered. He moved away and glanced at Jeremy’s clothes. “Where’s Jeremy? I should talk to him before I go.”

  His mother wiped at her eyes. “Mr. Creek asked for his help to finish moving out,” she said. “He won’t be back until this evening.” She started crying openly. “It’s going to break his heart that you won’t be able to say goodbye.”

  He leaned in and pulled her into another embrace. “Mine too.”

  She squeezed him so hard he struggled for breath. “I’m going to miss you.”

  “I’ll miss you too, Mom.”

  When she finally released him, she stood and composed herself. “You should pack,” she said. “I have to get ready to go to the bakery.”

  She left the room. Daniel sat on the floor for a while before he grabbed the bag. He put Jeremy’s things back in the dresser and started packing his own. He felt as if he was about to break down. Every piece of clothing he put in the pack felt heavier than the one before it. He dropped a tunic onto the floor. When he picked it up, he noticed how violently his hands shook. He felt sick. It had been one thing when he had wanted to go, but now that he was going it was another thing entirely. It wasn’t a dream anymore. It wasn’t something he could hope for and fantasize about.

  The moment his mother had agreed to let him go, right after Kenneth told him they would be leaving today, he felt different about the whole thing. Now, looking at his hand shake, he knew it wasn’t just nerves. He was scared. No, he was terrified. He didn’t know why, he had no reason to be. This was what he’d always wanted. So why did his heart feel like it was about to jump out of his chest? He moved off the floor and sat on his bed. His heartbeat was like thunder in his ears. He stood and without really realizing where he was going, walked out the door. His mother called after him, but he couldn’t make out her words as he walked down the crooked steps and down the street.

  This was ridiculous. He had no idea where he was going or why. He felt angry at himself for feeling like this, which only seemed to make it worse. Before he knew it, he was standing on the old wooden bridge over the river. He sat with his feet hanging over the water, watching in silence as the river flowed beneath him.

  “Hey, Daniel.”

  Without looking, he knew who it was. Connie walked over and sat on the bridge next to him. She placed his book and pack between them on the wood and looked at the water below them.

  She sounded unsure about how to start the conversation. “Went to your place to talk,” she said. “Your mom told me what happened. So . . . are you okay?”

  He didn’t reply.

  “So, uh, you’re leaving today, huh? That’s pretty sudden.”

  He kept his eyes on the river. “Yeah, it is.”

  “It’s a good thing though, right?” She nudged him with her elbow. “Just means there’s no chance to back out now.”

  He sighed and rubbed his temples.

  “Okay, sorry, bad joke,” she said while picking at the old wood and tossing a sliver into the water. They watched it float under them. “So what’s wrong?”

  “I guess I’m scared.” He felt dumb for saying it. He shook his head and cupped his face in his hands. “I know it’s stupid and I shouldn’t be. This is what I’ve wanted to do for so long. But now that it’s actually happening, I can’t get over this awful feeling in the pit of my stomach.” He stood and started pacing. “I mean, this isn’t how people act when something like this happens for them. It’s literally a dream coming true and all I want to do is crawl in a hole and hide until the opportunity passes.”

  Connie stood and gripped Daniel by the shoulder
s, making him stop. “Daniel, nearly everyone feels like this when this kind of thing happens.”

  He looked at her, confused.

  “Daniel, what you’re doing is terrifying! In my opinion, something would be wrong with you if you weren’t scared, or if there wasn’t a horrible sinking feeling and overwhelming urge to just hide away. Almost everyone gets scared that the dream is better than the reality. Most people would rather have the guaranteed feeling of failure or disappointment than the unknown and the fear it won’t turn out like you hope.”

  Daniel turned his head away to avoid her gaze. “I just . . . I don’t know if I can actually bring myself to go.”

  “Were you scared at the waterfall when you had to protect Jeremy?”

  He looked at her again. “Of course I was.”

  “But you did it anyway. You stood between him and that monster without any hesitation. You did that in spite of the fear and you’ll do this too. If it turns out to not be what you thought, then you’ll do more than just make due, you’ll make it better.” She let go of his shoulders and leaned down to pick up his book and bag. “Sometimes we just have to get out of our own way and let life be terrifying.”

  He nodded and took the book and bag. “Thank you, Connie.”

  “Of course.” She hugged him. “The Dragon Guards are at my house, trying to work out a deal for some horses from my father.”

  He smiled slightly. “They’re going to get robbed.”

  She nodded and grinned. “Yeah, they probably will.”

  He sighed deeply as he looked at the plain, black leather cover of the book. “I’m going to miss you.”

  “I’ll miss you too,” she said. “Now, don’t you have somewhere you have to be?”

  He smiled at her. “If I said no, would you still make me leave?”

  She smiled back. “Better get going.”

  “What if I said maybe?”

  She glared at him and gave him a slight nudge. “Get out of here already.”

  Daniel grinned and nodded before starting off toward her home. He didn’t have to look back to know she was crying.