The Guardian

by Quinn Arthurs

  "A little." The amusement in his voice was evident. "Nothing that would get you ostracized, but it is considered a little off to blatantly ask that unless you're training with someone."

  I shrugged slightly. "Well, blame me as being a dumb human, and we'll consider this a training session."

  "I told you before, I don't have much power," River admitted shyly. "I can't do anything like Onyx can."

  "Well, that doesn't tell me what you can do," I pointed out. "He said fae magic is about will."

  "It is about will," Onyx muttered.

  River blushed deeper, her doodling increasing as she stared at the page rather than me. "It is, as well as talent and power. Some fae have specialties, like me." She lifted her hand, hovering it over the page. I hissed in a shocked breath as I watched the flowers she had drawn blow as if a breeze had run across the page, the small creatures she had sketched in stretching and shifting as if waking up. "I'm an art fae."

  "She helped to create the woodwork you see in the hallway outside," Terran added.

  I gaped at her. "I told you how beautiful that was, and you acted as though it was nothing!"

  "Here, it is," Onyx explained. I glared at him and he held up a hand to ward off the tirade on the tip of my tongue. "Calm yourself. I didn't say I believed it, just that it is true here. Offensive and defensive magics are valued, as we discussed."

  "So, it's not that fae who can't do offensive magics have no power." The words were slow as I tried to sort through this in my head. "It is that they have powers that aren't valued."

  "Yes." Onyx indicated River with a wave. "She can create images, manipulate food and fabric, clean or grow things."

  "Housekeeping magic," River declared with a grimace. "Nothing worthwhile."

  "Are you serious?" My eyes were nearly bugging out of my head. "You made those gorgeous walls, these creatures..." I was enthralled, watching the animals she had made stalk across the paper, chasing each other or the petals that blew from the flowers. Realization dawned on me and I pointed an accusing finger at her. "The cakes. The sandwiches. Did you make those as well?" She blinked, surprised at the intensity in my voice.

  "Well, some of them. There are other fae who have the same style of magic as I, though again, the exact specifications differ between each of us."

  "First, those were incredible. Second, you all have a very twisted sense of what is important." I shook my head in exasperation, before glancing at Onyx. "Is that why you had me try to change my shirt first?" He nodded his agreement, and I huffed out a breath. "You and I are going to talk more later." I shot River a pointed look and she nodded her head, a small smile playing over her lips, the blush fading slightly from her cheeks. "I'm sure there is a way that type of magic can be useful in a dangerous situation, you just haven't thought of it yet. For now, we can stick to more conventional methods."

  Reed's grin was wide and Terran was concealing his mouth with a hand over his face, though his eyes were twinkling as he studied me. "Anything else, little General?" Reed asked, nearly choking on the words, laughter burbling up in his throat. And it was my turn to blush, the heat stinging my cheeks. I was used to taking charge, to being the one to plan things out and solve problems, as my mom had always been off in her own world, unconcerned with the logistics of daily life unless we were running somewhere.

  "What else do we need to consider?" I wasn't willing to step back and let them plan everything, even though it may have been a faster process. If they expected me to be a Guardian, I was going to do it my way, mistakes and all. I wasn't one to let myself be led, even if it may make it more difficult for me.

  "We made it clear to Birch that he would be going against not just you, but us as well," Onyx declared. "I doubt he would be foolish enough to change tactics and focus on us, though he may be intelligent enough to realize he will need us out of the way before he would be able to enact any type of revenge on you."

  "So, we need to protect you, the same as we're watching out for River."

  Onyx, Terran, and Reed all snorted at the same time, and I couldn't help but laugh at the joint reaction of disgust to my statement. These three were so in sync at times that it appeared as though there was no separation between them. It was amusing how three such different personalities could merge together to form such a harmonious trio.

  "Birch will never get the upper hand over us and he knows it." Terran threaded a hand through his hair, tugging at the strands.

  "He's been trying for years, wanting to show off that he could take down a group, despite being a single Guardian." Reed's words were accompanied by a derisive shake of his head. "He doesn't understand that we are stronger as a group, not just in the strength of our magic but how we are able to handle situations."

  "I'm surprised no one else has taken him out then. If he's this combative."

  "He may be combative, but he also knows how to make powerful allies. He comes from an impressive lineage, and he isn't afraid to bribe, threaten, or seduce his way into power in a situation," Onyx explained.

  "He also tends to stab people in the back or go after the ones they care for rather than fighting fairly," River added grimly.

  I groaned, shaking my head. Definitely a classic bully. "Public humiliation then. A definitive display saying he can't win against us, and that he's a fool to try. Make him the example for anyone else who may come after us," I murmured, considering.

  Reed bounced in his chair, laughter rumbling up from his chest. "You all thought the magic was wrong. She thinks just like us."

  I couldn't resist the grin tugging at my lips, though I shook my head in denial of his claim. "So then there are two main questions. What is the most public forum we could use to humiliate him, and what is the best way to humiliate a Fae Guardian?"

  "You make him appear weak, powerless," Onyx suggested. "Power is everything to the fae, Guardian or not."

  "Didn't I already do that though?" Confused, I glanced around. "I blew his power back at him. Guaranteed, I didn't know what I was doing, but I still did manage to overpower him."

  "You didn't do it publicly. At the moment he's claiming you are an usurper, that you bribed a group of others to injure him after he declared you were too weak to be allowed in the Hold and you entered under false pretenses." River hesitated for a moment before adding, "He is also, um, insinuating that you slept your way in and when he refused to take you as a mate you began plotting against him."

  I growled at that. "He really is a bitch." I knew denying the rumors would do no good, which would have been the main reason he had spread them. There was no way to refute what did or didn't happen behind closed doors, and people would choose to believe what they wanted, no proof required.

  Fury clouded Terran's face again and his voice was a low rumble as he spoke. "The most public place for taking him down would probably be in the Hold's training courts. The area is enchanted and should protect any bystanders from fallout, unlike if we were to approach him within the walls of the Hold."

  "Is that where you took me to train?" I asked Onyx, curious. He shook his head.

  "I took you to a training room. There are some protection spells, but it is understood that you should not enter without an invitation and an ability to protect yourself. The spells are in place more to keep the room from being destroyed or spells from spilling out into the Hold, rather than how the courts are protected."

  "The training courts are a common area," Reed explained. "It's a source of entertainment for guests, other Guardians, and servants alike. A way for Guardians to show off if they're looking for potential team members or mates, or simply to hone their skills and learn new ones."

  "I still don't understand why you don't just allow me to stab him and be done with this foolishness," Onyx muttered. I wondered if a high-five was a gesture here. As much as Onyx irritated me, I could get behind that idea.

  "You know as well as I do that it will do nothing to involve us." Reed's voice was weary. "We can protect her, we can plan, bu
t he is well aware that we can, and will, beat him into pieces given the chance. I assume any plans he has are going to be made to be carried out even if he is grievously injured at the time."

  "Coward," I muttered darkly.

  "Now that we've…" Terran hesitated a moment, causing me to raise a brow. "…spoken to him." I fought back a chuckle. I figured that was a loose interpretation of what had occurred between them. "He will know we are aware of his plan, and he will be taking care to hide it."

  "Prepare for a dagger in the back, while we plan for a sword to the front," I murmured. My mother had said that many times, and I could finally understand why. "The goal then will be to humiliate him as deeply as possible, show any potential followers he is powerless and a liar, and do all of this before whatever plans he has for River or me can be enacted." I summed it up as briefly as possible. Reed and Terran murmured their agreement, though Onyx simply continued to sharpen his sword in mutinous silence.

  "No wonder the magic called you to be a Guardian." River's tone was awed. "No training, yet you speak and act as though you have spent your life amongst us at times."

  "I just don't like bullies."

  "This is your fight, it is you he is trying to harm." Terran spoke up. "Is there a method you prefer to deal with him?"

  I considered for a moment. Onyx's stabbing idea definitely had potential... It wouldn't harm his reputation though, and that was really what we were after. "I think we need to find a way for River or myself to face him." River froze beside me, and I patted her reassuringly. "He needs to know he can't go after servants, or those he thinks are weak. They all need to know that. He'll only realize it if he finds out those he sees as weaker can surprise him."

  Reed pursed his lips, considering my idea. "It is possible."

  "What?" River squeaked the word. "We already said I don't have that kind of magic."

  "We may be able to make it look like you do, that you have more than you actually have." Reed seemed to be thinking it through. "Especially if we put the two of you together. She's something they won't have seen before, and we can attribute some of her powers to you."

  "You don't have to do this." I turned to face her. "It is a risk, and you could possibly get hurt. I'm new to all of this, and I can't guarantee your safety."

  River hesitated, her hands pressing hard against her thighs. "You think it would really stop him and some of the others from attacking the servants?" Hope was evident in her voice, even through the fear that laced it. Reed nodded first, then Terran, and even Onyx gave a hesitant bob of his head.

  "If they believe your powers can develop, that some of you may be holding back what you are capable of, it could potentially give you more protection," Terran offered.

  "It could also paint a bigger target on your back," Onyx pointed out. "They'd want to know how you learned it."

  My plan didn't seem so brilliant when Onyx put it in that perspective. "Maybe it isn't such a great idea," I hedged. "At least until we have some more information. I don't want to make things worse for you."

  "Let's keep tossing out ideas." Terran smoothed his his hand over his beard. "We don't need to make a decision immediately, and we need to think of every possible avenue."

  I stood to stretch for a minute, not wanting my muscles to get stiff. I figured we would be at this for quite a while longer. "How about some food first, then we can continue our plan from there?"

  Onyx stood rapidly, his sword disappearing with a shimmer. "I'll retrieve it. I want to ensure it hasn't been tampered with." He disappeared in a sharp swirl of wind, and I turned my focus back to the others.

  "Any more bright ideas?"

  13

  Ideas were passed around, rejected, and debated over the next few hours. Onyx returned quickly with plates loaded high with meat and vegetables, and even a separate plate of cakes. We made quick work of the food, though our focus remained on how to best handle the threat before us. River was more open to the idea of engaging Birch and his cohorts knowing that Onyx, Terran, and Reed would not be far away on the sidelines, though I was still hesitant to place her in any active danger.

  "The biggest problem is going to be your lack of training and control," Reed pointed out, downing another cake. I stared at him in jealousy, my own stomach protesting slightly after the amount I had already consumed. "We need you to win, not end up injured yourself."

  "I've done it once," I stated defensively, stealing the plate of cakes from him. I might not be able to eat them now, but I could save them for later.

  "With luck, and in a situation you don't know if you can duplicate," Onyx replied, not pulling his punches at all. "As your Guardians we are duty-bound to protect you. It is only because you are training to be a Guardian yourself that we would allow you into the training area for this. It goes against our nature and everything that we have been taught."

  "So, you're saying we need to practice?" I asked, needing to clarify where he was going with this.

  "You need to practice, and we need a safety net," Terran declared. "I can't allow this if there is no way for us to step in and protect the two of you should something go wrong."

  "Then I guess we better get working." I heaved a sigh. I had the feeling that talking about kicking his ass was going to be far more enjoyable than the actual training for it.

  "I'll increase the warding on the room," Terran offered. "We don't have long to train, and you will need time to rest and regain your strength when we are done."

  Reed grabbed a book of crystal lore from the table before holding out his hand for mine. I slid my hand into his hesitantly, enjoying the warmth as he pulled me to my feet. "You aren't strong enough at fae magic yet, so we're going to focus on crystals instead. He won't make the same mistake twice, allowing you to grasp his magic like that, at least not unless he loses control. We need to have a different plan of attack, which means we need to decide which stones to use."

  He tugged me toward the pile of books he had created next to the couch, precariously placing the book in his hand on the stack before digging through for something. "Here we are!" He nearly crowed with happiness as he pulled a slender volume from the stacks, and I barely caught the rest of the books before they toppled over.

  "You're worried about Birch hurting her, but you're going to if you aren't careful," Onyx muttered. Reed either didn't hear him or was studied in ignoring his sarcasm.

  "This was written by a crystal witch; it's a personal diary. Normally I wouldn't put much faith in it, however, with crystal magic being as rare as it is, we need every resource that's available to us. Plus, it fits with what you were telling us about your prior experience." He flipped through the pages, pointing out the page headed "Amethyst" before handing it to me to peruse.

  Notations listed different uses for the gem, most of which involved protection, though a small note in the corner read simply: May be used to reverse magics thrown at you, particularly useful against bullies or enemies as it causes a reflection of their power.

  "That's what I did!" Excitement edged into my tone as I gaped at the book in front of me. Reed's nod was enthusiastic.

  "It does seem that the usage of the stones is personal, as well as logical." Irritation edged his voice at this, and I realized that it would be hard on someone who was as literal of a thinker as Reed. "It's the same with fae magic. I've never understood it."

  "Witches," Onyx scoffed, though there was no true heat in the words. "One spell for everything, nothing out of order." It seemed it was an old argument, as neither bickered further.

  "Garnet, flint, hematite, obsidian, ruby..." Reed murmured the words as he flicked through pages. "All of them can be used in war spells."

  "Do you have access to any of those?" I asked, still skeptical.

  "There should be stones in your quarters," River piped up. "If you find nothing there you connect with, I can always get you more. Many witches use them to enhance spells, and fae enjoy them for their visual uses."

  "I'll gather them
before I begin the wardings. Onyx, your help would be appreciated." Terran's words may have been phrased as a request, though I got the impression it was not how they were meant. Onyx apparently agreed as he followed Terran from the room without objection. Reed continued to flip through the small, leather bound books, his lips moving rapidly as he read to himself.

  "Thank you for warning us." I turned my attention to River with a small smile. "I don't think I really got the chance to tell you I appreciated it before we jumped right into the next steps. We wouldn't have had any warning at all without you."

  River shook her head, wrapping her arms tightly around herself, as if gathering herself before she could speak. "I was in as much danger as you. It was a self-serving gesture as much as it was a warning."

  I shrugged, and she gaped at me, her arms loosening in her shock. "So? Does it really matter that you wanted to protect yourself? I'd say that's a logical and understandable thought process. You could have traded for your protection by selling us out, or simply ran. You did neither."

  River seemed torn, but the return of Onyx and Terran interrupted before I could say more. She hurried to them, sliding one of the boxes from their hands to place on the table between us. Clearly she was done with the conversation for the moment, though I wasn't going to let her go that easily. Small tumbling stones, large geodes, and intricately carved crystals were pulled from the boxes and laid across the table in front of us, before everyone turned to stare at me.

  "Now what?" I asked sheepishly. I wasn’t clear as to what I was supposed to be doing at this point. Everything was pretty, and there were several stones I was impressed by, but I didn't figure that gave us any kind of grand plan or a war strategy.

  "Do any of them speak to you?" Terran asked quietly.

  I bit the inside of my cheek, refusing to respond with the sassy, sarcastic comment that first popped into my head. This wasn't the time for it, even though I would prefer their irritated groans to the intent focus that they were all studying me with, as though the weight of the future rested on my shoulders.