The Watchers in Exile

by Barbara V. Evers

  * * * * *

  Chapter 4

  Adana felt a surge of triumph when Elayne blushed at the mention of eavesdropping. Her mother’s deathbed decree may have taken Adana from Moniah and intensive Watcher training, but the strange environment in the mountains of Elwar taught her different observation skills. Maybe the time in Elwar hadn’t been a waste.

  Joannu leaned forward, excitement spreading a smile across her face. “You have, haven’t you? You’ve eavesdropped on people.”

  Elayne shrugged. Her hands fidgeted in the lap of her skirt. She didn’t make eye contact. “It made life easier.”

  They sat in stunned silence.

  “Can you sing? On tune?” Montee asked.

  Elayne nodded.

  “Imitate sounds?”

  “Imitate sounds?” Elayne spoke in an exact imitation of Montee’s voice and inflection.

  Joannu clapped her hand over her mouth.

  “Amazing.” Montee tilted her head to the side as she examined the younger woman. “A Listener.”

  Adana reached into her belt and touched the lacey edges of the useless handkerchief Elayne had given her. The gesture, small and simple, spoke of a woman who cared for others. She had killed the soldier attacking Adana, and even Am’brosia had pushed Adana into the lady’s embrace. The urge to trust Elayne came at a price if the woman’s loyalties fell with the wrong people, but to have a Listener in her midst, helping her? She could not resist this gift.

  Eyes still on the ground, the confidence Elayne exhibited when she heard the hawk appeared to have flown away as fast as the bird with its meal.

  “Do you know the story of the Gifted Ones?” Adana leaned down and tried to peer into Elayne’s downturned face.

  Eyes round with fear, she said, “My mam, uh, mother used to speak of them, but Father made her stop telling the story. I was quite young. I don’t remember much.”

  Mam was not the word of a noble, but of a farmer. Adana glanced at Montee. The First Vision had caught the slip, too, and she inspected the woman with a hawk-eyed stare.

  Despite Elayne’s slip, Adana decided to extend some acceptance to the woman. Maybe her nobility sprang from a more rural area. Besides, she needed a Listener.

  “I will tell you the story.” She turned toward Montee, afraid the woman would discourage her, but the First Vision sat back and waited.

  Seeking the correct words, yet knowing a Memory Keeper would provide a better delivery, Adana leaned her elbows on her knees and studied the fire before she spoke.

  In the early years of Yarada, the kingdom was a safe place. All people within a season’s journey from the castle were loyal subjects of the crown. Beyond the borders of Yarada lay an empty, barren land. No one ventured there, and no visitors ever crossed the mountains or deserts into Yarada. Yaradanes believed they represented all the Creator’s people.

  One day, an injured farmer rode into the castle, warning of an army from the north, killing and burning everything in their path as they marched south.

  The king and queen rushed to the Temple to seek guidance from the Creator. The whole village joined them, kneeling before the altar, begging for assistance. Close to one hundred people gathered there, and the Creator called on his Teachers of the Faith to divide them into four specific groups.

  Adana glanced at Montee and Joannu, gracing them with a smile of fondness. This was their story, too. The origin of the Watchers.

  To the first group, the Teacher spoke of special gifts from the Creator. “You will be known as Watchers,” he said to this group, all women, young and old alike. “As Watchers, you will prophesy through your dreams and provide advanced warning of events to come. The Creator will enhance the clarity of your vision so you will always see what is coming and be able to strike a target even at a great distance. Your weapons of choice will be the archer’s bow and knife. From now on, you will observe and recall minute details of your surroundings and be able to discern changes around you that most will miss. Danger often arrives through subtle clues, and you will note and report on those.”

  Adana paused and studied Elayne before continuing. “You notice small things, little details that hint at more. That’s why I first thought you might be a Watcher. But I suspect you descend from the second group.”

  The young woman swallowed, her throat bobbing.

  The second group called forth was a mixed group of men and women. The Teacher told them, “The Creator calls you Listeners, gifted with the ability to hear, recognize, and understand the tiniest sounds over extreme distances. Your weapon of choice will be eavesdropping for safety and imitating voices when it will help your kingdom survive an attack, whether physical, spiritual, or mental. You will also use the gift of song and melody to soothe your enemies and maintain a history of Yarada’s people.”

  Elayne glanced at the three Watchers. “Does that mean I will be like you? Able to protect?”

  “If you choose,” Montee said.

  Elayne leaned toward Adana, a look of faint hope on her face. “You told me being a Watcher meant freedom. What about a Listener?”

  Adana looked to Montee for assistance.

  “In times of war, that depends,” Montee said. “But yes, it provides you with different avenues for your life.”

  The tension in Elayne’s body dissipated as confidence settled in her shoulders, and her chin lifted a little higher. “What of the other two groups?”

  Adana nodded and resumed the story.

  The third group, all men, received the gift of touch. “You are Empaths,” the Teacher said. “You can imitate any action with perfection. Your weapon of choice is your body because it will allow you to perform great feats of strength. To keep you from using your strength for selfish reasons, the Creator has given you the ability to identify with and sense the emotions of any living thing, human or animal. You will always think twice before causing harm to anyone.”

  And the fourth group, made up of men and women, he called Seers. “The Creator gives you the gift of intuition. You will know if someone speaks the truth. Your weapon of choice is your mind. Using your knowledge of truth, you will aid others in seeking the right path. This is a dangerous gift because believing something is true does not mean it is.”

  The Creator tasked these four groups with protection of their kingdom and monarchy. Through their combined strengths, they saved Yarada from the invading army, but the knowledge of their fertile lands spread, and others sought to conquer them.

  The people of Yarada, assisted by the gifted ones, fought off every attacker until one wise invader requested a covenant between his people and theirs. From then on, Yarada accepted the outsiders and, within a few generations, began to marry into their families. Only the gifted ones did not. They remained separate from the others, reproducing offspring with multiple gifts.

  Elayne said, “What happened to them? Why are there only Watchers, now?”

  “Horrible things. This is probably why your father wouldn’t allow this story to be told to you,” Adana said.

  The memory of the kingdom’s need for the gifted ones faded, and people began to fear what they did not understand. Villagers burned the homes of those who would protect them and killed gifted ones on sight, seeking to annihilate all of them.

  A remnant of gifted ones fled into the desert where people never traveled. Their history became a myth told around the fires at night for many generations, until the Princess Moniah found an injured baby giraffe and sought to save it. While trying to find the animal’s herd, she stumbled upon a small group of Watchers. The women, amazed the princess had formed a telepathic connection with the great animal, recognized the seeds of their gift in the princess. Because of her unusual bond with the giraffe, Moniah grew to be more powerful in her gifts than all other Watchers.

  Once again, the Watchers entered the court of a monarch, pledging to protect the Princess Moniah and her heirs with their lives.

  “I remember that part of the story,” Elayne whispered as
Adana finished. “And you are Princess Moniah’s heir.” The lady thought for a moment, staring into the fire. “Why do you think my father kept my gift from me?”

  “I suspect you come from a hidden line of Listeners,” Montee said. “Do you think either of your parents or siblings have the gift?”

  “No.” Elayne spoke with conviction. “But my mother’s sister knew things. I remember a big argument. My father forced her to leave that day. We never saw her again.”

  “Your mother’s family, then. He probably feared you would expose them, and people would fear you.”

  “And for now, we must keep your secret.” Adana made firm eye contact with Elayne. “Not for fear of discovery, but because I need every weapon at my disposal. No one has seen a Listener in generations.” She smiled at Elayne. “It’s a great gift.”

  Adana stood and faced southeast. “Once Sinti and Veana join us, we will go to the village. I need information only you can hear.”

  * * * * *

  Chapter 5

  Kiffen’s makeshift troop traveled all day and into the night. They paused for a few hours’ rest, then pushed on toward the Border Keep. The keep, and its surrounding lake, came into view early the next morning. The gates bulged with the arrival of soldiers and refugees, a surprising number for the early hour of the day. The air stank of sweat and tightly packed bodies. In the cool air, steam rose above the crowded mass.

  Kiffen’s heart sank at the sight of so many, especially when he recognized several from the troops who had led Adana’s caravan out of Elwar. He had hoped those troops had escaped the fighting and were headed to Adana’s View in Moniah.

  With a glance toward Simeon, he said, “It doesn’t look like any of our troops made it to Moniah.” This evidence added weight to the concerns already settling on his shoulders. “What other problems will we encounter?”

  Simeon didn’t answer, but Kiffen recognized the look of concern on the man’s features as he slid from his saddle and summoned a stable hand. The young boy, eyes bright with excitement, rushed to take their horses. “Don’t worry, sirs,” he said in a voice not yet changed to manhood, “I’ll take good care of these fine steeds. Whose name should I give the stable master?”

  Simeon handed his reins to the boy. “King Kiffen and his companions.”

  The boy dropped the reins and gawked for a moment before remembering his duty and bowing to Kiffen, then he grabbed the reins, a flush of red climbing his neck. “Yes, Your Majesty. Don’t you worry about a thing. No other horses will get better care. I will give them the best stalls and feed.”

  He clucked to the horses and led them away, peeking back over his shoulder, his eyes bright with curiosity.

  In spite of his exhaustion and worries, Kiffen couldn’t hold back a smile at the young boy’s behavior. The Border Keep rarely had visitors. So many at once, and most of them soldiers with the stories of a battle fought in the darkness of the frightening forest, would thrill any young boy.

  Kiffen searched the jumble of people for someone of rank. Simeon touched his sleeve and nodded toward a Monian First Soldier headed toward them.

  The man stood taller than most of the Elwarian soldiers, just like his female counterparts, the Watchers. His brushed golden armor and horned helmet gleamed in the sunlight, and his leather leggings showed no sign of battle wear. This man had been at the keep long enough to clean up.

  As he paused before them, Kiffen recognized the soldier as the one who had carried Moniah’s banner on the day King Micah arrived in Elwar to celebrate Adana’s birthday. Was that only a week ago? So much had happened in that time.

  The soldier bowed to Kiffen. “Your Highness, a high council has formed.”

  Kiffen noted the title of a prince in the man’s address. Word of his father’s death had not reached the keep. Another piece of information he must share, along with their missing heir and the death of Moniah’s regent king. If only he knew how to reach Bai’dish, he might know more about Adana’s whereabouts.

  The soldier gestured toward the inner walls. “They meet in the Central Tower. The First Vision sent me to escort you.”

  Kiffen’s gaze locked on the older man. He swallowed once to ensure his voice would hold. “The First Vision? Montee is here?” He was painfully aware the man had not mentioned Adana.

  The soldier dropped his gaze for a moment, then looked up, an apologetic smile on his face. “Forgive me. I refer to Kassa.”

  “Kassa? Here?”

  “Yes.”

  Kiffen glanced at the soldier’s armbands, red to signify a commander in the First Soldiers. Kassa was First Vision to Adana’s mother. She held that position for over thirty years, and the man’s rank and age indicated he had spent many years following her lead. But her position had changed the moment Adana’s mother died three years ago. Montee had become Adana’s First Vision then, and Kassa accompanied Adana to Elwar to continue her Watcher training.

  “Kassa has no rank,” Kiffen said. “She’s no longer First Vision.”

  The man grimaced, and his shoulders lifted slightly in an apologetic shrug. “It’s what she does.”

  Kiffen considered the statement. His observations of Kassa as she chaperoned and trained Adana in Elwar supported the soldier’s comment. Fighting exhaustion and disappointment over Adana’s absence, he strode with purpose toward the Central Tower. He needed a bath, rest, and food, but a high council required his presence. “Take me to her.”

  The castle of the Border Keep was the original stronghold for the kingdom of Yarada before it was divided between the twin sisters, Elwar and Moniah. Thoughts of the two ancient queens and their legacies surfaced in Kiffen’s mind as he passed under each wall. Twins born mere minutes apart, each princess possessed important skills and strengths for rulership. Their father determined neither should rule the other and divided the kingdom in two, giving half to Elwar to rule and half to Moniah to rule. Kiffen was Elwar’s direct descendant, while Adana was Moniah’s.

  The Keep sat on an island in the center of a lake, a strong defensive position. The lake’s shoreline teemed with soldiers awaiting a boat to carry them to the safety of the keep. The fortress consisted of three towers. Arrivals entered through the East Tower, which faced the direction from which the majority of soldiers and refugees approached. A high wall extended around the keep and included this tower. Within this wall, a small village of people lived. Because the fortress sat on the border between Elwar and Moniah, neither kingdom claimed ownership, and for centuries, the occupants of the Border Keep lived in homage to both.

  A second wall rose inside the first one. The West Tower, as part of this wall, overlooked a spread of land that, at times, flooded from the melting snows in Elwar. This inner section housed the army and the castle staff.

  The third wall encircled the castle in the depths of the keep. The Central Tower, rising from this wall, provided a panoramic view of the land. To the north, the edge of the forest spread out toward the rugged mountains of Elwar. To the south, a lookout could watch huge herds of animals roam the plains of Moniah. Additional lookouts faced west and east.

  Kiffen and Simeon followed the commander into the map room. There was a rustle as the gathered soldiers bowed in Kiffen’s presence.

  Kassa stood at the huge table in the center of the room, studying a map. She did not bow. At the sound of movement, her Watcher’s gaze flicked toward him, and then returned to the parchment. “Have you connected with Bai’dish, Prince Kiffen?” she asked.

  He paused. Was it that easy? He concentrated on the giraffe and felt a spark of awareness flicker within his mind. The hint of a link taunted him, but he had no idea how to use it.

  “I have had more pressing duties.”

  Kassa didn’t look back up but continued to study the maps. She placed a lion marker at the Border Keep. He glanced at a point to the north, marking Elwar’s castle. His father’s larger marker, the king of lions, stood there. Inaccurate, but that information could wait. He turned toward K
assa, wondering at her role within this gathering. She obviously had reassumed her former position as First Vision. Had Montee not made it to Adana? The only reason a former First Vision might step back into authority would be the death of the current one. No one in the room, all of them high-ranking officials, seemed to question her place, either.

  He picked up his marker from the map and rolled it between his fingers. “I hoped you were with Adana.”

  She blinked at him like a hawk considering its next meal. “I was too far from her camp to aid her. I came here with the first wave of troops.” She turned back to the table. “We have a war to fight.”

  Kiffen fought the frustration welling within him while reminding himself that Kassa thought strategically. He needed her intelligence and skill, but he knew he needed her respect and compliance, too. “Kassa, why didn’t you head for Moniah to prepare the fortress for Adana’s arrival?”

  The woman straightened and swiveled her steel gray eyes toward him. “Maligon attacked from the south. His troops blocked that route. It seemed wiser to muster here.”

  New information. Since soldiers from Elwar had alerted Kiffen of the possible attack, he had assumed it had originated in the north. He hadn’t known about the attack from the south.

  Had Maligon surrounded them? Come at them from all sides? That could mean Adana rode into the traitor’s army to the east, the direction he knew she’d taken when fleeing the attack.

  He studied the map table. None of the markers on the board provided a clear picture of their enemy’s position.

  Disturbing, but at the moment, he needed to assume his position within this gathering. Kassa held the lowest rank in the room, yet she appeared ready to lead their armies. He couldn’t fathom why no one challenged her authority. The Watcher did command respect through her presence, so he needed to tread with care. He needed her.