Guardians of Evil

by C. R. Daems

  “Liada, we were so worried when you didn’t—” he blurted. He gulped when he realized his mistake in saying her real name.

  “This is Mistress Kasinda, who’s on the Supreme Council. This is Zeph, my friend, and Emmund, Gorlack security,” she said and added, “The police are arresting the priests at Master Jesslin’s orders.”

  “Mistress Kasinda,” Emmund said and smiled. “I assume you are interested in Liada’s friends and the rest of the story?”

  “Yes, Jatia…Liada has saved my life but with very little explanation. I need to hear the rest. And while we’re talking, Liada needs a healer.” Kasinda pointed to Liada’s hand.

  “I’ll lie down in my room until the healer gets here while Emmund tells you the story,” Liada said weakly.

  Zeph put his arm around her, which would have made her chuckle if her arm hadn’t hurt so much. She didn’t need help walking, but he was so upset his lips were pale.

  “I’ll…you seem to know best. Go, child.”

  Liada opened the door and went directly to her room.

  Child is it? I’m not old but I’m older than that, she fumed. And old enough to save your life.

  “Tali, thank you for your help. The priests would have won without it.”

  “That was the least I could do for you. Now put out your hand.”

  A glow surrounded it as warmth soaked into her hand, easing the pain. Slowly, the swelling lessened until it was gone. Liada flexed her hand. It didn’t hurt at all.

  She decided to stay put, and let Emmund finish telling Kasinda whatever part of the story he decided was necessary and believable. She had to smile at his giving out any information at all to anyone.

  Zeph sat by her bed while she lay down. She’d almost dozed off when Emmund and Kasinda came in. It had been a trying two days.

  He reached down and touched her healed hand and then jerked back as though he’d been burned. His face looked a little red. “Mistress Kasinda is going to accompany me back to Gorlack. I assume Sechael will not be going to Stonecross. It wouldn’t make sense after their failure in Kenttol. I think Llunris is his last chance. The folks in Llunris shouldn’t be hard to convince, as they don’t like the priests. With Mistress Kasinda along it will be even easier. You and Zeph need to go back to Stonecross. Hopefully, I’m right about Sechael and Mistress Ruxandra was successful in convincing the other members of the House of Laws to take action before the assassins do. If not, she may need help. I’ll arrange a carriage for you. We’re taking a boat to Llunris, hoping to beat Sechael.”

  Chapter 19

  Ostono: Stonecross

  The coach ride seemed to take forever. Liada was excited about getting home but worried about what they’d find. Had Ruxandra been successful and the priests subdued? Were the priests in charge? Were they waiting for Sechael to start the action? Since there was no way to tell, they were quiet during the ride to Ostono, each involved in their own thoughts.

  The carriage passed without incident on both sides.

  “I guess the rich don’t get hassled,” Zeph said as they passed the guards on the Ostono side.

  “No, the rich live by a different set of rules than we do. They live in bigger houses, have servants to do the work, and have money to buy whatever they want. And people bow and scrape to them. This trip has taught me more than I ever wanted to know.” She laughed. “I’m the same age as when we left, but I feel years older. I’ll be glad to be back home and back to a normal life. But do you think things will really be the same?”

  “I know what you mean. I’ve followed you through three empires. I didn’t know people were different like that. But I’ll be glad to be home.”

  * * * *

  When the carriage rolled into Stonecross, it seemed quiet like everyone had stayed home. The ring road around the market was nearly empty. A handful of shoppers were there and they seemed to be in a hurry to finish. Half the vendor stalls were closed. Soon they turned onto Lansee Road and home. The street seemed strangely empty. The carriage stopped in front of the Inn and they got out. Zeph hugged her and kissed her cheek.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said before he headed toward home, half running.

  Liada cocked her head as she watched him leave. He seemed like a grown man most of the time, but sometimes he was still the eager boy she’d grown up with.

  Liada smiled and went in through the front door. Two people sat at a table eating, but otherwise the place was empty. She suspected they were residents of the Inn. Before she realized it, her father grabbed her in a tight bear hug, kissing her on the cheek.

  “Your mother and I have been out of our minds worrying about you. Mistress Ruxandra said you were in Sporish trying to stop the priest’s uprising.”

  “I’m fine, Pa. The Supreme Council exiled the priests. But what’s going on here?” she asked with her fingers crossed. This calm could mean anything.

  “Mistress Ruxandra told the House of Laws that the priests were planning to seize power. A few of the priests used their Quag’s power. People were killed. That caused a riot and most of the priests were killed. The town’s been quiet since.”

  “Mistress Ruxandra is here. Why?”

  “I don’t know how she found you, but she did. She said she wanted to talk to you when you returned. She’s out right now but usually returns for the evening meal. Let’s go see your mother; she’s been sick with worry.”

  Liada was greeted as if she’d risen from the grave. Even her brother and sister were so excited they couldn’t stop jumping up and down, and kissing her every few minutes.

  “Daughter, I hope you’re home for good. I don’t think I could take that again. You’ve aged me twenty years,” Martha said. “Master Wilorm has been asking about you. He said you would be welcome to come back. I think he likes you.”

  That’s news to me. I wish people would tell me instead of everyone else.

  Liada chuckled to herself. She now realized it wasn’t important. All she could do was to do her best and be happy with what she was. She had a loving family, good friends like Zeph…and Emmund, and her friends with wings.

  She was getting herself settled in her old room when there was a knock at the door. When Liada opened the door, Mistress Ruxandra stood there with her father.

  “Mistress Ruxandra would like to talk with you, Liada,” her father said, looking wary and protective.

  “It’s all right, Father.” Reluctantly he turned and left. “Come in, Mistress, or would you rather go someplace with more room?”

  “No this is fine,” she said as she entered and sat in Liada’s only chair. Liada sat on the bed, not sure what to expect.

  “Right this minute many people hate you, particularly the priests, and others would make you a member of the House of Laws.” Liada jerked in surprise.

  “Most don’t realize the years of suffering you saved them.”

  Liada didn’t know what to say. In reality, she’d been swept along, unable to stop or get off. Maybe that’s what life was about. You couldn’t control being swept along. What mattered was what you did when it happened.

  “I know without you the plot would have succeeded. Emmund couldn’t have stopped it without you. Now it’s over would you trust me with your secret?”

  Liada sat in silence. She’d been afraid to trust anyone for fear of being caught…no…for fear of getting her friends hurt. She still feared that; however, her goal had been to get them recognized.

  “Yes, you trusted me. Talibaprimitivasaltheasaria.” Tali appeared beside her. She’d expected Ruxandra to scream, or jump out of her chair, or faint. She only leaned closer for a better look.

  “Yes, I thought so. A First One. It’s beautiful.”

  “Tali’s a sprite. They are residents of Ostono. Kaimanawikoliakainoe.” The Seadragon appeared near the window. “Kaim is a Seadragon. They are residents of Sporish. Aliyahbasiradjamilakahlidaafra.” Aliy appeared between them. “Aliy is a firebird and a resident of Gorlack.”

&nb
sp; Now Ruxandra was in shock.

  “I thought there was only one type of First Ones, and they were dull and misshaped. They are beautiful. Are they dangerous?”

  “No. They are sworn to peace.”

  The woman looked from one First One to another for a long time. “We have much to relearn about the First Ones. Thank you, Liada. I will keep your secret for as long as you want. However, I think you are going to want to go public for their sakes,” Ruxandra said and she rose. She kissed Liada on the cheek and left.

  * * * *

  The next two sixdays were glorious. Liada had gone back to her apprenticeship under Master Wilurm and had gained his approval, with the dishes she’d learned in Sporish and Gorlack. She had to admit her new-found enjoyment and natural curiosity had improved her attention and attitude. She no longer made faces or stuck out her tongue when Wilurm criticized her work. She saw it as helping her improve her skill. And she got time to spend with family, helping her mother in the kitchen and her brother and sister with their studies. They even seemed to pay attention to her. The biggest shock was the day Zeph came by to visit and tell her that he’d been betrothed to Gashila. Liada couldn’t help laughing and teasing him. He seemed happy and just laughed at her teasing. And he talked non-stop about how much more his father was allowing him to take over at the smith.

  She was working in her mother’s kitchen when she looked around and saw Emmund leaning against the door, smiling. She noticed immediately that he had his tatt back on his forehead. She hadn’t known until then that she’d missed it, too.

  “Don’t you ever knock, Emmund?” She grinned. “I know. It would destroy your image as a spy.” She walked over and gave him a hug. When he hugged her back, she felt warm all over.

  “I’m afraid my days of spying are over, so I guess I’m going to have to break my habit of sneaking around. My face is known all over Gorlack. And they made me a member of the House of Elders.” He looked a bit disgruntled.

  “Oh, that’s wonderful…my important friend.”

  “I need you to do me one last favor. It’s not dangerous.”

  “What’s that, Elder?” Now she was suspicious. Emmund’s idea of not dangerous was different from hers.

  “There’s a meeting tomorrow I wish you to attend. You’ll see some friendly faces.”

  She was still suspicious. Emmund may no longer be a spy, but she doubted he was less devious.

  “All right, but if this is a trick, I’ll send my friends to look you up.”

  “I’ll pick you up at noon tomorrow.” He smiled and left. She didn’t like him smiling. It had to be trouble. But his hugs weren’t so bad. She had to wonder what he thought about hers though. Did he still think she was just a girl?

  “Tali, Kaim, Aliy. What do you think?” she asked, hoping for some insight from her older and wiser friends.

  “Emmund is devious.” Aliy’s warm laugh reached her ear.

  “And is not to be trusted.” Kaim’s voice echoed on the wind.

  “But he is a friend.” Tali’s voice reached her from her usual perch.

  “Fine lot of friends you are. Where’s all the wisdom you acquired through the ages? I could have figured that out myself.”

  * * * *

  Emmund was at the front door of the Inn with an elegant polished wood carriage exactly at noon.

  “We don’t want to be late,” he said as he helped her in with a bow. He nodded to the liveried driver and they proceeded back down Lansee Road and over to Drumm Road. She was a bit nervous when he passed Lower and Upper Terrace street and continued toward the Temple, even though she knew the priests were no longer there. Sure enough, the carriage came to a stop at the entrance. The temple was the last place she expected him to take her, and her last choice.

  “No need to be nervous.” He tilted her chin with a finger and brushed a quick kiss across her lips. “There are friends here.”

  She couldn’t help the smile that formed on her face. That answered her question.

  “And don’t look smug. Come, we have an appointment.” He led her up the stairs, her steps dragging in spite of his reassurance, and into the main chamber. A small crowd was seated in cushioned chairs formed into a crescent. She recognized Ruxandra, Kasinda, Jesslin, and the head of Gorlack security although she still didn’t know his name.

  Emmund brought her to an empty chair at the front. He helped her sit and walked to sit among the others. Ruxandra rose.

  “Liada, we asked you here as a favor to us. Before you sit the members of the House of Laws, the Supreme Council, and the House of Elders. By now, many realize you have some association with the First Ones. A secret that I think you would like to share with us. And no, I have not shared my knowledge with anyone.”

  Liada sat there in shock, her hands trembling. In front of her sat very important and powerful people—who wanted what? As she tried to stop the trembling, she heard the sing-song talk of the First Ones.

  “Now is the time, Liada,” Tali said from her perch.

  Liada couldn’t think.

  “Now is the time?” What does that mean?

  She frowned and then she knew. What she wanted for her friends was now possible. She relaxed her tense shoulders and looked into the faces before her, one by one.

  She stood to speak. “The First Ones have been persecuted for a hundred years when their only crime was siding with humans who chose to fight a war. They continued fighting each other after we decided to stop. But they only killed each other, not humans. When they realized the wrongness of their action, they swore a pact of non-violence. The priests and the Quag used them as an excuse to come to power. They lied. Worse, they began to believe their own lies. They became zealots who wanted to make everyone believe what they did.”

  She paused and took a deep breath. “How do I know the First Ones aren’t violent? Because through all of this trouble, never once did they use violence even to save my life when it was in danger—even though they are bonded to me. All they want is to be recognized as another species inhabiting the world with us. Not to be feared or hunted because they are different.”

  “You say they are bonded to you?” a man asked.

  “One of each species.”

  “There is more than one?” a woman asked.

  “Yes, Tali.” She appeared. “A sprite from Ostono.”

  “Kaim.” He appeared. “A Seadragon from Sporish.”

  “Aliy.” She appeared. “A Firebird from Gorlack.” Each floated next to her. The reaction was mixed: some moved back, some stood, and some leaned forward for a better look. The room was filled with an astonished muttering.

  Liada spent the next hour answering questions about how she found the lists and other information, about the Quag, and about the First Ones. When the questions ended, she was asked to wait in one of the side rooms that Emmund led her to.

  “What is this about?” She’d been relaxed when talking about the First Ones, but she was nervous being asked to wait in one of the rooms.

  For what reason, she wondered.

  “They need to digest what you’ve said and come to some kind of agreement. Since only you can talk to the First Ones, they want you to wait for any questions.” He gave her a reassuring smile before he went to join the discussion, closing the door behind him. That didn’t sound too bad, and she sort of relaxed again. She spent the next two hours talking with her friends and trying to determine how her speech had been received. Finally, Emmund came back for her. After she took her seat, Ruxandra rose.

  “Liada, we agree to proclaim to our three empires that the First Ones may roam freely. They are not a threat to humans. However, you are the only one who we know of who can talk to them. Therefore, we would like to make you their official ambassador.”

  Liada’s mouth dropped open. She gasped. Once again she heard the sing-song talk of her friends.

  “We agree, for each of our species,” the three said one after another.

  “They agree.” She had to wonder
what Zeph would think when she told him and shook her head as she smiled.

  “Then you are the ambassador for the First Ones. You can use this temple if you wish. We will provide the people to keep it clean and prepare meals,” Ruxandra said. She seemed to be the group’s spokeswoman.

  “No, the temples have been a symbol of hate and fear. I would prefer you take them apart and use the material for some worthwhile building. If I am to be their representative, they and I must be seen and available to answer questions and resolve problems. To do that, I must visit each city and town.” She paused for a moment to think what that would be like. She had to smile. “I won’t mind. I’ve made good friends in each empire. I think I should visit a different empire every other six sixdays. I hope that my friends will come to be recognized as the peaceful ones they are.”

  Emmund stood up and came to her side. “Travel alone? I don’t think so.”

  Liada smiled at him from under her eyelids. No, he wasn’t smiling at her as though she was only a child.

  With that, the three First Ones made themselves visible and have remained so ever afterward.

  Thank you

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