“This entire room is mine?” she stammered.
Olivia’s soft giggle escaped from between her rosy lips. “Yes, it’s all yours. Everything in the wardrobe as well.” She walked over and threw open the doors to display several decorative dress robes. There were also some uniforms Emily presumed were for training.
“It’s just too big for one person, I feel guilty taking up this much space. What about all the other women?” She spun around putting her arms out to indicate how much open room there really was.
“Oh, they don’t need it. This room has never even been used, not since I’ve existed. We don’t really sleep, so having separate sleeping chambers just doesn’t make much sense. Besides, Aldara said this is what the room was created for. It was for when a Daughter of Earth would once again reside in Eden.”
Emily peeked inquisitively over her shoulder at Olivia. That last sentence caught her attention. Olivia had said ‘once again.’ It was such a subtle phrase she had almost missed it. She wasn’t the first human to have arrived in Eden? She filed the thought away and would question Alexander later. There were other things to currently concentrate on.
“My chambers are right through that doorway.” Olivia walked over and brushed a small satin cover to the side, revealing an arched doorway. “Or I guess my new chambers. Aldara says I am supposed to stay with you, even when you sleep so I will always be right through here if you need me. Does everything suit you, will this work?”
“Will this work?” Emily gawked. She then grabbed Olivia’s hands, ran over to the bed and flung them both into the soft feathery pillows.
Both girls squealed in delight as they fought their way through the mountainous material and fluff.
“You’ll have to sleep in here with me just in case I need to be rescued from this bed.”
Both girls laughed at the thought. Emily already liked Olivia and felt like they would become good friends. Each of them fought to sit up against the padding that threatened to swallow them whole.
“I suppose it’s time to get you ready. They will surely release me as your guide if I can’t get you to the ceremony on time,” Olivia stated as she climbed from the bed.
“I definitely don’t want to get you in trouble.” Emily followed her new friend from the mess of pillows and over to the bath.
The water had already been drawn and decorated with flower petals. There was no plumbing like one would expect for a tub this size. Someone, or some people, must have carried steaming water into the chambers before Emily arrived.
The water was a perfect temperature and carried a sweet yet potent lavender and almond scent that rose with the steam to engulf her nostrils.
Olivia waited on the other side of the sash as Emily bathed, not wanting to intrude, but was ready with a long cotton-like robe when she got out.
It was slightly uncomfortable for Emily to have someone else present while she bathed but Olivia had kept her eyes averted even when offering the robe and it made the unusual situation more tolerable for her.
The young Guardian sat Emily down at the oversized vanity and immediately went to work brushing her long wavy hair.
Watching Olivia through the crystal clear mirror before her, Emily wondered how she was going to do her hair. There was no blow dryer, or curling iron. No hairsprays or other products necessary to make her hair look nice. If Emily were to mention the absence of those things, Olivia would most likely not have known they existed.
After she’d brushed her hair to the point where it was almost dry, she started braiding the top half of Emily’s hair. Her delicate fingers flew effortlessly over the wavy strands, creating an elaborate braid coming from both sides of her head. She then went to work on the bottom half of hair, still using her fingers, twisting and curling locks tightly then laying them against the robe to finish drying. Olivia had created loose spiral curls in Emily’s hair, more curl than Emily’s typical simple wave.
Her guide went to the wardrobe and selected a gown on the end. It was a long deep blue robe with silver embroidery. A white triangular fabric sown in the middle created a full skirt effect. It fit perfectly, which made Emily wonder how the Guardians knew her size so precisely. The outfit was finished off with a silver sash cinched tightly just above her waist.
When Emily looked in the full-length mirror beside the vanity she was amazed. The dress looked like something she’d seen women wear in movies featuring tales from ancient eras. Her hair was elegant and tasteful. She hardly recognized herself. She caught a glimpse of something shiny over the top of her head and then felt the weighty silver crown-like accessory Olivia carefully rested atop her hair.
The fitted metal piece was smooth and lay flat against her scalp, coming to a downward peak just below her hairline.
“You look amazing,” Olivia said as she stepped back to fully admire her handiwork.
“Thank you.” She turned around to glance at the dress’ backside. There was a slight train that flowed behind her. “Thank you so much.”
She felt the part, like someone chosen to do something special. It was the little girl still hidden inside her who beamed at the reflection in the mirror. She had always wanted to look and feel like a princess and Olivia had just fulfilled her secret childhood desire.
The realization of this filled Emily with such excitement, she threw her arms around Olivia, almost knocking them both to the ground.
“We need to get going, it’s almost sunset.” Olivia looked out the window at the horizon. “We should hurry.”
The two women swiftly headed toward the Gathering Stone and arrived somewhat winded, just as the sun started to touch the mountaintops.
They took a loop so they would turn up from the back on the Stone’s south end. Everyone was already on the north side where the Elders normally addressed larger crowds of Guardians. But Alexander was not with the crowd he was there, waiting for them.
As Emily approached he started shaking his head. This gesture confused her, she was almost certain he would have approved of her new look. But then she saw the grin forming at the corner of his mouth.
“Just when I think you can’t possibly get any more beautiful, you prove me wrong,” Alexander grabbed her hand and kissed it.
“I’ll need to have Olivia help me more often. I feel like a princess all dressed up like this,” Emily’s cheeks grew hot.
“You are a princess,” he whispered as he pulled her closer. “Olivia didn’t do anything, it’s all you.” He rolled his thumb over her full pink lips.
Emily felt weak in the knees; she always did when he was this close. She rose up onto her toes and leaned in giving him a soft kiss. “I’m so lucky you’re mine.”
Cyreena came around the Gathering Stone showcasing a giant smile. “It’s time. Damarus would like to start the ceremony. I told them I knew exactly where you two were.”
She raised her eyebrows, a simple gesture reminding everyone there she had the ability to see what happened in the past and present.
They followed behind Cyreena closely as she led them around to the stairs on the marble platform’s east side. Emily had to raise her dress so as not to step on it as she climbed the stairs. She really was starting to feel like a character in a fairy tale.
Upon reaching the top Emily noticed six large throne-like chairs carved from dark, dense wood. She assumed five of them were for the Five Elders, as they all had decorative carvings which seemed to go along with their abilities. But, the sixth chair, the one in the middle, caught Emily’s eye. It was different than the others, with areas accented in gold.
There seemed to be no specific design to the carvings on it, as spirals, swirls and shapes mingled harmoniously all over. Emily wondered who sat there and then she saw the picture depicted in the chair’s center back. It was a dagger, the exact dagger from her dreams.
The chair was for her.
Cyreena ushered her over to stand beside the other four Elders. Alexander took a position behind Emily, and then Athos stepped fo
rward.
His address was brief; he opened the ceremony by telling all Guardians why they were there, even though they already knew.
When he concluded his announcement Aldara moved forward, it was her turn to speak.
“Brothers and sisters, this is a glorious day, a day which has been prophesied from the very beginning. The admittance of a Daughter of Earth into Eden means new life for our kind, it will bring about a new purpose and a new future. It is a time of renewal and revelation for all of us.”
The crowd erupted in a cheer. Emily wondered if they all knew something she didn’t because nothing Aldara had just said seemed very clear to her. All the details were still so vague and she remained unsure exactly how she was going to fulfill this prophecy.
Aldara continued once the Guardians had become silent enough to hear her. “The sun will set on this day, bringing to a close an era where Guardians and humans co-exist, yet remain separate. With tomorrow’s dawn, a new era will begin, one where we will eventually live together, and partake of all the substance and blessing of life united, as comrades and as friends.”
Emily scanned the throng of Guardians before her. They were all excitedly yelling and throwing their arms in the air. She attempted to push aside her confusion and displacement; she considered for a moment what they must have been thinking.
She wondered how it must feel to know the day was coming when they could finally live out in the open, and not have to silently watch and wait. To receive recognition for all the good they did. Emily remembered Alexander said he often felt isolated. How awful it must be to feel isolated for centuries or for some, possibly millenniums. The thought made Emily shudder.
No wonder they were all so thrilled. They had been kept captive within Eden’s walls and invisibility’s solitary confines. And though Eden’s beauty could not be surpassed, they were in truth prisoners, slaves to their work, with no genuine freewill. Always having to answer to a higher calling to protect and guard someone else, with no regard for the value of his or her own life.
She’d been so envious of Alexander, but did not even consider he might have actually envied her and her life. All his powers and abilities made it seem as though his existence was completely glorious and without flaw. However, all the abilities he had were to administer to another, not himself. Feeling like an eternal servant, always adhering to the will and dictation of a calling, did not appeal in the slightest to Emily. At least she always had a choice in things; nobody could take that from her. Yet, Guardians did not seem to have the same privilege.
Yes, this was a glorious change that was coming. This new revelation, this epiphany for Emily, instantly altered her. She could feel her anxieties and doubts melt away. There was no room for such feelings, not anymore. She determined in that moment of clarity that no matter the task, she would do her part. She would help in any way she could to give these Guardians the freedom they longed for, the freedom they deserved. The freedom of choice most humans took for granted, and Guardians had never truly tasted.
Aldara said a few more things and then turned to face Emily, snapping her from her thoughts.
“It is time to take your place among us,” Aldara whispered.
Damarus came over and took Emily by the hand and led her to the giant throne with the golden dagger. She slowly turned around to face the silent crowd. Matthias stepped over to her with a delicate crown made from intricately woven silver leaves. It was easy for him to place it on Emily’s head since he towered at least four inches above her. The crown slid perfectly over the flat metal piece she already wore, the prongs giving a click as they locked into place.
Aldara motioned for Emily to take a seat in the wooden chair “I give you your crowned Daughter of Earth. She is now a leader among you, and should be treated as such, with the utmost respect and admiration.”
Every Guardian let out a deafening shout which echoed off the nearby buildings creating a pool of joyous noise.
It was all so mind-boggling, so unreal. Yet, it made sense.
Emily had just found her purpose.
Chapter 6
“Emily, get up! It’s time.” Olivia leaned down and whispered in her ear with no effort to contain her excitement, rather just the volume of her voice.
She rolled over with a groan and attempted to open her eyes, squinting against the bright sunlight filling her room.
“I feel like I just went to bed,” Emily groggily declared. “What time is it?”
“What time is it? Well, I don’t know. We don’t use clocks in Eden. All I know is the sun has fully risen and that is when I was ordered to wake you. You have a big day ahead.” Olivia was grinning widely, as she held open a long soft robe for Emily to slip into.
Stretching once and then twice, she forced herself to wake. In truth, all she wanted to do was to lie back down, at least for a few more minutes. But it just wasn’t an option.
She had to slide across the velvet mattress just to get her feet over the edge. Once she was up, Olivia led her to a small table in the middle of the room.
The table was a new addition from yesterday and looked dwarfed by heaps of fruits, berries and breads on it. It was quite a meal, one Emily could hardly put a dent in. This food was no doubt left over from last night.
After the induction ceremony she’d been escorted to a giant table covered in all sorts of lovely and exotic foods. The scene seemed strange for Eden since she knew Guardians did not need to eat. It didn’t take long for her to realize the entire feast was for her. It was enough to feed twenty people and Emily could not imagine how they had acquired it all. When she’d asked Alexander, he had explained that fruits, vegetables and plants grew abundantly in Eden. They were able to harvest everything and use it. Although it wasn’t often, Guardians did sometimes eat just for the pleasure of experiencing the taste of food itself.
Emily scooped a handful of berries as she sat down. Popping them into her mouth, juices exploded in every direction as she bit down. The taste was amazing, much more delicious than any berry she’d ever had before. Olivia stood behind her and began brushing out the braid and curls that had been left in her hair overnight.
“Are you excited about today?” Olivia asked.
She paused to swallow her mouthful of sweet and flavorful berries. “I am. I’m very excited. Ever since Aldara told me I had a purpose and I was to be trained in Eden, I have been dying for some answers. You have no idea the pressure that comes with knowing something is expected of you, something that can affect so many others. Someone telling you people’s lives depend on you, yet you have no clue as to how to accomplish any of it.” Emily paused to re-think the statement. It was absolutely silly to declare such a thing, and of course Olivia understood. Olivia probably understood what Emily was talking about perfectly.
She reached behind her to grab Olivia’s hand, spinning around so she could face her. “I didn’t mean that. I wasn’t really thinking. I guess it’s still too early in the morning and my brain’s a bit foggy. You know exactly what I feel like, don’t you? The exact same things have been asked of you.” Emily smiled at her new friend.
Olivia didn’t look like she had taken any offense. She was too innocent, she only knew what she’d been taught by her Elders within Eden’s walls.
“I think you are being asked to do a lot more than me,” Olivia giggled. “But, I guess the overall task is the same. To do something for another, to blindly give yourself over to a will greater than your own.”
Emily contemplated for a moment. ‘A will greater than your own.’ Was that what this was all about? Emily bending and stretching until she was no longer following her own heart, giving up her own will?
“Does it bother you that you exist solely to do things for other people? Do you ever feel trapped because you can’t choose another way for yourself?”
Olivia paused for a moment, staring out the open window. “Not really. It’s all I’ve ever known, all I’ve been taught. I don’t know any other way. But, I must s
ay I have fantasized every now and then about what it would be like to live a human life. To make my own choices, only to be governed by the consequences of those choices…to fall in love…” Olivia sighed. “But, since I haven’t even seen the outside world it isn’t something I struggle with, not like some other Guardians.”
Emily turned back to the table and Olivia began to brush her hair again. “So you’re saying some Guardians don’t like being what they are?”
“I wouldn’t say that. I think all Guardians like doing what they do, but at times it can be difficult to accept. Like in the beginning, it is said not wanting to protect humans was the very thing that drove half our brothers and sisters from Eden. They believed Guardians were the more supreme creation, and protecting humans made us no greater than mere servants,” Olivia explained, with distaste in her voice.
“Half of the Guardians left? That is a large number. A scary number, really.” Emily’s mind flashed back to her near-fatal encounter with Dante. “I didn’t realize there were that many Ancient Ones. Do they outnumber you?”
“I don’t know. We aren’t often permitted to speak of the evil ones, or the great dissention. But I think our numbers are starting to even out ever since the last Guardians were born. It’s just speculation, though.”
Olivia continued her work. She’d tied a long cord to Emily’s hair and was now wrapping and weaving it into an elaborate bun, using the cord as though it was a needle and Emily’s hair was the thread.
Emily ate a few more bites, stewing over the new knowledge she’d just received.
“So, is that Aldara’s purpose? Does she help Guardians cope with the problems and feelings that come from doing what you do?”
“Yes, that is why she is called Mother. She was not only there for our creation but she is the one who helps all Guardians deal with the emotional turmoil which can come from our task. Emotions can run strong and deep while Guardians fulfill certain tasks in the human realm.”
Daughter of Earth (Tales of the Guardian) Page 5