Forgotten Guardians

The six awoke the next morning lo the sound of excited chatter filling the air. They peered through the window to see the whole town awake and busy putting up the finishing touches for the festival. Their attention was taken away from the window when there was a knock on the door. An elderly Watcher poked his head in and informed them it was time for breakfast. The group turned and saw their clothes folded and clean, placed at the foot of each of their beds. They took their time getting ready and slowly walked to the dinning hall with Grimmly leading the way. He greeted the men who walked by with a wave and smile. Most of the Watchers had been up for hours and had already eaten so the six had the dinning hall virtually to themselves. A plump elderly woman named Bell or, as the Watchers called her, the “Queen of the kitchen”, came out with several trays balanced in her hands. She looked as if she had done this all her life. She laid out the meal before them and gave Grimmly a short tongue lashing about sleeping so late, but her mood quickly faded as she welcomed his companions to the Towers. Giving Miranda a quick wink then she scurried back to her kitchen. Grimmly eagerly talked about the festival, especially the rules for the livestock contest. He beamed as spoke of his sheep and how he had won the competition for the past three years. The rest sat and quietly listened as their new friend babbled on about his fabled secrets.

After their meal, Grimmly lead them down into town. The festival was in full swing by the time they reached the main street. People walked by, everyone with a friendly smile and courteous hello. The main street was crowded with villagers enjoying the early hours of the festival. All along the street tables were set up with food and games and at every intersection a stage was erected with a musicians, storytellers or magicians. Children ran around giggling and full of life while the older folk sat and laughed at old stories. The group walked around in the grassy area on the edge of the village. For most of the afternoon they spent watching the competetions, such as wrestling, log tossing, quads, and when the contest for livestock came around they all waited in anticipation with Grimmly. After several grueling speeches they came to the prize for the best wool. Grimmly tensed as the judges went through their ordeal. Finally they announced the winner. Grimmly’s face beamed with pride when the judges handed him the medal. He graciously shook the others herders’ hands and congratulated them on their fine stock.

By the time the contests were over it was near dusk and cooking fires began to light the area. Tables were set up in the grassy area with a grand bonfire in the center. Grimmly led the group back to the Towers to wash and change for the feast. Grimmly wore his finest outfit, a well cut vest of rich blues and reds with gold embroidery along the trim and golden buttons. His trousers were a dark blue with gold embroidery down the seam and freshly polished boots. The Watchers provided Uuger with a light gray tunic and a pair of black breeches with gray embroidery, Frathe refused to wear the outfit which was laid out for him, he would not dress up like a cock rooster, as he put it. Before Josan lay a pair of black trousers and fine cut black tunic. It was a little unsettling how well the Watchers knew him, he thought as he picked up the black tunic. He quickly changed, and with some effort left his arsenal of weapons behind, but not before Grimmly pointed out repeatedly that they would be safe. Bell peered through the door and bade Miranda to follow, Miranda picked up her pack and left the room and followed Bell, seeking some privacy. After Grimmly, Josan, Uuger had changed they went down and waited for Miranda in the entry hall. After awhile Miranda finally strode down the staircase with Bell still fussing with the details. The group stood awe struck as Miranda slowly walked down the staircase looking more beautiful than any of them could imagine. She was wearing the dress she received from the merchant, Roland. It fit her as though it was made for no one else. Josan could not take his eyes from her. He couldn’t remember ever seeing anything more beautiful. The umber gown caressed her figure revealing all of her curves. Her hair hung down freely catching rays of moonlight as if she was an enchanted creature of legends. Bell finally finished fussing and smiled at her. Miranda gave Bell a warm hug and quickly kissed her on the cheek. Bell then turned and scurried off down the hall. It took a moment for all of them to shake off the trance of seeing Miranda dressed so beautifully. Grimmly strolled up to her and kissed her hand, saying: “You will be the talk of the town for some time my dear, I think many young men will have their eye on you tonight,” Miranda’s face turned crimson and her smiled widened.

“Well, should we be off,” she said, taking Uuger’s hand and starting for the door.

The rest quickly followed her and Uuger, making their way through the gardens and into town. They walked down the main street. Grimmly was right; every man’s eyes peered at Miranda with awe. And not just the young men, but the elder men gazed at her too, which got a few of them a thump on their heads from their wives. Miranda seemed not to notice their gazes as she sat down at a table with her friends.

A few minutes later, the Watchers made their way down from the towers and joined in the festivities. Vell was helped to his seat by two younger Watchers. The villagers stood in respect until the Head Watcher was seated. Though his body was frail and wrapped in layers of furs to keep out the chill, he looked full of life as he gazed out among his friends. After Vell gave a short speech about another year gone by and new one beginning, the feast began. Trays upon trays were laid out, filled with every type of bread, cheese, roasted meat and vegetable, one could imagine. The food was delicious and it never depleted. The group sat together eating and sharing small conversation. The villagers only glanced politely at the group; most people would have stared with open mouths at the sight of a goblin using a napkin and a giant using silverware. Even Uuger showed proper manners while they ate. Wolf lay at Josan’s feet begging for scrapes until a woman brought him a small stray of roast beef which he was happy to receive. Josan kept his hood low, trying to avoid the people’s curious looks. As the meal ended, music rang out and the younger folk made their way to the ground before the bonfire. They danced and twirled to the beat of the music. The Watchers started on their contribution to the festival and filled the sky with every color imaginable. Fireworks and music filled the air as the people danced. After a few minutes a young man appeared at the table and asked Miranda to dance, she hesitated but with a little push from Grimmly, she was out on the dance field twirling and laughing with the rest of village folk. Josan could not take his eyes from her, the way she twirled, the way fire light danced around her as if it too came to life with her presence, the music seemed to dance to her. Josan was quickly brought back to reality by Frathe’s elbow. He turned to see a mischievous smirk on the goblin’s face. Josan quickly turned back and watched the dancing and fireworks, trying to hide the redness of his face.

After the first dance was over Uuger quickly scurried out to Miranda. He gave a little bow and extended his long skinny greenish arm, trying his best to act noble. Miranda beamed, and took his hand and lead him to an open space before the bonfire. The music started and they danced, Uuger barely came to her waist, even standing on his toes. It wasn’t the most formal dance, but they both laughed and giggled as the music went on. After the song ended a young girl came up to them and shyly asked if she may dance with Uuger. His face lit up with excitement and he happily took the young girl’s hand. Miranda walked back over the table and asked Grimmly for a dance, who in his courtly manner bowed and took her hand graciously. Now it was Miranda who had to stand on her toes. Grimmly was a fine dancer, especially for his size. He swayed and twirled Miranda as if they were at a royal ball. The song ended and Grimmly regretfully said that he had to speak with the Head Watcher, so Miranda strolled back over to the table, ignoring the other gentlemen who wanted to dance with her. She held out her hand to Frathe, who looked up from his mug of ale. At first he refused, but Miranda’s insistants broke him down and she eagerly dragged him out to the dance floor. Even a slight laugh escaped Frame’s lips as he tried to dance. He wasn’t the most elegant dancer but he was grinning as he came back to sit down. Miranda followed right behind him to the table. She stood in front of Josan, “May I have the pleasure of a dance, Master Josan?” she asked. Josan slid back in his chair and terror crept over his face.

“Oh, come on,” she said as she pulled him out of his chair and dragged him to the dance area.

Josan tried desperately to remember what Floren had told him about dancing, but in his panic nothing came to mind. “I really don’t know how to dance,” he said humbly from under his cowl.

“Then I shall show you,” she said with a smile, took his hand and walked through the steps with him. After a few moments Josan caught on and started to take the lead. “I thought you said you couldn’t dance?” she said with a raised eyebrow.

“Just got a good teacher, I suppose,” he said.

Soon after the song had ended, another started up, a courting song to their surprise. A knot formed in Josan throat as the song began. Even Miranda turned a little red as they stepped closer and intertwined their right hands together and when she placed one hand on his shoulder as he encircled her small waist his hand and began to sway with the music. She didn’t even hear the other men asking to cut in, it was ony them and the stars as witnesses. Miranda slowly reached up and pulled back his cowl to reveal his sparkling silver eyes. She swam in the universe of stars which flickered in his eyes and in the handsome face of his, which was always concealed by that cursed cowl. She could feel the tension throughout his body as they danced with the music. An eternity passed by for all they knew, as they just danced unblinking, staring into one another’s eyes.

Something pulled on Miranda’s gown and brought them back from their enchantment. They looked down to see Uuger with a confused look upon his face’.

“What’s wrong with Pretty Lady?” Uuger asked. It was then Josan and Miranda realized that the music had stopped and almost everyone was looking at them. Josan quickly pulled his hood over; luckily the firelight and fireworks concealed the color of his eyes. They both turned so red that they could have blended with the fire and disappeared, which the both of them wished they could do. They quickly parted and headed back to their seats. As they made their way back to their table, people grinned and raised their glasses to them, smiling as if knowing something that they did not. They made it back to their table and sat quietly for some time, not daring to speak a word to each other.

As the time passed the conversation started again and soon they were laughing and cheering as the sky fill wilh brilliant colors. As Miranda excused herself for a moment to talk to Bell, Josan noticed several young men standing across the way, sneering and gawking as Miranda walked by. They were five boys, all barely sixteen summers and dressed as if they just came in from the fields. Josan could see trouble brewing with these five young bravos. Josan leaned over and spoke softly to Grimmly.

“Who are those boys across me way?” he said softly.

Grimmly looked and his eyes hardened. “Just local boys, trying to seem tough, pay them no mind,” Grimmly said, but his eyes never lost their hardness as he stared at the boys for a moment longer. The boys caught Grimmly’s glare and threw a few crude gestures his way, then stalked off into the darkness.

The night fell darker and the older people started to head back to their homes, but the young still danced and laughed as the sky darkened. Miranda said she was going to retire for the, saying that she was tired and needed to sleep. The group insisted they would escort her back, but she said that many of the Watchers were heading back and she would walk with them. So they seated themselves back down and bade her good night. She walked up the street to catch up with the group heading back to Towers, but they had a good distance on her. She didn’t mind, the night air was brisk and refreshing so she slackened her pace. As she walked, the sound of the music and the lights faded and only the moonlight guided her path. She turned around the bend and was suddenly startled to find five young men milling about the street. She quickly regained her composure and smiled at the young men as she strolled up. The five boys moved in closer and closer as she neared them. The hairs on the back her neck stood on end and her muscles began to tense. Her instincts were screaming at her to run, but she stood her ground and walked on confidently. One of the boys jumped in front of her and stopped her in her tracks as the rest circled around her. The boy in front of her smelled of sweat and cow manure. The moonlight etched over his yellow teeth and pox marked face and there was a hungry grin on his lips.

“Can I help you boys with something?” she said with authority.

“Oh, yes you can, pretty one,” the poxed face one sneered. Suddenly the boys at her side grabbed her arms, years of hard work in the fields made their grips like iron, but Miranda had also grown up in the fields and they had trouble holding her still. The pox faced boy’s hand sprang out like a coiled snake and seized one of her breast.

“Where’re your freakish friends now? No one’s around to help you,” he grinned as he fondled her breast.

Miranda calmed herself and focused as Josan had trained her to. She turned her hips and her foot flew up, connecting with the boy on her left’s groin. The boy doubled over on the ground weezing in pain. Without hesitating, she swung her freed hand, fist clenched, at the boy in front of her. Her fist met the pox-faced boy’s jaw and sent him spinning to the stone pavement. Now she was facing the last boy who still holding her other arm. She reached out with her free hand and clasped the boy’s wrist and gave it a furious twist. The boy’s arm bent and a choked scream escaped his throat, she spun around him, still holding his wrist, yanking his arm up to meet his shoulder blade. He bent over as she applied more pressure; a quick knee came up to smash the boy’s face. Blood splattered everywhere as the boy sank to the ground blood flowing from his broken nose. She spun around looking for the other two boys, but only found their backs running in full flight from the scene.

“You bitch, I’m going teach you a lesson,” a voice came from behind her. She turned around to find the pox faced boy standing on wobbly legs with a rusty pocket knife in his hand. He charged at her with the knife leading. Miranda stood straight and let him come at her, at the last moment she swatted the knife wide with one hand while at the same moment her other fist found his jaw again. The boy flew backwards landing on his back, a small groan seeping out from his lips. Miranda straightened her gown and walked past the three fallen boys with her head raised high and an air of confidence. As she stepped passed the pox faced boy, something hard poked at her foot through her slipper. She looked down and in the moon light saw a yellow tooth lying on the stone pavement. She shrugged and started off for the towers with an easy stride.

The group had decided to stay the winter with the Watchers. They used the time to become more acquainted with one another and patrol the area. The Watchers were generous hosts and greatly appreciative of their scouting patrols. Many orcs and goblins, listening to the mysterious call on the wind, passed through the valley, but were met by Josan, Miranda, Wolf, Uuger, Fradie, and Grimmly. The six would take scouting expeditions every couple of days, just to keep the hoard from passing through the village. They spent many nights around the fire laughing and sharing old stories. It seemed as if they had known each other all their lives. The group grew closer and closer as the weeks passed. Learned to fight as a group and after a month everyone worked as a harmonious team. Miranda showed great improvement over the winter and her confidence seemed higher than ever before. Miranda never told the rest of them of the incident after the Last Harvest festival, she had rushed back to the towers and ran to Bell. She asked her to try to scrub the stains out of her dress and not tell anyone. At first Bell was horrified, but after Miranda told her of what happened, Bell smiled approvely and nodded her head with pride, as if Miranda was her own daughter. Josan still kept up with Miranda’s training though, they practiced by their camp fires or in the stable yard at the towers. Even Frathe once and awhile sparred with her and gave her a few pointers from his own style of sword play. Due lo Miranda’s small size, similar to Frathe, he was able to greatly improve her swordsmanship; Josan began to see her own style coming through. So life went on through the winter.

Miranda walked out of the side kitchen door early one morning with Bell by her side. They had become close over the winter. They talked often and Miranda helped out when she could. As they walked, the sound of giggles and snickers caught their attention. To the side of the yard, many of the maids and servant girls stood in an archway looking out into the stable yards. Miranda and Bell slowly walked over and peered through them to see what had them so excited. Josan stood in the middle of the yard wearing only his trousers. His body slick with sweat as he went through a graceful routine with his swords. He spun through his routine, his mind completely focused on his movements not noticing the crowd in the archway.

“Look at that body! He can warm my bed anytime,” one of the girls said with a sly smile.

“Look at how fast he is. I hope he’s not that fast in other things,” another girl said as she stared out into the stable yard.

At that statement Miranda’s face became bright red with anger. Bell saw the reaction and quickly straightened herself. “Don’t you ladies have better things to do than to crowd around the doorway,” she boomed with an authoritive voice. The girls jumped and quickly scattered upon hearing the “Queen of the kitchen” berate them. Bell turned back to Miranda, who was eyeing the girls until they were around the comer before turning and facing Bell again. “You can’t blame them M’Lady, he is a sight, even for these old eyes,” she said as she peeked out into the courtyard. She looked back to Miranda and gave a quick smile then she followed after the young women. Miranda let her temper calm and asked herself why she had gotten so offended by their comments. She gazed in the stable yard to see Josan still going through his routine. Then it came to her that she had never seen Josan not wearing a shirt before. Sweat glistened off his muscles in the morning sun as he spun around the stable yard with deadly grace. She watched his body move like an ocean wave through the air, every muscle working in unison. She blushed at the idea of what she was doing. Sunddenly Josan stood straight and started to turn around. Her breathe caught in her throat and she quickly ducked back behind the archway. She forced herself to breath as the world seemed to spin before her. She bolted down the path and around the bend before she could be discovered. What was she doing? She thought to herself as she ran through the delicate sculptured gardens.

Later that day, Josan leaned against the railing of a third floor balcony, overlooking the stable yard. The evening breeze blew through his coat with a icy chill. Down below, Miranda went through routines with Frathe. She had improved so much over the winter even Frathe was having a hard time keeping pace with her. He sighed as he watched her move like a lethal butterfly. She had been practicing since dinner without a break. A movement caught his eye from the balcony entrance, Master Vell slowly made his way over to the railing and looked down on the practicing pair.

“I see that you are overseeing Lady Miranda’s training,” Veil said. “She is a remarkable young women, is she not?” Josan only nodded his reply. “So Master Josan, what will you do once the thaw comes? Will you go back to your quest of chasing this Vander character around the world?”

Vell’s words shocked Josan, for he had not thought of Vander for sometime. It used to consume his every thought and moment, but now Vander seemed a distant memory. Suddenly, Josan felt ashamed, for if he had not thought of Vander, it also meant he had not thought of Bellfast for sometime as well. How could he let those memories slip from his mind? He hung his head, but then his head sprang back up. He had never told Vell or any other Watcher about Vander or Bellfast, his mind raced. Did Miranda or Grimmly tell him, how did he know? He looked up into Vell’s’ milky eyes for an answer. Veil chuckled, “You didn’t think I became Head Watcher by sitting around and listening to gossip, did you? I am a Watcher and I watch the world. I also know that you sit up here for other reasons than just overseeing Miranda’s training, reasons I could guess even if I weren’t a Watcher,” Veil said with a smug smile.

Josan’s mind sped off in a thousand different directions. If this man knew of Bellfast and Vander then maybe he knew more about his life...his parents. Josan began to open his mouth, when Vell raised his hand, “I know that you have many questions, and I wish that I could answer them for you, but some things must be learned along the way, and it is not my place. I wish I could, but I can’t. I’m sorry.” with that Veil walked to the door. When he turned the comer his mind became worried. “So many things, so many prophecies about that one. Which side will he choose? For all our lives depend upon his choice. Maybe that girl can keep him in the light,” Veil thought to himself. He peered back at the door to the balcony and whispered, “Your mother loved you.”

Josan looked side to side, to see who had whispered, but he saw no one. He leaned against the railing confused and watched Miranda finally sheath her sword and with that Josan walked to the door, with whispered words in the back of his mind.