Forgotten Guardians

Lord Tylin paced in his study as the light began to fade. The Horde had retreated but the cost was dear. Tylin nursed many wounds and would probably have a limp from a goblin spear for a few weeks, but he was alive. He had sent scouts and messengers to the king for reinforcements, but he knew it would be weeks before they arrived. As he paced about the Keep was being sealed tight. Every man, woman and child alike was behind its walls. StillTylin worried, soon food would be depleted and Ihcy were cut off from supplies. Distress was etched

in his face. Two candle flames cast shadows which danced across the room The light was dim even with the fire blazing in the hearth. The rest of the candles had either been handed out or were rationed for later use.

Langon sat in a cushioned high back chair, slowly sipping at his wine. “I do not understand why you do not simply send mem away,” Langon said as if talking about the weather

“I will not,” Tylin said firmly, “I will not send my people out to be slaughtered so you can make sure tiiat your belly is full,” he said with venom.

A knock came at the door, a plump balding man stuck his head in, “My Lord is this a good time?” the chief of the house, a short stout man named Monroe, asked meekly.

“Please come,” Tylin said as resumed his pacing.

“My Lord,” the said as he bowed deeply, “If I may speak about the matters at hand...about the villagers,” he said nervously. Tylin gave a rigid nod without missing a step. “We are quickly running out of rooms and the. food supply will be exhausted in a week. 1 have already requested that all me servants be put on half rations.”

“My rooms will also be made available; a few families will be able to squeeze in there. About the food, every man will go on half ration. Send a few groups out to see what they can gather.”

“Pah, let them find their own food and let them sleep in the mud,” Langon spat.

Rage flared in Tylin’s eyes as he spun on Langon, “I have just been informed that Master Langon’s apartments have just become unoccupied,” Tylin said without lifting his murderous gaze from the Court advisor.

“You cannot...” Langon started to say before Tylin cut him off.

“I suggest you find a hayloft to sleep in.” Tylin said as he gripped the arms of Langon’s chair.

Another knock came from the door, “Enter,” Tylin said more firmly than he intended. Josan and Fradie stepped into the room and gave short bows, “There is no need for formalities, Master Josan, Master Frathe, I owe you and your friends a great deal, you fought valiantly today. By the way, where are the rest of your companions?” Lord Tylin asked as noticed the others were not following.

“That is why we came to see you,” Josan asked. The dancing candle light made him seem threatening, like a coiled snake ready to strike out at the unsuspecting. “We have not seen Miranda since the balde began,” Josan said. “Have you seen her in the mist of die Keep’s chaos?”

“No, I’m sorry, Josan, I haven’t seen her. Do not worry though, I will send word for someone to find her. Do not worry, many people are still scattered about, she cannot be far.” Lord Tylin said trying ease Josan’s worries.

Monroe stood next the door, dry washing his hands nervously, “My Lord, I have a second item I needed to tell you sir; I have several reports of missing children. They could still be lost in the confusion, but the parents are getting frantic, Lord.” the servant finished humbly.

“Organize a group of men, any man willing and send them out to look. Tell the guards on the wall to keep a close eye out for any of the children. I’m sure they are in the Keep, but I do not want to take any chances.”

At that moment another servant came rushing to the door, red faced and breathing heavily. “Master... Josan... you’re needed in the... hospice,” the servant said between breaths. Josan rushed past the panting servant without anodier thought. Fears raced through his head as he raced through the hallways. He knocked down servants and tables as he rounded comers. Frathe was right on his heels, with the same fears flashing in his eyes. ‘It could not be her, oh Light do not let it be her.’ Josan crashed dirough the hospice doors to find rows and rows of cots. Moans and cries echoed off the walls, as maids rushed to each bed. In a glance he spotted Aielia standing over a cot by the far wall. Josan quickly made his way to the cot and found Uuger kneeling over a elf. A sigh of relief almost passed his lips before he released who it was, it was one of the elves who had accompanied them to the Keep. Bloodstained the elf’s shirt where an arrow was lodged in his chest His skin was ghostly white, even for an elf and his breaths came in rasps. Uuger looked up as they approached. “Uuger cannot help elf, arrow in heart. Uuger sorry,” he said sadly.

“I know Uuger, thank you. I know you have done all you can,” Aielia said without looking away from her comrade. “Josan, Frathe, I’m glad you...,” she started, but was cut off by the dying elf.

“They took her...,” the elf rasped.

Josan knelt by his side, “Miranda?” Josan asked frantically. The elf nodded in response.

“I saw them... carry her... off,” he said trying desperately to form each word, before his chest rose and fell for die last time.

Josan stood up from the dead elf slowly and looked at Aielia, “I’m sorry for your loss.”

Aielia nodded as tears started to form around her eyes. She shook her head as if trying to clear her thoughts. She walked over and knelt by the elf and whispered somediing into his ear which sounded like a prayer. Frathe lowered his head in respect as Uuger silently stood off to the side. Josan turned and started walking for die door so Aielia could have a moment to herself. Aielia caught his sleeve as he slarled off and turned him around to face her.

She stared at him for a moment, staring him in the eye, if she could see them under his cowl. After a moment she seemed satisfied and released her grip of his sleeve, “I don’t need to tell you to bring her back, I know you will,” she said with a meek smile. Josan gave a slight nod and started for the door again.

Josan ran for his room, he flung his door open and started collecting the few things he had left in his pack. He didn’t bomer lighting a candle, his eyes saw perfectly in the dark. As he stuffed his things into his satchel, he heard the door creak fanher open. Josan spun on his heels to find Frathe standing at die door with a scowl across his face.

“So, thinking you can leave without me?” Frathe said witii a sneer. .

“I’m not going to debate this with you Frathe,” Josan said as he continued to pack.

“You’re right, we’re not going to debate about this, I’m going loo.” he said firmly.

“Frathe you’re...” Josan started but was cut off.

“I don’t what to hear it Josan, Miranda means as much to me as to you and besides I’m a better tracker than you.” Frathe said while pointing an accusing finger at Josan.

Tracking? Josan knew Frathe was a better tracking, but he was sure he could track an army on his own. Frathe was reaching Tor any excuse to come and from the look on his face; Josan knew they would only waste valuable time arguing. “Fine. You have five minutes to pack,” Josan said standing up.

“Already done. Now let’s move,” Frathe said as he started down the hall.

They sprinted down the winding halls as they made their way to Ihe gates. As ihe reached an intersection a silver blur darted out in front of ihem. It was WolfwithUugeronhisback, “Uugerand Wolf coming too,” he said as he hoisted bis little mace into the air.

“I don’t have time for this Uuger,” Josan said as he tried to make his way past them, but was cut offby Wolf.

“Uuger pretty lady’s knight. Uuger failed to protect pretty lady, Uuger not fail again, Uuger going.” he said crossing his arms, his decision was final.

Josan shook his head in frustration, “Alright, we should probably get Grimmly too.”

“He’s meeting us at the gates,” Frathe said. Josan turned around with a perplexed look. “What? Do you honestly think he would just sit here while we went after her? I sent someone to tell him,” Frathe said as if explaining water was wet. Josan shook his head and headed down the hallway closely followed by the others.

They entered ihe courtyard to find Lord Tylin instructing some farmers gathered for the search party. Josan rushed up to him and gave a hasty bow, “My Lord, I’m sorry but we must leave.”

“I know, Aielia told me. I wish you would wail. Tomorrow I can have a whole unit ready to go with you,” he said with sorrow in his eyes.

“I thank you, but we must leave immediately,” Josan said.

“I knew you would say that, good luck friends,” Lord Tylin said as Josan gave another hasty bow and spirited off.

Grimmly was right where Frathe said he would be, standing eagerly by the gates with a pack across his shoulders. Baile and Mourn were also mere with sullen faces.

“You ready?” Grimmly asked as he adjusted his pack. Josan noticed Miranda’s sword sticking out the top and was prelty sure he caught a glimpse of her dagger as well. Grimmly didn’t miss Josan’s look, ’Tigured die Utile lady might need ihem when we find her.”

Baile and Mourn approached them slowly, “Bring her back, you hear me? We would come too, but diese ox brains wouldn’t know how to build a solid wall if they ran into it,” Baile said, his voice growing fiercer with each word before he suddenly stopped, “Bring her back.” he said softly. The two dwarves turned and headed off into the commotion of die Keep’s yard. Josan looked at each one of his companions in turn; each gave a nod of determination.

Vader slammed his hand down on the table. Rattling glasses and splashing wine over the unrolled maps. The wagon jerked left and right as the it made its way with the army.

“Damn wizard,” Vander said as lie crumbled a parchment in his hand.

“What has happened?” Charkic said from the other side of (he cramped wagon. He was slowly going through a list of supplies.

“He has retreated lo die eastern mountains, the damn coward,” Vander spat.

“Retreated? Surely the Borderlands do not have the man power to drive back me horde?” Charkic said as he looked up from his reports, a little surprised. It would take an army of considerable force to drive back a horde of fifteen hundred.

“He didn’t use the entire horde, only a quarter. He could have taken the land in one swoop, but now diey will be expecting an attack. Men are probably already on their way to rebuild what was destroyed. It will take at least another week or two to get to the wizard and by then the enemy will have fortified themselves within then-walls,” Vander said as he stared murderously into nothing. He slammed his hand on me table once more, sending a wine glass over the edge.

“Charkic, gather a unit. I want you to find the wizard and lake the Keep before I arrive. If the wizard gets in your way, remove him silently,” Vander said with vigor, “I know I can count on you,”

Charkic stood and with what room there was, bowed deeply, “I will not fail you and the wizard will know the price of his failure.” he then opened the door and jumped down from the moving wagon.

Josan silently made his way through the brush. His nerves were on edge and his mind in a fog. The darkness in his head screamed to be released, gnawing at his soul. The only thought which kept it at bay was Miranda had to be alive. She had to be alive. Josan and the others had trekked for two and half days without stopping. On the first night, he was surprised no one mentioned taking a break. Everyone pushed on with a fierce determination. None of them would slow or stop until Miranda was safe. At that moment Josan felt closer to his companies than ever before. They had a common goal and a common love. They loved Miranda; maybe not die same-way he did, for Uuger, Miranda was a mother, for Grimmly, a little sister, for Frathe, a dear friend and to Wolf, a cub that

needed his guidance, but nowhere less than his own love for her. Josan didn’t know if his friends guessed his feelings or not, but he would not put it past ihem. These were his friends, but more so, they were his family, something he had never had before.

Miranda shivered in the comer of a dank, little room. There were no windows or lights, just rough cut walls and darkness. She could hear crying from another room. The crying sounded iike children. The cries tore through her like a knife. Miranda felt bruised all over from the treatment of her kidnappers, but her mind was focused on how ′ to escape. Faint footsteps sounded in a hallway. As they came closer to her room, Miranda braced herself. She might not have her weapons but she still remembered what Josan had taught her about fighting. The door to the room crept open and a sliver of dull light seeped into the room. A man with a shaved head wearing a robe casually walked into the dark space with one of the black skinned elves, She could barely make out his facial features with the limited light, but the robed man’s smile-told her enough. As gracefully as she could manage, Miranda got to her feet and met her captives boldly. She took one last deep breath and lunged herself at the robed man. Before she made it halfway, something hit her in the stomach, knocking the wind out of her. She doubled over, but she didn’t hit the ground instead she hung limp as something caught her around her middle and held her up. Water started to fill Miranda’s eyes as she began taking raspy breaths of air. She tilted her head up enough to see it was the blacked skinned elf who was holding her erect. The man in the robes grabbed her chin and forced her head up further. His grip was like a vise, his fingers digging into her jaw. He brought her head up to meet his eyes, Miranda nearly fainted at what she saw; silver eyes. Not like Josan’s, they were duller with no light in them, and filled with only malice, yet there was something familiar about them. She focused. She would not show weakness. She had looked into silver eyes before, she could do it now. She fortified herself and glared right back at the silver eyes, “What are you doing with diose children?” she spat.

“Do not worry yourself over that, my dear. You do have spirit, I give you that, to bad it will not help you,” the man in robes said with a smirk.

“What do you want with me?” she asked trying to hide her fear.

“Oh my dear, you should feel honored. For your deam shall open me way for a new creation in this world and bring Josan to his rightful place,” he said almost with a laugh.

“You are mad. Josan would never help a mad man, neither would my other friends,” Miranda said trying to sound confident.

His grip tightened on her jaw for a second, “I know what you are... Guardian and I also know the feelings you and that half breed share. Your death shall bring him to my side and your other friends shall be dealt with,” he said a snarl. He jerked Miranda head to the side as he released his grip on her chin and stalked out of the room.

The elf dropped her, quickly following the robed man out. As Ihe door closed the tears came, rolling down Miranda cheek. A moment later she could hear the door next to room opened, a chilling shriek bounded off the walls, as one of the children was taken down die hallway.

Josan slowly crept his way to die tree line, closely followed by Frathe. After five days they had caught up with the horde army. Most of the army was camped in a shallow valley at the bottom of a small mountain. The companions made a wide sweep around the camp and found nothing, until they noticed the ogres coming from ihe mountain. Josan arid ihe others quickly made their way to where the ogres were coming from and found a small cave entrance, with a roughly made door in the side of the mountain. It was not far up but still offered covering ever had clear view over the horde encampment. Josan knew Miranda was being kept in there. Josan and Frame silently made their way back through the brush to dieir friends a few yards back.

“There are two guards in the front and probably more inside. This.looks like the only way in or out. Wc are going to have to do this very quietly or we will trapped,” Josan said lo the others, who had grim looks painted across their faces. They carefully laid out their plan of attack and made sure everyone knew their positions.

Josan knelt in the shadow beside a large oak tree by the path which leads down to die camp, waiting for Grimmly to make his move. All of a sudden his blood began to boil, the darkness raged through him like never before. His breathe escaped him as he tried to push it back. He thought of Miranda, her smile, her laugh and the darkness retreated in pain. A second later the rough door opened and a slender man in robes walked out. His head was completely shaved with strange swirling tattoos across his scalp. Somedn’ng lugged at Josan and the darkness siarled lo well up again, but he quickly pushed it hack down with thoughts of Miranda. The four people who were following the strange robed man concerned him me most. Josan* s jaw nearly fell to the ground; four dark elves closely followed the man at a respectable distance. Dark elves, what were Ihey doing here? He didn’t know much about their race but knew they didn’t come lo the surface very much. Why would they be fighting for the horde? Too many questions swirled around his head. No. He needed lo focus or they would never reach Miranda. As the small party passed him, he heard Ihe robed man speaking angrily, “What does that buffoon want? The General is nearly at ihe end of his usefulness. I see an accident waiting to happen for Charkic and it will be most tragic,” he finished with a crackling laugh. One of the dark elves slopped and peered out in die woods as if something had startled him. Josan held his bream as the gaze swept by him. Content on what he saw, the dark elf trotted away to catch up with the party.

A few moments after the strange party passed out of sight, die two ore guards who were standing at die entrance fell with a thump as if struck by some invisible force. Immediately two more guards came out and were shot down before ihey left me doorway. Three more rushed through doorway ready to fight the unseen attackers.

One more fell from the unseen force which cracked its skull. Another was buried under a mass of silver fur before it could let out a squeak and the third dropped its spear and darted Tor the path, but Josan was there waiting. In a flash, die ore’s eyes bulged as it head slid off its shoulders. Josan hurried for the door as his friends made their way inside. Grimmly became visible again and guarded their back. Uuger rode on Wolfs back and Frathe took the lead as they made their way through the tunnels. Crude torches hung from the wall, but did little to aid in lighting the way. It seemed they might get lost in this maze. They crept along the corridors silently following Frathe. As they reached an intersection Frathe waved them to hold. A moment later he crept back.

“There are two guards at the end of the hall on the left. lean make out one door, maybe two, behind Ihem,” he said in a whisper.

“It will only take one of them to sound a warning and we then will be in a dung heap,” Grimmly said in a low tone, “Let me and Frathe lake care of this.” he said as he started for the hallway.

Grimmly and Frathe made their way down the corridor at a casual pace. As they came closer to the guards “Halt,” one of the guard said as he lowered his spear. “Who be it?” the other asked as he leveled his weapon. Widioui pause Frathe and Grimmly walked straight up to them. When they reached the guards, the first guard started to repeat his command again, but was cut off as Frathe’s saber slide across his throat, the second guard didn’t have a chance either, as his spear was knocked away and a huge hand gripped his throat.

“Where’s the woman?” Grimmly snarled as he hoisted the ore off the floor with ease. Josan and Uuger walked behind Grimmly as he questioned the ore. The ore at first along fought against Grimmly’s grip, “Where?” Grimmly roared. With fear bursting from his eyes, the ore quickly pointed to me door behind him.

Josan side stepped Grimmly and hurried for the door, he turned me knob and found it locked. “Get out of the way, I can pick it,” Frathe said as he pulled out a bolt. Just as he started to push in me bolt Josan heard a bellow from behind, “Key coming through!” Josan quickly grabbed Frathe and pulled him clear of the doorway as the ore crashed through door, leaving it in splinters. It tumbled to a halt at the Tar wall in the other room. Josan quickly rushed inside and found Miranda standing in the comer. Without a word he rushed over to her and wrapped his arms around her. She returned the embrace, “I knew you would come,” she said at die brink of tears. He never wanted to let her go again.

“It’s not the time for that now, we need to get out of here,” Frathe said from the doorway.

“The children, we can’t leave without them,” Miranda said as she as she moved past them.

“What children?” Josan asked as he followed her toward the door.

She didn’t reply as she spun out of the room to the next door. She tugged on the knob, but it would not move. “Here little lady let me help you,” a voice came from behind her; she didn’t have to turn around to know who it was. She stepped a side as Grimmly took hold of the doorand with one tug, pulled the entire door away.

“Why didn’t you just do that the first time, instead of nearly taken my head off?” Frathe roared. Grimmly merely shrugged his shoulders as if he had never ihought of it before now while Frathe cursed under his breath as he walked back the way they came to see if the halls were still clear.

Miranda rushed through the door and found ten pairs of eyes with dirty faces staring at her with stark terror. They huddled in the comer whimpering, each trying lo creep back a little farther. She slowly made her way to them and knelt on the ground, “It’s alright, I won’t hurt you. We’re here to lake you home,” she said as she slowly moved forward.

As Miranda slowly came out of the room with ten children closely huddled around her. Frathe came around the comer in a huff. The children jumped at the sight of him as they had jumped, when they first saw Grimmly, but Miranda quickly calmed their fears. “It looks like they know were here. Ores are coming this way and a lot of them,” Frathe said in a rush.

The group ran down a side hallway trying to find some other way out. They met with a few patrols which were easily handled by Josan and Wolf. The close quarters offered them that advantage at least. They sped down a long corridor only to find a dead end; siill they could hear many foot steps coming closer. The children began to cry, Miranda quickly tried to calm them down. Josan stood out front ready for die attack. Frathe spoke up as he had his ear pressed to the wall, “There’s a river behind this wall.”

“Are you sure?” Miranda asked as she wiped away a little girl’s tears.

Fralhe grunted, “Grimmly,”

“Way ahead of you little one,” Grimmly said as he pulled his quicksilver rod from his belt. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into the largest hammer any of them had ever seen. Grimmly braced himself, drew back the hammer and swung it with all his strength. Stone chips showered over Grimmly as he pounded away at the wall. Josan could hear die foot steps coming closer. Josan knew the enemy had heard Grimmly pounding on the wall. After a few moments Grimmly broke dirough the stone wall. On the other side, a natural cavern expanding into the darkness. A large river ran about ten feet below them. Josan couldn’t even see the other side of the river through the blackness. He could see only the large river ran inlo a smaller tunnel. Grimmly jumped down first, as he landed a huge wave crashed against the sides. He stood erect in the current as the water reached his chest. Miranda spoke encouragements to each child as Uiey jumped into the waiting arms of Grimmly. Josan could still hear the foot steps coming closer; they would be diere any moment. Miranda jumped next then Wolf and Uuger followed after, with a gurgling battle cry.

“Didn’t we already do this once before?” Frathe said as he turned to Josan with a smile.

“I guess fate’s trying to tell us to bathe more,” Josan said as the iwo jumped and landed in the cold water. Most of the children clung onto Grimmly as if a log. The older ones seemed to know how to swim as Ihey made their

way to die funnel. The voices behind them made it clear the horde had found them. Spears and crude arrows splashed in the water behind them as they entered the tunnel. One thing they didn’t count on was the current increased once inside the tunnel. “Hold on kids,” Grimmly yelled as he tried to secure as many children as he could before the were swept away. The water carried them through the tunnel like limp rags. Josan feared many of the children might drown; the current wasn’t strong enough to drown a man, but a child? He looked up and saw most of the children still holding tight to Grimmly, a few with wild smiles across their faces. The rest knew what to do, relax and just let the current take you, as long as your head was above water you would be fine. After a time, the underground river opened into a calm pool. Where they easily waded to the shore.

Parlon stalked dirough the dark tunnels, furious. The few guards, who survived the attack, did not survive him. The air crackled around him as he looked into each of the cells, which had held his prisoners. He spun on the dark elves like a ravenous dog, “Find mose children now. I need them alive. Do not fail me.”