Forgotten Guardians

Parlon paced around his small study within the mountain caves. The air crackled with his anger, as his robes swished back and forth fiercely. The five dark elves knelt on the floor to one side, waiting to hear their master’s response to the news. Pardon stopped and spun around to face his five agents.

“How can ten children elude you so? You should be able to find them blind!” Parlon roared. “What of Charkic? Have you found him at least?” The dark elves’ heads lowered in shame. Fury flared from Parlon’s eyes, “How can five of the so-called best fighters in the realm not be able to find ten children and a buffoon? I might as well have send goblin children to find them!” The dark elves stared back with defiance at the insult. Parlon went back to his pacing, stomping a path with his anger.

“They are being helped,” one of the elves, gleaming with cold rage, said with a sneer.

Parlon rounded on the elf, his sliver eyes meeting the elves’s red eyes. Parlon gave a quick movement with his hand and the defiant elf was lifted into the air an invisible force which was slowly crushing him in its grasp. Breathless and wheezing, groans escaped die dark elf’s mouth, Parlon stalked up to die elf, “How dare you think you can talk to me, you insufficient ore spawn.” Parlon said to the dark elf s face. Suddenly the grip on the elf increased and me dark elf s screamed in agony. Parlon jerked his head to his right and me dark elf soared dirough the air crashing against the stone wall. A smear of blood followed die elf’s decent as he crumpled down to the floor dead. Parlon turned and faced the remaining elves with boiling rage still burning in his eyes. “Find those children, alive and eliminate that miserable Charkic, before Vander’s army arrives. The plan is too far along to be ruined by that moron. Do not fail me again or you will beg for the death your friend just received.”

Veil waited at the door as the group made their way down the overgrown path with dieir burden. At the sight of him Miranda ran up and swung her arms around him in a fatherly hug. Veil equally returned the warmth. “It is good to see you well, child,” he said quietly. Grimmly quickly let down the cart and unfastened his harness and walked over to Veil.

“Master Veil it is good to see you, but what are you doing here?” Grimmly said with a formal bow. At that moment Watcher Gord and Watcher Marcus stepped in the doorway widiwary laces.

“These are troubled times my old friend; we could not idly stand by and watch any longer. We have anxiously awaited for your arrival. Rooms and food have been prepared.” Master Veil said as he turned his milky while eyes toward the children bond in the can. “We must get the children inside immediately,” he said. “There may not be much rime.”

“How do you know about the children?” Miranda asked and knowing me answer before the last word left her mouth. Veil gave her a small smile and a wink.

Watcher Gord and Watcher Marcus walked over with Josan and Grimmly and quickly began the task of bringing me children inside. The children struggled and sneered as Ihey were hauled inside and placed in small separate bedrooms. Miranda and the otiiers followed Master Veil into the central hall in the old temple. A few candles lit dieir way, but murky shadows danced everywhere.

“What is this place?” Miranda asked as she studied the strange carvings of an ancient deities along the walls. The temple was very old, but most of the of it had survived the elements. Many of the tapestries hung in tatters on the walls as furniture lay in crumpled piles along the hallway.

“A ancient religion that has been lost with the ages. I myself I’m not sure what most of the markings mean on the walls.” Veil answered.

In the middle of a large room they entered, stood a stone slab with rickety stools on both side and warm fire blazing in the heath. Master Veil gestured for the group to take a seat and made his way to a nearby hutch. He rummaged through mumbling to himself as he pulled bread and cheese from the cabinets.

“Master Veil, what is wrong with the children?” Miranda asked as he carried a tray with food and drink to the table.

“1 do not know for certain, but I know that it is not good. I can feel the evil growing around mem.” Veil said in a sullen voice. He slowly sat down with his bones cracking. He asked Miranda for all the details of the children’s capture. She told him everything from the beginning to how the children’s illness seemed to manifest overnight. As she finished Josan and Grimmly entered the room and took their seats, Watcher Gord and Marcus followed, but stood in the doorway with glum faces.

“I should go see what we can leam of the children illness,” Master Veil said as he slowly rose and made his way to his fellow Watchers. The Watchers left in silence and went up the stairs to the children’s bedrooms. The group sat in silence until finally the Watchers returned. They all looked as if they had been beaten and laid out to dry. Sorrow filled their eyes, as they took their seat with reserved calm.

“What is the news?” Grimmly asked quietly.

“It is not good,” Veil paused for a second as if gathering his thoughts, “The children have been tainted,” he said as he stared into nothingness.

“Tainted with what?” Miranda asked urgently.

“Demon’s blood,” Veil said in almost a whisper.

For a long moment nobody spoke, grave concern entered everyone’s eyes.

“What can be done for them?” Josan asked sullenly.

“I don’t know.” Veil said as he raked his hand through his sparse white hair.

“What will happen to them?” Grimmly asked.

“They will manifest into somediing the-world has not seen since the War of the Shadow,” Watcher Gord said as he stared at the stone table.

“Is there any way to slop this? Anyway at all?” Miranda asked with fearful voice.

A moment passed between the Watchers before Gord spoke up, “There might be a way, but I do not think it will work.”

“Why?” Miranda said fiercely.

“The process is very painful and mentally stressing and since they are children, I do not believe they would survive the process.” Gord said with sorrow ringing in his voice. “The only the children could survive would be if someone bonded with them, someone who could endure the physical and mental stress. Then...”

Before Gord could finish, Miranda sprang to her feet, “I’ll do it,” she said firmly. Josan and Grimmly and Frathe rose and nodded that they would also.

“It is a little more complicated than then that. Since the children are human, only another human can bond wilh them,” Gord said as he locked eyes with Miranda, “And it will take all three of us to perform the ritual.” he finished with grave tones.

Grimmly and Frathe slowly lowered themselves back to their seats with races of defeat. Josan lowered his head. Miranda stood her ground with a determined stance as if they had said nothing which disturbed her.

“Then I guess it will have to be me,” she said wilh final tone.

“I don’t think you know the full consequences of this,” Gord said a little surprise at the girl’s determination. ’The pain for one person could be overwhelming, could even kill you.”

Miranda did not even flinch. Josan raised his head, “Miranda...” but he was cut of before he could finish. “Josan, this is my choice,” she said without looking away from the Watchers.

Miranda undressed down to her under garments and smoodily walked across the cold slone floor to where Namis lay on a table in a deep sleep. She stood over the boy’s head steeling herself for what was to come. Marcus handed her a small silver knife, she pricked her finger as a small drop of blood welled up. She placed her bleeding finger on Namis forehead as Veil softly chanted the spell of bonding. Suddenly ice and fire seemed to race up her spine and filled her head. She felt as if her mind would be burned to a crisp and frozen solid at the same instant. As abruptly as the sensation began it faded away, but something lingered, faintly in her mind. She focused on it and could feel a heart beat. It was Namis’ heart beat; it was like a bubble in the back of her mind which pulsed with his life. She could also feel the torment in the boy, bringing pain filled tears to her eyes. She lifted her hand and found that there was no blood on Namis forehead, nor was her finger cut any longer. She was now bonded to this child forever. The hours passed as (he ritual was performed on each child. Miranda slowly made her way down the hall to her bed chamber, Josan lending his strength to help support her. She felt dizzy and squeamish as Josan gently laid her down. She could till feel the bubbles in her mind and if she concentrated

on one child their bubble became clearer and a heart beat thumped in her mind. In a moment she was fast sleep as her dreams mingled with the children’s. Tomorrow the ritual to purify the children would begin.

Josan quietly slipped out of the room and walked down the hallway. He was too deep in his own thoughts to notice Master Veil had joined him.

“She is the bravest person I have ever met,” Veil said. Josan popped out of his thoughts upon hearing the voice.

“Yes, she is,” Josan said sullenly.

“What is troubling you Josan,” Veil asked causally.

“The children, if they were to manifest,., would they turn out like me?” Josan asked a little hesitant. This question seemed to surprise Veil. His eyes widened and he turned to face Josan.

“Josan, you were bom with the blood, your body has adapted to it. You have control over the taint. The children were not bom with it; their bodies could not fight against such an evil. They would become mindless slaves to whoever tainted them.” Veil said earnestly.

“Can you lake the taint from me?” Josan asked.

Veil lowed his head in remorse, “No, as I said, you were bom with it; it is a part of you.”

“Then, I am truly damned,” Josan said as he started to walk off.

Veil grabbed his arm and turned him around, confusion painted across his face, “Why do you say that? You have used you abilities for good, how could you be damned?”

“Look at what I am;” Josan said through gritted teeth, “Do I look like a paladin? At any moment I could loose control.”

“Yet you have not. I don’t think you fear you losing control of yourself, I think you fear your own heart,” Veil said as jabbed a finger into Josan’s chest. “This might be a curse, but it is a curse that you put upon yourself.” Veil said with a scowl as he turned and walked off in frustration.

For a long moment Josan stood in the hall listening to Veil’s words in his mind.

The next day was the worst day of Josan’s life. The Watchers had started the ritual at sunrise. The Watchers gathered in one of the small bedrooms of the children as Josan and the others waited outside Miranda’s room. The Watchers were very specific no one was to disturb her during the rituals. Screams echoed through the little hallway leading to Miranda’s bedchamber as she channeled the children’s pain. Wolf whined and scralched at the door; Uuger held his ears and shut his eyes lightly as he rocked back and forth on a small bench. Tears rushed down his small greenish gray face. Fraihe sat next to him trying to fiddle with the strings of his cross bow. His hood held low so no one could sec die tears wetting his cheeks. Grimmly stood at the entrance of the hall, stem faced and rigid, yet a deepening pain filled his eyes. Josan paced up and down the hall. His blood boiling to die

point of burning through his skin, each scream ripped at his very soul. He fought the urge to break the door down and rush to Miranda’s side. None of them spoke for diey knew what each of the others were feeling. Suddenly Uuger screamed in pain and the little fairy stone around his neck started to pulse. He leapt from the bench and headed for the door. Grimmly caught him just in time before he reached the knob. Uuger scratched and fought against Grimmly’s firm grip.

“Frathe, take him outside. Quickly,” Grimmly said between slaps. Frathe nodded as Grimmly lowered Uuger to the ground. Frathe took hold of Uuger arm. Frathe neither grumbled nor cursed as Uuger fought against him as he dragged Uuger down the hall. “I think you might need to get some fresh air too,” Grimmly said to Josan as more of a command than a suggestion.

At first Josan was enraged at the suggestion, but slowly he came to agree with his large friend. He passed Grimmly, who laid a hand on his shoulder, “Don’t worry. She is strong, she’ll make it through this,” Josan nodded his agreement and patted his friend’s hand in gratitude for the encouragement before strolling off down the hall.

Charkic crept slowly through the undergrowth to the faint sound of a woman screaming. He ignored die pain of his battered body as he slowly pulled his dagger from his belt. Wiui each step the screaming came clearer and louder. Some structure was coming into sight, but it was too dark to determine what it was. His mind raced for reason. Why was this woman screaming? Who was doing harm to her? He thought to himself as the screams seared him to the bone. Memories of his wife and children came to him in a rush. The pain and the agony they suffered from goblin hands. Tears started to well up in his eyes as the woman continued to scream. Suddenly, something from the comer of his eye caught his attention. A movement a some sorts. He quickly spun on his heels, donning the dagger in hand as if it was a long sword. A small cloaked figure stood before him with a crossbow raised. The figure was the size of a small child, but its stance said that it was a experienced fighter. The small figure stepped forward; the moonlight slowly crept into the hood to reveal a greenish skin. Goblin. Pure rage filled Charkic; he tightened his grip on his dagger until his knuckles were white.

“Looky what we have here, you lost or something,” the goblin said in perfect common tongue.

“Under the Light, you will die goblin,” Charkic growled as he stepped forward. The goblin quickly back peddled a few steps. Charkic sprang toward the goblin, but something stopped him in mid flight like a huge hand. Then something struck him in the back of the head and everything went dark in a flash.

Charkic slowly opened his eyes to find himself lying on a bed. His head throbbed with pain and his eyes took a moment to focus. He slowly look in his surroundings. There were a few candles were lit and a small fire blazed

in Ihe hearth. His eyes fell on a huge figure standing by the door. He couldn’t see anything else but (he silhouette of the figure. Something broke his attention, a prick on his arm brought his head reeling about to find the goblin from the forest holding a needle. Charkic quickly tried lo move but found that his arms and legs were tightly bound to the four bed posts. He struggled against his bonds by throwing his weight against them but they did not loosen.

“Stop squirming,” the goblin grumbled by his side as he threaded his needle.

“What do you think you are doing?” Charkic demand as he still struggled against his bonds.

“What does it look like I’m doing? Can’t have you bleeding all over Ihe place,” the goblin said trailing off with a few curses under his breath which Charkic couldn’t understand.

“Release me now, you wretched vermin,” Charkic roared.

“I’d be careful who you call a “wretched vermin,” a deep voice rang from ihe huge silhouette. The figure stepped into the light to reveal a nine foot tall mountain giant dressed in attire suitable for a court. The giant held up his huge hand to reveal Charkic’s patch, a golden sun shining down on a golden sword, the symbol of the Army of the Light.

“I serve the Light,” Charkic said through gritted teeth. At that moment screams echoed Uirough the walls. “What are you doing to that woman?” Charkic commanded.

“That is none of your business,” the giant said crossing his arms over his chest. Charkic noticed during each scream the two monsters seemed to shutter slightly. ‘They must get pleasure from hearing the screaming’, he thought to himself. “The Army of the Light will come and I shall repay you for the harm done lo that woman,” roared Charkic as his memories of his wife came again.

“Does that include poisoning small children?” the goblin asked as he started stitching up a wound a little more force than was necessary.

“What are you talking about?” Charkic asked. “The Army of the Light protects me people from monsters like you,” Charkic said matter of factly.

“By consorting with monsters and kidnapping small children?” die goblin said as he jerked the thread taught, sending a slight sliver of pain racing up Charkic’s arm. The goblin finished up his work and dressed the wounds. The screams from the woman became louder with each passing moment. Then Charkic noticed something in the eyes of his captures. Sorrow. They were not enjoying the screaming anymore then he was. It was hurting diem. It was like a knife cutting dirough uieir hearts. His mind raced to find answers to explain this, ‘How could diese monsters care about a woman screaming?’ No explanation sprang to his mind, yet it was right in front of his eyes.

“Frathe, let’s go,” the giant said with a sullen face.

The goblin got to his feet and turned to the door. Like lighting, the small goblin spun around on his heels and landed a punch on Charkic’s newly stitched arm. Numbing pain raced up his arm as a small groan escaped Charkic’s lips, “That’s for Miranda,” the goblin said and slowly walked out of the room followed by the giant.

Josan slowly pushed open the door to Miranda’s room. The light was dim, but he could easily make out her sleeping form. Wolf raised his head from the foot of the bed as Josan slowly made his way in. Content on whom it was, Wolf lowered his head. Josan made his way to me bedside, all he wanted in life at that moment was to rush to her side and hold her. Wrap his arms around her and never let her feel pain again. He sat the edge of the bed and marveled at the strength in such a small form. Sweat glistened offher body like morning dew, her under garments were nearly soaked, yet she looked cold. He gently pulled the blankets up around her shoulders. He sai there very a long moment watching her breathe and the raise and fall of her chest. Slowly he stood and quietly walked from me room. He would find the man who caused Miranda pain and mat man would truly know pain.