Daughter of Earth (Tales of the Guardian) (9 page)

     “But, I am straying from my point now,” Damarus took a cleansing breath. “The First Mother recognized the need for a greater balance, a good influence to help combat the evil which was beginning to take over the human race. But the creation of the Guardians was not going to be as straightforward as the humans’. It would take supernatural forces and deeper magic than most humans remembered was possible. But our First Mother knew these ways and she knew what it would take to bring about the birth of a being who would have abilities such as ours.

     “You see,” Damarus breathed out heavily, “just as a human is created by receiving something from their mother and something from their father—genes as you call them—so do Guardians need to receive something supernatural and also something human so they may, at times, have a human body. We, in a sense, are a mixture of genes. It was with this purpose in mind the First Mother, after everything was set in place for our creation, sacrificed her blood in the sacred Pool of Tibess. The very blood which ran through her veins spilled out into the life giving waters, creating the genetic mixture necessary for our creation.”

     Emily glanced at Alexander once more. This information was not what she’d expected and she could tell Alexander felt the same. His brows were furrowed and his lips formed a straight line. Emily wasn’t sure if he was confused or irritated, or just suspended in deep thought.

     Damarus continued his story completely unaware of the distress beginning to show on Alexander’s face.

     “That hallowed pool lies within Eden’s confines. This is one reason we reside here. A small stream runs from the Pool of Tibess carrying the waters to the Woods of Creo. This is where the Governing Five came to be, greeted at the time by The Seer. It was he who performed the sacred creation rite and then instructed us in our history and purpose. And, it is in that same location, within the Woods of Creo, Aldara goes to perform the creation ceremony for all Guardians. She gives a piece of herself to provide the supernatural gene and the traces of blood in the water provide the human gene. When it is finished, a newly created Guardian emerges.”

     Damarus paused and looked at Aldara. There was a deep respect and awe he carried for her.

     Emily’s mind was racing with all the information.

     “Damarus,” Emily hesitated for a moment. She wanted to make sure she did not say anything which would be inappropriate. “What do you mean when you say Aldara gives a piece of herself?”

     It was Aldara who spoke up this time; she could answer the question better than anyone. “Just as I gave a piece of myself to you, Emily. Your necklace, the emerald which permits you to travel as Guardians do, is a piece of me. That is why I was sent to you a few months ago. For you to gain entrance to Eden you needed to have a supernatural and human mixture, just as a Guardian would. However, since you were already created I had to place my powers into an object for your use.”

     Emily was awestruck. Aldara certainly epitomized motherly sacrifice. For that’s what all mothers truly did. They give of themselves continually to ensure their children’s survival and well-being. Aldara did this constantly and now she’d even done it for Emily.

     “Alexander and Olivia both have told me new Guardians have not been created for nearly a century. Why have you stopped creating them?” Deep within, Emily could feel where this conversation was headed. She would only need a verbal confirmation of what she felt she already knew.

     “The First Mother’s life giving blood can only last so long. The Pool of Tibess has been drained of it. This is why Aldara can no longer perform the creation ceremony; she does not have the needed human gene. Emily, this is one reason you are here. To restore the required human blood to the hallowed waters,” Damarus answered.

     His words hung in the air, waiting to be absorbed and accepted.

     It was as Emily suspected. When Alexander spoke to her about the Guardians’ population it had pricked her heart. Something within her had stirred. It all made sense now, why a human would be needed in Eden, why she not only saw a dagger in her dream, but carved on her chair.

     Why wouldn’t it require humans to sacrifice themselves to help Guardians continue to thrive? That was what Guardians did for her and her kind all the time. Sacrifice gives birth to the need for more sacrifice.

     Emily’s thoughts were working at the speed of light. She was about to speak up, interested in learning more, but Alexander beat her to it. His expression did not convey acceptance.

     He stood abruptly and slammed his hands down on the table creating an earsplitting thud.

     “NO!” There was an edge to his voice Emily had never heard before. “I did not bring her here so she could be treated like an animal for slaughter.”

     Aldara placed her hand upon Alexander’s, “My son, no one is planning on killing Emily, or even letting her sacrifice herself. The blood can be given a little at a time. And no one will force Emily to do it. It will be her choice.”

     Alexander pulled his hand from Aldara’s grasp. He looked directly at Emily, his eyes pleading. A sadness had taken over his face, one Emily wanted to erase, but she knew she couldn’t.

     “You don’t have to do this Emily,” he shook his head.

     Tears began to form in her eyes. Not because she was frightened with what was being asked, but because she was about to hurt him.

     “I’ll do it. If this means you will have the ability to create more of your kind, then I’ll do it.”

     Emily turned her head, she could not meet Alexander’s stare.

     He let out a frustrated grunt and kicked his chair backward, sending it flying across the floor. He gave one last look at each of the Governing Five; frustration and resentment flooding his features.

     He shook his head slowly, glaring at each of them once more before he stalked off, slamming the heavy wooden door as he exited.

     A palpable tension was all that remained behind him.

Chapter 7

     The sun was now directly overhead and Emily was flustered. After Alexander stormed from the Great Hall she’d quickly excused herself. By the time she’d gotten outside he was nowhere in sight.

     Olivia had been standing near the entrance and rushed to her quickly, asking what was going on. Emily told her about Alexander’s outburst, worry spilling out along with each word. Olivia agreed to help search for him.

     Two hours later they still hadn’t found him.

     They decided to rest on a stone bench near a small stream to catch their breath and collect their thoughts.

     “I just don’t know where he would have gone. We checked the men’s quarters, the training Arena and every garden. I realize Eden is a big place, but it seems impossible for him to disappear and no one has seen him or caught him going in a certain direction.”

     “But, you’re forgetting what is possible here, Emily. Alexander very well could have gone into his invisible state, and though we Guardians can sense each other when we are in our other state, it is not as noticeable. For the most part, Guardians choose to be in their more physical form while in Eden. They spend so much time being invisible when they are with humans they enjoy having a more tangible body while they reside here,” Olivia offered.

     “Yes, I suppose he could have gone invisible, that would explain why you saw him come out but when I came out you lost sight of him….” Emily pondered the thought a bit more. “Wow, I used to think that was a really awesome ability, but now it’s annoying,” she released a nervous hum. “This just isn’t like Alexander. I’ve never seen him so angry, not like that. Even when he fought off those men in the parking garage a couple months ago, his emotions were under complete control. Back there in the Great Hall, there seemed to be a lapse in his ability to manage his feelings.”

     “I don’t know Alexander as well as you, but I agree it does sound off for his overall calm and gentle demeanor. But, you have to remember, a lot of this is new for him, as well,” Olivia reminded.

     Emily resolved to get up and begin the hunt again. “We should probably keep looking.”

     But just as she stood she heard something. Cocking her head to the side she pointed her ear in the sound’s direction.

     She put her hand on Olivia’s shoulder to keep her still. “Do you hear that? I thought I heard someone shout.” She stood quietly waiting for the noise again. “Shouting is rare in Eden, right? This place seems pretty peaceful and tranquil.”

     Olivia nodded her affirmation, and then looked around inquisitively. She hadn’t heard anything.

     “You stay right here. I’m going to see if I can find out where it came from.”

     Emily quickly departed, leaving no time for Olivia to protest. She thought she heard another sound come from behind, so she turned and headed in that direction crossing over a small wooden bridge near the stream. The bank’s other side appeared heavily wooded with bushes filling gaps between the trees. After walking along the bank for a minute Emily heard the shouting again. She was headed in the right direction.

     After thirty yards, she came to a break in the trees. If she was going to enter this thick foliage, the natural path in front of her was the place to start. She hadn’t gone very far before the trees and bushes gave way to a small open meadow.

     It was there in the open meadow where she finally found him. Alexander stood only fifty yards away, and he wasn’t alone. Xavier was there with him, a concerned look on his face.

     Emily hesitated. They were arguing, or in a heated discussion. She could hear their voices but wasn’t close enough to make out their actual words. She watched as Xavier threw his hands in the air, as if to surrender. Alexander only shook his head.

     Emily stepped closer, not sure if she should make her presence known now or wait until they noticed her. It didn’t appear as though Alexander was in any mood for surprises and both Guardians seemed overly consumed in the conversation, oblivious to their surroundings.

     She was soon close enough to hear the two Guardians clearly.

     “I just don’t know what to believe anymore,” Alexander huffed, like an exhausted beast as he paced a few steps in each direction, his head hung low.

     In that moment the two Guardians looked up, finally recognizing there was now a third person present in the field.

     She remained silent, exchanging glances back and forth between Alexander and Xavier, searching for any hint as to whether she was welcome or not.

     “Emily,” Alexander said in a relieved tone. He took a few long strides and quickly had her enveloped in his embrace.

     “I’ll let you two be.”

     Xavier began to walk away, but before he left, he gave Alexander one last look and something silently passed between them. Emily didn’t notice because she couldn’t see their faces. She pressed her cheek against Alexander’s chest and held him tightly.

     Once Xavier was gone, Alexander spoke up. “I’m so sorry I walked out on you. I don’t know what came over me. I just had to get away.”

     The regret was evident in his voice.

     She pulled away from him, wanting to see his kind green eyes. Her last memory of his face was not one she liked.

     “There’s no need to apologize. I’m not angry. I understand why you walked out,” Emily said gently.

     He huffed and began pacing again. “I don’t understand why the Governing Five would keep such vital information a secret. Do you know how many Guardians struggle because they do not know our exact origins? How many are hurt by not knowing the truth? How I have hurt over it?” The frustration in his voice grew with each sentence.

     Emily watched him for a moment.

     “They said it was in an effort to keep the history preserved and undefiled. I guess when it comes from a thousand different mouths it’s bound to have a thousand different add-ons or embellishments. They said it was sacred knowledge,” she shrugged, not sure if what she just said would offer comfort or only fuel the fire burning in his heart.