‘Really?’ Danil looked at Tiernan in disbelief.
‘It’s true. We can fight, we can return any one of fallen if we judge it necessary, and we can even kill to save an innocent life. As you know, we have our own guardian force and we can defend ourselves, but we are prevented from planning and executing complex strategies when it comes to battle.’ He hesitated before continuing. ‘I think this is a safeguard for the fallen.’
‘How so?’
Karrijeuiga looked at Danil seriously. ‘It stops us from forming a massive guardian army and wiping out every one of them indiscriminately.’
‘What about the fallen? Can they strategize?’ asked King Dannicus.
‘No better than we can. This is why they often misjudge the number of warriors they will need for an attack, and battles between the guardians and the fallen are…disorganized to say the least. No, that’s an understatement. Battles between us are chaotic, more vicious and bloodthirsty than human battles, but usually a complete fiasco.’
‘It doesn’t seem possible. I find it difficult to believe you struggle with something so simple.’ Danil shook his head.
‘It’s just something for which we have no talent, Danil,’ said Tiernan, sounding a little grumpy. ‘To be honest we’re not very good at making decisions either.’
‘That’s very true,’ Karrijeuiga agreed frankly. ‘After all, we were created as servants, and whilst our physical abilities are enhanced, we were never meant to be in charge.’
‘Yet there are some areas in which our judgment is more than sound,’ said Tiernan.
‘Such as?’ Danil prompted curiously.
‘In judgment of the heart of any man, human or fallen and in protection of the children. In love; when a guardian falls in love it will be practically instantaneous, and you can be sure they know with certainty.’ Tiernan smiled as Danil’s face reddened.
‘I probably should explain what we do a little more,’ said Karri, changing the subject to allow Danil time to gather his thoughts. ‘There have been numerous times over the years where it has been necessary for the guardians to intervene in the activities of the fallen, particularly when the children, I should say the humans, are involved. You may not be aware of this, but we will usually act with the assistance of humans, simply because our decisions on what is the best course of action are not always right. Humans weigh up a situation more easily than we do and are far better at choosing the best plan, especially when under duress.’ Karrijeuiga sighed. ‘Also, our patience is…limited. We react very badly when something goes wrong.’
‘Explain,’ said Danil, frowning as he folded his arms across his chest.
‘If we fail in our duty, if someone dies and we should have stopped this happening, sometimes our reaction has been described as merciless revenge.’ Karrijeuiga looked down uncomfortably. ‘We can be far more ruthless than most humans appreciate, and we don’t like to be provoked. The difference is that we won’t behave badly unless we are provoked, unlike the fallen who don’t seem to need an excuse.’
‘How else are the fallen different from you?’ asked Danil.
‘Many gifts were taken from the fallen in exchange for their freedom. They can hear most human thoughts, but they cannot hear thoughts of the people of Sagria and Tatharlia. I don’t know why, perhaps these people have simply learned to hide their thoughts from the fallen. Other than that, they cannot heal another person, their men cannot influence a human’s decisions though I know their women can do this-’ He broke off as King Dannicus’ mouth fell open in surprise.
‘The guardians can influence our decisions?’
‘We can,’ Karrijeuiga confirmed. ‘However, we would not use this gift to your detriment.’
‘What about the fallen? Can you influence what they do?’
‘No.’ Karrijeuiga hesitated. ‘Not often. They shield their minds. If we were close enough to one of them we could force our way into their mind and possibly influence them, but getting close enough and staying alive can be...problematical, and even then...we would have to be very lucky. This is not one of my strengths, but Tiernan’s and General Callian’s ability to do this is far more powerful.’
There was a pause as Dannicus considered this revelation. ‘What else?’
‘The fallen are perhaps a little slower than we are. Our bodies all heal very quickly even without the help of our gifts. We’re a little stronger than the fallen, though they do have the capacity to return us. If a guardian is returned they may be sent back to serve here in this land. When one of the fallen is returned, they cannot come back here. At least, I’ve never heard of this happening.’
‘I heard you once had a son called Tebur who was returned? Is this true?’
Karrijeuiga answered with a smile. ‘Indeed he was returned. You now know him as Timbul. We felt it best at the time to use a different name in the hope that Nandul would be unaware that he was sent back to us, at least for a time, and would cease hunting for him. We were broken without our son and he came back to us. Araas was lost without him.’
‘Your sons are good men. They’re true friends.’
Tiernan and Karrijeuiga looked at the King with pride. ‘They would defend you with their lives.’
‘Are there more of your people living in other lands on our world?’
‘There are guardians in other lands. There are fallen too. I have heard recently of fallen in the land of Hosatabaht across the sea, but it’s said their gifts have diminished.’
‘Diminished?’ Dannicus found this intriguing.
‘So I heard. I don’t agree. I haven’t seen these people so I cannot judge clearly, but perhaps they are half fallen-half humans who were rejected by their own people. The fallen will only accept their children if they possess the gifts of the fallen. Those who are more human are considered inferior. But if they are fallen they shouldn’t be in Hosatabaht. That land was also reserved for the humans.’
‘What other gifts do the guardians possess?’
‘We have many different gifts, though we don’t all have the same gifts. Some are able to sense even the faintest flicker of life inside a body, not just to tell if someone lives, but they can sense if a child has been formed in a womb,’ Karrijeuiga explained. ‘Tiernan can sense people’s thoughts even when they intend to hide them, and I have some control over our land. It’s not a strong gift, but it’s useful. I can influence the weather – only a little, but I can do it. I can cause a bushfire to turn on itself to decrease its fury and I can…I’m not sure how to explain this, but I can increase nature.’
‘I don’t understand,’ said Dannicus, looking confused.
‘If I have pool of water, I can keep it full. It only works with our natural land, water, soil, salt, sand and the like,’ said Karrijeuiga, smiling at the look of surprise on the King’s face. ‘You have already seen one of our gifts,’ she continued. ‘You have seen Valeska’s gift as she led you here. She’s a pathfinder – or perhaps pathmaker would be a better word.’
‘These are strange and incredible gifts,’ said King Dannicus.
‘Humans are also very gifted. You only see our gifts as strange and incredible because they are different from your own,’ said Tiernan. ‘But now you must tell me more of why you have come.’
‘Lord Tiernan, our agent - a girl called Jaralina - was able to eavesdrop on a conversation between Nandul of Tarl and several others of the fallen. They spoke of someone or something they needed to find, something they referred to as ‘the one’.’ Dannicus looked hopefully at Tiernan.
For a split second Tiernan looked shaken, and then he quickly regained control of his features and turned to Karri. ‘My Lady?’
‘It’s a legend.’ Karrijeuiga answered. ‘It’s said that one would rise among the fallen and he would take a woman from the guardians to father his child. The legendary woman has always been referred to as ‘the one’. Children of the guardians are rare, and we are careful to hide the existence of our children whilst they’re young.
Once the guardian becomes an adult they become too powerful to be taken easily by the fallen.’
‘Why would the fallen want a child of the Daoine Maithe?’ asked Danil.
‘The legend suggests that such a child would possess all the freedom of the fallen and the complete power of the guardians. They believe the child would have the ability to reawaken all sleeping powers within the fallen.’
Danil looked horrified. ‘Is this possible?’
‘I don’t know,’ answered Karri. ‘But should this legend prove true the fallen could become a powerful and dangerous force.’
‘They’re already powerful and dangerous, Lady,’ said Danil.
‘I meant powerful and dangerous compared to the guardians. They would possess power and freedom, together with a temperament inclined to evil.’ There was silence as the King digested this information.
‘Do you know who it is then, that the fallen seek?’
‘Yes. I believe I do. There are not many children born of guardians,’ said Tiernan. ‘When a child is born we move the family to a human township so they can raise them amongst human children. There are rarely other children here and a child mustn’t grow up without other children to learn and play with. Louisa of Cullen Ringo is the only such child who is still young. But she isn’t even aware herself that she’s a guardian. I caused her powers to sleep within her very soon after the great floods and blocked her memories of her early life.’
‘This explains why my father died in the effort to save Louisa,’ said King Dannicus. ‘He knew didn’t he?’
‘King Caedmon was very much like you, Majesty. He would have died to save the child had she been human, guardian or even fallen,’ Karrijeuiga said with certainty. ‘At the time of the great floods Louisa was in the care of her own guardian parents. We have guardians living here and there in Alkira. They were living in Cullen Ringo and working as bakers. After the floods, when you placed her in the care of Governor Ringo and Lady Megan, we chose not to interfere in the hope that the fallen would think the little girl was returned.’
‘Surely her parents can’t have died. Didn’t you say they were guardians?’ Danil asked the question which had been playing around the edge of King Dannicus’ thoughts.
‘Yes,’ said Tiernan. ‘They were guardians. During the storms they fought valiantly to save as many as they could from the floods, day and night battling against the raging wind and water. At the height of the flood, four warriors of the fallen came against them. They fought furiously against them and all four were returned, but not before the guardians were severely wounded. They had just enough strength to go back to the place where they had left Louisa only to find the little girl gone. Believing the fallen had already returned her, they sank beneath despair and they returned. They were not sent back. Even with her true parents gone we felt it was best to have Louisa raised amongst human children. When she’s of age – she will be eighteen soon – her abilities will return to her. She will be given the choice; to live as a human, or to accept the duties and responsibilities of the guardians.
‘A choice?’ Danil repeated dubiously.
‘Her actions will define her choice. The time will come when she becomes aware that she’s born of the guardians. If she starts acting like a guardian her freedom of choice will begin to slip away and she will find herself compelled to serve – and she will desire to serve,’ Karrijeuiga said confidently.
‘And if she doesn’t want to be a guardian?’
‘She will remain human,’ said Tiernan. ‘Her gifts will not fully develop and she will live a mortal human life as one of the children. But she will always have enhanced physical abilities.’
‘How often does that happen?’ asked King Dannicus.
‘Rarely. I am uncertain if we made the right choice for Louisa. At the time I hoped if Louisa was to disappear, the fallen would believe she was returned in the floods. I believe that’s why her true parents were not sent back here.’
‘She would not have understood the situation when she was so young and it would have been difficult and lonely for her to be raised here within the Dwellings,’ said Karri. ‘If she was told of her danger, she would have lived her life in fear. No, husband. I feel you made the right decision.’ Karrijeuiga turned to Dannicus. ‘You know more than you have told us King Dannicus. I see from your thoughts you think she’s in danger.’
King Dannicus sat silently for a moment, his thoughts racing. Louisa was a guardian, a young female guardian. He sighed. ‘Louisa is with Elena and Immosey as she always is. They travel by barge down the River Ringo from Ringo’s Crossing to Castle. Unfortunately we now have a report that large numbers of the fallen are camped at Three Ways.’
‘This is ill news indeed,’ said Tiernan. ‘That the fallen are camped within Alkira is always alarming. I cannot consider it chance that they’re camped at Three Ways.’ He turned to Karri. ‘It’s strange that we only recently discussed this. It’s time to intervene.’
‘Time to return Nandul?’ asked Karrijeuiga, looking worried.
‘I want him brought here.’
‘That’s more easily said than done.
‘But not impossible. Yes. He must be returned, but I would speak to him first. There is so much I don’t understand about his behavior. I want to take his every thought before I return him.’
‘I’ve sent my Captain Borgulnay to attempt to intercept the barge before it reaches Three Ways,’ said Dannicus. ‘Against my wishes, my son Kelian has gone with him. I asked Timbul and Araas to go after him and guard him. He’s my son, so I’m overly protective.’
‘I’m pleased you sent Araas and Tim. Your Captain will need help if he does encounter any of the fallen,’ said Tiernan. ‘Also, Araas and Tim both know I want Nandul brought here and if they have the chance, they will take the opportunity.’
Karrijeuiga looked at Tiernan thoughtfully. ‘I agree that their presence at Three Ways cannot be a coincidence.’
‘We must consider how to proceed should the barge be attacked,’ said Tiernan.
‘Captain Cassic has a company of foot soldiers travelling with the girls,’ said Danil.
‘It won’t be enough,’ said Tiernan. He turned to a guardian who was sitting quietly near one of the sandstone columns. ‘Please send for Callian.’ The guardian left the patio. ‘As you are now aware guardians are bound by rules and promises. Our duty is to guard the children, the humans, when we feel the fallen are dishonoring their agreement. When they’re acting with evil purpose we may do as we see necessary within the bounds of our laws.’
A dark skinned guardian entered the room. He was dressed entirely in black and Danil couldn’t help noticing that he moved like a panther. Within seconds of entering the patio the guardian’s intense blue eyes had taken in every detail of the setting. He stood before Lord Tiernan and Lady Karrijeuiga and bowed his head briefly. ‘My Lord and Lady?’
‘Your Majesty,’ Tiernan turned to King Dannicus. ‘This guardian is Callian, General of the guardian forces. He’s a highly skilled warrior and has led our Forces for many, many years.’ King Dannicus couldn’t help but stare at the guardian. He looked to be barely twenty years of age. Callian turned to face King Dannicus and dipped his head slightly, his eyes never leaving the King’s face.
‘I’m honored to meet you, Majesty.’
‘Your Majesty,’ said Tiernan, ‘could I please ask you and Yarrabyth to inform Callian of our current situation. My Lady and I must take time now to speak to your King’s Marshall and our Lady Valeska. We will join you again shortly.’
‘Valeska,’ said Karri, ‘I think every guardian in the Dwellings felt what happened earlier. Choices have consequences.’
Valeska dropped her gaze to the floor. ‘Ní thuigim,’ she said and her voice was barely more than a whisper.
‘What don’t you understand?’ Karrijeuiga asked gently.
‘Choices have consequences. I don’t understand how he can pull such powerful emotions from within me. The love I
feel for him is overwhelming. I know he’s the one. Mo anam cara!’
‘Your soul friend? So soon?’ Karrijeuiga looked surprised.
‘I don’t understand how this can happen! I have known him for so little time, but there is no doubt!’
‘You’re afraid,’ said Tiernan worriedly. ‘Tell me what you have learned about the King’s Marshall. What have you sensed in him?’
Valeska looked at Danil. Danil lowered his eyes. He knew if he looked at her, his passion for her would be laid bare for all to see. Valeska said nothing but a look of sadness swept over her face.
‘Speak,’ Karrijeuiga commanded.
‘See? Even now he hides his beautiful heart. He’s more like us than he is human! A fell warrior to his enemies, but he finds only grief in the taking of any life. But he’s worried too. He knows as King’s Marshall his life belongs to his King. He would willingly die for his King. Yet he feels the need to protect me. I can feel his heart as though it was my own.’ Valeska’s voice dropped to almost a whisper. ‘I know he loves me and I know he’s the one. Yes, there is fear in me. It is the fear that I will lose someone I may not even be allowed to have.’
Tiernan turned to Danil who was now staring at Valeska with open awe. Immediately, Danil sensed Tiernan’s question but now he fought against the strange feeling within his heart, not wanting his private thoughts examined. Within seconds he was calm and his face free of emotion. Tiernan sighed.
‘King’s Marshall, I know you are uncomfortable but I need you to open your heart. I’d rather not force you.’
Karrijeuiga looked at Tiernan in amazement. ‘He’s preventing you?’
Tiernan nodded, his eyes still fixed on Danil. Danil looked fully into the eyes of Tiernan. There was no way Tiernan was going to allow him to conceal his feelings for Valeska, so he opened his heart and allowed the strange emotions to flow freely.
Chapter 9
Eijelin’s Game
The view from Squire Dale’s window was uninspiring. The window in his room at the back of the keep looked over the inner curtain wall to the stables and soldiers’ barracks. The building was now referred to simply as ‘the castle’ and it retained its original stone keep and walls. It was built by Kelian’s great, great grandfather, after whom he had been named. Kelian’s great grandfather Irwin had raised a motte around the keep, leaving only the top three levels of the keep exposed, at a time when peace between Alkira and Tatharlia was nonexistent. King Dannicus had found the motte a nuisance in times of relative peace and huge iron doors now led from the courtyard through the motte into the keep. The lower level, which was referred to as ‘below’, was dark and cold as opposed to the ‘above’ levels which were at most times warm and full of light. Most nobles were housed in the rooms at the rear of the second ‘above’ level. The third level of the castle accommodated the King and Queen and the southern half was used as guest accommodation. The many rooms were each equipped with beds and washstands, and were mostly unused but all kept in a state of readiness.
The Fallen (Book 1) Page 8
