Guardian

by Amanda McLaren

  Guardians of the Seven Gods:

  Guardian

  Dedicated to:

  All those who cut me and didn’t care

  I am I stronger for it

  All those who believed even when I didn’t

  You taught me to believe in magic

  All those who showed me it could be done

  Because you showed me I could too

  I will never forget any of you

  Special Thanks to:

  Teresa McLaren, my mother

  Joyce Kline, my grandmother

  & Angel McLaren, my sister

  For their endless patience and devotion

  Prologue

  The taste of sulfur and the rustle of scales against the cold, hard stone surrounded me. An echo filled my mind as I pulled myself off the cave’s floor. I staggered without light from the heavens above to see. A calloused hand caught me. Sucking in a breath, I whipped around; when I peered into eyes of golden amber, I gave a sigh of relief.

  ((You shall not make it from here alive, Kariken. I will devour you and your lover. The skies will fill with my acid fire, and the seas will turn red with human blood. Your kind are little more than toys for my Azhi while you remain here in this cave to be eaten by rats. Your bones shall be reduced to dust and blown away by the winds of time.))

  The voice running through my mind made my head spin. I regained my sense of balance only with the help of the woman holding onto me. “You’re wrong, Dahaka, Lord of the Fallen. Your conquest ends here.” The golden-eyed woman next to me gave a deep growl.

  I stood on my own, reaching and seeking, gathering my energy. My companion’s weapon swooped through the air, ready for my signal. My blade burst into a bright, white fire without melting the steel.

  “It ends tonight.” My voice was as cold and steady as the shadow-touched stone.

  The woman rushed forward. I listened with a hearing far greater than my ears, trying to guide her with my magic.

  His scales vibrated on the stone as his essence filled every crack, every charge of air sang with his energy; it was as if he were the cave itself.

  ((Let’s play, Kariken.))

  Spikes shot toward me; before I could move something shoved me out of the way. A wail of agony tore through the air, echoed by a long, gravely laugh. I heard the sickening thud, the clatter of steel on stone.

  “No!”

  I fell on my lover to feel the jagged spike through her heart.

  “I…love…you.” She choked through the blood filming down her nose. A stream of crimson made its way from her mouth and down her chin.

  “You will be avenged.” I told her through the tears. “Even if the Gods never speak to me again…even if they forsake me…I will avenge your death.”

  The scales were retreating as Dahaka fled.

  “Mark my words, Dahaka! You will die by my hands!”

  ((You will never be strong enough, mortal. Not without the Gods you beg for power. I shall rule the world, and your lover will help me!))

  Chapter One

  Repent, Black Wolf

  Pounding on the door woke me with a groan. “Bug off!” I snarled at whoever was stupid enough to disturb me. Heedless to my complaint, a tall, thin man wearing a tunic, leggings, trousers and boots walked in. Snagging an empty whisky bottle on the end table beside the bed, I hurled it his way. The man ducked it adeptly, his face completely impartial.

  “Sorry to wake you, Miss Leafsong, but the temple sent for you.”

  Running my hands over my face and rubbing my eyes in an attempt to keep them open, I withheld a sigh. “What time is it?” I demanded.

  “Dawn.”

  Can’t I get more than three hours of sleep?

  “Get out. I’ll be right there.”

  He hastily shut the door. Grumbling to myself, I rolled out of the cot to massage my throbbing head. My clothing was neatly placed at the foot of the bed.

  I tugged on my gray stockings, leggings and black pants and tightened the belt as far as it could go before they could fall off. With a yawn, I jerked my dark blue blouse over my head. Then I strapped on my chainmail, finally clipping on the hooded black cape. Kicking on the worn leather boots, I snatched my goggles on my way out the door; still griping at the gods under my breath.

  The inn keeper handed me a piece of bread with melted cheese. “Gods be with you.”

  I mumbled “See you in a couple days,” as I snatched the food and trudged out the door.

  The temple was in the center of the city, next to the palace. The only building bigger and more glorious to it was the palace. A stable was on temple grounds as well to house its holy warriors’ mounts. This early in the morning, the courtyard was almost empty.

  The temple stood in the city next to the palace. It was a building that reached for the skies made of beautiful polished sandstone. There were eighteen pillars to hold the rounded structure up and a Tori for every entrance. Lanterns adorned each of the four doorways and fifteen glass-paned windows adorned with depictions of the seven deities Taiyuan – and most of this continent – worshiped. Attached to its left was a stable to house the mounts of its unwavering protectors, the Templars.

  I swear; the only building in the entire city bigger and more splendid than the temple is the palace. And to think…the only reason they aren’t as gilded is because they couldn’t afford the quarried stone and gold all the way from Mist Peak Village’s mines.

  I strode passed the half-asleep Templars currently on guard duty, entering the main chamber where most worship was done. Statues of the seven gods were elected in a circle around the dome-shaped chapel. Each had an altar with candles burning (freshly lit for the dawn) an offering bowl and prayer mats on the floor for those who wished to meditate before the idols.

  Currently, the only people within were the temple care-givers. The only sounds were the boot steps on the stone floor approaching the High Priest’s study chambers. As I approached the rather large room just outside the main chapel, the only other sound became the turning of a page and the scribbling of a quill on parchment.

  Plopped in a chair at that desk was a portly man in his mid-thirties. He wore the robes of a priest, and was hard-pressed in some book about the all-mighty beings around us now. At the sound of my footsteps, he paused and turned to see who entered.

  “Ah, Xia Leafsong.”

  “Imagine that; I’m here after you summoned me. Now what do you want?” I growled, resisting the urge to yawn again.

  “What else would I want from you?”

  “Give me the damn thing, then.”

  He shuffled around the piles of paper, scrolls and books around his desk with his pudgy fingers. I rolled my eyes, shifting my weight to one leg and crossing my arms. Finally, he snatched something up and approached me with a small piece of parchment. Ripping it from his grasp, I read it quickly. In the center of it was an image of a woman; beside that was an image of a black winged wolf. In bold blood red letters it said;

  Sanquility the Black Wolf

  “Another wolf Azhi? They’ve never bothered us so much before. What’s so special about the past three months?”

  I skimmed the report.

  Reward: 500 gold

  Species: Wolf Azhi

  Class: 3

  Complications: Twin sister

  “Lyrea is giving you those in her pack.” The man told her smoothly as he ambled back to his seat, sitting down with a sigh.

  “Where was she last seen, old man?”

  “A couple of days from Bloodstone Village.” He said it as if that were more than enough information. The man turned his beady brown eyes back to his book.

  “It says here she’s a twin. Who’s her twin?”

  The man gave me a dark look under his bushy eyebrows. “How s
hould I know? She probably has several siblings you will never have to concern yourself over. Now perhaps you can try making her repent this time, instead of just slitting her throat. You’re a Templar, not a mercenary.”

  I crumpled the paper and let it drop to the temple floor. "One, I'm paid to bring them in or kill them. Two, her twin is written as a complication. I've got a gods-damn right to know if her twin's going to jump in."

  “If a twin joins in you’ll be paid double for the second Azhi. If you kill them, I'll make sure you're paid half. The least you could do is ask the question and wait for the answer, Leafsong.”

  “Whatever.” I looked around. “Is Fay still sleeping?”

  “Yes.” His voice became a little gentler. “She was up late last night studying. I’ll let her know you’re on a Seeking.”

  I hesitated.

  Should I tell her myself?

  No.

  “Remember what I said about my sister going around in town.”

  “No worries; Fay won’t leave the temple alone.” He turned his page, completely disregarding me.

  “What about weapons?”

  “Oh, yes. They’ve issued you a katana and three daggers. Of course, if you’ve not broken your whip, we can’t stop you from using that either. Pick them up with your horse.”

  I marched out with purpose in my stride. The moment I was out the temple doors a boy in temple garb handed me a white winged stallion, his eyes still heavy with sleep. On his saddle was a sword. After strapping that across my back, I located the daggers in the bags. I put one next to my whip, one in my boot and one on my wrist strap before swinging onto his back and kicking him toward the city gates.

  It was a six-day journey from the city, but at least out here I could bed down and sleep dusk to dawn. There was nothing but me, the sound of my mount’s wings or hooves and the sparse trees, the sea of long, golden grass and the animals that made their home in the Sunset Plains.

  For once it was a pleasant journey. Seishin, my mount, didn’t spook, and even wolves avoided us. We flew most the way and the few Azhi remaining in the area fled rather than face a Templar. It so happened we shaved an entire day off the trip.

  I gazed upon the hamlet with little interest as we landed and slowed from a canter into a slow walk. Thanks to the red clay-brick they built their homes from the village gleamed like spilled blood in the early afternoon’s bright sunlight. Wooden signs swung from huts used as businesses such as the inn and bakery. The straw on most the homes looked freshly replaced, meaning a strong wind had blown most of it down or fire had caught from the droughts that plagued the village.

  Seishin walked steadily toward a large house with a lean-too for a dog and a small garden. The dog gave a very happy bark, running right up to me as I dismounted. Glancing around and seeing nobody, I tossed the animal a scrap of meat. His tail created small clouds of dust as he devoured it.

  “I thought the old man would send you, Xia.” A woman’s voice made me whip around to face a powerfully built woman with the usual dark skin and long hair. Hers was put up to keep off her neck, and her brow glistened with sweat. I gave a smile to see her sleeves were rolled up and she was sopping wet, covered in mud. “You just can’t resist a fight, can you?”

  I felt my lips curve slightly in a grin as my eyes took in every centimeter of her body. “Is that wolf Azhi killing livestock?”

  “Are you kidding?” She came over to give me a huge hug. “Six days of travel, and you want to talk about work? When are you going to take me up on my offer?”

  I shifted uneasily where I stood. “Not anytime soon, Jess. I’m here because you have a problem the Temple trusts me to handle.”

  Jess folded her hand in mine and gave me a gentle tug toward the house. “Common, sexy; I’ll tell you all about this Azhi tomorrow. We can have a good time while my parents are tending the cattle in the western field.”

  I jerked my hand away from her. “So they’re in the western field? I can talk to them right now.”

  Jess shook her head. “No, that wouldn’t do at all. They’d scold me for being inhospitable to a Templar. Come on in and get something to drink and collect your thoughts.”

  I hesitated another moment, glancing toward the inn. I’d have to pay for the visit, but I wouldn’t have Jess groping me there.

  “I swear I won’t try to force you again, Xia. I was drunk and stupid. Come on in; I won’t even flirt. I have dinner on the stove and my folks won’t be much longer.”

  “…Thanks. I’ll be in after caring for Seishin.”

  She nodded and went toward the door.

  “Jess…”

  She peered over at me with intense interest.

  She peered over at me with intense interest.

  “I’m sorry. It isn’t you; you’re beautiful.”

  “Then why won’t you fuck me?”

  “I have somebody else, and it feels wrong to fuck other girls.”

  A flicker of understanding in her eyes helped my shoulders relax a little. “We all have somebody, huh? Well, I’ve got to clean up. Don’t be long; it’s going to get chill soon.”

  I nodded in thanks, and began to care for my winged mount. Her parents returned to treat me to dinner and offer me a bed. Over supper the four of us discussed where the wolf had been last seen, and what times of day. The next morn, I rode out without saying goodbye.

  Two days of searching was ending in yet another sunset when movement caught my eye. I adjusted my googles, leaning back to adjust Seishin's speed. With the sun in my eyes, it was hard to see beyond it.

  A shadow came from the center of the light, shooting passed us so fast Seishin threw his head in a whinny of fear and fought the reigns. No sooner had I regained control and a ball of flame singed my hair on its way by.

  Well fuck my life.

  Leaning forward forced the winged horse faster. With the Azhi behind me, I couldn't look back to fight without unbalancing my mount. I slammed my knees into the animal's sides, leaning left and right. Too slow; he squealed in terrified pain as another missile seared his wing feather. Jerking Seishin downward and right, I barely avoided a ball of fire to my head.

  Seishin wailed as the enemy shot passed and spread its wings. A winged wolf black as night broke in front of us, whipped around and snarled.

  "Shit!"

  I gave the command to fold his wings. The animal obeyed, immediately sending us into a barrel roll toward the ground. Flames danced around us.

  If I don't get off this pony we're mincemeat!

  I slammed myself backward, tugging back on the animal's reigns. His hooves were only inches from the ground as he flew parallel to it. Glancing behind quickly gave me the image of the black mutt snapping and snarling at his heels. Seizing my whip, I snapped her nose. With a yelp, she angled upward.

  I snapped the tip against her wing pinion. Howling in furious agony, the wolf tumbled - right toward us. I dropped from his back; he barely escaped being pinned on the ground by her body. Seeing my whip several feet away as I sprang to my feet, I drew my katana. With a furious snarl, the black wolf lunged for me. I blocked her bite with my blade.

  "Burn in the Abyss, mongrel!"

  "You'll meet me there!" Her words were hardly recognizable.

  Breaking away, she circled behind. Remaining where I was, I waited. Listening. The moment before impact, I swung up sword. Her howl of agony as my blade tore her wing gave me a rush of satisfaction.

  When she hit me, it was like a wall of muscle throwing me into the stone, crushing the air from my lungs. Anguish erupted though my skull as it slammed against the rock, traveling throughout my entire body. My vision doubled and blurred; the sound of my sword clanging to the ground spurned a second wave of nauseating pain though me.

  Bloody fangs lunged for my throat. I flung my uninjured arm in its path. Seconds seemed hours as she mauled my gauntleted arm while I boxed her ears and temples. The wild movements sent searing pain through my entire body while the world spun relentlessl
y. The gauntlet tore, splattered my face.

  "FUCK!" I screamed as the wolf laughed. "DIE BITCH!!!"

  Forcing my knee up, I slammed it into her gut. She released my arm to yelp in surprised pain. Before she could return I seized her injured leg and squeezed as hard as I could. When she whipped around to snap at my arm, I kicked her in the face, sending her reeling off me.

  Staggering to my feet, I fumbled as the world spun.

  I think I'm going to be sick...

  As I tried to simply see straight another ball of flame slammed right into my gut. Wailing in shocked pain, I frantically tried putting it out before peeling off the melting chainmail and letting it fall to the ground.

  "Too hot for you human?" The wolf taunted, but I could hear the weariness in her voice.

  I was still seeing two of her. "Fuck you." I spat blood on the ground.

  I somehow managed to snag the dagger from my boot to fling it straight at her. Red fire burst from her body in a wide circle. Not only did it incinerate the dagger, it headed directly for me.

  With a shriek of fear, I dropped to my knees and wrapped my cloak around myself. Heat surrounded me, but the cloak absorbed the fire. I gave a sharp double-whistle; there was a neigh from above - and the sound of a thud and a surprised yelp.

  The fire gone as suddenly as it appeared, I tripped over myself and staggered to halt, barely saving myself. I practically fell when my foot hit my sword. Somehow, I managed to pick it back up. Look up, I saw the wolf slowly rise, becoming a tall, lithe woman. In the light of the moon, I could see her dark skin and waist-long hair. A-shaped ears were barely discernible in the eerie light.

  Fuck. Why do they always have to be so damn sexy?

  Apparently, I didn't need it. Instead of attacking, she coughed up a slew of blood and fell to her knees.

  “The Seven Gods…have summoned…your name to their…heavens." I faltered backward before stepping toward her. Sharp pains traveled through my head as I tried to walk straight. The world wouldn’t stop its incessant whirling, making it ever the more difficult to stagger forward on my injured leg. “Repent…or die."