Guardian

by Amanda McLaren

  Why do I have to feel this at all?

  “Stop playing with my emotions, Sanquility.” I snapped over my shoulder as I stomped over to my horse and put my books away. “Lyrea is business. She’s sexy and doesn’t talk to me about bullshit like love.”

  The stallion shied away from my anger.

  “No shit. Why would she talk about love? She’d rather talk about putting a mark on her twin sister.”

  “She’s your twin? If I’d have known that in advance, I would have told her to take care of it herself! I’m not paid to take care of family quarrels.”

  Another wave of rage and emotional pain struck me. It was like somebody had taken a dagger to my heart. “Stop!” I shouted, swinging my arms accusingly at her as if it would help. “Stop giving me these – feelings!”

  The black wolf just stared at me, her eyes glistening with such sorrow and anger I swore she’d either begin to cry or attack me. When instead she got up and began to walk toward town, I just glared after her a moment, mounted and followed. She shifted into the wolf; I kicked his wings open so I could follow her in the sky.

  I just have to be souled with an Azhi who wears her emotions on her damn sleeve – and then shoves them into me. Gods damn it, I shouldn’t want to comfort or apologize to this blasted Azhi! They need hurry up and kill one another off already!

  The flight down was silent except for the sound of their wings. I watched the passing of the earth to think. The waving grass was the color of dried wheat always comforted me. From here I could see the gnarled, twisting trees that dotted the landscape. The sea of grass swayed as a gentle breeze swept through. It all drew a sort of peace out of me that I rarely felt.

  //Xia is so cold and closed, with a burning hate and blood lust that rivals us Azhi. Why didn’t she willingly let me in? Humans full of such darkness, so devoid of compassion, generally give in willingly. I’ve never had one fight me so strongly for something they crave so deeply. //

  The thought wasn’t meant for my mind, but I still glared at Sanquility with a set jaw.

  I’m not cold and blood thirsty. I have compassion.

  Don’t I? Yes. I spared her life.

  I spared her life.

  Chapter Two

  The City of Seven Gods

  “We should rest.” Sanquility’s voice suggested warily, with a hint of exhaustion.

  Simply too tired to argue, I stopped my winged horse and dismounted. She starred at me in shock. In the three and a half days we’d traveled, our bickering had been the only thing to break the tense silence that had spanned most of the journey. I withheld the biting remark I wanted to make, simply too weary to pick a fight that wasn’t worth the argument.

  We should press on through the night like I’ve insisted, but I’m so tired Seishin would practically be wondering without instruction. I’m sure she’d take advantage of this and lead him off toward her pack.

  Ignoring her own weariness, Sanquility started a fire via magic. Neither of us spoke as she glanced through one of my journals again. I wasn’t even sure how she kept getting her filthy hands on them or where she’d learned the Monobi language, but for once I didn’t even try stopping her.

  Suddenly Sanquility was up, staring at a broad-leafed tree. I jerked the book away before she could drop it.

  “Those trees don’t grow without fast flowing water.” She told me quietly.

  “And?”

  “Do you see a fucking river genius?”

  Yawning, I shook my head. “Nope. It wasn’t there when I came this way, either.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you the least bit worried that there’s a moving tree growing in an abnormal place?”

  “Are you kidding?” I scoffed, shrugging her concern away. “That Azhi has been following me since I found your damn sister. It never attacks; it just waits and watches. I don’t know who it is, but I’ve enough to worry about.”

  “That Azhi has a very powerful aurora.”

  “Uh-huh. I know.” I stretched casually, completely unconcerned.

  “So it wouldn’t bother you if it attacked the city or villages?”

  “Don't I have enough to worry about without challenging Azhi I'm not getting paid to bring in? The damn thing never gets too close to civilization anyway."

  Sanquility scoffed at me. “Well, I’m checking it out.”

  “Don’t die, idiot; you’ll lose a soul and kill me.”

  The Azhi morphed into her canine form and flew off. She was half-way there when the air shimmered. The tree vanished to be replaced by a fox ten times the wolf’s size with nine tails. It was blacker than a moonless winter night with eyes the color of dried blood. Whirls of shadows danced around the beast. The light didn’t seem to shine on it. Drawing my blade, I paced a few steps closer before stopping. There wasn’t anything I could do.

  A powerful darkness crept into my mind. I couldn’t slow its progress; the flood of hate and pain was so great it nearly brought tears to my eyes. The taste of death rolled onto my tongue, making my stomach roll.

  Agony ripped through me as our link was severed, forcing me to my knees. The building anguish seemed to grow with every heartbeat. There was a ferocious snarl that resounded into my very bones. Through blurring vision, I watched as the shadow fox lunched at Sanquility, teeth bared. The wolf yelped as she was thrown several feet backwards.

  My legs quivered as I forced them to obey. Ripping out my whip, I stumbled forward to strike the black beast of magic in the face. It whirled away from its prey to laugh at me. Then the shadow beast launched itself at me.

  Out of what felt like nowhere Sanquility’s mind bounced back to mine like a rubber band. The instant relief was like an earthquake. Sanquility’s black form was between us before my heart could even think about skipping a beat. Her entire body burst into flames.

  Hot. So hot. A shriek of pure shocked pain split my ear drums.

  “I will return!” A twisted voice howled as the shadow leapt away, vanishing into the long grass.

  The fire was gone. My bones ached, my head throbbed and I was colder than I could remember ever being. Wrapping my cloak around myself, I fell to my knees again to vomit. Hands gripped my shoulders; I jerked away from the touch with a gasp. Waves of confusion pulsed through me, making me as uneasy as I was sick.

  //The Fallen One isn’t pleased with me. Let’s move. Quickly. //

  “I don’t feel well…”

  //I know, Kari. But we must go. The town is a focal point for spiritual energy. If we’re to survive at all, it’ll be there. //

  Shaking, I let the wolf woman help me mount my stallion and kicked him toward the city gates.

  ~*~

  Anshumali watched Kariken closely. When she'd mock fought Sonya, I'd not expected her to join the battle or react so strongly. $ It wasn’t long before the warrior’s nerves were back under control, but she hugged her cloak close, kept her horse at a trot and didn’t stop shaking. Her shoulders were slumped and her riding form was slack.

  Anshumali watched Kariken closely. Though it didn’t take long for the warrior’s nerves were back under control, she was clearly worse for the wear. With her shoulders slumped, her riding form was slack as she hugged her cloak close and kept her mount at a trot. Even clinging to her cloak the shaking didn’t stop.

  She needs rest, and soon.

  Kariken’s small frame made the horse look bigger than he was. It was a wonder somebody so small in frame was so lithe and strong. Though Anshumali wasn’t surprised by her speed and agility or grace, her strength had to have come from hard, special training.

  Most Templars are strong and tall, like the bear. She looks more like a mouse…no, more like a hungry, pissed off cat.

  Her skin was a light tan, but unlike those born in the plains it was from years of tracking and killing Azhi in the harsh western environment. Her many scars added a characteristic to her that seemed only a piece of the puzzle to the unfamiliar woman’s aloof nature. Anshumali admired the way th
e wind teased at her short reddish-brown hair as she tried to remember if the ocean was as deep blue and defiant as the Templar’s eyes.

  Her features and accent aren’t quite the norm here. It’s like she can’t quite speak Basic right. Besides, what human in this hemisphere knows the eastern languages exist, let alone write in it so fluently? Most Azhi here in the west have forgotten about the east.

  The closer they came to the city, the less emotion showed on her pretty face. It took the Azhi by surprise to see her soul-bound force her mount into a rather painful looking fancy trot, where his neck curved at an unusual angle and his knees bent in an unnatural way.

  The warrior’s back became too-straight as her shoulders tensed. The less relaxed form still held her to the saddle, but made them both appear all the more stunning, Anshumali failed to see the point of such a peculiar adjustment.

  Kariken made a face of slight pain as she located the link that bridged their minds (allowing telepathy and empathy) to use it in reverse, further amazing the wolf woman.

  “Can you hear me?” It was a faint echo, but still present in her mind.

  //Yes. //

  “Become human.” The link faded, and was reaffirmed.

  //Why? //

  “Just fucking do it.”

  //Pushy bitch. //

  Then the telepathic two-way link shattered as if she couldn’t hold it, making Anshumali flinch.

  “Glad you noticed. Now call me Xia in front of everybody else; especially that twin of yours. They’re not to know any part of my soul name.”

  Anshumali quelled her energy to the human form, giving her a migraine she didn’t need. A small headache sprouted from Kariken to Anshumali.

  Is that from using the telepathic link or from me slipping into human form?

  “Who goes there?” The gate guards hailed.

  Kariken rolled her eyes, reigning in her anxious horse. “Do we have to go through this?”

  “Yes.”

  The warrior gave them a dark look. Sighing, she spoke in a bored, frustrated tone. “Xia Leafsong, Seventh Templar of the Temple of Seven Gods. I return with the Black Wolf Azhi, Anshumali. We request permission to enter the City of the Seven Gods.”

  “Permission granted. We have our eyes on you, wolf Azhi.”

  Are you serious? She must do this at least once a month. Every guard to ever guard this gate must know her at first glance.

  The gates swung open. Homes of thatch and stone greeted them. Stalls, stores, vendors and caravans were mingled into the wood-work of homes. The Azhi kept close to her charge as she examined a city that refused to stay the same. The sound of slamming doors as they walked passed echoed in her ears, making them twitch. Vendors and other merchants didn’t seem to meet her or Kariken’s gaze.

  The Templar took her stallion and mark directly to a giant stone temple. The statues representing the temple’s seven gods showed more emotion than the warrior. In fact, the seals on Kariken’s mind were so strong Anshumali found herself barely holding the little link permitted by her powerful guards.

  She can manipulate guards this powerful and yet using a telepathic link gives her a headache?

  Anshumali unconsciously helped Kariken down from her steed. A boy raced out to take the beast as the warrior led the way inside the confining temple. The Azhi stood back to stare at the Templar in disbelief as she bowed before a statue to pray, saying a basic and formal prayer. Her words made the wolf woman’s ears burn and twitch.

  She has no belief in her words; she’s putting no energy into that prayer. Doesn’t she believe in the gods she serves? By the Fallen, she swore by Lisken. How does one swear by a god they don’t believe in?

  A man’s voice was speaking to the crowds gathered for service. “The Seven Gods forced the Creator from the heavens to the earth for his sins. They gave humans six warriors and a priestess to teach them the art of prayer and war, and thus the village became a city. The Priestess built a Tori, and a Temple so the people could be safe while they worshiped the Seven.”

  Kariken was standing from her meaningless words to the statue when a girl around sixteen suddenly gave a running leap into the woman’s arms. Catching her, the Templar spun her in a circle before letting her alight gently on the ground. Anshumali felt her jaw drop slightly to see a smile on Kariken’s face and a spark of joy in her eyes.

  She’s smiling. And no wonder. Slender…light skin. This girl can’t be over five feet. Hazel eyes…wonderful gold-brown hair…I’d be smiling too. Is she another lover of Xia’s?

  Anshumali flushed when she realized she was comparing herself to this slender beauty, and shook her head. The girl was in the book.

  Her sister. Um…Fay. Yeah. That’s her name…

  “Take your eyes off my sister or I’ll rip them from your skull and set them on prier for the gods.”

  //Touchy, touchy. Besides, I would rather have you. //

  “Yeah. No.”

  Fay didn’t seem to notice the conversation the two were having, and just kept talking over them. “I was so worried when Lyrea sent you after another Wolf Azhi!” Fay kissed both her cheeks – something the Azhi didn’t see done around here. Then she caught sight of Anshumali. The girl hid slightly behind her sister, her eyes filled with a cautious disdain.

  “So she repented?” Fay asked with a mix of awe and shock.

  So the rumors are true after all, for the exception of why. If it’s not for her strength of faith, if it’s not because she finds us unworthy of her gods, why does she kill us?

  Kariken fidgeted with her fingers with an embarrassed half-smile “Well, sort of. She started to repent, but was so weak we kind of bound our souls.”

  “What?!” Her sister’s mouth dropped open with disbelief. “But Xia –”

  Just then the man giving the sermon approached. “It’s against regulation to bind souls directly with Azhi – especially Azhi who haven’t repented.”

  “If she wouldn’t have agreed to repent in the first place, I wouldn’t have let her live long enough to make the damn bond.” Kariken answered sharply; her eyes blazed with such heat and anger it gave Anshumali both good and bad chills. “Besides, now that we’re bound by soul, it’s Temple regulation to accept her as my official Templar partner.”

  “She tried to kill you!”

  “Last I checked it’s my job to kill her, so the feeling was mutual.” Her voice was abnormally level in the most unnerving way as she met the priest in his eyes. Anshumali’s skin prickled at the sound of such calm when she glimpsed the rage in the Templar’s dark blue gaze. “She’s made up for it just fine, anyway.”

  “How is that?” The priest’s beady eyes made Anshumali think of a mink or snake, but his excessive weight made her think of a boar – no…a pig.

  “She could have left me for dead and gone on working for Dahaka, for one. For two, she technically could have walked away after a half-hearted attempt to heal me and walked away with my soul.”

  She’s an amazing warrior and a Politian? Damn is this bitch talented…and she has enough spunk to call the Fallen One by Dahaka. No wonder I couldn’t overwhelm her.

  “Must you say that name? Have you no respect for anything? The one who commands the Azhi is the Fallen One. Using a name like that will doom us all!”

  Kariken turned to Fay, completely snubbing the priest. “I’m sorry, sis. I must report to the palace to fetch our pay check. I’ll send you half via currier.”

  The girl’s shoulders slumped as her smile vanished like the light of the setting sun. “Aren’t you coming home?”

  “No. I’ll be staying at the inn and tavern. Send for me if you need something, okay?” The matter-of-factness returned to the warrior’s tone. Still, Fay made one more attempt.

  “Xia…Quinn’s off duty. He was still sore about Lyrea.”

  The Priestess’s elder sister frowned. A certain uneasy look passed over her face for a split second, then was gone. “It was three months ago. He should be over it. I want a dece
nt meal and some sleep, and he isn’t going to stop me.” She gave the girl another kiss on each cheek, a tight hug and headed out.

  They’re definitely foreign. From her journals, I’d say from across the Sea of the White Witch. The Runes…their accent…it’s – it’s all so familiar. Where exactly…?

  Anshumali gave the girl one more look before following the warrior out. They headed for the palace on foot. Her thoughts were still trying to place the sisters.

  Maybe Iris Islands?

  “You know…” Kariken’s voice made the Azhi jump. “I hate leaving her like this. Since our parents weren’t around, it’s been difficult. I don’t remember enough about my mother to raise her, and I’m gone all the time.”

  “That must be hard.” Anshumali replied both politically and absentmindedly.

  The warrior gave a single nod. “Is Lyrea older?”

  Anshumali lifted an eyebrow.

  Why the sudden interest? All she did was argue about every little thing I had to say on the way here.

  “Yeah.”

  “What a horrible sister.”

  “A horrible – wait, huh?” The Azhi guardian gave her a look. The warrior had her full attention now.

  “Older sisters are there to guide and protect their younger siblings. When mothers are around they help with the raising by doing things parents can’t. It’s just the order of things.”

  Huh. I never thought about it like that. Lyrea was always just trying her best to put the blame on me for her mischief as she lazed between villages. When we trained together she was always trying to kill or outdo me.

  Out of nowhere somebody bumped into them. Instantly Kariken grabbed him by his tunic’s collar and shoved him out of the way. “Watch where you’re going, moron!” Anshumali staggered backward several steps; her jaw dropped slightly agape. “Learn to walk or stay home with your mommy!”

  “I-I’m sorry. I’ll try to be more careful.”

  “Damn right. Idiot.”

  After giving the stranger another shove as if for good measure, the Templar kept walking. More aware now, the wolf Azhi began to notice most people moved out of the way. There seemed to be a slight space – like a little air bubble around them. Her heart beat faster at the display of power in this Templar. Honestly, it reminded her of herself and Lyrea.