Guardian

by Amanda McLaren

  Then I marched up toward the peaks where the Gryphon waited. We’d just reached the path to begin the climb when I spotted the unicorn. He was in midnight blue tack with food, bed rolls, a small pouch of gold and the best made sword I’d ever had the honor of seeing.

  Gasping in delight, I seized the weapon and gave it a couple swings. It was lighter than a katana, with a slightly curved blade and only one edge. The weapon was familiar in the same way faded memories of my homeland.

  “This is incredible! Looks like we have an admirer!” I breathed. “Whoever decided to risk their lives to get close to a Unicorn must really fucking like me.”

  “Could Sapphire’s family have…?”

  “No way. They barely support themselves. Maybe it’s a gift from the temple or palace. Seishin’s probably already back to the city.”

  “Huh. Well, you wanted a better weapon. That’s the best scimitar I’ve seen in my entire life.”

  “Scimitar, huh? I’ve never used one of these before. Thank you Redemption!” I patted his nose. “I’ll make sure to give you an extra juicy bit of fruit next time we have it!”

  Redemption nickered before trotting off through the village. I watched as people moved the fuck out of his way to stare in awe before turning and happily heading up the mountain face. This fight would be a whole lot easier with a sword in my hands, even if it wasn’t a bow.

  The wind sang through the cliffs as we reached the mountain plateau. It was a sheer drop to one side. The other was a narrow, uneven path that twisted around a huge stone temple, dedicated to the dragon god of time, Azure, and his twin opposite, Azen. Two huge serpent-like dragons were engraved on the gray and black volcanic walls; one white, the other black.

  Below us was a stretch of mountain grass and barren rock, laden with tuffs of wild mountain flower and gorse. A winding river sparkled in the evening sun. A gust of wind blew hard, almost knocking me off my feet. Just in time, a winged black wolf steadied me.

  Silver caught my gaze. Before I could react, the black wolf jetted after the winged cat diving talon-first right for us.

  There was a terrible screech of rage as fire shot from Sanquility into the face of the attacker. It stopped dead to claw at its scorched face. San used the hesitation to reach her opponent and nip at the wings. Claws raked the wolf’s fur. Crimson droplets glistened like rubies as they fell onto the sold gray rock below.

  I readied my whip, watching. Waiting for them to come close enough for me to strike as well. Something caught my eye.

  “San, is that an amulet?”

  //Yes. She’s being controlled. It looks like she was a war bird for a local militia. //

  “Bring her down to me!”

  Sanquility ducked from the huge back leopard claws – and let the beast come right at me, talons outstretched. I adjusted my weight without taking my eyes off my opponent. Just before it could reach me, I lashed its whip and spun out of the way as it barely landed on its feet before me. The Gryphon gave a screech of rage, lunging for me; I lashed at its beak and eyes, keeping it at bay.

  Fire rained down from above, lighting the beast aflame. Giving a deafening screech of frustrated agony, it threw itself onto the ground to roll out the flames. I launched myself toward the beast, unsheathing the sword for a final strike; her wing caught me, sending me flying. My arm flew out instinctively to catch myself; I howled in agony as it dislocated my shoulder and caused me to roll and skid on stone. Everything felt bruised as I landed, out of breath, on my back.

  She tumbled to her feet as I staggered to my own. Shaking her head, the winged nightmare took to the air again, apparently not through yet. Sanquility gave an angry bark before zipping ahead of it. The Gryphon avoided her fireball and slammed right into her! There was a battle of claw, talon and fang – down rolled the winged wolf, slamming hard on the stone.

  To my utter shock, the Azhi’s pain tore through me; the unexpected onslaught of pain nearly brought me to my knees. My lungs felt as if they collapsed upon themselves.

  “ANSHUMALI!!!”

  I raced as quickly as my shaking legs would allow.

  The unconscious wolf was breathing, but her stomach and neck bled profusely. There were a chunk of fur and flesh missing from both, as well as horrid long claw marks along her flanks.

  A screech from the air drew my mind back to the battle. I whirled around to face my attacker. My eyes locked on the amulet; I readied my whip. My head felt as if it were trying to split a part as the world spun to and fro; I shook it impatiently, trying to focus, but it simply made things worse.

  My whip sang toward the beast’s legs. Either I missed from my whirling head or the beast evaded me. Before I could coil my defense for a second strike, I was hurdled into solid stone. Talons and claws shredded skin and cloth alike as I struggled under its weight. Stone cut at my back.

  I managed to grip the beak.

  Snap.

  It fell dead.

  I slithered and squirmed from under the huge thing. Trembling, I crawled on my hands and knees to the Azhi. She lay nude in human form. Breathing. My limbs didn’t want to move; they ached – throbbed. I removed what I could of my clothing to make a tourniquet for her wounds.

  Barely managing to stand, I shrugged her onto my shoulders.

  Her eyes opened into slits, found me and slid shut again. My mind snagged the little link there was between us.

  “Stay with me, Anshumali. You’re too stubborn to die.”

  //K…Kariken…? //

  “Yes.”

  //Why? //

  “I don’t want you to die.”

  //Your soul… //

  “That’s right. My soul. It’ll never be yours if you don’t keep fighting.”

  //Kariken, I – I don’t want your soul. //

  “I won’t lose you! If you won’t fight for my soul, then fight for me!”

  The mere thought of losing her made my stomach clench. It was like a knife to my heart.

  Damn this bond! I shouldn’t care so much! Now I know how she felt when she was saving me from the poison. Damn it. Damn it all to the Abyss!

  The trip back down took until well after dark. I refused to rest, or to put her down. I staggered and stumbled to Sapphire’s home, barely managing to knock. It was once again Sapphire who opened it. She gasped, a look of horror on her face. She tried to take Sanquility from my arms; I shoved her off and held my soul partner tighter.

  “Just…get the…healer.” I commanded hoarsely. “I’ll t-take her inside.”

  “You can hardly walk!” Sapphire wailed.

  “Now Sapphire!”

  Tears in her eyes, she dashed off.

  I staggered inside. Nobody else was home; I stumbled to the room and collapsed into the bed.

  Darkness.

  ~*~

  Waking up was like swimming through quicksand. Anshumali instantly reached out and doubled the mind link between her and Kariken. It was all but shattered. Groaning, she reached over and touched the human’s clammy skin.

  “I’m glad to see you’re awake.” Sapphire said softly. “The healer helped you at first, but you were healing so well she left.”

  Her voice instantly irritated the Azhi. Sitting up, she turned away from her to lay practically on top of her soul-bound.

  “Anshumali….”

  //I’m right here, Kariken. I’m not leaving. //

  “Are you healing?”

  //Yes. //

  “Good. Good. I’m so – so glad,”

  //Stop exerting yourself. //

  “It hurts.”

  She slipped into the human’s mind, but Kariken threw up her guards.

  //Put them down. //

  “Not yet. You’re not strong enough.”

  //Kariken, I order you to put down your guards! //

  They slammed down painfully fast, making them both cringe.

  Kariken’s screams could be heard all over the village; perhaps even to the temple. Anshumali felt herself begin to shake as she healed
their wounds in unison, shoveling out massive amounts of magical energy. By the time the human’s screams had ceased, the wolf was asleep again.

  Chapter Seven

  By the Riverside

  It was dark – so very dark. I could see and feel nothing. There was nothing. I couldn’t move – couldn’t think. Then, suddenly, in the nothingness there was the sound of scale on stone.

  “I will rise again, Kariken. Just you wait. You may have found her, but your gods will never win. The world shall be mine again.”

  Blood – I could smell blood. The world was cast in scarlet; hot, sticky scarlet. The walls bled, flooding the floor.

  I looked down, heart racing, to see Anshumali was at my feet.

  I woke screaming in terror. Strong, familiar arms grabbed me and held me tight. I didn’t even have to look to know it was Anshumali; I just knew. The feel of her arms, the feel of her being there, the knowing she was real and alive, caused me to break into tears.

  “Kari? Kari, what’s wrong?” Still half asleep, she practically exhaled the words, holding me so tight it hurt.

  I was crying so hard my shoulders shook; I couldn’t explain the dream to her. I turned around to hold her as tight as I could, enjoying her embrace. When I’d finally calmed down, Sanquility slipped into my mind.

  Her entire body tensed.

  “The Fallen One was in your mind. He apparently knows your soul name. What protects you from him using it…?”

  “When was he in my mind?! How does he know my soul name?!”

  “The nightmare was his magic, Kari.”

  “Whose magic caused a nightmare? And why’d you call Xia Kari?” Sapphire’s voice made us both jump. We turned to see her just entering the room with a tray. On it was a flask of whisky, two loaves of bread and cheese.

  “It’s none of your business, human.” The Azhi’s voice was so vicious it gave me goose bumps. Sapphire faltered at the sound of her voice.

  “Sapphire…she’s just tired and protective. That looks wonderful.”

  “I-I’ll j-j-just leave it h-here for you.” With shaky hands, the girl set it down on the table by the door. I watched her give me a longing look before leaving.

  “Sapphire acted like you were going to take her hands off. Not that you didn’t sound like it.” I gave her a look that demanded an explanation all on its own.

  San swallowed hard. “I kind of woke up a little before you….”

  “And?” I glared at her.

  “She was in here.”

  “San….”

  “I didn’t start it!” I flinched away from her. She lowered her voice. When she spoke, it was far softer. “Sapphire said it was my fault you were so badly injured. That if I hadn’t souled with you, the gods wouldn’t have tried to kill you. She wants you to herself, Kariken. She wants you safe in a village, handling petty thievery and drunken brawls. You’d be jumping at the chance to deal with wolves attacking livestock!”

  Seizing her by the hair, I gave her a deep, hard kiss. Sanquility’s response was light and hesitant. When I at last pulled away, my wife blinked several times as her grip loosened around me. I got a light chuckle when I saw her jaw was slightly agape.

  “So…you’re not mad at me?”

  “Not at all. It wasn’t your fault. You’ve saved me more than once, and are a fine warrior. She’ll always live in this tiny village, not understanding what it is we share. She’s never understood my need to protect the weak and travel. She was never fated to be a part of my life, Anshumali.”

  The Azhi melted, giving me a smitten smile. “You said my name…” She purred.

  I staggered unsteadily to my feet and ate quietly, relishing in my lover’s stare. “I think we’re safe to leave.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m just a little unsteady on my feet, and we have Redemption. Common; we’ve a long journey to make.”

  I began to dress. San stretched as she got off the bed real slow, catching my eyes. Her boobs hung loosely. I watched as she shimmied into her own clothing.

  Then I tore myself away, shaking my head a little in an attempt think. My mind latched onto the first real thought it could form. “It’ll be nice to see Fay. Her birthday is soon.”

  “Really?” There was instant interest.

  “Yeah. I want to make it back before then.”

  “Your journal entry is blank for your birthday and hers just says summer.”

  Why the interest?

  “We don’t know for sure when they are, and only ever celebrate hers anymore. I remember she was born mid-summer.”

  “How?”

  “I recall summers were really, really hot and dry. We had no water and mom died during labor.”

  “Oh….”

  I just waved her away. “It can only hurt so much for so long; especially since I can hardly remember her face. Besides, I have Fay now.”

  Once we’d finished dressing we headed downstairs. Conversation stopped the moment we entered the room. A huge, burly, bearded man was sitting at the table, making me clear my throat nervously.

  “Good day to you, sir.”

  “Get out.”

  “We were just leaving.” My guardian wife pushed me toward the door protectively.

  But I didn’t move. Ignoring the father, I turned to the women of the house. “Bye Sapphire, Miss Wu. I don’t believe we’ll be seeing one another again.”

  Sapphire gave me a weak smile. “I hope that isn’t the case, but if it is…I wish you safe passage and a very happy life.”

  Miss Wu nodded. “You’re a strong woman, Xia. By the way, our only surviving priest sent an amulet, a whip and sword down. He said the amulet is covered in evil magic. All of them are on your Unicorn.”

  I tilted my head slightly. “So he returned?”

  She nodded like it was nothing. “He’s waiting for you just outside.”

  “Thank you.”

  Redemption met us outside her door instead of in the valley. Sanquility helped me on his back. He let me guide him out of the village at a trot.

  We were heading home.

  ~*~

  Anshumali was taken aback to see Kariken stop Redemption at a long, winding stream around dawn. Since they could sleep on such an intelligent mount, they’d traveled through the night to make up for the day they’d lost at Mist Peak. Stopping now seemed, well, backwards – especially for Kariken. The human warrior dismounted and offered to help the Azhi down.

  “Why are we stopping Kariken?”

  “See that tree?” She pointed at a huge, spike-ridden tree with evil-looking red leaves and blood red fruit.

  “What about it?” She asked as she examined it carefully, even using her magic to look at its aurora. She found nothing strange about it. “I don’t see anything wrong with it.”

  Kariken gave a good-natured chuckle. “Nothing’s wrong with it. I love its fruit, and we both need a bath. I hate waiting until we stink.”

  “Together?” Anshumali’s eyebrows bounced up and down suggestively. The Temple gave an alluring smile.

  “Let me collect the fruit.” Anshumali exclaimed as her lover walked toward the tree.

  I have to make up for botching that fight.

  “We can do it tog-”

  Kariken’s eyes stretched wide and her voice dropped short as the ripe fruit plucked itself from the tree; bark peeled off to form a bowl for the sap that seeped out. Then the rough spikey shell fell away from the tender fruit. They sliced themselves, jumped into the sap and were lowered gently into the warrior’s waiting hands.

  Her jaw dropped slightly. Waves of the human’s desire pulsed into her guardian.

  Now that is collecting fruit!

  Kariken slowly set the bowl down. “Let’s take a bath while that soaks.”

  The idea of getting Kariken to have sex with her without prying it out sent a wave of excited desire through Anshumali. “Yes, let’s.” She purred.

  Anshumali led the way, enjoying Kariken eating up her body a
s the two stripped.

  She must think I’m weak. I should have been stronger! Strength is crucial to staying in Kariken’s spotlight. She needs a warrior who can keep up with her, and I –

  “San? What are you doing staring off into outer space?” Kariken sounded slightly irritated, and a bit confused. “I thought you wanted to bathe with me.”

  Kariken was wading into a shallow part of the river, looking over her shoulder with a frown stamped on her pretty face.

  DAMN IT!

  “Fine!” The woman’s eyes blazed with the anger that rolled off her. “Stay out for all I care.”

  Shaking her head, Anshumali jumped into the water, swimming up to the woman. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t yell at me and then apologize. It’s confusing.”

  “I was angry at myself. I got lost in thought.”

  Since when does she care if I get in or not?

  “San, what’s your problem? You were being really sweet.” She faced the other way.

  How do I fuck up everything? She better still want me. We were looking forward to that!

  Just to see if she was still in the mood, Anshumali waded into the water to wrap around the Templar. When Kariken didn’t pull away, she gently began to nibble at her neck. A wave of understanding hit Anshumali, instantly baffling the wolf woman.

  “Oh,” Kariken whispered.

  What?

  Kariken stopped washing to turn around and fold her arms around the wolf woman’s neck, kissing her wife deeply. There was something off about the kiss, however. Something that told Anshumali her lover wasn’t quite willing.

  Out of nowhere, images of Lyrea and a wave of emotional pain slammed forefront into her mind.

  She called out in confused pain as she jerked away in shock. Not careful where she stepped, the Azhi slipped on the slick stone. Instantly she fell backward with a wave of dazed panic to splash hard beneath the waves. A hand reached down to wrench her upwards. The entire event left the wolf woman shaking and sputtering.

  “Are you alright?” Kariken’s panic was blinding; it took the Azhi several long seconds to answer.

  “Y-yes.” She coughed, trying to think. “But are you?”

  When the Templar answered, her voice was shrill. The woman was paler than freshly fallen snow. “I’m sorry, Sanquility. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to –”