With those last words Eleazar and Helena Guardian walked through the curtain behind the stage. There were two flashes of pink light and just like that they had returned to wherever they came from. Will and Gatnom stood staring at the ceiling.
Finally Gatnom turned back to the King.“What I don’t understand is why didn’t Jared kill us if he knew who we were?”
The King smiled. “You think well, young Gatnom. The answer is that he wanted to use you. He wanted to turn your magic against me. Because you are the children of the high protectors their mantle falls on you, making it easier for you to learn magic. It’s called the double portion. This is why your awakening ceremony was so powerful. You both are blessed with some of your parent’s power. When Gatnom laid his hands on you all that power mixed. When Markus realized this, and that you were getting closer to the truth, he resorted to try to kill you so there would be no chance of you becoming his enemy. My young magi, you are just now beginning to learn what power you are capable of.”
“Man, everything is so backwards!” Wohie said.
“For real,” said Will.
King Mel smiled. “This world is confused and misguided. There are many who don’t realize they are on the wrong side. We will need you if we are to enlighten them and set Baru back in order.”
Gatnom dropped to one knee immediately and dedicated his life to the service of King Mel. Everything he had ever dreamed was granted by the King on this day. He should have been executed for standing against him all these years, but was instead granted the most powerful blessing possible to an enemy: forgiveness. Will considered for only a moment longer than Gatnom. Sure, he might die or never see earth again, but this was where he always belonged. What was there to go back to anyway? Will lowered to one knee beside his brother.
Twenty Four
The Knights
A few days later the entire city of Neba assembled in the courtyard of the King. There was festivities, which included Jesters and candies and small booths that sold Minum Manis. Will and Gatnom sat in tall royal chairs on a stage that had been erected overnight. The two young magi were dressed in the gi of the Knights of Baru. Gatnom’s uniform was maroon; Will’s was midnight blue (the shade that can only be differentiated from black under the outside sun). Each gi came with a long outer coat that fell to the shins and hooked together from chest to thigh with knots and loops. Long pieces of soft material matching the color of the uniforms were wrapped around the neck of the boys, like scarfs. These were to be wrapped around the face to hide their identities during battle, just like Lord Andrias had worn ever since Will had first seen him in the cave beneath the Bottomless Lake. Today however, the battle masks were left unwrapped. They were not to be hidden from the world, but were scheduled to be publicly honored by the King.
Will sat nervously, not knowing what to do with his hands. He was waiting for the ceremony to begin.
“Hey guys!” Wohie said from behind. Will and Gatnom turned to see a young woman whom they were not familiar with. She wore many colors, and had a clean face and long hair falling in curls to her backside. Her eyes were slightly painted, not as much as the other women, but still dark enough to make the gold-dust in them shimmer.
“What? What are you looking at? Hello. Guys!”
“Oh sorry. You look...” Gatnom was unsure how to finish.
“What? Stupid? I look stupid, don’t I!?”
“Beautiful,” Gatnom finished.
Wohie blushed, then she punched Gatnom in the arm.
“And what about me?” Jabber said out of nowhere. He was suddenly sitting on Wohie’s shoulder, dressed in tiny mail and a small gold helmet. To his side he held a javelin the length of a pencil with all three arms.
“Jabber!” said Will. Jabber hopped from Wohie to Gatnom and wrapped six tiny arms as far around Gatnom’s neck as he could. Afterwards he took his normal place on Will’s shoulder.
“Please honor King Mel Masih the Only!” a voice shouted right before trumpets blew the notes prescribed. When King Mel stepped onto the stage the roar grew louder and louder until the King motioned with his hand and silence fell. He stepped to the edge of the stage.
“Today, my friends, there is reason to rejoice!” said the King. He did not seem to be speaking loudly, but everyone in the city heard his voice the same, from the guards at the gates to the magi on stage. The King’s voice carried everywhere inside of the walls. “On this day the sons of Lord Eleazar and Helena Guardian have returned and are reunited!” Cheers and claps and strong masculine whoots launched loudly into the air. The roar actually shook the stage. After it died down the King continued. “Because of their return, today shall be celebrated as the birthday of a new hope! Although war may be pressing itself upon us, we will rejoice. For tomorrow, once this young birth pain has passed, we will open our eyes, the dust will fall away, and Baru will be more glorious than it ever has before.” Once again fist and voices shot into the air.
The King turned to Will, Wohie, Gatnom, and Jabber. Wohie was standing behind the two chairs surveying the crowd, looking for her brother, and Jabber was staring at the King in awe from Will’s shoulder. “Gatnom, William, arise and kneel,” the King said. The two complied. The elders of Baru: Lord Andrias, Thummim (big ears), and the image of Lady Urim walked onto the stage and stood beside the King.
“Gatnom Guardian, William Guardian, sons of Lord Eleazar and Helena, today you are to become High Protectors of all of Baru. You are to be the guardians of the peace, the liberators of the people, and the protectors of the throne. I warn you; this is a heavy task with many risks. Many have desired the glory of such a title, but have fallen away when the glory turned to blood. You may be captured, you may die, but in it all, know this, I will never forsake or betray you. I, your King, will fight with you, side by side, always. Together we shall bring victory. But, do not take this task lightly, nothing from this moment on will be the same, nor safe, but at the end of your days, when time falls asleep, no moment will be more joyous to recall than when we, together, from the hallways of the Kingdom of All, look back on this day.”
The King removed his sword from its golden sheath. As it slid Will heard a whisper of wind saying, Be strong and of good courage, and do not fear. You are stronger than you think. A flock of these whispers flowed throughout the crowd as the sword was raised into the air. Every mouth in the crowd shushed as they strained to hear what was being said to them. When the King lifted the sword the sun bounced from its blade, making every white in the courtyard too bright to look at.
A moment later the light faded.
“Sons of Baru, today I choose you as the knights of the Kingdom. From this moment on you will be known as Lord Gatnom and Lord William Guardian, High Protectors of Baru.” The King lowered his sword on the shoulders of Gatnom, then Will. “I knight you in the name of the King of All.”
From that point forward, boys they never were again, but men, knights, and warriors. Mostly.
“Ascena, please come, kneel.”
Wohie stepped in front of the King and fell to both knees. She had been so overwhelmed for Will and Gatnom that she had cried tears of joy for their blessing. The King sheathed his sword and laid his hand on Wohie’s head. “Your presence is what carried these two to this place. Without you they would never have made it, sorrow would have swallowed them up like a hole in the sea. The King of All made you full of His joy, and this joy has given you and your friends the strength needed to persevere. It is a trait I greatly admire.”
The King leaned in close to Wohie. Only Will, Gatnom, Jabber, and Wohie heard what he said next. “Your laughter will be greatly needed in the days ahead. Your heart will be split, but your love and smile will mend the rift.” The King stood back up and once again spoke where the rest of the crowd could hear. “From this moment on you shall sit in the court of the King and shall ride into the fray with the Knights of Baru. Your strength and eyes shall carry many through dark places. From now on you shall no longer be known only as
Wohie the Orphan, but Lady Ascena, the Joyful Strong.”
The King lifted his hand. “Rise, Lady Ascena. Now, where is young Jabber?”
Instantly, again seemingly out of nowhere, Jabber was standing in the King’s hand. He was panting.
“How does he do that?” Will whispered.
“I have no idea,” Gatnom answered.
“Jabber,” The King said, “you have seen more adventures than any of your kind. How does it feel?”
“I feel strong, your Majesty. Strong for a butterbug at least.”
The King smiled. “Strong you are, and from this moment you shall be known as Jabber, the Bravest Butterbug of Pugian.” Jabber immediately looked over at Will, who was smiling. He proudly poked out his little butterbug chest. The King noticed, and lifted Jabber up close to his lips. “Your loyalty is the strongest thing about you. Stay close to your friends. They need you,” he whispered.
“Yes sir!” Jabber said loudly, then he saluted with three arms and flew back to his place on Will’s shoulder.
The King turned to the people. “I give you Lord Gatnom Guardian, Lord William Guardian, Lady Ascena the Joyful Strong, and Jabber, the Bravest Butterbug of Pugian!” At these words the air exploded into the loudest cheers Will had heard yet. The roar grew as the moment passed, and the King let it go for as long as it would. While the crowd was still booming Lord Andrias, Lord Thummim, and the image of Lady Urim approached the three youngest members of the King’s court. Andrias stood in front of Will, Thummim in front of Gatnom (Gatnom bent down in order to make the moment less awkward), and the image of Urim stood in front of Wohie. Each laid their hands on the shoulders of their newest comrades, welcoming them into the King’s court. Lord Andrias reached behind and unwrapped his face garment. It unraveled a circle at a time until the brown face of Andrias was visible. He was strong looking, with a solid square jaw.
“Wait a minute. You’re... I know you. You’re the police officer!” Will said, trying to speak above the crowd.
“Yes.”
“Officer Andy?! It was you?! Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Lord William, let this be your first lesson as a Knight of the King. The King never forces his will onto people, unlike our enemy. You had to come on your own. That is why I did not bring you or force you to come from the cave. It is not our way.”
“Hey, but what about me?!” Wohie asked with a smirk.
“You fell. I saved you. I had to bring you back for your own protection.”
“I fought you the whole way!”
“Well... that’s different,” Andrias said with a wink. Here Will saw Andrias smile for the first time.
“Thank you,” Gatnom said. “You saved all of us at the caves.”
“You are welcome friends. Here, you dropped this in the forest.” Lord Andrias handed Will his father’s travel bag.
The King reached and took hold of the pendant around Will’s neck. Instantly the bars twisted and unfolded into the shape of a sun opening, like a flower in full bloom. Inside was the picture of Gatnom and a small key.
“Do you know what this is for?” King Mel asked Will.
Will thought for a moment. Then it hit him. “The safe in my dad’s library?”
“Yes. There are many things inside you must read and learn.”
“Wait. You mean I have to go back?”
“Yes.”
“But I want to stay here. I have nothing back there.”
“It is only for a while. Soon I will send for you, but until then there are things you must learn. Your father was the keeper of the Secrets of Baru and its magic; now his responsibility falls to you. William, today you are older, and it’s time to read the hidden books.” Will’s father’s words echoed through his mind as King Mel repeated them. The King once again leaned in close for Will to hear. “When I send for you, bring the Great Book of Baru, until then study to prepare yourself for what is coming.” With that, and a smile, the King turned again to the crowd, whom had quieted. “I officially declare tonight a night of celebration! All work is suspended!”
This brought more cheers than all the words before, and instant music began from all angles. Will, Gatnom, and Wohie walked off the stage and were tackled by Yoh, Goh, Sloh, Broh, Randiby, and Jubal. The rest of the boys were with their newly assigned families, happy, fed, and learning to stay clean.
“Gat, have you seen these walls?” asked Goh. “I wonder how the gates work?
“I’m sure you will find out,” answered Gatnom with a smile.
The rest of the night was full of dancing, singing, jesters, candy, story telling, drum performances, karaoke, and a few funny gentleman who figured out how to make the Minum Manis sparkle and make you act funny. Sharleen and Daveed were there, along with their large friend Moa, and were clung to constantly by their reunited children. Everyone danced and spun, jumped and hooted, sang and smiled, because for this night all their worries slept. The only thing anyone noticed was the thick joy of being reunited with good friends after a hard journey’s end. The party lasted late into the night, and Will, Wohie, and Gatnom sang until their hearts glowed. Early in the morning hours they fell asleep, shoulder to shoulder, staring at the stars above the spot where their dancing legs had finally given out. And the happy magi slept the night away, smiling in their sweet dreams, without the tiniest thought of the sorrow that had been so thick a few days before.
Twenty Five
The Beginning
Everyone was gathered on top of the wall late in the morning two days later. It was time for Will to return to earth. There were secrets to protect, and Will was the one to protect them. All of his new friends lined up to say good bye.
“Will, brother, I’m going to miss you,” Gatnom said. He had been assigned to assist King Mel directly and had been chosen to sit near the King at all times, free to ask questions as he pleased. It was a very high honor.
“I’ll miss you too Gat. I wish I didn’t have to go.”
“The King knows best. He brought us together, didn’t he?”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Will said, “as usual.”
Gatnom looked down and away, the same look Will had grown to love. It was the look that said, I’m really not that smart or that strong. I just do what I’m supposed to.
Wohie squeezed Will with every bit of strength she had (which was a lot). She was wearing the new uniform of the female knights: a long loose fitting cloak that split at the waist and pants that moved with the wind. Wohie had almost squealed when she found out the footwear for her new uniform were combat boots. She had been given a place in the palace as well, where she would take part in the court practices as the head of a brand new devision: The Ladies of Baru. Their sole purpose was to protect those who could not protect themselves. Wohie trembled at the responsibility, but was no where near rejecting it, not after all the King had done for her and her friends. She felt at home; the only thing missing was her brother. Andrias had told her of his need for time. She understood. She knew he would return; he always kept his word to her.
“Willy, come back soon. Okay?” she said. Dark makeup ran down her cheek.
Will swallowed hard. When Wohie’s green and gold eyes swirled together with the sun and tears, she reminded him of his mother. “I will. I promise,” he said. Wohie buried her face in Gatnom’s shoulder.
The rest of the crowd thanked Will and told him how much they would miss him. All of the once lost boys from camp hugged him at once, knocking him over. They were much happier now. It turned out the nightmares had been a curse to keep them angry at King Mel, a curse of bitterness. The dreams had ceased the moment they had arrived in the city. Since, they had been learning about things they had never dreamt of. Morning after morning, clusters of new mysteries were discovered, then in the afternoons each were assigned to teachers who instructed them on how to do the things they loved. Jubal was learning music’s magical elements, like which strums and tempos made water dance and what combination of notes could open l
ocked doors. Randiby was learning the names of every star and which of those were surrounded by other worlds. He learned the majority of the worlds were aware of each other, but there were a few isolated by the King of All until certain sicknesses or ideas died away. He was thrilled when he learned travel between these world would one day be open to Baru, and amazed at how the worlds made a perfect balance, like a scale, as each spun and tilted at the perfect time and at the perfect angle.
Yoh, Goh, Sloh, and Broh were attached to their parents. The reunion was sweet with tears and sobs and songs. Private moments ruled the days after they were reunited, and it was one of the best times in all of times yet.
“Where’s Jabber?” Will asked. Everyone looked up and down and in their pockets. He was nowhere to be found. “Well at least tell him I said goodbye.”
“I will,” said the King as he approached. Everyone dropped to one knee. “Thank you. Rise. Lord Andrias will escort you to the mountain.” The King lifted Will’s bag from the ground and set it on his shoulder.
“Is he going to carry me?” Will asked as he peeked over the edge of the wall.
“No. You have alternate transportation.” At that exact moment, Tobby, the flying mole, lifted up from the outside of the wall and landed. Yoh, Goh, Sloh, Broh, Daveed, and Sharlin instantly forgot about Will, amazed at the flying boat, wondering aloud at how it worked.
“This time hold on better,” said Gatnom.
“Yeah, don’t be falling out okay. I won’t be there to take care of ya this time,” said Wohie.
“Funny,” said Will, with a grin. The three laughed hard and hugged all together.
The King stepped near. “Gatnom, William, Wohie. I want you to think about something very important. I want you to consider joining my family. You are all three very special. Your futures are full of adventure, battle, joy, and pain. But, it is an impossible request to ask one to live such a story alone. I know you have each other, but will you allow me to adopt you as my children? Will you join my family?”
The Winter Letter Page 23
