The Secret of the Keepers

by Elizabeth Isaacs

  He pulled me into a fierce hug. “They are to me.”

  Chapter 13

  Rena’s Joy

  MY DEAREST MIA,

  Troy grows alarmed. You seem to be going through a bit of insecurity of late. I believe it is the combination of starting school and your father leaving to set up a contingency by the portal. Do not worry. I have ordered a room be built in Gavin’s suite. You will never be without your source. There is no cause for concern. I vow I will always take care of you, my little Princess.

  “I didn’t know Mia lived with you.” The words carried across the room in a non-accusatory tone. Gavin took the book from my hands and tossed it on the nightstand. He helped me up from the chair.

  “Mia and I were about seven.” He opened the bedroom door, and we made our way down the stairs. “She was so fragile. Even at such a young age, she was my burden.”

  We stopped by the front door just long enough for me to slip on my shoes.

  “I remember trying to will her to be stronger, hoping she would outgrow her need to cling to me.” Gavin closed the door behind us, his hand finding mine.

  We walked down the corridor that led to Malachi’s in silence. My mind whirred. Most of the entries in the journal offered advice for handling situations, or informative bits of information Lera thought might prove helpful in the future. But with every flip of a page, the entries became more personal, and they all seemed to stem from the Queen’s need to strengthen Gavin’s future source.

  I knew the Queen was doing what she thought best, but I couldn’t help but wonder what it must have been like for Mia ... trying to live up to an expectation that was impossible to meet.

  “I never thought of it that way,” Gavin said as we passed through the threshold that led to Malachi’s chamber.

  Gold glittered across the way, and I rushed to a small frame shrouded in a golden cloak. Queen Lera rose from her seat, her head swathed in an overly broad hood.

  “You look wonderful.” I embraced her, and she patted my back.

  “I wish to thank you, Nora. Thanks to the hair that is woven into this material, I no longer struggle.” Her voice was stronger than it had been for a while. I helped her sit back down, mindful not to disturb the hood’s excess gracefully piling around her neck.

  The morning was filled with laughter and stories. The Queen smiled, relaxing, and she regaled us with tales of when she was a child. I ate slowly, not wanting breakfast to end. It just seemed right when we were all together.

  The Queen stood as if she read my thoughts. “I wish we could sit all day and visit, but I’ve postponed the cabinet meeting as long as I dare. Sadly, I must take my leave.” She walked around the table, stopping briefly to put her hand on my shoulder. “Thank you again, Princess.”

  “You’re most welcome.” I patted her hand. She hugged Gavin before walking out the door.

  “What’s on the agenda today?” I asked Malachi.

  “Our next assignment is a group exercise and will take place in the courtyard.”

  Everyone started to stand, but I held up my hands, motioning them to stay. “Before we go, I’d like to ask Reen and Elaine a favor.”

  “Anything, my lady.” Elaine’s deep voice warmed the room.

  “My amulet’s almost full. Could you siphon off some of the energy?”

  “How?” Rena’s Jasper brown eyes glittered with curiosity.

  I smiled. “You bend it.”

  Elaine shook her head, disbelieving. “And how do you wish for us to accomplish this?”

  “Well, to be honest, I don’t know. But I’ll tell you what I do. Don’t think I’m crazy. Well, don’t think I’m too crazy,” I mumbled, wishing I’d just gone to the energy field and released the amulet. “For you to understand, I have to explain how my brain is organized.”

  Elias looked up, amused. He and Gavin must have already discussed my bizarre notions.

  “As we found out earlier, I have six thoughts going through my head.”

  Rune wiped his mouth with the back of his arm. “Princess, that’s most interestin’, that is.”

  I grinned, before turning back to Rena and Elaine. “The first thought closest to my eyes is the captain of all of the rest. He keeps them in order.”

  Rune smiled and started in on a bowl of potatoes.

  “The next in line is in charge of energy. His job is to constantly check and make sure we’re not blowing anyone out of the water. The third, fourth, and fifth are in charge of memories, sights, and smells. They categorize them and keep them for quick recall.”

  They all just stared now, amusement swirled with admiration, and I looked down at my plate.

  “What does the sixth one do?” Rena asked.

  “It mainly drives Gavin and me crazy. I call that one my wild child.” I had to laugh as it started to make its opinions known.

  “That’s where yer warrior lies,” Rune stated as if we were talking about the weather.

  “What?” I swiveled around, giving him my full attention.

  He sat back, patting his stomach. “The Urisk’ll be born with six levels of thought, Lass. I’ll not be thinkin’ as hard as yer doin, but it makes sense ter look at it that way. Look to this wild child when yer needin’ defense.”

  Gavin’s eyes snapped to Rune’s, but I focused on Rena and Elaine, determined not to get sidetracked.

  “Now you have three streams of thought. I don’t know if they run in straight lines, or what they do in your head, but if you make one of them responsible for power, I’m pretty sure it’ll work. The trick is to concentrate on a time when you were grateful for receiving something and then visualize the energy going into the stone.”

  I closed my eyes, and the walls burned white. Rena and Elaine’s heads bowed in concentration. The hum of energy grew to a dull roar. Rune looked up, inspecting the ceiling.

  “Princess, yer not wantin’ to release too much at once, now. Tis a small space, an energy’s been known to cause a cave in.”

  I blanched and brought the room back to blue.

  Rena and Elaine looked down, concentrating, their amulets started to warm, the room turned to gray.

  “I did it!” Rena shouted, jumping up to show me Tark’s amulet. The solid deep blue Lapis stone held a small sea green light in the center.

  “Elaine?”

  “My stone has a golden speck in the middle.” She smiled.

  “Want to try again?”

  I brought the walls up to white; they took them down to gray. We repeated this practice for an hour, and when my amulet seemed half full, we stopped. Tark, Elias, and Gavin had lost interest with this newfound training, and were having a discussion of some sort. Rena now had a solid small globe of energy in her amulet; Elaine’s was slightly bigger. I was relieved to have some room in mine.

  Rena’s smile fell from her face as her shoulders slumped.

  I put my hand on her shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

  “I still can’t see past the mountain. What’s it going to take? I can harness energy in my amulet, for Pete’s Sake.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. Rena always used one of Edna’s sayings when she was past frustrated.

  “You’ll be allowed entrance soon. Patience, Corina.” Malachi’s eyes twinkled.

  “It just doesn’t seem fair. Elias, Elaine, and Tark can all go in. Why can’t I?”

  Malachi patted her shoulder as he headed toward the door. “Let us concentrate on the lesson meant for this day.” He tipped his head down and stared into her eyes as if he were reminding her of something.

  Rena grinned, practically bouncing as we walked through the corridor to the front foyer.

  “Malachi?” I linked his arm to mine. The wild child kept nudging me to ask a question that bothered me for a while.

  “Yes, Light, what has you so curious?”

  “I know we’re not supposed to manipulate the future, but if I have a vision, am I just supposed to let it happen?”

  His expressions became s
tern.

  I rushed on. “I mean, isn’t apathy itself an action?”

  Malachi looked ahead. “Young Princess, you must understand. Manipulation and preparation are two different things. It was foretold the lineage of the first King would venture to the world of man and bring back a source that would equal no other. Had I tried to manipulate King Frey, or even Queen Lera into action, the consequences would have been disastrous. However, I must disclose that once the Prince made the decision to go to the world of man, I instructed the Queen to order the house he dwelled in be encased with the spiders’ webs.”

  I stopped and just looked at him. “How’s that not manipulation?”

  He grinned and tugged me forward. “I had no idea if the webs would be needed, or if he would find you, or if you would even survive. But it seemed foolish to not give the Prince every sporting chance to make the future a good one, don’t you think?” His eyes twinkled as he smiled. “My intent was not to manipulate the outcome to be what I wanted; it was to protect the Prince.”

  “I’ve had dreams ... before ... while we were at the cabin.” I stammered; Malachi grew uncomfortable. “I don’t remember much of it, but I do remember there were Dokkalfar in the woods and trees covered in ash.”

  Malachi stopped; the room churned with frustration and fear. “Light, I do not know what you dreamed, or if it is of the future. What I do know is the Elite Guard is the best I’ve ever seen. If there is a battle, they will be ready. And you grow stronger every day.” He glanced ahead. “Ahhh, here we are.”

  We reached the front foyer, and Rune ran ahead and opened the doors. Fresh air and sunshine poured onto the marble floor. Rena pulled me along. A solid block of marble over three stories high stood in the middle of the monolithic circle.

  I stood at the base of the scaffolding, looking up. The marble seemed to touch the sky.

  “I told you I had something special when you got home. Malachi’s offered to give us sculpting lessons.” Rena grinned, scaling the surrounding scaffolding easily. She stood atop the structure, waving as Malachi made his way out of the castle.

  “Princess, the Queen has commissioned a sculpture paying tribute to the unicorn’s service, and so I’ve sketched the basic premise.” Malachi handed me a large piece of papyrus paper, and I rolled it up and put it under my arm before I climbed the scaffolding’s ladders and joined Rena on the top tier.

  The trees covered most of the view down the lane, blue happily blazed in the heavens, and a balmy breeze swayed the trees as I looked over the horizon.

  “That’s Tark’s favorite spot.” Rena chimed, pointing to the north. Water sparkled in the distance. “That’s the Azure sea.”

  “We have to go there someday,” I said, leaning on the rail.

  Rena laughed. “Try talking the Prince into it. He hates the sea.”

  “I do not, daughter of Rill.” Gavin joined us at the top. “I simply want to keep the shoreline in sight.”

  Sometimes I forgot Rena and Gavin had a lifetime of experiences together. Gavin glanced at me and then Rena.

  She smiled. “It is true. I’ve known the Prince a long time, but it wasn’t until I met you that I became so—”

  “Outspoken?” Gavin offered, and I playfully smacked his arm.

  Rena’s laughter bounced off the walls.

  “I would say that is an accurate statement, my Prince.” She and Gavin made quick work securing the platform to the marble while I followed the horizon past the familiar and looked to the south. The light dimmed, growing darker, stopping at a part of the forest that now was black. My heart lurched. That must be the place Malachi told us about—where the Dokkalfar had been spotted. Rune ran back from the gate, leaping to the top in a single bound.

  “What is it, Lass?” He growled, his nose sniffing the air. “Aye, I see.” His feathers ruffled at the sight of the blight on the horizon. “Tis for another day, that is. Turn yer back on it and be concentratin’ on yer form of expressin’.” He jumped from tier to tier, heading back to his post.

  Rena shifted her stance. “Rune’s right,” she said, leaning over the makeshift railing. “Let’s not think of anything but creative play today.” She turned me from the rail. “I want to sculpt the head,” she hollered down at Malachi, her joy shining on her face. A familiar dull drone of energy radiated in waves, the marble warmed under our feet.

  Malachi looked up, bewildered. “Corina, mate of Tark, what did you just do?”

  Everyone stopped. Rena smiled, confused. Her eyes sparked with a silent conversation.

  “Try it again.” Malachi motioned her to continue.

  I crossed my arms. “Rena, what is he talking about?”

  Excitement ran wild in her eyes. “Malachi wants me to try something, but I need for you to stand over there.” She waved to the edge of the platform. Gavin held out his hand for me to join him.

  Rena stood alone in the center of the marble block. Her small stature exaggerated by the castle behind her. She outstretched her hands to the side and closed her eyes focusing once again. Joy lit her face as she smiled; her Jasper eyes snapped open, sparkling with a light from within. The hum of energy burst from her again, crashing over me, drowning me in joy. The forest stilled.

  “What are you doing?” I shouted over the power surge.

  Rena clapped her hands, jumping up and down in one spot. “I have learned to release the power of joy!” She giggled, running towards me. “I can now unleash the energy as you can!” She hugged me before Tark ran through the castle’s gate and bounded up the scaffolding. Swinging her around, he kissed her soundly. I smiled at the unusual display of affection.

  “Well done, Corina, well done.” Malachi chuckled. She looked over the railing.

  “So, I guess this means I get to sculpt the head then?”

  “No,” he said with a grin. “You will work on the hindquarters; the Princess will sculpt the head. Prince, you concentrate on your source’s image, and Elaine will start on the front.”

  “Where’s Elias?” I asked.

  Tark grinned. “He and I do not enjoy sculpting. He is with the guard just beyond the castle’s wall.” I looked toward the forest. The guard darted in and out of the trees. Elias stood on the tallest hillock, his hands on his hips obviously putting them through their paces.

  Tark lifted Rena off her feet in a bear hug, before he made his way back to the practice field. Elias clapped him on his back in celebration of Rena’s accomplishments, and that feeling of kinship, of family, washed over me. I loved that I finally knew where I belonged. Gavin smiled at my thoughts.

  “The day is getting away from us.” Malachi gently nudged, and I went to the center of the block.

  Unrolling the scroll, I studied the sketch. It was the same as the wedding gift that hung on our wall. Both hands caressed the marble as I knelt, the design combined with memories of Malachi’s portrait, the image sharp in my mind. Rena jumped to the bottom, Gavin and Elaine on the second tier. I became so focused on the details, time stood still. The sun’s afternoon blaze cooled as the dusk came on the horizon.

  “We will start again tomorrow,” Malachi said, sitting on the front steps, wiping his brow with his sleeve.

  I stood and stretched, pleased with the work. The horn already had taken shape; high-set ears eagerly tipped forward, the start of the mane apparent. I climbed to the second tier. Elaine had roughed in the front, one leg gracefully arched as the edge of the other hoof emerged on the base, the defined muscles of the back quarter had taken shape, and Gavin’s rendition of my hair and the curve of my face appeared out of marbled stone. The continuity of the piece was impressive.

  “I’ve been channeling your thoughts to Rena and Elaine,” Gavin explained. “I had to focus on one stream, but it seems to have worked.”

  Malachi inspected the piece, circling it several times. He finally chuckled. “Even the ancients before me did not work at this pace. If you keep this up, we should have the sculpture done within the month.”

>   Gavin helped me to the ground.

  “This is by far my favorite lesson.” I grinned as I looked up at the statue, wishing Elias and Tark were a part of the process.

  “They’re still on the practice fields,” Gavin answered my thoughts.

  They’ve been there all day. How much does one person need to train?

  Gavin chuckled. “The early morning session was for the new warriors. In the afternoon and evenings, the seasoned warriors train.” He stood in front of me, taking my hand and bringing it to his chest. “Our plan with the children worked. Elias feels the Elite Guard can now withstand the energy. Would you like to meet them?”

  “I’d love to.” I longed to get to know everyone here. While I loved my clan, I needed interaction too.

  “I know,” he whispered. Gavin wove his fingers through mine, and we headed out the gates.

  Birds chirped, the woodsy scent of the forest grew stronger as we walked past the enormous gray wall toward the outer northern tower. A large field sprawled to the woods. Oaks stood proudly on the southern border; the castle’s rampart protected the north side. Several hillocks fringed the opening, and warriors darted in and out of the trees.

  We stood on the tallest knoll, watching the warriors train. The farthest section of the field held archers aiming at various targets in the trees.

  “Alfar training is different than that of man.” Gavin pointed to a group sparring a few hundred yards away. “Most of our combat is done hand to hand, which relies heavily on the strength of the warrior. But in times of great peril, we use the gifts of the land. For example,” he pointed to the archers at the far end of the field. “Alfar bows are made from branches given by the ancient elms. They can withstand heat, water, and are extremely flexible. The string of the bow is braided with unicorn’s hair, and will never break. The arrows are made from the branches of the olive trees, which are naturally imbued with hope. These are particularly strong, and can drain a Dokkalfar of power even if the arrow does not strike its mark.”

  I watched with new appreciation. The points of the arrows glittered in the bright sunshine.