by R. W. Weston
“I have a feeling you will be able to learn, but you must always remember the weave. The pattern is the most important thing to follow, if you don’t do it right the bonds will never hold. This is the only way the Dark Lord will be bound, by changing the destiny of the earth. The threads hold it in one time for centuries.”
“I don’t think I could ever forget that, it was amazing,” he told Ynordial, as he sat down on the bed.
The smell of rain was strong in the air. Ynordial looked more panicked than before. He went to a small window and looked out. The clouds covering the sky were lit up with small bolts of lightning bouncing between them. The roll of thunder was louder and coming more often. The rain started to come down in a slight drizzle then quickly built up speed and power as the wind picked up. Ynordial was worried that the small houses would soon be destroyed.
“It’s time that you were leaving, even now the Dark Lord has found you, take care my boy. Remember what you have been taught here. Do you remember where you came into this time from?” he shouted over the growing wind.
“Yes, just past the forest, I’m sure I could find it again.”
“Excellent, that is where you need to be to return to your own time. You must hurry, the lives of these people depends on it. I will hold off the Dark Lords powers as long as I can, travel well young man,” with that he walked out into the midst of the storm, the wind blowing his long white hair and tunic flapping them fiercely in the wind.
Roland took off at a run, having to cross the large expanse of open field before he reached the forest, he looked back seeing Ynordial, his hands extended out, the power of the wind was lighter but he knew Ynordial would not be able to hold off long. Lightning bolts were smashing into the ground coming closer to the village, large pillars of dirt flying into the sky wherever the lightening hit.
He didn’t dare look again out of fear that the villagers would be in a panic and he wouldn’t be able to keep going. Lightening was striking closer to him each time, sending debris into his path. Some were starting small fires in the dry grasses. He made it to the edge of the forest. Stopping to catch his breath; he turned to see what was happening. The small village was practically destroyed; many of the villagers were standing outside, holding each other.
He couldn’t see Ynordial any longer through all the destruction. He knew that he didn’t have much time and the forest was little protection still. He wound his way through the towering trees, the wind blowing many of them. Fortunately they were thick enough that the rain was not as strong. He heard the lightning hitting closer to him, striking at the trees, felling them as they were hit. It didn’t take long for the dry timbers to catch fire.
He reached the other side of the forest. As he looked over the field he could see where he entered this time. The weaves of time left a distinct impression on the air making it look like a puddle standing straight up with small ripples floating from the center. He ran jumping through the time weave, his body convulsing as he sat upright in the same chair, the book falling to the floor. He looked around; nothing seemed to have changed all the same people were in the library. Time had not passed like it did in the dream.
He took the book back to his room wanting to study it more. He was weary of holding it too long, after reading the history of the land, and how the ring came to be, he was able to understand the great power that it held.
Chapter 15
The Guardians
ylon,” Lemno called out, “Wait a minute I have something I need to talk to you about.” He shouted as he walked down the hall of the grolians wing.
Ty had picked up well with his training as a member of the guild. He had quickly mastered the sword, as well as the battle axe and lances. As new arrivals came into the guild he was given the opportunity to train them. He had advanced to the level of sword commander, giving him authority over a small group of soldiers.
“Yes master Lemno.”
“I have just met with Rynel; we are holding a special meeting tonight in the room above the foundry. He has requested your presence for this meeting, it will be just after evening meals,” he told Ty, turning and leaving without giving him a chance to speak.
Why would Rynel want him to come to the meeting, had he somehow broken the grolian code? Was he to be banished? The only ones to have gone to those meetings were High Masters or those being banished, never seen in the house again. The rest of the day went by slowly for him, his mind playing games with him; he tried to think of what he had done wrong.
He couldn’t concentrate at all that day during training, those he was to oversee could sense his distraction, yet no one took the time to ask. They had trained and practiced the same way for so long it was second nature to them. The day went as scheduled though seeming to him to be forever. Night finally came and he took care to bathe and change into some better clothes before dinner. He didn’t eat much, the anticipation and stress of the meeting still on his mind.
It finally came time for the meeting. He walked to the foundry standing at the base of the stairs leading up. Tredmon, one of the High Masters stood at the top. He looked down at Ty motioning for him to come forward, little was spoken among the grolians, as they were trained in the special sign language of warriors.
He entered the small room, lit by candle sconces along the walls, giving an eerie feeling, one of pending death. Tables circled a podium in the center of the room; he was lead to the podium and placed upon it. The lighting around the room seemed brighter from that position. He heard a door open and people walking in; there was a shuffling of chairs as people sat down, the light hiding their faces from his view.
“Tylon der Loran, grolian sword master of Kirchwin, we the council of the masters have summoned you to stand,” spoke one of the hidden faces, “you have been judged, and you have been called.”
He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself for what was to come. A lump was forming in his throat, his mouth was going dry and his vision was blurring. He felt dizzy but knew he had to stay alert. Those who were banished were never heard from again, rumors had it that they were killed to prevent them from going to the Legion and being used to kill other members of the guild as well as the wizards they were sworn to protect.
“The council has called you to be tested; there are some that think you to young and untrained commander. We as members of the council feel otherwise. There are not many people who have displayed your ability to learn and better yet lead. We feel it is time to afford you an opportunity, one that very few have taken.”
He stood there shocked, the tension slowly leaving his tight muscels; he released a breath he didn’t realize he was holding and stood there transfixed on what was happening.
“There is a special order amongst our guild, there are few who belong, those that do are called the guardians, sworn to protect the bringer of light. That is there only duty and responsibility, to fail is to bring death not only upon themselves but everyone.”
Ty stood there thinking of what was being asked, he had never heard of the guardians, the idea both scared him and excited him. He had heard that Roland was the bringer of light, which would give him a chance to stay close to him.
“I accept the calling Guild Masters,” he said boldly.
“Very well, you will no longer be able to see your men. They are henceforth removed from your command, your name and face will be removed from their memories, as well as many of those around the house. Only those who belong to the council and the wizards will know your name, inevitably you will no longer exist.”
His face started turning white, the world spinning faster each second. He steadied himself watching as the lights dimmed out leaving the room dark. He heard the chairs once again slide and the council leave. Only after the door was closed and sealed did Tredmon light the torch and open the door allowing Ty to leave.
Tredmon led him away from the foundry, away from the residence that held the members of the guild. He felt a sharp pain of sadness, knowing that all he had
worked for, the friendships and instruction, none of it would be remembered by his students. The knowledge would remain, but the face of the one who taught it would not be his.
That night was lonely, sitting in a small hut deep in the forest, only the creatures of the night calling out. He laid there thinking if his decision to join had been too quick and rash, knowing that all the friendships he had fostered were soon to be gone. The lump in his throat returned as he fought back the tears and loneliness. Sleep finally came, his dreams that night caused him a fitful sleep.
He had a new hope the next morning when he heard some voices outside the small hut, some sounded familiar. The sun shone brightly on his face, as the cool morning air washed over him. The smells of fresh cooked meats floated through the air bringing a sense of hunger he didn’t realize he had. He found a round log and placed it near the fire. One of the men there passing him a plate of food, he devoured it selfishly. The men all around him were laughing and talking amongst themselves, he counted a half dozen is all. The council had said there were not many who belonged to the guardians.
He ate his breakfast in silence, listening to the different conversations. The man cooking the meal sat watching him, saying nothing. The commander of the guardians finally came over sitting down on a log next to him.
“You must be Tylon of Kirchwin; I’m Commander Chander, head of the guardians. The council has spoken highly of you, I hope you can live up to their boasting of your abilities,” he said, smacking him on the back.
“Commander, I’m glad to be here,” he replied, still nervous, not being sure how to act around these men yet. He had not seen any of them salute or show that he was their commander.
He was introduced to the rest of the guardians after he finished his meal. Each of the men gave him the customary salute, and then continued their conversations. He still wasn’t sure what was going on, or even where he was. After the introductions were made the commander took him back inside the small house. Opening the dresser he found an outfit matching those of the other members of the team. Looking at them he didn’t figure any of them would fit, they all looked too large for him.
Putting them on, he stood there holding them out from his waist. He was shocked when they started to shrink, tightening against his legs then hips. He was pleased when they didn’t over constrict, but felt natural against him. The free movement that it gave him, he could hardly tell that they were even there. He looked down a little shocked; he could not see his legs. He let out a little scream. All the others turned to see what was happening, chuckling when they realized what happened.
“These were created by magic,” said Chander. “With time and practice you will learn how to use them,” he told him handing him the rest of his uniform, the vest and tunic that he was given produced the same results as the pants.
“So where are we?” Ty asked.
“This is our training grounds. We patrol the forests, mountains and the plains, and these few men are all there is. The reason for the secrecy of the gathering house is this is the only way on and off the island without going by ferry. We come here only for special purposes, as you can tell meeting a new member is one of them. Fortunately, you have just completed our team, we are small and discreet. Trained to be unseen by anyone while we are everywhere.”
“These clothes will help you to blend in, become invisible until you want to be seen. We will start your training on how to control their power after mid day meals. We don’t have much time as many of us must return to our posts soon.”
Ty was excited, more than he thought he would be at joining the guardians. All of the men seemed to accept him without hesitation, they went through introductions again telling him where each one was from. Some of the lands he recognized from the map on the inn wall back home, a few were new to him.
The guardians were an elite group of men, pulled from the best of the guild, to be given the opportunity to be a member was a great honor. Commander Chander told him what it meant to become a guardian. The only responsibility they had was to protect the bringer of light until the final battle. If they failed, and the bringer of light was killed before then, then the Dark Lord would have eternal rule.
He was taken into the forest where he began his training. The magic of the uniform gave him the ability to learn quicker, the skills already obtained through his previous training were enhanced. The commander was surprised by his abilities and impressed that the council had not exaggerated the boys’ abilities. He continued to watch his improvement; soon he had mastered the camouflage techniques as well as the use of the surroundings.
The commander had looked long and hard for one like Ty, someone with the abilities that he demonstrated. Within the ranks of the guardians there was one who could be trained as the shadow, his whole career he had tried to be that one. Now after such a long search he felt that he had finally found him.
“Ty, it is time to advance your training, tonight I need you to come to my shelter. There is a delicate matter that I want discuss with you,” Chander told him.
Ty only nodded in the affirmative, never losing sight of his training obstacles. Those who were providing the training were relentless in their efforts, throwing all their abilities at him. His strength and skill lending to him the ability to overcome and in some cases overpower them. He quickly won their trust and confidence through his hard work and abilities.
“Ty, I have been watching your training now for a while. You seem to have a special gift for commanding, you have great strategy and combat skills. I don’t believe I have seen anyone with your unique abilities. I believe you to be the gifted one, the one who will work closest with the bringer of light. I have a special job for you. There is one amongst the guardians that will have the gift to become a shape shifter. I personally would have loved to be that one, but now I feel it’s not to be. I think you are to be that one,” he told him.
Ty stood there shocked, not knowing what to think. His mind was spinning trying to figure out what a shape shifter was. Why he was chosen? What was this gift that Chander was talking about? “Very well sir, may I ask, what is a shape shifter?”
“If you feel up to the challenge it will be your duty to stay the closest to the bringer of light. I will personally train you on how to manipulate your body to become whatever it is you desire. In affect you can be anywhere and nobody will ever see you. It can be a very dangerous thing, something that if not done properly can cause you to be permanently transformed.”
“When you talk about shape shifting you mean to actually change physical forms, to become something that I’m not?” his face showing his confusion.
“It does involve some physical change, the first thing that you must realize is that every object is alive in one way or another, the trees, rocks, even the air after a manner, each one possessing a specific identity. When you can train your mind to accept that knowledge you can become practically anything.”
He sat down hard on the ground his legs giving out. A small cloud of dust rose up around him. His mind didn’t want to accept the possibility of what he was being told. He knew from his time spent in the house of learning that Roland was said to be the bringer of light and whom better to be his shadow then his best friend. The commander left the small dwelling to allow him the time to think.
He stayed up most of the night thinking of what he had been told, trying to figure out if he really wanted that kind of responsibility. Knowing that Roland was the one he would be protecting made the decision all that much easier.
He woke up to the smells of cooking rabbit and breakfast gruel. He had made his decision to become the shadow. Roland was his best friend, and growing up together had to mean something, he walked out of the commander’s station and looked around not finding anyone. He was hungry so he went over to the cooking fires and cut himself some meat off of the rabbit and spooned himself up some of the boiling gruel before sitting down to eat.
He barely caught the sight of someone coming behind him in the f
orest. He figured it was Chander and left it at that. He continued eating, when the figure didn’t immediately come out, he paid more attention. Turning only his head slightly he caught the movement again and verified whoever it was, was still there. Putting his breakfast down, he walked back into the station house. He put his cloak on and slid his sword between him and the cloak.
Knowing that what or whoever was out in the forest was waiting for him to come back out, he made a small hole with his sword in the back wall. He looked out hoping that whatever it was was alone. He decided to go out the back wall, hoping it would only be watching the front. Not seeing anyone around he made the hole larger, putting the cloak over him he walked into the forest.
He quickly found what was watching him. He stood there quietly watching it as it scanned over the campsite. It looked like a large Tepern; he had never seen one in person, only images and paintings from the training academy. Its powerful arms were resting on the tree, its large eyes reflecting from the light of the morning sun, a large cudgel hanging in a strap on its back.
Creeping behind it he pulled his sword out, preparing to strike. He aimed for its neck, as his arm started to swing the Tepern turned. In a flash it had the cudgel out blocking the blow. The movement was so fast and fluid that he was not prepared for the deflection his sword made off it.
The vibration shook through his arms, throwing him off balance spinning him into a large tree. The Tepern stood there watching him, anger flashing in its eyes. It walked over to him, eyes focused on its target. Lifting its arm up, preparing to bring it down on his head.
“I am Winteler, prince of the Teperns. I come seeking the aid of the wizards, why do you attack me so?” he asked walking closer to Ty.
“I’m Tylin, guardian of the wizards,” he told him, standing up retrieving his sword. “I didn’t know who you were, and when you watched me from the forest, I feared for my life, how did you see me?”
“That is typical of humans, kill first then find out who it is,” he said putting the cudgel back.
