The Last of the Guardians: Insurrection

by J Silverado

  Some minutes pass until Nirmiriel recovers news and rises, saying: “Well, whatever God willing, we must do our part, you were against, has a clear conscience that nonsense, but it will at least be able to check this draw, so there is no manipulation.” “Unfortunately not, En, I left the board, could not continue to be part of that group,” said, crestfallen, Galaniel. Nirmiriel looks into the eyes of her husband and says: “did well, though I cannot follow the proceedings, it was better than spotting in the company of loose. Go to court and talk to them, I'm sure they want you back, after all they only released it because it was for the High Council.” “Yes, tomorrow I'll go talk to them,” agrees with his wife and trying to change the subject, he adds with a mischievous smile: “so what the great cook book for today?” “Chicken casserole with vegetables, a mom's recipe,” Nirmiriel answers, satisfied, bringing a jabuticaba cellar of wine and leaving her worries then.

  The rest of the night goes quiet, when both tired and after bottle of wine, go to bed early to face the next day.

  Though the night had been starry, oddly enough, the next day dawns rainy and behind the clouds the sun takes to appear and when it arises, resembles a ball of blood, tearing the sky, leaving all concerned. Even before the sun arises, Galaniel was already in court awaiting the judge Lenara to talk about the possibility of returning as an officer of the court, when posters began to be posted explaining to the public about the call. People, after reading, started crying and despair, not believing that situation, wondering how it will be if they are chosen, or even a family member.

  The following days are tense, people avoid leaving home, not even the children play in the yards; the atmosphere is one of fear and anxiety.

  The day of the call arrives, the jars are placed in the square of the devices and the lines begin to form, each according to the area of the city where people live. The tower bell rings and Oltigar appears on the balcony of the temple and make the opening speech. When finished, the bell again back to chime and sweepstakes begin.

  The Convening

  Three days after the reddish sun happen to call and all should go to the square next to the temple and remove a stone from one of the baskets. Five white stones were placed in different baskets around the square those withdraw will be randomly chosen to be delivered to the demons of Balkatar.

  Dozens queues were formed for the draws in each basket were two sentries responsible for controlling the same and record who had participated. The ceremony always began with the tolling of the bell tower carmine, followed by the High Council leader's speechs: - Dear citizens of Kolpor. Once again we meet to fulfill our civic duty to ensure a new period of peace and prosperity. As is known, for it is necessary to pay the price: five noble souls should sacrifice for the greater good of the whole community. Through a peace agreement with our enemy, from time to time, every city, as the cycle should give its citizens to Balkatar. In return, the families of those chosen will be rewarded throughout the period of peace that their families have provided. A fair exchange for the noblest of deeds, God bless them for their ultimate sacrifice.

  A round of applause, initiated by the other board members, followed by the warriors and more timidly by the people, for some reason, almost always were chosen in the draws. At the end of the palms, Oltigar removes the first stone. Black. The tower bell again back to chime and the draw begin. The other board members withdraw their stones, followed by warriors who are in the temple. The queues start to move, the first hour passes, until a citizen takes the first white stone.

  The eldest son of a farmer, with only twenty years and a lifetime ahead removes the first white stone. His mother, who was in front of him in line, despairs and starts crying copiously, the father, the next in line, pulls out a black stone of the basket and, desperate, talk to the sentry who want to exchange with the child “Here! Change my place with my son, I took the white stone. I! For God's sake, let me change places!” answered Stony, the sentinel, who was accustomed to the situation. “This is not possible. Each has his fate, you cannot change the purposes of the Lord. Be at peace knowing that your child will be helping the whole community and you will be treated well.” “We do need anything we just want our son with us, please!” the father again begs. Truculent, the sentinel takes the boy by the arm, separating it from the mother and the delivery to the guards already waiting for him. In a last attempt, the father tries to release the boy from the hands of the guards and the sentry, with the handle of his spear, striking the father in the stomach, which falls on the ground stunned. The guards take advantage of the situation and quickly take the boy to the temple.

  Across the square was the Moan of family, unaware of the drama that happened, woefully waiting their turn. Galaniel, though he had the right to participate in the line of warriors in the temple, accompanied the family. Several hours have passed since the beginning of the call and, although no one knew the rows, four white stones had already been chosen, leaving only the last.

  With only a few people ahead of fishmonger family, Galaniel observes a strange movement at the place of queue basket. It seemed that occurred at shift change of responsible sentinel, a procedure that also occurred in the ranks of their hand to, however, to see the new sentinel, a cold sweat runs down Galaniel column. Toram was the new head.

  The guardian immediately realized that this was not just a coincidence, that corrupt guard was plotting something. Taking the family ahead in line, Galaniel looking for, somehow protect them “Whatever it is unfortunate that do, what happens to me,” the guardian thinks. The line continues without change and when it comes time to Galaniel, he firmly looking toram that, given the favorable situation, smirks. “We meet again, Guardian, that happy coincidence!” ironically the sentry. “I'm sure you have your finger in this 'coincidence', I'm watching you, toram,” Galaniel replies. “Hurry up I do not have all day and still have a lot of people behind you,” the guard determines.

  Galaniel lifts the veil that covers the surface of the basket, put your hand underneath, holds a stone with the back of his fist, remove the basket and opens his hand at the time of the chest. Black. The guardian was sure toram would cause him to be the drawn, did not understand the game that miserable. “Next!” he ordered the sentry. The next in line was Corinthian, the tension was huge, and she puts her hand into the basket and quickly removes the stone to look. Black again. Next came Melina and then Moan. Corinthian talk to Melina “Come on, my daughter. Just take your stone, which is then his father.” The girl puts her hand into the basket and draws its stone. “Look Mom, mine is white. How beautiful!” cries Corinthian in despair, while he embraces to Melina. “God no!” Moan answers, kneeling to embrace his wife and daughter. Galaniel stunned attends the scene, while the watchman opens wide a Machiavellian smile.

  Recovered from the initial blow and feeling hatred distilled in his veins, the Guardian part towards toram, already waiting attitude, called a group of ten warriors who were hidden behind the tent of groceries. “Brothers, I have nothing against you, download the weapons and depart, I have a score to settle with this ignoble. If you stay, will share the same purpose,” Galaniel cries, drawing his sword, posting his shield in front of him, preparing for the contest.

  Seeing the provision of the guardian, the ten warriors, half guard their weapons and walk away, leaving only toram-five warriors. People turn away, the group around the keeper, with the sentry in front of everyone studying the opponent, waiting for the best moment to strike.

  Who initiates the attack is the forward immediately to the left of toram, carrying a long spear of about three meters. The thrust was made from the bottom up, trying to hit the head of the goalkeeper, who defends the sloping shield, causing the tip of the spear go high.

  Galaniel seizes the moment and strikes a horizontal blow with his sword, leaving the spear in two, with the tip flying aimlessly, turning the body itself, removing the remaining piece of the spear with shield and burying the sword in the chest forward which falls lifeless to the
ground.

  The mentale who was behind the guardian attacks with his hatchet, with a glancing blow starting from right to left. The attack is stopped by the sword Galaniel, followed by a blow to the shell side edge, breaking the bone warrior left arm, which drops the ax howling in pain. The guardian of attack against the warrior hitting the face of the shield in the body of your enemy, throwing him, unconscious, ten feet from where he was.

  Frightened, the four remaining enemies regroup ahead of Galaniel, now no longer so confident. “this fight is not mine, toram, don’t die for their cause,” one of the warriors talks to the guard, lowering his gun and moving away. “Neither do I,” another whowas next to what turned away speaks, sheathing his daggers, leaving the fight.

  Thus, there was only the sentinel and other mentale. The accomplice of toram raises his right hand toward the guardian and casts a spell: “Tak Frol mi Ang sueil, bruq erta mak sum.” The staff that was in Warrior left hand starts to become incandescent and when seems it will explode, he raises his stick and hit their base on the floor. A deafening sound is heard in the neighborhood, followed by a beam of intense light toward the goalkeeper. Galaniel puts his shield in front of the body, causing the light to reach the center of its shell.

  Not prepared for the impact, the light pushes a few feet back. The beam intensifies. The Guardian feels the pressure increase exponentially and ends up being dragged further back, gets out of balance and falls, with his sword thrown away. “And now, guardian, will do what?” Toram boasts. Quickly Galaniel arises in fighting position again and part against mentale, which again uses light to stop the onslaught. This time the guardian concentrates and recites a mantra: “Won Guan Ti.” Immediately his shield begins to shine and then begins to absorb the beam while Galaniel speed increases dramatically.

  When it comes close to the mentale, unleashes a violent hook with his right hand, hitting the mentale's face, making him jump involuntarily back, shattering his jaw. “Now only the two of us, toram!” the guardian speaks. “Today this ends once and for all!” closed, starting up the guard who finding himself cornered, is placed in a position to fight and attack the keeper with his mace.

  Galaniel dodges the blow, takes the dagger, which once was toram and strikes the face of his enemy, hitting his left eye and part of his face. The guard screams in pain and hatred in his ruined face, try again strike the guardian. With his shield, Galaniel blocks the blow, knocking his opponent and causing his mace fly away. Jumping on him and immobilizing him, Galaniel prepares the dagger to strike the chest of his enemy. However, without understanding the reason, however hard that the guardian did, could not strike the blow. He felt paralyzed and was separated, floating away.

  The temple guard arrived to impose order. Both opponents were trapped by an invisible force, caused by mentales group of the guard. “What happened here? What is all this?” Kelion questions, the captain of the guard. “This animal has tampered with the call!” Galaniel exclaims referring to Toram. “What evidence do you have that, guardian,” the captain inquires. “He surrendered the sentinel of our little queue before our time and we have a long history,” responds.

  “I was just doing my turn, captain. This unfortunate mad when a girl was drawn. It was God's will, not mine,” the guard says, with a slight smile on his face. “God has nothing to do with it, you fucking. It was his treacherous hand that put the stone, knew that one of us would catch! Analyzing the testimonies and the situation, the captain comes to a conclusion: there is no evidence that the guard has tampered with the summons, five stones were found, no more. Although the draw of one so young was hard, it was the will of God. The call is finished, the five elected were chosen,” calls the captain. “Guards! Take the guardian and onwards to the temple where they will be judged, the injured to Bionte hall and the bodies to the crematorium.”

  While Galaniel is being taken away by the guard, look back and see Melina being separated, in tears, his family. Corinthian desperate screams while Moan tries to shake of the guards to hold. Galaniel, immobilized, can do nothing but to blame for the fate of Melina.

  The First Draw

  Galaniel and Nirmiriel already in the queue twenty-five, near the statue of the first Potar, the Clamus bionte, chosen at the end of Kor War, starting Peace Secular. As everyone in line, were apprehensive, but tried to unwind talking about everyday life. “El, then, when you get in court?” “In three days, come back to be the bodyguard of the judge, but do not know, I think I'm already getting old for this kind of work,” responds Galaniel. “Stop nonsense, is a highly respected work and do not know anyone stronger and having its experience,” Nirmiriel fulls smiling proudly. “Are your eyes En, only your eyes...” the guardian answered smiling.

  The conversation continues, through the vicissitudes of students mentale, the repairs to be made in the house until you reach the name of the children they would have, because there was a little dispute to which the grandparents would be honored first. Although dragged, time passed and reached their turn in the queue. Galaniel preferred to go first. “Before kiss me. For luck,” he talks to the wife. After the kiss, the guardian looks at the guard responsible for the pitcher, who provides continence, a deep breath and put his hand underneath the tissue that covers the mouth of the urn. Grab one of the stones, placing it in the center of your palm and closes her hand, removing it from the jar.

  Galaniel looks at his hand, turns the closed palm up and open it. Black. He looks at his wife and gives a slight smile, it is you reciprocated, but the tension still remains, for now it is the turn of Nirmiriel. She shakes hands with the spouse to gain confidence, stands in front of the pitcher, puts his hand inside the urn and removes the stone, also with the fist, turning the palm up and opens it. White! Tears burst from Nirmiriel eyes while protesting Galaniel screaming and hugging. “No, no, no, no. This cannot be happening. I will not allow”, Galaniel speaks desperate while watching the guards coming to get her.

  The guardian stands between her and the guards, drawing his sword and getting in attack position, saying: “not come any closer, or I swear I will not see the next morning! Nobody gonna take my wife to deliver some demon. Get away! I will not speak again.”

  The guards had requested reinforcements, who were already arriving. “Lord, we need to take his wife, it is the law. It must be fulfilled,” the guard says responsible to the pitcher. “I do not care warrior, because my wife will not go anywhere.” the guardian threats.

  The guards ever closer and when Galaniel prepares to strike the hand of his wife leans gently on his left shoulder. “El... Do not do it. We have always been soldiers, always obey the law, like it or not. Please stop it. It is the will of God.” “No, my love, it is not the will of God, the desire of those cursed temple. I cannot let them take her,” the guardian answered, teary-eyed, his wife. “They are just fulfilling orders, dear, do not deserve to die or get hurt. Use the appropriate channels, go to court, to the board, they can hear you,” Nirmiriel calls to her husband.

  Reluctantly, the low guardian guard and sheathes his sword, turns to Nirmiriel and long looking into his eyes, kissing her deeply, as a tear runs down her face. The mentale is presented to the watchman, who forwards it to the guards to take to the temple. Without looking back, Galaniel walks toward the court. Nirmiriel was already the fourth choice in the call.

  What happened spread quickly, like wildfire. When the guardian came to court, all the leered and sought to keep out. Galaniel went directly to the room of the judges, telling the sentry who might preach.

  The guard did, and when he returned, the Galaniel informed him that he could enter. When entering the room, there were only two judges, the guardian and the Lenara mentale Raelgi. The judge signals that the guardian sit at the table where they are. “We have already been informed of his misfortune, Galaniel,” the judge tells. “How can we help you?” And then asking: “I come to appeal to their Excellences to repeal this absurd determination of the High Council. I was outvoted and I suspect so I
had my wife chosen as a lamb to the slaughter,” the guardian answered. “Although we do not agree with this law, we are obliged to heed it. It is so since the creation of the High Council. We can do nothing,” speaks Raelgi. “Yes, you know we did not create the laws, just do it are met. The High Council is sovereign,” Lenara amendment. “Even when the law is unjust, vile and harmful to people?” Galaniel insists.

  The silence judges, causing the Guardian understands that nothing else can do. Although visibly angry, Galaniel rises, do reverence to the judges and, before retiring, addresses the judge: “Excellence, unfortunately, given the situation I'm in, I'll have to decline the post of bodyguard of your excellence. I thank the trust. The judge looks into the eyes of the guardian and only acquiesces.”

  When leaving the room, Galaniel part towards the temple, as if in battle gear. In a few minutes, is before the staircase, rising rapidly.

  When he comes before the gates, four guards are in place and in defense position. “Until chosen are taken, you are prevented from entering, guardian,” the leader says to the guards. Ignoring the guard, Galaniel kneels and sings the oath warrior and when you get up, look at the guards and says: “I have nothing to talk to you, my issue is with the board,” and he himself puts into fighting position.