Blood of the Guardian

by Kristal Shaff

  Alec cleared his throat. “Nolan, Emery wants you back right away.”

  “Why would Emery want me running off now, especially if Talasians are headed our way?”

  Alec shifted his weight from one foot to the other as he fidgeted with the pommel of his sword. Nolan could feel impatience lacing Alec’s emotions, as well as concern for someone else.

  Nolan propped himself up. “Is Emery okay?”

  “If you don’t count his stress, yes, he’s fine.”

  “What about Kael?” Nolan pressed further.

  By Alec’s loud snort and frown, Nolan knew Kael was doing fine.

  “Megan?”

  Alec glanced over his shoulder at Kat and Greer.

  “Greer, Kat … Can you give us a second?” Nolan asked.

  Kat scowled and opened her mouth to protest.

  “Of course, Master Nolan,” Greer interrupted, then he ushered the annoyed Kat from the room.

  Alec waited until the door closed. He bit his lip. “Megan’s having nightmares.”

  “Nightmares?” Nolan relaxed, his tension leaving in a rush. He’d imagined her lying in bed, dying.

  “You don’t understand,” Alec said. “She eats nothing. She’s pale. She can barely keep water down.”

  “Because of dreams?”

  “Aye,” Alec answered. “And it’s driving Emery mad. He’s already dealing with those idiot Rol’dan soldiers and trying to salvage everything Alcandor destroyed. Not to mention repairs on the castle, and then there are the rumors of the Talasia—”

  “All right, all right,” Nolan said, holding up his hand. “I get what you’re saying. And Megan’s illness is pushing him over the edge?”

  “He can’t concentrate on anything else.”

  “So she’s not eating?”

  Alec paused. “She eats a little in the evening, then she goes to sleep, and the dreams make her sick all over again.”

  “Has anyone checked her food? Is she being poisoned?”

  “Emery has,” Alec said. “He can’t find anything.”

  Nolan ran a hand over his smooth chin. First, he’d need to get out of bed. Holding out his hand, it shook in front of his face. Growling, he swung his legs over the edge, making an effort to stand.

  The room spun, and Alec appeared next to him, cursing as he slowed Nolan’s fall.

  “Stop it! You’re too big to catch.” Alec scowled.

  They had been close, like brothers, before Nolan had traded his life for General Trividar, his real brother. And Nolan had frozen Alec in place, forcing him to watch him kill himself.

  But Nolan had come back to life, becoming this half-Guardian atrocity. Since then, they rarely talked. They didn’t spar daily like they had before. Alec kept his distance; he still hadn’t forgiven him.

  Alec helped him sit again, and a spark of his old determination pulsed from him. Nolan met his brown eyes, and Alec crammed the budding emotions behind his scarred mask. He released Nolan’s arm and stepped away.

  “Well, you’re not going to be a lot of help like that,” Alec snapped.

  Nolan’s legs trembled. “I need the stones’ light. It helped last time.”

  “This town doesn’t have a temple,” Alec said, then he grumbled under his breath about it being a “backward fishing village.”

  Nolan eyed him.

  Alec cleared his throat. “Not that backward fishing villages are bad or anything.”

  Nolan smirked and placed his large palm over one of the stones next to him in the bed. His Shay of Strength pulsed gently inside him. “Well, I’ll just have to use the warehouse again.”

  “You mean the one you destroyed?”

  Nolan flinched. “Um, yeah. Guess I’ll have to find somewhere else. Another warehouse? A boat storage building?”

  “Don’t think they’ll be too keen,” Alec said, his expression smug. “They talk about you downstairs.”

  “Good things?”

  Alec snorted in reply.

  Nolan supposed not. Pressing against the bridge of his nose, he stretched his exhausted brain. He supposed he could control their minds, convince them to let him use another building or store. He’d rather not if he didn’t have to.

  “We’ll come up with something,” he said. “I’ll have a look around, see what might work.”

  “And how do you suppose you’ll get there? You can’t even stand.”

  Nolan smiled. “You can carry me.”

  Alec forced a laugh. “Sure. If I had Strength.”

  Nolan pointed to the chair. “Give me my bag.”

  Alec passed him the leather pouch, and Nolan rummaged through the dingy bedding. After retrieving the stones and filling the bag, he slung it over his shoulder and stood. The power from the stones pulsed gently against his side, giving him a smidgen of strength. The room didn’t tilt and sway as much as before. It wasn’t perfect, but it did help a little.

  Alec held out his arms, as if ready to catch him again. After a few heartbeats, he lowered them, but he stared, as if waiting for Nolan to fall on his face.

  “That’s better,” Alec said, his emotions amused. “Ready to go, are you?”

  Nolan shrugged. “I’ll feel a lot better once I’ve stood under the stones’ light.”

  “You might attract attention wearing only a bag.”

  Nolan glanced down and cringed. He scanned the room, yanked the thin sheet from the bed, and tied it around his waist.

  Alec crossed his arms over his chest, suppressing a grin. “Nice. You’ll make quite an entrance.” He turned to the window, his smile slipping.

  Nolan ignored a wave of dizziness and staggered toward the window. The streets flowed with people spilling from every shop. They were in the red district of town, each building coated with peeling red paint. Down the road, the buildings transitioned from red to green.

  Renfrew wasn’t a big town, but it seemed like every person was out on the streets. A crowd pushed toward the docks while a few shoved in the opposite direction, as if trying to escape. Frequently, a deformed, dark Nass would shoot from someone and zip into the cloudy sky.

  Nolan inhaled and released a long breath. Why did he bother cleaning up the abominable creatures, anyway? From the moment he got rid of one group of mists, more jumped up to take their places.

  Nolan scanned the curious progression winding toward the docks. The midday sun reflected on the sea in the distance. Nolan gripped the windowsill, mostly to keep standing. Then he caught sight of the boats and sucked in a small breath. Cutting the distance through the gentle waves, Talasian ships rowed closer.

  Chapter Three

  THE CROWDED PUB BELOW HUMMED with energy. Mugs clattered. Laughter swelled. The flute and drum sounded louder and fouler than they did from upstairs. They weren’t very good. Megan and her brother, Flann, were outstanding musicians. These men … well, not so much. But even so, they looked like they were enjoying themselves. Or they’d drank enough that they didn’t notice how bad they were.

  Alec grunted as he supported Nolan’s weight. As soon as the first person caught sight of them descending the stairs, conversations abruptly stopped. Emotions surged with a combination of awe and fear. Nass emerged, adding a putrid layer to the ceiling, which probably seemed like pipe and fireplace smoke to all the normal people here.

  “Crows, Nolan,” Alec said. “You sure know how to ruin a good time.”

  Nolan forced a smile. He hated attention, especially from a whole room. He trembled from his weakness, and the stares made his hands slimy with moisture. A warm flush rose up his neck.

  A group of gypsies sat away from the others in a far corner. Nolan paused, nearly making Alec stumble. The beautiful gypsy girl who had caused so much trouble, the one who had angered the crowd, locked eyes with him. What in Brim’s light was she doing here?

  “Nolan?” Alec grunted. “Any day now.”

  Nolan pushed on Alec’s shoulder more than he needed and was rewarded with a satisfying grunt from his friend.


  “I can drop you,” Alec threatened.

  Nolan chuckled. He could, but he wouldn’t.

  Kat and Greer waited at the bar. As soon as Greer noticed Nolan and Alec descending, he jumped from his stool and met them halfway up the stairs. He slid under Nolan’s other side, draping Nolan’s arm over his shoulders. To those around them, Greer appeared as a frail, old man. But in truth, Nolan’s weight meant nothing to him.

  Alec sighed in relief but still pretended to help Greer support Nolan’s weight.

  “Are you certain you should be up so soon, Master Nolan?” Greer asked.

  “No, but I should see to those ships.”

  “Ah, yes. The ships. News just reached us,” Greer said. “However, wouldn’t that be the responsibility of the Duke of Renfrew?”

  Nolan had met the duke when he first arrived in Renfrew. “Is he sober enough to do anything?”

  “Not likely,” Greer said with a scowl.

  “Well, at least we can represent the king.”

  Greer helped Nolan the rest of the way down the stairs and brought him to the stool next to Kat. Nolan collapsed in the seat, nearly losing the blanket around his waist. He refastened the knot, not wanting another reason to attract attention.

  Kat quickly looked from him and fixed on the rows of bottles behind the bar.

  “You have the stones?” Greer asked.

  “I’ve got them.” The stones’ invisible energy radiated from the bag.

  “I suggest we get you into the light’s influence as soon as possible,” Greer said.

  “But the warehouse … ”

  “I’ll find something else.” Greer touched his arm reassuringly. “It might take a few moments. Perhaps we should take you back upstairs?”

  “Darkness no! I’ve been in bed long enough. I’ll wait right here.” The stares around Nolan intensified.

  Greer bowed. “I could use Master Alec’s assistance.”

  “Fine,” Nolan snapped. “Just hurry up.” He hesitated before adding, “Please.” His head still throbbed, and the staring pub-goers were making him cross.

  Alec slipped the bag from Nolan’s shoulder, and Nolan felt the stones’ presence leave him instantly. His body wilted, the stool feeling as if it couldn’t support him. He groaned, wondering if he should have waited in bed.

  Kat pushed him a drink but didn’t look at him as she did.

  Nolan lifted the glass, and it shook in his hand. He set it back down and ran a hand over his chin. “Have you seen the ships yet?”

  “We saw them at a distance,” she said, her eyes still set forward. “Don’t know which news has been more exciting here in Renfrew: the incoming ships or having you tucked away in this inn. Don’t think the innkeeper has minded too much. He’s gained business.”

  She motioned toward the crowded pub. The people watched them but pretended to do other things. One group played a card game, yet not one had laid down a card. Another group held empty mugs. And the gypsies huddled in conversation, all except for that woman. She blatantly stared. The corners of her mouth curled when their eyes met.

  Kat turned to him finally, and her eyes dropped, inspecting him. “We need to work on getting you something else to wear.”

  “Why?” Nolan asked. “You don’t like my new outfit?”

  She grinned. “That’s the problem, Lord Emissary. I like it too well.”

  Heat rose to his face and his neck—and who knows where else—for the whole room to see. He picked up his drink, ignored the shaking of his hands, and downed the entire glass in a few gulps.

  Kat choked back a snicker by sipping from her mug.

  He slumped on his stool, glowering. He’d prompted her, though. He should’ve known better than to ask.

  Greer and Alec entered, and the faint scraping of mugs on tables halted as well as the whispers present a moment ago. Without speaking, Greer and Alec positioned themselves on either side of Nolan and helped him rise. Before they stepped foot out the door, conversations swelled.

  A steady stream of people filed past them in the streets. Most didn’t seem to notice. Those who did let out a faint gasp and swung wide to avoid them.

  They continued through the town until they reached the green district. Nolan wheezed, his shoulders sagging. A bead of sweat dripped down his cheek even though a sea breeze brushed his face. His arms shook, and he truly needed his friends in order to stand.

  Ahead on the road, townspeople gathered at the docks, lingering around the boats and shops and spilling out toward the shore. A steady stream of Nass materialized, adding to a gathering, twisting cloud above their heads. It made the sky overcast to those who couldn’t see their true forms. Only Greer and Nolan knew the truth, unfortunately. Nolan caught Greer watching the creatures, a look of disgust on his face.

  In the harbor, a small Talasian ship bobbed in the gentle waves.

  As they neared the shoreline, Nolan paused. “They’re almost here. Should we wait?”

  “Gain strength first, and then we can meet them when they arrive,” Greer suggested.

  Nolan nodded. He couldn’t do anything if he greeted them with the strength of a corpse.

  They turned before the main mass of bodies. After another left, they stopped in front of a shipbuilder’s shop. Standing taller and longer than the other buildings, it seemed high enough for the light of Brim to shine easily on the floor.

  Alec shouldered the door open, and a stout man flinched as they entered. He wore simple clothing, brown breeches and a green tunic, and he had the darkened skin of a seaman. The building had been emptied of boats, but fishing spears were propped near the door. A pile of nets rested in a corner, as well as several others stretched out, hanging on the walls. Both rough and smooth-cut lumber was stacked nearby, and an odor of fish mingled with the scent of wood, saltwater, and hay.

  Greer and Alec released Nolan. He staggered, his head swimming.

  Greer threw a heavy money pouch at the man. “Go.”

  The man nodded, fear emanating from him, as he backed out the door.

  The six stones of Brim were already in position in the ceiling, one on top of another, so the lights shone as one single white light on the dirt ground. Alec must’ve set them up already.

  Nolan took a step, and his knees buckled. Alec appeared under his arm, supporting him.

  “Thanks,” Nolan said, meeting his eye.

  One corner of Alec’s mouth twitched. “This doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven you, you know.”

  “Of course not,” Nolan said with a grin.

  Like a toddler learning to walk, Nolan allowed Alec to lead him to the light. As soon as the first rays brushed his skin, his head jerked back, his whole body tensed, and the power and strength of Brim filled him.

  Chapter Four

  THE TALASIAN SHIPS were not what Nolan had expected. He had anticipated something primitive; everyone regarded the Talasians as a savage, backward nation. Nolan summoned his Shay of Perception, and the boat came into closer view. Intricate carvings adorned the grand vessels. A shade of blue he’d never seen tinted the wood. He didn’t know for certain if they’d been painted—it looked lighter than that. It could’ve been a trick of the eye as it reflected the water, but Nolan had been around enough boats to know differently. They were strong-looking boats, even compared to Adamaian standards. These so-called savages had not only solid ships, but creative floating masterpieces.

  A handful of dark-skinned Talasians lowered a small boat from the side of the ship. A man, adorned in nothing but a loincloth, stood at the bow as it touched into the waves. The man didn’t jostle, nor lose his balance. Like a statue set at the head. He adjusted his stance to the boat’s movement with near perfection. It was impressive, to say the least.

  From Nolan’s short association with Maska, the one Talasian man he knew, it didn’t surprise him. Maska could throw a boulder as gently as tossing a feather pillow.

  Duke Ragnall’s wife—another Talasian—balanced trays while walking as if g
liding on air. Something in the very nature of the Talasian people showed cat-like agility.

  Nolan studied the Talasian warrior, once again using his Perception. Not only was his complexion darker than the people of Adamah, but tattoos covered his face and torso. Patterns swirled across his chest. Contoured lines covered most of his face. It looked as if he wore a tunic, the dark symbols adorned his body so thickly. The other warriors on the boat had tattoos, but none to this extent.

  “I believe they signify rank,” Greer said, as if answering Nolan’s mind.

  Nolan nodded and continued his examination. If what Greer suspected was true, this man was most likely a captain or officer. Someone important.

  Discontent swelled from those standing on the shore. A small brigade of Nass shot out and circled their heads. Nolan sighed. His cleansing did little good, especially when the hotheaded idiots of this town had nothing better to do than create more.

  Inhaling, he closed his eyes and summoned his Empathy. He eased out a breath as he opened his eyes. Holding his hands open toward the crowd, he pushed his Empathy, soothing them.

  The grumbling subsided, and the continual trail of Nass dwindled. The remaining dark mists darted off, disappearing into the blue sky and forming small clouds. As he turned his head, he found Alec scowling at him.

  “What?” Nolan asked.

  “So why didn’t you do that last time?”

  “Last time?”

  “A couple weeks ago. Why didn’t you calm them in the warehouse instead of freezing everyone and doing your light-exploding thing?”

  Nolan opened his mouth, then closed it. Why hadn’t he calmed them? He supposed it was because, at that moment, he hadn’t been calm.

  “So why?” Alec asked again.

  Nolan pulled his eyes from the Nass in the sky, back to Alec’s scowling face.

  “It’s horrible not to have control over your body. Oh, but wait. You haven’t experienced that, have you?”

  Nolan shrugged, trying to feign indifference. “They wouldn’t shut up.”

  Alec gawked. “You did it so they wouldn’t talk?”

  “I was trying to tell them something important, and they wouldn’t let me. Besides, it’s not like I really froze them. It’s all mind control, you know. There’s no real, physical hold; I tell their minds they can’t move, and then they can’t.”