Steven Burke - The Fallen Guardian

The sun burned brightly overhead, and there were birds flying high above in the air. In the west, dark clouds covered the Black Forest and smoke was rising into the sky in the region where the Seda were purported to be. None of the citizens of Brel took notice of the strange weather or burning forest. Everyone that Khalida passed smiled genuinely and waved as she passed. The eastern gate to the castle was the only part of the city that seemed to be heavily guarded. They were stopped by a small group of soldiers armed to the teeth and were asked to wait while they confirmed that their presence had been requested. Many of the king’s guard eyed the beautiful lady wearily. She knew right away from the looks on their faces that they believed her to be the rogue Elemental that had been rumored to be about the lands. She could see it in their eyes that they believed her to be that witch and that she had come here to bewitch their good king into taking up her wicked cause.

Only a few minutes passed before one of the king’s servants came running at top speed toward the castle’s gate. He skidded to a halt and bowed deeply while trying to catch his breath. The servant stood up and offered his hand to the elegant lady. She took his hand and dismounted the gorgeous white stallion with a smooth, swift motion. She nodded to the bewildered guards with a slight smile as she followed her new escort into the king’s court. She took heart at the protection the king had employed to protect his household, but she wondered why he had not imposed such strict protection throughout his kingdom. As she walked toward the main entrance to the court, she noticed that the people had tense looks on their faces. It was as though they were collectively holding their breath, waiting to see what she would do. She smiled warmly to try and ease the tension in the air about her.

The double doors burst open before they had even touched the doorstep. The king himself stood before her in a deep bow. As he stood up, it was clear that he was anxious to speak with her. He took Khalida’s hand in his and led her into the throne room. He did not take his kingly seat but sat at a table to the side of the throne. He seemed to recognize his place in her presence, and this, more than anything else, really put her at ease. She knew that her meeting with King Leroy would be very productive. She eased gracefully into her seat across the table from the king and waited patiently for her gracious host to begin their private meeting. All of the king’s guard left the room, and all of the doors were sealed. They were all alone in the king’s throne room to discuss the matters of war. There was intensity in the air as she waited on the king to break the silence.

“Mistress Khalida, I have been expecting you,” started the king suddenly.

“How is it that you have been expecting me, King Ishrafle?” queried the Elemental kindly.

“I have received news from Arnaud of your coming. He tells me that you are representing the guardian and that it is Kana who is causing all of the strife in the lands,” explained King Leroy.

“I did not think that you spoke to the eagles. I thought that you and your people let them make their homes on the cliffs as long as they did not make their presence known to your subjects. Has that changed in the past few years?” she asked sincerely.

“It has changed within the past few weeks actually. Arnaud felt that we would need each other considering the increasing number of confrontations that were breaking out all over the land of Tuwa. I agree with him whole-heartedly. What I would like to know from you is exactly what is going on?” He did not want to mince words. He felt that time was a commodity that was too precious to waste on pleasantries.

“You certainly do not waste any time in getting to the point. I appreciate that, Leroy. The Elemental you know as Kana has indeed broken from the guardian council and has made it her ambition to rule Tuwa and the peoples who inhabit the lands. She has gathered together the banished races plus a splinter group of elves to assist her in gaining control.”

“You mean to tell me that she has recruited the orcs, goblins, and rock trolls? She has also managed to convince the peaceful elves, or at least a part of them, to join her in her quest for dominion over the free peoples of Tuwa. Why has she done this? I thought that the guardians only cared about the elements and not the peoples of Tuwa.” He was totally put out by the thought that one of the powerful guardians had decided to try and take over the free peoples.

“I share your concerns about our fallen friend. I believe that she has become hungry for more power and will stop at nothing to get, what she perceives, to be ultimate power. If she can conquer the people and control them in addition to the elements she commands, she probably believes that she would be invincible.”

“So, what do we need to do? I already see that there is a confrontation in Nairi and the Black Forest. I have received word that a massive army has attacked Mount Carrick as well. Do we need to send our army to our friends’ aid?” He knew that action was required, and he also knew that Khalida would give him the best advice.

“I ask you to prepare your defenses for an all-out assault. Prepare to receive the besieged peoples of Tuwa and provide them with shelter and food. Their armies, or what is left of them, will help fortify your defensive positions. I foresee that the final battles will be fought here…in your country. If you act now and do as I have asked, your enemies will not set foot on your plains.”

“Is there anyone else who can help us?” There was a pleading tone in his voice as he spoke to Khalida.

“I will ask the eagles to join the cause in a more direct way. I will also recruit other creatures that will provide you with considerable support. The guardian council will fight alongside you mortals. We will not allow one of our own to destroy the people of Tuwa.

Queen Kishi’s assault on Nairi had gone on much longer than she had anticipated. She thought that these men would bow before the awesome power of the high elves. These people are just as stubborn as dwarves in their mountain homes. After a few weeks of fighting, the queen’s army had taken the southwestern part of the canyons. Smoke filled the air from the barrage of magical attacks combined with fire arrows. The queen had elevated the usage of her powers and had not suffered any strain or drain on her physical body. In the past, using magic on a frequent basis left her exhausted for hours or even days. She had learned a way of compensating for the price exacted from overuse and that was to replace what was lost from taking from the earth. She had somehow discovered the secret of rock trolls who regained their strength or healed themselves by taking power from the land. She did not fully realize that by doing this she was heading down a path, which leads to enslavement to the darkest kind of magic.

As the sun rose on another day of fighting, she could not help but to think that this day would be significant or special in some way. As she stared at nothing in particular, the beautiful colors made by the different kinds of smoke caught her attention. There were purples, reds, blues, oranges, and green wisps of smoke that twisted about one another like they were locked in a forbidden dance. They curled and swirled about lazily as the silence of the morning deepened. There was an expectant feeling in the air and after a few more minutes of quiet, a strong northerly wind rolled through and the haze dissipated. The sky was beginning to clear of the incessant vapor, and the air was beginning to smell less and less like the dead. After so many weeks of rain, fire, explosions, death, and suffering, this new day had the promise of something more.