The Guardian Chronicles: Book 03 - The Dark Tide (10 page)

The Godok were creatures that were reported to be able to change their size to suit their needs.  They had scales that mimic their surroundings while being hard enough that no weapon could penetrate their scaly hide.  The only thing that could kill one of these beasts is a powerful brand of magic.  The people of the west did not possess any magic and did not tolerate those who possessed it.  The guardians and druids were the exceptions to that long standing rule.  The people who lived west of the Burian did not know anything about the politics that has ravaged the rest of Tuwa.  As a guiding principle, they typically did not care about what went on east of the giant’s home land.

Ukegry and his kind live along Lake Tallulah and on the Wesh peninsula.  They frequently quarreled with the giants and preyed on hapless travelers that crossed into their territory.  The giants had hunting parties that had almost annihilated this race of vicious beasts, but due to their lack of unity before the current war of the races they had been unable to destroy the pestilential lizards.  The Godok loved to feed on the flesh of those that have the use of magic.  The dark lord had used these creatures to finish off the Eldar centuries ago.  The guardian council did not banish the creatures because they had been forced to do Drogan’s bidding.  This was one of the main reasons the elementals and the druids grew apart.

“Hold yer tongue yer vile piece of…” began Ofular heatedly.  He was pointing a sausage like finger at the lizard man.  His sense of rage was shared by the others in the bar.  There were several who stood to rush the beast while others also broke bottles to use as weapons.

“There is no need to waste your breath on this worthless creature.  I take it you are in the service of Kana.  What did she promise you in return for your services?” asked the guardian knowingly. 
I thought she would resort to using these foul creatures to eliminate the elves.  She still does not realize that the Seda are working for me now.  They would love to see the Godok again.
  Adair smiled inwardly at this happy thought.  He smirked at this happy thought.

“I do not have to answer to you…I answer to the true master of Tuwa!  I am here to deliver a message to you.  My mistress wishes me to tell you that she knows what you are up to and that she looks forward to the time when she sees you face to face again.  I personally think that the next time you see her that it will be the last thing you ever see!”  The scaly lizard laughed mirthlessly as he towered over the lord of the guardians.  His greenish scales shimmered ominously in the dank light of the tavern.  There changing scales and size alteration is what led to many calling these beasts shape shifters.

“I think we have all heard enough from you.  Clearly you have no idea of what is really going on.  Say goodbye to Ukegry everyone” said Adair easily.  With a wink of his left eye the Godok burst into smokeless flames and was gone.  A pile of ash was all that was left of the foul smelling beast.  It was very satisfying to what the arrogant creature be snuffed out of existence with such great ease.

“Thank ye me lord…I had no idea that be what he was.  My apologies for the rude interruption” Ofular said with a sideways look at the pile of ash that represented what was left of the wretched beast.  The bartender could not help but sneer at the ashes.  He leaned over and spat into the neat pile that was Ukegry.

“There is no need to apologize my friend.  I want to assure all of you that the war that is raging in middle Tuwa will not reach your lands.  I will keep you safe from this power struggle.  It is true that one of the elementals have fallen prey to the same delusion that the dark lord had many centuries ago.  The guardians and the druids are working with the free peoples to end this threat.  Now, I really do need to talk with Xuzien.”  His calm demeanor helped everyone to recover from the quick incident.  Usually such uncomfortable confrontations end in a nearly destroyed bar.

The dwarf and the man who had been advancing on the guardian swept up the lifeless ashes and took the remains outside.  The bartender gave a nod to a man at the other end of the bar.  The fellow slid off his stool and went into a back room as though he was retrieving something.  The room was still deathly quiet after the display of powerful magic by Adair.  The people had a deep mistrust of anyone who uses magic, but they were fiercely loyal to the guardians.  These two beliefs were causing internal conflicts that could not be easily resolved.  The air had become tense as the minutes went by without the return of the messenger.

The fellow who had left earlier returned to the bar slightly out of breath.  He motioned for Ofular come to over to him.  He whispered in his ear and then sat down on his stool.  He took a long drink from his glass of ale and then wiped his mouth hastily.  He did not look at the guardian and was staring fixedly at an insect making its way across the bar in front of him.  The bartender shuffled over to the powerful elemental and relayed the message to him in whispered tones.

Adair gave the barman a wry smile and a genial wink.  There was a loud crack and the guardian was gone.  A silver blue mist swirled momentarily and then vanished.  There was a collective sigh of relief at the abrupt departure.  They all respected the guardians, but that did not mean that they liked being in their presence.  The tavern came back to life as everyone picked up their conversations and games where they had left off.  The only one who seemed to be concerned about what had just happened was Ofular.  He had not moved and was still staring at the spot where the elemental had been just moments ago.  He had a faraway look in his eye as though he was seeing something hidden.

***

Xuzien stood on the rocky island of Laikra watching the mist gather along the shore at Logan Bay.  He was absent mindedly coiling up a rope he had used the night before to tie down his shelter.  He glanced over his shoulder toward the west and saw black clouds billowing up from the sea, or so it seemed. 
That looks like a strong tempest that one.  I hope I have not come out here for nothing…I do not want to get caught on this island of rock when that powerful storm hits.
  He was so consumed with his own thoughts that he did not notice the sudden appearance of the most powerful elemental right next to him.  The usual cracking noise was drowned out by the noise of water crashing against the rock island.

“Xuzien…my old friend…how are you?” asked Adair loudly.  The wind had picked up considerably as the storm neared the rocky island.  The winds buffeted the two figures on the rocky surface of Laikra.  Both had cloaks that billowed impressively around them as the wind hit with great ferocity.

“Master…how be ye?” asked an unafraid Xuzien.  He eyed the guardian with his gray eyes and gave a half smile as he turned to face his guest.  He was accustomed to the tempests along the western coast.  He did not usually meet his master at such a hostile location.  He knew that this meant something bad was happening and he was about to hear the pitch for taking part in one of Adair’s schemes.

“I am doing as well as can be expected during a time of war.  I assume you know of the unrest in the heart of Tuwa?” asked Adair as he pulled his cloak closer to his muscular frame.  The wind continued to swirl about them.  Debris flew at them but never seemed to find its mark.

“So, an all-out war that involves practically every race and creature in all of Tuwa is considered unrest?  The people of the east must have a different understanding of the common tongue than I.  So, why am I graced with yer presence?  It has been many years since ye last spoke to me…I am assuming that things are not going as well as ye would like.”  His tone was respectful while ensuring that the guardian knew that he was in no way thrown off by his presence or the news of war.  He wanted to make sure that Adair understood that he was in the know still.  He had many sentient spies and almost everyone trusted him.  That is why he was always so well informed about what was going on.

“Too right you are.  The battle effort is rather precarious and I am going to have a difficult time keeping this violent confrontation from entering the west.  However, I am here concerning a different matter.”  He motioned to Xuzien to take a seat on some nearby rocks so that they could continue their discussion with support against the ever increasing winds.  Again their cloaks billowed out once more as they marched toward the rocks.

“I do not understand…if ye are not here regarding the war, then what can I help ye with?”  He was a little perplexed…he was sure that he would be recruited to fight for the guardians.  His years of serving as a boundary warden usually got the attention of anyone entering a fight.  Most sought his valuable services before any open conflict broke out.

“I feel that I am duty bound to make you aware of some things that have transpired during the course of my recent travels that may directly affect you.  I, of course, am referring to your parents.”  Uncomfortable silence followed this.  That was the only area of his life that no one talked about.  He did not talk about his parentage with anyone and no one was dumb enough to ever bring it up.

“What about them?” Xuzien asked sharply.  His countenance fell considerably at the mention of his paternal units.  He did not talk to anyone, except Adair, about his parentage.  Even though the guardian was the exception to the rule, he was never pleased when talk turned to them.

“Well, for one thing, the druid council was reformed.  They have found the seventh druid and will return to their full strength once more.  However, Kana and her minions do not know this.  I am concerned that they will hunt you because of the commonly held belief that you are the seventh druid.” Adair showed that he was clearly concerned.  He knew all too well what Xuzien was capable of and so did anyone who knew him.  It was logical, because of whom his parents are, to assume he was the final council druid.

“I haven’t seen me wretched parents in years…why would yer enemies think that I be the lost druid?  Hold on…did ye say Kana?  As in Mistress Kana of the guardian council…what in the ruddy hell is going on beyond these borders?  Have ye lost control of everything over there?”  The son of two druids stood up and began to pace.  He was a most peculiar person because he was half dwarf and half elf.  He was tall like an elf, but was extremely muscular like a dwarf.  He had long brown hair that was braided neatly under his war helm.  He had a long brownish red goatee that gave his tan features an edge.  His uniqueness always made people feel uncomfortable at first sight; however, once they got to know him they became fiercely loyal to him.

“I have spoken to Lord Nariko and Lady Bernadine already about the precarious position you are in.  They agreed with me that you should go to ground until this conflict is over.  They are concerned for you Xuzien.”  Adair knew that this declaration would not be received well; however, it was true and heartfelt.  Time had proven to be a poison instead of a healing agent for Xuzien and his estranged parents.

“Right…like I believe that.  Anyway, I will not be going into hiding…I’d much rather fight to protect the west from yer kind than hole up somewhere for who knows how long until ye get control of yer own kind again.”  He definitely did not like the turn this visit had taken.  He could do with a stiff drink after listening to such fallacies.

“Xuzien, I cannot compel others to do my bidding…you know that.  However, Kana feels that she can and that she is destined to control all of Tuwa.  She is no longer a member of the council and will be eliminated when this destructive conflict is over…you have my word on that.”  He could sense the eternal anguish in Xuzien’s soul and he mourned for the torment he went through every day.  He would never be accepted for who he was and he would never fully appreciate just how important he was.  There was one very redeeming quality that this boundary warden possessed and that was an insatiable drive to be productive.

“Fine…what is it that ye wanted me to do?”  Xuzien was becoming impatient with this unpleasant meeting.  He did not like the reminder that he was the offspring of a forced relationship between two of the most revered druids.  A druid is not to take a companion of another race, so when the dark lord tricked the two into breaking such sacred oaths, he was the result of their unnatural union.  A dwarf and an elf had never before mated, so he was something of a novelty.  However, this was not something Xuzien was particularly proud of.

“I would like you to guard a secret location for me.  It is deep within the Mia Koda mountain range.  You will need to use your magic to protect yourself from all intruders.  Kana will be sending a wide variety of creatures and servants to retrieve something of importance.  I cannot tell you what it is, but I will tell you that your job will be the most important of all the assignments given during this time of war.  Can you still change shapes?”  Adair was trying to make this meeting be all about business.  He knew that Xuzien hated the reminder of who he was, so he had to try to keep this professional.

“Yes, I can…the question is whether or not I be doing what yer asking.  I be not convinced that I should be getting involved in this sorted affair.  I have protected meself for years now and I don’t see the point in lending me aid to yer cause.  It does not involve me and it is not my fault that me idiot parents brought me into this world.  I be not about to lie down because of their mistake.  I be having the same rights as anyone else to do as I please.”  He was clearly not sold on the plea for help.  He was putting up the image of unconcern and lack of interest in helping.

“Xuzien…you know perfectly well that I agree with you.  Unfortunately for you the question of your heritage is directly relevant in this matter.  If you are forced to defend yourself from Kana’s minions and foul beasts, then you should probably use your considerable talents for good by doing what I have asked.  Will you help me?”  There was a pleading tone now as he spoke.  He knew that while Xuzien had reservations and a lot of mistrust, he would do what it right.  The two of them had always gotten along and he had never done anything to break his friend’s trust.