Daughter of Earth (Tales of the Guardian) (25 page)

Traveling to Eden seemed much easier this time and she was able to accomplish the task on her first attempt. It did not surprise her to see Aldara standing on the marble terrace, awaiting her arrival.

Once they were through the heavy wooden doors Xavier excused himself to return to New York and watch over her father, just as he had promised.

It calmed Emily to know her father would have Xavier to talk with while she was away.

Aldara remained still until he left and then opened her arms, beckoning Emily to her. “I am so sorry, I truly am.”

There was something familiar and inviting about Aldara, and she rushed to her. Her desire for motherly comfort was very strong. Emily burst into tears, soaking the front of the Elder’s emerald chiffon gown.

Aldara let her cry for a while, knowing the tears would prove to be a somewhat cleansing.

“I know Rob meant something to you. It is a terrible loss for you, now that he’s passed on,” Aldara gently stroked Emily’s hair in a curative rhythm. “But, may I share something with you?”

Emily lifted her head from Aldara’s bosom, eager to hear anything that might make her feel the slightest bit better. Even with thoughts of betrayal running through her head before her return, the truth was, there was no denying Aldara’s goodness. It could be felt and it was measurable.

And, if Aldara was good and she knew it, how could she accuse any of the other Guardians of being different?

“Do you know why we refer to humans as Travelers?” Aldara motioned for the two of them to begin their decent down the stairs to the paths below.

“No, Alexander never really explained that.” She wiped the lingering wetness from her cheeks

“We call you Travelers because that is in fact exactly what you are.” Aldara offered a tender smile, “Earth is only one stop on your eternal journey, and mortality is neither the first nor last existence you will have.

“Humans tend to struggle with the concept of death because mortality is all they know. They do not remember what transpired before their time on earth nor are they certain of what lies ahead because the world has become crowded with too many speculations. In truth, your existence outside your mortal state is all the more glorious. And people such as Rob and your mother…” Aldara paused knowing that Emily’s mother was a very delicate subject, “go on to do wondrous things. They are, in fact, needed outside of their mortal state.

“It is difficult for humans to fathom that there is truly work to be done and a need for them in the worlds that they cannot behold with their eyes. ‘Seeing is believing’ is more of a custom than a mere saying for the human race. But, I will tell you that so much more exists beyond what humans can see or even sense. There is a tightly woven web which transcends time and mortality and it is this web which makes everything right when it comes full circle, because there is truly no end.”

Aldara’s words seemed to creep into Emily’s heart and enfold it like a warm soft blanket. She could feel the storm raging inside her begin to abate, almost coming to a dead halt. What the elder spoke of was not a new concept to Emily. She’d been brought up with a religious, spiritual awareness, and an afterlife was something she always believed in.

What Aldara said resonated deeply within her. The notion that everything was one eternal round, a chain that was never broken added solace and value to it. And the thought of her mother or Rob being needed elsewhere, doing other things, had never even occurred to Emily. It somehow helped to know maybe they were taken from the world she’d grown up in because of things which were needed from them somewhere else along the eternal track.

Almost like a job change or relocation.

“Thank you, that actually does help quite a bit. But, I still can’t help but wonder if Rob’s death isn’t my fault. If I had just listened to Xavier and not gone to visit my father or if I had even listened to Rob and left while we still had a chance, he would probably still be alive,” Emily turned her face away to hide her shame.

“Possibly,” Aldara slowly said. “But possibly not.” She had a grin that only came from the surety of knowing something.

“If you were to look closely at a spider web you would notice that from one point there are actually two threads. Both threads weave themselves around the standing threads but each touches in a slightly different area. When the full circle is made, both threads fall right back in the same spot and then from there, continue on a new round.

“And so it is with mortal life. We cannot change the very course of the web because that would weaken it and therefore lead to its destruction. However, you can change what thread you will follow. In the end, they are all intertwined and you will find that one thread is not without a connection to another. If it were not by Sandros’ hand, Rob would have met his death in another way. Death is inevitable for all living creatures, Emily, even Guardians.”

They walked in silence as Emily tried to understand all Aldara had said. The elder had a way of making her feel comfortable and relaxed, in a manner only a mother could do for a child. Although Aldara was not her mother, she reminded Emily of her, and there was significance in that.

“Does Alexander know about everything, I mean have you spoken with him?” Now that she was back in Eden her mind easily reverted to thinking of him.

She’d missed her best friend, her confidant, and was anxious to see if they couldn’t begin fixing their relationship. Before Rob’s murder, she had a good conversation with her father. She’d decided to make things work with Alexander, no matter what it took.

The first step was she needed to stop holding him to an unattainable standard. She would help him resolve his inner demons. The largest challenge she faced was figuring out what those inner demons were.

“I do not know if Alexander is aware of what is going on with Rob’s death and your return. I am afraid I have only seen him once. I followed him shortly after his confrontation with Damarus. He refused to see me.” Aldara glanced down at her hands, she was hurt and it was obvious. “Humans are not the only ones who have trouble figuring out their children. Unfortunately, I do not know everything, and right now I am uncertain of the reasons behind Alexander’s actions.”

“He just hasn’t seemed like himself at all lately. At first it was just tiny little flares of unpredictability. Now, it seems like his spurts have become his norm and what used to be his normal self is only seen in brief glimpses,” Emily thought aloud. “I want to help him figure things out. Getting him to open up is the problem.”

“Yes, Alexander has always been one to hold tightly to things. His grip on his emotions is ironclad. He can be stubborn,” Aldara chuckled with some memory that flashed in her mind. “But he is good. I have no doubt of that. His spirit is pure, true and unique. I always knew deep down he would be the Guardian to fulfill the prophecy. Call it mother’s instinct, but I knew.”

Aldara was right, Alexander was good, and though his most recent actions did not attest to the wonderful person Emily had fallen in love with, she was certain all was not lost with him.

Real, whole love, couldn’t be given up on so easily. Emily readied herself for what was bound to come.

Chapter 18

It had been five days since Emily had returned to Eden. She spent the first two looking for Alexander. She didn’t understand why he had not come to at least see her. It had been a horrible and difficult two days. She was still dealing with the sorrow of Rob’s death, and Alexander’s absence made her worry even more.

It was as though he’d disappeared.

She finally came to a point where she knew her emotions were getting the best of her. The best remedy she was aware of to cure runaway emotions was to keep busy. It had always worked well for her to distract her mind and body. The harder the work, the better the diversion.  

She had no control over Alexander; she needed to concentrate on the things she could control. So, she decided to pick up where she’d left off with Damarus and begin her training again.

Sitting in her chambers or being idle only allowed her thoughts to become negative about both Rob and Alexander. Remaining busy made it easier to stay positive and hopeful.

The Arena seemed unusually muggy and Emily wondered if it was due to the many extra bodies within its walls. Typically her training sessions consisted of her and Damarus with Olivia popping her head in and out at times, as well as Alexander nearby.

Today was quite different. Numerous Guardians were seated on the stone benches that climbed the sides of the Arena in the traditional stadium seating.

Their presence made Emily very nervous. This would be her first day with weapons and it was intimidating enough without an audience. But, it was the very fact she would be using weapons which had piqued so many Guardians’ interest.

It was like children who are told never to play with matches. The second someone strikes a match they want to witness for themselves the beauty of the forbidden flame. To find out for themselves the enticing and strange danger that comes from something they are not authorized to touch.

Olivia finished buckling the side strap of the leather breastplate around Emily’s torso.

“Phew, that is tight. I think I might pass out from oxygen deprivation before my nerves get a chance at me,” Emily slapped the stiff leather that covered her chest.

“Oh!” Olivia gasped. “Did I do it too tight? I’m sorry, let me adjust it.” She reached her hands forward to unlock the buckle she’d just fastened.

“No, its fine, really, it’s just unusual. I’m not accustomed to wearing something like this.”

“It does look a bit awkward,” Olivia tilted her head to the side, allowing another view of the armor. “I’m not sure you are going to be able to fully raise your arms, it looks like that cap at the shoulder will get in the way.”

Emily rotated her arm in different directions, trying to get a feel for the limitations which might arise from her armor. Surprisingly the leather was flexible in some spots, such as around her shoulders. But, the leather hardened and became tougher around her stomach and heart, obviously to protect her vital organs. A person could survive a strike to the arms but it would be harder to recover from a wound to her internal organs.

The thought sent chills through her body. It reminded her of the fatal blow to Rob’s lung. She pushed the thought from her mind. This was why she was sparring, why she was training, to keep those memories at bay, not to induce them.

She glanced around at the weapons displayed a few feet from her. There was a lump growing in the pit of her stomach and she wasn’t certain if it was due to fear or exhilaration. Danger could be an enticing drug and became very addictive for some thrill seekers.

Emily undoubtedly did not fit into that category, but she had to admit, there was a level of excitement in learning how to spar with real weapons.

Damarus stood a few yards away, speaking quietly with the other four elders. Even they had not been able to resist seeing something which had never happened before.

Great effort had gone into gathering the weapons housed for preservation in the Library. Finding ones which were light and easily used took most of the time, especially when the Guardians sent to gather them had not been permitted to try them.

Their labors had resulted in an abundant supply of small daggers, swords, axes and other items that, for the most part, seemed petite and a good fit for a small female to use.

Lexington, who was set to be her sparring partner, twirled his sword, first with his right hand and then with his left. His motions were smooth and swift like he was doing a dance with the blade.

“I thought you said Lexington has never held a sword before,” Emily whispered in Olivia’s ear as they both watched his hypnotizing movements.

“He hasn’t! At least I’m pretty sure he hasn’t,” Olivia was beginning to second guess herself.

Lexington handled his weapon like an expert swordsman, as if he had been training with a blade for years. It made Emily feel all the more discomforted. Here she thought she was going to be on fairly even terms with a Guardian because they did not use weapons.