Daughter of Earth (Tales of the Guardian) (8 page)

     Stretching once and then twice, she forced herself to wake. In truth, all she wanted to do was to lie back down, at least for a few more minutes. But it just wasn’t an option.

     She had to slide across the velvet mattress just to get her feet over the edge. Once she was up, Olivia led her to a small table in the middle of the room.

     The table was a new addition from yesterday and looked dwarfed by heaps of fruits, berries and breads on it. It was quite a meal, one Emily could hardly put a dent in. This food was no doubt left over from last night.

     After the induction ceremony she’d been escorted to a giant table covered in all sorts of lovely and exotic foods. The scene seemed strange for Eden since she knew Guardians did not need to eat. It didn’t take long for her to realize the entire feast was for her. It was enough to feed twenty people and Emily could not imagine how they had acquired it all. When she’d asked Alexander, he had explained that fruits, vegetables and plants grew abundantly in Eden. They were able to harvest everything and use it. Although it wasn’t often, Guardians did sometimes eat just for the pleasure of experiencing the taste of food itself.

     Emily scooped a handful of berries as she sat down. Popping them into her mouth, juices exploded in every direction as she bit down. The taste was amazing, much more delicious than any berry she’d ever had before. Olivia stood behind her and began brushing out the braid and curls that had been left in her hair overnight.

     “Are you excited about today?” Olivia asked.

     She paused to swallow her mouthful of sweet and flavorful berries. “I am. I’m very excited. Ever since Aldara told me I had a purpose and I was to be trained in Eden, I have been dying for some answers. You have no idea the pressure that comes with knowing something is expected of you, something that can affect so many others. Someone telling you people’s lives depend on you, yet you have no clue as to how to accomplish any of it.” Emily paused to re-think the statement. It was absolutely silly to declare such a thing, and of course Olivia understood. Olivia probably understood what Emily was talking about perfectly.

     She reached behind her to grab Olivia’s hand, spinning around so she could face her. “I didn’t mean that. I wasn’t really thinking. I guess it’s still too early in the morning and my brain’s a bit foggy. You know exactly what I feel like, don’t you? The exact same things have been asked of you.” Emily smiled at her new friend.

     Olivia didn’t look like she had taken any offense. She was too innocent, she only knew what she’d been taught by her Elders within Eden’s walls.

     “I think you are being asked to do a lot more than me,” Olivia giggled. “But, I guess the overall task is the same. To do something for another, to blindly give yourself over to a will greater than your own.”

     Emily contemplated for a moment.
‘A will greater than your own.’
  Was that what this was all about? Emily bending and stretching until she was no longer following her own heart, giving up her own will?

     “Does it bother you that you exist solely to do things for other people? Do you ever feel trapped because you can’t choose another way for yourself?”

     Olivia paused for a moment, staring out the open window. “Not really. It’s all I’ve ever known, all I’ve been taught. I don’t know any other way. But, I must say I have fantasized every now and then about what it would be like to live a human life. To make my own choices, only to be governed by the consequences of those choices…to fall in love…” Olivia sighed. “But, since I haven’t even seen the outside world it isn’t something I struggle with, not like some other Guardians.”

     Emily turned back to the table and Olivia began to brush her hair again. “So you’re saying some Guardians don’t like being what they are?”

     “I wouldn’t say that. I think all Guardians like doing what they do, but at times it can be difficult to accept. Like in the beginning, it is said not wanting to protect humans was the very thing that drove half our brothers and sisters from Eden. They believed Guardians were the more supreme creation, and protecting humans made us no greater than mere servants,” Olivia explained, with distaste in her voice.

     “Half of the Guardians left? That is a large number. A scary number, really.” Emily’s mind flashed back to her near-fatal encounter with Dante. “I didn’t realize there were that many Ancient Ones. Do they outnumber you?”

     “I don’t know. We aren’t often permitted to speak of the evil ones, or the great dissention. But I think our numbers are starting to even out ever since the last Guardians were born. It’s just speculation, though.”

     Olivia continued her work. She’d tied a long cord to Emily’s hair and was now wrapping and weaving it into an elaborate bun, using the cord as though it was a needle and Emily’s hair was the thread.

     Emily ate a few more bites, stewing over the new knowledge she’d just received.

     “So, is that Aldara’s purpose? Does she help Guardians cope with the problems and feelings that come from doing what you do?”

     “Yes, that is why she is called Mother. She was not only there for our creation but she is the one who helps all Guardians deal with the emotional turmoil which can come from our task. Emotions can run strong and deep while Guardians fulfill certain tasks in the human realm.”

     “Are there many Guardians that need her help?”

     “I suppose at one point or another they all need her guidance and direction, but not always because they do not like or feel comfortable with what they are doing. Sometimes it is because they want something more, enough that they are willing to break rules that have never been broken,” Olivia hinted. She finished Emily’s hair and went to fetch an outfit from the wardrobe.

     “You’re talking about Alexander?” Emily followed her.

     “Yes, I am. You should know he is the first one to ever have this desire to love someone such as he loves you. He is the first one to be willing to put aside the laws for his heart’s longings,” Olivia raised her eyebrows challenging Emily to say otherwise.

     “Xavier said something similar, but he said Alexander was a genuine ‘bad boy’.” Emily laughed out loud at the thought of Alexander being classified as such. “Which couldn’t be farther from the truth. He’s the best of the best and I don’t think they come better than him.” Emily paused, catching herself before she started sounding lovesick. Words could never fully encompass his effect on her, what she thought of him, how he made her feel and sometimes expressing those sincere feelings sounded cheesy when confessed out loud.

     Emily quickly dressed in loose cloth pants and a fitted smock that hit her just below the hips. It reminded her of something she might wear to a yoga class, or at least see someone wearing at a yoga class.

     Once she was ready, the two women headed downstairs. Again Alexander was waiting to meet them. It didn’t matter how many times she caught sight of him, it never failed to send her heart into a flutter. She hoped that never changed, it was a simple yet sweet reaction to his presence and it always made her feel giddy.  

     The three of them immediately left for the Great Hall where the Governing Five often resided

     After the feast ended the night before, and Emily had greeted as many Guardians as she could, Damarus told her she would meet with the five elders before she began her first wave of training with him. He told her some answers would be provided and knowledge would be given.

     Emily was thrilled with the prospect of finally getting some answers. She hated not knowing what was expected of her. And, it would certainly make things seem a bit less fantasy or dream-like with a firm understanding of what was going on.

     The three walked at a brisk pace, keeping the conversation light, stopping briefly here and there to acknowledge and address a Guardian who wanted to meet Emily. It was a slightly uncomfortable feeling at first, being a kind of celebrity. However, she was growing more accustomed to it with each Guardian she met.

     When they reached the great hall, Olivia remained outside while Alexander and Emily entered. She clung to his hand with an anxious grip as they passed through the large doors.

     The building seemed very similar to the other structures in Eden. The only physical difference Emily saw was a round, stone table perfectly centered in the giant room.

     “It’s like the knights of the round table,” she suggested in a hushed tone. She’d always loved the stories of King Arthur and his knights.

     “Yes, it is, but I assure you we did it long before them,” Alexander chuckled.

     The Governing Five greeted the pair and then ushered them to the table where they all took a seat. This time there was a chair for Alexander. The table sat directly below a large glass skylight allowing the sun’s warmth to shine through. Emily would have felt more relaxed, basking in the warm rays, if she wasn’t so anxious.

     Everyone seemed to be holding his or her breath; everything about this experience was not only historical but also remarkable. Prophecies were something they had all often heard about but rarely, if ever, participated in fulfilling.

     Damarus was the first to speak, his soft baritone voice echoed off the surrounding walls.

     “Emily, we wish to express to you our profound gratitude. You were under no requirement to accept the call to come to Eden, yet you did, even though you did not know what was fully expected. This council’s objective is to provide you with some of those reasons why you have been called here, why you are needed. We believe for you to understand one role you will play in creating a new future, it is best to explain some history. This is not something we speak of often, because the origins are sacred and holy to us and we do not wish for things to become distorted or defiled. Much of this will be new information to Alexander, as well,” Damarus motioned toward him yet his eyes never left Emily.

     “But before I speak of our history I want to mention the prophecy and why we believe you are the chosen Daughter of Earth.

     “It has long been foretold that Eden’s gates would be opened to the human race, and one day Guardians and humans would no longer live apart, but together. Any human who wished to dwell among us would be permitted inside these walls. This time is not far, but first a war against evil must be waged before complete peace can be achieved. But I will leave this part for another time.”

     “The part I wish to concentrate on today is where the prophecy says a Guardian’s choice would be the key. A Guardian would select a Daughter of Earth. Even though we knew a human woman would be involved, we did not know how she would be selected. After Alexander proclaimed his love for you, which had never been done before, The Seer confirmed to us your fate was indeed tied to ours. There was no room for doubt about your relationship with Alexander. With that said, I believe you now need to know more about where we came from.”

     Damarus accepted Emily’s silence as encouragement. He began, “Guardians have been around from the very beginning. Though humans were created before us, we followed closely behind. It wasn’t long after humans were given life it became apparent they needed assistance. This world, even in its infancy, proved to be quite perilous. Humankind easily allowed jealousy and hate to creep into their minds and hearts, causing war and contention. Humans have a very specific purpose, one which is unique to them, Emily. But, they have always needed occasional help. This great need was recognized by a human we refer to as our First Mother.”

     Emily peeked quickly at Alexander who was directly across from her at the table. He sat between Mathaius and Aldara, and it was obvious he clung to each and every word. She knew Damarus was disclosing information Alexander had longed to discover.

     Damarus continued, “You see, humans used to be somewhat different in the beginning. They had access to great powers within themselves. They lived much longer than humans do now and they were much more in-tune with the core powers which were freely given to all of them. I will discuss this more when we begin your training.”

     Damarus moved on, speaking quickly, leaving no opportunity for questions.

     “Suffice it to say that the extent of their ‘supernatural abilities,’ if that is what you want to call them, stretched quite far. It wasn’t until humans began to allow evil to seep into their minds that they lost sight of the divinity within themselves. Evil has been around since before human creation, and it is known in many forms, Emily, but it has always been present. Many of our kind believe those Guardians who rebelled against our purpose were the beginning of the evil side and The Opposition. This is not so. They merely joined evil’s ranks and provided strength and power to The Opposition’s purpose.” Damarus was no longer looking at Emily. His gaze was set on something well past her shoulder, and he looked lost in some distant memory. He blinked to clear his mind.