The children leapt to their feet, surrounding Deloren, pelting her with questions, not wanting the story to end.
​
A petite, red-headed girl, popped her thumb out of her mouth just long enough to ask, “What’d Ellisle do afta’ that?”

The child glanced shyly over at another woman who stood across the room, leaning back against the greystone wall of the small space within Guardian Mountain which now served as learning room for the children of the neighboring village. Hands clasped over her abdomen, her hair was corralled into a long braid which draped over one shoulder, ashy brown interwoven with faint streaks of grey. Errant curls escaped about her forehead and wisped at the nape of her neck.

Deloren looked over to where Ellisle was standing and saw her cross her arms firmly over her chest. She knew that the child’s question would bring Ellisle’s memories flooding in. She also knew that Ellisle wouldn’t willingly swim in that river today.

“You know the answer to that Youngling,” said Ellisle, lips twitching upward. Ellisle looked up and winked at Deloren.
The little girl grinned around her thumb and nodded emphatically.

“What’d Terris do when the Guardian’s was all ‘aflamin’? Was he scarert?” A small boy asked, staring up at Deloren with wide black eyes crowned by dark brows almost hidden beneath the ebony waves framing his face.

“He weren’t scarert, Tomlin,” answered a slightly taller and otherwise identical version of the boy, crowding in close beside him. “Terris were brave enough to jump offa’ the mountain to save Ell weren’t he?”

Grimy fingers grasped at Deloren’s tunic, “When they gonna’ sing again, huh? Can I hears it?“

Deloren gently unclasped the childish fingers and held them between her own age-swollen knuckles.

“Yes, Younger, you can hear it, though you may have to wait till the next Ritual of the One.”

“Oh,” she said, eyes cast down, long eyelashes brushing flushed, pink cheeks.

“Gran Bryl! What happened to Gran Bryl?” Another child asked.

Deloren looked at the earnest young face crowding in close to her. She focused on the bright blue eyes and curving mouth that reminded her so of her beloved friend, Bryllint.

Meeting the child’s seriousness with her own she said, “With the Day of Rising their work was done. Gran Bryl and Bryllint are playing now on the Pathways of the One.” The child looked satisfied with that, and dipped her chin in acknowledgment.
 
Another younger, a boy with sparkling brown, mischievous eyes asked, “How’s about Gareth?”

Deloren heard a chuckle from across the room.

“Well you know my Hatchling, just what happened to Gareth,” said Deloren.

“He’s ma’ Farn!”

“Indeed, he is. And your Marn?”

“Marn? Why she’s Mina!”

“And where might you live with your Marn and your Farn, Hatchling?”

“We lives just back ‘a Guardian Mountain,” he said, casting a boneless arm over his shoulder. “In the village. We all lives there,” and he gestured with both arms out wide including all the children in his proprietary response.

A green blur flashed somewhat erratically over the heads of the children, buzzing to land on Ellisle’s shoulder.

“You’re not as young as you once were, Moss. You might slow it down a bit,” said Ellisle, looking askance at the tiny figure plastered to her shoulder, chest heaving.

Not in the least distracted by this, another child piped up, “What about Faltim and Fal? What happened ta’ them?”

“That, my Hatchling is a tale for another time. Off you go now, back to your chores.” Deloren made pushing movements with her hands, herding the children out.

The children scampered, laughing, through the doorway, and Deloren pushed herself slowly to her feet. One corner of her mouth twisted up into a grimace as she said, “These old bones make sure I slow down, and I’ve chores of my own to see to. Remo’s bunions have flared up.”

Ellisle nodded sagely, kissing her fingertips and holding palm out toward Deloren. Deloren smiled, caught the kiss with an outstretched hand and patted her own softly wrinkled cheek, then ambled out the door.

Ellisle! The Pathways are calling. I’m ready to dance! Ell’s words dropped into Ellisle’s mind. It no longer startled her the way it once had. Yet the intimacy of the connection still filled her heart almost to bursting. Her own chores, the endless work of the Eldress, Contracted of Gran Ell, could wait for a little while longer.

Yes, Ell, thought Ellisle. Let’s dance.

The End

The shimmering, crystalline brilliance that was Guardian Mountain engulfed Fal, pulling him into a vortex of energy that was irresistible, and with him, his Contracted, Tim.
​
It dragged him deep within the light of Guardian Mountain on the Pathways. Yet, at the same time, he was aware of Guardian Cavern all around. He looked down at himself and saw the sheerest reflection of his body, a transparent wavering ghost of a Guardian, like looking at himself through a smoke-filled haze. It was like nothing he had ever experienced.

He did not want to be in Guardian Cavern. Almost, he thought himself right out of there, when a tingling shivered through him, gradually increasing in intensity. It held him there, bound him with ecstasy.

His Contracted, Tim, stood beside him. Etheric eyes large against his shadowed face, as he stared about himself. Fal felt a mixture of terror and awe assaulting him. It came from his boy, and from his own heart.  

Fal looked up to see that he and Tim stood in the center of a circle of Guardian’s and Contracted. He saw Ell, her neck curved about her Contracted’s shoulders. She was staring at him with golden eyes opened wide, mirrored by the same startled look in the eyes of her Contracted. He was relieved to see that Ell looked strong, completely healed.

He saw his dame, Gran Bryl and her Contracted, Bryllint, standing beside Ell. His heart filled with love the like of which he hadn’t felt since he was a hatchling, but treading upon the tail of that love was terrible shame. He saw the other Guardians and Contracted looking up, looking at him.

The shimmering walls of the cavern behind them resolved into myriad flyer folk, as a loud, rhythmic clattering began. Then a deep humming filled the cavern with the energy of joy. The Guardians were toning, singing in harmony. He heard a sweet voice rising above, and looked to see Ell’s Contracted, eyes closed now, her face lifted, a beautiful descant rising from her throat. Then the voices of the other Contracted joined. The toning intensified, the energy swirling about him, lifting him, forcing him.

Fal wasn’t ready for that beauty, but he could not help but join in. The song of the Ritual of the One flowed into him, and then it ripped and tore out of him. The sound he made was anything but beautiful. It growled through him straight from his gut, shredding the frozen places inside where his grief and shame burrowed. It burned through him with its heat, shattering his heart, scorching his soul. And it continued, on and on. He thought that surely, he would die, he was dying. He was fragmented into so many pieces that he could never be pulled back together. 

Then he heard his Contracted, his boy, Tim. His mellow, soothing voice, cooling Fal. Fal leaned his shattered self into that voice. It flowed around him, easing him, cooling the terrible, scorching heat. The dulcet tones of his Contracted pulled the shattered pieces of Fal’s heart together and bound them with his steady love.

Fal felt himself then within Tim’s mind. No, Faltim’s mind. The words of the Ritual flowed into Fal and he knew that they, he and his Contracted, were One. He was whole at last.

He saw his other self step forward and say, “I am Faltim, Voice and Hands. We are One.”

Faltim’s hazy figure grew suddenly opaque. No longer was his form etheric and ghostly. Faltim stood solidly beside him.
As Fal realized this he was assaulted by the moist, cool air of the cavern and the familiar metallic scent of greystone, the spice and flowers of the Guardians all around him, even his own weight bearing him down into the rough gravel of the cavern floor. It was almost too much for him to take in all at once, but a minute passed and he adjusted.

He looked down and saw himself solidly present there in Guardian Cavern. He looked around at the Guardians and Contracted who surrounded him and felt all parts of himself there with them in Guardian Cavern. He realized then, that he was fully committed in service to the One.

A renewed burning sensation began deep in his gut. Yet this time, it filled him with excitement, joy and terrible longing. It flowed, hot lava up through his throat and out between his jaws. The flames roared up out of him, reaching up, all the way to the ceiling of Guardian Cavern high above them.

He felt rather than saw Ell lift her own jaws to the ceiling and roar out an accompanying flame. Then it cascaded around the circle, one Guardian after another lifting jaws high and flaming. Their Contracteds stood before them, spreading arms wide, faces lifted in ecstasy, singing, roaring out a tumultuous song of triumph and victory.

Fal, closed his jaws, the flames receding back into his body though the power was in him still. He felt it burst out through his skin, white hot light outlining every ridge and scale. It was searingly hot without any sensation of burning. As he looked about the circle, he saw Guardian jaws still lifted to the ceiling, but no longer enflamed. Brilliant light shone from each Guardian’s body, their Contracteds surrounded in a nimbus of their own bright light. The shining intensity cascaded upward, filling the cavern with incandescent brilliance.

He watched, entranced as the golden-white light formed into strands which gradually became a great web overlaying the cavern. Fal realized that these were the Pathways of the One, formed from their own inner light. He felt each of the other Guardians and their Contracted, and knew that they too felt him. Then he felt so much more, all of the humans, the creatures, the trees and the very stones of the planet. The awareness expanded ever outward, encompassing All.

So astounded was he that he was almost unaware of the deep answering thrum of the Mother Planet, vibrating through the great web. He felt her then, Gaea. He felt her pleasure at his awareness and her acceptance of his service, as if she stood before him, arms open wide. He felt her shake off the dark shroud, like a Guardian sheds its first skin. Then Fal, still reeling from his shattered and mended heart, allowed himself to accept her immense gratitude and love as it surrounded and enfolded him.

Deep within the primordial fires at the heart of Gaea, the Mother Planet knew the expansive relaxation that signaled the Balance, and Gaea finally rested.

Tim felt the now familiar rush of energy as he was pulled onto the Pathways with Fal. There was a roaring sensation, like a great river carrying him forward and ever deeper.

He and Fal had journeyed often together since that first accidental meeting, when Tim was so startled to find himself in that dark void. Greater than his surprise was his delight when he discovered that Fal’s light sparkled there too. Now, he looked for Fal knowing he would find his light radiating there before him.

With each journey Tim tried to lead Fal toward the star-like brilliance the young man found so attractive, the light that he knew was Guardian Mountain. Tim wanted to go there on the Pathways, wanted it with all his heart. Yet each time, he felt Fal’s roiling emotions, regret, burning shame, guilt and agonizing fear. Always, Fal eluded him, his deep cobalt light dancing away upon the Pathways. Then Tim would send his intent flying along after Fal, his own light racing the strands of the Pathways, afraid that he might lose Fal within that infinite shining web stretching out before him.

Eventually he realized that Fal was not trying to escape him. He always allowed Tim’s smaller light to catch up, moving close to Fal’s and feeling that sense of loving connection once again. Together then they would still their movements and return to the outer world.

During their waking hours together, sitting comfortably in the shifting light of their cave home, Tim would try to talk with Fal. He explained over and over about Gran Bryl and Bryllint, and the urgency of their request that Fal go to Guardian Cavern. Fal tolerated this, but rarely responded in any way.

Tim kept trying. He didn’t know what else to do. Taking a deep breath of the cool air, redolent with the scent of the earth and greystone that lined the small cavern, Tim placed his hand on the dark, sleek scales of Fal’s neck and gazed up at the elegant, slanted ovals of his Guardian’s eyes. Fal seeming to know what was coming, did not look back at Tim, but stared off out the mouth of the cave.

“Bryllint pleaded with me Fal. You’ve got to go to Guardian Cavern. She said it was the only way to achieve the Balance. I don’t know what the Balance is but it’s something terribly important. She said Gaea needs us, Fal. Gaea needs us!”

For the first time, Fal growled, a deep vibration that Tim felt through his palm as much as heard. Tim took a hasty step back as Fal turned his head, long neck curving away from him. Tim knew now that his Guardian would not intentionally hurt him, but his great size and sudden movement in the small space of the cave made Tim wary of an inadvertent blow. Fal heaved his bulk around, tail twitching irritably, slashing the cave floor, grinding through the loosened scree. Claws scraping, he turned his spinal ridged back on Tim. His meaning couldn’t have been more clear, Fal would not go to Guardian Cavern.

Tim gave up then. He had failed, just as he feared he would. He slumped down against the wall of the cave and leaned his head back against the hard stone. The coolness felt good on the muscles of his back through his tunic. He closed his eyes and rested there. In time, his stomach rumbled in odd imitation of Fal’s recent grumbling outburst. Tim would have to get something to eat before long, but right now he was just too tired.

He heard Fal moving, the scraping of claws and tail over the cave floor, but he didn’t open his eyes to see what Fal was about. He was surprised then to feel Fal’s moist huffing breath upon his face, it’s scent sulphurous. Tim opened startled eyes wide. Fal moved closer, his head and golden orbs looking enormous at such close range. Then he touched Tim’s forehead gently with the end of his muzzle.

Tim’s eyes snapped shut and with a slight rushing sound, he found himself on the Pathways once again. There was Fal’s light before him. This time Tim didn’t try to lead Fal toward the brillance that was Guardian Mountain. He simply followed where Fal led. It felt disheartening to Tim, but there was no use in trying to guide Fal where he would not go. Tim relaxed, feeling a sense of relief in giving up.

Tim followed where Fal led and discovered to his astonishment that Fal traced a spiral pattern, centered upon the star-like brightness of Guardian Mountain. Fal bounced along the Pathways, spiraling outward and then spiraling inward once again. It was as if Guardian Mountain held him like a magnet, exerting a greater and greater pull upon him so that as he danced away, he would inevitably reverse and move back toward that bright light. What’s more, with each return, Fal moved closer to Guardian Mountain.

Was Fal working himself around to agreeing to Gran Bryl’s request? Was it possible that Tim’s pleading words had gotten through to his Guardian? Tim felt a surge of hope well up within him. He bounced along behind Fal, amused to realize that his small light had brightened considerably. Yet it was immediately dampened by his next thought. What good would it do for Fal to go to Guardian Mountain in this way? Bryllint asked Tim to bring Fal to Guardian Cavern. What good could their lights on the Pathways do?

Still, this felt like progress. Hope returned to Tim and he danced along in Fal’s wake, spiraling ever closer to that shining center.  
 
Tim felt the now familiar rush of energy as he was pulled onto the Pathways with Fal. There was a roaring sensation, like a great river carrying him forward and ever deeper.

He and Fal had journeyed often together since that first accidental meeting, when Tim was so startled to find himself in that dark void. Greater than his surprise was his delight when he discovered that Fal’s light sparkled there too. Now, he looked for Fal knowing he would find his light radiating there before him.

With each journey Tim tried to lead Fal toward the star-like brilliance the young man found so attractive, the light that he knew was Guardian Mountain. Tim wanted to go there on the Pathways, wanted it with all his heart. Yet each time, he felt Fal’s roiling emotions, regret, burning shame, guilt and agonizing fear. Always, Fal eluded him, his deep cobalt light dancing away upon the Pathways. Then Tim would send his intent flying along after Fal, his own light racing the strands of the Pathways, afraid that he might lose Fal within that infinite shining web stretching out before him.

Eventually he realized that Fal was not trying to escape him. He always allowed Tim’s smaller light to catch up, moving close to Fal’s and feeling that sense of loving connection once again. Together then they would still their movements and return to the outer world.

During their waking hours together, sitting comfortably in the shifting light of their cave home, Tim would try to talk with Fal. He explained over and over about Gran Bryl and Bryllint, and the urgency of their request that Fal go to Guardian Cavern. Fal tolerated this, but rarely responded in any way.

Tim kept trying. He didn’t know what else to do. Taking a deep breath of the cool air, redolent with the scent of the earth and greystone that lined the small cavern, Tim placed his hand on the dark, sleek scales of Fal’s neck and gazed up at the elegant, slanted ovals of his Guardian’s eyes. Fal seeming to know what was coming, did not look back at Tim, but stared off out the mouth of the cave.

“Bryllint pleaded with me Fal. You’ve got to go to Guardian Cavern. She said it was the only way to achieve the Balance. I don’t know what the Balance is but it’s something terribly important. She said Gaea needs us, Fal. Gaea needs us!”

For the first time, Fal growled, a deep vibration that Tim felt through his palm as much as heard. Tim took a hasty step back as Fal turned his head, long neck curving away from him. The Guardian heaved his bulk around, tail twitching irritably, slashing the cave floor, grinding through the loosened scree. Claws scraping, he turned his spinal ridged back on Tim. His meaning couldn’t have been more clear, Fal would not go to Guardian Cavern.

Tim gave up then. He had failed, just as he feared he would. He slumped down against the wall of the cave and leaned his head back against the hard stone. The coolness felt good on the muscles of his back through his tunic. He closed his eyes and rested there. In time, his stomach rumbled in odd imitation of Fal’s recent grumbling outburst. Tim would have to get something to eat before long, but right now he was just tired.

He heard Fal moving, the scraping of claws and tail over the cave floor, but he didn’t open his eyes to see what Fal was about. He was surprised then to feel Fal’s moist huffing breath upon his face, it’s scent sulphurous. Tim opened startled eyes wide. Fal moved closer, his head and golden orbs looking enormous at such close range. Then he touched Tim’s forehead gently with the end of his muzzle.

Tim’s eyes snapped shut and with a slight rushing sound, he found himself on the Pathways once again. There was Fal’s light before him. This time Tim didn’t try to lead Fal toward the brillance that was Guardian Mountain. He simply followed where Fal led. It felt disheartening to Tim, but there was no use in trying to guide Fal where he would not go. Tim relaxed, feeling a sense of relief in giving up.

Tim followed where Fal led and discovered to his astonishment that Fal traced a spiral pattern, centered upon the star-like brightness of Guardian Mountain. Fal bounced along the Pathways, spiraling outward and then spiraling inward once again. It was as if Guardian Mountain held him like a magnet, exerting a greater and greater pull upon him so that as he danced away, he would inevitably reverse and move back toward that bright light. What’s more, with each return, Fal moved closer to Guardian Mountain.

Was Fal working himself around to agreeing to Gran Bryl’s request? Was it possible that Tim’s pleading words had gotten through to his Guardian? Tim felt a surge of hope well up within him. He bounced along behind Fal, amused to realize that his small light had brightened considerably. Yet it was immediately dampened by his next thought. What good would it do for Fal to go to Guardian Mountain in this way? Bryllint asked Tim to bring Fal to Guardian Cavern. What good could their lights on the Pathways do?

Still, this felt like progress. Hope returned to Tim and he danced along in Fal’s wake, spiraling ever closer to that shining center.   

Tim stood next to Lisle, staring up at the enormous Guardian reclining on the cave ledge before him. He was so taken with her that he hardly noticed the little woman occupying the space at the Guardian’s side. The Guardian was much larger than Fal, and colored more like the small Guardian, Ell. She looked at him steadily, out of huge, round pupiled golden eyes. He assumed she was female; her coloring was so much like the only other female Guardian he had known. He was relieved to see that she looked calm. Her long, scaled tail was still, delicate tip curved about age-yellowed foreclaws.

​She gave off the impression of immense age. He didn’t know how he knew that she was old. Maybe it was her great size, or perhaps it was just the look of deep wisdom in her eyes. She lay propped up on her forearms and haunches, her graceful neck curved upward. He was glad to see that the crest on the top of her head was relaxed, crimson ridges laid back against her skull. She exhibited none of the thrashing, irritable movements that he associated with an angry Guardian.

He wrenched his eyes away to look at the gray-haired woman who sat leaning easily against the Guardian’s forearm. She too looked relaxed. He saw no anger in her face. Despite that, cold sweat dripped down the back of his ruddy brown tunic and he straightened up, readying himself for whatever might come next. He released Lisle’s hand and took a sideways step away from her. Whatever was to befall him, it was none of her doing. He hoped that by separating himself it might protect her from the wrath which must be his due.

The woman stood up and tugged at the edges of her over-blouse, and smoothed the front down with her hands. She looked up at him, piercing blue eyes riveting. She was considerably shorter than he was, about Lisle’s height, but carried an air of authority that made Tim want to bow his head to her. He resisted the urge, he needed to keep his eyes focused on what was about to happen.

“Gran Br…Bryl a…and B…Bryllint,” said Lisle, gesturing at the Guardian and the woman with her hand.

Tim glanced in Lisle’s direction, blinking acknowledgment, then turned back and bent his head politely to Gran Bryll and to Bryllint.

Tim watched Bryllint’s eyes as she studied him for several moments. Another trickle of sweat ran down between his shoulder blades distracting him, and he fidgeted, adjusting his shoulders back to relieve the itching sensation it caused.

“Tim, Contracted of Fal, you have shown yourself to be both faithful and loving in the care of your Guardian. For this the Guardians commend you.” She hesitated, and Tim braced himself for what would surely follow.

“For your previous actions, it is understood that you chose to serve your Guardian, despite the imbalance of the demands placed upon you.” Bryllint stepped toward him, and placed a hand on either side of his shoulders, leaned forward and kissed him upon the forehead.

Tim was stunned. Eyes wide, he just stood there. He felt his mouth hanging open and clenched his jaws tightly.  He had expected rebuke, rejection, even punishment, not this.

He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He looked away from Bryllint to see the huge Guardian gazing at him, golden eyes boring through him. She saw him completely. He knew there was no hiding from her, and oddly, he felt no need to. He saw only understanding in her eyes, even acceptance.

How was that possible?

Bryllint stepped back and dropped her hands to her sides, inclining her head to him. Then she returned to her seat beside Gran Bryl.

Lisle nudged him with her elbow. “T…T…Tell them.”

Nerves strung tight, he was startled by the sudden elbow in his ribs and jumped, then blurted out, “He’s awake. My Guardian, Fal. He’s back.”

Gran Bryl gazed down at him, then arched her neck and head  to the side looking at Bryllint.

Bryllint tilted her chin up, head canted sideways toward Gran Bryl, as if listening to something Tim could not hear. Then she spoke. “Thank you. Gran Bryl is aware of this. Can you bring him here?”

Tim felt his eyebrows lift upward, eyes wide, he shook his head rapidly in the negative and took an inadvertent step backward. “No, no, he won’t come. He’d never enter Guardian Cavern.”

“You must try to bring him here. You and Fal must undergo the Ritual of the One.”

Tim was appalled at the pleading tone in Bryllint’s voice. He’d never be able to get Fal to come to Guardian Cavern. He’d never been able to get Fal to do anything that wasn’t his own idea.

“We must be ready for the Day of Rising. The Balance must be restored. Gaea needs you. We all need you,” continued Bryllint.

Tim had no idea what she was talking about. What Balance? Why did Gaea need them? What was this Ritual of the One? This Day of Rising? How was he supposed to get Fal to go anywhere? Just when he thought that everything was going to be alright, it had all come crashing down. Feelings of hopelessness flooded up within him.

Tim dropped his eyes to the floor, his shoulders sagging. “I won’t be able to do it.” He stood, waiting for something, anything that might make this better. Then he heard Bryllint sigh out a reply,

“You must try.”

Clearly this was beyond his understanding. What he did understand was that he would fail, but he also realized there was nothing else for it but that he try. He nodded his head glumly, turned and shuffled his way out of the cavern. He didn’t dare look at Lisle for fear he might break down.

Once through the entrance to the cavern and out of sight around a curve of the tunnel, he broke into a run. Outside he scrambled down the mountainside, heedless of the dangerous footing, tripping and sliding over the loose scree covering the ground. He wanted only to be with Fal, back in the safety of their cave. What he would do when he got there, and how he would convince Fal to go to Guardian Cavern, he had no idea.   
 
​

Lisle reclined on the mountainside looking up into cottony clouds which covered the sky. A warm breeze, redolent with summer’s waning, wafted errant strands of hair about her face and she brushed them aside absently. She was transfixed by the clouds, imagining them to be a herd of many humped, snowy beasts with slate grey underbellies, drifting in stately progress from horizon to horizon. The image was appealing and she pointed them out to Moss who squatted like a delicate, winged water hopper upon Lisle’s bent knee. She laughed and pointed at a cloud shaped exactly like a puller beast elbowing Tim who sat beside her, long legs stretched before him as he leaned back on his hands.

Tim had joined Lisle on the mountainside several times over the past weeks, and even Moss was getting used to him.  Lisle discovered that she enjoyed his undemanding company. It provided her with a break from the intensive training she was doing with Bryllint and now Deloren. 

Feeling relaxed, Lisle tried to put the image of the cloud beasts into words so Tim and Moss could see what she was seeing. To her frustration, the words stuck in her throat and her tongue tangled in her mouth.

With a huff, she sat up irritably. Moss leapt into the air and hovered in front of Lisle's face, hands on her hips, wings buzzing loudly and chattered at her. Lisle inclined her head in apology and  hummed a single note. Then she added in a word, then more notes which became a song, and the words she wanted to say flowed out of her mouth with the song. Tim turned to look at her, eyebrows raised. Moss clapped her hands and chittered in a high, happy staccato. Lisle looked at them both, suddenly feeling shy and ducking her head.

“That was good Lisle. You can say what you want like that.”

Lisle looked up at Tim and nodded, feeling relieved that he understood her unusual solution to the problem that had plagued her for so long.

She saw his face take on an uncertain expression, eyebrows furrowing, as he looked away then and picked up a pebble from the ground beside him. He tossed it back and forth between his hands.

“Lisle, I want to tell you something.”

Tim looked so serious all of a sudden that Lisle sat up, forgetting about the animals in the clouds and looked at him. Anxiety pricked its way into her insides.

“My Guardian, Fal… he’s awake.”

Lisle drew in a sharp breath.

Tim dropped the pebble and turned pleading, pale green eyes to look at her. “I know he’s done terrible things, and…” Tim turned his gaze away from her and looked out at the horizon. He was silent for a moment. “and, me too.” He said in a whisper. Then the words poured out of him all in a rush. “He’s different now. I know he is. I am too. He loves me Lisle, I can tell. He’s not angry anymore, he just feels ashamed, and so do I, and he’s not going to hurt Ell again, I’m just sure of it. I love him so much…” His words ran down and his eyes followed, looking away from her face and down at the pebbled mountainside before him. He scuffed at the dirt with his fingers, picked up another pebble and threw it, hard. They both watched as it bounced and clicked its way down the incline. Then Lisle turned to look at Tim once again. The sunlight shone off dark curls straggling over his forehead, and he glanced at her out of the side of his eye, and quickly looked down again.

She had no idea how to respond. The dark Guardian was awake, Fal, Ell’s brother, who had almost killed Ell. The terrible image of him attacking Ell, shocking in its intensity, filled her inner vision. She felt anger and fear roiling up inside. Then she remembered the dancing blue light, bouncing along the Pathways, and shook her head back and forth. How was she to reconcile the two images?

Her thoughts took a turn then, and she remembered Bryllint saying, “There must be at least twelve Guardians to hold the balance, never less.”

Twelve Guardians, she thought. There had been ten Guardians living in Guardian Mountain. Now, Ell made number eleven. Fal is the only other Guardian that anyone has ever spoken of. Fal is the twelfth Guardian! 

As much as Lisle didn’t want it to be true, they needed Fal. She realized that even when she and Ell accomplished the Ritual of the One, they would only be the eleventh pair. Not enough for the Day of Rising. Not enough to create balance. Without Fal and Tim they would fail. Gaea would fall into the darkness of The Others. An involuntary shiver traced icy fingers up her spine as she thought of the spreading darkness she had felt on the Pathways. She couldn’t let that happen.

  “You, you can’t really forgive him… or me, can you?” Said Tim.

Lisle leapt to her feet and reached down for Tim’s hand, yanking him upward. He stood, looking at her uncertainly.

“C…C…Come on!” Lisle took off for the tunnel entrance to Guardian Mountain, pulling him along behind her. She heard a loud chittering, as Moss, not one to be left behind, caught up, wings buzzing beside Lisle’s ear.

Lisle tore through the mouth of the tunnel, holding hard to Tim’s hand and not allowing him to stop even when he shied backward at the entrance. They raced down the tunnel, finally skidding to a halt at the entrance of Guardian Cavern. Lisle dropped Tim’s hand as they both bent over, gasping for breath. Lisle was the first to recover as Moss alighted upon her shoulder. She looked up to see Gran Bryl stretched along the ridge at the side of the great cavern, yellow-green scales shining in the sunlight pouring through from the crater above. It sparkled over the walls of the cavern in thousands of flashing pinpoints of light. Lisle looked for Bryllint and was relieved to see her there, sitting at Gran Bryl’s side, her hand resting upon one huge foreleg. Her graying hair was pulled back into a knot at the nape of her neck and a welcoming smile creased her lined face. The air in the cavern wafted about them with the clean mineral scent of fresh-turned earth. The temperature was considerably cooler than outside.

Lisle heard a gasp from beside her and looked to see Tim, green eyes wide and staring, frozen like a creeper about to become a meal for some predatory creature.

She reached again for his hand. “It’s a…alright.” Lisle felt him resisting even as she walked forward so she stopped and pulled him up beside her. She looked up at him where he stood considerably taller than herself, and tried to reassure him with a smile. He looked back at her with fear-filled eyes. Then he clenched his jaw and gave a little nod as if to acquiesce to his fate. His fingers tightened convulsively on Lisle’s and they walked forward together to stand before Gran Bryl.

Tim plunked himself down beside Fal, wincing as his tail bone came into sharp contact with the hard stone of the cave floor. Hands braced on either side of his hips, he eased his position and looked at the still form of his Guardian. He saw mostly dark curves outlined against the lighter walls of the cave. “Fal?“ Tim knew he would get no reply, but still he hoped this day might be different from all the days before. He pulled his worn jacket close about a slender torso. The sleeves were short on him now, not quite reaching his wrists. Back when it belonged to his older brother, the sleeves reached down below Tim’s fingertips. That time seemed long ago, and his mind shied away from thoughts of his mocking older brother.
​
A single morning flyer sounded a strident call, carried on an errant breeze which snuck into the cave. The leaves on the trees near the cave mouth, waved and fluttered, their movement creating a shushing sound as if remonstrating the flyer and its harsh noise.

Tim felt his belly growl. He knew he should get up and attend to a meal. Still he sat beside Fal, staring at his Guardian lying curled, silent, eyes closed, long, darkly ridged tail curving about him, narrow jaw resting upon his scaled forelegs.

Just then, the sun dared a single streak of light through the mouth of the cave, shining across Fal’s shoulder and over his back and spinal ridges. Where it illuminated, Fal’s scales sparkled emerald green, shading to deepest cobalt blue. The rest of him looked black in the shadows of the cave.

Gone was the fearsome beast so many knew as the Fallen. In its place was this stunningly beautiful creature, so unmoving it might have been carved from purest crystal. Even Fal’s smell had changed, mused Tim. He inhaled the almost floral, spicy scent that exuded from Fal’s warm sides and thought how different that was from the combined odor of spice and rotted meat that accompanied Fal in the past. Tim preferred this new scent, though he’d take the other if only Fal would wake up.

Tim sighed with longing.  He watched the gradual movement of sunlight sparkling across Fal’s back and felt admiration, no, adoration, a feeling that welled up within him. He loved Fal with all his heart, though he didn’t know why. Fal had not been kind to him. Worse, Fal had convinced him to do bad things. And worst of all, Tim had no idea how to bring Fal back from wherever he had gone. The thought twisted his gut painfully.

Knowing it would not wake Fal, Tim leaned forward from where he sat, resting his forehead against Fal’s. He would never have attempted this were Fal awake, but now, what difference did it make? The contact was comforting to Tim and he allowed himself this small familiarity, leaning close and resting his hands on the dusty cave floor.

Tim closed his eyes, breathing deeply, his nostrils filling with Fal’s warm, sharp scent, and he rested. He heard the slow, whooshing of air, in and out, and felt Fal’s hot breath warming his stomach where he leaned over his Guardian’s muzzle. Tim hadn’t intended to stay long like that, but instead of a brief contact before getting up to make his meal, he fell into a deep sleep.

Tim was frightened when his eyes opened to what seemed an infinite void of blackness. Then he realized he was surrounded by points of colored light. He looked deeper and saw that pearly strands of white formed a web connecting the flickering, dancing lights. Close to him was a beautiful, dark blue pulsing light that bounced slowly up and down.

Tim knew, and had no idea how he knew, that this was his Guardian, Fal. His heart almost exploded within him at the thought, except that when he looked down, he realized that he too was just light, a sparkling aqua blue. His light pulsed, looking like a tiny, blue sun. He felt as though he might burst with joy as love flooded out of him and surrounded his Guardian with iridescent rainbow rays. Fal’s light pulse brighter and brighter still. Tim felt warmth and happiness radiate from his Guardian, as Fal’s light danced up and down before him.

Suddenly, Tim felt himself surrounded and filled with energy that pulsed with love, appreciation and gratitude such as he had never known. He was astounded to realize that Fal loved him, loved him deeply. Surely Tim’s heart would explode now. It was all he had ever wanted. Tim felt whole and complete and he wanted to stay there forever.

He felt a gentle push upon his forehead and Tim opened physical eyes on a physical world. Disappointed and awkward with it, he pushed himself up and back, away from Fal. Fal’s enormous golden eyes were open and staring right at him. But instead of the cold rebuff he might have expected, Fal looked at him softly, eyelids closed just slightly, relaxed and accepting. Tim saw love in those eyes, that tingled upward through his body, from his toes, expanding through his chest and right out the top of his head. Gradually, Tim felt replete with that love, so nourishing it filled his heart and belly too. He felt as though he was filled completely and might never need to eat again.

Then the odd thought came, as they will, and he realized that if he never ate again, he’d miss his porridge too much. This struck him as terribly funny. Maybe it was the strain of the weeks of not knowing. Maybe it was the joy of finding Fal again. Maybe it was the amazing discovery that Fal loved him. Whatever it was, he started chuckling. The joy and love he felt inside bubbled up within him and he laughed out loud. A guffawing belly laugh that carried him forward as without thought he threw his arms about Fal’s neck and laughed until he cried, tears streaming down his cheeks to drip over Fal’s neck as it curved about him in a Guardian’s hug.

He started to sob then. He couldn’t help it. Great wracking sobs consumed him. He cried for himself and the things he had done, the hatred he had carried in his heart. He cried for Fal, the pain and regret he felt within him. He cried for the pain that together they had caused others. Then he was crying for the relief of forgiveness and found love. It all poured out of him, and all the while Fal held him.

Gradually the sobs gave way to great shuddering breaths. As those finally calmed, Tim swiped at his cheeks, pushing himself back. He took in a tremulous breath and looked at Fal incredulously.

His Guardian gazed back at him, golden eyes warm, huge scaled body still, brow ridges laid back against his skull in relaxation.

“Fal.” It was all Tim could give voice to, yet that single utterance carried everything that overflowed from his heart, as his watery eyes beheld his Guardian before him.

He breathed steadily for several moments, watching Fal shift one powerful foreleg and then another, claws scraping the cave floor, levering himself up to a sitting position before Tim.

“You’re back,” said Tim in wonder. His head tilted slightly and his eyes crinkled with the smile that curved his lips. “You’re back,” and relief poured through him, the sensation bubbling and tickling through his body. The feeling of it made Tim giggle boyishly, until he remembered himself and chortled in what he thought of as a manly guffaw. Then he released all inhibition and threw himself upward at Fal, arms attempting to snug about his Guardian’s neck, but succeeding only in reaching up to his shoulders.

In the eternity of that precious moment, Fal curved his long neck into a hug about his boy’s side and back, holding on to his life line.

Lisle raced to the cave of the healing pool, knowing Ell was there. She caught the edge of the rough stone entry with her extended hand, catapulting herself into the room. “Ell! Ell!” Ell lifted her shining head, steaming water dripping from narrow, scaled jaws, even as the rest of her reclined in the sulphurous waters, her eyes half-closed in relaxation. Lisle knelt at the side of the pool and threw tanned young arms about Ell’s slender neck, hugging her close. Then in a trembling, sweet voice, she sang to Ell of her amazing discovery, making up the tune as she went along. The words flowed, bubbling joyously out of her like the bubbling pool before her. She felt Ell’s love surround her and leaned against her, resting her head against the heat of Ell’s nape.

She didn’t know how long they stayed like that. Ell seemed to be content to stay with her as long as she chose, but her knees started to get sore and she released her hold and stood up abruptly. Ell blinked lazy, golden eyes at her.

Lisle needed to move. The excitement wouldn’t let her be still any longer. She bent over and kissed Ell’s nose, then turned and skipped out into the hallway. Her feet took her in the direction of the kitchen, maybe Terris was there.

Moss flitted up the tunnel toward her, chittering musically.

“Day of the One Moss!” Sang Lisle.

Moss turned and winged beside her as Lisle kept skipping, not stopping for conversation.

She heard voices from the kitchen even before she reached the doorway. Gareth was there. She heard his low rumble and an answering guffaw from Terris. Lisle happily skipped into their midst to see an aproned Terris up to his elbows in flour and sticky dough, while Gareth lounged against the side of the table, gesturing with his hands, obviously illustrating some tale he was telling Terris.

Moss zipped to Terris’ shoulder and looked with interest at the bread dough.

“Now you wait up there, Moss. It ain’t baked yet and you’ll jess get yerself all stuck up like last time,” Terris said around a laugh.

Gareth chuckled and looked up at Lisle as she skidded to a stop. “You look pleased with yourself.”

Lisle grinned, took a deep breath and sang, “I’m to be Ell’s Hands and Voice, and I can do it just about fine!”

Gareth tilted his head, eyes smiling. “Why you can at that.”

Terris gave the beige lump before him a resounding slap. “Well Younger! I see you gots a new way of oratin’. We’ll be expectin’ some good stories out a’ you.”

Lisle’s head jerked back and she blinked her eyes rapidly. She took several deep breaths and relaxed as a feeling of determination welled up inside.  She would be Ell’s Voice.
 
*****
Gran Bryl would have laughed if her dragon body could have done such a thing. It didn’t matter, she long ago came to accept the limitations of the physical. It didn’t limit her enjoyment. She felt Ell’s happiness as if it were her own, and reveled in it. Then she thought back to her son bouncing delightedly along the Pathways of the One. Thank you my One, for your countless blessings. What she hoped and prayed for, had happened. Fal had come back to the One. Ell’s sacrifice made that possible. Gran Bryl sent a heartfelt thought of gratitude to her youngest, as she felt hope awaken within her.

The Gran Eldress adjusted her great bulk to better expose her aching hind joints to the warm shaft of sunlight flowing through the cavern opening high above her, and her thoughts took another turn. It is time. Ell is almost fully healed. Her abilities as a Guardian have grown tremendously. Even with the little training that I’ve been able to give her in her recovery, she is showing great promise.  

The sun gradually moved, the slanting warmth shifting and Gran Bryl moved her hips and tail with a heaving effort to follow it. Her thoughts shifted with the sun.  Ell’s Contracted, is unsure of herself, fearful of her new responsibilities. Yet, Gran Bryl knew that Lisle longed with all her heart to be Voice and Hands for Ell. That was enough. Lisle needed more training before she would be ready to go out into the world as a Voice of the One. I will make sure she gets what she needs. Gran Bryl took a deep, trembling  breath, feeling the sun-warmed air stirring the dampened fires inside her. 

A deep groan rumbled through her chest as she had the thought, not for the first time, that even when Ell and Lisle underwent the Ritual of the One, it would not be enough. She felt that rising seedling of hope within her shiver.  With Ell and Lisle, the Guardians and their Contracted’s would make eleven pairs, not enough to tip the balance of Gaea to the light and allow the Day of Rising. The shadow of the Others grew in the Pathways. Soon, the Guardians would not be able to hold the darkness back and it would swallow Gaea whole. Then it would move on to the next world and the next after that. Already the insidious influence of the Others spread among the humans of Gaea as greed, anger, fear and jealousy forced the humans apart, creating divisions in their communities and their families.  It lured the humans out of the light and into darkness, away from the One.

The Great Council of the One placed the Guardians on Gaea to hold the light and prevent that from happening. But without the twelfth Guardian and his Contracted they would fail. Gaea would be lost, and they would have to start over again, in new bodies, on another world. A shiver ran the length of Gran Bryl’s spine at the thought. Show me the way, my One, she prayed. Show me how to bring Fal back to us, back to your service. 

Ell could feel her Contracted’s roiling emotions from where she floated. Her rapidly healing body was submerged in the steaming, bubbling waters of Guardian Mountain, even as her essence drifted peacefully along the Pathways of the One. Ell was able to maintain a multi-level awareness now. A new skill for her, which she practiced daily since Gran Bryl had taught her the technique. She was fully cognizant of her physical body in one dimensional reality, her light body on another, and her Contracted’s whereabouts, all at the same time. She was quite proud of herself. So, it was with both pleasure because of her awareness, and dismay at her Contracted’s emotional state of upheaval, that she awaited Lisle’s arrival. She had no doubt that Lisle would find her easily. Lisle had perfected that skill long ago.
​
Lisle burst into the cavern all out of breath. She slid to a stop beside the pool and threw herself down at Ell’s side. Ell lifted her head, steam wafting up to tickle along her jaw line before it evaporated in the hot, muggy air above the pool. She felt the hot water run in comforting rivulets down her neck. She was so accustomed to the odor of it that she no longer noticed the eggy smell, though from the way Lisle wrinkled her nose as she bent close to Ell’s head, her Contracted was not so immune.

Ell’s heart swelled in her chest as she leaned her head close, bending her neck in what she knew was a graceful pose, and touched Lisle’s forehead with her own. She was aware of the growing beauty of her physical presentation and it pleased her in a distant sort of way. Her light body was so much more real to her and so very much more beautiful, that its physical home didn’t concern Ell particularly. Though she did appreciate how quickly this body was healing.

Ell’s tail thrashed in the water of its volition in response to her Contracted’s volatile emotions. She intentionally opened her heart to receive the vibrational upsurge, and listened as Lisle’s anger and fear, the meeting on the mountainside, and the revelation of Fal’s origins all poured out of her, seemingly on one enraged breath.
 
Ell was concerned for Lisle. She was too serious most of the time. Her young life had been filled with so many demands. Where was the laughter and play that a young human ought to have?

Even as Lisle earnestly put her anger and fears into words, Ell spouted bubbles in the air trying to make her laugh. It didn’t work. Instead Lisle reprimanded her for not listening. Ell tucked her chin down and looked at Lisle with big eyes, a parody of chastened dragonhood, while Lisle continued with her tirade. Then Ell started spouting bubbles again. After that, she flipped upside down in the water and stuck her belly up in the air, waggling her tail, making little waves in the pool. She heard Lisle giggle then, despite what Ell knew was her frustration with her Guardian’s undignified activities. Finally, Lisle gave up with a sharply exhaled breath, and just sat beside Ell, running her fingers over Ell’s brow ridges, a slight smile curving her lips.

Lisle was calm now and Ell had something to show her. She lifted her muzzle and looked Lisle in the eyes. Her Contracted acknowledged the familiar invitation and closing her eyes and holding still as Ell tapped her forehead gently with the tip of her muzzle.

They dove together, deep into the sparkling ocean of the One. Deepest blue-black surrounded them. Pinpoints of light filled Ell’s vision. She saw that Lisle shone beside her, a bright, light azure, and knew that her own dark sapphire shone brighter still, guiding Lisle. They glided along the glimmering web of light together, Ell searching for the one she knew would be there.

Ah, she thought, there he is. She saw his radiant light, greys and blacks transformed to a deep blue now, with darkened edges thinning and transmuting to crystal clarity as he bounced along the pathways. He flitted from one spot to another, playfully dancing, never lingering in any one location.

Ell brought Lisle’s attention to the unusual spark of blue through the intensity of her own focus, and allowed Lisle to recognize just who it was they were watching. Lisle’s light flickered, a rapid pulsation from light to dark to light again, as recognition moved from fear and anger into surprise and then curiosity. 

When she felt Lisle was ready, Ell led the way closer to her brother’s light. She knew he was aware of them now, just as he had been aware of her many other attempts to communicate with him since the attack. His glittering deep light stilled for just a moment. Ell felt a rapid succession of impressions from him. She knew that Lisle would feel them too. Shame, regret, a yearning for forgiveness and an inability to forgive himself. Then, beneath it all, a wondering sense of love and a deep reluctance to allow that vulnerability to express through him. Then he danced away from them, off into the eternal depths of the Pathways, not permitting them to come close.

Ell led Lisle away then. Fal wasn’t ready to allow them any closer, and Ell had something else to show her. She was reluctant to place this weight on Lisle’s already burdened shoulders and yet her Contracted needed to understand.

Ell turned and scanned the web that surrounded them on all sides as they traveled rapidly along the strands. Then she could feel it, beneath them and off to the side, the spreading darkness. It obscured the light of the Pathways, and emitted a stench of overwhelming fear. An ominous storm cloud obliterating the light of the One, leaving only that swirling mass of blackness. It was the Others, those who sought to tip the balance of light toward darkness on Gaea. Those who lusted for control and the power it brought them. They were the reason that Guardians took form on Gaea.

Lisle’s small light moved close to Ell’s own, as if hiding from that awful blackness. Ell could see dark tendrils drifting in their direction and she didn’t linger. She wanted only to show Lisle the reality of what they faced. Then, with her intent, she moved them both swiftly away, gliding along the shining strands of the One, back to the light.

The morning was well underway, deep azure sky was visible through the treetops from the mouth of the cave, and bright sunlight dappled through the leaves to play along the floor of the entrance where Tim stood. One hand raked through his sleep tousled curls as he tried to restore some semblance of order there. Tim’s belly growled. He had slept later than usual. He looked behind him to see that Fal still slept, though Tim couldn’t tell if he really did. Often enough in the past he had thought Fal asleep and been startled by the Guardian suddenly roaring and heaving upward, his head twisting about, searching out Tim and freezing him with hard, golden eyes, huge toothed jaws open. Terrified, Tim would race from the cave, never quite knowing what Fal might do next. Apparently, it gave Fal pleasure to frighten him in this way. When Tim dared to creep into the cave several hours later, Fal would ignore him, acting as though nothing was amiss. Fal hadn’t played this little game since returning from the battle with the small Guardian, but Tim was still wary.

This morning, Tim moved quietly out of the cave and loped along his usual trail zig-zagging up the mountainside. It would take him up toward the gaping mouth of an enormous tunnel in the side of Guardian Mountain. This was a place that he had never dared to explore for fear of meeting Guardian’s even less tolerant than Fal. He usually gave the tunnel a wide berth.

His eyes had grown sharp in his time with Fal and he knew the plants whose roots made a palatable stew and the likeliest places to find them. The morning air was fresh with the scent of scrub juniper and forest pine, carried to him on the inevitable winds scouring the mountainside. He bent his head to his search. Scanning the rocky ground, he looked for the telltale signs of lace-like leaves and stubby, thick stems growing from sweet orange roots beneath. He walked for some time until he passed into a thicket of brush. A lilting melody wafting on the breeze arrested his attention. Curious, he moved through the brush and listened intently. High, thin notes wept even as he heard sobs beneath them, and he felt his heart respond, reaching out to the one who suffered.

He moved closer and with a start recognized the girl sitting on a rocky outcropping. He had met her only once before, when they stood on opposite sides of an attack that never should have happened. Halting abruptly, he stood there mute, just looking at her. She wore her brown hair in a single braid down her back and sat with arms holding slender, tanned knees to her chest. Sun sparkled off of the greystone beneath her, and shone from the wet tracks of tears on her cheeks.

Memories of Fal clawing and raking at the beautiful, small Guardian beneath him, raced through Tim’s mind. Feeling ashamed, he was about to turn away.

A tiny, green flyer, lifted into the air from the girl’s shoulder and buzzed right at his face, coming to a stop and hovering before his nose, wings whirring. It made a loud, chittering noise and shook minute fists at him. He took an inadvertent step back and lifted his hands defensively. He had to cross his eyes to get a good look at it. He was amazed to see that it was human in appearance. Angry, slanted eyes in a sharp-chinned green face, drilled through him. His brain searched for a memory and then he hit upon it. Flyer Folk. At any other time he would have been thrilled to meet this creature he’d only heard about in stories, but right now it was anything but friendly. It looked like it was about to attack him.

The girl lifted her head abruptly and looked at him, her song silenced. She made no effort to hide her tear-streaked cheeks and reddened eyes, but stared up at him, a look of recognition in her eyes.

“I…I  k…know you.”

Tim thought about running, surely nothing good could come of this, but something held him there. He kept his eyes on the angry flyer and scuffed the toe of his boot on the gravelly earth. “Uh-huh,” he said.

The girl leapt to her feet, brown eyes snapping. “You! Where is that… that creature who is no kind of Guardian?”  She planted her hands on her hips, elbows bent like the mantling wings of an enraged Guardian.

Tim brought his hands up palms out, as if to placate her and maybe fend them both off.

“He’s not here, and…and…I’m sorry.”

“Sorry! It ripped her to shreds! She almost died!”

The little flyer emphasized those words with a burst of chattering sound and made a lunge at his face.

He took a step back, hands up in front of his face.  “I know. I know. I’m sorry. He won’t hurt her again.” One help me, I hope he won’t, he thought.

Chancing a look away from the aggressive flyer, Tim glanced at the girl’s reddened cheeks and swollen eyes.

“Is that why you’re crying?” His eyes shifted uneasily back to the flyer whirring before him.

“What?” The girl scrubbed at her cheeks with both hands. “No!”

“Is the Guardian healed?”

“Y…yes, not that you d…did anything to h…help her.”

“I did… I…I tried to stop him.” The hovering green flyer backed off a little, still chittering but more quietly now, the tone almost questioning. Figuring it would be better to show how peaceable he was, Tim dared to lower his hands and clasp them behind his back.

The girl stared at him, her lips twisting up like she was going to cry again.

“One knows, I didn’t want that to happen.”

Expressionless now, she studied him.

He looked at her hopefully. “My name’s, Tim.”

She glared, then shrugged her shoulders, eyes rolling as she canted her head back. The flyer left him and buzzed back to the girl’s shoulder, landing gently and lifting a miniature green hand to rest against the girl’s pale-skinned neck.

Tim grunted and tucked his chin, looking away. Of course, she would hate him.

He heard her let out a sharp, huffing breath. “L…Lisle.”

His eyes darted back to her face, the corners of his mouth daring a smile. She wasn’t quite looking at him, her eyes hovering somewhere to the left of his face. Figuring this was an improvement, he decided he wouldn’t try for further conversation. He gave her an opened handed wave and started back the way he had come, his feet moving easily over the rocky ground. He felt lighter knowing the small Guardian was alright. Then a surprising thought occurred to him, maybe Lisle could be a friend. I’d like a friend. He looked back over his shoulder to see her watching him, her staunch companion staring at him intently. Not too sure about that little green flyer though. His hand lifted in acknowledgment, and unable to stop himself, his lips split into a grin. An uncomfortable gurgling resounded in his belly. Still hungry, he thought, and bent his head to the task of filling his stomach. 
 
 
 
 
 

At first Fal hid within the familiar darkness, dreading the arrival of the voices that haunted him. He waited, resting in the gloom. It felt good to rest. The terrible hunger for more, more power, more domination, more control, was absent. Like a body part cut off, he kept expecting it to be there, but there was only a frozen empty space inside where there should have been burning need. It was oddly restful.

Over time, Fal accepted that icy cave within. He felt a growing curiosity and chose to enter the void and explore. The voices were silent still, seemingly allowing him this.

He floated in blue space, surrounded on all sides by frozen, translucent perfection. He felt calm and content just to be there. Gradually, his attention was drawn by a slight movement, just visible within the blue ice that was before him. He looked deep and saw a face. It was Wufn, the man who raised and abused him. The man who died for him. Then another face, the Hunter, a man whom he never met in the flesh, but who also died because of him, even as the Hunter himself was an instrument of death. Then many other faces of those who had feared him, those who revered, obeyed and died for him. He saw his boy, Tim, cringing before him, and he saw himself, raging, mindless, obsessed. Surrounding the faces and visions in the ice were countless beasts, pullers, runners, rooters, even hoppers all watching him. He knew without knowing how he knew, that these were the creatures he had hunted, unwilling and tormented they died a death unsanctified, a death for his pleasure.

Emotions long frozen trickled through cracks that appeared in the ice all around him. He felt scalding droplets where they landed hot and painful within him.  

Now another face, the girl and the faces of her companions, wandering deep within the ice then turning to look at him, one by one. He saw terror and anger in their faces. He saw the Guardian, Ell, in all her beauty, wings stretched outward, graceful neck curved, and glorious golden eyes caressing him, knowing him; and even knowing all he was, she loved him.

It was too much, the cracks in the walls split wide open and he was drowning in a flood of shame and soul-deep regret.

The flood bore him up and out of that inner space, and he floated once again in the comforting darkness. Now, surely the voices would take him and he would be lost within that roiling greed. But no voices came, and the dark held him. He was reminded of the feeling he knew before hatching, curled within his shell, safe, warm and cared for. The memory was so strong, he almost felt that delicate protection surrounding him, could nearly see the translucent green light filtering through. He felt once again what it was like to be an unhatched Guardian of the One, the unwavering trust, the sure knowledge of his place on the Pathways and the deep understanding of his purpose. He wanted that again, with all that was within him.

Fal made his choice, he closed his inner eyes and fell into the eternal embrace of the One.

When once again he became aware of himself, he opened inner eyes to see darkness surrounding him. It was lit with dim pathways of white light, just barely perceptible. With joy, he recognized the Pathways of the One. It had been so long since he had turned his back on the One, he didn’t deserve this. Still, Fal dove deep and the Pathways grew brighter.

It was the outer world that was a shadow to him now, the only reality for Fal was here, tracing the Pathways. Here was freedom. The voices no longer haunted him. The void of the One so dark before, was now filled with light. He reveled in his liberty and wanted nothing more than to stay, a sparkling point of light moving, exploring, playing among countless other sparks.

Occasionally his mind touched upon a question, and then leapt away again as if from a sharp pain. Did he really deserve such joy? Perhaps not, most assuredly not, but he would accept this delight, allow it and seek more of it. He was a creature of the One again. He had chosen and the One welcomed him.

During the short periods of time in which Fal was aware of the shadow outer world he felt his boy there beside him. Though he never opened his eyes, he felt the devotion of that heart holding him. He wondered how it could be so. Surely, he never earned such devotion. When one night he felt the warm presence of the boy curl up next to him in sleep, he didn’t drive him away as he might have in the past, but allowed that small familiarity. Waking fully, Fal raised his head and curling his neck backward, looked at the boy, seeing his long legs tucked up beneath him, arms clutched about his thin chest. For the first time, Fal thought love to his boy.  Then, with sudden realization, Fal knew peace. Resting his head on the ground beside his boy, his Contracted, he slept.

*****
Tim had no idea how to help Fal. As far as Tim could see Fal needed nothing from him, lost as he was in his inner world. But Tim loved Fal. One only knows why, thought Tim. So, Tim did what he could, which was to watch over his Guardian.

 As the days passed, he left Fal’s cave for only short periods of time. Fal didn’t need to eat but Tim did, and he would scavenge as quickly as possible, bringing what he found back to the cave and resuming his vigil.

When night fell, Tim curled up in the corner of the cave in his usual spot, but the air flowing in from the cave mouth was chilling and Tim’s thin body shivered. The heat radiating off of the Guardian’s scaled hide was irresistible and he dared to move closer to Fal. Tim had tried this in the past and been forced away with a hard thrust of Fal’s powerful tail. But maybe now, when Fal seemed to be so unaware. Maybe just a little bit of warmth, he thought. Walking his hands and knees along the cave floor, Tim quietly crept closer, close enough to rest against Fal’s enormous side. He felt the Guardian’s heat flow into him, soothing his shivering muscles. It was a joy to allow himself such closeness with his Guardian, even for just a few stolen moments. He pillowed his head on the warm surface meaning to move away again before Fal woke. But the deep, wooshing sound of the great Guardian’s breath lulled him to sleep.

He dreamt. He was a small younger held in the warmth of his mother’s arms. The sound of her breathing comforted him as he rested his head against her softly lifting chest. He felt love surround and fill him with a glorious, rose-hued light, and he slept more deeply, more restfully than he had for a very long time.