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.   

“Day of the One Lisle!”
​
Lisle startled awake and blinked sleep-filled eyes open to see Bryllint standing at the doorway of her room. Bryllint was grinning broadly. She held something draped over her arm. Grey on black hair framed her face, falling in straight lines to her shoulders and over her forehead. She held a candle lantern in her hand and the flickering light reflected on Deloren who stood next to her. Deloren rested a hand on Bryllint’s shoulder and a bright-eyed look of delight danced on her smiling face.

“Up you get, this is no time for lying about. Today is your Ritual! You’ve got to get yourself ready and then you’ve got to get Ell ready. Up now!"

Bryllint pushed the curtain aside and stepped through the doorway, followed closely by Deloren. She carefully placed what she held onto Lisle’s lap. Lisle pushed herself upright on her cot, rumpled bed cover wrapped about her waist, and peered down at what Bryllint had brought. It was an olive-green tunic. As she looked more closely, she saw that it was covered in embroidery. Beautiful scallops of red, carmine shading to ruby, sparkled across the fabric in the flickering candlelight. Lisle recognized the colors, the tunic matched Ell, right down to the red tinged edges of her scales. She ran her hand across it, feeling the slight texture of the stitching giving way to the smoothness of fabric.  As she did so, Deloren laid out a deep red ribbon across the tunic.  

“These are our gift to you, Lisle,” said Deloren. “It is the tradition for the Contracted to wear the colors of the Guardian on the day of their Ritual.”

Lisle was overcome and tears welled up in her eyes. “They’re s…so b…beautiful.” Lisle had never owned anything so fine.

“You’ve worked hard to earn your place among us, Lisle. We are all proud of you.” Deloren’s warm brown eyes looked at her with such kindness and love that Lisle could do nothing else but throw her arms around Deloren’s hips as she stood at Lisle’s bedside, and hug her hard.

“Hey, me too!” said Bryllint laughing and joining in the embrace.

After a moment, Deloren released them both. “Lisle, the Ritual is upon you, and you need to get ready. Come on Bryllint, let’s go put on our own finery.”

Deloren and Bryllint left the room arm in arm, and Lisle stared after them, hardly believing what had just happened. Then she leapt from the bed and held the tunic up in front of her, draping the ribbon over her shoulder. She spun about, twirling the tunic with her, and laughing out loud.

“Our Ritual of the One!” Lisle sang out the piping notes. She felt a fluttering in her stomach, part excitement, part nerves. She stopped spinning as she realized that as much as she had anticipated this day, no one had told her what to expect. She had no idea what would happen, except that she would be with Ell. That had to be enough. She and Ell would do this together.
 
Lisle slipped the new tunic on over her shift. It fit her perfectly, draping softly over slender waist and hips.
My Ritual tunic! She giggled at the thought. Now, where did I put my leggings?

Lisle took extra care braiding her wayward, nut brown curls into a semblance of order. Despite her best efforts, wispy tendrils escaped, waving in front of her ears and at the nape of her neck. Huffing out an irritated breath she threaded her fingers through the unfinished braid and pulled it all out. I’ll try it with the ribbon, she thought and reached over to her cot for the soft ribbon that lay there reflecting the candlelight with flickering splashes of carnelian.

Her second try went a little better, and Lisle looked down at herself stroking her hand down the stitching over her torso. Wearing the embroidered tunic and the red ribbon in her hair, she and Ell would match beautifully. She was mesmerized by the candlelight reflecting off the ruby-toned threads. Lisle’s heart felt like it might explode with happiness as tears prickled in her eyes.

Guardian’s scales! I’ll not have red-rimmed eyes at our Ritual. Lisle rubbed the wet out of her eyes. Then with a delighted flourish and a sweep of her arm, she flipped back the curtain at her door and skipped down the hallway. She had to get Ell ready!

She found Ell in the Cavern, reclining upon her usual ledge, eyes closed. Her breath wuffled in and out through delicate nostrils. The sun had not yet risen and only a grey light filtered down into the huge space. Lisle could hear a few of the other Guardian’s moving quietly about, claws rasping on stone surfaces. Most were still asleep.

She tip-toed to Ell’s side.

“Ell!” Her urgent whisper sounded unnaturally loud in the early morning quiet. More quietly then she tried again, “Ell.”
Lisle pushed at Ell’s forearm and her Guardian came awake with a loud snort.

Lisle clapped her hands around Ell’s muzzle in an effort to silence any further outbursts. Just then she heard the loud buzz that heralded Moss’s arrival at Lisle’s shoulder. Still holding Ell’s muzzle between her hands, Lisle looked back and forth between them. Then she hummed softly and sang in her sweet voice, “Today is our Ritual of the One,” ending on a quiet, high note.

Ell reared up, eyes wide. She looked at Lisle distractedly for a moment and then hurriedly got down off the ledge heading straight toward the healing pool.

Lisle stared after Ell, then looked down at her shoulder where Moss sat. Moss raised tiny green hands and made scrubbing motions in the air.

“Oh!” said Lisle, and she left the cavern at a trot, Moss buzzing along beside her. They had work to do.

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 and Healer Deloren stood in Gareth’s small room where he sat on the side of his cot, looking back and forth between them. Lisle could hardly stand still. She clasped her hands behind her and tried to settle herself down. Deloren was going to teach her the healing technique that she did with her hands. Lisle had seen Deloren use this healing method a number of times and was thrilled to be learning it now.

Her thoughts tumbled over each other in her excitement.  As Ell’s Hand, Lisle would need healing skills to aid those who needed her. She would be like Healer Deloren. Not only that, but as Ell’s Voice, she was learning all that Bryllint could teach her about the Book of One and the history of Gaea and the Guardians. It was all so exciting! Happiness bubbled up inside and Lisle started to bounce up and down on her toes.

Deloren looked at her, her lips curving upward and dimples appearing in her cheeks. Then she turned her attention to Gareth. “Gareth, thank you for agreeing to help with Lisle’s initiation.”

Gareth’s smiled in response. A smile which widened considerably when his attention was caught by the movement of Lisle’s anticipatory bouncing.

“Gareth?” Deloren drew his eyes back to her own. “Remember how I held my hands over your leg and it felt warm?” Deloren demonstrated by holding her hands, palms down, just above his leg.

“I remember. Eased the pain. Made all the difference.”

“Just so. The body utilizes the energy according to it’s need.” Deloren turned to Lisle. “Lisle please hold out your hands, palms up.”

Lisle managed to stop bouncing and did so, looking up at Deloren to see what she would do next. Deloren took several deep breaths. Lisle could feel the stillness that radiated from Deloren. Without conscious intention, Lisle mirrored her and took several deep, calming breaths.

Deloren’s smooth alto filled the room around them. “Thank you my One, for the Blessing of Healing given long ago. Thank you now, for bestowing this Blessing upon your daughter, Lisle, that she may serve as healer for those in need.” Then Deloren lifted a hand and drew a circular pattern with her first finger in the air before her. She made the same motions again, drawing the circles on the palms of each of her own hands. When she was complete, she gently took hold of Lisle’s hands one at a time, and drew the pattern with her finger in the same manner on Lisle’s palms.

Deloren released Lisle’s hands and looked into her eyes. Lisle felt like she dove into a vast lake of sapphirine blue as Deloren’s eyes enfolded her in a loving embrace. Mesmerized Lisle didn’t respond when Deloren instructed her to place her hands in the air just above Gareth’s leg.

Deloren’s lips twitched, and she repeated her instruction. Lisle looked at Gareth shyly, then ducked her head and held her hands above his leg.

“Gareth, would you show Lisle the location of the wound on your leg?”

Gareth pointed to his thigh and Lisle moved her hands over the area he indicated. As she did so, Deloren placed her own hands above Lisle’s, just barely touching the backs of Lisle’s hands. The healer stood quietly, eyes closed. Lisle closed her eyes in response and wondered what would happen. Would she feel anything?  Her question was soon answered as she felt Deloren’s hands rapidly heat up. Lisle could feel her own hands tingling and pulsing with warmth. Deloren moved her hands away. Lisle felt increasing heat now radiate from her own palms. Her hands felt burning hot. Could that be right?

She opened her eyes and looked to Deloren for assurance, even as Lisle still held her hands in position above Gareth’s leg. Deloren smiled and nodded assent.

“That’s warm,” said Gareth. “as warm as Deloren does it, Lisle.”

Lisle looked at her hands, expecting to see them reddened and burned. But they looked perfectly normal, despite the fiery heat that radiated from them.

“The channel is open Lisle, and you can do this on your own now. Practice as often as you can, on yourself and others.”

“C…can I d…d…do this for Ell?”

“Yes, it will be very good for her. And once you and Ell have undergone the Ritual of the One, you will be able to channel this healing energy even more strongly through her, as her Hand.”

Lisle felt the heat leave her hands and she dropped them to her sides and moved away from Gareth.

Gareth looked back and forth between Deloren and Lisle, “Is that all I get today?”

Deloren chuckled, “Now you’re just being greedy. I’ve seen you traipsing all over the tunnels without even a stick for support. You hardly need healing energy anymore.”

Gareth grinned and winked at her. Then he groaned and grabbed at his leg. “Oh, the pain! Ow, it’s terrible!”

“Get on with you.” Deloren cuffed him on the shoulder. “Come on Lisle, we’ve real injuries to attend to.”

“Ta!” Said Gareth to their retreating backs.

Out in the tunnelway Lisle turned to Deloren. “W…we do?”

“No, but we can’t let him think he’s our only one, now can we? Besides we’ve gathering to do.”

“G….gathering!” Lisle skipped ahead down the tunnel to get her pack and waved at her teacher as Deloren took a different turn to pick up her gathering supplies.

“Meet you at the Mouth,” said Deloren.

Having grabbed her pack and a warm outer layer, Lisle raced out the tunnelway and waited at the entrance leading to Guardian Cavern for Healer Deloren. She shivered as the early morning chill seeped through even the outer layer she had pulled on, and gazed out over the mountainside, out to the horizon, way off in the misty distance. Lisle felt her gut tingling in a happy way. This morning is filled with wonderful things, she thought, as she took a deep breath of the fresh morning air. First the initiation and now we’re to hunt medicinal herbs for making a healing balm for Ell. Deloren told her yesterday that dragon skin required the healing herbs that grew in the grey stone outcroppings surrounding the base of Guardian Mountain. It was best to harvest the herbs in the early morning. That’s where they were going now.

Lisle clasped her arms, slapping her hands against her upper arms, and walked from one side of the tunnel and back again. A fall chill was in the air this morning, marking the time for the Ritual of the One almost upon them. She felt her stomach give a lurch. She had so much to learn and so little time to learn it.

Deloren sauntered along the tunnel toward her, a smile playing about her lips. “Ready Lisle?”

Her calm, friendly manner put Lisle right at ease, and she skipped up to Deloren, abandoning worry. As they walked out together into the early morning mist, Lisle saw the sun, a flat, white disk that would soon burn off the mists leaving the day so bright she’d need the hat she had stuffed into her pack.  As she skipped along beside Deloren, Lisle’s thoughts ranged ahead to where they would gather the herbs. Then they would take them back to the kitchen to make into balm for Ell. Perhaps Terris would have something nice for them to munch on while they worked.

A familiar, loud buzzing caught her attention and she looked at her shoulder knowing she would see Moss settling onto her accustomed seat atop her pack.

“D..Day of the One M…Moss.”  

Moss reached up an arm, burnished spring bright green by the strengthening sun and patted Lisle’s neck.

“Thank you for joining us Moss. You’ve a sharp eye for the herbs and we’ll welcome your help,” said Deloren.

Moss chittered in response, her sharp-chinned face looking forward eagerly.

They settled into a rhythm, hiking down the stony mountain path and Lisle’s mind filled with thoughts about healing herbs, and making them into poultices, balms and teas. She thought about how she was now initiated into energy healing and how she could help Ell and others who might need her. A new feeling arose within her. It started slowly in her heart, a gradual expansion and a growing excitement. Maybe she was more than she had been. Maybe she was someone who could make a difference.

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.

Lisle looked over her shoulder longingly in the direction she knew would lead to her Guardian. She would have to wait to tell Ell of her experience on the mountainside. Resolutely, she turned her head forward even as her feet continued to follow Bryllint. Gran Bryl’s Contracted had accosted Lisle in the tunnelway on her way to find Ell. Her abrupt, “Follow me,” allowed no possibility of argument from Lisle. It was well past midday and their accustomed time for teaching, so Lisle shrugged and followed her to the teaching room.

Once settled in her usual seat, Lisle was quickly caught up in listening to Bryllint’s resonant voice as it filled the room. She enjoyed watching Bryllint draw in the air with her hands as she illustrated her teaching.  Bryllint’s energy was such that she paced the greystone floor from one side of the teaching space to the other, her enthusiasm spilling over into Lisle.

Lisle wondered that she could keep up that level of energy, as old as she must be. She didn’t know how old, but the lines on Bryllint’s face told of many changes lived. The soft grey of the hair framing her face, confirmed it. Even so, when Bryllint taught she practically bounced around the room.

Lisle focused her wandering thoughts and listened to Bryllint. She was talking about a Guardian and her Contracted, saying they were two aspects of the same soul. Lisle blinked her eyes. She was astounded by this idea. How could she possibly be good enough to share a soul with Ell? Lisle wanted to object, and yet a tiny voice inside said, wait. So, Lisle held her mind still for a moment as Bryllint explained further.

She said that Guardian’s hold the high-level energy needed to balance light and dark for their Mother world, Gaea. Lisle’s mind hared off again, musing on the fact that she had always thought of their home as Mother. That was what was taught in the Book of One. It was the way Ma-Marn had spoken of their world, sitting at her loom before the fire during the cold of winter, with Mina and Lisle curled up in blankets on the floor beside her, listening. But Ma-Marn had never spoken the name, Gaea. Nor had she taught that Mother home was a being, just as Lisle herself was. Yet that was what Bryllint was saying right now. Well, maybe not a person like Lisle, but so much more than grey rock, trees and dirt. Gaea was alive.

Lisle felt excitement surge through her at this thought. She knew deep within that it was true. Hadn’t she felt that aliveness all around her? Hadn’t Gaea’s music comforted her when she wept? Lisle could hear that music even now. She knew Gaea, though she had never known her name.

“Lisle?”

Lisle snapped her eyes back to Bryllint, who gazed at her with amusement as she stood before her, hands on her hips. Then her hands leapt up to gesture again and she continued. “As I was saying, Guardian’s hold the balance of light and dark for our Mother, Gaea. There must be at least twelve Guardians to hold the balance, never less. In the past there were many more. But the Guardian wars….”

Bryllint’s voice ran down, bright, black-brown eyes dimmed, and her face fell as she suddenly looked old, cheeks sagging downward. She sank down on the floor in front of Lisle and looked down at her hands. Her voice hushed and she spoke in a whisper, the words almost too terrible to say aloud.  “Guardian killing Guardian.”

Lisle’s brow furrowed. “Wh…Why?”

Bryllint heaved a deep breath in and sighed it out. She lifted her head, her eyes shining and wet. “The Others.”

Lisle studied Bryllint’s face as if she could read the answer there in the wrinkles at the corners of her mouth and eyes, the gleam of light on tear-filled eyes.

Bryllint continued, her voice low, seemingly reluctant to say the words. “They hide in the dark of the Pathways, insatiable in their desire for power and control. They have no bodies in which to live in this world. They are powerless, so they insinuate themselves into the thoughts of humans and even Guardians. Worst is that their words sound like our own thoughts, thoughts of fear, hatred, anger, greed and jealousy.”

Lisle was struck with understanding. “Th..The Dark G…G…Guardian?”

“Yes. There's no doubt he is a victim of their manipulations.”

Uncharacteristically, Bryllint was silent after that, looking again at her hands, studying work worn palms.

Lisle waited. She could feel Bryllint’s need to work through what she needed to say.

Bryllint took a deep breath,  still staring at her hands, then held them out towards Lisle. “I carried his egg in my hands, just as I did Ell’s.” She swallowed with a gulping sound, and the tears fell now, running down into the furrows of Bryllint’s cheeks. She made no move to brush them away. Her hands dropped into her lap. “He was Bryll’s own, even as Ell is.”

Lisle was shocked, horrified. Her breath came in short gasps. It was too terrible to absorb.

“He tried to k…kill his own f…family?”

Bryllint took a deep breath and nodded as she exhaled. “He didn’t know that the thoughts which goaded him into such a crime were not his own. He didn’t understand that he served their dark purpose.”

“How could he?” Lisle leapt to her feet and ran from the room. She felt like she might explode with rage if she stayed, her anger bubbling up and spewing out like the fire mountains in the Book of One. Her feet flew unerringly down the tunnelway, carrying her straight to Ell. 

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.

​Lisle reached to hold Ell’s head with both hands and leaned down to kiss the smooth, scaled muzzle. Ell gazed lovingly at her, gold eyes soft, then turned and floated to the other side of the pool, paddling with her great, hind legs on the rocky bottom. Lisle watched her, admiring the graceful curve of carmine tipped spinal ridges and tail snaking through the water. Then she resolutely walked back to Gareth’s tiny room.

​Standing outside the curtained doorway she announced herself and pushed the curtain aside. A small amount of light from the torches in the hallway shone on Gareth’s back. He lay in the shadows, just as before, shoulders hunched within his much-rumpled tunic, bandaged leg resting bent kneed, his face turned to the wall. He said nothing.

Lisle hooked the curtain open. Then she took her courage in hand and faced Gareth squarely, hand on her hips, legs spread wide. She glared at his back and took a deep breath, “G…Gareth, e…enough. Y…you can’t j…just d…die. You’re d…doing n…nothing to h…h…” She stamped her foot on the floor in her frustration to get the words out, “help yourself. D…Delorin s…says you’re g…going to l…l…lose your leg i…if y…you don’t try t…to get well.”

Feeling exhausted from the effort of pushing so many words out, Lisle felt frustration and fear engulf her. Her eyes watered up, and she tightened her lips as if that might hold in the tears.

Gareth turned slowly over, grimacing with the pain from his inflamed and swollen leg.

“What do you care what happens to me? I let everyone down.”

Eyebrows pinching, mouth turned down in frustration, Lisle watched Gareth.

“I couldn’t do my job. I couldn’t protect anyone.” Gareth’s eyes fell to the floor. “You don’t understand. I’ve always been strong. I’ve always been the leader. I was the one everyone looked up to. I wish I’d never met that Guardian…” His voice trailed off. He closed his eyes and lay back.

Heat flooded Lisle’s cheeks. A tear overflowed, running down the side of her face and she brushed it away impatiently. How dare he lay there and let himself die just because he felt sorry for himself? 

“You, you self-important, puffed-up, strutting, ground flier! You let yourself get sicker and sicker just because you weren’t the one to save Ell?”

Gareth looked up at her, a shocked expression on his face.

“Just because things worked out the way they did and Terris was able to save Ell, you feel like it shoulda’ been you? What about the rest of us, all worried sick about you?”

Lisle stomped about the tiny room, arms flailing at the air.

As she ranted, color came back into Gareth’s pale face. What could have been a smile began to play about his cracked, dry lips as his eyes tracked her movements.

“I don’t care that you weren’t the one who jumped off that cliff. I’m glad you weren’t. It was awful seeing Terris…” Lisle gulped back a sob that threatened and more words poured out of her mouth. “But you aren’t thinking about that are you? No! No, you’re just thinking about how you aren’t the big protector saving Ell every time there’s trouble! You’re just thinking about yourself!”

Gareth’s dark eyes narrowed, hardened. The corners of his mouth turned down. Gritting his teeth, he pushed himself to a sitting position, back braced against the wall.

The motion caught Lisle’s attention and she stopped her tirade. Scuffling her feet, color suffusing cheeks already pink with agitation, she looked down, away from Gareth.
​
 “Get out.”

Lisle froze, mouth slightly open, eyes wide, then she turned and ran from the room.

Gareth’s eyelids fluttered shut, and he leaned his head back against the wall.

You’re pathetic Gareth, he thought. Now you’re scaring little girls. What is the matter with you?

His thoughts took a darker turn.  I’m nothing, nobody, that’s what. Nothing matters anymore. It’s that Guardian’s fault. If only I hadn’t found her that day in the woods.

Gareth knew there was something wrong with the logic of this line of thought. It didn’t  really make sense. It wasn’t the Guardian’s fault. He thought. It wasn’t even my fault. Things happened the way they did and it was lucky for all of us that Terris and Moss were there.  Gareth’s eyes blinked open. The dark thoughts that had been gripping him now seemed a little ridiculous.

I’m better than this. He thought. So, maybe I wasn’t the big protector like I wanted to be. Maybe I don’t have to be the one everyone looks up to all the time. The thought brought an unexpected sense of relief. His felt his lips curve upward. With a self-deprecating laugh, he shook his head.  Lisle’s right. I’ve been doing nothing but feeling sorry for myself. He resolved to do better. He owed Lisle an apology, but first he’d have to get back on his feet.

Setting his jaw against the pain he knew would follow, he pushed himself upright and stood on one leg, hand braced against the rough rock of the wall. Red streaks of lightning pain shot out from the wound in his thigh, almost overwhelming him. He grabbed at the wall to support himself and then reached out blindly, grasping for the crutch which Healer Delorin had left for him near his pallet, and which he had ignored up until this point. Then taking a deep, steadying breath, he hobbled one painful step forward and then another. Slowly, he made his way out of the shadowed space behind him. The light of the hallway glinted at him from countless sparkling facets in the walls, and he squinted against the brightness. Leaning heavily on his crutch, he made his way slowly down the hall to find Lisle.