“It’s not the water that glows, it’s the impurities.
You’re filtering out the glow.”
I imagined the extra-thick coffee filter lifting up,
letting the water flow through it. The flow was slow, but glowless. Finally
enough water had drained out that I could bring the edges of the filter
together. I tossed the imaginary filter with the plant sediment somewhere in
the dark for the spiders to ponder.
“Good job! And that’s probably not something you’ll
hear very often from Edward.” That sounded a little foreboding. “Don’t get me
wrong, he’s a great mentor, and I couldn’t think of anyone better, but this is
the worst time to be his student.”
That I understood. “I’m like a constant reminder that
his brother is dead.”
“Absolutely not. It’s the worst time because he has
to protect both worlds, train you, and he just lost his brother. You’re not a
reminder of Ronez’s death.”
We both stood. “What about Vretial? Isn’t that
another reason this is a bad time?”
“The gods tell us Vretial isn’t a threat.”
“And you believe them?”
“That would be really stupid of me; they don’t even
believe it. They’re just telling us what they want us to believe so we would
blindly trust them and stay out of their way. Most of the gods treat their
Guardian like slaves. If we have even a whisper of a thought that they could
not predict, we’re held in suspicion.”
“That doesn’t sound like a very fair deal.”
“No, but at least we have power and free time to
enjoy our immortal lives. I once met an old man complaining that he was too old
and wanted to die. I wanted to smack him.”
“For not making the most out of life?”
“No, jealousy. It’s hard sometimes to feel so old and
look so young. On the other hand, the alternative is looking my age, and that
is even less appealing.”
“I think you’re crazier than a box of purple elephant
crackers.”
He leaned closer to me with a glare in his eyes.
“Listen to me very carefully, because this means life and death as a Guardian.
I
am
crazier than a box of purple elephant crackers. We all are, and if
you want to live, you need to be, too.”
He continued on his way and I hurried after the
light. “That doesn’t make any sense! Edward isn’t crazy!”
“Oh, yes he is. We all are. We’re just crazy in our
own ways.”
We trekked through the caves until we came to a dead
end. I didn’t even have a chance to suspect that we were lost, because Nano
clearly had no concern for the laws of physics. He walked right through the
stone wall as if he hadn’t even seen it. Due to my track record for physical
damage, I slowly inched forward with my hand outstretched. Unfortunately, Nano
took the light with him, so I had no clue how far away the wall was. Then I
felt his hand grab my arm as he forcefully yanked me through.
There was no wall.
We stood inside a massive, stone hallway, well lit
with torches. One direction led to a large dining room and the other led up a
grand staircase. We were surrounded by creatures I could only hope I would
never see again. While they had the general body shape of short, stubby humans,
they were far from humanoid. I couldn’t tell the difference between their armor
and skin at first, but I realized it didn’t really matter because nobody in
their right mind would attack the creatures. Their skin, or hide, was made of
scales the same dull gray as the metal armor. The creatures stood roughly a
foot shorter than me, but made up for it in bulk. However, incased in armor, I
really couldn’t tell if it was fat or muscle. Every one of them had frowning, thin-lipped
mouths and suspicious, narrowed eyes. Eyes which were yellow, I might add.
“What are those?” I asked.
“Goblins.”
“Are they mad about something?”
“I would guess not. In fact, they seem positively
enthusiastic. There must be a troll down somewhere. These goblins guard the
castle, for a high price. Goblins are master swindlers and greedy as all hell.
If you think you’ve been given or arrived at a good deal with a goblin, don’t
take it. They also cheat the entire kingdom and will not let you into or out of
the castles without paying their fee. The trolls work for the kingdom at
clearing out the caves and making them safe. Trolls turn in all gems and
precious finds into the king. The goblins have been rumored to gang up on and
kill a troll to take the finds. They also get unlimited drink and have never
let the opportunity to harass the women pass them by.”
“Sounds like the kingdom is covered, then. No one in
their right mind would want to have anything to do with this place, let alone
be brave enough to steal from it.”
“Exactly.”
Now I understood why Nano was sure that the High
King’s guards were not the ones behind the assassination scheme; the goblins
had too cushy a job to lose it. “But how are you going to get in to see the
king? Will the goblins obey you because you’re a Guardian or are you going to
use magic to get passed them?”
“I could do either one, or I can walk right in seeing
as how the king is my nephew.”
“Great. Just leave me here with the goblins and I’ll
try not to die.”
“Oh, no, no, no. No. Nuh-uh. Not happening. The last
thing I need is for you to get lost and eaten. Edward is much more powerful
than me, and he would feed me to his evil black Tibbit if one hair on your head
was harmed. You’re in my care now and I’m not leaving you for the goblins to
babysit.”
“You do know that I am an adult, don’t you? Capable
of taking care of myself and being responsible for myself.”
“You’re half right. You are an adult. However, as
Edward’s apprentice, he is entirely responsible for you as well as your care.
In the eyes of Duran law, you might as well be his three-year-old child.”
He started up the large staircase and I followed in
silence. I really didn’t know what to say. Of course, that never really stopped
me from talking before.
“I’m getting really tired of people treating me like
a kid,” I said when we reached the top. We were now on a landing that led to
many halls, doors, and stairways. Straight across from the stairs was a huge
set of doors with three goblin guards standing in front of them.
Nano sighed and gave me his full attention. “Have you
seen how any of us treat children?”
“Not really.”
“Then how do you know we’re treating you like one? I
know I’m not, and Edward is afraid of children, so he isn’t, and Divina… she
isn’t either. I can’t say I know what the others treat you as, but I treat you
as a young guy who is very accident prone and will cause his terrifying master
great trouble if injured. And I understand why you feel this way, because
you’re in this brand new world and we’re all trying to take care of you. But
think about why. You are new to this all, and you’re very young. You don’t like
feeling like a child, but someday you’ll miss it. I’m not nearly as old as
Edward, and sometimes, such as when I’m invited to my great, great, great,
great grandson’s wedding, I feel older than dirt.
“Do you know what a wizard is? Someone who has
learned enough to know he knows nothing. You never stop learning. You never
stop developing and changing. I don’t remember who I used to be, and by the
time I know who I am now, I won’t be that anymore. I see the worlds changing
and growing all around me. People, ideas, civilizations… they all are born and
die and reborn. I will never die. I will get older for all eternity. You’re
young. Enjoy it while you can.”
He turned and strolled towards the goblins like he
didn’t just spill his emotional guts all over the floor.
I followed behind as the goblins opened the doors,
wondering why they needed to open both doors for just us. Inside was a large
room with two small doors, a bunch of guards, and a boy sitting on a classic
throne. There were probably twenty goblins spread out along the wall. A man,
around thirty, dressed in a dark red tunic and tan slacks stood next to the
throne. The king himself was a surprise. He couldn’t have been more than
sixteen or seventeen and with his light blond hair, dark blue eyes, and restless
expression, he looked nothing like I had pictured.
I had enough time to consider if I were supposed to
bow before the boy-king jumped out of his seat and ran to Nano, yelling out a
greeting before almost taking Nano down with a hug. None of the guards tensed,
but the man standing next to the throne snarled.
Nano and his nephew spoke in whatever language it was
they used before they turned to me. “Nila, this is Dylan. He speaks English,
and he’s human. He will be the new Guardian of Earth.”
“That is Tiamat world, is it?” the king asked with a
thick accent.
“Yes.”
“Nice to meet. Call me please Nila.” He reached out
his hand and I shook it.
“Nice to meet you, too.” The unknown man left the
throne and stomped over to the young king, and the closer he got, the more
threatening vibes I could pick up. He started talking to Nila, who seemed
completely oblivious. “Nano,” I said.
“Yes, I know.”
The man sneered at me, put his hand on Nila’s
shoulder, and growled something insolent to Nano. I could pretty much smell the
evil on him and it smelled like assassination.
Nano regarded me, rather reluctantly. “Adre, this is
Dylan.”
“Dylan what?” the man scoffed.
“Just Dylan,” I answered with a glare.
“Dylan this is Nila’s brother, Adre.”
“I would never have guessed you and Nila were
related. You must be the pompous sheep of the family,” I said.
Nila giggled and Nano stepped between me and Adre.
“Dylan, maybe you should wait outside,” he said. Apparently getting kidnapped
and eaten wasn’t as bad as facing Nila’s brother.
“I go,” Nila said happily.
“No, you will stay here,” Adre growled.
“I go,” Nila repeated, obviously knowing his word was
final and he would do what he wanted.
Nano sighed. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but,
Dylan, watch out for him. Nila is more likely to get into trouble than you are
and if he tries to get you to go on one of his adventures, for the love of god,
just say no. Over and over and over again with a large blunt object if you have
to.”
Nila laughed at Nano’s concern and grabbed my arm,
pulling me out of the room. “Come, I show big volcano, secret bridge over.”
“Do not go near that volcano!” Nano yelled.
“Sounds like fun,” I said. As soon as the door closed
on me and Nila, we started laughing until the guards looked at us funny.
“I lie about volcano.”
“I know. So what do you want to do?”
“Kitchen. Hungry. No!” he yelled at one of the door
guards when he tried to follow. “Stay! Good boy…”
“Can’t you just tell your guards and servants to
bring you food?”
“I no want king food. I want yummy food. I sneak. You
help.”
“I feel a lecture coming on. Oh, well, lead the way.”
Instead of going downstairs, he led us to another
room. This was a smaller room that was set up like a traditional private
library with books on shelves, a large wooden desk, a fireplace, and two
comfortable looking chairs in front of the fireplace. There were no windows,
but I hadn’t seen one anywhere on account of them being underground. Nila went
right over to the rug and pulled it up. Naturally, there was a trapdoor.
He opened it, grinned at me, and jumped in. The door
slammed shut and the rug slid back into place. I knew if I jumped in there, I
would break a bone, get eaten, or otherwise injure myself in a creative
fashion. However, the alternative was to go back to Nano and get mauled by
Nila’s brother. Plus, Nano did tell me to watch over Nila.
“Oh, Edward, Nano told me to do it,” I mumbled. I
lifted the rug, pulled the trap door handle, and jumped into the dark.
Instead of falling to my death, something very
cushiony broke my fall. As the door slammed shut, I was in complete darkness. I
felt around me, as it seemed I was on an old mattress. Nila grabbed my
searching hand and pulled me to my feet on solid ground.
“You no hurt?”
“No, you?”
“I no hurt. I fall all day.”
“That’s not a healthy habit. Is there a light?”
“I forget fire, no light. You light, yes?” He let go
of me and handed me a cold torch.
I felt it quickly and reached out to make sure he
wasn’t close. “Stand back, I’m not very good at this, and neither of us wants
me to set you on fire accidentally.”
“You make funny joke.”
“Yeah, sure.” I focused my mind on what I felt like
the top of the torch should look like and tried to recreate what I did on the
ship. It only took a few minutes before I could feel heat coming off the torch.
Or maybe I’m setting something else on fire?
Just a few more minutes and
the torch started to glow red. When it burst into flames, I dropped it.
Fortunately, Nila caught it before it could hit the
ground. “No funny. You drop light, you set floor on fire. No funny. Bad Dylan.”
I saw that we were standing on soft matting, like
tatami mats. The rest of the room looked like an old, decomposing living room
of a wooden house. “If you’re so against lighting the floor on fire, why didn’t
you light it yourself? Aren’t you a wizard?”
“I no wizard. I void.” He walked away.
I could see the family resemblance to Nano. “Huh?
What’s a void?” I asked, following him into another smaller, but similar room.
“I can do no magic, no magic can do me.”
“Are you saying that no one can use any magic on
you?”
“Yes. Blood kill magic.”
“How can I do that? Is it a spell?”
“Born with blood by father murder. Gift by God.
Mother, no like. Adre, no like. Nano like. Nano love me. He name me, took me
from mean mother.”
“That was nice. He gave you your name. That’s pretty
special.”
“Nano in mean mood when name me.”