Searching For A Guardian

After the recent event in her bedroom, Rogue thought it odd to find herself back in the field from her dream with that strange cloaked figure a few days ago. She wore the pearly white robes with the rose embroidered pattern. She wished she knew where the dress came from. The trees were scattered few and far between. The grass was long and in need of a cut. It was very quiet; there was no sign of life at all that Rogue could see.

"What am I doing here?" She asked herself, Oh Scenrio, what's going to happen here? Rogue patted her dress down, These robes are very pretty, she thought. She summoned power, her hands started to glow. She could feel a white light flow through her veins and under her robes, wrapping her arms in white shining beams, ready to be used.

Rogue noticed a figure appear leaning against a tree a hundred yards away. The figure looked very familiar, "Greg!" She shouted. She ran towards the tree, towards Greg. As Rogue got closer, Greg slumped against the tree into what looked like just a large pile of rags. There was a movement to the left. Rogue took her eyes of Greg for a second, when she looked back her friend had vanished. He had disappeared as if he was not even there in the first place, "Greg!" She shouted again. No one replied.

Rogue turned around to walk back to nowhere. She hit a dark cloaked figure shape and stumbled backwards. The cloaked man from her previous dream stood directly in front of her, once again facing away from her.

"H-hello, wh-what do you want?" Rogue forced the words out. She could no longer feel the flow of the white magic.

There was a long pause before he or it replied, "The enemy is coming. Warn the others before it is too late."

"What enemy?" Asked Rogue frantically.

"The enemy. The destruction of everything you hold dear," the cloaked figure began to fade.

"Wait!" Called Rogue. The cloaked figure had already gone.

Rogue awoke. The sun shone brightly despite the chilly air. Kirsten was still fast asleep in the chair, Just a dream, she thought as she climbed out of her newly fixed bed to wash and dress, Kirsten looks peaceful, I think I'll leave her there for now, Rogue left the room. The potion still sat on the table in the middle of a very clean room. Her staff still leant against the wall, near the slightly open window 'catching the wind.' The previous night's event now seemed like a distant memory.

* * *

Monday came quickly. The students filled the school, ready for their long week back before the next weekend. Greg shared his first study with Rogue and Chad. It was called 'The Scientific World.' It was one of Rogue's favourite subjects, that and 'The Historic World' on Tuesdays. Chad did not really know the difference between the two; both delved into the past of Jerova. He was not very keen on the tutor for the science lesson. The tutor, Mr Vian, always tried to get him to volunteer in scientific experiments. He guessed that Mr Vian would operate on him for scientific research if given just half a chance because of his fire abilities.

The science room was brightly lit with one wall being just a row of large windows, from floor to ceiling. The rest of the room was made of a solid metal structure with smaller windows scattered across the walls, two at a time. Inside, the desks were made of solid oak wood. Most were damaged by previous experiments; all had washbasins attached to them. Hygiene was very important in this room.

Mr Vian stood smartly at the front of the class next to a large whiteboard. He was tall with a slightly ageing large gut. His hair was combed neatly to either side. He had high cheekbones and a pointy nose. He wore very odd looking clothes, a jacket over a shirt and a piece of cloth knotted around his neck, something he called a tie. His trousers were smartly pressed and his shoes were polished to great detail.

Mr Vian smiled broadly as the students entered the classroom. Rogue, Greg and Chad (thanks to Rogue) were first in. She always made sure the others were up early enough to start the day. Chad noticed Mr Vian smile at them, showing bright white teeth, he cringed at the sight of a happy face on a Monday morning.

"Good morning, young sorcerers," smiled Mr Vian, "I hope you all had a fun weekend."

"Nice and relaxing thank you, Mr Vian. How was yours?" Replied Rogue cheerfully.

"Apart from being here?" Joked the tutor.

"What a suck up," Chad whispered to Greg who nodded in agreement.

"We have a great lesson ahead of us this morning. Let's not be unmotivated just because it's a Monday," said Mr Vian brightly. The class groaned in response. Rogue sat, back straight, eager to start.

Tina Blackmore was last through the door. Chad kept his head down, hoping to avoid any small talk.

"Looks like everyone is here now then so I shall begin. Today's topic will follow on from last week, 'Planet's Materials.' Who can remind me what rock we were examining last week?" Mr Vian looked around the room; he noticed Rogue was the only one willing to speak up, "Chad, how about you?"

Chad jumped back, "Me? A Jerovian rock I think."

Greg nudged him in the side, "Fickrel," he whispered.

"Fickrel!" Repeated Chad loudly.

"Very good, Chad. It's good to see you are always focused," Mr Vian was still smiling. It was starting to irritate Chad, "And what were we doing with this Fickrel rock, Rogue?"

"Examining its properties, sir. Its scientific value being it's a substance found only on the other side of the Dekra Mountains," said Rogue pleased with herself.

"You forgot its history," whispered Greg mockingly.

"I was going to say that," replied Rogue dryly.

"Very good, Rogue, but you forgot its historic life, and its uses over time in Dekra," said Mr Vian.

It's just a rock, thought Chad stubbornly.

"What are one of its uses, Tina?" Asked Mr Vian sweetly.

Tina glared at him, she hated mornings more than Chad did, "It's only found by water."

"Excellent. A useful survival tip if you are ever down in the mountains, which we all know of course is very unlikely given the current terrible circumstances," Mr Vian turned to face the whiteboard and wrote 'Fickrel' in big letters across the middle, "Can you go get the Fickrel rock please, Chase?"

A large boy from the back row got out of his chair, Chad watched him walk down the aisle and into the cupboard behind the whiteboard, his eyes locked with Tina's for a split second, Great, she's gonna want to talk to me today.

Chase came back out carrying a large grey rock. It looked like an ordinary rock with a smooth surface, except for large white specks where frost would usually form on the cold mountains. Chase placed the Fickrel rock down onto Mr Vian's desk and sat back down at the back of the class.

"Thank you, Chase," said Mr Vian.

Laziness, smirked Chad.

"Now then class. We've almost finished this subject. I hope your essays on the planet's resources are coming on well. Our next subject will be marine life..."

The class looked at the tutor with eyes full of hope.

"...Yes I am talking about the Leviathan, the great sea serpent."

Even Chad could not hide his excitement about that as he broke into a big smile. Even if it was a monster of the sea, at least it was still a monster, one of the largest, most terrifying, carnivorous creatures to live and breathe the same air as himself.

"Make a note of it, sorcerers, three weeks today we will be going down to the flood chamber to examine a well preserved scale from the great Leviathan, found on the shores of Mirrell," said Mr Vian watching everybody's excitement, knowing they had all forgot it was a Monday morning.

Great, there's always a catch, thought Chad, disappointed.

The flood chamber was a large steel building surrounded by huge water tanks outside of the school grounds. Its main purpose was to constantly filter the city's water supply, keeping it fresh and purified. Everyday on the hour, the main chamber filled with water and filtered it into the tanks. This was where they kept the scale, it needed plenty of fresh water often to prevent it from drying up and losing its soft blue colour. Many underwater creatures were housed in the flood chamber. It was used for all water related experiments. Special laminated rubber water suits were required always when entering the chamber. It always filtered, even if scientists or students were still working inside. It was the one place Chad Wizardman had always tried to avoid.

Mr Vian had covered the board in notes on the Fickrel rock. The students copied them down without question, "I would like to see the first drafts of your essay's by next Monday please. It can be on any of the planet's resources that you choose. I would however, recommend the Fickrel rock as it's the one we have been working on these past few weeks."

"Done it," said Rogue and Greg quietly together. Chad grimaced; he had barely made a start.

"There are plenty of books in the library to help you with this subject. Make sure you use them!" Mr Vian spoke up so everybody heard.

Chad listened lazily as Mr Vian bored on for the remainder of the study. Just before the lesson was due to finish there was a knock at the door and Headmistress Avforin stepped into the room. Chad thought she was short for a woman of power. She stood at five foot four, slightly smaller than Rogue. She wore her usual crimson red coat and an odd looking feathery black scarf. A red skirt below the knee and black slip-on shoes to colour co-ordinate. Her brunette hair was tied up in a round bunch. She wore red-framed glasses over pale blue eyes. Her nose was small but could always smell trouble. She would have been pretty if she did not always have a hard faced impression.

"Can I help you, ma'am?" Asked Mr Vian politely.

"I'd like to borrow Chad Wizardman please. If you don't mind?" Said the Headmistress strictly.

"Certainly, ma'am. He's right here," Mr Vian looked at Chad and signalled him to go.

Greg grabbed his shirt as he stood up, "Don't say anything about the tournament," he whispered.

Chad glanced back at him then walked to the Headmistress. He made eye contact with Tina as he left the room. Avforin followed closely behind.

"I wonder what she wants?" Whispered Rogue. Greg shrugged his shoulders in response.

* * *

Outside of the classroom Headmistress Avforin walked silently down the corridor.

"What did I do?" Asked Chad. He wondered if there was anything he should be feeling guilty about.

"Silence," ushered the Headmistress, "I do not wish to talk here. Just follow me."

That's a small relief, thought Chad, She'd be shouting by now if I had done anything wrong.

They followed the brightly lit corridor down until it could go no further. Avforin stepped into an empty classroom, similar to Mr Vian's.

"Take a seat," she said quickly. She pointed to the empty tutor's desk and a chair dragged itself from another table and sat opposite the chair the Headmistress now occupied. Chad did not even see her move from the door.

"What's this about?" Asked Chad impatiently.

"Drink?" She asked while pouring a glass of grapefruit juice. The pitcher appeared from nowhere but Chad was used to that kind of minor magic.

"No thanks," replied Chad.

Avforin poured him a glass anyway, then poured one for herself. She drank a few mouthfuls before looking at him, "Are you still playing the piano?" She asked suddenly.

"Yes, I was on it yesterday afternoon," replied Chad stiffly, "Why?"

"Did it clear your senses?" Asked the Headmistress coolly.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Chad sat up in his chair and took the grapefruit juice.

Avforin stared at him, "Chad I'm not going to ask why you were at the school on a Saturday. A lot of tutors and students attend here at the weekends to study and catch up on work."

"But I..." Protested Chad.

"I know you were here, young man. Why, does not really concern me. However, I picked up dangerous power levels coming from you. Power that could've hurt you very badly. What were you angry about?"

"Coming from me?" Chad was stunned, "Yes I was here, but I was not in a temper or anything. Ask Rogue, or Greg. They were here with me."

"Chad Wizardman, I can't stress enough how important it is for you to watch your anger. Given your abilities, it is wise not to test your temper," the Headmistress still had her eyes fixed on Chad.

"What do you want me to do?" Asked Chad.

"I will be taking over your music lesson this afternoon. We will be using that time to relax your muscles and control any hatred you may be feeling."

"Not again. You'll be replacing Mrs Stoddard soon. You can't spend all your time with me," grumbled Chad.

"My time lies in with the best interests of all my students. I am here to help get you the best possible opportunities out of life. No matter where you will be. My priority is with you and your safety right now."

Chad mumbled, "This sucks," under his breath.

Avforin stood up and pointed to the door, "See you at two, Mr Wizardman," she spoke calmly.

Chad finished his drink and walked out of the room without saying another word.

* * *

Malk was already waiting for Greg by the main gate by the time he got out of school after the science study. Malk did not appear to be in a good mood when Greg approached him.

"Hi Malk, good weekend?" Asked Greg nicely.

Malk stared at him.

"What we doing? Thought we weren't going out into the field until later," asked Greg.

"We need to talk. There is a lot of work to do in so little time. This way," Malk showed his pass card to the guard and waited for the heavy beams of the gate to open up.

Greg did the same and stood beside his mentor, "What do you need to talk about?"

"Not here," said Malk in a low voice.

Thick iron bolts screeched as they were lifted out of the ground and the heavy chains clattered together as the gate was dragged open by six muscular men. The gate was always opened manually; like the walls, it was protected by a spell that prevented all other forms of magic having an effect on it.

Once it was open wide enough for them to walk through, Malk nodded to the guard and left the safety of the city, Greg following closely behind. The gate closed quickly with a loud clang behind them.

Malk followed the wall round to the north without saying a word. Greg followed reluctantly with hand on hilt, wondering what was on Malk's mind. They turned a corner and the Souvanence woods stood before them across a small stretch of field. Malk continued walking forward.

There once was an accessible way into the woods from the city. However, the woods fell home to many foul creatures. Goblenites and outlaws now occupy major parts of the territory. They however, were not what the people living behind the walls feared. There was something deep within the trees that no sorcerer would dare disturb. A creature so foul and demonic, it made a halstron look soft. Talking about it scared even the bravest of men. It was because of this creature that the decision was made to close off all known entrances to the woods, and closing any known contacts inside the woods.

Malk reached the edge of the trees and stepped slowly inside. They went in far enough so they could still see the field outside. Malk faced Greg looking disturbed. Greg was anxious to know why Malk brought him there of all places, just to talk.

"I have disturbing news to tell you," said Malk suddenly, "Do not tell this to anyone until I am certain of the truth. Understand?"

"Yes I do, I think. What do you want to tell me?" Asked Greg nervously.

Malk watched him carefully, "I have reason to believe an army of orcs may be heading this way. Coming to Souvanence."

Greg gasped, shock hit him fast, "Orcs? That's impossible. How could they possibly get here?" He asked swallowing hard.

"Believe me, I hope they do find it impossible," Malk found a tree stump and sat down. He glanced at the trees facing deeper into the woods. They looked so peaceful in the light wind. There was little light shining deeper in.

Greg found it hard to take the information in, "How do you know about this? Who else knows? Does the Mayor know?" He asked frantically.

"Do you think they would have let us out of these gates today if he did?" Replied Malk.

"You must tell him then. He must start preparing the defences," Greg unsheathed his sword and studied it.

"Would you like me to send the whole city into a mass panic at the same time? Think of the consequences, and what if it turns out to be a false alarm?" Said Malk calmly watching Greg.

"What if it's not a false alarm? What then?" Anger filled Greg's voice.

"The city will know what to do if the time comes. You must not tell anyone what I have told you. At least not until after you hear the alarm raised. I have other things for you to do in the mean time."

"What's that?" Greg looked sceptical.

"You are a strong leader over your fellow students. It will be up to you to prepare them for the worst," said Malk.

"What is the worst?" Asked Greg disturbingly.

"I hope our main army should be enough to defend Souvanence. If however, it reaches the wall. You will be with those to help evacuate the city on a large scale."

"No way, not me. I'm not ready for this."

"They would not care if you were ready or not. They'll strike you down in a heartbeat."

Greg gulped.

"I've told you before and I'll tell you again. You are more ready than you know. It is you that must prepare your friends for the worst," Malk took a deep breath, "The city will not stand forever, we all know that, but Souvanence will live on and you will guide the next generation."

"No pressure then," Greg tried to joke.

A twig snapped in the distance followed by a quiet growl. Malk and Greg jumped, Malk drew his sword quickly.

"Run back to the city!" Shouted Malk.

Greg turned and ran as fast as he could through the trees and out into the field. He tried to look back, but could see nothing past Malk, "What was that?" Shouted Greg.

"I don't know, but I'm not prepared to find out. Keep going!" Replied Malk.

They sprinted back to the wall and ran alongside it. Only slowing down once they reached the corner. They banged on the gate vigorously and it opened up slowly for them. Malk dived through before it was open as wide as before. He took one last look at Greg then disappeared into a crowd, "Remember what I said, Greg."

Greg showed his pass to the guard and fell against a wall next to the tall watchtower breathing heavily. Hoping what his mentor said was to be a false alarm.

* * *