Darach by RJ Scott Read Free Book Online Page A

would want me?" The words tumbled from Guardian's lips unbidden. He hadn't meant to vocalize his own petty fears.
    Madoc simply shook his head and sighed, and then proceeded to move the direction of the conversation. " So tell me , n ew Guardian, will your wards really h old so they don ' t see I ' m still alive? "
    The question was serious, and Guardian nodded, thankful for the change in subject. He had placed as much protection as he could without tipping his hand. "Like I said, your death was totally convincing, and I have hidden you well." He paused, inhaling deeply, settling his Fire. "You're the only one I can trust to watch the Council when I go."
    Madoc nodded and smiled gently. "You know this is bigger than just the Cariad and the young man who risked his life to come here."
    "Far bigger." Guardian was tired of it all. The weight of an entire city, an entire world, two worlds, sat on his shoulders. His Fire was supposed to be so strong, but today it appeared anything but. Madoc placed a hand on Guardian's knee and it was warm and comforting. His head raced with all he had learned and seen over the past few days, and he called a little of his amber Fire to calm himself before continuing. "Sulien is dangerous, and I know he had something to do with the kidnappings of the amber children. I am convinced of it. Sulien wants it all. My Fire, Cariad power, and I don't imagine Ephraim is far behind him."
    "Sulien always has, youngling, and Ephraim is too weak to have an opinion or desire of his own. It's your turn to change things. We have lived under Council rule for too long. The Guardian role has become nothing more than a figurehead. You are strong, and you can start us new."
    "Did you discover anymore about the old Guardian?" He asked that question every time he met with Madoc, but each time he was met with the same answer.
    "Nothing, Guardian. It is like he burned up and there is no sense of him."
    "Sulien knows what happened. I am sure of it."
    Madoc shook his head sadly. "Sulien knows a lot of things that need to be discovered."
    They sat for a while in silence, Guardian lost to his own thoughts. He trusted Madoc with his life. He didn't know why, but when he'd arrived here in Chambers, bound to the role of Guardian with no way back, it was only Madoc who had shown him kindness. When he slept, the dreams he experienced were intense. Maybe if he told Madoc they might make more sense.
    " The Eicio army is building in the Otherworld . I can see what is happening when I close my eyes and dream. "
    "You can see the Otherworld in your dreams?"
    Guardian frowned. Madoc seemed surprised . D idn ' t everyone see the strange and wonderful things in their dreams ? Clearly not. Obviously it was just he who saw images of d eath and destruction and an army that was silently being amassed to take down the barriers between both worlds. Those the hunters in the Otherworld called the Nameless were known as Eicio here . They were a throwbac k to old magik , and they were a real threat by sheer numbers alone.
    " I can ' t fix this from here. I need to go. To talk to the Cariad, and god s … " H e bowed his head . " I have to deal with what is happening in the Otherworld and pull our people back from th at place , if there is to be any chance at all . "
    "Your destiny is to bring balance to the Fire. You know that is not something you can do sitting here in the City."
    "They can't know I have left."
    Sulien and Ephraim would sooner jump in his grave than let a chance of power slip by because of an absent Guardian.
    "I will stay here and maintain the illusion that I am you on meditation retreat in your chambers, behind closed doors. No one will know you are not here if we leave enough magik here to mask the void of your presence. Any Council business we can delay until you return."
    "I can't leave immediately. I need more training. There are books I need to see in the library, magik I must try to understand. Will you make yourself