“I would request the reassignment of Lord Marcello to the eastern boundary. He, along with several elven mages and two of my fellow guardians, will defend Lake Lachlan. They will ensure that those demons are not merely banished this time…they will be annihilated!” The typically reserved guardian turned an icy blue color for the briefest moment as she let her emotions slip. This was not the response I expected…the king seems like his mind is elsewhere. I wonder what is troubling him.
“We will move Marcello to the east and have Commander Boaz take charge in the north then. I will dispatch a messenger at once to relay these orders. Then I will have a message sent to the giants stationed along the lake to head north once the elven mages and the Khalida’s guardian friends have arrived” said the king decisively. Even though he sounded resolute, it was clear that his mind was elsewhere again.
“Very well…I will take my leave of you then” Khalida said smoothly. “I will return in the morning to help you with your intervention.” I hope that the king is simply preoccupied with the upcoming discussion with Yukio. We have enough problems to deal with.
“We appreciate the help mistress Khalida” King Angus said with a humble bow. His visage was dark and it was clear his thoughts were troubled by some sort of darkness.
The beautiful guardian disappeared with a faint popping sound. A bluish mist swirled momentarily after Khalida had vanished before slowly dissipating. King Angus felt his heart clench as she vanished. How are we going to defeat those demons from the north with just two guardians, Marcello, and a group of elven mages? He could not hide his concern as he stood there with his leaders around him. This awful feeling did not last long as he came back to his senses as the others watched him. The look of fierce determination returned again as he smiled. I have to quick letting my thoughts of home cloud the now.
“Well, we have talked enough for today…we all have plenty to do, so let’s get to it” said the king gruffly. It was clear that his mind was still preoccupied; however, he was at least making decisions. His eyes were darting to and fro as though he was looking for something. It was clear to all who remained in the circle that his mind had started racing.
“What time do you want us back here tomorrow morning?” asked Commander Gerodi tentatively. He was feeling just a little uneasy with the unusual exchange. He was taken aback by the sudden appearance of one of the elder guardians.
“Be here as the sun rises…if I know our good friend Yukio, he will want to get this meeting over with as early as possible” replied General Lang for the king. He was eyeing his monarch warily…something was not quite right. They all should be pleased with the way the war is going, however, they all left the meeting vexed by something that none of them could identify. Each separately thought it had to do with the troubling thoughts surrounding Burien.
As the sun finally peaked through the gloomy haze engulfing the lake, General Yukio sauntered into the clearing where he was to meet with the giant leaders. He knew exactly why he was there because he was able to probe the mind of Commander Boaz. So, they think I am unstable…reckless even. Well, they may be right…I will have to restrain myself from now on. I wonder if I should tell them who I really am. If one of the guardians shows up to this meeting, then I will need to reveal part of my secret. Even though the others do not trust them, I know that it is only with their help that we will be able to win this war.
“I did not know that anyone would show up so early” Yukio said to Khalida as she appeared out of thin air right next to him. He did not seem surprised by this sudden appearance.
“I knew that you would come early…you always like to scope out the area where you will be meeting with someone well before it begins. Look, the others seem to know your habits as well” Khalida said pointing to two giant commanders, their general, and King Angus. They approached slowly as though they were waiting for the signal to join the unlikely pair. The guardian motioned for them to take the seats that had magically appeared in a circle. It was rather unusual to have massive arm chairs appear out of nowhere and it was even more unusual to have them appear in the middle of a clearing.
“I like this approach to an intervention…the chairs in a circle makes it seem like we are simply meeting together to discuss matters of war” the Nairian general said slyly. He smiled at the looks on the giants’ faces. Khalida did not seem taken aback by his foreknowledge. Everyone took a seat and looked at the elder guardian. This has to be one of the oddest things I have ever been a part of. There was that one time….
“Well…that saved us some time” began the beautiful elemental smoothly. “Yukio, we are concerned that your blood thirsty tactics and reckless self-regard is causing your soldiers and some of the giants to act rashly. No one has died as a result of mimicking your antics, but they will if you keep this up.” There was a stunned silence as the leaders sat there looking at General Yukio…they were waiting for tirade or some kind of explosive magic.
“I understand your concerns…I have been careless and unpredictable. I will be a better example and channel my frustration and rage in a more productive manner from here on out” replied the red headed general. His hair had turned a flaming red color over the past week…most likely a result of his extensive use of magic. It was as though his hair changed colors along with his mood.
“Very good…is there something more you would like to share with us” asked Khalida knowingly. She gave the general a sideways glance as she said this. He arched an eyebrow and gave a slight grin as she waited for Yukio to share who he really was.
“I think it is time to tell you all who I really am. It is apparent that mistress Khalida already knows my secret or has guessed what it is. As you all know, the druid council of Tuwa has been missing its seventh member of their high council. After the loss of their castle, one of them went into hiding. He decided to hide in plain sight. I am the seventh druid” explained Yukio with a tone in his voice that made it clear that this was very significant. Silence met this unexpected declaration. If they only knew that this secret is nothing too shocking. If they only knew my real secret…then again, that kind of knowledge would cause them undue stress and we all have plenty to deal with right now.
“Really…” began King Angus. His face masked any feelings or thoughts he was thinking. He did not say anything else as everyone waited politely for the general to finish what he was saying. I wonder if the druids could help our home land.
“Do the others know of your secret?” asked General Lang. He was referencing the other druids, who he did not care for all that much. They are just as meddlesome as the guardians. At least Yukio is different than the rest of them…he will help a great deal more than those mystical philosophers.
“No…they do not know yet. I appreciate your sentiments General Lang…I will most certainly use my considerable talents and abilities to help us win this war.” He smiled grimly at the giant general and briefly winked to indicate his sincerity.
“Yukio, I must report this information to the guardian council and to the druid council” replied Khalida simply. She did not really look like she cared if Yukio replied. She was going regardless of what he says. I hope he really does intend to use his considerable talents for good.
“You must do as you see fit…tell the druids that I will help them bring back Sali Castle when they are ready. For now…I must return to my duties in the north.” It was clear that he did not want to dwell overly long on the topic.
“I will pass along your message. I will leave you now so that you all can discuss tactics and other battle plans.” Khalida disappeared with a loud pop and left the giants sitting there with the newly revealed seventh druid. The blue mist seemed to linger a while longer this time and then vanished just as completely the elder guardian.