The Reclaiming: The Keepers Saga: Volume Two Page 3

  Savannah watched as he walked out of sight.

  “He will return, I promise you,” laughed Teeca with a smile.

  “I know he will,” replied Savannah as she blushed, “it’s just hard to be away from him. He’s the only reason I haven’t completely lost my mind. I don’t know how I would have survived this without him.”

  Teeca took her by the hand, and said, “Come with me, I want to show you something.”

  Savannah followed her towards the eastern part of the forest.

  “You see these trees?” asked Teeca.

  “Yes, my Lady.”

  “They all have a life of their own. I know each and every one of them. They speak to me with their worries and their needs, in their own way of course, just as the people of the Kain do with their King. I am charged with protecting them, and keeping them healthy.”

  “You must feel overwhelmed,” replied Savannah as she walked next to her.

  “No, never overwhelmed, just worried. The falling of the Golden Oak bears heavy on my heart. I think about the dark magic that decayed its roots, and the rest of the forest inhabitants. They look to me to keep them safe, and I failed with the great Oakling.”

  “You were just as unprepared as the rest of us,” said Savannah in an attempt to console her.

  “I know this young girl, that’s why I have brought you here. The falling of the Golden Oak wasn’t just a tragic loss, but it was also a reminder to all of us that even the most powerful can be helpless to protect the ones we love. I feel the same way about the Golden Oak as you felt about your mother.”

  Savannah suddenly stopped fidgeting at the mention of her mother, as she replied, “My… mother?”

  Teeca grew a warming smile as she said, “Yes. I know the pain inside your heart, for no matter how hard you try to suppress it, it is still there. You feel like there is something more you could have done.”

  Taken aback, Savannah said in defense, “I don’t blame myself for my mother’s death, and besides, how could you possibly know anything about her?”

  Teeca’s eyes began to grow moist as she replied, “I know more than you will ever know, for I was there. I was there through it all.”

  “What are you talking about?” questioned Savannah, trying not to show her aggravation.

  “When you saw me for the first time in the forest, that wasn’t truly the first. You may not have noticed, but I have been with you since you arrived in this world. From the moment your mother gave birth to you, to your first steps, I was there. From your mother’s last breath, to your entrance into womanhood, I was there.”

  “What do you mean?” questioned Savannah.

  Teeca smiled as she replied, “It would be easier if you saw for yourself.” She then placed her hands on the side of Savannah’s head and closed her eyes.

  As the Angel’s hands touched her, Savannah was instantly teleported back in time five hundred years. The man of Kain called Brin, the first to cross the Separation and the one to gain Teeca’s heart, stood at the edge of a mountainous cliff, overlooking the western sea. He had the look of sorrow on his young face. He held one red rose in his hand, as the other played at the petals. Behind him stood Teeca with her back turned.

  “You know we don’t have any other choice,” she said with tears streaming down her flawless face as she stared down at a newborn baby girl in her arms.

  Brin replied as he continued to gaze over the horizon, “This was not my choice.” He then turned to face her as he continued, “This was your choice. I was ready to be a father… I still am.”

  She replied, still not turning around, “I told you my reasons.” She then turned to face Brin as she continued, “I did not intend for this to happen, for it is forbidden. Not only shall I not find love, I shall not create life within the mortal realm. That is what it means to be a Guardian. I already broke one of those vows, I dare not go through with the other. It will be hard enough to watch you leave my side when mortality eventually takes you, I will NOT watch my daughter do the same.”

  Brin softened his emotions as he said, “It doesn’t have to be this way.”

  Tears continued to fall from her eyes as they turned bright purple. “I am sorry my love.”

  She then revealed her mighty wings and leapt into the air and soared off the cliff with her newborn child cradled in her arms. Brin fell victim to his emotions as he fell to his knees and watched his love fly out of sight.

  Teeca flew her child to a small fishing village outside the Shorelands’ stronghold of Mir-Methiel. Once there, she disguised herself as a common woman of Ela. She found a suitable house of a married couple who have failed many times at having a child of their own. She told them that she was unfit to care for her own child, and that she deserved a chance at a normal and healthy life in the care of the Kain. The couple gladly accepted Teeca’s offer, and raised the young child as their own. They named the girl Ella, after the people she came from. Once Ella was of age, she had her own baby girl, and that girl had her own baby girl years later. Generation after generation, the daughters of the Angel always had a daughter of their own. Though they would belong to many different houses, they all shared a secret quality, they were all descendants of the Angel of the Forest. Teeca watched after each and every one of them in secret, whether it be in the guise of an old woman of Kain, or the many sparrows she often traveled as.

  Still entrancing Savannah’s mind, Teeca said, “Look back to when your mother died. The old woman that gave you a rose after she was laid to rest.”

  Savannah opened her eyes, which were saturated in tears, and replied, “You? That, was you?”

  Teeca smiled as she released her hands from Savannah’s head, and said, “Yes. It was always me. After every one of my children passed on from this world, I was always there to present a rose just as beautiful as the woman it represented, and one day, I will give your daughter a rose just the same.”

  Savannah was speechless as she stared at the Angel.

  Teeca caressed Savannah’s cheek as she continued, “I know it’s a lot to take in all at once. I contemplated on whether I was going to tell you, but my heart could no longer stay quiet. I just wish that my long-lost love could be here to see how beautiful you have become, how beautiful they all were, just like your mother.”

  So many emotions were flooding Savannah’s mind as she searched for the right words to say. Finally, she said, “There aren’t words to express how I feel right now, but if I had to choose, I would have to say that somehow I always knew that something was different. I used to call her an Angel, cause that’s how I saw her. Turns out I was right after all.”

  Teeca laughed as she wiped away a subtle tear from her eye. Savannah also let loose a small laugh and a smile as she too wiped her tears away.

  Savannah continued, “Why are you telling me this now? Why me and not the others?”

  Teeca replaced her smile with a more serious look as she replied, “Because my dear child, I need you now more than you know. Ah, we are here.”

  Savannah looked ahead to see a small valley full of young Oaklings, only a foot or two high.

  “Behold the beginnings of new life,” said Teeca as she smiled.

  “They’re so small,” said Savannah in amazement, “it’s hard to believe that these are the start of something so grand.”

  “It goes to show that even the most magnificent of creations start with just one seed,” replied Teeca, “just as you did inside your mother’s womb. You may see yourself as only a young girl from a lavished background, but I see much more in you. I can feel your heart, and the love it has for all the creations of the world.”

  Savannah blushed as she replied, “I’m not that great. Before this all began, I hadn’t even ridden a horse before. I am nothing compared to you my Lady.”

  Teeca stopped and turned to her as she said, “That is where you are wrong. You have a strength inside that you have not yet discovered. All you need is the proper tools to become someone greater that
you would ever give yourself credit.”

  “You really think so?”

  “Yes. I know so,” replied Teeca. “I do not trust that the Shade will keep his word, and I must stop the Realm of Shadow from growing beyond its borders into ours. I will be leaving soon, but I need to know that you will be safe, as well as the forest I am entrusted. That is why I have chosen you to help me protect the creatures and creations of our lands.”

  “Help? What kind of help could I possibly offer such a great people as the Ela?” asked Savannah doubtfully. “I am just a girl of Kain.”

  Teeca studied her for a second before saying, “You see these four rings I wear? This diamond one is the Ring of Fire. The sapphire is the Ring of Wind. This Opal is the Ring of Water, and this last one is my favorite.” Teeca took off the ruby ring and held it in her fingers as Savannah watched with fascination. “This is the Ring of Life. It has the power to talk to the creatures and trees of the forest. Whatever you ask of them, they will obey.”

  “It… is… beautiful,” replied Savannah as she reached out to touch the ring, before quickly withdrawing her hand. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

  Teeca laughed as she said, “It’s ok, you can touch it, after all, you will be soon wearing it.”

  Savannah looked shocked and confused as she said, “What do you mean… I’ll be wearing it?”

  Teeca replied, “I want you to wear the Ring of Life. To a normal girl, the ring is nothing more than a trinket, but you have my blood running through your veins. They enhance my powers and help me to control them better, but I do not necessarily need them. This ring will awaken a power hidden inside your soul, and if used correctly, it can save you and this forest from even the darkest of evils. This is the only way that I know you will be safe while I am away. Now, let me see your hand.”

  Savannah reluctantly stretched her hand out towards the Angel. Teeca took it and gently placed the ruby Ring of Life on her middle finger. Savannah immediately felt a rush of life fill her body, and she could feel the life forms of every plant, tree, and creature in her mind. She could feel their joy, and their pain. She felt their mourning over the fallen Oak, and their anger for the black demon that poisoned their kin. Savannah was brought to her knees as she tried to take in the incredible sensation of power.

  “Now you are a Keeper of the Forest,” said Teeca with pride, “arise and take in your new surroundings.”

  Savannah slowly rose to her feet as she looked around at all the life that she can now feel inside of her. She walked over to one of the nearby Oaklings, and held out her hand bejeweled with the ring of power. One of the branches above her started to stretch and move down towards the girl. As it arrived, it gently placed itself in her outstretched hand. Savannah calmly grasped the branch and felts its life force, and its willingness to obey. Right then she knew what she had to do. She had to stay with the Ela and help protect the Great Forest, even if it meant being parted from her love until the war was over.

  Back in the city of Brethiel, Dathian made his way to meet with the warrior Angel at his request. As he approached, he saw the Glammdreing waiting with his back turned.

  “Teeca said you wanted to see me?” said Dathian shyly.

  Glammdreing turned around and replied, “Yes, I have asked to meet with you to prepare you for what lies ahead.”

  “What lies ahead? Are you talking about traveling to Riverton?” asked the Prince.

  “No, I am talking about the battle to reclaim the capital of Kain.”

  “The battle? You surely don’t think that I will be in it, do you?” he asked with concern. “I don’t even know how to fight, I would be of no help.”

  Glammdreing started to walk closer to him as he continued, “You doubt yourself young Prince of Kain, although you did not at the Keeper’s wake. You might be unsure of yourself now, but you proved to all of us that you have a place in this war.” As he came close to him, Glammdreing stopped. “I sense a strong presence in you, along with your hate for the Dragon that killed your mother.”

  At the mention of his mother, Dathian grew instantly angered, but held his composure.

  “It is alright to be sad and angry,” said the Angel, “but you have to know when to control your emotions, AND your anger. Neither of which will help you in a battle. Now… shall we begin our training?” Glammdreing turned and walked over to a nearby bench.

  “Training… what training?” asked Dathian as he wiped a tear when the Angel wasn’t looking.

  Glammdreing gently picked up something wrapped in a linen cloth from the bench. There was a look of sadness and deep memory in his eyes as he stared down at the veiled object. He held it in such a way as if not to directly touch it, as if he feared to do so. The object that is wrapped in the cloth is in fact no ordinary trinket, nor was it crafted by any mere smith of the Ela. Veiled beneath the cloth is an ancient and powerful sword… and the Angel has every right to fear its touch. The gleaming silver sword is called the Blade of Mortal Hearts, and it was crafted by the god Eillea herself long before the world of men existed in Kranos. It was given to Glammdreing before he descended with the other Angels to become the Guardians of Ela, but the blade was not meant for him, for he cannot wield it… no Angel can. Before the gods created the three races of men, there was a great battle between the Angels of the heavens in the northern continent of the Frozen Isles, before it was frozen… but that story will be told at another time.

  Glammdreing turned and carried the forgotten blade over to Dathian.

  “This sword was crafted a long time ago by our Lord Eillea, and has remained hidden in my care for six hundred years,” he said as he peeled back the linen cloth, revealing a long silver sword.

  “Wow… it’s… like nothing I have ever seen,” replied Dathian in awe as his gaze became fixated on the enchanted blade.

  “This sword is yours now, young prince,” he said as Dathian looked up confused. “Well, you can’t expect to train without a weapon, can you? Go ahead, take it, and be careful… the sword is older than man itself.”

  Dathian looked at him for confirmation before picking up the blade with his right hand. He held it out and turned it back and forth, watching as the sun gleamed off the flawless blade. The sword has a gold and silver hilt that grows into a blade that thinly stretches out several feet. The top of the blade is curved just as the bottom is. Down the center is an inscription written that says, ‘Any who wield this blade shall strike true, strike hard, and strike pure.’

  Dathian could not take his eyes off the flawless instrument of war as he humbly looked up at the Angel, and said, “I don’t understand. You say that you have had this sword for as long as you have been a Guardian, and you want to give it to me? Just like that? I have not begun to earn such a precious gift as this. Why me?”

  Glammdreing grew a rarely seen smile and replied, “My dear boy, you have more to play in this tale than you know. I was told by Lord Eillea that I would know this blade’s owner when I saw them. I see you… here and now. The way you opened your heart to my people… I felt your pain and your sincerity, something that I have not seen from the Kain in quite some time. I understand that your mother once belonged to the Ela, and that she chose to leave despite the wishes of her parents, your grandparents.”

  Surprised, Dathian said, “My grandparents? You know them?”

  Glammdreing’s smile slightly faded as he said with sad eyes, “…Knew them.”

  Dathian grew timid as he asked, “Knew them? They… they are…”

  “Yes, they passed from this world shortly after your mother left.”

  Almost not wanting to ask, Dathian couldn’t help but to know, as he said, “How did it happen? I mean, what happened to them? My mother would never speak about them to my father or me. It was as if they didn’t exist.”

  “Understand this, your mother’s parents were well respected people amongst the Ela, but they were not good people. They were not kind to their only child, for they had her too late in
life to accept the imperfections of a child, and no longer embodied the patience needed to deal with such imperfections. Your mother Alendria never showed the damage they had done to her, but I could feel her heart, and knew that she would soon leave the forests, and never return. After she was gone, they were met with the realization that they were to blame, and couldn’t deal with the insurmountable guilt. I will say no more, for I have not the heart to tell you how they left this world. Your heart is still raw and in need of some healing, and someday when it is strong again, I will tell you the rest of their tragic story. For now, you must focus your mind and energy on the task at hand. Do you understand?”

  Dathian felt sincerity in the hardened Angel’s brass words, and knew he was right. He once again looked down at the sword and cleared the thoughts of his grandparents and replied, “Yes sir, I understand. I am ready to do whatever you ask me.”

  “Alright, now that you have the blade, you must know how to use it. Now… strike me.”

  Dathian looked at him in disbelief, and said, “No… I can’t… you’re… no, I can’t…”

  “Stop wasting time and strike me boy!” he yelled.

  Dathian said to himself, “Alright, here goes nothing,” and rose the sword to strike the Angel. As he struck, Glammdreing moved to the right, easily dodging the blade.

  “I said STRIKE ME!” he demanded.

  Dathian rose the sword again to strike, but was again dodged. He tried time after time, clumsily trying to strike the Angel, but each attempt was dodged. After the last attempt, Glammdreing took him by the shoulder, and threw him to the ground. Dathian rolled over to his stomach as he shook his head.

  “Get up, and strike me!”

  Anger and frustration started to fill the prince as he quickly jumped to his feet, and stretched the sword outright towards the Angel.

  “Control your emotions young Kain. Pay attention to your surroundings and your target. Take your time before you attack.”

  As he said this, Glammdreing picked up his mighty great-sword and motioned for the prince to attack him. Dathian circled a time or two before making his attack. Their swords met as Dathian withdrew his, before bringing it down once more on the Angel, again meeting swords. They dueled for several seconds, as Dathian intensified his attacks. Glammdreing started backing up as the unexperienced prince grew in intensity and skill. Finally, with one last precision strike, Dathian knocked the Angel’s sword out of his hand, then swinging his blade around, stopping only inches from the Angel’s throat.