The storms began over Ireland and the United Kingdom. Then Canada and the United States were hit. By the time we Guardians convened somewhere in the Florida Panhandle, the first stirrings of more problems began over the Philippines. The changes took decades, and the humans squabbled over global warming and prophesied apocalypse. We saw the changes for what they were, or more precisely, what they could be. Periodically, a rogue would appear, a Guardian would find him or her, and eliminate the problem. This was different. The call went out through North America, and I responded first. Because when Sophie calls, anyone of sound mind obeys.
This story is about Sophie and Pembroke. I was a powerful Guardian in my own right, but Sophie, well, other stories might call her the “Chosen One.” Those stories have destinies and fates, a declared enemy, new or old, that must be faced before the time of peace can be issued in. Who can say? Perhaps the Elders knew a time would come, but if they did, their insight was not passed down through the generations or out into the world where Our People already stood guard. Some do whisper that the Elders saw something in her, saw our future even. It had been a century since I had met Sophie and her Healer Pembroke. The chance encounter was insignificant in many ways, but that one night around a campfire verified everything I had ever heard about them. The sheer energy exuding from Sophie was overwhelming. By association, Pem too held an air of power that, without a moment’s thought, caused those in audience to show the utmost reverence. There are those, however, who scoffed at them. Whatever the case, a time had come on Earth when mass chaos seemed imminent; it’s first rumblings already fueling panic. As a Guardian, my instincts and own developed sense led me to do what I could, but the scale of the matter baffled me. I admit, I even felt a bit lost. So when the call came, my Core recognized Sophie immediately and filled with both dread and hope. Something was to be done; a decision would be made.
The trees began to thin as I approached the clearing. A fire was crackling in the center as a crouched figure tossed dried Spanish moss on top. Pem always wore dresses, and tonight a happy floral print blew in the high wind. Sophie stood a few feet away looking into the sky. Because of the suspicious cloud cover, this part of the country hadn’t seen stars for weeks now. Even from a distance, the soft green rings of her irises began to glow. The wind gained speed, and Pem let out a frustrated protest. The sky above the campfire was cleared. Stars peered through the opening like curious children. Smiling, I enjoyed the sight for a moment before finally entering the campsite. Sophie’s body turned to greet me, her eyes dark again in the night. There was no reason for introductions; I was sure she had known I was coming from a hundred miles away.
“How many others are coming?” I asked. We clasped wrists.
“One more pair is moving this way. Others are international, trying to do what they can. Or so their messages have said.”
I studied Sophie’s face. “You suspect them of abandoning duty?”
“Yes.” She said it so simply; I was taken aback.
“I admire your dedication, Dominick,” Pem said brightly. “You say ‘abandon duty’ while others might say they are only acting as Our People should in these times. Sophie is obviously beside herself with anger at them.”
Pem and I both looked at Sophie, who was standing still and quite unperturbed. Pem laughed carelessly, but I could only smile. Standing between Warrior and Healer, I could feel the pull of both temperaments. I wanted to laugh with Pem. Her eyes sparkled in the newly released starlight. Her face was all mirth, love, and beauty. Sophie was beautiful, too, but the difference was night and day. The ethereal beauty of her face and form were joined with seriousness and thoughtfulness. As a small unmoving female, barely touched by the firelight, a fool could mistake her for harmless. The danger in any fully displayed Warrior could send an army running, but the danger innate in Sophie was more than I had ever felt. I was certain Pem was the only one who would dare make jokes at Sophie’s expense.
“Well, if she won’t tell, then I will,” Pem said, laughter forgotten. “We’ve been in Repose for seventy-five years. Since Waking, we’ve been looking for Guardians, and many of the ones we’ve found have no desire to get involved.”
“So that’s why you’re just now calling?” I nearly yelled. “I’ve been wondering where you were, why nothing has been done!”
“And why would you be waiting on them?” Two figures stepped into the clearing. Max was not the help I’d been hoping for. And his sarcasm and sneering were certainly not wanted either.
“Do you have to start with that right now?” Pem asked.
“I’ll say it until I get a good enough answer to stop. Etienne, go help Pembroke.” The tiny woman at his side happily danced to Pem with arms open.
“And I’ll keep asking you why you treat your Healer like a slave until you learn some decency,” Sophie coolly said.
“Then we are at an impasse,” Max shrugged. “Dommy, somehow I knew you’d be here. They need someone to lick their boots.”
I could feel my eyes begin to glow, and the cells throughout my body started to awaken and vibrate. Max had never learned how to show respect to anyone. He was a loathsome bastard. He had crossed many Warriors in his long life, but there were never victories or losses. Other Guardians stepped in to salvage what would end up being one of the greatest disgraces a Fata could commit – the unprovoked murder of another of Our Kind. Bruised egos did not count as good enough reasons; only rogues could be marked for death. At the moment, I couldn’t make myself care if I was Disgraced or not. Max grinned at me like a fox, and his eyes shown with muddy brown rings. The forest trees were swaying in frenzy.
“We’re not children anymore, Maxwell. Watch what you say and who you say it to,” I said. I felt the split second it took the muscles of his body to react. I felt his wall of energy flying towards to me.
And then we were blinded. The lightening bolt had struck only feet away from both Max and I. Crumpled at the bottom of a tree, I felt like I had been tasered. Every inch of me was momentarily in shock, and dots blocked by vision. Alarm rose in my throat. I must get up! Max will come after me again! But I needn’t have worried.
“Your egos or lack of manners are of no matter here. There will be no fighting.” Sophie’s voice was deadly and final. My vision cleared enough to see that Max too was in a heap on the other side of the campsite. “Dom, I appreciate your effort, but there is no need for you to defend Pem and I. We’ve heard it all before. And Max… Everyone hates you, but you’re a good soldier and do your job; so we tolerate you.”
Sophie turned from us both and sat down on the grass next to the fire. Pem and Etienne were sitting Indian style, side by side, with only the faintest signs of worry on their faces. If I could have moved by face, I would have laughed. Etienne didn’t look the least bit concerned her Warrior could die, and I had a feeling she wouldn’t have cared. Eventually, I recovered and limped towards the others. Pem smiled at me warmly and offered to fix my leg. She worked her smooth hand up my jeans’ leg and held my calf. My cells responded, tingling as her energy flooded in and replaced the pain with the calm of her healing power. I took a seat, and we waited in silence for tensions to ease and the night to reach its full. I didn’t know it at the time, looking around our small group, that we were the beginning. I knew we were there to talk, to figure out what steps to take against the chaos that was spreading itself over the world we were meant to care for, but I had no idea where it would eventually lead. Or what the sacrifices would be.
