Chapter 18:1 -Consequences
When the breakfast ended the kitchen table was neatly put in order for the following meeting were all of the spring guardians gathered. Ard and Jagger sneaked out to the garden while Haz remained in the kitchen, sharpening his sword. Sanoi and Soi also remained in the kitchen and watched Haz’ silent work. Even if the sun was rising at a steady speed the world looked dark to Soi. What could they possibly do to stop Jack? Even without his small army of monsters and brokens, Jack was still a broken no matter how weak and they could do nothing to prevent him from using magic. Soi thought the controlled monsters were the worst part of the whole thing with their glowing red eyes. They had nothing left to lose. But Jack also had Ana under his spell and she was capable of anything. There was no way that they, the non-broken ones, could ever beat him. Soi sighed. Even if there wasn’t much hope, or rather none, he had to look hopeful and confident. He was after all the Spring Savior and he was the one who was going to lead all of them to a rather certain death. He sighed once more before he brushed away his gloomy thoughts and straightened his back.
-We should practice, Sanoi said all of a sudden. –It’s been ages since the two of us practiced, little brother. Must see if you gotten any better.
She smiled cheeky.
-I don’t know, Sanoi, Soi begun to protest.
-Oh, come on little brother, don’t be such a bore, we need some diversion from all of this or we’ll go crazy. Are you on, blond boy? Sanoi asked Haz.
Haz turned his head slowly and simply looked at Sanoi as if she was crazy.
-You could just say no, you know, Sanoi muttered and turned back to Soi. –Come on!
-Just for awhile then, before the meeting starts, Soi gave in.
A few minutes later the two stood in the garden, both in their spring guardian clothes. Sanoi in clean, dark blue attire with shining buttons and a blue scabbard at the waist. Soi on the other hand, only had the cape left from his guardian clothes, it had bleached over the years since he first got it and he had sewn it many times over. The same went for the scabbard which had been his father to begin with so it was even more worn out.
-I can’t believe you’re a spring guardian. Is this how you take care of your things? I remember you as a neat person, little brother. Sanoi looked down on Soi.
-Try living in the same clothes for seven years, big sister.
-Oh, homesick, little brother? You could’ve just thrown it away.
They began to circle around with the tip of the swords nudging the other ones.
-Is that dad’s old sword?
-Yes, the only thing in perfect shape I may warn you.
-Oh, really, we’ll see about that, Sanoi teased and attacked.
Though it had been awhile since he practiced and he was still weak after the starvation, Soi easily evaded the attack and struck back at her side. He hit her with the flat side of the sword so she wouldn’t be hurt but it would still leave a bruise.
-Good brother, you’re better than you used to be.
-It’s only the beginning, Soi answered with a smile.
For awhile the siblings kept up with the play and both of them earned some bruises but then Siri caught them.
-Are you two out of your minds?! You can’t practice now! The meeting is about to begin and you, Siri yelled and pointed at Soi, -You should definitely not practice! Give me that sword!
Siri stretched out her hand to take away his sword but Soi backed away.
-I hear you, sister. Me and Sanoi is done anyway, you don’t need to take it, Soi said and held the sword behind his back, safe from Siri’s fingers.
-Well, get inside and get changed. You can’t look like a beggar when you meet with the guardians.
Soi sneaked inside before Siri could nag more. She attacked Sanoi instead.
-What were you thinking? He’s not in any state to be practicing now.
-It was the last chance I had, Sanoi answered and shrugged her shoulders.
-What do you mean? Siri asked.
Soi didn’t stay to hear the answer but run up to his room. He knew very well what Sanoi meant but he didn’t want to believe it. He swallowed and tried to control his emotions. Then he saw the white cape lying on his bed. His mother must have put it there while he was outside. First he was terrified, like struck by lightning he couldn’t move. A fierce battle evolved inside of him. Fear, guilt and a sense of duty fought in his mind making his whole body shiver and sweat. His knees were about to give in when he silently decided to take on the roll he once had fled from. He walked up to the white cape and carefully let his fingertips touch the cloth. In silence he put on the cape. It fit perfectly.
When he walked down the stairs again the kitchen was once again full of people, but this time they were all spring guardians dressed in blue like the spring they protected. They bowed when Soi descended down the stairs in the Savior’s white cape.
-Rise, he said with a firm voice. –Let the meeting begin.
They all settled in the small kitchen and Sanoi began to speak.
-The day has come when our duty as Spring Guardians is more than just keeping the peace and health of the islands people. It is now our daily practice is tested. We know what to do. The whole island knows what to do. We will protect the spring until the day we die. That’s the oath each of us has taken. We were all born spring guardians and it’s time for us to take on our roll, to stand straight and be brave. Our enemy…
-Could you please stop with your fancy words, sister, Siri intervened. –That’s not how you talk and we all know what is facing us already. What we need to talk about is how we’re going to stop Jack and his monsters.
Sanoi glared at Siri.
-I was coming to that, sister dearest, she spoke through her teeth.
-The only way to beat him is to surprise him, Soi said and suddenly all eyes turned to him. –I’m just saying…
-Well thank you for your opinion but isn’t that obvious, Sanoi said calmly.
-That’s it, their mother erupted and stood up. -None of you are, clearly, fit to lead this meeting. Sit down.
Sanoi and Siri sat down again with glum faces.
-Soi, you know our enemy best. Please, speak your mind.
Soi stood up and once again all eyes lay on him. It felt similar to stand in front of the Academy’s council only he knew all of their faces. They were his friends and family, whom he had all betrayed. Soi took a deep breath.
-They are called the broken ones, they possess magic powers and their leader is Jack. Most of the brokens don’t perceive us normal people as people. You could say they think of us as we think of animals.
-Then they are in for a big surprise when we fight back, Sanoi said with a wide smile and the other guards smiled too.
-The other brokens are only following Jack because they are scared, and the monsters, they’re controlled by him. He is the problem! Soi said upset.
-Then it’s him we should concentrate on, Siri supported her brother. -Soi is right. The chairman is our problem, if we only could get to him the others will fall as well.
-If what you say is true then the chairman doesn’t perceive normal people as threats, their mother pointed out.
-Surely he most expect some resistance? One of the guards asked.
-He does, he has an army of monsters. Siri explained.
-Monsters? It’s the second time you mention them. What are they, large dogs? Sanoi mocked her sister.
-Humans. Controlled by Jack, Soi said quietly. –They are a kind of brokens too only they’re more destructive but also more easily manipulated.
-So they don’t know what they are doing? How can we fight against that? Sanoi’s smile faded.
-We don’t. He’s prepared for a fight but doesn’t perceive us as a threat. That’s our advantage, their mother spoke again. -If we don’t fight he won’t either. All we have to do is get close enough to kill him.
-How do we do that? Soi asked. He couldn’t see the light his mother told him existed.
-Distract his attention. And if we can reduce the number of men in his army it would be a good thing too.
To be continued...
By J.L.Frick
