Page 21 of Moonlit Guardians
“What did you think of him back then?”
I thought about that for a bit, running through every memory I had of Abedon. “He was powerful, handsome, intelligent, and cunning. But his anger was like a raging wildfire that destroyed everything in its path. I was scared of him.”
“We all were scared of him,” Aima groans as she works out a cramp in her calf. “Any chance he may come out of his prison reformed?”
“Slim to none,” I reply with a laugh.
Aima and I return our gear to the armory before I head to the Hall of Clans. Once there, I walk through the double doors and spot the king at the far end of the room. He tosses his long mane and bellows at his son. The young centaur storms out of the room. I stand off to the side, not wanting to interrupt, but King Galmer notices me quickly.
“My son is headstrong,” he says. “He feels you and the others in your company will bring the destruction of our home. I tell him it’s merely a matter of time before our enemies find us and they will bring the true destruction of everything we’ve worked for.”
“Do you have a way to evacuate in case of an attack?”
“Yes. All clan leaders have their evacuation protocols,” the king answers with a clipped nod. “But that isn’t why I called for you.”
“And why would that be?”
“I understand you’ve been assisting the artificer with the new communication devices and weaponry?”
“I have.”
He nods. “Would you mind helping the Mage’s Guild with their arcane experiments as well?”
I bow my head slightly. “I will offer whatever aid I can.”
King Galmer nods and gives me a quick grip on my shoulder that turns into a pat before he goes after his son. Meanwhile, I leave the Hall and head down the road, toward the guilds. Zir has been given an office above one of the smithing shops.
When I walk in, Zir tosses me one of the upgraded communication rings that allow the wearer to locate and speak with someone else using telepathic frequencies. The design is sleek and more durable than the last prototypes.
“Did the schematics I gave you work?” I ask.
“Yes, all of the com-rings are active.”
I feel accomplished and proud that my research into the technology of the ancient humans is finally useful. Zir and I pour ourselves over the plans for the vehicles. The com-ring chimes in my ears and suddenly Dragan’s voice begins to spew an endless stream of profanity at Flumph.
I suppose all technology has its downfalls.
***
THEREN
I grip the edge of the window and fight against the sheer terror that comes each nightfall. It’s too quiet and far too cold. I don’t wish to be in the darkness any longer. Morrigan held me captive within my own mind for far too long. That and my body still hasn’t fully healed from everything I’ve endured. My healing comes day by day but it’s slower than I’d like. I feel weak and I don’t like it.
My fingers dig into the terracotta beneath my hands. Muscles jerk and twitch until I cramp. The urge to scream for help rises. And then the door opens…
I release the windowsill with shaky hands and follow the sound of a clattering dinner tray. The young house brownie, Noni, sets the table and pours a bit of tea.
“Noni knows you like this kind,” she supposes. “She watches you when she visit the Unseelie Kingdom.”
“You... watched me?” My voice is hoarse, but she hears my question on the second try. She nods. “Why would you do that?”
“Master tell Noni all the time, he say ‘You listen, Noni. You go there and make sure the naughty fae isn’t hurting nobody.’ And Noni always listen to her Master.”
“Your master is Pyre?”
She bobs her relatively large head, causing her curls to bounce as she blinks her large eyes up at me. “He tell Noni to watch, but not to sit with you. Noni do that on her own. She watch you sleep so monsters no come and steal your dreams. She bring you tea.”
“I don’t remember that.”
