Keeper of Life - NaPoWrMo Entry

“Solar,” her father after putting down a tray, “are you sleeping?” She sat up on the couch she was laying on.

“No, I couldn't,” she said. They had been up practically all night and both met downstairs at the same time. Since midnight they'd camped out in the living room waiting for dawn. She picked up the cup and blew off the smoke that trailed up.

“I know it's coco first thing in the morning, but we can make an exception today,” he said with strained emotion in his voice, it sounded fake to even his own ears. He sat on the floor for no reason in particular and drank his coffee. “I have to leave later, to go back to the hospital, you know for paper work and... things. Do you want to go with me?” he asked but she didn't respond. It was okay he would ask later.

They hadn't talked about it at all, each of them filling the air with silent movements during the night. Even the card game they played was quiet, one sentence conversations that were never entertained any further. He tried to console her and wondered who would console him?

A knock came at the door as the sun began to rise. They were both relieved, this lingering silence was painful and threatened memories to burst back.

“Matriarch,” he said as he opened the door. Dipping his head in respect he let her in. Her two escorts stood outside by a reserved trolly.

“I heard what happened, you have my respect. Know The Tree honors her sacrifice,” she said warmly.

Solar wasn't sure how to react, fearful that Val would know how she did on the test, apathetic because of her mothers death, or glad to do something, anything to get her mind out of the sickening gloom. Decidedly she got up and stood beside her father. Both of them with deep rings set in their eyes.

“I have something you should see, as a future guardian, but... if you need time I'll understand,” she said looking down from her tall position. Even without wind her mane seemed to flow elegantly.

“If you want to Solar, I have to go to the hospital anyway and-”

“It's okay, I'll go Dad, Val,” she said cutting him off. She knew what he wanted to say, and she had no intentions of ever returning to the hospital again if she could help it.

“Good, I know it's hard but try and keep your mind off it, okay,” he said trying to keep breath flowing into his lungs at a steady pace.

She nodded and went to Val. “I know Dad.”

Valor turned, dipped her head and said, “Thank you Mr. Flare.” He bowed back.

Before they left Solar turned and threw her arms around her father, tears threatening to burst forth again. “I love you Dad,” she said.

“I love you too honey,” he replied.

Valor said nothing until they got on the trolly and it shifted forward. It was the first time Solar remembered seeing Val on a trolly.

“Are you okay?” Val asked.

“Yeah,” she replied quietly.

“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked but Solar only shrugged. “Life is complicated sometimes, but all life returns to The Tree. It's hard to think about it, but without death there would be no life. Your mother will always be a part of you because she's a part of The Tree, don't forget that.” It did nothing to help and Solar had to bite her lip not to cry again.

“We have something really important today,” Val said trying to change the conversation. “I want you to keep in mind what we're dealing with. You can't let it fool you,” she said as the trolly passed under a large arch when they crossed districts. “They're things of deception, vile, seething insects. They are not you or I, they don't feel like us Solar and they'll use everything they can to turn you against yourself and The Tree.” Solar nodded feeling both incredibly important and afraid.

“Why me?” she asked. “What about the others apprentices or the other Guardians?” Val smiled at this.

“I have to find a successor one day Solar, you have a strength inside you that I can't deny. Besides the Guardians are... busy right now,” she said. Solar smiled at the complement then darkened.

“You know I didn't pass,” she said downcast.

“Even I didn't pass my first trials,” Val said. “To be Matriarch we have to pass The Guardian's tests, and the Matriarch's Trial.” She leaned in and whispered, “Don't tell any one but the matriarch trial is way easier.” Solar giggled at this despite herself and was glad she came along.

They neared the wall and the cart slowed down. “Now remember Solar, this may be your duty one day, remember to take in everything. Where it looks, what it says, how it moves, where and why. I want you to observe every little detail because details can tell you everything.”

They departed the trolly and a set of guards opened a small set of doors beside the monolithic gates.

“Why is there that huge gate when we have this little one?” Solar asked, always wondering why.

“This was the first wall built. The main gate cuts through the entire wall and let our armies out and back in. This little one just goes inside,” she answered.

“Ohh,” Solar replied, the answer painfully obvious to her now and she felt silly for asking.

“Before we go in Solar you should know. Yesterday the barrier was breached,” she said.

“But I thought that was impossible!” Sol jumped in. Valor held up a hoof in a 'let me finish,' fashion.

“They've passed the first wall and have killed Commander Bright and ten others. I am to blame, I knew something was wrong, The Tree warned me, but I underestimated them, and overestimated our own command. When you're a guardian, remember to trust your instincts,” she told her and they entered the wall. “No one is without flaw. Not you or I, and not our enemies.”

The inside was surprisingly well lit, filled with an ember hue she felt welcoming. The stone walls looked different then those outside, and she wasn't sure if it was the light or how they built it.

She walked beside Val, guards passing them and bowing their heads as they made down the hallway.

“Matriarch,” the major said greeting them. “We've nothing yet, but we're looking. We have guards posted all along the outer ring of the wall and the inside of the outer wall. There's nowhere they can hide we'll have them soon,” he said.

“Good,” she replied though unhappy they remained hidden still. “I know you're acting commander Major, so make sure that your old position is filled, I don't want you over worked,” she said. He nodded and they both knew he would continue doing both jobs until the monsters were killed. “So where is it?” she asked.

“This way,” he said leading them down a divergent path, then down a set of stairs.

Even though there was just as many lanterns this floor seemed darker to Sol. They passed rooms filled with shackles and closed with iron bars but those didn't frighten her as much as the bolted steel doors that concealed anything behind.

“Is there anyone in here?” she asked almost afraid of the answer.

“Only one right now Ms.Flare,” the major said. It shocked her he knew her name. Clearly her accompaniment was not an afterthought.

They stopped at the end where the hall widened out making another room. Four guards were posted there. The door was opened for them but the major paused.

“Excuse me for asking Matriarch, but is it really okay to bring her in?” he asked.

“She has to see sometime, perhaps if the rest of our ranks were like educated this whole affair could have been avoided,” she said.

“Perhaps,” the major replied and led them in.

Inside was a large open room, covered with the ember light that seemed to permeate even the stone walls. Iron bars separated them and the collared beast inside. His breath was jagged and she could see the shattered teeth that were set inside his mouth. Clots of blood marred his body, they were hard to see against his black scales but the patches of missing scale and large wounds were not. A massive gash covered his face running through his left eye. The right side of his body appeared burnt. It reminded her of a charred page, one touch would turn it to ash. A collar sat around his neck, adjustable screws bit into his skin from around the ring. A deterrent against him changing. None of them knew he was incapable of doing so now, or adjusting to a size capable of slipping out. She could see how the weight of the collar and the chains attached brought him down, and saw his strained muscles as he attempted to raise his head at their approach.

Solar had not expected this when they told her in school about the beasts that lay outside the walls. Of the fearsome griffon army that wielded massive weapons, of the impenetrable dragons who summoned inferno's from their breath, and the wicked changelings that could take any form, that could mass in numbers. The changelings who's fangs were tipped with venom, the ability to take the shape of ones they loved, and words that were laced with poison. Changelings who could be among them even now.

Yet what she saw was not the beasts in her nightmares, or even the creatures that drug her mother away in the trial. She saw a creature that was at Death's door.

“Here it is Solar, the scourge that we will soon be permanently be rid of. How these things still exist I don't know,” Val said shaking her head at the pathetic creature. She paced along the bars looking down at the injured creature inside.

“He looks so injured,” Sol said.

“It pretends to be injured,” Val corrected.

“You fill their minds with lies young I see,” he said from inside the bars. He didn't have the strength to raise his head.

“So,” Val said to it, “should we skip to the chase then, should I start making you talk or do we have to go through this whole ordeal step by step?” It stayed quiet and she motioned for the door to be opened. The guard who'd entered the room with them entered the combination lock and slid the crossbar out. As the bars were opened they wined from neglect. How long it had been since these cells held prisoners.

'Isn't this a little excessive?' Solar wondered. From the wall, the door to the stairs, the cell door, the iron bars, and then the collar around his neck. To Sol it all seemed too much. 'Remember what she said,' she thought, 'it's killed others, it's trying to look weak.' They would need security like this, to keep it in, and to keep the others from trying to rescue it. She watched as it breathed as if on the verge of death and couldn't help wonder how much of it was acting.

“We both know I'm going to die, just get it over with,” he said. His voice was shallow and low. The weight of the collar keeping his head pressed against the cold stone ground. Pits filled his face from previous injuries, and the blood helped to fill the gaps the cuts left.

“You'd like that wouldn't you demon? No, your fate will not be so easy,” she said walking up to him.

“Demon?” he said laughing as much as injury allowed. It came out like a gurgle, the broken bones in his chest burning with every movement. “I do have a name you know.”

Now it was Valor's turn to laugh. “You don't deserve names demon, you're insects that will be exterminated and you're going to help me find the rest of them.”

“Oh will I?” he said.

“Yes,” she returned. He couldn't look up at her but knew what was coming from the glow that filled the room. Howls pierced Solar's ears and she cringed instinctively.

There was no moment in Sol's life that prepared her for what she saw. This was pain being born, like a creature being brought into existence before her eyes.

His leg twisted, the bones first popping then snapping. The wounds splitting back open. The sound of scales grinding against each other then tearing off was like the ripping of cloth.

“Stop, stop!” he yelled. The pain overcoming his reserve almost without warning or illusion. She did. Now his rasping breath grated against Solar's ears, his lung's demand for air that wouldn't come.

“You...” he said. Drool hung from his mouth. “You call us the demons,” he chuckled but couldn't continue due to the pain. He turned his head and his gaze pierced Solar. His expression a deep anguish but soon turned to pity. “I feel sorry for you child,” he said and returned his head. “Your terrible at this, you're supposed to ask me a question first,” he said to Valor.

“That was to show you what I'm capable of, and believe me, that was nothing,” Val said, her words laced with a scorn that seemed to wash humidity into the room. “Where are the others?” she asked.

“You should ask me questions I actually know.” His voice was little more then a whisper and Solar found herself leaning in to listen.

“You can't stop lying can you insect?” Her hoof landed by his head, but he didn't flinch. “Well, shall we continue then?”

“Sure,” he said and prepared for the pain he knew would eventually break him. It was his back leg this time but now he was silent and Solar heard every pop and snap. Blood flowed from his gritted teeth. Fragments shattered off from the already cracked fangs from when they slammed his head against the stairs. She released him to the same gasping of breath.

“So, where are the others?” she asked again.

“Should... I just lie? They're at candy cane lane,” he said with jagged tones. A sickening noise came from his throat. Solar only knew Val was doing something to him, but couldn't see what.

“I don't... know... we, we split up,” he said gaining the last of his words as she released him.

“Well then, was that so hard?” she said grinning.

Val stretched her neck letting her joints pop and released a sweet sigh.

“What now?” Solar asked, “Your done with him, right?” she asked. She felt sick, her emotions slammed into each other like a bar brawl. It would have already broken her if she wasn't still numb from the loss of her mother. Her mind swirled as she looked down at him, at Valor who towered above the creature. Her shadow circling her like a cut-out paper star.

“No,” she said, “we have much more to get from it,” she said. Solar wasn't sure she could watch much more and found herself backing against the wall. “Remember Solar, it's trying to deceive you. It knows it can't fool me, so it's trying to hurt you.” She looked to Solar with a concerning face. “It doesn't feel like you and I do,” saying as she drove a hoof into his side. “Without us this thing would consume all, it would spread like a disease preying on foals in the night. Solar, it would rip you limb from limb without regret, without remorse and drink your blood.”

He would have said something if he wasn't trying to just breathe. He considered, for just a moment, that it would be easier to stop breathing, to just pass out and hopefully she would kill him him. He looked around the room for something to end his life but nothing came to view. It was useless anyway, he didn't have the strength. 'Forgive me Lady,' he thought because he knew, with time, he would crack. Torture bleeds everyone in the end.

“So, now your going to tell me how exactly you plan on killing The Tree,” she said. Blue arcs of pixy flight swam around and through his body. He shook until blood ran from his now useless eyes and nose. It filled the floor along with whatever fluid he had left in his body. The smell hung in the room like a deep musk and Solar was now beginning to gag despite the scene before her.

“Magic,” he lied. She grinned and shocked him again.

“You think I'm that stupid?” she said. “I know when you're lying. Or are you just trying to be smart with me. I assure you it's a very stupid decision on your part.” She shook her head. “I know more then you think I do already. There were six of you in my city, your broodmother of a leader is with the other group, you entered in the same location but split up.” Her face took on a softer appearance. “She left you for dead, as decoys, she can't save you, and there's nothing for you left. Allow me to give you the pleasure of death, the alternative is not as merciful.” He stayed silent.

The major stepped in. “Matriarch, why do we not take him to The Tree?”

“It is too weak Major, The Tree would only kill it.”

He smiled through blood stained fangs. “Does it do naught else?” he asked.

“Then you've chosen,” she said standing tall once again. Static lines swarmed him, flickers of blue light arcing into the walls and floor. His body surging all at once and without pattern. A beat began to grow as his head contacted the floor over and over again. His eyes shook and spun like a chameleon's.

She waited until he tried to stammer something, an unintelligent babble and continued after she stopped shocking him. “Spear” he said, “the spear,” His now dead eyes narrowed. No voice came out. His tongue hung out limply. He mouthed the word over again.

“Ah, very good. I know what they're planing on doing,” she said to the major. With a cocked head she looked down at him with curious eyes. “This could have been easier,” she said and her horn lit up again. Lightening lit the room until his body no longer moved, it had taken longer then Solar bared to watch. She exited the cell accepting a rag from one of the guards. She wiped the blood and spit off her hooves and tossed it on the ground where the guard promptly picked it back up.

“Besides Major, I needed to test their limits,” she said as the guards entered the cage behind her. She looked to the quaking body in the corner. “I know that was hard Solar, but this was very important. You've seen something no other guardian will. You have seen first hand their resilience and how easily they can manipulate you,” she said, raising a hoof toward her. Solar flinched away instinctively but Val didn't seem to notice.

“Come on Solar,” she said guiding her out. When Sol exited the room air filled her lungs again, she didn't notice that she had been holding her breath.

“That... It... I...” she stammered not knowing what to say.

“It's hard seeing that kind of thing, I know. As a guardian you have to understand it was just trying to use you, it was reaching into your mind and twisting your thoughts. Remember Solar, it's not like us, it doesn't feel like we do, it's just an insect,” she said wiping a tear from Sol's face.

“It seemed so real,” Sol said.

“Of course, that's how it uses you,” Val returned. The major subtly intoned the movement forward. “It's like a nightmare, it seems frightening at the time, but once you wake up you realize what it was, that it was only there to frighten you and weaken you. Don't let it, use it and grow stronger.” She smiled now. “I bet your trial will be nothing now right?” Val said nudging her.

Despite herself she smiled, memories twisting together until they canceled each other out, at least for the moment.

When they reached the top of the stairs the major finally spoke up, “That didn't seem... overly useful.”

“What are you talking about Major?” she asked. “I know their team make up, that the higher ranking insect escaped and is alone trying to regroup. I know they haven't reached the inner wall and are badly injured. I know the extent of punishment they can take, and gauged their loyalty. Their broodmother is young, and hasn't enforced her will upon them and I know they come from different broods,” she said.

He looked shocked and shook his head.

“It's clear they aren't imprinted, it isn't rigid enough. It tried to lie at first, and it joked. It engaged me in frontal conversation. That tells me a lot Major, and that's only the beginning,” she said. “We fought these things in the past, and our library is a marvel of it's own. You should visit it one day.”

Solar perked up, the library.

“I'll have to do that,” he responded.

“Ensure that you enforce the further rim as well, they're likely here for the Winter Solstice. There's no need to hunt them, let them come to us just clear out the rim so we don't incur further casualties.”

“Already done,” he replied.

“Good, I've already set up with Captain Stone lodgings and meal services inside the city for relief. Don't overwork them. Tired guards are useless,” she said.

“Of course,” he returned.

She shook her head. “Of course you know, I apologize I'm used to dealing with Commander Bright. But this is still my duty you understand.”

“I wouldn't have it any other way,” he said stopping as they stood outside the door. He bowed his head to her. “May The Tree watch over you Matriarch,” he said.

“May The Tree watch over us all Major,” she returned.

Val turned to Solar and guided her toward the trolly. “Let's visit The Tree, we both need to relax a little,” she said.

“I just don't get it, why would they come all this way just to kill The Tree? How were they going to escape. I mean, they couldn't have thought there was a way out, it's just... I don't understand, why?”

“They've been our enemies since time began Solar, hate is a hard thing to break. We've always had the city, we built this stone ourselves, and created The Tree so it could protect us from those who wished us harm. They cannot stand to see us prosper while they have squandered their time.”

“But try and clear your mind now Solar. I think a stop for ice cream could do us both well, what do you think?” Solar smiled and nodded as the trolly shook and started off.