Anya slowed her ascent as she neared the top of the Imalandro and only when her feet were firmly on the ground did she gradually release her hold on the Will. She did not enjoy using the levitation skill Karia had taught her but it was the easiest way to commute in the large living tower. She waited until the sick feeling in her stomach subsided before taking her first step. It felt as if her stomach had been left on one of the lower levels while her head and body rushed upwards.

At first Anya had been adamant to use the stairs, but eventually conceded. Karia's room was one of the top levels of the Imalandro's apartment tower. Using the stairs would take far too long, and having so much to learn in so little time had forced Anya's decision, despite her fear of heights. Over time Anya had learnt to hide her unease and convince herself as well as others that the distance between Karia's suite and the ground was not that much.

As always the door to Karia's rooms swung open before she could even raise her hand. Clucking her tongue Anya stepped through the doorway.

"Anya, is that you?" Karia's deep, melodic voice reached Anya as she closed the door behind her.

"Yes, Dorothy said you asked for me." Anya replied, trying to mimic Karia's effortless grace.

The Keeper stepped out from behind a wall that separated the informal sitting area from the formal lounge. She smiled warmly and Anya did the same. Karia's stern exterior was disconcerting for some but to Anya, there was no kinder nor gentler person in the Imalandro.

Karia's pale skin was lighter than usual but her hazel eyes shone with pleasure at the sight of Anya. There was no pretense with Karia; one to always tell the truth whether Anya wanted to hear it or not. She was different to the other guardians—genuine, although Anya whitnessed her demeanor change in front of certain guardians—namely the Elders. Karia seemed to dread their visits more than all other guardians.

"Come, let us sit." Anya lowered her head and followed Karia to the informal sitting area.

A fire was crackling in the suspended fireplace. Just like Irien's, it was not connected to any chute, instead it sat in the middle of the room using a Will incantation to remove the smoke. Anya made herself comfortable on an armchair opposite Karia who was smiling. Anya felt squeamish under the scrutiny but folded her hands into each other and waited. Age was slowly catching up to the Keeper. Silver streaks appeared in her dark hair and slight creases were evident on the side of her eyes.

"How is Lady Irien?" she asked finally.

"Well, thank you."

"And her lessons are still informative?"

Anya smiled, "She is a wise woman. You both are."

"We are wise in different ways," Karia shifted in her seat. "There is wisdom in youth too, you know? One can learn wondrous things from the innocence of a child. Something I remind guardians of often."

"Especially the Elders?" Anya smiled at Karia's raised brows, The Keeper pursed her lips; telling Anya she should not expect an answer.

"Are you excited for tomorrow?" Karia asked instead.

Anya felt her stomach twist but she managed to reply with a steady voice. "You ask if I am excited to watch you vanish before me so I can replace you?"

"No," Karia shook her head. "I ask if you are excited to become the next Keeper?"

Anya stared back into the intelligent eyes that had taught her so much for the past five years. Karia and Irien had taught her individually all she needed to know about the guardians and the Elemental Nations. She had not been allowed to attend the school since she needed more knowledge than what was provided there.

Fve years away from people her own age and without a soul to really talk to had left her lonely despite always having someone at her side. Her lessons left no time to socialize let alone support a friendship, and when the odd occasion occurred when she was gifted an afternoon or morning free she used it to catch up on sleep or study.

"Is something the matter?"

Anya withdrew from her thoughts.

"Nothing, I just..." Karia waited patiently for Anya to continue. "I can't struggle...I worry I am not ready."

Karia narrowed her eyes and held Anya's gaze for a while before nodding solemnly. "Do not doubt yourself Lady Anya, you are more than capable. Who knows, perhaps you shall improve upon the what I have set in motion."

Anya lowered her gaze. "Forgive me." She forced a smile but instinctively reached for the old ring that hung around her neck along with the golden necklace that made her a guardian.

"For what?" Karia laughed. "You were chosen for a reason, Anya. Do not doubt that. You must not mourn my absence for I have lived too many years for anyone's liking."

Anya tried to laugh along with Karia. "Hardly a reassuring thought; to live forever without wanting to."

Karia smiled knowingly, "Maybe not forever."

Anya frowned. "A Keeper lives for thousands of years, you said it yourself?"

"I did," Karia nodded. "But I lied."

Anya raised her an eyebrow, which caused Karia to laugh deeply. "Don't give me that reprimanding look."

"A Keeper should never lie."

"A Keeper should do whatever she thinks is right, and in this case it's right to keep it a secret."

"So how long does a Keeper live for?"

"For as long as he or she wants after a reasonably time has passed."

"But surely the elves and feiries would–?"

"They do not count the years we live, but yes, I am sure you're right. However, they have said nothing thus far."

Anya chuckled to herself. "So how old are you?"

Karia frowned and looked up to the ceiling, murmuring to herself silently.

"I'm not quite sure, but what I do know is that my time has ended. I knew it a decade since. So ten years ago I sent out the message that the Choosing was near."

"Did the Gods approve?"

"Of course, I do not act selfishly. They would have said no if there was going to be no worthy candidate." Karia gave Anya a pained smile. Out of instinct, Anya knew there was something that she was not telling her.

"Dorothy said you had something urgent to tell me, was this it?"

It was a while before Karia replied. "No. Anya, forgive me but time has never been a servant to any guardian or god."

"I don't understand."

"Of course, forgive me." Karia stood up and walked to the large window that overlooked the city. "I won't lie to you and say that all is well in our world. I will not reassure you that those terrifying rumours are false."

Anya clenched her jaw. She had heard the rumours. The city was afire with the claims of goblins and kuvasai roaming Aneshian lands. The King had sent a message to Karia saying that he would strengthen the defenses of his main cities in case but doubted that the rumours were true. Others said that the pyree were out of hiding and were now traveling again as they used to, but the darkest and most concerning of the rumours were the ones involving the dark elves and their return to the Elemental Lands.

"Are they?" The question scared her but she needed to know. Anya stood and joined the Keeper by the window. "Are they true or just rumours?"

"They are not rumours, but to act now would be foolish."

Anya's hands began to shake. "Shu'ed Mar stirs and I am to be made Keeper. By the Gods, that is a good time for them to strike. We will be weakest–"

"You are not weak and they do not know that a new Keeper is soon to be anointed unless someone tells them. I have all the confidence in you and I have prepared you as best I can for what is to be done after I'm gone."

Anya schooled her face to blankness and met Karia's eyes. For the first time in months there were signs of Karia's true age peeking through. She looked tired as if her powers were draining away or being syphoned into someone else.

The well of compassion for her Keeper swelled a little wider as Anya realized just how tired her mentor was. How many wars had she seen? How many loved ones had she lost? Karia deserved peace. She deserved to find rest. "I will listen," she said as she bowed her head.

"Thank you, come sit. We have much to discuss."

Anya took a deep breath but did as she was told. Karia sat opposite and rubbed her palms on her dress, like she always seemed to do when she was in thought.

"Firstly," Karia began. "You must know that you will change. Your powers will enhance and new gifts will be bestowed on you."

Not too long ago Anya would be on the edge of her seat, eager to know what those powers were, but years of training and disciplining had taught her to hold back and allow things to happen in their own time.

"One of them being the art of mind reading," Karia continued.

Anya could not stop her eyes widening. "Have...have you been reading my thoughts all the time?" she stammered.

"No, of course not," Karia's smooth forehead was marred with a small frown. "That's what I need to tell you. It will be hard for you at first. It takes practice. First you will only sense emotion but when the time comes, and you hear your first thought, you must have respect and refrain from using it unless it is completely necessary. Understood?" Anya nodded, not trusting her tongue. "Good. The next thing I need to discuss is the matter of the Elders."

Anya could not stifle the laugh that escaped her lips and she quickly covered them with her hands. Karia stared at her for a while before laughing herself.

"What was the laugh for, child?" she asked with a twinkle of amusement. Anya shook her head quickly, not wanting to take her hand away from her lips. "Very well," Karia smiled knowingly making Anya certain she had read her thoughts.

Anya knew Karia was not very fond of the four Elders. Intrusive and impatient, Karia tolerated them because they were respected and wise. Anya often witnessed a confrontation between the four and Karia and knew about the frustration and annoyance of which Karia was about to speak.

"They can be stubborn at times," Karia continued. "But you must learn to control them and distance yourself from their grasp. They mean well, do not misunderstand me but they are wise and ambitious at the same time. They will think that they can manipulate you to do as they say. I must emphasize the importance that they do not. You make the decisions, understood?" Again Anya nodded. Karia exhaled slowly. "I know this is a lot to take in at the moment but bare with me. The next is the matter of the pyree. You do know of the grudge held against the people?"

Anya frowned. "Grudge? I thought it was more than that."

Karia sighed. "In ways yes and in ways not but do not allow others to make decisions for you. As Keeper it is essential to be open-minded. You will figure things out in time." Karia waved her hand freely, dismissing the matter. "My next piece of advice you must listen to carefully..."

Anya leaned forward as the Keeper trailed off. "Yes?" she urged.

"It has come to my attention that as allies, the Elemental Nations are weak. We can afford to risk ignoring the pressure at our borders."

"How are we weak? We are five nations to one."

"Yes," Karia agreed. "But in dire need expect no help from the Dwarves, and before you make your next comment, know that two of those four will not work together and that the other cannot be far away from the ocean." Karia waited for the information to sink in before giving a strained smile. "Never before has this worried me as much as it does now."

"What is to be done?"

"If anything could be done, it would have been done already." Karia sighed. "But you are much smarter and younger than I. You may think of something I have not. A fresh mind is always welcome when scrying old tales."

"You expect me to find a way to entice the merfolk away from the ocean's edge?" Anya laughed. "And convince the two immortal kings to put aside their differences?"

Karia smiled. "Uniting us is what will save us."

Anya frowned. "It sounds like an impossible task. Anesh has more chance in strengthening what we already have: the guardians, the Elite Warriors and King Rorian's army."

"Let us hope that is enough," Karia agreed. "But it may prove useless if my following suspicion is correct."

The air had a cold nip against her skin as she walked through the gardens of the Imalandro. She had to pull her shawl closer, burying her chin into its warm wool. Anya sat down on one of the cold stone benches astride the gravel path. She pinched her bottom lip without really thinking and jumped as her nail dug into its soft skin. She made sure there was no blood and then sighed.

Life would not have been so complicated if she had made different choices; if she had just refused to come to Arazia for the Choosing. Maybe she would have been a normal guardian with average responsibilities and friends. She hardly had time to see Trey, Roan and Sam over the years, but the moments she did have with them she treasured.

Giggles in the distance caught her attention and before long four guardians came into view. They were wearing the grey dress of novices and held a few books in their arms. Anya waited for them to notice her and almost choked as she recognized one of the women.

Gina was short compared to her three companions but by her posture and attitude Anya knew her size made no difference to her dominance. Her blonde locks were cut just above her shoulders and her girlish face had become slender and austere yet still held its childish charm. Dark green eyes met Anya's, certainty faltered for just a few seconds before narrowing in a pretentious smile. Anya only allowed the corner of her lip to curl but kept her eyes firm.

"Is that really you, Anya?" Gina laughed above her companions. "You look so different; I hardly recognized you. But then again you have been quite sparse during the years."

"We have all been busy," Anya replied flatly remembering a lesson Karia had taught her about self-control.

"Perhaps," Gina clutched her books in front of her chest and stopped in front of Anya. Her friends stood a little back whispering behind their books and hands. "You're a busy woman now and have numerous responsibilities. It must be lonely, hmm?" Gina's voice held no venom but Anya saw right through her mask of pity and care. She remembered Gina's relentless tongue.

"I manage." Anya smiled and stood, preparing to leave.

"You are leaving already?" Gina's eyes glittered with triumph. "I was hoping to chat a while; we have a lot to talk about. It has been too long."

"Maybe another time, Novice Gina."

Gina's cheeks flushed. Anya had been raised to the status of guardian early because of her position. Anya soaked in her own triumph and curtsied sweetly before turning on her heels and walking back to the Imalandro. One thing she had learnt with Irien and Karia was control. Words were powerful instruments if you knew how to use them. Her feet walked briskly—more briskly than she intended. Gina's words had hit a soft spot in her iron mail. Anya was lonely; she had only two women to talk to and the one was leaving her tomorrow.