Chapter 18

Arias had checked every place he could think of hoping to find ‘The Keeper’ but with each place he searched he came up empty and with each disappointment he could feel his anger rising.  Never before had anyone gotten the best of him, least of all a human.  He growled to himself, “She would learn to do as she was told soon enough.”  But in the mean time, “where on earth was she?”

He finally gave up and returned to St Dominic’s intending to speak to Father Adrian, but he was in a meeting and he was told could not be disturbed.  This did not put him in a happy place and in shear frustration he called out to Marcus.

Marcus, for some unfathomable reason didn’t seem to hear him, which fired his temper even more.  He was a Guardian for heaven’s sake, a seasoned Warrior to boot and he had lost his Charge!  It would not bode well if the Arch’s discovered he’d lost her, that she’d taken off and left him before he barely got to know her.

Before anger took too much of a hold Arias called to Marcus again, but still there was no answer.  He realised then that he’d have to go to the Guardian and ask for his help, if he’d give it that is.  He closed his eyes and in the flick of a moment he disappeared.

Arias had concentrated on Marcus and brought himself to where he would be, but was somewhat surprised when he realised where Marcus was.  He walked towards the campsite knowing that Obanab would not be pleased that he had appeared uninvited.  He stopped several yards away from the fire waiting to be acknowledged.  He wasn’t sure if either Obanab or Marcus has sensed him there as yet, but had no option but to wait.

Marcus knew the instant that Arias arrived, he looked up at Obanab but the Old One didn’t show any sign of knowing someone else was there.  He knew better though, he knew that Obanab would not acknowledge Arias presence until he was ready and considering he had shown up unannounced, it stood to reason that Obanab would make him wait.

They went on with what they were doing; Obanab sitting quietly while Marcus built up the fire.  It was neither hot nor cold in Obanab’s realm, but still a fire was comforting and he always had one when he had visitors. 

Obanab had summoned Marcus to him after discovering what the Arch’s had done,  he’d sent a request to the Arch’s stating that he was in need of his expertise.  He wasn’t forthcoming as to what that expertise might be, knowing the Arch’s would not deny him.

In truth he was most concerned when word had been sent on the wind that the Arch’s had made such a foolish decision concerning the two most important beings of this era.  He knew that they were trying to gain control of the situation and in doing so control of ‘The Keeper’.  He also knew that they had underestimated them both.

Obanab was old and wise and his memories of the past and of prophecies spoken were greater than any of the Arch’s, because he was far older than any including Gabriel.  That is why he knew they would not deny him Marcus. 

When Marcus arrived in Obanab’s realm he was showing open signs of missing his Charge, he was aggravated and easy to anger.  Obanab had made a special blend of tea and ordered him to drink deeply of it knowing it would calm him enough so they might speak.

Obanab waited patiently while Marcus drank and then made small talk until he could see that he’d calmed enough to discuss why he had summoned him.  Finally Obanab reached out to Marcus with his mind.   “I know what the Arch’s have done!”

Marcus looked at him with surprise but remained silent, “A message came on the wind, a message of concern and doubt in what they have done.”  Obanab reached out and touched Marcus on the shoulder, knowing that he was in pain at the loss of his Charge.

“Soon Marcus, you will be needed.  ‘Your Keeper’ will call for you and you must answer.  You would be unable to do so if you remained with the Guardians.”

Marcus considered what he had said for a few moments, “Is that why you summoned me Old One?”  Obanab smiled at the Guardian and nodded.

“If I send you to assist ‘The Keeper’ you will not be breaking orders, you will be obeying mine.  The Arch’s now know that Brindle is truly, ‘The Keeper’ the one spoken of in the prophecy.  They also know that to be in control of her will be to have great power.  She will be the final ‘Keeper’ Marcus and they want to be in control before it’s too late.”  Obanab sighed and paused as if deep in thought.  “You know the prophecy Guardian; I made sure you knew what it was and what part you were to play.”

Marcus gasped!  “The vision,” he said, “You sent me the vision of what may come to pass for Brindle?”

“Yes!”  Obanab looked him directly in his eyes, “but the vision was not of what may come to pass.  It was of what needs to be!”

The colour drained from Marcus’s cheeks and for a moment he stopped breathing.  The vision had been very explicit in what was to happen.  His role would be major and he needed to be with Brindle for that to happen.  “Shall I stay here Old One, until she calls for me?  I would go to her now if it was possible, but the Arch’s would re-call me as soon as they discovered I was with her.”

“Yes, you shall remain here with me until you are needed.  You will need to be on alert, as I fear you will be needed soon and what you will both face will not be easy Guardian.”  Marcus nodded in acknowledgement of what Obanab had said.  This was when he sensed Arias had arrived.

Obanab poured more tea and offered it to Marcus.  He waited until Marcus had finished before speaking, “Arias, what brings you to my realm unannounced?”

Arias could feel heat in his cheeks and pushed away the thought that he had actually blushed.  He was a Guardian, a Warrior… he did not blush… women and children blushed… not him.  Obanab cleared his throat as if asking him to answer his questions and Arias bowed his head in acknowledgement and respect of who he was.

“Old One, I apologise for entering your realm without permission.  This is something that would only be done if it were of great importance.”  Arias remained standing where he was with his head bowed, waiting for a response.

“And exactly what is of such great importance that you would arrive by my campsite as you have done?”  Marcus looked at him at that moment and was certain he saw the hint of a smile on Obanab’s face.  His eyes too shone like he was up to mischief and Marcus had to turn his face away so that both men would not see the grin that he was unable to stifle.

Arias looked suddenly defeated, all anger and frustration leaving him.  “I was assigned to watch over and protect ‘The Keeper’ Old one.  I considered this a great honour, one that seemed an easy enough task at the time.”  He paused for almost a minute taking stock of what had happened before continuing. 

“I have lost her Old One!  She slipped away from me as easily as if I were a novice.”  He shook his head and when he opened his mouth to speak he could find no words.  He lowered his face into his hands as if ashamed to look at either one of them.

Marcus sat quietly letting Obanab deal with Arias and the fact that he’d lose Brindle after what would have been less than an hour under his protection.  “Come, sit by the fire and rest yourself for a time.  We will speak of your situation and together decide what is to be done.”

Arias seemed uneasy about sitting and not acting on what had happened, but he knew better than to contradict Obanab, so he sat next to Marcus still unable to look him in the face.  Obanab served him the calming tea he had given Marcus and waited for it to take effect.  Then he spoke.

“You have lost ‘The Keeper’ Arias… and now you would have her true Guardian find her for you.”  These were not questions, they were statements of fact and as the words were spoken he saw the enormity of the situation.  The colour drained from his face and for a second he thought he was going to black out. 

He should his head to clear it and then looked to Marcus, knowing he deserved whatever strong words he would give him.  But when he looked upon his face he saw that Marcus was wearing a huge grin.  Marcus reached out and took hold of Arias’ shoulder and squeezed as men do when they greet each other.  “I don’t understand?” Arias said, “I lost her, she got away from me while I was being distracted by a priest.”  He shook his head again, “How can this be Marcus, she is human, she should not have been able to give me the slip as she did.”

“Arias my old friend, you are a good man, a true Guardian and an honourable Warrior, but you forget who Brindle is.  She isn’t just ‘a Keeper’; she is ‘The Keeper’ the final ‘Keeper’.  She would give Gabriel a run for his money,” he said before laughing with Obanab at what he’d just had the gall to say.

Arias looked from one to the other, “I don’t understand Marcus, what do you mean she’s the final ‘Keeper’?  There will always be a ‘Keeper’, just as there will always be a need for one.  Marcus looked to Obanab then, it was he who should answer Arias now, he had full knowledge of the prophecy and it was up to him to tell the tale.

“It was spoken of long ago.” Obanab began, “Long, long ago when many prophets roamed the earth there came a time of prophecies, a time when the prophets saw that they were having visions of future events and arranged a gathering to discuss and to document these events.”

Obanab waved his arm and more steaming hot tea was before them.  This time Marcus did the honours and poured firstly for Obanab, then Arias, then for himself.  Then they waited for Obanab to continue.

“There were some fifty prophets that gathered in the city that day, they were in a temple built for the Angels, a rare temple for the time and was kept hidden from those who had no belief in the one true God.”  He stopped to sip his tea and to let both men take in his words.

“One by one, each prophet spoke of their vision, but after only five had spoken it was realised that all fifty had had the same vision.  All spoke the same words as to what was to occur; there were no differences, no elaborations.  As true prophets they spoke the truth of what they saw and all were in awe of each other.”

Marcus listened quietly, knowing what was to come next and Arias tried to remain calm but knew that something incredible was about to be told.  “Each spoke of a young woman, a human woman who would become the final ‘Keeper’.  At first they assumed it mean that she would be the last of her line, that there would be no more to follow in her line or any other.  But as the vision unfolded to them they realised it was to be so much more.”

Arias looked at Marcus, “You know this prophecy my friend, I can see it in your eyes.”  Marcus nodded letting Arias know that he indeed knew the prophecy and its importance to all.  Then both men looked again to Obanab waiting for the rest of his story.

“What each of the fifty saw was not only the birth of the ‘Final Keeper’, but parts of her life as well.  They saw her Guardian and felt the bond that was to grow between them, a bond that would follow them both into the afterlife at the end of their days.  And their days together would be long and many.  For she would be gifted of longevity, the life of an immortal, a gift that is not given lightly as you know a gift that can only be given by a few.”

“You gave her this gift Old One?” asked Arias, “She has the gift of immortality and from what I sensed; she also has other gifts as well.”

“You are perceptive Guardian.  Yes it was I who gave her the gift of immortality and as you say, she has other gifts as well as those of a normal ‘Keeper’.  She is much stronger and faster than any other ‘Keeper’ that has ever been.  She can also shift into any living being she chooses, all she need do is picture herself in that form.  Her memory has grown exponentially and her thought processes are exceedingly fast and accurate.”

He sighed deeply almost as if he were in pain, he stopped speaking and instead showed them both in their mind what he could not speak, holding back only one small part.  A part that Marcus could have no knowledge of yet or it could possibly change what should be.

  Marcus lowered his head hiding the grief he knew would follow the final battle and Arias was both in shock and in awe of what he saw.  “But the Arch’s?” was all he could say.

Obanab looked to him, “The Arch’s are wrong!  They will not admit to this because they wish to rule and to rule they need to control ‘The Keeper’!”