Chapter 19

Brae woke to the sound of running water in the distance, he folded his blanket and placed it under Brindles head so she’d be comfortable then he made sure her own blanket was wrapped around her.  The morning air was crisp and he now saw it as his responsibility to see to her needs.  He was thirsty and after checking the area carefully to make sure they were alone he made his way to where he heard water running.

A few minutes later he came to an area with a small waterfall and was able to quench his thirst.  “Food,” he thought to himself, but knew that would have to wait.  His thoughts turned to Brindle and the weight of the responsibility that had now fallen to him.  He had longed to prove himself in battle, to be what he was sure he was meant to be… a Warrior and he would do what was needed, what was expected of him.  He would put himself between Brindle and danger; he would die to keep her safe.

Without Marcus to care for and watch over her, he Brae was worried that she would not have the kind of protection she needed.  But he also knew that she would not accept Arias in the role Marcus had and in both their minds would always have.

He splashed water over his face to clear the cobwebs of sleep and went back to where Brindle lay.  He was surprised to find a fresh piece of bark a few feet away from Brindle with fruit on it.  He knew that these fruits didn’t grow in the rainforest and when he turned to Brindle again she sat up and smiled at him. 

“I figured you’d be hungry by now,” she reached out her hand and he took it helping her get to her feet.  She didn’t need the help, she needed the physical contact he realised and felt honoured that she would reach out to him for this.

“Thank you My Lady, it was kind of you to think of my needs.” Brae said as he reached down for an apple. “Did you sleep well?  The forest floor is not what you are use to, but it isn’t as hard as some I have slept on.”

Brindle cupped her hands and water appeared for her to drink.  Brae smiled at the wonder that she was.  He sensed such great strength in her loved that she was also so gentle and kind… strength he told himself came in many guises and Brindle covered them all.

He sat and finished the fruit that Brindle had brought for him and as they sat quietly taking in the sounds of the forest he was grateful for this time of respite, this time away from evil and fighting.  It gave him a chance to see another side of Brindle as she interacted with nature.  She got pleasure from everything around her and as she drew strength from her surroundings her face glowed with health.

Brae was in awe of her and it pained him to know that she would have to fight; risking her life to keep this world safe from those who would destroy all that was good here.  He feared for her safety, knowing that no matter who was there to protect her, she may still die.

He was a Warrior, but knew that he would never lead ‘The Keeper’ something Arias would never even of considered.  But Brae would follow her lead, no matter where it took him, for he sensed that her life, her destiny would bring something to the world that no one had perceived.

“My Lady,” he said as he gathered the remains of his food.  He watched as Brindle waved her hand and it disappeared.  He grinned at her, “That gift does come in handy.”

Brindle laughed and told him that it did indeed come in handy, but doing it also helps strengthen the gift.  He nodded and followed as she walked back to the open deck where they had arrived.  Brae looked towards the Red-Cedar and nodded his head in reverence and acknowledgement of his presence.  Immediately he felt a light breeze against his face saw Brindle smile at him as she realised what was happening.

“The Old One likes you Brae.  Come we should sit and speak with him my friend.”  Then she led them both to a position opposite the Cedar and sat quietly.  She reached over and took his hand holding it in her own.  Brae found this comforting and gave her hand a slight squeeze letting her know he was there for her.

They sat quietly taking in the sounds and the scents of the forest, both appreciating the time they had there.  For both knew that it would end all too soon and what they would be facing when they left would be nowhere near as safe or comforting as what they felt right then.

“Keeper,” began the Old One, “Your skills will soon be needed little one, as will yours Shifter.  I have watched over you both during the night and during that time I was able to see the growth you have obtained since you were last here.”  He seemed to pause then either in deep thought or wanting them to consider what he had said.

“The Spirit Man has stepped in and is counselling you Guardian.  Marcus will be with you when you need him child and,” here Brindle could just about swear she felt him laugh. “And Arias will follow his lead.”

Brindle and Brae looked at each other as if in shock!  “Oh my goodness, Marcus is coming back to me!”

“In time little one… he will come to you in your greatest need.”  Brindle could feel the tears sting her eyes and let them flow freely, there was no use hiding what she felt, not from one so old and wise.  “He is with you little one.  He has always been with you even if his physical presence was far away.  It is you and your Guardian that will turn the tide… remember, it is the sacrifice given out of love that is the greatest gift of all.”

Brindle nodded finding herself unable to speak.  She missed Marcus so much and just wanted him back with her.  Brae sensed what she was feeling and gave her hand a squeeze letting her know she wasn’t alone and she squeezed back in acknowledgement.

“Old One, we thank you for your hospitality.  We were both in need of a respite from all that has taken place.  Especially Brindle, she has had so much to contend with and from what I have seen she has proved herself to be all she that was promised in the final ‘Keeper’.” 

He felt Brindle tense beside him then realised that she hadn’t as yet been told the entire truth of her destiny.  He waited for her to speak, but she remained silent.  He figured she’d have questions and would expect answers once she had him on her own.  Then he saw the look on her face and realised something more was happening.

Brindle was shocked when she heard Brae say that she was to be the final ‘Keeper’ she wasn’t exactly sure what that meant but before she could respond to what he’d said she heard Marcus speaking to her mind to mind.

“Little one, you are safe?” he asked and she sent back to him that she was.  She felt more than heard his sigh of relief and waited for more.  “I am in the realm of the Spirit Man, he summoned me to do his duty and the Arch’s could not deny him.  I must stay with him until you call for me.”

“Marcus, why can’t you come to me now?  Why do you have to wait, I don’t understand?  Am I the final ‘Keeper’ and what does that mean?  I need to know!”  She could feel her heart beating faster, she was afraid, for the first time since this whole thing began she was truly afraid.

“I am sorry little one, I should have told you sooner and I would have before now if I hadn’t been kept from you.”  He sighed and she knew he was choosing his words carefully so as not to scare her even more than she already was.

“Your coming was prophesised centuries ago, you are to be the final ‘Keeper’ Brindle a keeper for all our kind.”  He knew he hadn’t spoken as clearly as he should, but from discussions with Obanab he knew she needed to make choices and she needed to do so without any influence from him or anyone else.

“Marcus the Arch’s sent some idiot Guardian to replace you.  He barged into the gym like he owned it and started talking like he was in charge and I was some stupid kid that had to do whatever he said.”  She paused to take a breath then went on, “We gave him the slip Marcus.  No way am I letting the Arch’s take you away from me and replace you with some stranger!”

She heard him chuckle which confused her and when she asked him what was so funny he got serious again.  “Brindle, I saw what you did, how you evaded Arias and I am proud of the fact that you did.  No one has ever gotten the better of him in all the years I have known him and I have known him for a very long time.”

“You know him?”  Brindle shouldn’t have been surprised, after all Arias was a Guardian just like Marcus.  “Okay, Marcus, what’s going on and,” she sighed knowing she was not going to like what he had to say.  “What do you want me to do?”

“Do you trust me little one?  Because I fear you will not be happy with what I am about to suggest.”  He waited for her to respond and smiled when he felt the closeness of her even at such a distance.

“Yeah I trust you Marcus, just spit it out okay.”  She didn’t even have to think about it, she trusted him with her life, so she’d do whatever he asked her to do, even if she didn’t like it.

Marcus couldn’t help himself, he laughed at her response.  His Charge was unique unlike any other possible ‘Keeper’ he had ever known.  And she was his to protect, his to watch over no matter that the Arch’s had forbidden him to stand by her.

“Brindle, Arias is here with the Spirit Man and I, he is… most distressed that you got away from him.”  She heard him chuckle again and this time she joined him until she got a bad, bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.

“No!” she said without even thinking.  “I’ll do anything you want Marcus, but I won’t put up with that know it all wannabe Guardian telling me what to do!”  She shook her head not caring that Brae would think she’d lost her mind, “I just can’t do it!”

It took every bit of self control Marcus had not to laugh at what she’d said, because under any other circumstance he’d be agreeing with her.  But at the moment they had no choice.  “Brindle,” he said and waited for her to calm herself.

“Crap!” she said to herself, it wasn’t often he called her by her given name and when he did it was usually at a moment of total seriousness.  She resigned herself to what she knew was coming and said, “Okay, just say it.”

“Brindle, I must send Arias to you, at least for now.  I cannot be there to protect you little one, I know you have Brae and he would give his life to keep you safe, but you need more… you need a Guardian with you.”

Brindle sighed knowing that he wouldn’t have asked this of her unless he was truly concerned.  “Okay!  But not here this place is special to me, that’s why I brought you and now Brae here.  But I don’t even like him!”

She could actually feel his grin and laughed a soft ‘I don’t believe I’m agreeing to this’ kind of laugh.  “I’ll meet him in the garden when I shifted okay.  We’ll be there in about an hour and Marcus; you owe me big time for this!”

Brindle looked first at the Red-Cedar then at Brae, “I just had a chat with Marcus and he wants me to let Arias be my Guardian for the time being.  He’s with the Shadow Man and I got the feeling he wants me to me to allow this as well.”

Brae looked surprised at what she’d said, but the Old One spoke saying that perhaps this would be wise for the time being.  Brindle knew without asking that she wasn’t going to get anymore out of him than that so didn’t even try.  She had a feeling she still wasn’t being told everything.  “I told Marcus I’d do what he wants because I trust him.  I don’t like it and Arias had better realise right off that he can’t just boss me around.  But I told Marcus I’d do it and that we’d meet Arias at the Botanic Gardens in an hour.”

Brae nodded and as they stood he bowed to the Old One, “On both our behalves I thank you for your hospitality.  I am honoured that you would receive one such as I.”

A familiar breeze moved around them both and Brae knew that he’d been heard.  He smiled and looked to Brindle, “Ready?” he asked as he took her arm in preparation for being transported to the gardens.

Moments later they arrived in the same place that Marcus had brought her what seemed like years ago.  She wondered at how it seemed so long ago and smiles because she could no long imagine her life without Marcus in it.  This would be the first thing she’d tackle if she ever got within ear-shot of any of the Arch’s.  Marcus was hers!  And no one was going to keep them apart!  But right now she had another problem to deal with… one pissed off Guardian if she wasn’t mistaken!