The Guardians of Mustikos (Watty Awards 2012)

      "Erick, please find me Verity and Neela." A tall man stood up from his desk and turned to look out the window. He placed two fingers on the bridge of his nose, of all things that could have happened this was the worst. He knew that he was stressed, his usual blonde hair has been steadily fading to a white blonde since he had found out the news; and ever since then he's been trying to hide it. He hoped that Erick wouldn't question him and just get the girls.

      "I'm assuming I can be in the room when you tell them, Clyde?" A man with long blonde hair reaching to his shoulders stood up made his way to the door, but not before he looked pointedly at Clyde. Erick had a feeling that something has been bothering Clyde for some time and knew better than to push him if he didn't want to be pushed. However if Clyde was going to tell the Guardians, Verity and Neela, then he'd better tell him as well.

      "Yes, I'll need you to be anyhow."

      When he heard Erick close his door he let out the sigh he had been holding for some time. He always tried his best to stay composed in front of Erick. Even though he considers the wizard his best friend, some things are best kept a secret. It was his duty as the ruler of Mustikos to always put on the face of composure, even when what he knew could change the world he loved. He heard footsteps and voices approaching his door. He pulled himself together again and mentally prepared himself for the secret he was about to unleash.

      The mahogany doors opened and behind Erick were two girls. From afar, the two girls looked just like regular humans. Only they were far from being regular, these girls are trained Guardians of Mustikos. The Guardians are trained to protect the land with their magical ability; they are true masters of their gift.

      Neela was right behind Erick and Clyde smiled when he saw her. It was almost impossible not to, this girl practically lit up whatever room she walked into. She looked like a nymph except for her lack of height. She possessed emerald eyes that looked like they would sparkle in the dark and she had wavy brown hair which was tied into a high ponytail, but it wasn't her eyes that made Neela beautiful, but rather Clyde thought, it was her smile. When she noticed Clyde she smiled and he momentarily forgot about his problems. "That smile" he thought, "could make any dying man happy."

      Behind her was Verity. If Neela had the warmth and brightness of the sun, Verity looked like she held the mysteries of the moon. It never ceases to amaze Clyde the false sense of innocence she seemed to portray whenever someone looked at her. There was no use in denying that Verity wasn't beautiful but there was something forbidden and foreign about the beauty in contrast to Neela. Verity had long black hair flowing past her shoulders that stopped a little above her elbows and a face that looked as if it were made of porcelain. Against her skin, her long black eyelashes looked darker than night and her lips were pale with a tinge of pink. She would have looked fragile and naive if it weren't for her sharp eyes that were so dark they channelled the mysteries of the dark.

      "Sir," Neela looked at him with concern, "is something the matter?"

      "Don't tell us there isn't either, we both have a feeling that there's been something wrong for a long time. Hasn't there?" Verity was peering at him, she knew that something had been bothering Clyde for a long time but she could never quite put her finger on it.

      Clyde tried to calm himself down but couldn't quite make himself. "Please have a seat girls, you too Erick." He pointed at the seats and waited for them to settle. When they all settled he looked at Erick, this was it, the secret he held onto for twenty years was finally going to come out.

      "Girls, we have a problem. Well, I have a problem and I need you to help me protect it."

      Verity was still looking at Clyde while he tried to phrase whatever else he had to say. The secret he kept has definitely taken a toll on him, he used to be so young and exuberant, but lately he had lost the shine in his hair and eyes and had been locking himself in his den more often than not. She peeked over at Neela and Erick, and judging by their faces, they were trying to contain their excitement also. Finally, after days of speculating with Neela, they were going to find out.