The Guardian

Chapter Three

        A sharp inhale brought Eorla's attention to the young woman. Callie had been reading a book in order to pass the remaining hour until her Welcoming, but she was now sitting straight up, her arms attempting to hug her torso, the book laying forgotten on the floor at her feet.

        “What is this?” Callie breathed. Eorla moved to kneel in front of Callie, and placed a hand on her knee.

        “Does it hurt?”

        “No...it's like there's more...I don't know how to describe it...I feel like something was just added to me.” Callie wrinkled her nose as Eorla beamed at her.

        “Yes, it does feel that way. I still remember it like it was yesterday.” Eorla assured her.

        “Felt like what was yesterday?” Eorla and Callie looked to the door as Nenna walked in, Edda and Morwyn continuing on past after a quick nod to the occupants of the room. Callie exhaled and gestured to the light cobalt brocade chair next to her.

        “Where are they off to?” Callie asked, jerking her head towards the doorway.

        “Morwyn has to go to the Portal for the arrival of your Guardian...now, what felt like it was yesterday? And why are you so pale, Callie Erbryn?” Nenna inquired.

        “Callie felt the Oath Binding.” Eorla said, a smile on her face. Nenna grinned and gently laid a hand on Callie's shoulder.

        “Oath Binding...what is that?” Callie rubbed her temples, trying to adjust to feeling the additional...she couldn't even find a proper word for it.

        “The Oath Binding is the moment when the Guardian selected by the Crone agrees to the Assignment and makes the Vow to the Three.” Nenna explained.

        “But I thought that the Vow is done during the Welcoming...”

        Eorla nodded. “Yes, it is...but it is the Vow made to the Three that creates the Guardian bond.”

        “Now I see why I'm not supposed to be alone today. Everything's kept secret until the day of Welcoming, and then whoever is with me would have explained things to me? What would have been the harm in giving me some knowledge about this? I have been nervous about this day since I was old enough to understand what it was!” Callie groaned.

        Meanwhile, in the courtyard of Erbryn Manor, Morwyn stood by the Portal, awaiting the arrival of Callie's Guardian. While he waited, he wondered what this Guardian would be like, where he or she would hail from. Every so often he'd glance at the undulating silver surface of the Portal. When the surface of the Portal became clear, he jumped up from the stone chair he'd been sitting on. He could see into the great Hall of Knowledge, in the Realm of the Three. The image began to warp and stretch as the Portal became brighter, until Morwyn closed his eyes. When he heard and felt a resounding snap, he opened his eyes and froze.

        “What in the Three is this?” He whispered hoarsely, locking his knees to keep them from buckling. Visibly shaken, he addressed the Guardian.

        “Welcome, Guardian...” he hesitated, hoping that the figure before him was simply a lookalike, or of the same race...but he knew in his heart what name would greet his ears. The man in front of him crossed his arms over his chest.

        “Arndyr. You must be Elder Adept Morwyn.” Morwyn nodded silently and took a moment to compose himself. He glanced over to where Edda stood, failing to hide her shock. She met his gaze, a flicker of worry crossing her face.