Guardian (Sequel to Fearless)

Chapter Eight

That, in and of itself, was another reason she'd left. Iris feared that if she had stayed too much longer... he would begin to resent her. And why shouldn't he? Even if it wasn't her fault, she could see why she might've not be a positive influence on his life.

She shoved the thought away.

After a few minutes, Kayde sat down in front of her unceremoniously, like it was his very own place in the world for that moment in time. He issued a nod and began eating without so much as a word to Iris.

"Err... hello, yourself?" The words came out as a question. Kayde looked up at her with a raised brow.

He swallowed his bite. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You just sat down." Even as Iris heard the words come from her lips, she realized she sounded inane.

"I did," he said slowly. "Do you want me to sit elsewhere? I can certainly move."

"No," she answered a mite too fast. "Forgive me." Now, Iris put her utensil down and began rubbing her temples. "Hench probably knocked something loose in my head this morning with that blasted pole. You sitting there is fine... just didn't expect such a casual approach."

"You practically summoned me with that stare, dear girl." So he'd noticed.

"Sorry about that," she apologized, though not seeming too bothered at having been caught. "You just looked cheerful and I suppose it's just odd seeing people that way again. I went so long," she paused, "...so long without seeing so much as a smile. Even though I was responsible for it, I guess... it's refreshing, indeed, to come back to a life with some degree of joy."

He considered her words for a moment. "Eat fast. There's something we must do after dinner." He did not say more.

And she did. She ate as quickly as she could --though some of that was because she was so damned hungry. Kayde led her outside of the monastery. The sky was full of stars and it was all she could do but stare at them... them and the moon. It was full tonight, shining light over their path. Even after all these years, she had never broken her words to her mother: she had always loved the nighttime.

They paused after about a mile of walking. The forest around the monastery came to a direct halt, and Kayde guided her from it and the edge of a bluff. It was a high one for sure... because Iris could see for miles and miles beyond. In fact, in the distance, she could swear she saw the lights of a tiny village.

The sprawling lands and the glowing sky made for a wondrous sight indeed. And for the moment, the only sound that could be heard were the various bugs of the night mixed with the hint of haunting wolf howls from below. Iris was quiet as she took it in, while Kayde simply sat down on the steep edge, his feet dangling down.

After a few seconds, Iris sat down beside him. "It's beautiful out here. So serene. So quiet." She took a breath. "Why am I here?"

"Because I happen to like this spot very much," Kayde said, "All the guardians find it sooner or later, anyways." He paused for a long moment and then said, "You looked like you needed to talk. Or forget everything. Or perhaps even scream to the top of your lungs right off the edge of the world. This is a good place to do all of those things."

"Perhaps I will."

Silence ensued for a very long while, while Iris stirred her racing thoughts.

"It wasn't your fault," Kayde finally said to her. Noting her confusion, he explained himself. "You said at the dinner table you were responsible for the sadness. You weren't. Your father died, Iris. You do have the right to mourn."