writers unblocked; chapter 2

The trip to the Center was mostly for a tour given to the young men of the country before they came of age. The Center was very large, containing museums, halls and a meeting chamber for the guardians. It was also where the training facility for the army and future guardians. The region in which Kayana and Jorden lived had seven guardians, the foremost being the third guardian. This guardian was in charge of the Center’s training center and meeting hall, it was his job to decide who had what it took to be a guardian.
“None of these young punks have half of what it takes to become a guardian,” he lamented to the second guardian one day.
“Rayrel,” his companion said laughing, “you wouldn’t be satisfied with someone that could beat you in a fight. Stop looking for perfection.”
“I just hope the next batch shows more promise.”
“We have other problems-“
“Darveinan is your problem not mine-“
The second guardian held up a hand to stop his talking, “just make sure you have your recruits try to hold the Savarian Crystal.”
“And torch all their hands? No thanks, I’d rather they be able to fight then have them run the risk of-“
The second grabbed the third’s shoulder, “this has gotten beyond a point of you being able to choose at your own whim, Rayrel, we need someone that can carry the beacons.”
Rayrel sighed and nodded, “as you wish.”
Savarian crystal was the single most dangerous and powerful element in all the regions combined. It could store and give off magic at such velocities that it was nearly impossible for any mortal, and some immortal, creatures to even touch. Silver that has been in contact with Savarian crystal is what is used for magical items and weapons.
Rayrel walked down the steps to the training ground, the most recent group of farm boys and the like had been assembled and were showing the masters their skills in hopes of becoming part of the army or the even more coveted position of a guardian.
“Talentless, talentless, hmm.”
One young man was progressing far above the others, his technique was good, his footing solid and his determination and focus evident. And he was fast, his attack speed was at least twice that of the other participates. There was one that was closer to his skill but not enough to be comparable. Rayrel drew his sword and at the first available moment entered the fight to test the boy’s blade for himself. The boy did not disappoint.
Rayrel drew back after the fight was over, “You’ve impressed me, if I hadn’t had a magic sword you might have beaten me. What’s your name?”
“Jorden Heits.”
Rayrel nodded, “You are impressive,” he raised his voice to address the rest of the group, “I’ve seen enough of your skills to make my judgement. Now if you will all follow me there is one other thing that I have to run past you.”

Kayana waited nervously with the other guests. She couldn’t help but feel their cold stares or be conscious of the fact that she was the only female in the group. Presently she found one of the others close to her elbow.
“Hello girl, I wasn’t aware of the fact that they let the fairer gender into the war halls. After all there is an awful lot of…unpleasantness depicted in the wall murals and then there’s all the weapons. Someone as young and delicate as yourself wouldn’t be blamed for finding it rather scary.”
Kayana was nervous about the building but she had learned that some people weren’t half as interested in her welfare as they were in their own satisfaction. “I assure you I’m not the least bit uneasy.” To emphasize her point, Kayana walked toward the middle of the room to where there was a large raised platform with a large, white, glowing gem. It was evidently held aloft by magic since the jewel didn’t touch the floor. The sound of as door creaking on the other side of the hall called her attention away.
Rayrel and the group of boys entered at the other side of the hall. Rayrel knew he didn’t appear very happy about any of this, but really he was sort of pleased, Jorden could easily start training soon and it would be nice to have some fresh blood in the army. His glance wandered up to the group that had some along with the boys, though most had just snuck in under the presumption that they were friends of the boys, some weird game that was going around. Rayrel’s pace slowed slightly, standing a little off from the main group was a young lady. The gaurds at the door knew that there were not to be any girls allowed in the war halls. There had been several problem instances in the past that had lead to the making of that rule. Setting his jaw and narrowing his eyes, Rayrel made his way toward her.
Kayana instinctively backed up as the tall, muscular man, clad all in armor walked purposefully toward her, she couldn’t help flinching at his harsh tone.
“There are strict orders that were put in place for the protection of all the people of the lands, orders that have consequences when violated. I don’t know what kind of bribery you used on the gaurds to sneak your way in here, but I can assure you that it won’t work on me.”
By this point Kayana was backed up almost to the display cases that lined the sides of the rooms. She thought she caught a glimps of Jorden trying to make his way through the group to come to her aid but he was hampered by the increasing crowd of onlookers. She took another step back as the man pulled out a large gloved hand from the folds of his cape.
“When will you realize that there rules and laws are in place for your own protection.”
She took another step back.
A couple men emerged from a side door to her left. One stepped forward, “Rayrel, stop.”
The man turned, but he was close enough that Kayana had to jump back to avoid being bumped by him. Her back hit a display stand. Half out of reflex she whorled and reached out to grab one of the items that had lost its place. The sound of the sharp intake of breath of one of the new arrivals and the shout of the other was enough to make everyone stop breathing, except for the boy that still rushed to help Kayana steady herself. Her fingers clasped around the stem like holder for the small scepter that had fallen before it got too close to the ground. By now Jorden’s hand was on her shoulder, she let out the breath she had unconsciously been holding. She straightened herself and place the scepter back in its place before righting another that had gotten knocked. She and Jorden turned to see the shocked, amazed, and relieved faces of the three men. These were of course the two guardians and the keeper of the beacons.
“You touched those?”
“I’m sorry,” Kayana didn’t know why she was apologizing, she hoped that the scepters weren’t incapable of having her fingerprints cleaned off of them.
Rayrel folded his arms, “That doesn’t mean anything.”
The second guardian looked meaningfully at Rayrel, “Can you touch the beacons?”
Rayrel sighed and looked away.
The second guardian turned to Kayana, “Would you please bring me that crystal in the middle of the room.”
Kayana stared at him. What an odd request! She was sure that she shouldn’t have touched the scepter and she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she shouldn’t touch the jewel.
“Relax, child,” the guardian said gently, “I’m the second guardian, if I say you can touch it then you can.”
Kayana took a breath and walked to the center of the room, Jorden beside her for comfort. He gave her a hand up and she walked to the middle of the platform where the crystal, as big as a shield, hovered at eye level. She didn’t have to touch it, she could feel its weight in her hands before they were a hands length away. She turned back to them.
The second guardian smiled. “That will do, you can leave it there.”
Rayrel looked at him, “You cannot be serious.”