Guardians of Muraycia - Chapter 2

Chapter 2


The courtyard was majestic, a place worthy of the high goddess Muraya. The sun twinkled overhead, and the grass grew lush and fertile. A fountain filled with sparkling blue water rested in the center. The sweet song of the Kia bird calmed the competitors
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Anastova began, and a hush fell over the crowd as their queen approached the podium on the balcony.
“If you wish to participate in the guardian competition please step forward.” Soon a crowd of people had formed up on the grassy field.
“Dear, dear” Anastova remarked shaking her head, “this is too many.”
“You five,” she said selecting five citizens,
“Come with me,” and she led them up to the stage. At first Corriett waited patiently, but with time she became agitated. She drummed her fingers and tapped her foot. Then at last she was called.
“Come on!” Jaisy ordered, ushering her up to the stage.
“Ready, set” Anastova began “GO!” Corriett sprinted along the path. Nothing mattered but her and the track. She was almost there when, SMACK! She hit the ground.
She looked up just in time to see the last racer cross the finish line. She had not even made it to the second round.
“I’m sorry” Anastova said kindly. “Please return to the bleachers.” Corriett wandered over and slouched down in her seat, watching one contestant after another perform stunts and show casing skills. All of which she could easily have bested.

A while later Anastova announced the winners.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to announce our new guardians.” Corriett clapped numbly. “Congratulations! Mimi the water sprite,” this time Corriett didn’t bother to clap, “Sinbad the kariku, Periwinkle the Lilac horse, Genie the faylu, and Anna the woodland elf.”
“Can you believe it Jaisy? Jaisy?” Corriett looked around but there was no sign of her friend. She was about to get up to search for Jaisy when high pitched screams pierced the air. People pointed and ran. Corriett looked where the people had pointed. There on the hill was a thing Corriett had never seen, but had read about -- a troll. It was twelve feet tall with long ropey muscles and thick skin which no color could describe. It was charging over the hill at high velocity. Corriett looked around to see what everyone else was doing, but they were nowhere in sight. Even the guardians had disappeared. Suddenly realization hit her and she screamed. What was she going to do? Then she remembered something that she had read. Trolls were sensitive under their chin. The monster was almost upon her now. She muttered an incantation, and a barrier shot up from the earth. Corriett thought she had bought herself some time, but at that moment the barrier exploded. Corriett jumped out of the way as bricks and dust went flying everywhere.
When the ash cleared, the troll had his gaze fixed upon her. She looked around the courtyard for something to defend herself with. She found nothing. The troll was upon her now. Instinctively she raised her hand and yelled; “Fulgur”, and a perfectly aimed bolt of lighting exploded from her palm and hit the troll directly on his chin. The troll let loose a long horrible yell and fell to the ground with a deafening thud. People began to emerge from under tables and behind barrels. At last the queen stepped out on the balcony and spoke.
“I think we have room for a sixth guardian.”
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Lady Vaulda scowled into her crystal ball-this was not going quite how she imagined.
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Anastova led the six mesmerized young students to a field behind the palace.
“Your instructor will be here shortly,” she announced, and strode out of the room. Less than a minute later a tall young man entered the arena.
“All right,” he began. “I am Sergeant Cooper. “Now let’s get down to business I’ve put together an obstacle course for each of you to try.”
“You first,” he said beckoning to Sinbad. Sinbad was a kariku which is like an elk, only much bigger, with a strong neck, impenetrable auburn fur, and blood-red hooves.
“Um… ok,” muttered Sinbad.
“Come now; don’t be shy,” urged Cooper. Sinbad timidly started over to where Cooper stood. He ran, jumped hurdles and stabbed at dummies with his razor sharp antlers. But when he reached the last dummy it burst into flame. Sinbad reared on his hind legs. Cooper rushed to put out the fire, and in a minute the flames had died down. Sinbad was hyperventilating.
“Don’t like flames.” He muttered.
“Oh, don’t be a baby.” sneered Anna.
“Shut up, Anna!” scolded Genie.
“He wasn’t expecting it.”
“Neither was I,” announced Cooper.
“You mean, this wasn’t supposed happen?” stammered Genie.
“No, I was just as shocked as you were.”

After training, they were shown to their cabin. It was small, but cozy, with six beds, three on each side, and a neat little curtained window. Everyone found their bed and began to unpack. Corriett raised her neck toward the little window and saw a girl in the almost deserted courtyard.
“Excuse me” muttered Corriett, as she exited the cabin. She slowly made her way though the courtyard to where Jaisy was standing.
“Hi,” said Corriett timidly unsure of what else to say. Jaisy’s face was blotched and streaked, and her eyes which were still puffy from crying were fixed on the body of the troll, which was still lying in the courtyard.
“What happened?” asked Jaisy not looking up.
“After I lost the match I went to the bathroom…” her voice trailed off.
“To cry?” finished Corriett.
“Yeah,” Jaisy admitted, “to cry. Should we go home?”
There was a crack in her voice.
“Um… Jaisy listen…” Corriett said, uncomfortably.
Finally Jaisy looked at Corriett.
“I won, I’m a guardian,” said Corriett, as gently as she could.
“Oh,” said Jaisy shortly, and she turned and flew away.
“Jaisy, wait!” Corriett cried, but she was gone. How was it that she had got what she wanted and then felt so empty?

Corriett sulked back to the cabin, where she found Mimi the water sprite giggling devilishly as she squirted people in the face. Anna was yelling threats at Mimi, Sinbad had taken to the corner, and Genie had her pillow over her head and was trying desperately to sleep, while Periwinkle searched under her bed for the brush Mimi had hidden. Corriett sighed, kicked off the shoes, and climb into her own bed, for by this time twilight had fallen painting the sky a beautiful royal blue. Corriett wanted to go home. She closed her eyes and drifted into a troubled uneasy sleep.
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Midnight’s face was propped on her hand staring blankly out the window at the rain blazing bright orange across the sky. She wondered what it was like in Muraycia, where it was rumored that water fell from the sky instead of fire.
“Princess,” called a voice. It was Mariem, an enchantress that worked at the castle.
“Yes,” replied Midnight with a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
“Your mother called,” the enchantress said.
“Coming,” Midnight sighed, and wandered up the stairs to her mother’s bed chamber.
“You called?” Midnight asked.
“Indeed I did,” replied a cold voice.
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In the morning the guardians ate breakfast at the palace. It was a healthy dose of Kia eggs and toast with a tall glass of mango juice. After breakfast they continued training. Corriett aced her performance then retreated to her room. It was there sitting on her bed that it occurred to her that her parents must be very worried. So she fished around her bag for a talisman. She laid it down gently, sat cross legged on the floor, and began to chant.
“Giver of darkness, Giver of light, show me Mom and Dad,” she chanted and a mist began to form. Every time she repeated the chant the mist grew thicker and thicker, until the haze was solid, with a perfect image of their apartment reflected on it.
“Mom” she called hopefully “Dad.”
“Corriett!” her mother seemed to have noticed the haze message floating the kitchen.
“Oh, I’m so glad you’re all right!” cried Corrine.
“MOM, I WON! I’M A GUARDIAN!”
“Really?” her mother asked, a strong aura of shock illuminated on her thin face, but there was something else. Was it pride? Or was it disappointment.
“Well, good job,” her mother praised.
“Thanks,” she replied gently. It made her feel warm and content that her mother was proud of her.
Corriett heard footsteps outside the door and decided to wrap it up.
“I have to go, I love you,” she said and her mother smiled warmly at her.
“Good bye dear”.
Corriet picked up the talisman and the image disappeared. The door creaked open and Mimi, Sinbad, Anna, Genie, and Periwinkle all entered, smiling broadly. Corriett guessed training had gone well for them too.