A Guardian 's Vow (Open Novella Contest 2021)

Chapter 9

That night, Aiden snuggled close to me as he slept. We couldn't afford to stay in one spot for too long and we couldn't let the hunter's catch up, but both Aiden and Kaliden had enforced the point that I needed to rest. I didn't argue.

"Where do you think we should go?" I asked Kaliden, looking up from the sleeping boy. He was right up against my stomach, curled in a tight ball. My tail wrapped around him, keeping him close and protecting him against the cold night.

"Back home of course," Kaliden said. "You were out here looking for survivors, and you found me, so let's go back. Plus, you need to rest and let the wing fully heal, you can't do that on the run out here.

"Being away from them for so long... it hurts. You probably feel the same way as I do, aching to go back."

I remained silent. Kaliden looked over to me, his golden eyes studying my face. I looked away from him, to the dark forest around us.

"You're afraid to go back," the drake realized. "Why? What happened?"

I swallowed and looked at him. "Everything. Everything happened. I was discovered by hunters, almost got killed by them twice, and received aid from a human, twice. For months I couldn't find anyone, they were all dead. Then when I thought I found you but didn't, I left, without even searching. Now, I'm bringing a human back with me to the rest of the Guardians. What do you think everyone is going to say when they find all of that out? They'll be ashamed of me, and I wouldn't blame them; I would be ashamed of me too, heck, I am.

"I'm Guardian! But I couldn't even complete one simple mission. I messed up at every turn. How can I claim the title when I've failed at everything?" I shook my head, pulling in a shaky breath.

"Takaiya, no one will blame you; I certainly don't," Kaliden assured me. He stood and walked over to me, sitting down in front of me. "So what, the hunters got a drop on you? Why do you think so many of us are dead? Because the hunters are smart, smarter than any one of us would like to admit. Getting help from Aiden doesn't make you weak. What did we do back before the war? We got help from humans when we needed it; Aiden was not any different. It wasn't your fault that you ran before you found me. I'm glad you did run, or you wouldn't be beside me right now, and you wouldn't have found Aiden, who has the Mark of Trust." Kaliden looked me dead in the eyes, his gaze firm but assuring. I looked away.

"Nothing you did was wrong, I promise you that," he continued. "I don't blame you for leaving me, and I certainly hold no hard feelings for that. No one back home will either, trust me."

Kaliden's paw came under my chin, forcing me to look at him. His face was stern as he spoke. "They'll all understand, like I do. We're one big family, and family cares for each other. No one is going to judge you, and if they do, they're not one of us.

"You're coming back, you have to. I'm dragging you and the boy with me, no matter what."

"I never said that I wasn't going back," I said. "I was just unsure how I was going to face them."

"Proudly," Kaliden said. "You're going to face them with pride of finding me and saving a kid with the Mark of Trust. To me, those two accomplishments outweigh everything else."

"Yeah, they do," I muttered, realizing Kaliden's point. "Thank you Kaliden," I said.

"I'm always here for you Takaiya," he said, grinning.

"You really have to work on that smile," I chuckled.

"Why, what's wrong with it?" Kaliden's smile dropped, genuinely confused.

"It looks like you're about to do something bad."

"That's the whole point of it. You never know what I'm about to do."

"I'm not quite sure if that's a good thing."

"You just wish you had the same intimidating atmosphere that I do."

"Yeah, nope. I like being the 'quiet' one."

"You keep telling yourself that."

I rolled my eyes.

How did I ever live without Kaliden? I had missed his outlook on life, his humour, just him in general really. It was nice to have him by my side once again.

"Takaiya?" The playfulness in Kaliden's voice was gone. "We're not alone."