THE KEEPERS RISE

Chapter 16 - Out of Sync - Part 1

*Remember to click the play button to listen to the soundtrack as you read!*

This is your fault.

I do not doubt that, Kovas, but the question still stands: What shall we do? Chalchiuitl drifted gently over to the window in Velda's room, watching the stars slip past with unease. Long, thin lights merged to form dazzling images of crests and diamonds.

Well, if it was up to you, we would be bringing the young Keepers right to the doorstep of the Red Wolves, Kov thought sharply.

Cha bristled. You know that is false.

I am aware that we were told to keep our opinions out of mortal matters, but letting the Keepers be subjected to their own childish whims is blatantly unwise, Kov contended. Surely you see that. It is ridiculous to stay impartial when we are so obviously present.

I care about the Keepers as much as any of the Master Vaya. I am simply following the commands of the Radiant Vaya, Cha maintained.

The Great Radiant Vaya cannot dictate our actions as thoroughly anymore. I do not suggest that we abandon all sense of order, but surely it would understand that we need to take more control. I see no reason to continue to hide what we know.

And what do we know, truly? We know how things were when we left. That was over a year ago. Cha crossed its arms and turned its attention to Velda. She was sleeping soundly, unaware of the two vaya's conversation, as she always was. Things change quickly in this mortal realm.

Kov said with a sigh, I cannot argue with that. Across the hall, it glanced at its own Keeper. Will'ym had long since given up on using his blanket for its proper purpose. He was sprawled on top of it, snoring quietly. After a long pause, Kovas broke the silence. You know, Chalchiuitl, if not for caring about these Keepers, I sometimes wish that I had not been a Master Vaya.

How could you say such a thing? The Radiant Vaya chose us very carefully. This is what we were meant to do.

No, I do not think so, Kov pondered. We were chosen for our strength and ability to help the Great Radiant Vaya in the spirit realm. Our place guiding the Keepers is unrelated to those advantages. Chalchiuitl had never considered this before. It was struck dumb, and Kovas noticed its friend's emotions shift with satisfaction. You know that I am right. We were never intended to be here. The ones taking our positions will inevitably be inexperienced, also.

Cha tried to gather its thoughts. Perhaps, but it is useless to dwell on the past. We are here now, and it is our responsibility to perform our new roles in the material realm, it said. Besides, I have faith that the Radiant Vaya had a reason for sending us. We are the most experienced in general universe management, as the Keepers will have to be.

I suppose there is no purpose in finding a correct side here, when we may never know. We must move forward. So, what is the plan?

I am unsure what would be best, Cha insisted. If we continue to observe without action, we are free from responsibility for whatever comes of the Keepers' own choices, but those consequences may be dire, as they are only children, after all. However, if we intervene, even in good faith, we would still be blatantly disobeying the Radiant Vaya and potentially disrupting the balance that led it to tell us to be passive in the first place, which could have far worse results.

There is an ancient philosophy problem that I believe applies here, Kov mused, sitting cross-legged just above the floor of the room that Will'ym had taken for himself. It gestured as it thought, though it knew Cha couldn't see it moving. It involves an old-fashioned wheeled vehicle — a trolley, if my memory holds — and beings placed in front of it. If you do nothing, it will hit and presumably kill five, but if you change its path, it will only hit one.

That does not seem like much of a problem, Cha grumbled, frustrated that Kov kept going on tangents.

There is also, of course, the age-old conundrum of if a being can ever have enough pickles, Kov remarked dryly.

Do not be flippant with me. Anyway, is the solution to this trolley problem not obvious? You should-

Before you answer, what if the single person on the second path was someone important? The lead Tarrephaene Councilor, perhaps?

Cha groaned. We should not speak of her, Kovas. Preserve my sanity, please.

Fine, Kov relented, but this is exactly my point. The problem has no easy solution because it is dependent on which beings are at risk. It is simply another way to visualize all choices, in reality.

You are such a grand thinker, Chalchiuitl said with a hint of sarcasm.

At times. I prefer being called a strategist, but I will attempt to take that as a compliment.

Cha shook its head wryly. We are only avoiding making a decision, and the Keepers may awake soon. Do you have any insight on this particular choice?

I am sure that our inaction has been wrong in the past.

I know now that much of it was ill-founded, Cha acknowledged. I assumed that the Radiant Vaya believed the Keepers need worldly experience, and because of their immortality-

They are not invincible like us! You have no idea what it is like to share the emotions of someone suffering a potentially fatal wound. I am surprised that Will'ym is still in his right mind.

Velda essentially died! Cha snapped. You have no high ground here. The two vaya mentally stared each other down, but they couldn't stay upset with each other for very long. I apologize. This is not a contest, and I am truly sorry that the Keepers went down this path. I thought they could handle themselves, and things got out of hand.

So, you expect us to continue to allow them to endanger themselves? Kov huffed.

No! I agree that we need a plan.

Two more minds joined them from the rooms of the two other Keepers. Are you two fighting again? Hesykhia worried.

Medeina said, I was told you had a plan already, Cha.

Cha expressed agreement. Kovas still believes I am undecided about whether the Keepers should be led to encounter the Red Wolves. I am long past that. They should not be encouraged one way or the other.

The other vaya were clearly relieved. Cha and Kov's daily arguments were becoming reminiscent of an old married couple's banter. At least you have some sense, Med said.

Chalchiuitl peered down at Velda one more time as she stirred, noticing the vaya's green glow, and murmured, "Cha?"

"I am just observing the stars," Cha said gently. "Go back to sleep, Keeper." Velda nodded drowsily and turned over, pulling the blankets close around her ears. My trust in the Radiant Vaya has mostly won out. We shall continue to be impartial unless situations like the capture of the Keepers by Councilor Quin arise again. The Radiant Vaya would expect us to act to protect our Keepers, and so we shall.

Thank Godricon, Kovas muttered.

The end is becoming near, Cha said. I know you can all feel it.

I do wish it was nearer, Hes wavered.

Kov agreed stolidly. Let us hope that the Great Radiant Vaya knows what it is doing. Instead of us helping to dictate fate, it said with a chuckle, we are now the ones who must trust its whims.