Guardian's Redemption

Chapter Sixteen

The smoldering timbers were crackling from the intense heat radiating from the embers below. Smoke was crawling on the ceiling and made its way out of the mouth of this large round cave. Three figures laying around the fire, each one comfortably wrapped in thick blankets that had been attached to the two horses rustling outside. Beneath those thick blankets two of the bodies were wrapped heavily in bandages from almost head to toe. To the trained eye one could see the smoke circling from some unseen force as it was rolling out the cave.

Ben sat off to the side of the cave he had found. The large boulder an actual comfort compared to the drama that had found him. He was relaxing while his eyes were up looking into the sparkling night sky. He thought it odd that in the past days he found himself looking up at the stars twinkling down upon them. Now it was just peaceful to see the beauty of the universe peering down. This cave lay on a small rocky hillside miles away from the encounter he had just had, seem to be a gift from the heavens.

The two horses whipping their tails at the flies hovering around them. He had tied the animals to the two larger rocks on the other side of the cave entrance; feeding on the grain the man had fond upon the animals. The moon was shining full this night, its light a focus upon him. It truly was as if the heavens were wanting to show him that there was still peace in this world.

His sword lay across his lap comforting him as the blade seem to shine brighter in the moonlight; hence its name. He look down at the gleaming weapon, giving it a smile for its deadly beauty.

"How long has it been since I drew you for the first time," he whispered to the blade. His mind looking back into the past. It was had been a miracle and a horrible day, but in that day he had found the name of the blade; Moonlight

Ben felt a nudge on his arm which drew his attention back to the present. The man gave a smile, looking down upon the watery head of another elemental he had created to guard the camp. The body of the elemental was pure liquid, his mana infusing in the creature to hold his element in this form and to give it life. Unlike the water and ice he was consistently summoning before this creature had a mind of its own; just like its cool icy counterpart. The water continuously flowing through the body. This one also resembling that of a German Shepard, though it was thicker and more muscular than the thin ice version. Ben began to pet the creature as his eyes went straight back up to the shining moonlight. The man ignoring the wetness of the creature.

His thoughts always ending up with his wife, pondering if she was looking down on him. He knew she wouldn't be judging him; he did that himself. She had been the joy of his existence, forever brightening the days with her glowing presence. The woman was his anchor in the tough times back then. Without his anchor he seem to be cracking.

It was hard living without her, his skin constantly begging for her touch. Everything about him wanting her, his mind aching for the conversations, his skin the connection, and his soul needed hers. Day after day it seem that only half of him was out roaming this god forsaken world, until the day that he would pass on to join her.

There had been many times he just wanted to end it all. It was his instinct, that drive to live that kept him going or was it fate? He gave a sigh. The man also had gave a vow to her and he was not one to break that sacred oath. Many people in the past would break their martial vows but to Ben a vow was more than a promise.

Another nudge from behind made him aware of the other elemental. It's frozen nose chilling the spot on his back that it came in contact with. The solid creature was slimmer than its watery counterpart. The ice shepherd turning its head gave a low, cool growl. Ben took the hint.

Ben's eyes focusing in the night as Stephan came walking into the moonlight, rubbing his hairless skull. The ice elemental gave a low growl and the new comer scratched behind its ear as he sat next to Ben. The Hunter put his blade away.