The Guardians of Celesk

Chapter 22: Strange Unions

Jara was displeased and it became more painfully obvious as the days wore on. They had ventured beyond the gorge and were spending most of their time restoring a place called the Nesar Valley. The first of the supplies that had gleaned off the convoy were deployed there, and the people seemed grateful. She took a moment to watch Lucern and Halthar hammer nails into a truss that was replacing the burnt original; the whole time Lucern regaling onlookers with his stories of bravado. At another point in her life, she could almost admire him for it. But not now. This thought was quickly kidnapped in a moment as Garwyn whisked her away. "You're not the chirpiest of citizens on a good day, but you are the epitome of dreariness yet again. So, I ask with some trepidation, what is wrong?"

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing," she said. Garwyn waited a moment and surveyed more of the town. She could see children playing further down the street.

"You can see this, can't you? This is a place on the rise again and it's largely thanks to you. Homes are being rebuilt, people aren't starving, and children are playing again. This is a victory."

"Is it, Garwyn? Really? Is it a victory when every day we do these things... these little things and they're continuing to get stronger, and are just waiting for another town or a city to ransack and pillage? The Sanctuary: my people looked up to the Sanctuary. I looked up to the Sanctuary and now look at all that is left? Just a handful of you and a world left in ruin. So, before you try to cheer me up and celebrate a supposed victory, just look at the bigger concept and the world beyond."

Tears had started to form and flow down her eyes, which had puffed up in a burst of pink. Garwyn continued to look straight at her before offering some more wisdom.

"Well, it could get even worse if you let it. I lost a husband and possibly a son. The whole world didn't take them away. It was the actions of a few, led by the one. And I will probably think of that tonight and shed a few tears. But also, I could focus on just the little things, the little victories and for now, the new family I have made along the way. Yes, things aren't perfect but there's some good things happening. We are making the world better by the little steps. Because before you know it, those little steps lead you to the top of the mountain. And from there, it is glorious."

Jara had stopped crying and couldn't help but be moved by the words spoken to her. The word glorious produced the smallest of smiles. "So when the time comes, and we see these times renewed, I will be there holding your hand at the top of a mountain. So go there, enjoy some thing, some little thing and keep doing it," Garwyn said.

Jara hugged her very tightly and both smiled. "Damn you Garwyn. You just couldn't let me be in my quiet rage, could you?" They let go before a villager interrupted them.

"Sorry to interrupt, but we know that knowledge is your currency here. One of our messengers bears news."

They paraded down the thoroughfare between a myriad of homes, clustered together in a mash of broken and gleaming. The rustic hall sat at the front of the community, a watchful timber hound. The local caretaker, the current protector walked them through the aisles and over to the main bench. The caretaker, a lady by the name of Tenata, finally spoke to the messengers, who finally blurted out that due sense of exasperation. "Well go on then, out with it."

"It was a legion of Valezk, marching northward. The dark femme was leading it."

Garwyn and Jara tried to act shocked, but they knew this was coming. They were more astonished it hadn't happened sooner.

Tenata continued to interrogate, "Where do you suppose they were headed?"

They shook their heads. Garwyn was absorbing it all, "Look for any old military bases, forts, camps. Is there anything else resembling that in this entire area, for these things are driven."