Elements of Change

The Truthkeeper of Mountainkeep

Ezo didn't notice at first, but as the weeks turned into a month, tension rose between Kammon and Remec. The two men seemed to get along just fine, but something was brewing under the surface.

Ezo had read Jacob's journals, but after he finished that, he started looking for anything he could find about the bond and the Vow. He found plenty of writing about it, but nothing that would illuminate his situation with Kammon, or the thing that was attached to his soul.

He set his book aside and ran his hand over the table. The top was smooth, and Ezo wondered how many others had sat where he was, reading or recording knowledge. Was there a time when this had been open to others? Or had it always been a secret? Something to protect from the people who wanted to hoard and control power?

That was a depressing thought. Ezo knew Riverkeep had been hidden since its inception. He'd been there long enough to learn some of its history. He suddenly longed to return there.

He pushed away from the table and left the library to find Kammon and Remec in the kitchen. Remec stood over the stove, cooking while Kammon unpacked the goods Remec bought that morning. He still traveled to Mountain View, but he started going wider to get larger quantities of supplies so no one noticed the stockpile he was creating.

He rubbed at his eyes as he dropped into a chair at a small table in the corner. Remec looked over at Ezo and smiled. "I thought you were going to read until you fell asleep. Again."

Ezo laughed because it happened to him more than once. Kammon wasn't much better.

"Just a little antsy."

"Yeah?" Kammon poked his head out of the pantry after he dropped bags of... something. Ezo had no idea what his lover was moving around.

Kammon looked at him expectantly. Ezo wondered if the other elementalist was anxious to get moving as well.

It was nice, having a warm bed each night and a roof over their heads, but Ezo had been on the move for the last two years. Now that he was stopped, he realized how much he missed it—traveling and learning about new places, meeting new people.

"I haven't been still for this long since I left Fairhills." Maybe when he found Riverkeep, but he'd lost track of days alone in the repository.

"You don't mean to leave?" Remec asked. He was frowning at Ezo.

"I didn't mean I wanted to leave today, but I can't stay here forever."

"Ezo, it's obvious that Jacob wanted you to be the next caretaker for Mountainkeep."

"Whatever Jacob wanted for him, this is Ezo's life. He doesn't have to follow whatever idea Jacob had for him," Kammon immediately jumped on Remec's words.

"How can you say that? This place was meant for him!"

"No one has the right to force Ezo to stay here. I don't know what Jacob was thinking. I understand not wanting someone with Ezo's talent going to the University to be pushed into the War-Sworn. But trying to hide him from the world like this dusty library is cruel!"

"Someone needs to take care of Mountainkeep! It was Jacob's legacy!"

"It is not Ezo's! He isn't bound to this place! He was meant to do something real!"

"Stop!" Ezo yelled at the two. He understood then. They had both been hinting at this since the first week. Kammon would remind him about the things they'd seen and the places they'd been. Remec talking about the books and the importance of his uncle's work.

"I'm not the keeper of Mountainkeep," Ezo said. "I already have a library."

"What?" Remec asked.

"I found Riverkeep, and there is no one else to care for it. But I think I wasn't the only one Jacob thought of for this place. You're better able to take care of it than I am," Ezo said to Remec.

"No, I'm not an elementalist."

"Why does Mountainkeep need an elementalist?" Ezo asked. "You were already looking for books to add to this library. Now you get to curate it and see to its upkeep yourself."

"And if I want to travel?" Remec asked.

Kammon rolled his eyes, but Ezo ignored his lover. "You don't see me stuck at Riverkeep, do you? They're books. It's not like they need feeding."

"I can't lock the doors the way you can."

"That's a good point," Ezo admitted.

"So we lock the obvious door," Kammon said, "and make a new one for you. Something hidden that no one else can find."

"You don't live too far from here, do you?" Ezo asked.

"A half hour's walk if I'm in a hurry," Jacob answered.

"What are you thinking, Ezo?"

"Riverkeep has the tunnel from the castle."

"You want to create a tunnel to Remec's house?"

"Maybe to his woodshed or stable?" Ezo countered. "No one would look for something like that, nor would they have reason to be out there without Remec knowing. It would only be a few days work for us."

He didn't know if Kammon would agree, but it made sense if Remec agreed to become Mountainkeep's caretaker.

"Remec," Kammon said his name softly, and Ezo focused on the two of them. "You were right. This is Jacob's legacy. You knew him better than anyone. If there is anyone that can keep something alive in his name, it is you."

"It's Ezo's birthright," Remec protested weakly.

"Jacob wanted someone to care for it, who would love it as he did. I've watched you in these halls. You might think it's Ezo's place, but I would say you are the right one for this work. Ezo will carry Jacob's legacy as an elementalist, but you are the Truthkeeper of Mountainkeep."

Author's Note: What do you think about Remec taking over Mountainkeep? Is Remec the right choice? Or should they honor Jacob's desire to make Ezo a part of this?