Guarders: Playing With Fire

Chapter 10

The next day, Reddust was true to his word, and met Flameheart at her room for training.

"We're going to be doing something slightly different, today. I'm going to teach you about the history of the Guarders." Reddust told his lovemate.

Flameheart groaned in response. "Really? History? Can't I do something fun, like learning to summon a lightning bolt or something like that?"

Reddust grinned. "Maybe next time. You really do need to learn the history of the Guarders."

Flameheart just sighed and resigned herself to her fate.

...................

When the two Apprentices arrived at the clearing, Flameheart noticed immeadiately that something had changed. "Hey, since when was there seats made out of grass?"

Reddust blushed slightly. "Since I asked Dustleaf to make it for me. I thought it might be more comfortable than just the ground."

Flameheart plopped down on the grassy bench and stretched her legs out. "Well, Dustleaf did a good job. Too good, in fact. I might just fall asleep on here, 'specially since we're doing history." She pronounced the word like it was a piece of Night Rider dirt.

"You know, Guarder history is actually quite interesting. Give it a chance." Reddust chided her gently.

Flameheart just rolled her eyes in reply. "I suffered enough history in the mortal world. I was looking forwards escaping it."

"Yes, but mortal history is b-o-r-i-n-g. Guarder history is not." Reddust pointed out.

"We'll see." Flameheart muttered.

"So. To make this more interesting for you, is there a certain piece about the Element Guarders and Unicorn Herd that you would like to know more about?" Reddust asked.

Flameheart frowned. "Well, I really want to know how the Successors for the Guardian and the Keepers are selected."

Reddust nodded in approval. "Good idea. The Successor Ceremony is actuall going to happen quite soon, so it would be good for you to understand what will be happening.

"The Successor Ceremony is very sacred, as it has to happen when the Royal Stars are in the correct place. The Stars only move into the position every 10 years, and with the war, the possibility of one of the Keepers being killed without having a Successor is strong." He paused.

"Even the Guardian, who can only be killed by the Dark Leader, must have a Successor. The only problem is, there had been no Guarder and Companion suitable enough to become the Successor of the Guardian of Elements. The Successor must be very powerful, and often shows signs of having more than one Elemental Gift. Each Guarder has one Elemental Gift, which determins what Element Companion Chooses them and which Element they control. For us, that would be the Fire Gift, whereas with Snowrush and Oceanfrost, they have the Water Gift."

"Do sibling always have the same Elemental Gift?" Flameheart interrupted.

Reddust shook his head. "No. Often they are, but not always."

Flameheart nodded at him to continue.

"For the Successors for the Element Keepers, it is often the most powerful Guarder of that Element. Until you came, that was me, and everyone was nearly certain that I would become the Successor to Flintstar, but now, they're not so sure. You are extremely powerful, Flameheart, but you just don't know it. Whether it is me, you or someone else entirely that will be chosen, no one knows but the Spiritstone and the Royal Stars"

"At the Ceremony itself, every Guarder and Companion gather at Moonlight Meadow. That is not the same clearing that the Spiritstone rests, but it is just as powerful. As the Four Royal Stars rise, they pass over the Keepers and the Guardian. The starlight shines on each Keeper, one at a time, and the Successor is surrounded with their element. It starts with the Keeper of Water, then the Keeper of Earth. Third is the Keeper of Air, and last is the Keeper of Fire. Once Successors of the Keepers are shown, the Royal Stars move directly over the Guardian of Elements. If her Successor is among the gathered Guarders, he or she will be surrounded by white mist. That is the essence of all four Elements combined."