Guardian of Elements

Chapter 7 - To be smart enough

Kate wasn't used to this.

"Why should I be insulted? You don't have to bow to me. And who is the Wise One? Is he... the Guardian of Wisdom?"

"Yes, that's what he calls himself," Fellas replied humbly.

"Oh, I'm the Guardian of Elements. I'm searching for him and the other Guardians. And please, don't be afraid of me, I'm your friend, not your master."

Fellas raised her head. "I... Thank you. I'm proud that a Guardian calls me her friend. So now, kids, would you like to taste the water conjured by a Guardian? With your approval of course," she asked Kate, acting more or less normal again.

"That's why I summoned it," she smiled and drank some, finally feeling relief from the thirst. The family of beige cats joined her.

"Great. But what about the food? I doubt that will be so easy."

Fellas smiled.

"It will, if you know where to look." And she pointed up.

"These trees don't have any fruit. I've already looked."

"Not the fruit you know perhaps."

Kate looked up again, and she saw some coconut-like brown balls.

"Those? They don't look edible."

"Not from the outside. Do you want to take a guess how we're going to get them down?"

"I was just about to ask you that."

"Come." Fellas entered the tree by a hole in the trunk. Inside was a nice den.

"This entire tree is hollowed. The trunk, even the branches. So, if you get it to resonate, the vibrations will throw down the fruit." And she howled. The hollowed tree amplified the sound, almost tearing Kate's ears. When she stopped, the howl was replaced by rhythmic beats of falling fruit.

"Wow, I wouldn't think of that!" said Kate appreciatively.

"Here, you have to be smart to survive. Or, I guess being a Guardian helps too."

As they headed outside, Kate noticed a hole near the trunk, leading underground.

"What's down there?" she asked.

"There? It's an entrance to a cavern system. Whoever is smart enough to get past the challenges inside will get to the Guardian of Wisdom."

"Great, that's just what I need! And have you been there?"

"Yes, once, with my parents. We solved the trial and got an audience with Him. That's how I got my name. You see, everyone here who has a name is revered in a way, because he or she is cleverer than the others. Look," Fellas gazed to the distance. "When I was young, there were many animals living here, and those who were proud to call themselves by their names were among the noblest. These trees were like shrines, and everytime someone went inside to earn a name, it was a great event for everyone. I remember when me and my parents were to go inside. Many animals gathered around, supporting me. And then, when we returned, everyone was cheering my new name..." She paused for a moment, lost in memories, before continuing. "But that has changed. Now, every tree here belongs to a family or an animal. Some don't even attempt to get to the Guardian anymore. But those of us, who still want to have a meaning, understand the risks and take them. It's worth it."

Kate got an idea.

"If you've been there, you know the challenges and you can solve them with ease! You could take me and your children there. They would earn their names and I would meet another Guardian!"

"I don't know them."

"What?"

"Everyone who has been there and met the Guardian had to swear to him that they will not tell anyone about the challenges. I remember the Guardian and the cave, but I don't know what's inside. He's taken that knowledge away from me, so that I wouldn't tell anyone."

"That's... barbaric," Kate frowned.

"It's not, it's only fair. Now come, you must eat something, or you will soon be bluer than you are now."

They found the fallen fruit, and inside the cracked brown hard shell was a juicy orange pulp. Kate took a bite, and after three days without food, it tasted heavenly. She ate three of them, and at last, she wasn't hungry anymore. The caracal family ate some too, and then they watched the sunset together.

"You will stay with us for the night, right?" asked Fellas.

"Well, I think I could. It would be better than to spend another night alone out there." Kate was glad she got the offer.

"Splendid, so come, there's enough room for you inside."

They went into the tree. The cubs lay down on the soft grass inside the den, their mother overseeing them from a wooden platform on the tree trunk. Kate wondered if it was natural or handmade.

"All right everyone, good night," said Fellas.

"Mum, please, can Kate tell us a story?" asked one cub.

"She's tired, as we are. We should go to sleep."

"Please, just one."

"I can, but I don't know any stories..." said Kate.

"Tell us about your home then! You said you live in a forest, what is it like there?"

And so, she did. She told them about the forest, her valley and all the animals she could remember, about her adventures, and, of course, about Tawarthion. For the first time since his departure, she felt whole again.