Chapter Fourteen: Ashala's People

The hallway she led Aiden into was identical to the room they just left. The same carved walls sloped upward, the same dark sand crunched under his sneakers. It was wide, about as wide as his quarters, and ran forward in a slow curve. He saw pockets of doorways here and there, but when he peeked inside, most were empty.

The further they went the better he felt, until he found himself pulling away from Ashala and making his way on his own. She beamed a smile of approval.

"Where are we?" His voice bounced from the cool stone. "I didn't see any mountains or cliffs in the desert."

"Deep underground," she said. Aiden's shoulders tightened but he forced them to relax. He hated closed spaces. "You collapsed near the entrance to our caves. Some of us had just gone to the surface to close the doorway to keep out the dust from the storm when we saw you."

"You mean, you saw me," he said.

She bobbed her head with a smile. "Yes."

"How big is this place?" He was encouraged she was so willing to answer his questions.

"Vast." They exited the hall and passed into a huge chamber. Aiden drew a breath as he looked up and up but couldn't see the ceiling. A few of Ashala's people hurried their way through the central chamber, but most bobbed a greeting and went on their way. One woman, however, stared for so long Aiden waved at her. She ducked her head and ran.

Weird, he thought.

Several corridors branched from the central hub, lit with torches at each entrance. A pool in the center was filled with water as black as death. Aiden left Ashala long enough to go to it and look in. It bubbled up from somewhere deep under the ground. He bent and scooped some in his hand before tasting it. It tasted like the same fresh stuff she fed him.

"Our well," she said. "The source of life and our most precious possession."

"I can imagine."

Ashala motioned for him to continue. He followed her across the expanse to another corridor. This one was better lit with rows of depressions cut into the rock, filled with small stones glowing like embers.

"Firestone," Ashala said when she noticed him looking. "It burns for a very long time without producing smoke."

Impressive. He wondered if he could smuggle some out with him when he left. It would come in handy. Then a thought hit him so hard he stumbled.

There was a good chance he would never be leaving.

Ashala caught his arm before he fell, but he smiled at her and waved her off. His cheeks felt icy cold, as though all the blood rushed from his face, and he was grateful she let it go.

They walked in silence for a few minutes while Aiden dealt with this new possibility. He hadn't been raised to quit and here he was contemplating it twice since landing in this place, not to mention considering abandoning his parents for his own safety back home. He felt horrified with himself and wondered who he was turning into. Self-doubt and fear had never been part of his though process.

He had to get his mojo back.

Just deciding to give himself a shake made him feel better. He looked up from his deep thoughts as Ashala touched his arm as they approached the exit to the corridor. He saw another large chamber past the tunnel mouth.

"The council chamber," she said. "There are many who wish to meet you, but none more so than my father. We are very happy you are here, Guardian."

She left him to follow her without another word, striding at what must have been her normal, ground-devouring pace through the entrance and beyond.

Aiden paused one more moment to order his thoughts. Obviously they thought he was someone he wasn't in connection to the prize. He was going to get some answers at last, it appeared.

He entered the room and looked around. Smaller than the well room, the ceiling was still so high he couldn't see it. Woven rugs with faded pictures hung on the walls and a large, black wood table stood in the center. Two giant fireplaces roared with life on opposite ends of the room, and hanging holders filled with lit fire-rock sent light down from the darkness above.

A dozen people gathered in the room aside from himself and Ashala. Being around others, especially adults staring at him with a mixture of awe and fear, made Aiden feel more grounded. Here was a situation he could handle.

The closest to him was an older man with a thick gray beard and long hair to match. It was caught in the same low ponytail as Ashala's. Aiden guessed he was her father from the similar markings and tattoos which ran from his fingertips to his shoulders, perhaps beyond, and the same tattoos on his toes. He wore a long, dark robe, belted with red cord. His lined face was kind, gray eyes deep, calm pools. Smiling at Aiden, he extended his tattooed hands in greeting.

"Welcome, Guardian." His deep voice rolled through the stone chamber.

"Welcome," the others droned after him.

Aiden felt a shiver run through him. He was trained to handle incidents where diplomacy and deception were necessary. Not that he wanted to deceive Ashala or her people, but he needed answers and wasn't about to hurt his chances of getting them by confessing anything just yet.

"Thank you," he said.

A murmur filled the room with humming sound and the fear faded, if not the awe. The group of men and women of varying ages shifted, some bowing toward him with smiles, some clasping their hands to their chests. Aiden wondered if he miscalculated again when Ashala's father motioned him closer.

"Please, join us," he said.

The crowd dispersed as Aiden accepted the invitation, some of the gathered people disappearing down other tunnels he only then noticed were there at all. It was so unlike him to miss details. He knew he was still far from his normal self but did his best anyway.

"I am Gunesh." The man bowed. "The Keeper of Rishi. It is a great honor to have you here."

"This is Aiden," Ashala said.

"It is long since an Edge-Walker came to Rishi. You are very welcome, Guardian Aiden."

Aiden felt in so far over his head he didn't know what to say. Just as well, they didn't give him time to talk. Two of the councilors guided him from either side to sit at the end of the table. The chair was massive and beautifully carved. Aiden's fingers traced the intricate pattern. He felt a surge of acquisitiveness as Gunesh continued.

"There has been no Guardian here since the days my father's father was Keeper," he said. Aiden tried to focus on him, but servers placed platters of food in front of him and they all smelled delicious. "May I ask?" Gunesh took a seat next to Aiden. "May I see the Portal Key?"

Aiden stared at him, uncomprehending. The food was calling his name, but the group stared at him with more hunger than his stomach ever felt.

"Sorry?"

Ash motioned to his backpack still clutched to his shoulder. Aiden shook himself as he understood what the man asked. He unslung the bag, setting it on his lap, undoing the top. He looked inside first to make sure the thing wasn't glowing then pulled it free. Not that he was opposed to moving on if he had to, but he was safe, clean and about to be fed so he didn't want to push his luck.

The gathering gasped, Gunesh included, at the sight of the stone. Aiden held it up so everyone could get a good look. Gunesh held out his hands, eyes pleading. Aiden hesitated then handed it over. The Keeper stroked the prize like it was a precious child, holding it to his bearded cheek a moment before returning it with such gentleness Aiden used the same quiet reverence to put it back in the bag.

"I am honored," Gunesh said. "I have been Keeper here for thirty years and I have never seen or touched a Portal Key. She is beautiful. Thank you, Guardian."

Aiden felt a deep and painful twinge of conscience.

Gunesh went on. "There are no Keys left in Rishi and the Guardians are long gone from here. You have one of the last in existence, as far as we know, unless the other Guardians are making more?"

Aiden couldn't meet his eyes.

"I was shocked when Ashala and the others brought you from the surface," Gunesh said. "Not just because you are a Guardian, one of the order, but because you are so young. And yet, the cause has need, the Edge requires defenders and who am I to judge?"

Aiden almost lied. He considered it very carefully. He had no idea how these people would react if they knew he was a fraud. On the other hand, they treated him with kindness and the worst they could do would be toss him back on the surface. As long as he kept possession of the prize, he felt confident they wouldn't hurt him.

The deciding factor, however, was Ashala. She watched him with such hope he didn't have the heart to lead her on any further. She saved his life and deserved to know the whole truth.

It was a calculated risk. Aiden decided on honesty.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

***