Hanna

The immediate concerns about Borit faded as the winter months passed quietly. It was almost like the Captain had forgotten about them, though the Guardian knew that would never be true. One of Silver's informants relayed that there had been an attempt on the King Rhodri's daughter's life which had called all available forces back to the palace. Rumors spread that it was the work of assassins from Lakyle, but no proof could found. So while the palace was left in turmoil, Rynnlee, at least for now, would be left in peace.

With the snow piled up making travel undesirable, the village was indeed very peaceful. Thanks to the meat Silver had stolen, no one went hungry. Instead of starvation, snowmen filled the streets. Ethyn, like the other young boys, enjoyed making white powdery walls on the village green and pelting as many of his friends as he could with balls made of packed ice.

Sage was busy at the tavern and inn, and Ethyn was grateful for her general absence. She mostly came by during her breaks to flirt with Silver and make the boy feel uncomfortable. Ethyn noticed that she rarely passed up a chance to mock him in front of Silver, and when the Guardian was not around she was openly hostile.

The beautiful brunette would even plant traps and then blame them on the man's little companion. In one incident she had spread a wire across the front door and made sure Silver tripped on it as he came to bid her hello. "Oh, that little rascal," Sage said with mock sadness. "He really needs a mother's touch. I hope you can find him a good home soon." This was her constant refrain: that he needed a home. Did she not realize that he had one already?

Ethyn was not sure what he had done wrong, but the boy also knew any concerns would fall on deaf ears. The Guardian was blinder to Sage with every passing day. If Silver wasn't the boy's hero, he would probably have packed up and left already. But even with her threats, Ethyn was happier than he had ever remembered being in years.

To be fair, after a while he did start to sprinkle in his own mischief towards Sage. The difference was that he knew how not to get caught. When snow fell off her roof onto Sage as she exited or she stepped into something left behind by a passing animal, he made sure that he was hidden from her view as he watched the show. Whether or not the lady knew he was at fault, she never told.

With piling up outside and a warm fireside, Silver found himself telling Ethyn all manner of stories to pass the time in the evenings. The Guardian found that is was quite pleasant to have a captive audience who hung on his every word.

"When I was caught, I dove into the manor's kitchen and found vat full of thick cooking oil. Taking a stirring stick with a hole down the middle, I dove into it and used the stick to breathe." Silver mimicked holding a straw to his mouth and breathing through the long tube as he hid below the oil's surface. "The men looked for me for over an hour. You would think the oil spilled on the ground would have clued them in, but they never so much as touched the vat as far as I know. In fact I was only discovered when the cook went to make dinner. Imagine her surprise when she dipped out some oil and hit my head below the surface. I must have looked like an oily monster when I popped up, because she promptly passed out so I could make my escape. Quite thoughtful of her, actually," the Guardian chuckled.

"Wow and that is how the legend of the oil ghouls began?" Ethyn asked.

"I have no idea, but it certainly added to the lore. To this day I hear ladies say to only skim the top of the barrel when getting oil lest you disturb the monster that sleeps beneath." Silver's eyes flashed. The boy noticed that they did that when he was feeling strong emotion. Just now he seemed to be happy. Ethyn enjoyed bringing his mentor joy.

In return for the stories, Ethyn would practice reading aloud from books Silver had "borrowed" from the various landowners nearby. One night as a hint of spring teased the cold night air, Ethyn read from a thickly-bound red book.

"…and the Fates walked among men. They guided the paths of all as they saw fit. For a time, there was peace. Each person had their own portion and no one went without. But the hearts of men resented the power of the Fates. Many were greedy and sought to murder the Fates and the Guardians who served them. So began the Great Rebellion. Famine and death covered the land as the Fates were slaughtered. Only a few Guardians who escaped or renounced their allegiance were allowed to live. Chaos ruled as wickedness took hold and ran unchecked…." Ethyn stopped. He stared at the ornate letters on the page. Such beautiful writing for such ugly words. Silver glanced up from fletching arrows. He looked quizzically at the boy.

"What's wrong? Why have you stopped?" Silver could see tears well up in the boy's eyes.

"This story, is it true?"

"Mostly." Silver said with a shrug.

"Did you renounce the Fates?" Ethyn looked angry and hurt. Silver gave a chuckle. This only made Ethyn angrier, "It's not funny! Did you renounce the Fates to stay alive?"

The Guardian cleared his throat. "I am not old enough to have lived through the Great Rebellion. That was hundreds of year ago. I will tell you a secret. I am not even 30."

Ethyn's mouth nearly dropped to the floor with this revelation. Another question entered his head. "Then how did the Fates call you?"

Silver's voice became serious. He pulled his chair close to Ethyn and lowered his voice to a whisper, "I will tell you something, but you cannot tell a soul."

Ethyn nodded reverently. Silver smiled as he had the boy's undivided attention. It reminded him of when he used to tell stories to Haven by this same fireplace. The guardian paused, and Ethyn nearly fell off his chair leaning in to hear.

"The Fates are not all dead."

The green-eyed boy gasped as his eyes sparkled. "They aren't?!"

"No. It's true that most of the Fates died in the Great Rebellion but four survived. They went into hiding for many years before they found each other. When they finally met, they divided the earth into four parts and received instructions to restore peace. They have been working for this ever since in secret." The Guardian's whisper was almost too good to be true.

Ethyn looked at him suspiciously, bringing his hand to his chin. "How do you know this when the books don't?"

Silver nodded approvingly. "Good question. Always question, even when it annoys me. It does you credit." The Guardian countered with his own question, "How do you think I would know such things about the Fates?"

Ethyn's eyes grew big as the moon. "You have met one! Of course! And he told you the story."

"She told me the story," he corrected. "Hanna's told me many wonderful and horrible things over the years. Her words always prove to be true, even when I don't like it." Silver's voice was filled with a sadness that Ethyn could only identify as loss.

They sat in silence for a moment. Ethyn had a thousand questions, but he feared the moment for them had passed. When Silver became pensive, there was little that could rouse him.

"You know," the Guardian added more to himself than Ethyn, "despite all the trouble she causes for me, she is a constant presence in my life. It is sad really. Hanna's probably the only woman who will ever know who I truly am."

"I am ok with that," the boy muttered.

Silver jerked his head. "Hush!"

Ethyn frowned. "I am sorry, but Sage is not someone…"

Silver clasped his hand over the boy's mouth and froze. Ethyn could now see he was listening. After a moment Ethyn could hear it too: boots slushing around outside in the melting snow. The hooded figure released the boy's mouth and held a finger up to his own. Then Silver doused the fire with a nearby pitcher. Pulling Ethyn into his bedroom, he whispered, "Stay here. If you have to, use the exit under the bed to get out."

"There's an exit under the bed?" The red-headed child was shocked.

The Guardian had no time to waste. "Do you have the sword that you've been using to train with Aiden?"

"Yes. It is there by the door." He pointed.

"Get it. Hold it. Hopefully you won't need to use it." Silver turned to leave.

"Where are you going?' Ethyn asked in sudden panic.

"Out. I will be back. I promise." Silver's eyes flashed again, this time with determination.

"But…"

"Be silent. Everything will be fine." Silver did not wait for a response, but slipped out into the main room virtually unseen. Peeping through the door, Ethyn caught a glint of light reflecting off the dagger in Silver's hand as the Guardian silently ghosted out of the cottage.

"Be safe," the boy whispered.