Let's Try This Again

Bren sat up as the woman slumped over his body. He looked up to see Winchell scolding Terra for not trying to stop the woman from attacking him and Caius holding out a hand to help him up. Bren rolled the woman's body off of him and grabbed Caius' hand.

"I thought I was the one with women trying to kill me," Caius said playfully as he pulled Bren up. "Didn't think you had it in you." Bren glared at Caius, then focused his attention on the woman.

"She could have injured herself even more," Winchell said as he went to kneel by the woman's body.

"Bren wouldn't have hurt her," Terra said as she helped Winchell carry the woman over to the bed. "But I think she might have gotten the wrong idea about him."

"Rhoderick…" Bren said as he settled himself at the table. "He tortured her, and she probably thinks I'm exactly like him."

"Honest mistake," Caius said as he took the seat opposite Bren. "She seems trained, though. She went straight for the sure kill." He motioned his hand in a slicing motion on the side of his neck. Bren watched as Winchell checked the woman's pulse and looked for any new injuries.

"I'm going to rouse her awake," Winchell said, "Hopefully she'll be in a better state of mind." Winchell's hand began to glow as he placed his palm over the woman's eyes. The woman began to stir. She groaned as she pressed down on her temples and sat up slowly in bed. She looked around the room and seemed to almost slump at the sight of four strangers staring back at her.

"Alright," she muttered, "which one of you assholes knocked me out?" Caius rolled his eyes to the ceiling as he feigned innocence, but she didn't fall for that. "Watch your back, Blondie." He glanced at Bren unsure of what to do. Bren only shrugged as he continued to watch the woman.

"We're sorry for the way things were handled," Winchell tried to placate, "but if we had let you continue, your wounds would have reopened."

"Inflict the pain, then give the medicine, huh?" She said as she glared at Bren.

"You misunderstand," Winchell said, "Bren may be of royalty, but he is nothing like Crown Prince Rhoderick and his majesty, King Rhodale. He did not even know of your existence until you were brought to us."

"And who is this 'us' you're referring to?" She asked, suspicion still lining her eyes. Winchell gave a slight bow.

"I am Winchell Levi, the Water-Wielder. She," he pointed towards Terra. "is Terra Locke, the Earth Shaker." He walks over to Caius and pats his shoulder, "This here is Caius Sylvain, the Air-Rider. And the man you tried to kill is Bren Dharius Halvard, First Prince of Mysta, and the only Fire-Tamer in the kingdom."

"We're all the only Keepers of our elements, not just Bren," Caius rebuked as he got up to get a closer look at the woman. "Which begs the question, what are you?"

"I'm sorry, but 'what' not 'who'?" the woman said, "Am I some sort of sideshow attraction?"

"I wouldn't say sideshow," he said as he smiled flirtatiously, "What's your name?"

"Rhea. Adair," Rhea replied. She looked almost reluctant to say her own name but realized there wouldn't be much point in resisting when she was injured.

"Rhea Adair." Caius rolled Rhea's name around his tongue and beamed a smile her way that would make any woman melt, but not Rhea. He was a little disappointed when nothing phased her. Winchell placed his hand on Caius' shoulder, and he took a step back.

"Mother Dhari gifted the people of Mysta the ability to control the four elements of nature," he said as he held his palm out face up. His hand began to glow softly as he pulled water from the air and condensed it over his palm.

"Whoa!" Rhea's eyes grew wide as she watched Winchell manipulate the small amount of water in his hands. "Elements…right. So, I'm guessing the reason you told me those weird titles was because you guys control those other elements?"

Winchell nodded. "It was a power given to Mother Dhari's children to defend the weak against the monsters that roam beyond the walls."

"You mean those red giants?" Rhea asked, "What the hell are those things anyway?" Bren sat up in surprise.

"You've never heard of the Fiara?" Bren asked before Winchell could answer her.

"Am I supposed to?" Confused, Rhea looked to the others who seemed just as surprised as Bren. "I'm guessing this is common knowledge."

"How do you not know about the monsters that have been terrorizing this kingdom for centuries?" Bren asked, incredulous.

"Have you been living under a rock?" Caius followed.

"She isn't from here," Terra replied. "She's from See-a-tull."

"See-a-tull?" Winchell chimed in. "Where is that located?"

"The Fiara are everywhere," Bren spoke over Winchell's inquiry, "There isn't any country out there that hasn't suffered because of them."

"Maybe it's an island," Caius tried to reason.

"They've overtaken any islands out there," Terra said.

Rhea watched as the four of them argued back and forth about the reasons why Rhea was ignorant about the Fiara. She leaned back against the headboard and wanted to wait until they realize that they had completely forgotten about her. It didn't seem as if they would stop anytime soon so Rhea cleared her throat a few times to get their attention.

"…it just doesn't make any sense!" Bren exclaimed. Rhea rolled her eyes, placed two fingers in her mouth and let out a shrill whistle. They all turned to face her.

"You guys done?" Rhea said as she folded her arms over her chest. The four of them glanced at each other, slightly embarrassed. "So, explain. What are these Fiara things?"

Winchell cleared his throat, a little abashed. "The Fiara are ruthless monsters whose only purpose is the destruction of humanity."

"Sounds…bad."

"Yes," Terra continued, "They've run rampant since the founding of this kingdom and they have grown stronger over time."

"But you have powers. What's keeping you from getting rid of them all?"

"We have no idea where they're coming from," Bren said, "We could never pinpoint exactly where they're amassing."

"And when we get close," Caius said, "A Zyim appears and destroys all our efforts."

"I'm sorry, 'Zyim'?" Rhea asked.

"A leader," Winchell answered, "Someone who can rally the Fiara together and stage a full-blown assault on the kingdom."

"Fiara are usually scattered and can never be around others like themselves without flying into a rage," Terra explained. "It's because of this that we're able to scout their locations and avoid their routes when trading with other countries."

"They're a pain to fend off and difficult to kill," Caius chimed in. "It usually takes at least a dozen soldiers to take one down."

"If they're trouble for the kingdom," Rhea interjected, "why the hell did your King hold me prisoner when I should've been held up on a pedestal."

"What do you mean?" Winchell asked. Rhea sat up straighter in her bed.

"I fought with one of those things by myself," she said growing petulant. "I saved one of those soldiers from being killed and what did I get in return? Broken ribs and a bruised-up body."

"You beat a Fiara by yourself?" Caius scoffed, doubtful. "Hardly plausible if Rhodale was able to capture you."

"Plausible if I wasn't so dazed after killing that thing," Rhea retorted. "They tied me up when I couldn't even stand straight. I saved their damned lives, and they chose to abduct me, steal my weapons, and torture me." Rhea didn't like the idea of being around strangers without her repertoire of weapons on her person. She felt naked. "Why am I even here?"

"Because we believe you are like us," Winchell said.

"What? A magic-wielder? No."

"Not a magic-wielder, but a Keeper of an element. You were brought to us because Rhodale witnessed you using one. Please tell us, what do you hold?" Winchell seemed eager to hear her answer, Rhea could see it in his eyes. She looked around the room, and though they weren't as keen as Winchell, she could see they were just as curious.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but where I'm from, there's no such thing as magic or powers, unless you count electricity."

"Electricity?"

"Similar to lightening?" she tried to explain.

"You can wield lightening?!" Caius asked, incredulous.

"No, I can't. I can't do magic, I can't control water, or air. Fire, or earth. I'm just…normal. Well, normal enough."

"No, this isn't right, "Winchell said fervently, "Rhodale wouldn't have brought you here if you weren't a Keeper."

"And if he was mistaken?" Terra asked.

"I wouldn't put it past the moron," Caius muttered.

"If he was mistaken," Bren answered, "Then he has committed a crime against an innocent civilian."

"Hold on," Rhea put her hand up, "Are you saying that if I was a Keeper, then it isn't a crime to kidnap and torture me? Are Keepers criminals or something?"

"We are not criminals, but Keepers are looked down upon by Royalty," Winchell answered.

"And yet they still consider us property of the Crown," Caius spat out in disgust. "To use however they wish."

"But the people are different," Terra said, "the citizens of this kingdom think of us as saviors, though they don't voice it for fear of retribution." Rhea looked at the four Keepers and frowned.

"I don't get it," Rhea said, "You have abilities. They don't. What's stopping you from just leaving?"

"We have an obligation to protect those weaker than us," Bren said solemnly. Everyone's face was grave.

"So, in other words, the King is holding something over all of you." Rhea had been in that kind of situation before. She understood what it meant to give up her freedom for others. Although, in the end, it was a fruitless effort. Lifeless eyes stared back at her in her mind. She shook herself from the memory. "So, what now?

As Winchell was about to answer, there were muffled voices and commotion coming from the other side of the door. Rhea picked out clanging armor and heavy footsteps. Caius sighed heavily and Terra began to stretch out her arms.

"Who's out there?" Rhea swung her legs to the ground and stood up, battle ready. "What's going on?"

"Training," Bren answered with a scowl.

The doors burst open and soldiers marched in, lining the inside of the room surrounding the five of them. Following behind the soldiers was a large man in red-lined armor. When he entered the room, his eyes roamed over the Keepers until they fell on Rhea. He grinned with smarmy pleasure.

"Bring the girl to the armory," the Master of Arms said then about-faced and walked swiftly down the corridor. Soldiers grabbed Rhea from each side and practically dragged her out the room. The others were escorted as well with several soldiers following behind.

After several minutes of walking through the castle grounds, Rhea was brought before a building and shoved through the doors. She stumbled into the armory and almost gasped at the array of weapons in front of her. She looked around for the Keepers, but they were taken elsewhere. Someone cleared their throat and a soldier pushed Rhea forward. She glared back at the soldier but then turned her attention to the large man.

"I am Monteros Gretna, Master of Arms, and your superior," Monteros boomed in his gravelly voice. His straw-like hair was tied at the base of his trunk-like neck, and unsightly but groomed facial hair adorned his face. He was like something out of an old western film, the character that was always the brawn of the group of thieves and robbers.

Rhea ignored Monteros and paid more attention to the weapons around the room. She spotted halberds, swords, spears, archery sets, axes, etc. Then her eyes fell on a set of familiar daggers set beside other daggers on a table off to the side. She moved quickly to the table only to be shoved to the ground by the soldiers that were still behind her.

"Get off me!" She struggled against the soldiers who were giving her more trouble than she thought possible. She hated that she was injured. Her head was jerked back, and she looked into muddied green eyes.

"You do not touch my weapons without my permission," Monteros said icily.

"Those are mine!" Rhea seethed. Monteros only laughed.

"Nothing belongs to an aberration." He turned to one of the servants cleaning the weapons. "Fit her into something then bring her to the grounds." He turned back to Rhea. "This one needs a firm lesson." He left Rhea in the armory as soldiers pushed her into another room with the servant and slammed the door as she tried to leave. She turned to face the servant who was already busying herself with putting together some leather armor.

She sighed. "I'll take a size small."