3
The River Guardian

   The road was rough for the two travelers. The terrain was still muddy from the rain a few days before, and the weather was growing visibly cooler.
   They traveled in the woods where trails were available, for their horse had a hard time walking through trees and undergrowth. It was an unusual sight; a nobleman riding on the back of his charger while the wild girl outdistanced them both with her long, powerful strides.
   Every step seemed as if she was gliding, only to land moments later. Her feet looked as if they never reached the soft earth before taking off again. Her silvery hair flew behind her. The elf’s eyes gleamed with delight and exhilaration. Arthel was always following her, always within sight.
   The man, on the other hand, seemed wary. Although he was content, he was only slightly so. Despite his obvious exhaustion, he sat tall in his seat with an air of dignity. The mare charger was also drained. She and her rider had been pushed to move for days without stopping.
   Haydar wondered how she managed to do it. He knew that her race, the Silvidarthe, had supernatural abilities, but just watching her run—no fly—was tiring. He like all Knights could sleep in their saddle. But he had found it challenging, and had little sleep in the past few days.
   Haydar feared that his charger, Faith, would collapse. Faith, the elf and the Knight had not eaten for a several days. At least he still had water in his flask. Mysta seemed oblivious to their exhaustion. The only way to stop her seemed to be asking. But no Knight ever complained to his commander, even after leaving the ranks.  
   The only time the elf seemed to pause was to “talk” to the trees. Somehow, she managed to get information from them, and occasionally a squirrel. He could not fathom how she did it, but if anyone else had seen her do it, they would have thought her mad.
   Luckily for her, Haydar was familiar with magic, and did not despise it as most humans do.
   Mysta constantly reminded him to avoid treading on plants. At first he thought the warning was for him, but it turned out that she was actually speaking to Faith. Faith seemed to actually heed her warning, but her size made it hard for her. Every time that the mare stepped on a plant or root, crushing it, Mysta seemed to flinch. Haydar realized that she could feel the nature’s pain. What other abilities does she have?
   That evening, Haydar relented and called for a break. Mysta seemed surprised at his plea, but agreed all the same.
   “Sorry, I forgot how fast you humans tired,” she said, not without annoyance.
   Ignoring the insult, Haydar announced that he would hunt a meal. Mysta looked at him in shock.
   “Are you telling me that you are going to murder in order to feed yourself?” she asked incredulously.
   Haydar took it that Silvidarthians, like the Elidarthians, did not eat meat. If they did, they most likely held rituals of respect for the animal before consumption. Even if she opposed it, he needed the food, and could not live off plants alone. He was angered by the elf’s ignorance of his own needs.
   “Well, you certainly had no problems murdering to earn gold.” He retorted, sharper than intended.
   “I do not hurt the innocent. Those humans were not pure of heart.”
   “No one is completely pure. If it will satisfy you, I will eat fruit and berries that I can gather.”
   “It is very cruel to kill a plant of Anima. He blessed us with gifts of greenery, but not so that they would be picked and eaten!”
   Haydar gave in, muttering under his breath, “Blessed you are, blessed and dead of starvation.” 
   “So what exactly do your kind live off?”
   “We drink water from the streams with the River Guardian’s permission, and we are nourished from the air provided by the good goddess Myst.”
   Despite his exasperation, Haydar couldn’t help but ask, “Who is the River Guardian?”
   Once again, Mysta looked at him with shock.
   “You do not know the River Guardian? Than how do you get the water you drink? And how—”
   “Is this another one of your people’s myths?” he interrupted rudely.
   Haydar was now slightly unnerved. A fiery rage was burning in her sliver eyes. He had seen this before only when she had been fighting the mercenaries. Just as soon as it began, the rage was extinguished. He realized that the elf could be dangerous, were she to lose her temper. He had to be more careful with his words.
   “It is not a myth. Come with me.” She said in cold, flat tones.
   Left without a choice, Haydar followed, dismounting Faith. He led his steed by a rope, and chased after the elf, who was now out of sight. Cursing, he stumbled through the trees, shouting for her to slow down. After a several minutes of wading in trees and plants, he tripped and tumbled into a clearing.
   He stood before a grand lake, the water crystal clear. He could see the fish swimming underneath. The sun’s rays shimmered on the unmoving surface. The lake was calm, and the waters did not move in the slightest. The trees were reflected perfectly, and the mountains farther away. He believed that the distant peaks were their current destination.
   Walking closer to the water, he inspected his own reflection. How much he had changed since the days of his Knighthood; his youth. He had been callow and raffish, carefree and living in dreams. That had been before truths were revealed. When he was still a pawn. When he had never witness death and felt true pain, and had played at war.
   Many lines of weariness, fear, and grief had been added. It gave him an older, wiser look. He could no longer recognize the handsome, optimistic man who had once been him. His normally sharp, blue eyes and endless energy were long gone. All enthusiasm and keenness was dulled; extinguished.
   His long, dirty-blond hair was still untidy and tangled, but due to the lack of time instead of impetuousness. He was fit only because of tiring travel and work, not endless play and fencing matches with friends. The clothes he wore were still bedraggled, simply because he could not afford new ones. He had used to pride himself in being the fastest among neighborhood boys to outwear his clothes, traveling endlessly in forests and rubble. This had been a real nuisance to his parents, but it seemed worth much more to be the top of his friends.
   After a simple decision, a farewell to his family, and the will to take up Holy Knighthood, his life had veered off course. Every choice he made led him down another path in life. Now the horrifying discovery had left him with no trail to walk on at all.
   His thoughts stopped abruptly as another face appeared beside his reflection. For a moment he was so startled that he nearly fell into the lake. Regaining his balance, he realized who the figure was.
   Trying to preserve some dignity, he cried, “Mysta? You startled me. I was—“
   Mysta cut him off, raising a hand.
   “You will startle the River Guardian. Show some respect.”
   She then waved him over to a low cliff over the edge of the lake. The cliff was made from numerous rocks stacked awkwardly on top of each other. The area seemed unstable and ready to collapse. The elf, however, climbed up the uneven surface at ease, jumping swiftly from rock to rock.
   Haydar climbed using his strength as key. He was able to clamber up without stumbling due to all the jumping and climbing he did in his youth.
   He had a better view from this high, and could see the land on the other side. The sky was now streaked with pink as the first signs of sunset approached. He was still tired and famished.
   “Wait, do not move. I shall call forth the River Guardian now. Be polite and respectful, you do not want to anger one so powerful.”
   With those words, Mysta moved to the very edge of the rocks, and Haydar feared that she would fall. But she did not.
   She raised her arms up to the heavens. Facing the wide, glittering lake and the blood-red skies, the elf started to chant.
   “O, mighty River Guardian, born to the gods
   Protector of the lakes and rivers
   You guard the water spirits
   And you provide us with your creations”
   Haydar had to stifle a laugh. Yet, he felt respect for the elf, and an aura of power seemed to constantly follow her. The incantations seemed to activate and reveal her inner strength. Mysta’s eyes flared once more, but with power instead of anger. Nature was at her command.
   Despite her brute nature, the look of wildness gave her a beauty of her own. The setting sun shone on her sun-tanned skin, and her silvery hair was given a golden glow. The humor to the situation immediately disappeared, and he was given a sense of awe and inspiration.
   ”O Guardian of the aquatic world
   I call you from the lake below
   Come out from the watery depths
   Come to me, I have called.”
   For a few moments, nothing happened. Arms still raised, and eyes still flaring, the elf waited in silence. Haydar was about to announce his victory when something unnatural and glorious occurred. Something that Haydar would never forget for as long as he lived.
   The ever-calm lake started to swirl and churn. A whirlpool quickly changed to a maelstrom as a vortex appeared in the center of the lake. Winds blew violently, threatening to knock the shocked Haydar off his feet.
   Mysta stood strong and steady with a look of triumph on her face. Though her silver hair blew wildly in the storm, the elf seemed over all unaffected.
   Soon, the storm calmed down, but the maelstrom continued. From the center of the pool rose a creature that was the only of its race. A merhorse floated gently upwards.
   The magnificent creature had the head, abdomen and two front legs of that a horse, but a fish’s tail. On its forehead was a spiraling silver horn, glinting in the light. Its smooth, hairless skin was silver with a tone of aqua. Two all-knowing crystalline blue eyes stared out at the two, eyes that were somehow so familiar. It felt as if if he could only part a shrouding mist, he would remember where before he had seen them. The merhorse’s eyes briefly met Haydar’s, but it quickly turned to face Mysta.
   “Mysta Windrider, of the element wind, you have called?” it spoke, in a voice melodious, like a clear, flowing stream. 
   “I have called, for this human, does not believe of your existence. Such ignorance could not go unnoticed,” she replied.
   “Ah, yes, Haydar Ironsword, is it not?”
   Haydar nodded in acknowledgement, bowing his head as he felt it was only right.
   The River Guardian turned back to Mysta.
   “How many humans have you traveled with in the past?”
   “None, great Guardian.”
   “How many do you think know of me?”
   “But a few.”
   “Than why accuse this noble man?”
   “Please forgive my rudeness, I was wrong to do so.”
   “But it is good that he knows of my presence. Haydar, I do not blame you for something you simply were not taught. I see that the Holy Knights no longer respect the deities of this realm. Sad, so very sad.
   “Every time you see, drink, or bathe in water, remember that I am there. Farewell”
   Once again, the merhorse submerged, leaving them in silence.
   Haydar was unable to think or speak straight, his head bursting with questions. Shaken, he walked away, legs trembling.
   “Do you still doubt the River Guardian’s existence, or was it just another of my people’s legends?” a voice called.
   He stopped in his tracks, turned, and gave the elf a long hard stare. Then, he turned and left, his hunger and weariness forgotten.
   Smiling at her accomplishment, Mysta followed. “Humans.”



   Time flew by the next few days. The elf and the Knight talked little, but they always stopped to rest. The mountains grew nearer, and soon, they could make out the trees growing there.
   Mysta still relied on her nature skills to lead the way. This form of communication never failed to bemuse the Knight.
   Once, while she was in one of her usual conversation with an animal, she stopped to look up at Faith.
   “You do know, that her real name is not Faith,” she said abruptly in a thoughtful manner,
“That is simply the name that the humans gave to her, and she was forced to learn,”  
   Haydar stared at his horse curiously. He had never thought of it that way before.
   “What is her true name?” he inquired.
   The elf spoke to Faith for a while, murmuring indistinguishable words, and then finally ceased her conversation as if she had an answer.
   “You are aware of the fact that one’s true name holds great power, and gives the one with the knowledge power over the being?”
   Haydar mulled this fact over. He had never known this. When he gave Mysta his name, was he giving power over himself to her? And if she knew this fact, did she give him her true name? The prospect of wielding such power did not seem right, if not frightening. Such power should remain to the gods alone. Yet…
   “I would never abuse it.”
   “Her faith in you is very strong. You have forged a bond with her, bridging the gap between human and animal. Such bonds should never be broken. Her true name, given to her by the divine is Farmelda. This knowledge will strengthen your companionship, but at a price.”
   Haydar was surprised at his new discovery. Knowing her as Faith for so long, he could not imagine Farmelda being her name. Yet the name seemed to fit like a missing puzzle piece. Since he knew that he could never get used to the new name, and for her protection, he decided to keep her given name, Faith.
   Haydar eventually grew tired of being polite, and went hunting. The bow and arrows given to him came in useful. He was not necessarily good at stalking prey, but his aim was good and the forest teeming with life. The angered, pitying glances that she gave him as he ate did little to lower his spirits. He now had good food, a safe path to walk, and the weather was on his side.
   Autumn came late for the area near the mountains. Though the air was noticeably cooler, the trees and animals seemed unaffected. The leaves refused to fall, and remained a fresh green. Squirrels and deer were very common, and the birds had yet to leave for warmer lands.
   However, the world around them was changing.
   Battles were taking place, and villages being destroyed. War tore loving families apart, and the land was grieving. Sides both evil and good were on the move, seeking to take the upper hand. Neutrals tried to maintain the shifting balance between the sides. Betrayals took place as people tried to side with the winning team.
   Though the dark and light sides itself were having victories and failures, little took notice of the beings who lived in peace.
   The armies were killing despite the age, race, gender, or purpose. If a town had the temple of Necros, the goddess of death and despair in it, Holy Knights would ‘rinse’ the village of evil.
   The evil took to be more cunning, and assassinated any enemy leaders that proved a threat, leaving the area in confusion and disorientation. They would then have complete power over the entire encampment, allowing them to sweep the area at ease.
   Mercy was no object. Those who pitied and forgave were the first to die.
   Yet the elf and the Knight move onwards, regardless of anything other than their own mission.
   Breaking the silence that had lasted for days, Haydar spoke up.
   “If the River Guardian is the master of water, what of the other elements?”
   Stopping abruptly in mid-run, Mysta turned around. Looking up at the sky, or perhaps Arthel, she sighed.
   “Let us take a break now. It is noon,” she said, ignoring his question.
   They both sat down at a large small clearing, and Haydar pulled out the dried meat he had been saving. Wrinkling her nose at the smell of the meat, Mysta replied, her eyes taking on a dreamy, far-off look.
   “You have no doubt been educated on the deities of the immortal realm?”
   “Yes, I have.”
   “Well, there are deities, or demigods, of this world, the mortal realm.”
   “You speak of these realms, what exactly are they?”
   Agitation clearly showed on the elf’s face.
   “How many worlds do you know of?” she asked.
   “Only Druin, and the world of the spirits and stars.”
   “Your knowledge is very limited, like most other humans,” she scoffed.
   Haydar made no comment. He was quite used to her human insults.
   “You may know of them as ‘worlds’, but in truth, they are realms. The realm you live in is the mortal realm, or ‘Mortalis’. There is birth, life, and death. No one can exist with out meeting an end at some point, though there are those who are immune to age.
   “Dragons, unicorns and phoenixes are the longest lived, followed by the giants. After them are the sprites, dryads, fairies, and wood nymphs. There are rumors of merfolk, but I am not sure of their existence. Next come the elves and centaurs, then the dwarves, trolls, goblins, orcs, and other creatures of the sort. Humans and halflings are among the shortest lived. Last are the animals.
   “Ghosts and wraiths are not of this world, but cursed to live in it. They should have gone to the realm of stars—Asterialis, named after its ruler Asteria, the goddess of neutrality, celestiality, and greater knowledge—as you mentioned. In truth, the gods do not live in the star realm. They live in their own realm; the immortal realm, or ‘Immortalis’. There, the immortals and the deities reign.
   “There are undiscovered portals to the other two realms. Those who discover these are the most powerful.”
   Mysta paused, and did not continue.
   “So, would you answer my previous question and tell me of the mortal deities?” he urged. Her tales had always fascinated him, and she had a knack at storytelling.
   “There are five main demigods, as there are five main elements. They are as follows; fire, water, light, darkness, and nature. These five are the prime. Each is ruled from the immortal realm by their following god or goddess, but the deities need a way to contact this world with out coming in person. So the demigods were created. Some were created for this purpose only. Others were accidental, but were deigned as demigods anyway. There is a story behind each.
   “I shall start with water, as you are already familiar with the River Guardian. Her story is a piece of lore, but I have known many tales to be true. So believe it or don’t believe it on your own will.
   “In the Liberty Wars, as you very well know, fate was rested on the final battle. It also rested on the water unicorn and the fire phoenix. The gods for this cause, brought them. The unicorn died, and was returned to the deities. But the deities have the power to bring back the deceased. It was brought back in the form of a merhorse to serve Aquas, and guard water.”
   So that was where he had remembered the merhorse from! His Knighthood vision, the one which everyone receives in order to attain Knighthood. He had had the privilege to view the final battle in the Liberty War.
   “In the like, the benefit of the good had to be balanced. The phoenix became the Master of Fire. The Master of Fire is known in many forms; one is the fire-wraith or demon, another the original phoenix, and last, like all the demigods can, a humanoid form.
   “The demigod of Darkness is very well known, thought few know the truth. It is Syrpentos —“
   Haydar gasped, cutting Mysta off. Could it possibly be? The symbol of death itself, Syrpentos was used in stories, and even tales to keep children from trouble. Realizing his interruption, he asked her to continue, eager for more.
   “— the Master of Darkness. It has existed through all time, created to serve evil. Its forms are the serpent —the most commonly known—and the shadow.
   “The next is Evangelina, the Forest Guardian. She also has a long story to her. Evangelina was born to Amouri—the goddess of love—and Anima—god of nature. In truth, she was a true goddess. But her love was for nature, the nature that existed only in the mortal planes. The evil knew of this yearning, and used it against her. They offered her a chance to visit the mortal realm whenever she pleased. But she was young, and did not know the rules of immortality; if one visits the mortal realm, they are entitled there for life. Though she would never regain her godhood, she had nature, so she was content. Anima insisted that his daughter became at least a demigod, so she became his link.
   “She has the ability to shape-shift to any animal, but she prefers to remain as a wood nymph, or dryad.
   “Last is the Master of Light, a dove. It is also portrayed as a fox, a deer, a lynx… but always whiter than the purest snow.
   “Of course, this being the Mortal Realm, not all can live forever. Only the Master of Light and the Master of Darkness has existed from the beginning of time. All else have been replaced at least once.
   “These are the major demigods of the major elements. There are much more. Some are the Master of Time, the Angel of Love, and the Guardian of Life and Healing. There are a few that I have heard, that have been changed to a demigod, but started as a humanoid. I wonder if this is the truth.
   “The demigods that I have mentioned are of the present-day. There are more to those of the past.”
   As she was saying the last few words, she stood up, and started down the path. Shoving the last of his meal back in the sac, Haydar leapt onto his saddle, and pursued the elf once more. “How rude these elves can be.”