Chapter 6

I rested my cup on my leg and waited impatiently for Peter to continue with his story.

“Several decades later,” he began after setting his own cup aside. “And the human population was starting to grow, we don't have definitive numbers, but we estimate around three hundred humans were living in the area we now know as Wales. As more children were born, the human parents of the children refrained from telling the new-borns about our world, through what we can only guess is spite and anger at having been banished, and as such the new generations had no idea that more than their race existed, eventually the knowledge died with the parents.”

“At the same time this was occurring a war broke out amongst our people, the first war, two fractions fought head-to-head for almost a decade, there were thousands of casualties. By the time the war was over our races were in minority to the humans.”

I watched as Peter closed his eyes in obvious pain at the thought of so many lives being lost. “It took years for the destruction from the war to be cleared up but when things were finally set to right, we had another war on our hands, this time with the humans. A few of the humans had ventured away from their land, no longer aware as to why they should stay there as the knowledge of our world died with their elders. Upon their travels the humans encountered a lot of beasts, both man and animal and they returned back to their land with that knowledge and the humans started a hunting trip. Similar to the witch trials they have in their own history records, they set out with the sole aim of killing the abnormal beasts.”

“Why didn't we just tell them that they were essentially our children?” I asked forgetting my doubts as my curiosity took over. If nothing else, it was one hell of a story.

“That may have been the wisest course of action, but our people were still frightened of the humans, we knew so little about them. Mixed race relations had been banned by law before the first war started so no new humans were banished to their world. They had no knowledge of us and we very little of them. It was fear of the unknown on both parts that caused us to go into hiding.”

He drained his tea and shifted in his seat as I tried to wrap my head around the history I was being told. Somewhere along the line I had started believing him, what he said felt right as though a part of me had always known this world existed, as though I truly did belong here.

“Due to the war our numbers were sparse, especially with our guardians and warriors who were the first line of defence throughout the years and so the council met and decided that it would be best for our people if we removed ourselves from the society of humans, at least until our numbers were great again. We couldn't afford to lose more people. And so, the city of Primogentius was created.”

“For the first time in our history all of our races joined together, natural enemies worked side by side to create a haven for our people that the humans wouldn't be able to find. As our numbers increased, we enlarged our city but even today we are nowhere near as large a population as we once were.”

“And because the humans continued to grow in numbers you stayed in hiding.”

“For the most part yes. Things are slightly different today, we no longer hold any fear or ill will towards humans, there are in fact quite a few humans who know all about our world although they are sworn to secrecy, for no matter how we feel about the humans there is no guarantee of how they would react to us. But our kind intermingle with humans on a daily basis now, at least the races who safely can. As you may have noticed I look a little unusual, so I try not to venture out too much.”

“What race are you? If you don't mind me asking.” I asked feeling giddy. I couldn't really explain it, my whole body had settled, it was as though I had known about this my whole life and just had it confirmed for me.

“Not at all. I am a keeper. There is a small handful of us in existence. We keep the knowledge of our history, amongst other things, we all have our tasks. Personally, I am the keeper of the gateway into our world and the knowledge of its creation. There are also several keepers who work at the education centre in Primogentius, teaching knowledge to the young minds of our races.”

I nodded my head before looking him in the eye once again. “What race am I?”

“You my dear are a guardian. But more than that you are a royal. Your parents were correct when they told you that you are the last in the line of Drovnic's.”

“What's a royal? and what exactly does a guardian do? What can I or what am I supposed to do now?” I pleaded, trying to understand how I would ever fit into this world.

Every part of me was screaming that this was right, that I belonged here, that I was finally at home. Sure, there was a part of me that was sceptical and I expected that part of me would continue to be so until I had stepped into Primogentius and confirmed its existence for myself but until then I was going on faith and trusting my instincts.

Peter glanced at his watch before tilting his head to one side as though listening for a faint noise. “Unfortunately, I have another meeting and I do believe he has arrived. Why don't I show you to a room, you are welcome to stay here for as long as you like. We can meet again for supper, and I will answer any questions you may have then. In the meantime, take the book with you, I have other copies so you may keep that one. Any facts you may need to know about your race will be in there. Unfortunately, the rest you will have to figure out on your own.”

I was seconds away from protesting when the door opened and a man stepped inside, his eyes fixing on mine instantly and I almost gasped at the sensation that ran through my body, it was as though I had been electrocuted, all my hairs stood on end, goose bumps broke out along my arms and a small shiver wracked my body. I had never felt anything as wonderful as the feeling thin man induced in me and I swallowed hard before looking him over.

He looked entirely human, dressed in a black tank top and combat trousers, his large muscular arms were covered in tribal style tattoos although there was something different about them, but it was hard to make out the details in the dim lighting of Peter’s sitting room. My eyes travelled up to see a dark mane of hair and piercing blue eyes on a hansom face. I tried not to stare but I couldn't help but examine him for anything that might be different. Why the hell did this man seem to have such an effect on me.

“I wasn't aware you had company Peter.” His voice was gruff and deep as his eyes left mine and found the old man.

“Take a seat Cole, let me just show Alexi to her room.” He stated before standing and walking through the door.

I gave one last lingering look to the new guy before following the old man out, shivering when his surprised expression turned into a scowl.

“For the time being it would be wise to keep your identity hidden, at least until you have decided if you would like to take your place in our world. It is something I will explain later.” Peter stated as he led me down another narrow hallway and opened a door wide for me.

“Come back to the sitting room at five '0' clock. We can talk more then, in the meantime, you can order some lunch from Matt, the bartender, if you’re hungry or of course if you choose to there are plenty of places to eat in the town. This is your room for as long you want it to be, this is the only key so please do not lose it.” He handed over the metal object and with that he was gone. Leaving me confused and a little angry.

I was being thrown headfirst into a world I knew nothing about and now I had to wait to get the information I clearly needed in order to figure out who I am and what I am going to do. With a sigh of frustration, I stepped into the room and closed the door behind me.

The room I had been given was surprisingly light and modern, leaving me with the distinct impression that Peter decorated the rest of the building the way he had for effect. I slumped down on the bed after considering, then dismissing the idea of going to get my suitcase out of my car. I still wasn't sure if I should stay even though Peter didn't seem to leave me with much choice.

Slightly worked up about his hurried departure I grabbed the book he gave me off the bedside table and decided that I would get as much information as I could myself. I looked through the index to find the page number for Guardian before turning to that page.

Guardian.

All guardians have a standard appearance with no obvious external or internal indications, Skin tone, hair and eye colour and texture may vary from one individual to another, genetics seem to influence the appearance of Guardians with children inheriting the colouring of the more dominant race.

The standard appearance of the guardian makes this race an ideal race to blend in with the human population and there are no identifiable distinguishing features.

The age of maturity for a guardian is twenty-one years since birth. Although a guardian may exhibit differing levels of talent throughout their adolescence full power inheritance is instantaneous at the age of maturity. There is no identifiable sign of maturity or power inheritance.

The abilities of a guardian differ in power and control however all abilities inherited are designed to guard against all forms of misfortune, the ability to protect against attacks can be controllable in some guardians but can also be instinctually driven, and the ability to foresee is a trainable ability

I closed the book after reading the passage, I had hoped for more information but even though it was sparse my mind was reeling with everything I had read. There was still a part of me rebelling against all I had learnt that it couldn't be real, that although this man seemed genuine I had no real proof of anything he had told me beyond a book which could, for all I know, be a complete fabrication.

I rubbed my hands down my face in exasperation, I just didn't know what to believe any more. Knowing that sitting still was going to drive me crazy I grabbed the book, locked the door and made my way through the winding corridors back to the staircase and down into the bar.

“I will be back later.” I informed Matt with a tip of my head and headed out before he had any chance to speak, not that I really expected he would, he seemed like a man of few words.

I walked for a while, not thinking, or paying any attention to where I was going but just being. With the sun on my skin and the wind in my hair, I let it blow away my worries, if only for a moment. I spotted a small café at the end of the road and headed in that direction, I wasn’t sure if I would even be able to eat at this point, but a cup of coffee would hopefully clear my foggy head.