Notes: Staying true to my words, this is another short chapter. However, I think you'll find the ending quite... interesting. A lot is revealed here, so read carefully.
soulguard
Border to Eternity
For nearly three days they had been walking south, and for three days they had avoided large crowds. Covered from head to toe in dessert garb, Tisha and Elena were able to keep their identities inconspicuous and blended well with the other travelers. The dusty road alongside the Nile was often populated, but most paid them no heed.
Tisha had never been so tired, but she followed Elena none the less. Elena was her inspiration and leader. She had sworn her life to her, entrusting herself to Elena's call, and no matter the need, she would answer Elena's wishes. Tisha knew her place was not to question, but to protect and gather information to guard the Reclaimer secrets. Tisha had left her new life and walked away from royalty, all for the sake of watching over Elena, the last Reclaimers. She had adopted her family tradition and accepted her role in life. She had come from a long line of Watchmen that had sworn their lives to observe, watch and protect secrets that dated back to before man kept record of time. Tisha knew of the Ark and its abilities, but there was no longer any need or concern for it. Elena had sent the ship away, and hidden it from the world once again.
This was the third movement of the Reclaimer tribe, and in some way Tisha felt a great sense of rejoice. She was the only Watchmen worthy of documenting this historic step in their history. The Watchmen and Reclaimers during the great movements of the past were legendary, and their stories were told to Watchmen and Reclaimer children for thousands of years. They were often tales of heroes and villains, bravery and sacrifice, but in the end it involved the relocation of everything; the Ark, the tribes and, most importantly, the Luminous Key. Tisha was filled with pride that soon she would be added to that legendary list.
Elena dropped her shoulder bag and stretched her. "We'll rest here for a bit." She looked the area over and found a solitary tree with a dense pack of wild grass. "Seems like a nice area to sleep."
"It is pretty close to the traveling path. Does this not concern you?" Tisha questioned as she looked at the many travelers passing by. She climbed off of her camel and pulled it toward the tree. "Someone may question us."
"Travelers often keep to themselves. That is something I learned when I left the tribe a few years ago." Elena pulled up a patch of grass and laid them out nicely into a pallet.
"Oh yes, I remember. You were told to leave the tribe for thirty days and if you wished to become a Reclaimer you would return and begin your training. My father made sure that me and my brothers knew of everything you chose to do. After all, we would be the ones that watched over you in the future, after you had stepped down from being the Guardian of the Luminous Key." Tisha smiled as she petted the back of the camel's neck.
"Do you miss them?" Elena questioned as she lay on the pallet of grass.
"Everyday." Tisha's smile faded and she lowered her head in thought. "I know my mother and father perished in the battles. Yet I pray often that my older brother still lives. He was my father's joy, and would have eventually taken his place as head of the tribe."
"Hopefully he is still with the Grand Master. Perhaps they will be able to answer a lot of my questions. But before we see him, I must find a place to hide the Key." She placed her hand to her chest, and through her robes she could feel the lump of the hard crystal close to her chest.
"I am glad you wish to see the Grand Master. He will surely offer up his wisdom to us. Where do you plan to hide the Key? Somewhere in the desert, perhaps?"
"No. Like the sea, the desert is always changing. In time, anyplace we chose will be uncovered by the winds. I need to find a better location for it, and perhaps if I have children I will come back for it and pass it on to them." Elena rested her head against the tree and quickly closed her eyes. Tisha tied the camel to the tree and sat closely at Elena's side. It was still early in the day, but resting early allowed them to travel at night.
As time slipped away, Elena dreamed of a far away land filled with trees and grass, snow covered mountains and hilly valleys. It was a world unlike anything she had seen, and completely alien to the world she knew of within the desert. It was tranquil and pleasant, while filled with wildlife and flowers. It seemed as though no time had passed at all, but as she opened her eyes she watched as the sun began to set behind her. She rolled her head over and her chin grazed over Tisha's head.
Tisha had cuddled up next to Elena, laid her head upon Elena's chest and her arms were tossed loosely over her stomach. It was somewhat comforting and Elena thought back to her closest sister. Being the youngest in her family had its advantages, and Elena had rested in her older sisters arms numerous times.
"You never had an older sister, did you Tisha?" She questioned to herself. Elena wondered if Tisha had ever experienced the bond between sisters, the arguments and the happiness, the ups and the downs, but she let it go; such things were not important. She relaxed and watched as the sun set behind the distant dunes of sand. She tried to recall the vivid images from her dreams, but they had long gone from her mind. Elena knew she had never seen anything like it, not even during the video images she saw within the Ark; the image was completely new. It was now a lost dream, lost somewhere within her subconscious and it would take a great deal of mental strain to recall it.
"Hey, Tisha, wake up." Elena poked Tisha in her jaw and began to sit up. Tisha suddenly began to squirm and grabbed Elena's breast, sending three emotions through Elena's mind: shock, stimulation and irritation.
"Comfy." Tisha mumbled as she yawned and pressed her head firmly between Elena's breasts. She wiggled closer to Elena in a vain attempt to get even more comfortable, yet Elena was no longer finding the moment 'relaxing' and was not happy with the situation.
"Tisha … those are mine." Her words were soft, yet her hand was not. She hit Tisha on the top of the head, jarring the young girl awake.
Tisha sat up suddenly and rubbed her head aggressively as she tried to sooth the pain. "That hurt!"
Elena stood up and readjusted her robe. "I find it interesting that you have touched them twice in the past four days." She fumed. She gripped her bag and tossed it on the camel's back.
"Twice?" Tisha jokingly questioned. "I do not recall the first time."
"When you chased me four days ago, remember?"
"Oh right!" Tisha giggled softly as she brushed the loose grass from her clothes. "That was because I needed to know if you were a woman."
"Then why did you do it just now?" She untied the camel and began to guide it toward the path.
"Why? Oh, I was dreaming of something soft and comfortable. I did not realized I grabbed you until you hit me. So, it was an accident."
"Are you going to make me regret letting you come with me?"
"Such a harsh question asked so suddenly." Tisha teased. Elena sighed to herself and tried to forget the situation, realizing that Tisha was still very young and playful.
"We should be crossing the border soon. If we're stopped by anyone, let me do the talking."
"Understood." Tisha smiled as she walked along side the camel and Elena as they proceeded down the dusty path. "Did I upset you?"
"Not really, but if it happens again you'll have more then a bump on your head."
"I apologize, Elena. I did not mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I had believed we had bonded somewhat over the past few days. I often believed that sisters played this way for fun."
Elena did not reply.
They walked for several hours throughout the night and soon the path veered away from the Nile. The sound of the river began to fade and Elena quickly remembered this location.
"Be alert at all times." She stopped the camel and made Tisha climb on top of it. "There are numerous desert tribes in this area that are not very friendly." Tisha nodded her head and began to constantly look around, although the darkness of night made visibility practically impossible. The stars were their only guide, and the moon presented itself as the only source of light. For them, this was the best way to travel, as a torch light would only make them a moving target.
Although Elena had reason to be vigilant the night journey was unimpeded, and they had successfully left the kingdom of Egypt. The sun climbed from its eastern rest and a new day claimed the land. However, with the rising of the sun, came new problems. Ahead of them was a man on horseback. He was not suspicious, merely another traveler on a popular path, but his horse intrigued Tisha greatly.
"A horse! Here?" Tisha shouted loudly as she peered romantically at the creature.
"Quiet, Tisha."
"But, I have never seen one and only Royalty can usually afford them! To see one traveling on this path, it is almost like a dream."
"Calm down. We don't want to attract attention …" Elena stopped in her tracks as she stared at the man atop the horse. She knew his face, but she wasn't sure from where. In her distracted state, she failed to notice that Tisha had dismounted the camel and was walking toward the man and his horse.
"Excuse me, Sir. Where did you get this horse?" Tisha happily petted the creature as it grazed on a patch of dead grass.
"Damn it, Tisha." Elena cursed to herself as she walked closer.
"It was a gift from an old friend." The man replied calmly, yet he seemed nervous about her approach. "May I ask who you are?"
"I would prefer if you did not." Tisha smiled. "I was simply curious, it is a beautiful creature." The man climbed off the horse and pulled his hood from his head, and Elena then knew for sure that she knew him. But aside from that, he was getting too close to Tisha. Elena walked closer and maintained her poise. She was fully wrapped in her robe and with the exception of her face, she was well concealed. She pulled her head wrap lower upon her brow, to help conceal her face even more, and tapped Tisha on the shoulder.
"Oh, sorry." Tisha smiled back to Elena. "We have to go now. This is a beautiful horse."
"Thank you." The man looked to Elena. "It's been awhile since I've met someone as tall as me. I understand if you are in a hurry, but where are you headed?" Elena remained silent and pulled Tisha away from him. "It seems you wish not to talk. Very well. I suppose I will not tell you that there is a group of travelers further along the path and they are asking strange questions. They are looking for two people, and one of them is very tall; much like you." Elena stopped walking. "They questioned me very thoroughly, and they seemed happy that I was not a woman, so they let me go."
Tisha looked to the man with a curious gaze. "They are looking for two people and a tall woman?"
"Yes. I found it rather odd myself. I've always believed that woman should not travel alone."
These words cut directly into Elena and she realized who he was. "Tell me everything about them." She commanded.
The man raised an eyebrow and smiled softly at Elena's words. "I recognize that voice. How could I ever forget it? It is Elena, correct?"
"Still asking needles questions?" Elena scuffed. "Tell me about the men."
"And you are still very guarded."
"How do you know Elena?" Tisha interrupted.
"We met many years ago. She was traveling home, and beat up a few of my friends because they found her attractive. I'm Jacob."
Elena interrupted, "I didn't ask for your name, just information. And your 'friends' had other ideas as well."
"Elena, you still need to learn to have more respect for men." Jacob scuffed. "You can not make it in this world if you do not learn this simple trait. Tell me where you are going and I will come with you. This way you will not have any troubles. I can speak for you and …"
Tisha held up her hand and cut Jacob's statement short. "We don't need you. We understand the needs of this world, and we will not need your company." Her words were extremely harsh, and shocked both Elena and Jacob. Tisha was much more aggressive then she had let on. "The problem with men like you is that you think every woman needs to know her place."
"That is not what I mean." Jacob defended himself. "It is merely the way the world works."
"Then you think you can help us by making us feel inferior to men?"
"No. I am trying to warn you. If a man was with you then know one would question you, but two women alone will draw attention."
Elena stepped forward, cutting the debate short. "I don't care about your viewpoint or your concerns. Just tell me what the men wanted with you and we will be on our way."
Jacob was suddenly distracted by something in the distance and he motioned for Elena to look. "Ask them yourself." Approaching down the path were six men on camel back and they were all wearing pure desert robes with large medallions hanging from their necks.
"Watchmen." Elena snarled. She stepped away from the path and gripped the sword which was concealed within her bag. She held it tightly, but did not pull it free from its hidden location.
"We should go." Jacob stated as he began to climb upon his horse.
Tisha folded her arms as she gazed at the approaching group. "No. We aren't running from them. Elena?"
"I'll find out their allegiance. Stay with the camel." Elena boldly walked toward the approaching men, showing no fear of their numbers.
Jacob was puzzled by what Elena had just said. "Their allegiance?" But Elena had not heard him. She stalked toward them, holding her bag tightly as it hung from her shoulder.
"You there! Halt!" One of the Watchmen commanded. He dismounted as the others surrounded Elena. "Remove your headdress, and drop your bag."
"No." Elena stated ever so calmly.
"Do as you are told. Who are you?"
"I am here to uncover your loyalty, Watchman. What is your allegiance?"
"Watchman? You know who we are? You … Lady Elena!" The man quickly pulled his sword from his hilt and held it defensively toward Elena. "Drop your bag and give me the Key!" His orders were direct, yet he was nervously shaking. The man was horrified that he had actually found the Reclaimer and knew that fighting her was suicide.
"You exist only for the sake of protecting the secrets of the Ark and the Key. So tell me, Watchman, who do you serve?"
"The Ark … it must be shared with everyone! Please Lady Elena… give us the Key and tell us where the Ark can be found."
"You've chosen your allegiance. You have not given me your loyalty. And therefore you have sided against the Reclaimers." A wicked smile crept across Elena's face as she released the draw strings of her shoulder bag. The leather satchel fell to the ground, but her swords still remained in hand. "You assisted in the death of my mother and father, you traitorous worm!"
The Watchman in front of her had no warning of her first swing. His blade was sliced in half and intense pain filled his bowels. He had been cut in half be one mighty swing of her sword. The other Watchmen gasped in horror as they watched him crumble to the ground.
Jacob watched from the distance and nearly threw up at the sight of the man's guts spilling onto the sandy path. Yet he couldn't take his eyes away as Elena surgically cut down each of the other five men. One of the men even attempted to cower behind his camel, but Elena did not spare either; she cut through the camel, as well as the man, in one precise slash. Blood covered the sand as the men slowly died from their wounds. They screamed from the shock and none of them died instantly. Elena made sure that each of them suffered slowly from their wounds.
"You do not want to travel with us, Jacob." Tisha softly stated as they both watched Elena grip the pant leg of one of the fallen men, and wipe the blood from her sword. "She can defend herself, and we will leave a trail of blood unlike any this world has ever seen."
"Why are you doing this?" Jacob cautiously stepped away from Tisha.
"We are victims of a brutal betrayal. And we will hunt all of these men and women down and make them suffer. They betrayed our trust, their oaths and their loyalty to our cause. We lost everything to them and only their blood will silence our anger."
There was coldness within Tisha's voice that sent chills down Jacob's back. Despite her soft voice and youth, she was filled with vengeance and hatred toward the people known as the Watchmen. Elena had joined her side and they both looked at Jacob with blank expressions, none concerned for the men that Elena had just slain. In the distance several men continued to moan in anguish, but death was slowly creeping upon them.
Jacob looked to Elena and gathered his composure. "I knew you were strong, Elena, but this was beyond human ability. There have been rumors from the North, that the Gods killed two hundred men under the mountain of Sinai. That land is now caste in a shadow of fear. Do you know anything about this?"
Elena walked passed Jacob. "Anything I tell you would endanger your life, Jacob. Go home and forget that you saw us."
"I can not forget what I have seen and heard. It was you, you that did this evil thing. Yet you seem to think it is justice."
Tisha stopped in front of Jacob. "Justice? There is no Justice in what we are doing. What we are doing is fixing a mistake, and rebuilding what was lost. If you can call it anything else, it would be revenge."
Tisha and Elena began to walk away, pulling their camel and supplies behind them. Jacob watched as they left and mounted his horse. Quietly and from afar, he followed. He had his own agenda and he would be mindful of their bloody path.
He began to mumble to himself as soft smile shined through, "These two women who travel alone, they will kill many in their quest. But the blood they spill will only build upon their hearts and make them into something they will not recognize. They are quietly consumed with anger and vengeance, and I hope that they understand the difference between the two traits. I will follow you Elena, and see where your path takes you, although I will never share with you my secret. Since the moment I first saw you in Egypt, I have known who you truly are. You will either save us, or destroy us… my dear Guardian of the Luminous Key."