Chapter III
"Wander," a voice came faintly to him as if it were far away, "Wander, get up," it said, a hand pushing his shoulder. He opened his eyes to still see the lake's edge; did I sleep out here all night? Responding slowly to the man trying to wake him, Wander gingerly rose to his feet. His body was cramped and cold and all he wanted to do was get to the hearth. "Hope you don't catch your death out here, 'tis no longer summertime," the man said. Turning to him, Wander nodded in agreement. So short had the summer season been that they'd been scrambling to get the harvest done before the frost came.
"We're far from home," he said to the man, "and we won't be back for a long time…won't we?" The man sighed, his expression twisting into that of remorse, "You're too young to be here, I know it. If Lord Emon hadn't chose you, you wouldn't have a care in the world, but now…" he paused, "no one can escape their fate." He patted Wander's shoulder and turned to go back into the hall, Wander followed him. When they entered, all the men were gathered around the banquet table. Lord Emon sat at the head with the High Priestess at his side. Wander made his way to the hearth, not wanting to be part of their conversation.
His mind drifted off to the dream he'd had that night. A small child was darting between trees, laughing at him. She had shoulder-length dark hair that slightly curled on the ends. Her eyes… they were a warm ebony – like that of a mare – and seemed to draw him in to their dark depths. Was she Mono? The young maiden he'd met last night? The memory was still too hazy to put two and two together. But somehow, he felt there was pre-existing connection between them. Those same eyes… he thought. He couldn't get them out of his mind. Then, he decided to ask Lord Emon if he knew of Mono and if she had come from his village. Because he knows everything, Emon does. I'm sure he'd tell me if I asked…but when…?
Just then, Lord Emon stood from the table and addressed him, " Wander, I have something to show you," he said, "walk with me." Surprised, Wander followed the older man to the courtyard. Emon led him farther into the main grounds and into one of the maze-like gardens he'd heard of. Walls of shrubs stood on either side of the path, with flowers and ivy twining themselves in and out of the shrubbery. "Do you know why I brought you here, Wander?" Emon said, Wander shook his head in reply. "It is because you have a very important duty to fulfill. One that many of us before you have failed in succeeding."
"All I know is that you saw me, but anything else… I do not understand, my lord," said Wander, shaking his head. Then, finding the courage to ask about Mono, he said, "Last night… I met a young maiden by the lake's edge. She called herself Mono… Is she also a priestess here, my lord?" Peering over at Emon, he noticed his expression change from grave to amused, "So you've met," he stopped walking and Wander looked around. They were at another courtyard, but instead of walls there were separate apartments and open hallways. He could see some of the women inside looking out at him and Lord Emon in interest.
"Should we be here, my lord?" he asked, then decided to probe deeper, "What does my meeting her have to do with my becoming a Guardian?" Emon replied, "You will come to know of it, after you've completed your training," he came to an entryway into one of the apartments and beckoned Wander to follow him inside. "Which will start now," and with that he pushed open a pair of heavy wooden doors to reveal an inner chamber – someone's private room. Uncomfortable and ignorant still of Emon's real reason for bringing him to this place, he followed Emon into the room warily. Then he saw her sitting by the window, the soft breeze disturbing her long dark locks. She stared as if she hadn't heard anyone come in.
"Mono, although you've already met, let me introduce to you your new escort and protectorate, his name is Wander." The two of them looked at one another wide-eyed; it was fate.