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Nothing on Earth could prepare Roman for the events that would change his life. He rested on his knees in the Oracle’s diving room and waited.
The dark, smoky chamber felt warm and torches on the walls gave it an eerie glow. At the center of the room, stood a large stone fire pit which no one but the Oracle could touch. He glanced up and could see a large round hole in the ceiling with smoke from the pit slithering up and out of the building. Roman let the warmth and peace surround him.
Earlier, before he’d been called, he’d rested by the lake outside the gates of Parcel. The enclave housed the Lake Guardians. Parcel and its lake, being one of many thoroughfares that led to waterways around the world.
Roman sat under a tree and caught up on his reading with a raccoon snuggled next to his outstretched leg.
Your mind is not concentrating on the book, Lakeman, the raccoon thought to him and looked up with aggravated eyes. You’re making it difficult to rest.
Roman sighed. Yes, you are right. I should be working and not lazing under a tree with Mr. Shakespeare, he thought back. I should be reviewing water-testing reports. Scratching the animal’s neck, he looked out across the lake and had returned to the peace of his book when he heard his name called.
Roman, your presence is requested at the temple, the voice came to him in the mental connection all Lakemen were given when they came to serve.
He shook his head with wonder. His team of Lake Guardians never got called to temple. Tossing his book aside, he ran toward the city gates. His mind shuffled through the possible reasons for being summoned to the Oracle. The natural balance in and around the lake was perfect. What could possibly warrant the summons?
He’d waited for some time when the hairs on the back of his neck bristled and he looked back at the pit. Standing on the other side, was the Oracle. As she studied Roman, he could feel her fingers touch his brain. He felt she understood his confusion at being called.
Roman.
Yes, Oracle, he answered.
Thank you for coming with such haste. I have been given a vision concerning your area. She walked around the pit and let her hand caress the stones. An evil is coming in a most unexpected way. An innocent will be tricked with a bitter taste. Her eyes flashed with white heat. The innocent wields incredible abilities that she is not aware of, but was once aware of. You must protect her, Roman.
Who is the innocent?
You have seen her in your assignments at Haller Lake. She is the one with the blue light and her power is desired by the dark side. She needs your strength to understand her position in the spiritual realm.
Roman thought for a moment about the woman who lived by the lake. He’d seen her many times and she did have a beautiful blue aura. I will do my duty, Oracle. Will she be able to see me?
She will. Her eyes continued to flash. You will not return from the other side, Guardian. I will inform your commander.
Is my time of service over?
Your time of service was over long ago as you know. With all Guardians, there is a moment to move on and finish your life.
These revelations from the Oracle disturbed Roman. He’d serviced the required time and stayed longer than necessary. He nodded. Will I succeed in saving the innocent, Oracle?
This has not been shown to me.
What evil is coming to the lake?
Your woman will grow to love you, she answered and stared at him.
“My woman? I have no woman,” he said aloud.
The Oracle turned to look into the flames in the pit. Beatrice was taken from you long ago, Roman. It is time to let those memories die and finish your life. Your desire for this woman will grow. You will have her, Guardian. How long it will last or if you’ll succeed, I am not allowed to see.
As always, Oracle, I will do my duty.
You may go, Roman.
Thank you. Roman got up and bowed to her.
On his way down the hill from the cathedral, he thought about what the Oracle said. He’d been recruited so many years ago and continued to serve loyally. His men, Omar and Marcus, worked with him for over two hundred years. Their service together at Haller Lake kept it one of the most pristine lakes in the northwest. Hearing he wouldn’t return to Parcel, startled him and discovering he’d be connected to a woman, made him uneasy.
Roman watched the woman called Kris for some time. The warm blue aura that surrounded her never varied. The color light blue represented peacefulness, truth and intuition. For someone’s aura to never change, was rare. Human emotions switched very quick. To have an aura stay one color never occurred.
Several years ago, Roman saw her sitting in the sun reading an art book and learned she represented artists in some way. On a rainy day, he’d caught a glimpse of her through the windows of her house. She would work at her computer and then move to the kitchen table to look at paintings from one of the artists. She seemed a tireless worker and her career kept her busy.
Using his mind to connect with his two brother Guardians, he told them to meet him at the south end of Haller Lake. He would tell them what he’d learned about an evil coming and they would begin to prepare. He dove into the water of the lake outside of Parcel. Going to the bottom, he swam to the lit portal which would take him to Haller
****
Garda, an older demon, stared into a swirling mass of liquid goo. He’d set up the seeing tool in a shallow pot with a wood fire below.
Looking into the bubbling material, his eyes turned red and he focused on the depths. He saw the woman sip a glass of wine and started to snicker.
“It begins,” he said. He watched as the tall, dark-haired man came out of the lake. “Damn, one of those interfering Lakemen,” he mumbled.
Garda watched and a strong taste of cinnamon washed through his mouth. He let out a yell and spit the taste out onto the floor. “Sebastian!”
A small, three-foot troll with a large head, came up alongside Garda’s seat. “Yes, my lord, how may I serve you?” he asked.
“I need something to flush this hideous taste out of my mouth,” Garda growled. He still watched the steam swirl out and visions appeared in the gray misty heat.
“Yes, my lord, I’ll bring you some wine perhaps?”
“No, bring me acid. Mix it with some blood and whiskey.”
“Yes, my lord.” The troll glanced up. “Have you seen her?”
“Yes, I have seen her.”
“Is she like the mother?” Sebastian asked.
“No, and yes. She has no idea what she holds within her.” Garda straightened his back. “Now, move your ass. This taste will burn my mouth.”
“Yes, my lord,” Sebastian said and shuffled from the demons presence.
Garda looked back into the pool. “Let’s see how this plays out. Abednego has no idea what he’s started,” he said.