The Broken Council (The Guardian Chronicles 1) by Steven R. Burke

that
made it clear that he did not believe her fallacious story at all.   He was allowing her to find redemption or
condemnation through her actions.   He
would be watching her, so she must be on her guard at all times.
    “Of
course you will.   I will take your leave
then.”   She stood erect now as she waited
for Lord Keb to arise and join her for their immediate departure.
    Keb
stood and transformed himself into a misty brown substance.   He moved effortlessly to the side of
Kana.   She too changed her appearance to
mirror the earth lord.   They rose
silently into the air until they reached a strong westward wind current, and
then they were gone.   Silence fell once
more as the council sat there watching them go.   All eyes returned to meet the gaze of their master.   They had a feeling that these events were the
beginning of hard times for everyone and everything in Tuwa.   They could sense it from the elements around
them.   They could also see the worry in
their leader’s eyes.
    “Ladies
Hilzarie and Necia, please monitor the border between the east and the
west.   I am concerned that the druids may
get involved and that will only make matters worse.   Do not allow any to cross into our lands,” he
said in a commanding voice.   “Leave
now.   I sense the change caused by our
dear Kana beginning to take hold, and it is already having an adverse effect on
the western lands.   We must be
vigilant.”   They immediately transformed
and took off like a bolt of lightning.   They all felt a sense of urgency to reach their destination without
another moment’s delay.
    “Lord
Neb, please patrol the Blaine River and the other major waters of the West
Land.   I need you to be my eyes and
ears.   Please report anything and
everything directly to me without delay.   Do not overlook anything.   We must
be prepared for what is to come.”   He did
not hide his concern in his voice.   He
completely trusted Neb because of his immense wisdom and great power.   He knew that he could rely on him to be
faithful in this charge.
    “It
will be my pleasure, master.   I will go
now to find out what I can.   I will send
my messages through the earth, for I do not trust the winds to remain faithful
to us.”   He seemed to understand some of
the concerns that his master had.   He
knew that his task was vital to maintaining the upper hand in this
ever-disintegrating situation.   “I will
also keep in touch with brother earth while he is in harm’s way.   Do you wish me to assist him if the need should
arise?”   Neb cared deeply for his brother
and knew that Keb’s mission was to remain close to the enemy.   He would be in constant danger and would not
be able to take on the powerful Kana by himself.
    “Do
not interfere.   Report to me everything
you see, hear, and feel using the method you prescribed,” the guardian
commanded.   “Please, make haste now and
be ready for anything.   Subtly will be
our undoing.   We must ward against that.”
    “Yes,
master, I will go and do all that I can.   Fear not, I will be diligent in my charge.”   Lord Neb rose silently and immediately
dissipated into nothing.
    “Milady,
the most important task has been reserved for you,” he began as he turned to
face Khalida.   “I need you to meet with
our ancient friend in his mountain home.   He will be needed in the end.   It
will be he who will save us all.   I fear
that this is the beginning of an all-out war.   He and his kind will be our only hope.   Please tell him everything and ask him to find me straight away.   I will need to give him special
instructions.”
    “I
understand, my lord,” Khalida replied.
    “After
you have finished with that task, you will be in charge of managing the West
Land situation.   I will be gone for some
time to take care of some pressing matters.   Summon our most loyal allies and urge them to prepare for war.”   For the first time he showed real emotion on
his