Airel - Aaron Patterson [56]
Horses and chariots would race side by side on the top of the wall at the year-end festival. Great oaks and elms tangled with the deepness of an unknown forest at its base, and giant ancient redwoods towered in front, hiding the city from the view of anyone in the valley below. The City fathers had planned well for its defense, making it impenetrable to any known assault.
Behind the walls, the city spread like a delicate flower over the fertile soil of the valley and up the side of the mountain, sometimes cutting directly into the stone face. These stone houses led to tunnels and paths that wound deep into the heart of the mountain, making use of the protection that only a natural granite fortress could afford.
The City was surrounded a courtyard of grass with a stone pillar at its center. The pillar was crowned with a bright flame that burned by night, providing light and warmth and consuming no fuel. It was evidence of the Presence, that it was not forgotten, that it was prized. The fire flared up each night, appearing at dusk and illuminating the entire city, snuffing itself out at dawn’s first light. Outside the City wall no light was visible, keeping safe the secret of the City of Ke’elei.
“It is El,” Kreios thought. “He wills it—and so it is.”
The rest of the buildings in the city were constructed with the same materials as had been used to build the wall and to form the mountains. Glass, and another gift from the angels—mirrors—reflected the mountain around The City as well as the sky above, making it nearly invisible.
Kreios liked how clean the streets were, and he loved the sound of the young children who ran there, filling the city with laughter. It took him back to another age, when creation was as yet still filled with innocence. These young would be trained as warriors; every family member was to be trained in the art of war.
Kreios descended, landing by the stone pillar at the City’s center. The grass under his feet moved as if it was aware of and had reverence for the Sword he carried. He would attend a gathering with the elders to learn what counsel they had in regard to the ever-approaching battle with the Seer and his horde.
Today, though, he would take another long rest and enjoy the beautiful warm weather and hold his darling baby girl. He would kiss her and give her one extra for her mother.
Chapter II
Boise, Idaho. Present day.
Life was getting more complicated with each passing day. I was getting more beautiful by the second, which was amazing, but also was a problem. Plus I had promised to reveal to the most amazing boy, whom I hardly knew, that I could heal supernaturally. The problem with making promises is that they have to be kept—or broken.
Michael was there in the back of my mind. I was annoyed that I could not distract him from the fact that he had seen my welt disappear right in front of his eyes.
Kim was chomping at the bit to call the police. I wondered if she was on my side or if she just thought it would be cool to be involved in a police investigation. It made me seriously want to pull my hair out. Either way, it was more than I wanted to deal with, for sure. I had to rein her in before I lost my chance to get some answers.
I wished Michael would let me ease up on my promise, but I doubted he would. One way or another I was going to have to tell him or show him. As crazy as it sounds, I thought showing him might be easier, because otherwise it’s like telling some impossible story that nobody would believe.
After an awkward phone conversation and an apology, I had somehow talked Kim into ditching the double-date idea. I promised her that later we could share all the juicy details between us. I convinced her it would be more fun that way. In the end, it was enough to