Chapter Thirteen
Quint
“Are you certain?” I asked.
Turo nodded. “Yes,” he said. “It's an ancient ritual. I had to really dig to find it, so I have no idea how the Shongtal were able to locate it. But if they use the blood of a child born of a Dragonborn and human union, they can seal the Doors forever.”
I paced the room with my hands clasped behind my back, a million thoughts spinning through my mind. Turo was one of the Keepers of Knowledge among the Dragonborn. They were the guardians of our history, our lore, and a host of other things we needed to know.
“And now you know why offspring between Dragonborn and human were discouraged all those years ago,” he said. “I'd heard stories about one child – though I had never given it much credence. Apparently, I was wrong to have dismissed it out of hand.”
I turned and looked at him. “Tell me the story.”
Turo sighed and nodded. He then told me the story of a child born to a Warden of the Lightning Clan and a human woman. That child was said to have been born twenty-three years ago. And perhaps, not so coincidentally, Astrid was twenty-three.
I listened to the story without interruption and when he was finished, I was absolutely convinced that Astrid was indeed the child born of two worlds. She was the key to the Shongtal ritual that would seal the Doors between Chondelai and the world of man forever.
Which meant, I needed to get back to my post. I needed to ensure Astrid's safety.
“Thank you, Turo,” I said. “You've been most helpful.”
I turned to go when he called my name. I stopped and turned around, unable to avoid seeing the look of concern in his eyes.
“Am I to understand that you know who this child is?”
I nodded. “I do.”
He let out a long breath. “Then I don't need to tell you the peril she places not just our world, but her own world in?”
“No, I understand quite clearly.”
“Then you know what must be done.”
I cocked my head. “Yes, I have to protect her.”
He gave me a sympathetic smile. “You have feelings for her.”
“Why would you say that?”
Turo leaned against a table filled with books and old scrolls. “It's written clearly upon your face, Quint.”
I didn't want to admit that I had feelings for Astrid. The last thing I wanted was for Turo or worse, the King of the Fire Clan to doubt my clarity or commitment to my post. I didn't want them thinking that my judgment was clouded.
“My job is to protect human life,” I said. “Astrid, despite who she is, is a life I swore an oath to protect and defend. And I plan on doing just that.”
“Take care, Warden, to not allow your mind to be clouded with emotion,” he said. “Because you may have to take one life to save billions more.”
I looked at him aghast. Was he really suggesting I kill Astrid?
“If the Shongtal are able to take this girl,” he said, “they will wreak havoc upon two worlds. They will destroy them both. Do you want to be responsible for that sort of catastrophe?”
“Of course not.”
“Then your only choice may be to prevent her from falling into Shongtal hands,” he said. “By any means necessary. Even killing her.”
“My judgment is fine,” I said. “And I will defend my territory in the way I see fit, Keeper.”
“Do not compromise Chondelai or the world of man because you have a crush, boy.”
I hadn't been part of Astrid's life for very long, but I knew that it was much more than just a crush already. And his insinuation that I kill her to protect her world and ours, though logical, was monstrous to me.
“You worry about your job,” I said. “And let me worry about mine.”
I turned and walked out of his chamber, my anger barely restrained. Was I letting my emotion cloud my judgment? Would we all be better off if I took Astrid off the board permanently? On the one hand it made sense – deny her to the Shongtal and ensure the Doors remained open. On the other hand though, I couldn't justify taking an innocent life. Especially Astrid's.
Yeah, I might care about her a little too much for my own good, but that was my burden to bear. I would not let it interfere with my duty as a Warden. Or had I already?
I stepped through the Door, a million unresolved questions in my mind. The only certainty I knew though, was that I cared about Astrid and would give my life to protect her. Just as I would give my life to protect all of humanity from the Shongtal.