BDS: Chapter Five

Gyan stood on the front porch of his home and inhaled the morning breeze, which was rich with the smell of blossoms and ripening fruit from the nearby grove. The day stars of Elsaria cast a golden morning glow across the green grass and the flowers that decorated the front lawn. He smiled in response to Lesiana's light chatter as he heard her speaking with his mother in the kitchen. Opening his senses further, he picked up a soft hum coming from the grove. He followed the voice until his sister and nephew came into sight.

Miliani sat beneath a large pograpaña tree, singing softly to Sheldrían, who lay sleeping in her arms.

"You have to leave today?" she asked as Gyan sat down next to her.

He nodded. "We have to return to headquarters to continue training and prepare for the next steps. Mordán has been quiet for now, but the stillness will not last long."

Miliani suddenly looked away, her brow narrowed in concern. "Gyan…"

"I already hear your heart, Mili."

She took a deep breath as a tear slid down her cheek.

Gyan quickly put his arm around her and drew her tight to his side. "I know it isn't easy with things as they are," he whispered. He looked at Sheldrían. "And as they may be in the future."

Miliani's breath caught. After several minutes she spoke in a quiet voice. "You know most people celebrate having a warrior as a daughter or son, but I wouldn't." She looked down at her baby. "I don't want him to be one. I keep hoping he isn't—" She sniffed. "When we were little…after you transformed, it was like I'd lost you. I felt like I couldn't be with you anymore, because all of a sudden you had a different life—one that could lead to you leaving for good at any time."

"I remember," said Gyan. "You used to cry at night. That's why I would sneak into your room and accidentally fall asleep in there with you. It was always on purpose."

"Really?" She chuckled as she wiped her eyes with one hand.

"Yeah."

"I became okay with it as I got older and made more friends, but I don't deny that it wasn't something I secretly wished never happened for a long time. There was a time when I didn't want to have children because I was afraid they would be warriors."

"I understand. It isn't easy to cope with the continued threat of loss. That doesn't change even if you are a warrior. I know it is hard on families but losing a teammate…" he sighed. "Well, let's just say I have to constantly remind myself that Aderes hasn't really left, just transitioned. Besides, I know I could never leave you. There wouldn't be anyone around to torture you." He nudged her arm teasingly.

Sheldrían stirred and opened his eyes. He smiled as he focused on Gyan. The baby grasped Gyan's finger as he wiggled it before him.

"Let's see if I can tell if you're a warrior in disguise, so your nán stops worrying." Gyan peered at the baby, who smiled again. "Nope, I'm getting nothing," he said after several seconds. "Keep your secrets, then." He stood and reached for the baby. "Come on, I think nán is ready for us to eat."

He offered his sister a hand up, and the three continued back to the house. "I don't know if it will help ease your worry about Sheldrían transforming into a warrior, but I do know that it is always a choice to work for the Order, even if you are a warrior."

"But dán said that you wouldn't be able to help it, and that along with your gifts is a desire to live a warrior's life."

"I think in general, yes, but the more I learned of Aderes's perceptions before he died, I think he would have eventually walked away from the Order. I think he felt more trapped than free and also felt he couldn't use his abilities how he wanted. Aderes taught me that sometimes following your heart means veering to a new path, even if the one before you seems certain. So, the desire depends on the individual."

Miliani nodded in understanding.

"If Sheldrían is a warrior, just think of him as being given a mission or purpose that is beyond what we know. And in teaching him to follow his internal guidance, he will always know what to do. Then follow up with stories about the amazing feats his uncle did so he doesn't get bored." He grinned and pointed a thumb at his chest.

"Let's not get carried away."

Gyan grinned as Sheldrían cooed.

"I may have made a mistake," Miliani said as she looked back and forth between Gyan and the baby. "I know why he likes you now."

"Why?" Gyan asked.

"His full name has an element of you—Sheldrían Gyan…I doomed myself, I think."

Gyan stopped walking. "You're serious?" He chuckled. "I forgot to ask…" He grabbed his sister with one arm and pulled her to him. "I knew you liked me," he whispered in her ear.

Miliani shook her head and pushed him away. "Dán made me name him that."

Gyan laughed. "Liar." He looked at Sheldrían. "Great name!"

Miliani rolled her eyes. "Now you say."

"Come on, mini-me," Gyan said to the baby. "While we eat, I'm gonna give you some pointers on how to drive your mother crazy until I return. You must continue tradition…"

Gyan took his time gathering up his belongings later that evening. He was satisfied that everyone was in good spirits. His nán had Lesiana now, work had slowed some at the Order for his father, and Miliani had the baby to keep her busy. Still, Gyan couldn't help but sense an edge of disruption that seemed to be prodding at the boundaries of peace that surrounded the home.

"Lesiana, may I see Aderes's gladaé?" he asked as the group was cleaning up after dinner.

"Of course." She retrieved it from her room and handed it to Gyan. "Is everything alright, Gyan?"

"Yes. I will return in a moment." Gyan carried the sword out behind the house and unsheathed it. A stream of silver light ran the edge of the blade as Gyan held it before him and placed a palm over the blade. He took a deep breath, and blue-white light filled his vision. A sense of deep love and protection spread through him as he spoke. "May my gift of protection join the light within this blade should the safety and peace of this family ever be threatened."

The blade of Aderes's gladaé lit up with silver light as gold and white light extended from Gyan's palm. It swirled into the silver as it was absorbed into the blade. Gyan sheathed the gladaé and returned it to Lesiana, who was waiting on the front porch.

"I almost wish I was going with you," she said. "I think I will get restless not knowing what is going on with the Order."

"Dán will receive updates about where we are. In the meantime, let's hope Mordán is defeated quickly and that Alsar never encounters another battle."

His expression narrowed. "Lesiana, listen. Should any of you ever be in direct danger, make sure Aderes's gladaé is within your reach. You will know what to do with it when you grasp the hilt."

Concern filled her gaze. "Do you really believe it will come to that?"

"I do not know for sure," he replied in a low tone. "But, you and I both know the lengths Mordán will go to in order to get what he wants. There is no telling what he will do to gain control of Elsaria or what he will do to get you back within his reach, so I just want to make sure you're aware."

He looked around his home. "This home—the farm—serves as a buffer to the outside world. Its energy can create a bubble of peace that is not reflective of the chaos in the world. Although the farm is good for healing or resting, that can change if war is brought upon this land." He put a hand on her shoulder. "Trust yourself to know what to do if any danger appears and the light warriors are not near. Although you were not born a light warrior, your spirit is reflective of one and you are connected through blood to Aderes's power. Do not forget this."

"I won't."

A short time later, Gyan said his goodbyes to the entire family.

"I will long for the day we no longer have to say goodbye so many times," his nán whispered in his ear as he hugged her.

"Know I never leave you," he reminded her.

Eamonn embraced Gyan hard. "Remember to trust yourself."

Gyan nodded. He released his father and locked his gaze with Miliani's, whose teasing words seemed to temporarily evade her. "I am still here no matter how far I am physically," he said softly.

Miliani swallowed hard as her eyes filled with tears, but she did not drop her gaze.

Gyan made a heart shape as he pressed the tips of his fingers on both hands together. She repeated his gesture. He nodded once in reassurance, then turned and walked along the familiar path within the grove to join his team.