The Fallen (Book 1) by Dan O'Sullivan Page A

young. But she isn’t even aware herself that she’s a guardian. I caused her powers to sleep within her very soon after the great floods and blocked her memories of her early life.’
    ‘ This explains why my father died in the effort to save Louisa,’ said King Dannicus. ‘He knew didn’t he?’
    ‘ King Caedmon was very much like you, Majesty. He would have died to save the child had she been human, guardian or even fallen,’ Karrijeuiga said with certainty. ‘At the time of the great floods Louisa was in the care of her own guardian parents. We have guardians living here and there in Alkira. They were living in Cullen Ringo and working as bakers. After the floods, when you placed her in the care of Governor Ringo and Lady Megan, we chose not to interfere in the hope that the fallen would think the little girl was returned.’
    ‘ Surely her parents can’t have died. Didn’t you say they were guardians?’ Danil asked the question which had been playing around the edge of King Dannicus’ thoughts.
    ‘ Yes,’ said Tiernan. ‘They were guardians. During the storms they fought valiantly to save as many as they could from the floods, day and night battling against the raging wind and water. At the height of the flood, four warriors of the fallen came against them. They fought furiously against them and all four were returned, but not before the guardians were severely wounded. They had just enough strength to go back to the place where they had left Louisa only to find the little girl gone. Believing the fallen had already returned her, they sank beneath despair and they returned. They were not sent back. Even with her true parents gone we felt it was best to have Louisa raised amongst human children. When she’s of age – she will be eighteen soon – her abilities will return to her. She will be given the choice; to live as a human, or to accept the duties and responsibilities of the guardians.
    ‘ A choice?’ Danil repeated dubiously.
    ‘ Her actions will define her choice. The time will come when she becomes aware that she’s born of the guardians. If she starts acting like a guardian her freedom of choice will begin to slip away and she will find herself compelled to serve – and she will desire to serve,’ Karrijeuiga said confidently.
    ‘ And if she doesn’t want to be a guardian?’
    ‘ She will remain human,’ said Tiernan. ‘Her gifts will not fully develop and she will live a mortal human life as one of the children. But she will always have enhanced physical abilities.’
    ‘ How often does that happen?’ asked King Dannicus.
    ‘ Rarely. I am uncertain if we made the right choice for Louisa. At the time I hoped if Louisa was to disappear, the fallen would believe she was returned in the floods. I believe that’s why her true parents were not sent back here.’
    ‘ She would not have understood the situation when she was so young and it would have been difficult and lonely for her to be raised here within the Dwellings,’ said Karri. ‘If she was told of her danger, she would have lived her life in fear. No, husband. I feel you made the right decision.’ Karrijeuiga turned to Dannicus. ‘You know more than you have told us King Dannicus. I see from your thoughts you think she’s in danger.’
    King Dannicus sat silently for a moment, his thoughts racing. Louisa was a guardian, a young female guardian. He sighed. ‘Louisa is with Elena and Immosey as she always is. They travel by barge down the River Ringo from Ringo’s Crossing to Castle. Unfortunately we now have a report that large numbers of the fallen are camped at Three Ways.’
    ‘ This is ill news indeed,’ said Tiernan. ‘That the fallen are camped within Alkira is always alarming. I cannot consider it chance that they’re camped at Three Ways.’ He turned to Karri. ‘It’s strange that we only recently discussed this. It’s time to intervene.’
    ‘ Time to return Nandul?’ asked Karrijeuiga, looking