Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #15 June 2015 | Page 73

clenched hand Damitri turned it and gently opened
her fist revealing a crystal. “Davaldion gave his life to
protect you because he understood your importance.”
Damitri gestured back towards her chair. “Please,
listen to what he has to say, I promise I will not let
any harm come to you.” The look in his eyes made her
soften and though she couldn’t understand why, she
reluctantly returned to her seat and Galewyn continued.
“I need you to understand, today has only been a reprieve.” Galewyn sat down, his hands face down upon
the table. “This chantry was built centuries ago as a
place of refuge against the minions of the fallen, but
tonight, despite our best efforts and our defences, they
will come for you with everything they can muster.”
Seeing the look of fear crossing her face Galewyn
smiled. “I promise this to you, that you will see the
morning come.” He suddenly looked towards the
door. “Galen,” he called suddenly. The door opened as
Brother Galen quietly entered the chamber.
“Galen, Selina is in need of a guardian as we are expecting unwelcome guests tonight. Are you up to the
task?” Damitri looked betrayed and though to Selina
Galewyn’s words were phrased as a question he knew
that it was nothing more than a concealed order.
The monk quietly bowed. “I understand, I will let no
harm come to her,” he reverently replied. “Thank you
Galen, she will join you shortly.” The monk bowed
again and left the chamber as Galewyn brought his
attention to a shocked Damitri, “You will be needed
elsewhere, Galen will be more than capable of protecting her.” The finality of his words caused Damitri’s
face to darken and he lowered his head.
“I think it would be an idea for you to get prepared Selina, it’s going to be a very long night.” He motioned
to the door: “Galen will arrange everything for you.”
Surprised by the sudden dismissal, she stood and
turned to head towards the door when she stopped
and turned towards him. “May I ask you a question?”
she asked. “Anything you wish, Madainn Reul.” He
nodded. “What does Madainn Reul mean? Several
people have called me this since I arrived.” Galewyn

smiled. “It’s an ancient term that goes back to the first
war of Shadow. It roughly translates into the Imperial
tongue as Morning Star, for the light of the daughters
of Shi’Ara gifted the world with a new dawn.” Selina was stunned by his answer; Galewyn continued:
“There are people here that believe in you Selina, even
if you doubt your role yourself.” She nodded quietly
and left the chamber.
“Why wouldn’t you want me by her side?” Damitri
started as soon as the door was closed. “They will
send everything they have Damitri, I cannot spare
you to sit at the heart of the chantry when you could
be of far more use at our defences.” Damitri began
to argue but Galewyn continued: “And I would fathom that there are some who would happily seek you
out in order to further their own ends.” Shaking his
head Damitri sighed, “So I’m to be bait.” For all he
detested Galewyn’s orders, in his heart Damitri knew
that Galewyn was right. “As you wish,” he solemnly
replied.
Selina was joined by Galen as she left Galewyn’s and
stormed towards her room. She was angry and frightened, she missed the luxuries and the feeling of safety
of her home and most of all she doubted what she had
been told. Yet what frustrated her most was that after
her meeting with Davaldion she couldn’t help but feel
that maybe Galewyn was right.
She stopped suddenly and looked behind herself where
ten steps behind her stood Galen, his head bowed.
“You don’t need to follow me,” she said sharply, her
hands moving to her hips, “it’s not nightfall yet.”
“M’Lady, you are my ward and I will be at your side
until someone replaces me or someone removes me
against my choosing,” came his softly spoken reply.
Stunned by the sincerity of his reply Selina felt her
hands drop from her hips. “Look at me, Galen,” she
said, her tone now gentle. Galen’s soft blue eyes raised
to meet hers. “Do you really believe that I am this
grand saviour?” Galen simply smiled.
“There has yet to be a time when the master of the
chantry has been wrong, but the enemy believes you
are what they say you are and as such they will come

73