Koda sat at the foot of his bed staring at a letter that rested in his hand. It was from his grandfather, Xile. A little over a year had passed since he left the isle of Nashoon to visit his father. Time in Lost Dawns seemed to blur past him. It felt as though only a moment had passed since he was standing among the thick, verdant forest of the beautiful island staring up at the thousands of giant evergreen fingers that stretched toward the sky. But that was a year ago. The city was blossoming into something grand, and the fact that it was all forged by his father was something special. He was proud of him. Although their relationship had been strained in the past, he was learning to appreciate the work of a king, of his king, of his father.

The letter was written in the dead language of Ancient Fey, but Koda knew the language well. It read:

Grandchild, a full year has passed since you left Nashoon. I hope your time spent with Jaelyn goes well. The winter still does not touch our undying forest, but only because an Arcane Guardian wards the woods. You know this, Grandchild. You also know my time draws near. There was once a time when our kind would live for an eternity, untainted by age. Time, however, does not see us as equals any longer. I write to remind you that an Arcane Guardian must be trained to take on my duties – to protect the forest, its runes, and its secrets. Grandchild, I will not force you, as I did not force my own children, but I can not wait much longer. An Arcane Guardian must be chosen.

Koda lay back comfortably against Wildeye’s soft fur as if she were a warm pillow. He pressed the paper against his face and sighed heavily, “Wildeye, I don’t know what to do. I mean, I know what to do, but at the same time…”

He rolled onto his side to look into his familiar’s flaring magical eye, “Becoming the Arcane Guardian has always been the path set before me. I was practically raised on that island. My first memories were of the runes.” He outstretched his hand as if remembering the touch of coarse stone, “Why does father hate it all? Uncle Tull, too. They both abandoned their duties, for… for mother.”

Koda’s eyes widened as he saw a glimpse of a blurred figure. Crimson red hair is all he could remember of her. Wildeye cocked her head slanted, “I don’t know her. I only know of her. She died having me…” Koda grew hoarse trying to explain things to his wolf, “She was the one that convinced Father to unite the tribes. It was her dream before his. He fell in love, leaving Nashoon for her. Uncle Tull left too, all three of them were close.”

Wildeye licked off the small tears streaking down Koda’s cheeks, “Father wants me close because he sees her in me. I can’t blame him, but I can’t ignore my destiny.” Koda wrapped his arms around Wildeye, “You understand, right? This is the right decision. It has to be. But then, why is it such a hard decision to make?” Wildeye rubbed her nose on the elf’s chest in response, “What’s in my heart? Being an Arcane Guardian is greater than myself or even my family. That’s what they never understood. It may seem cold, but it’s rational. Wildeye, we have to go back. Grandfather needs me more than Father does. Greater still, Nashoon needs me more than either of them.” Koda pushed his forehead into the wolf’s cobalt fur, “I’ll miss them, I really will, and Lost Dawns. The city has grown on me. We’ll leave in the morning.”

The sudden sound of knocking surprised the two of them and Wildeye nudged for Koda to get up, “Enter, please.” Koda said, pushing himself upright.

A servant walked in, dressed in a fine red tunic. He bowed before speaking, “Prince Koda, the king summons you.”

***

Koda and Wildeye walked the long marble halls of the castle. A mural of the Elder Tree wrapped both walls. Images of flowers, ancient elves, and wisps were painted in brilliant hues around the center piece. Coming up to a cherry wooden door, Koda rapped quickly on it and waited for his father’s response before entering.

“You summoned me, Father?” Koda looked up at his father, wondering what he could have needed from him at such a late hour.

King Jaelyn poked his head above a large stack of paperwork. A weird look hung off his face, “Summoned?” he asked, confused.

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Koda chuckled at his choice of words, “You called for me?”

Jaelyn slid his chair back away from his writing desk before crossing his legs, “Your tutor tells me you’ve finished your studies. All high marks. Any particular areas where you might consider further studying? Perhaps politics?”

Koda’s eye flinched with a sting of annoyance, “Father, I know where you are going with this, but we’ve discussed this. In fact, a letter from Nashoon arrived this afternoon. My time here is at its end, I must go back.”

“You are next in line to become King. You know as well as I that I won’t live forever. With the amount of enemies I have, it is all too likely that it won’t be age alone that kills me,” Jaelyn said.

“Father, don’t say that!” Koda protested. His face flushed with anger at the thought of his father meeting a clandestine end.

Jaelyn stood, gesturing with his hands, “Lost Dawns needs an heir. I need an heir, and that is what you are and that is who you are. Stay in Lost Dawns. Be by my side and prepare for your future.”

“What about Uncle Tull?” Koda asked sincerely, “He’d make a much better king than I would.”

Jaelyn frowned slightly at his son’s words, “Tull is my brother and you are my son. As long as I have a Dawnedge child in line for the crown, Tull’s rightful place is at our side, not on the throne. You know this.”

“What of the Elven Lords?” Koda asked with a tinge of desperation in his voice. This wasn’t his destiny. It couldn’t be his destiny. Jaelyn leaned forward in a manner that did not send a welcoming message to his son. He seethed beneath the surface and Koda knew that his suggestion infuriated his father.

Before Jaelyn could respond, Koda spoke up once more, “Father, you see me as the next king, but Grandfather sees me as the next Arcane Guardian. What am I to do? I stand at a crossroads where the future of the realm hinges on my decision.”

“Xile, that old fool. My son, ‘Arcane Guardian’ is a dead title,” the king spat.

“Father! How could you say that! Guarding Nashoon and its secrets is a prestigious honor!” Koda lashed back in protest.

“Nashoon, like your grandfather, is a relic of the past! Its secrets were already exploited and plundered during the Arcana War,” Jaeylen said, attempting to use the same reasoning that was used on him.

“So because you and Tull have turned your backs on your sacred duties, I must do the same?” growled Koda, angrily.

Jaelyn thrust a finger at his son, “Hold your tongue! Don’t you forget who I am!”

Koda was silent, clenching his teeth and scowling. Hot tears formed in his eyes. Jaelyn leaned on his desk and rubbed his forehead in frustration, “Koda, I don’t think you realize what we’ve created here; what your mother has created. We aren’t some simple town. We are a nation and I lead our people. We aren’t alone in this world either. There are many, many others – other rulers, other nations. They will be looking to us to contribute to this world. You wish to protect Nashoon? Nashoon is now part of Long Whisper, and everyone here looks toward us for protection. The time of the Arcane Guardian has passed.”

“It has not passed!” Koda stomped his foot in aggravation.

Jaelyn took a long breath, “You wish to continue your studies? I will build a mage school at the center of Lost Dawns. You can study new advancements of magic as well as the further history of the Mage Council that you wouldn’t be taught in Nashoon.”

Koda raised an eyebrow, “A mage school?” The thought danced in his mind. He thought of robed scholars who were taught and trained to shape Magi in order to tame the elements. Fire, earth, water, air, vernal, light, and even the shadows themselves. Koda dreamt of himself draped in elegant robes, a large tome in his hand, commanding the seven elements.

“Lost Dawns is a city of both progression and tradition. We can also be a beacon of academia and magic. You say you stand at a crossroads. You say that the future of the realm hinges upon your decision. That sounds like a king’s quandary to me.”

A smile grew across the young elf’s face, “I admit, my interest has piqued. I would be much better equipped to help grandfather if I stayed and trained as a mage first. Perhaps this could do Nashoon some good!” Koda dropped to a knee and held his familiar’s paw. Wildeye whined with distress, “I’m sorry girl, but this needs to be done. Nashoon will have to wait a little while longer. I would be a much stronger Guardian if I knew about the side of Magi Grandfather refused to teach me. You understand, right?” Wildeye nudged Koda’s face, a bit worrisome of being away from the isle, but nodded with the approval that Koda sought.

“Well, what did she say?” asked Jaelyn. He never had a familiar, so he was slightly curious of his son and wolf’s relationship.

“She says we’re staying.” Koda said gleaming widely.