The Guardian Archives - Book 1: The Crimson Vow

By Alexander sullivan

In the cities of the kingdom of Naverene, only one thing's for certain. The Guardian's are always there for you. They are kind, uplifting and helpful, and best of all they keep you safe. Forged by the Queen of Light, Lithilia, and upheld through the rest of known time, the Guardians have protected the people as they should, and Queen Acilia, the current queen of Navarene has made it no different.

Sennia Celer and Ida Yerren are two more people who wish to become Guardians, and with hard work and perseverance, they arrive at their goal, and enter Norian's Academos as Fledglings, the lowest rank of Guardian there is. Ida, blessed with Thauma, the force of creation and Sennia with her determination and ability to put in work, they rise the ranks of the Academos quickly and efficiently, never leaving one another's side as they do so.

On a patrol, Sennia and Ida stumble on a fallen Guardian, and written in her blood is one word: Vampyres. In a mad race back to the castle, they wonder if the world will ever be the same.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: May 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781716926877

Book preview

A.R.C

Chapter 1 - The Guardian’s Festival

You know, Sennia said very matter-of-factly, that’s gonna get you in trouble one day. Ida shrugged, slightly amused.

Yeah, probably. He retorted, waving his finger in a spiral motion. It was clear by the array of colors that he was using his Thauma, or Thaumaturgy. He lay on his back in the grass, Sennia next to him, sitting up. She huffed at his insolence as usual, and he chuckled to himself, knowing he was annoying her. Though it wasn’t strictly forbidden, it was frowned upon to use Thauma outside of practice or actual use, because it came at the cost of one’s own life force. More than one innocent and stupid soul had wound up dead because of Thauma misuse. Sennia stood and brushed herself off, smoothing the folds of her shirt back in place and tucking a loose strand of blond hair behind her ear, making sure her braid was still near. Ida stood up too, groaning as he stretched.

Will you ever be proper? She asked haughtily. He smiled his ragged, boyish smile and shrugged.

Will you ever be loose? He retorted. She rolled her eyes.

"You know I’m proper because the Guardians prefer it." Sennia’s clear shyness overtook her, and she twiddled her fingers slightly. Ida took his turn to roll his eyes. He fell into step beside her as they began walking back to Norian, the town they both lived in, Capital of Naverene.

Ida’s face changed slightly, a small frown creasing his brow. You know, Senn, I've never once doubted your ability to be a Guardian, but when you’re with me, there’s no reason to be so uptight. He playfully punched her in the arm, and for a moment, it looked as if she was going to listen.

Hey there, guys. They both looked up into the blissful gaze of one of the Town’s Guardians. He was older, old enough to have his stripes displayed openly on his armor. He was the Gate Guardian, and he went by the name of Crux.

Sennia immediately straightened up, nerves clearly at the tip of her tongue.

Good morning, Mister Crux. He smiled, running his fingers through his grayed hair. His face was full of wrinkles, yet his eyes alert and without a trace of weariness.

Good morning to you as well, Sennia Celer and Ida Yerren. It’s a pleasure to see you two running around on a fine day like this. He stood in a guarded pose, his powerful sword sitting on his back. Ida reached out, and through his Thauma he could feel its radiating power. He had done this on far more than one occasion, to him it was a reminder of what Sennia and he strove for.

You as well, Master Crux. Ida bowed his head in respect, and Guardian Crux laughed lightly, gesturing into town.

Get going kids, you know the Festival starts soon, I wouldn't want you to miss it. He winked, and they smiled as they walked in, excitement coursing through them. The festival happened every season, it was an open display of strength between the Guardian Fledgling, and it altered their rankings depending on their overall score. It was huge for them, and the town of Norian offered support in the way of food and dance and an audience, so they had people cheering them on. It wasn’t mandatory, but almost everyone went anyway, Ida and Sennia no exception to the fact.

Come on, I want some of your mom’s pie before we watch the event! Ida shouted, running ahead and dodging past the citizens of Norian to get to Sennia’s Bakery. Sennia sighed before picking up her pace slightly, moving from side to side to politely avoid the people hurrying about town on whatever business they needed to attend to.

Ida, Wait! She shouted, breaking through the crowd and finally coming to the small side-street that housed her mother’s bakery. It was bright through the alleyway, the sun shining brightly through the morning clouds. It was early in the morning still, breakfast having just finished, Sennia and Ida had awoken early to get ready for the festival and still have time to go for a walk.

They entered the Celer’s Bakery with vigor, the smells wafting from within causing the kid’s mouths to water expectantly.

We’re home, mom! Ida shouted happily, marching into the kitchen from the small waiting room. Though Ida wasn’t technically Sennia’s brother, they were as close as siblings could be, Sennia’s mother accepted him as her own five years before, when Ida’s mother died unexpectedly from disease. He’d been living with Sennia and her mother ever since.

Ahh, Mary-Ann cooed, I’ve been expecting you two! Come here, I made something for you guys. Sennia’s face lit up, and she looked at Ida joyfully. His face lit up with his trademarked goofy smile, his brown hair sticking to his face with sweat. His eyes were something close to gold, but a darker, golden brown was how Sennia always described it. It was a stark contrast to Sennia’s blond hair and common brown eyes. Together they were opposite, Sennia realized.

They entered the kitchen and took in the sight. Mary-Ann Celer looked like a slightly taller, older Sennia, blond hair and brown eyes to boot with crow’s feet and worry lines, along with creases from constantly smiling. Mary-Ann loved to smile, for any reason that life had given her whether it be music or even just everyday baking, she would smile for it. She was loved throughout the town of Norian, and her delicious baking was mostly to do with it.

Hey you. Sennia’s mother said to her daughter as she entered the kitchen, kissing her on the top of the head. Her hands were covered in baking flour, and her face was smudged with various dough stains.

What did you make this time? Ida asked excitedly, peering around the bags of cooking material that littered the countertop. Fritters? Doughnuts? A new type of cake? Ida stopped mid-sentence and took a huge sniff, his face lighting up brightly. You made lemon-pastries! Mary-Ann smiled, grabbing a plate of lemon-pastries off the counter and handing it to Ida, before handing a separate plate to Sennia. Sennia accepted it gratefully, biting into the delicious delicacy with reverence while Ida began hastily wolfing it down, his favorite dessert in his hands.

Woah, slow it down champion. Mary-Ann laughed, hugging Ida, momentarily stopping his feast. She pointed to an entire tray of them, and Ida’s mouth hung open. I made plenty. Sennia watched as a fire began to grow in Ida’s eyes, and they all took the moment to laugh at the drool clearly coming out of his mouth.

They ate their breakfast in peace, nobody entering the shop on account of the festival. Once they finished and cleaned everything off, Mary-Ann told them to head to the festival, and save some good seats.

I’ll be with you guys in just a little bit, just need to close up the shop. Sennia and Ida eagerly headed out, following the throng of citizens towards the town field, where the festival always took place.

Hundreds of stands surrounded the massive field. The smells of various foods filled the nose of the two children as they ran about, gazing upon the stands of magnificent jewelry, the vicious weaponry from the town smith, and the delicate gowns and suits from the clothing master as well. Every festival there were new lineups, new weapons for Ida to gaze at, and new bracelets for Sennia to dream of. Though the fighting was both the children’s favorite part of the event, the rest of it wasn’t bad either.

Come on Ida, we’re gonna be late! Sennia urged, grabbing Ida by the hand and dragging him to the closest available seats around the field. The fighting arena itself had a stone wall around it four feet high to keep everyone out of the way of danger, but it didn’t stop most of Norian’s children from sitting on top of the wall, the best seat in the house. Ida and Sennia perched on their stone seats, waiting for the first event to start. Sennia was impatient, fidgeting with her hands while Ida calmly took in the scenery around him, the beautiful grass and gorgeous trees of Autumn always welcomed Ida’s attention, while Sennia was more of a fan of winter herself.

Ida saw Sennia fiddling with her thumbs again, and brought up conversation to distract her.

I think Alister’s got this one in the bag. Ida proclaimed proudly, looking at the roster sitting on a large wooden board erected on the opposing end of the wall. Alister was one of ten names on the board. Sennia snorted.

Absolutely not! She exclaimed, crossing her arms defiantly. Gilda’s won almost every festival since she entered the Academos! Ida shrugged, stubborn in his opinion.

"Nah, I know Alister’s been training hard. You saw him in the forest that one day, remember? I think he’s gonna win