Beginning...

CHAPTER 2

The next morning, Lauren got up, took a shower, got dressed in a purple and white uniform with gold trim that had been laid out for her by someone, and went downstairs for breakfast. She was met at the bottom of the stairs by an energetic, bubbly bright elf. Yes, an ELF! She looked about the same age as Lauren but was probably much older. Elves age slower than humans after all. She had silver spiked hair and was tall and slim built. She was wearing a brown uniform with gold trim of the same style as hers. "Oh. Good morning. My name is Demeatral. I'm your guide and personal assistant. I hope we can also be friends. If you need anything just ask me and I will see to it."

"Hi. My name is Lauren. You probably already know that. Nice to meet you. I'm glad I have a guide. This place is huge. I guess you are the one that set out my clothes for me."

"It's fine," Demeatral said with a giggle. "And yes. They definitely fit you. Let's get to breakfast and then we will be going to see the Keeper." Demeatral led the way to the cafeteria, and they joined other students in buffet lines. "You are going to notice that you are the only one in your color. You are the only Keeper student. She only chooses one." Lauren observed the room. "Reds are fighters, blues are protectors, yellows are healers, greens are naturalists, oranges are technical support, whites are priests, and browns are guardians." Demeatral stopped explaining once they had their food and pointed to a table in the center of the room. Edmon was already sitting there.

"Good morning, ladies." He started in greeting. He was wearing brown trimmed in gold just like Demeatral. They both also carried a sword and daggers. His plate was piled with breakfast food, and he was mid-shovel of food.

"Good morning," Demeatral replied. "I was explaining to Lauren the uniform colors.

"Oh," Edmon replied. "Does it bother you that you are the only one of your color?"

"Not yet," Lauren said. "I haven't had a chance to soak in all the changes yet."

"Don't worry," Edmon said. "We have your back. We will be with you wherever you go, so you will be fine." Lauren was a little relieved to know she wouldn't have to face this new world alone.

They all laughed and continued eating. The breakfast was delicious and huge. Bacon, eggs, fruits of all kinds, and muffins filled the plates. Once full, they went to see the Keeper.

The Keeper's room was on the bottom floor of the seventh spire. Lauren learned that was the name of the spire she was now living in. Priests and guardians stayed in the sixth spire, healers in the fifth, naturalists in the fourth, technical support in the third, protectors spread throughout all the spires, and fighters in the second and first. The seventh was surrounded by all the rest. Edmon knocked on the door to the Keeper's room and after a soft "come in", he opened the door for them to go in.

Lauren was taken aback by the flowers, sunny glow, and sense of peace she felt upon entering. She was also shocked by what she thought were butterflies only to realize that they were small winged humans that flew around straightening things and entertaining the Keeper.

"Good morning, dear. I hope you slept well." Evandalyn stated. Her features looked a bit healthier than yesterday. She welcomed them in and asked Lauren to sit on her bed with a pat of her hand. Edmon and Demeatral sat over to the side and Lauren walked over to the Keeper and sat down. The room glowed of sunlight and smelled of sweet pea, honeysuckle, and peppermint. Beautiful paintings filled the walls, and the ceiling was stained glass. Lauren marveled at it because there should be floors above this one, but lights filtered through the ceiling. "I know you have millions of questions and I promise to answer them, but I want our time together to be used to train you as well. This morning I will tell you more about your grandmother and my relationship and then we will give you a set of keys. Okay?"

"That's fair." Lauren smiled at the Keeper, trying to show herself as being comfortable. Her mind was still unfocused, but she was ready to get started.

"Beatrice, your grandmother, was a flower that stood out in a garden of gorgeous blooms. When she was a baby, her mother would read to her continuously. She would absorb everything she was told. She was so smart. As a teenager, she would go to the library and read to the younger children, and she would tutor her classmates when they were having problems with reading. I was sent by The Keeper to watch over her because she was a candidate to become the next keeper. When she became an adult, she became a teacher and writer And earned a degree in English and Masters in Teaching. She published several books and poems. Demeatral can show you her section of the library later. She taught English and History. She loved to read the old stories of the past and makeup plays that her students would act out each year. Her love of reading and story creation touches the heart of the old Keeper." Lauren sat silently watching The Keeper as she told her story. She saw the emotion on her face. Lauren probably mirrored the emotion because she knew what was next. "It was such a tragedy to witness the accident that took such a blessed spirit from the world. I wanted to take her out of the car, but I was too late. Everything happened so quickly. For years I blamed myself and refused to train to become the next keeper. Then, the old keeper brought your grandmother to talk to me. I didn't even know she could bring spirits to this realm. The old Keeper just said there's an exception to every rule and never explained how she did it. I never asked her after that. Your Grandmother talked me into going on and becoming the keeper I am today. You see, I took her place. It was a painful thought that was very hard to get over. I have worked hard to redeem my inability to save her. She would have made a wonderful keeper of the keys."

"I can see the pain in your eyes, and I thank you for telling me the story. My family never really knew what happened to my grandmother. We were told there was a car accident and that she was hurt but there was never any closure. We did bury her, and I know we put this locket in her casket with her but here it is." Lauren pulled the necklace holding the locket out of her dress collar so it could be seen. It seemed to warm in her hand.

"Yes, I got the locket out when she passed. It contains extreme power, and I could not leave it with her. I believe you're going to need it. I'm happy that you have a small amount of your grandmother with you." Evandalyn said as she cried and embraced Lauren.

"Me too." Lauren replied through her tears. They sat there and embraced until their last tear fell. Finally, they released each other, wiped their eyes and smiled at each other with understanding and appreciation.

"I am so glad to have someone that I can talk to about your grandmother. I promise I'll share many stories with you over our time together."

"That would be wonderful. "Lauren replied with a laugh.

"Now to get you started in your classes and you're training." Evandalyn said. "You probably have noticed that you are the only one wearing your colored uniform. That is because you are my only heir and student. Everyone else in this palace is here to serve and take care of you. Yes, presently they take care of me, but you are everyone's future."

Lauren gasped. That is a lot of pressure. She was about to take the entire world of imagination on her shoulders. All Lauren could think was "What had she gotten herself into?"

"Don't worry, dear. You have two of our best guardians and they will be with you at all times. You will meet with me in the morning and after lunch, and I will teach you how to use your powers."

"Powers? Like magic?" Lauren was puzzled. She never felt like she had powers.

"Yes. Now that you have accepted your position as my heir, you will release and develop abilities that you will use to protect the door between the realms."

"Is it true that there are several realms?" Lauren asked.

"There are but you will have the only set of keys that can open the door to the human realm. It is usually held by a human with a love of reading."

Lauren pondered that statement for a moment and then realized aloud, "You are not a human."

"No. I am not." Evandalyn hesitated, "I am a goddess. Actually, the daughter of a god and a human. My parents couldn't figure out what to do with me, so they sent me to work as a guardian."

"You were never supposed to become the Keeper of the keys, were you?"

"No. Keepers can only choose one heir. If anything ever happens to that heir, their guardian is to become the keeper until the next keeper is found. I am the first nonhuman to hold the keys and I have been the keeper for too long." Edmon began to argue with Evandalyn but stayed silent.

"If something happens to me who would take my place?" Evandalyn looked at Edmon and Demeatral, then back to Lauren. She stayed silent and didn't answer. Lauren began to ask again but chose to sit quietly and wait for the answer. "No one else has been chosen. I would have to stay the Keeper. My reign broke the rules. I am a goddess and cannot die. I have been punished, because of my failure, to be the Keeper and never free to see my home realm or family again until I can find another person worthy to take my place. Mind you, my service has been wonderful, and I have loved it, but I do miss my family." Evandalyn smiled. "Now, no more sad talk. You are here and nothing will happen to you. Today, Edmon and Demeatral will take you to visit your classes and the others that are being trained here to become your support. Then you will be tested to find out what type of magic you are developing first. And before you ask, yes, you will have more than one type of magic. Because you are my heir, you can become as powerful as I am over time. You will inherit the powers of a goddess over the next few years. Don't let that scare you. You will be able to handle it. I promise." Evandalyn gave Lauren another tight hug. "Now, go and I will see you later. I must rest."

Reluctantly, Lauren joined Edmon and Demeatral. She turned around before she left out and said, "I can tell you are unwell. I hope you will share that with me too,"

"I will," Evandalyn stated. "I will share everything with you."