Free Coexist: Keegan's Chronicles by Julia Crane

change the future. This made him sure there had to be
some threat to Keegan that would lead to her death and that they
were trying to intervene in the natural course of destiny. This was
not something that was done lightly. It had to be happening soon
because it was to be before they were to meet. Could it be
something to do with the great battle? Why else would they
intervene?
    Rourk didn’t want to overstep his boundaries,
but he had to talk to Richard. Once he reached the camp, he went
directly into Richard’s office.
    When Richard saw Rourk, he broke into his
easy smile. “I have been waiting for you,” he said.
    Rourk was always surprised how this man could
put people at ease. It was one of the traits that made him an
exceptional leader and the reason why men were so devoted to
him.
    “I wasn’t sure if I should come talk to you
or not. However, after going over it repeatedly, I had to. There is
a flaw in this plan.”
    “There is a flaw in every plan, but we must
make do with what we have.”
    Rourk asked, “Can I war game this out with
you?”
    Richard sighed, “Very well, I will hear you
out.”
    War gaming was when they thought through the
outcome of a mission beforehand, and it was a way to make sure they
were aware of different possibilities and variables that could
affect the outcome.
    “I don’t think this will work without Keegan
being aware of the plan. How can we be certain that she will even
think of me if she is in danger?”
    This brought a loud laugh from Richard. “Son,
you have a lot to learn about women. There are many flaws to our
plan, but that is not one of them.”
    His reaction surprised Rourk. “How can you be
so certain?”
    Richard smiled. “As warriors, we do not fear
death. We couldn’t possibly do our job if we did. That’s what makes
us different from the others. All we wish in death is to die
bravely. However, on every occasion that I have come close to death
I have always thought of my wife. So you can imagine a
sixteen-year-old would think of the one she has yet to meet.”
    Rourk stared at him trying to hide his
astonishment. “I am to meet her before she turns 17?”
    Richard put his hand on Rourk’s shoulder.
“This is why you’re good enough for my daughter and the reason why
I am relieving you of your training duties. Now your job is to
protect my daughter.”
     
     

CHAPTER 10
     
    K eegan walked outside and saw her mother swinging on
the porch swing. She walked over and sat down next to her.
    The day was another of sunshine, but the air
held a chilly breeze. Emerald was wrapped in a brightly colored
shawl, her feet planted firmly on the wooden boards of the porch as
she swung.
    “Mom, I keep thinking about Anna’s mother. I
really think you should give her a healing.”
    Emerald looked over at her daughter. Keegan
had never asked her to give a healing before. “I guess I could call
her. I think she’d be surprised though. It not like we talk on a
regular basis.”
    Keegan smiled and said, “Thanks, and try not
to let on that Anna told you about it.”
    “Well, that is going to be almost impossible
Keegan. I’ll figure something out so Anna doesn’t get in trouble
for confiding in you.”
    After Keegan walked away, Emerald could not
stop thinking about her conversation with her, and she felt the
need to help Anna’s mother. Anna was one of Keegan’s best friends.
If Anna’s mother were suffering, Anna would also be affected. She
hesitated and then headed inside to the phone.
    “Hello, Jennifer, I know this is unusual, but
would you mind if I came over to visit?”
    There was a brief silence; the woman was
probably surprised. “Ah sure, of course, you can come over.”
    A little while later, Emerald arrived at
Jennifer’s house.
    Anna’s parents lived modestly in a small
stone ranch house not too far from Keegan’s own home. Jennifer was
a tall, thin woman with dark circles under her brown eyes and her
long brown hair pulled into a messy ponytail.