Free Bound (The Guardians) by M.J. Stevens Page B

Making a disturbed face, she starts shaking in more salt. ‘Matters involving the Guardians’ battle for survival are left out of the common peoples’ text books. It’s so they appear consistently unchallenged. I know about a few battles, but the MECHs… that’s a name I’ve never heard. Who are they?’
    ‘The book said that about sixty years ago, people from one of the Stray Islands to the south, called Laboran, planned an uprising. It said that Laboran was always cloudy and dark. The soil and food lacked essential nutrients and over time people began losing arms and legs. Sometimes they were born without them at all. So a pioneering Laboran resident “Doctor” invented cybernetic technology to replace the limbs. But the residents quickly became addicted to the feeling of being cybernetic. They got cocky and decided that with their power they could expand beyond the island and take the Centreland too. They planned to force everyone to become a MECH and those who didn’t conform would be killed.’
    Teri glances at me. She is now somewhat engrossed in the story.
    I lean forward, telling the story like a campfire horror tale. ‘Sir Macal, Sir Dorkarn’s father, set out to Laboran to stop the MECHs before they reached the mainland. When they arrived on Laboran a fierce battle broke out. The Guardians were outnumbered, unaware of how big their forces truly were. Dorkarn, simply a Successor at the time, was ordered to leave by his father after sustaining an injury. It must be how he lost his left eye, it doesn’t say for sure. Sir Macal then set a detonator that extinguished all life on the island in a terrible fire, including his own. To this day a MECH has never been seen again.’
    Teri’s face has become a bit pale. She forces a grin. ‘I’ve heard a lot of strange tales, but that one truly sounds fictional.’
    ‘No, it must be true. Elentia left the book on my pile for today. She would never leave me anything fun during class hours.’
    Teri nods. ‘Well at least there’s some excitement coming into your readings.’ I hear a buzzer; more food is ready across the room. ‘Sorry I can’t talk more, love. But I have to get this finished.’
    ‘I’ll get out of your hairnet then,’ I say with a smile.
    I get down and wave goodbye to the other members of staff. I duck out of the kitchen, back up the stairs and out into the foyer.
    I slowly walk across the red carpeted base floor and look directly up at the majesty of the Tower.
    The tale of the MECHs is a dark story, one of legend almost, and I’d never heard it before. Perhaps my father was right all along. The more stories I uncover, the more underhanded and sneaky the Guardians seem. What other tales and battles do they have locked away in these crystal walls? How close have they come to completely losing their reign, without a single person knowing?
    The main doors of the Tower open and a noisy group enter. They’re all Sentry officers, some men and some women. They’re dressed in their black and white uniforms. A couple of them I recognise, they’re residents of the first floor. Not all Sentry officers reside in the Tower, only those of high rank and importance. Most live on base camps around the mainland, never once seeing inside the fortress of the very people they take orders from.
    Amongst the officers is another man. He’s tall with short, honey blond hair. His eyes are vibrant blue and he marches with confidence.
    I take a step back to allow the Sentry officers more room to pass by. They still make me uncomfortable.
    The group trails into the second pillar, towards a meeting room, but the blond man stops. He twists his head towards me. Gently he flicks it in a “come here” motion. I step closer until I am looking upwards at this tall young man.
    Unlike Leo and Lord Neros, he has a different appearance. His strong facial features and scary eyes remind me of Dorkarn. I know who this is, Leo’s older brother.
    ‘Successor…Arin?’ I