The Guardian Chronicles: Book 03 - The Dark Tide Read Online Free PDF Page B

made a deal with the keeper of the underworld.  Still, his master was right to move on as there were obviously even more pressing issues that needed attention.
    “This world was created by an orb that contained all of the elements needed to create life.  The almighty Kedem created me from this powerful sphere and then gave it to me to create all of you.  He created this world and its inhabitants with my assistance.  We were ordained to be stewards over the elements that sprang from this source of life.  I was told to share the knowledge with Khalida and one other.  The other I chose to share this information with was Lord Keb.  The reason these two were selected was because they both have stewardship over the earth.”  Momentary silence followed this bit of information.  Information about the event called foundation was limited and carefully guarded.  That the guardian shared some of this information freely was significant.
    “Why is that of any significance?” asked Lady Necia politely.  She folded her hands neatly in front of her on the council table.
    “That particular element was chosen to protect the orb from detection.  I felt it necessary to make Khalida and Keb aware of its existence.  They would be able to detect its presence and I felt that they should know what it was that they were protecting.  However, they never knew what it was for and even what powers it has.  That knowledge lies with me and with the powerful master Mahdi.”  Tension crept into the hall at the mention of the mystical being.  That particular person was never discussed just like the foundation event.
    “Can he be trusted with such crucial knowledge?  Shouldn’t this council be responsible for guarding such powerful information?” asked Lady Hilzarie with a harsh tone.  She did not trust him or his mysterious race.  She had great difficulty these days trusting anyone after Kana’s fall from grace.  She was also felt that Mahdi was not all that intelligent.  He never spoke out loud which was always a sign of dimwittedness in her opinion.
    “I trust master Mahdi completely…he and his kind will be the ones to end this war.  They will come when they are needed and not before.”  He gave Necia a stern look as he said this.  He clearly heard her inner thoughts and did not care for what he heard.  His icy glare seemed to last forever to the fire elemental.
    “I am confused…what exactly does this magical object do?” asked Lord Keb quietly.  He did not seem to be himself anymore.  He looked frazzled from whatever he had suffered while he was away.  He struggled to maintain his human form as he sat there next to Neb.  He almost had the look of being frayed at the edges.  His brown cloak had more of a dull gray hue to it.  He face looked emaciated and gray.
    “That secret cannot be divulged to anyone in this council…Kana’s ability to extract information has proven too formidable.  She does not remember our ancient friend and his kind…we can take advantage of this oversight.  I have relocated the orb, but Kana has already discovered the region in which it lies.  She has dispatched a small expedition to retrieve this powerful object with Rolon in the lead.”  He had a steely gleam in his eye as he looked around the table.
    “Where exactly is it located?” asked Lord Neb smoothly.  While he was confident as ever in his master, it was his friend Keb he was concerned with.  He knew that some of what Adair had mentioned had a great deal to do with his friend.  He was not really focused on what his master was talking about.
    “It is in the Vida Cavern under the Mia Koda Mountains.  I believe that Rolon and his party are planning to take the forbidden path.  They will learn that Keala does not go all the way to the hiding place.  This poor choice should delay them significantly.  Sooner or later we may need to move the Orb of Nitesh once again.  That is if Kana’s fiends prove more