Guardians from the Shadows: Chapter 1

Fanfiction time, ya'll. This came from a list of ideas posted a few weeks ago by somebody. I took the prompt, added some stuff, used a few name generators (and Chat GPT for editing cuz the words weren't wording) And here we go. 😀 Oh, btw, the italicized stuff is taken directly from the book

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Six figures stood outside the Keep. Each was dressed in black from head to toe, resembling the Hollish Durgans. They blended perfectly into the shadows, and not even the most skilled Durgan would have been able to spot them. This was because they were the most skilled Durgans.

“Brothers, protect the rest of the Wingfeathers. Sisters, we’ll rescue the king and his mother,” the speaker said, her voice low but commanding. She made a few gestures. Her companions nodded, and half the group slipped inside. Not long after, the rest quietly entered the Keep.

Inside, the six saw that the room was packed beyond capacity with Hollowsfolk. Lingering in the shadows, they spotted Janner and Leeli Wingfeather, along with their grandfather, tied near the great tree.

Anger simmered among them as they watched guards lead Nia and Kalmar Wingfeather up the steps of what could only be a gallows. This anger was reminiscent of  the fury of a Throne Warden.

The six crept around the edge of the room with astonishing speed. Their anger grew when they heard Nibbick Bunge speak.

“Then by the authority of the seven chiefs of the council, and for crimes against the citizens of the Green Hollows, I give you over to execution.”

Five of the cloaked figures turned to their leader, their eyes filled with panic. The leader hesitated, but was saved from making a decision when the young Song Maiden pleaded to play a song for her relatives.

The leader motioned for them to wait. The men split off and continued toward the tree, while the women slipped into the crowd, edging closer to the Wingfeathers.

Just as Nibbick Bunge swatted the Song Maiden’s whistleharp away, the tallest of the group hurled a small rock, hitting him squarely in the chest.

He stumbled backward, eyes darting wildly to find the source of the attack. Another rock flew through the air, followed by a third, as the men quietly cut the Wingfeathers' bonds.

The women continued pelting Nibbick Bunge with rocks until they saw their companions had freed Janner and Podo Helmer.

The six moved as one, rising from their positions in perfect unison. They advanced toward the man who had dared to condemn their charges. It was clear to everyone present that Nibbick Bunge recognized them—and was terrified.

“Nibbick Bunge! On what grounds do you execute the Queen and Prince of Anniera?” The leader’s voice rang out, commanding and sharp. She was tall, nearly six feet, her face obscured beneath a dark hood. Striding forward with a feline grace, she cast off her hood, revealing her features.

Nibbick Bunge scrambled to find his words. As he stuttered, the six gathered at the base of the tree. Two of the men moved to cut Janner Wingfeather and Podo Helmer’s bonds. A guard stepped forward to block them but quickly retreated, unnerved by the thinly veiled rage in their eyes. One even growled, low and threatening.

“You should answer Liliyana, Bunge,” another of the women said, pulling back her hood to reveal a striking resemblance to their leader. “She’s become much harsher these last nine years.”

Despite the warning, Nibbick Bunge struggled to find his words, backing away. Liliyana sighed, and the six exchanged irritated glances. After a long silence, Nia Wingfeather’s voice broke the tension from the gallows.

“My son has been accused of killing Hollish livestock and a Hollish child. I stand with him through turalay.”

Liliyana briefly bowed her head before speaking. “The Prince’s first act was committed with just cause.” She cast a gentle look at Kalmar, who lowered his gaze. “The second accusation is entirely unfounded. The girl still lives. I’ve seen her myself.”

A woman darted forward, her wild eyes scanning the room. “Where is she? Where’s me baby?” Her voice was ragged. This was Freva, the girl’s mother.

One of the men answered, “She isn’t far, ma’am. You’ll see her soon.” His words were followed by a pounding at the door. As it opened, a large bear cloven stepped into the Keep. The room fell silent as a small voice called out, “Mama!”

“Bonnie!” Freva screamed, racing across the room to grab her daughter. Amid enraged cries from the Hollowsfolk, arrows thudded into the cloven. The six cried out and rushed forward. By the time they reached it, the beast lay still on the ground, surrounded by Hollowsfolk.

“Why?” one of the women choked out. “He did nothing!”

“It took the girl,” a Hollish man growled. “It’s a cloven. We don’t let cloven loose in the Hollows.”

The woman let out a strangled sob. “You’ve had seven cloven loose for weeks now.” She glared at him, then turned back to help her companions tend to the cloven’s wounds.

Nia Wingfeather’s voice rang out. “Nibbick Bunge, the girl is alive. You no longer have grounds to execute anyone. Remove the rope from my son’s neck.”

When Nibbick didn’t move, Nia’s glare sharpened. “Remove it now.”

Reluctantly, he complied. Kalmar collapsed to the ground, sobbing with exhaustion. Podo and Janner scrambled to their feet, embracing Nia and Kalmar as tightly as they could.

“You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Bunge,” Olumphia shouted. “You were ready to hang a daughter of the Hollows for a murder her son didn’t commit! You’re no more fit to be Keeper than that dead cloven.” The six muttered their dissent at her last several words.

“It was the cloven all along!” Guildmaster Clout exclaimed. “Nibbick Bunge is the only one here guilty of attempted murder.”

Amid shouts of agreement, a dazed Bunge cut Nia’s bonds and stumbled down the gallows steps. He sat beside his son and buried his face in his hands.

Nia stepped forward, addressing the assembly. “Hollowsfolk! From the moment my family set foot here, we’ve been met with suspicion and hatred. You are so proud of keeping Gnag and his armies at bay, yet he has defeated you as surely as he has defeated the Shining Isle.”

Her words hung heavy in the air. Liliyana rose from where she knelt, taking up the Queen’s speech.

“You wonder how this could be? Fear has poisoned your hearts, leaving you blind to anything but what your eyes can see.” She turned in a slow circle. “Your borders might stand strong, your Durgans might be fearsome, but fear has left your hearts twisted and broken.” She gestured to the lifeless cloven. “This is what fear has made of you.”

Nia nodded, continuing. “We came to you for refuge because we had nowhere else to go. Yet you were ready to hang us without seeking the truth. I tell you, today you’ve lost your love for truth and surrendered to fear.”

Her anger softened as Bonifer Squoon entered the Keep. “Wonderful speech, Your Highness,” he said, ignoring the six’s piercing glares. “Esabelle, Elysabeth, Liliyana, Kenric, Hadrian, Alexander. It’s been years.”

“Traitor,” one of the women hissed, her voice dripping with venom. Bonifer raised an eyebrow, undeterred.

“Yes, much has transpired since you left.” Nia ignored the Six. “And it was the cloven that took Bonnie.” Squoon snorted

  “Was it?” Bonifer was seized by a terrible laughing fit. “The cloven?”

“Yes, the cloven-and, if you’ll forgive me, I don’t see why that’s so funny.” Nia frowned slightly.

“It’s funny, Your Highness, because the poor cloven only happened to find the girl. It didn’t take her.”

“Who did?” The young Throne Warden asked. With a bow, Bonifer gave an answer that made the Wingfeather’s blood run cold.

“Me. Of course, I didn’t want her to die. That would have been far too cruel.” He cackled.

“Bonifer, explain yourself. What are you talking about?” Nia stared at him.

“I took the girl! I threw her into the cave after you were arrested!” The old man tapped his cane joyfully. “It was quite simple to convince the Hollowsfolk that the wolf boy had eaten her-if there’s one thing I know about them, it’s that Hollish people act before they think! It all worked splendidly, until the idiot decided to hang you both! You see, I needed you to be banished.” His grin widened with each word. “No matter, as I’ve worked it all out.” 

Nia’s frown deepened. “Bonifer, what are you talking about?”

He grinned wickedly. “I took the girl. I threw her into the cave after you were arrested. It was simple to convince the Hollowsfolk that the wolf boy had eaten her. Hollish people act before they think. It all worked perfectly until Bunge decided to hang you.”

“Bonifer…” Nia’s voice trembled with dread.

“General Swifter!” he called. A Grey Fang appeared behind him. “As promised, I’ve delivered the Green Hollows, the Jewels of Anniera, and the First Book to Gnag the Nameless.”

“Well done, Squoon,” the Fang said. “Get the Wingfeather children. We have no use for the adults.”

Before anyone could react, Liliyana and her companions sprang into action. The men shielded the Wingfeathers as the women attacked the Fangs in a storm of blades and fury. Despite their efforts, the six were quickly overpowered, but not before the Wingfeather children learned the truth about the cloven.

One by one, darkness slammed over each of the six's vision as they exchanged silent, comforting glances, their resolve unbroken.

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Please give feedback! Is everything good in regards to canon?