The only telephone in Robert’s house was in the kitchen, as far away from his father’s room as they’d been able to manage without it being out of earshot. The sudden noise tended to upset the older man – though their number often went blissfully unrung for weeks at a time when he was home. It was the unusualness of the event that caused Robert to spring from the phone when its trilling rung down the halls. He could feel the presence of his mom behind him as he listened intently to the events that had transpired; the lines of his face tightened with every detail until he was frowning thoughtfully. The only words that left his lips before he hung up the phone were “I will be ready in five minutes.”
As he rushed for his uniform he spared a glance for his mother, who followed him and was already preparing a selection of daggers for him to loop around his waist and chest. “The Princess was attacked a few minutes ago. The King is calling for a meeting of his privy council.” Jennifer Ward’s face, as always, remained a mask of impassivity. “Was her Highness harmed?” She asked, as if inquiring about the weather or the color of a bolt of fabric. Robert’s head shook to the negative and he saw her shoulders lower a bit in relief. The Ward family owed much to the Princess’ mother – and their loyalty had wholly transferred to her child upon the late Queen’s death.
He was ready earlier than five minutes and, as he stood in the entrance hall of his family’s small home he realized that he might very well be leaving for several weeks – that the King might determine it was necessary to send the Princess away, that he would be leaving without saying goodbye to his father. As any good mother might have been able to, Jennifer immediately grasped him by the shoulders. “There’s no time for goodbyes then. Your father will be fine. You will perform your duty as is required of you and the world shall spin on.” Robert had to agree, if only in action. “I will return if I can to bid a proper goodbye to him…and you.” Jennifer gave no response, only patted his shoulder once and turned to leave him to his thoughts. She’d been prepared, he knew, from the beginning to say goodbye to him forever one day. Such was the life of a royal guard and his family. Still, as the teleporter arrived and grasped Robert’s arm – the swirling disappearance of his family’s home caused a twinge in his chest.
The teleporter deposited him at the entrance to the King’s Privvy chambers. The knowledge that the Princess was unharmed soothed him – but only a little. Robert Ward was a loyal soldier in every way. He hadn’t wanted to take the vacation, he told himself. He’d disagreed, though understood the reasons that the King had believed it inappropriate for the female heir to spend more time than necessary with her exclusively male guards. And while he’d readily volunteered to stay on as a regular guard – Alarice had all but threatened to dismiss him in order to get him to leave the palace grounds. Now the absence of himself and Herbert had resulted in a close call. The guilt he felt seemed almost insurmountable.
It was only a matter of minutes, but it felt like forever before Herbert arrived with their mutual charge on his arm. Robert tried to remain calm as he bowed and began his profuse apologies to the Princess – for having failed her. These were promptly interrupted by Herbert (who rolled his eyes and began a quick debriefing of the situation) and the Princess (who sympathetically assured him she was perfectly well.)
“So…” Herbert ended, patting Robert’s slumped shoulder. “Do you think they’re going to can us?” When the remark was met with horrified looks from both Alarice and Robert, Herbert raised his hands defensively. “I’m pretty sure not. Geez. Relax.”
“Oh yes.” Retorted Robert, offering the Princess his arm as two attendants opened the doors to the King’s privy chambers and ushered them in. “An attack on the heir on the palace grounds and you believe relaxing is the appropriate response?”
King Orion’s private meeting rooms consisted of several connected chambers. At present, he was sitting at the head of a long table in one of the back most rooms. When they entered, the various occupants of the room rose and bowed before their future sovereign. The King then rose as well, indicating that the Princess should take her seat next to him. Robert bowed deeply, Herbert inclined his head as a sign of respect and the Princess curtseyed before she did as he asked. Seated around the table were several of the King’s private advisers, the elder members of the Lician court and several military heads. Standing around the room were their respective guards, and lesser military and court members – all of whom had received personal invitations from the King.
It seemed as if they had interrupted a heated discussion, Robert’s eyes scanned the red faces of several of the older military members – most of whom seemed quite angry at the court members.
“The audacity!” Shouted one older man, his double chin wobbling in his cravat. “To suggest that the palace guards are insufficient to ensure the safety of our…”
“The problem is, Lord Quoa that the guards HAVE proven to be insufficient today.”
“The most reasonable solution is to increase the number of guards on the palace grounds.”
“But such a thing may very well hinder their movement and prove in-efficient in the future.”
“I must inquire,” Began a middle-aged woman, whose hair had already begun to show sprinklings of white-blonde in her otherwise golden hair. “As to why the Princess was unguarded in the first place? Even the King has a private detail within the gates.”
Several heads turned towards Robert and Herbert, but where Robert might have begun to defer to the council’s better wisdom for an appropriate punishment – Herbert crossed his arms defiantly over his chest.
“If I may speak freely, your Majesty?”
“Please do, Mr. Dubhan.”
“It was this council and you – King Orion, who insisted that it would be inappropriate for the Princess to be on constant guard by this detail while she resided in the palace – due to it’s…gender construction.”
A few soft murmurings were his reply, the opinions apparently mixed. Some seemed to have conveniently forgotten the conversation had at the end of the last school year – where they had begun to express concerns for the chastity and honor of their heir should she continue to spend all of her alone time surrounded by two young men. The commentary had caused the Princess to fluster noticeably – which had only exacerbated matters. Others, particularly the military members of the council grumbled that they had not raised such concerns.
“It is clear.” Began Orion, immediately silencing the rest of the room, “That the Princess requires an increased guardship.” He held his hand up before Alarice could protest and she shut her parted lips respectfully. “At the very least – until she is crowned and most definitely while she attends Licia school. If this attack was perpetrated within the security of the Palace there is no telling what opportunities might be made available to imitators outside of it.”
“The Princess currently has a detail of four guards, in addition to young masters Robert and Herbert.” Began General Sewe – a man whom Robert recognized at once. “Yes.” Replied Herbert, rubbing his forehead as if speaking to children. “But the four men at our command are not allowed, due to decorum, to enter the Princess’s dorm or to touch her person unless Robert and I are unavailable. Perhaps if you would…see fit to loosen the restrictions that have kept the Princess’s guards three paces behind her.”
This statement caused another uproar among the starched collars of the courtiers.
“The Princess’s virtue…”
“Absolutely not! It is unheard of for a female heir to…”
“For men to be allowed access to…”
The protests went on for a minute, loud voices on either side of the argument grumbling their case. “Gentleman…” Interrupted one of the many standing guards in the room, calling enough attention that they ceased. “If I may, your majesty?” Orion nodded, while a courtier whispered the man’s identity into his ear. Robert didn’t hear it – it didn’t matter what the man had to say so long as he wasn’t contributing to the childish bickering. “You may, Mr. Russel Lindval.”
Suddenly it mattered.
“Why isn’t the Princess simply supplied with an additional female guard?” Orion’s head tilted, his hand propping it up as his elbow rested on the table. Robert’s gaze remained straight, but he could feel the edges of the man’s shape moving around his peripheral vision. The name Lindval had been burned into his consciousness years ago and he hadn’t realized how intensely until now. The exemplary young girl sitting in the barber’s chair…
“It is quite a deal more common now” He went on, “for Licia and Deamone to train females in combat. The Deamone Dowager Empress herself only accepts female guards.” “Handmaidens.” Supplied Herbert, looking a little less irritated than he had only a few seconds ago. “Handmaidens.” Confirmed the older Lician,
“I must concur with Mr. Lindval.” Robert said, offering him a short nod before returning his attention to the King. “A handmaiden is an ideal solution to the matter of maintaining the Princess’ security along with her…honor.” He concluded, remembering the last time the matter of her virtue had come up with her in the room with a shudder. “And what Deamone lady would you suggest protect our heir?” Orion inquired, to no one in particular.
“None.” Herbert replied. “Handmaidens are only trained to work with other handmaidens, in groups. Even if you could find someone capable of overlooking that tenant, there is the matter of assuring their willingness to work with a Lician partner.” Robert followed his partner’s train of thought. “The handmaiden in question must be Lician, then – Mr. Dubhan?” To which Herbert answered by touching the tip of his finger to his nose. “One, preferably, who is free to accompany the Princess both as a companion here at court and at Licia school. Perhaps near of age to the heir herself.” Finished General Sewe.
“Excellent suggestions, gentleman.” Orion finally spoke, a light smile playing on his lips. “It would then please us to arrange for interviews and inspection of suitable candidates…”
“With all due respect, your Majesty.” Robert said, clearing his throat as he wondered whether he really wanted to say what he was about to say. “I do not believe that will be necessary. With her father’s permission…I would like to nominate former Cadet, Eirian Lindval for the position.”
Robert struggled to ignore the soft chuckle Herbert made then, before seconding his recommendation. “I agree with my partner. If the lady’s father does not object- Miss. Lindval would be an excellent candidate for any position Mr. Ward suggests for her. I’m well aware of the lady’s qualifications and believe she would make an excellent companion and guard for her Highness.”
“Princess?” Asked Orion, of the young woman seated at his right-hand side, who had as of yet said not a word. Robert noted with pride the way that her shoulders and pose remained straight and risen as all eyes turned to her. “Miss. Lindval is held in high esteem by Mr. Ward. I too, am aware of her excellent standing both in the Academy and the high regard in which Licia school’s headmistress holds her. With Mr. Lindval’s permission – I would be most glad if the court were to offer the position to the young lady.”
“I’m quite convinced then.” The Lician King murmured, looking intently at Russel Lindval as he spoke. “Mr. Lindval, this court asks your permission to present the position of the Princess Alarice’s Handmaiden to your daughter, Miss. Eirian Lindval.”
“Of course, your Majesty. I am sure my daughter would be honored by the offer.”
“Perhaps,” Interrupted the Princess, glancing conspiratorially at Herbert before continuing. “Mr. Ward could present the offer to Miss. Lindval himself, along with her father? As her former mentor and potential future partner I believe he would be ideally suited to the task. Wouldn’t you agree, Robert?”
“If it pleases the court, highness.” Robert said, feeling a rush of heat throughout his body and settling uncomfortably in his hands.
“The matter is settled then! Mr. Lindval, please escort Mr. Ward to your residence where he will present this court’s offer to your daughter. We shall reconvene tomorrow morning with the lady’s decision in place and an interview taking place if she consents. After all, recommendations aside we cannot have an untested guard in place. Now then, if you’ll excuse me – there are other matters that require my attendance.” As Orion stood, the rest of the room did with him – their backs turned away from him until he was gone before the older men and women began to file out of the room themselves. Only Robert, Herbert, Russel Lindval (who received a pat on the shoulder from General Sewe) and the Princess remained.
Alarice, already holding onto Herbert’s arm smiled at the two Lician men remaining. “I shall look forward to meeting your daughter, Mr. Lindval. Her reputation among my guardship is…very impressive. Please, excuse me. Robert – I shall see you again when you return. Good day gentlemen.” And with that she too – glided out of the room accompanied by a guard (which soothed Robert’s concerns for her safety greatly.)
Now alone, Robert bowed his head respectfully towards his elder. “Forgive me Sir, if my recommendation was impertinent. I fully believe E..your daughter will be perfect for this position. But perhaps it was not my place for me to recommend her. She is…so young.”
Of course, it had been three years – Robert’s brain reminded him. By the time he and Mr. Lindval arrived at his home (and after its position relegated him to mind-numbing shock) he realized just how much Eirian Lindval had grown.