The Bodyguard
#1 of The Bodyguard
"Lord Nightmare!" Bellows Blade, the Captain of the Guard. A large, bulky man in his mid forties. "I do not doubt your abilities to defend yourself but-"
"Then why are you so determined to give me a bodyguard. I don't want someone looking over my shoulder every second of the day and night." Lord Alexander "Nightmare" of Bell County was a short muscled man, well trained with sword, shield, crossbow, spear and lance. His light hair is cut close to his scalp, his eyes are a bright blue. His clothes, while of fine quality, are more practical than fashionable.
"Even the best of us cannot be on guard every hour of every day."
"I don't see the need for me to have a bodyguard."
"You've come into the King's favour, you have knowledge of our army, you can get close to the King if they forced you. This is not a discussion, my Lord. You are being assigned a bodyguard."
Lord Nightmare met the gaze of Captain Blade and held it. After less than a minute he looked away first, Captain Blade's dull grey eyes seemed bottomless. With a grimace he offered a compromise. "I get to chose him."
"Fine by me, as long as he's good enough. You have someone in mind?" Lord Nightmare's lips twitched in a smile. "Yes I do. He worked for my father. He taught me and my cousins to fight with a sword and shoot a bow. He was retired but I expect he'll do it."
"You want an old man to act as your bodyguard?" Blade asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I'll bet he could still show you a thing or two, he's not that old. When he'd earned his freedom he said he wanted a quieter life but he'd still be happy to serve my father's family from time to time."
"Earned his freedom? He was a slave?"
"Sort of. He never considered himself a slave. He was picky about his owners. If he didn't like them he just ran off. He said my father was a fair man and he liked him enough to stick around. Joined us about the time I was born, raised me as much as my parents did."
"Remember we are fighting against the Witches' State." Blade reminded him but Nightmare already had an answer ready.
"He's defended my father against witches before. He knows what he's doing and he's probably a hell of a lot better than anybody you could give me."
"Ok fine. I'll arrange for a messenger to be sent. When he arrives bring him to me on the training grounds so I can test him."
"I assume since you're making me gat one you'll be paying him?"
"No, your man your expense." Blade bared his teeth in a grin, "I trust you can afford one?" Nightmare was known not to be among the richer lords and was considered a low bred nobleman.
"The best things can't be bought with money." He answered with a smile.
***
It took almost three weeks for Nightmare's bodyguard to get to the castle. He lived on the edge of Gaia's forest right on the border of the Kingdom. His eventual arrive caused an uproar at court.
Blade, Nightmare and several guards stood around the training grounds awaiting the arrival of this mysterious great warrior. He's arrived at the castle and Nightmare had directed him to take his things to his chambers and grab a bite to eat before making his way down to the training grounds.
It wasn't long after Nightmare's announcement that he arrived and everyone waiting froze in shock. Before them all stood a tall Anthro wolf. His fur looked black but when caught in the rays of sun was shown to be a dark brown. Grey was slowly encroaching the fur around his muzzle. His eyes were a shiny gold. He was dressed in simple workman's clothes and leather boots, upon close inspection it's obvious that's they're expensive and good quality.
Hanging on his left hip was an unusual curved sword with a two handed grip wrapped in deep sapphire, it had a simple, round, polished steel cross guard. Its sheath shone like sapphire.
Anthros were a race created centuries before in the Witches' State. In the Kingdom of Deus they were considered little more than animals and treated so. They were considered too intelligent to be left in the wild so they were taken as slaves, to be pets or workers. Some owners thought that the Anthros should be given the chance to earn their freedom like human slaves could and eventually Freed Anthros were recognised by the King. An Anthro's life span was usually between that of his animal counterpart and a human's.
Blade spun to face Nightmare. "A bloody Anthro?! What the hell are you playing at? They're from the Witches' State and you want one of them to watch your back?"
"He was born in the kingdom and so was his father. He has no loyalty to the Witches' State."
Blade turned back to the wolf, who at this point stood waiting in front of them. "What's your name?"
"My given name is Dark Wolf, for my dark fur. Feel free to us either to address me. And you are?"
"The Captain of the guard and you should give me the respect due." Blade paused waiting for some acknowledgement. When it didn't come he begrudgingly continued. "Lord Nightmare here has graciously offered you the position of his bodyguard. Before I can allow that I must make sure you are capable. Let's see if you can use that fancy sword of yours."
Blade drew his simple broadsword and swung at Dark Wolf without giving him any sort of warning. Rather than go for his own sword he stepped towards Blade and trapped his forearm against his ribs at the same time grabbing Blade by the throat.
Blade froze, the feeling of the sharp claws a big incentive not to move. "If you wish this to be accurate by attacking without warning, which I'm sure is against your Knight's code, than shall I return the favour by inflicting crippling of fatal injuries? You've seen I can react fast to a surprise attack now I suggest you stick to the rules of good conduct for your own safety."
"Is that a threat?"
With a lick of his lips Dark Wolf answered, "Yes."
He released Blade and backed off drawing his sword. The narrow, curved blade was covered in runes unknown to any of the onlookers. Blade attacked Dark Wolf again. At first Dark Wolf merely defended himself but his muscles quickly remembered the routine. Soon he was countering every strike of Blade's.
He soon proved that, despite his advancing age, he was more than a match for the Castle's best. With a fast swipe he battered Blade's sword from his hand. Blade was soaked in sweat while Dark Wolf was barely even out of breath. It was the third time in a row he beat Blade, Blade had only won the first bout probably only because Dark Wolf was out of practice.
"You are truly skilled Captain. Were I not trained to fight those with inhuman strength or speed the results would have been different." With his left hand Dark Wolf picked up Blade's sword and offered it back to him. He took it with a smile. "I've met only three people I could not beat with a sword. One of them is Lord Nightmare, I believe you trained him?"
Dark Wolf turned to Nightmare who was waiting out of earshot. "Indeed I did. He was my best student and a true pleasure to teach. He's more skilled than I am and he had plenty of practise against my speed and strength. I have to push myself to beat him and even then it's not a sure thing."
"It's a nice feeling when students pass us isn't it?"
"Ha! I suppose. Can't let them know that though."
"No we can't" Blade agreed. He was warming up to the wolf. "Tell me, who are you loyal to?"
"Lord Nightmare and his loyalties."
"He says you have experience with magic?"
Dark Wolf reached under his shirt and pulled out a silver star, the sign of the god Deus. "This was blessed by a powerful holy man. It shields me from magic."
"That's your mysterious defence?"
"That's the part I'm willing to give up."
"Are you a warlock?" Blade asked suspiciously.
"I am not. Living around Gaia's forest gives me plenty of experience of magic and surviving against it."
"What do you mean?"
"You know that the forest is a magical hub right?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about. I just assumed things from the Witches' State lived there."
"The things there are to the witches what they are to us. But after living there long enough I noticed a few things about them. They have weaknesses the witches don't."
This got the old soldier's attention. "Oh? Like what?"
"The balance of the world demands I say nothing."
"You sound like a priest."
"Gaia is..." Dark Wolf threw up his arms. "If I explain it you'll be offended because your religion disagrees."
"I'm not that uptight about it. I'll listen, but another time."
"As you wish. How much more is there to do here? I want to settle in."
"Yes of course."
At this point Nightmare had approached them. He was pleased to see the two getting along now. "Lord Nightmare will explain your duties to you. You must come down and see me on the training grounds again. I'm eager to have another go at you."
"I'll do that."
Nightmare took Dark wolf around the castle pointing out the kitchens, guard rooms, armoury, great hall and finally the living quarters. Nightmare's quarters were in with the important nobles and only one floor away from the royal quarters. On the trip Dark wolf noticed several other Anthros working in the castle. Every one wore a collar to mark them as slaves.
Nightmare's quarters had four rooms, a public room, Nightmare's bed chamber, a private study and a small room for Dark Wolf. The public room was warm a cosy. A Large fireplace dominated one wall, above it hung a large broadsword with a gold pommel and cross guard, black leather wrapped hand and a half grip and a deep, dark orange glass sheath. A large window took up the outer wall and tapestries hung on the others. A thick rug covered the floor. Three comfortable armchairs sat before the fire. A cabinet against one wall held drinks.
The private study was lined with bookshelves and a large writing desk. It was mostly untouched. "You can use it if you want. I never do." Nightmare had said. Dark Wolf's room was small and plain, only a bed, chest and cabinet.
"It'll do." Said Dark Wolf after Nightmare offered to provide more comforts. "I'm used to worse on my travels. You don't wear the sword I gave you?" Dark Wolf turned back to the main room and dropped into one of the chairs and leant his sword against the arm. Nightmare joined him and passed Dark Wolf a glass of wine.
"Not often. It seems too fancy a sword for the day to day tasks. I wear it to functions and big battles. What travels?"
"Since I retired from your father's service I've been travelling around a lot and doing research. Without it I'd not be in good enough condition to serve you now."
"Been anywhere interesting?"
"Oh yes. How much do you know about the other kingdoms?"
"They use magic, most people call it evil."
"It isn't. On our eastern border is the Witches' State. Most people in the Kingdom consider magic and witches to be servants of the devil. They believe we are ignorant people that serve a demon posing as a god. Neither is true. Magic is just part of the world and neither good or evil. Deus... Deus does not act like a demon would so I believe that assumption is wrong. Those misconceptions are the basis for the war between our two lands."
Nightmare thought about it for a minute. "They don't believe in gods?"
"They do but not like you do. To them a god is a force of nature that governs some aspect of the world. Take Gaia, Gaia is the spirit of the world. She keeps nature in balance and feeds life into the natural world. Gaia's forest is one of the spots in the world where that life energy wells up in excess. It leads to... unusual things. Plants and animals that are gifted with magical abilities.
"Deus however, is a god of people. He feeds his energy into Faith which is channelled by priests or holy ground or objects. He only has influence in our world through people. Also, gods are not created. I don't know where Deus came from and I can't find any ancient records about him."
"So our god isn't real?" Nightmare look slightly worried at this.
"He is there, I can't deny that he exists and to all appearances he's a god I just can't explain it. Neither can the witches, which is why they don't like us. We do have power because of Deus, it scares them.
"And to our north is the sea, a short distance across the sea is a land of technology. I haven't been there much. They're society is built on Alchemy, a mixture of science and magic. I was looking forward to a trip there before you summoned me. I know little about their alchemy and want to learn more."
"Sorry about that then."
"Don't be. I have plenty of time to go later."
"I didn't want a body guard. They insisted and I didn't want someone I didn't know to be around me that much."
"I can understand that. I don't mind. It's been too long since we've been together anyway. And it's a chance of pace from my own private life. The war might test me better than I could anyway."
"Test you?"
"Yes. You remember me dabbling in magic when I served your father?"
"Yes."
"Well while your father allowed it I couldn't do much there. He didn't have the resources I needed. I've since been in the Witches' State and learned a lot more. I can make much more powerful talismans now. While I'm here I can refine the shield amulet you have."
Nightmare pulled out a star that was the twin of the one Dark Wolf wore. "I've almost never had to use it. Only one witch ever got close enough. It wasn't even a killing curse, just tried to knock me off the horse. Only felt like a strong breeze thanks to this thing."
"I can make it much more efficient. It'll change more energy into light so you feel less force. That'll be useful in a war with witches."
"I'm sure. Will you consider making some for the other nobles?"
"Most have no tolerance of any magic."
"What about just the king and prince? We could pass it off as a gift of some kind."
"I'll consider it. You seem fond of the king and prince."
Nightmare finished off his wine and got up to re fill their glasses. "Any mead?" Asked Dark Wolf hopefully. "Sorry I don't keep it. I'll have some bought tomorrow." Nightmare dropped back into the chair and passed Dark Wolf's glass back.
"I like the king. He's a good man. The prince too and he seems to like me. I'm one of the youngest nobles here at the castle and he chose me as a friend. I have the favour of both the king and prince, it's nice. I have a good position in court here. You have a good position yourself. You'll be privy to all the goings on of the court. If the war escalates any further you'll be in the thick of it."
"Bah! Like I want all that stress at my age. I'm here to keep you alive and not to get involved in politics."
"You'd be good at it." Nightmare assured him with a smile. "You like arguing."
"Shut it. I have reasons to avoid power like that."
"Whatever, I don't blame you really." Nightmare downed his drink and stood up. "If you'll excuse me, there're meetings with dukes and other nobles about how much they can commit to the war. You'll be with me so I suggest you get some sleep too."
Dark Wolf stood as well. "As you wish... my lord. That'll take some getting used to. Good night Alex."
"Night Wolfy"
Each retired to his chambers. In his small room Dark Wolf slowly undressed. His body was covered in the same dark fur and lean muscle. Besides the Silver Star around his neck he wore a bracelet on each wrist. Both were talismans to channel magic. He removed each one and put them on top of the chest at the foot of the bed before laying the sword within easy reach and climbing in.
He was asleep in seconds.