The Guardians: Book One of the Restoration Series (17 page)

The room was dimly lit, and an intoxicating smoke filled the air. Red cloth covered benches and chairs were scattered around the room. There were several men, and a large number of scantily clad women. The music was coming from the corner, where several men were playing instruments. A voluptuous blond girl was dancing completely nude in front of the musicians. A bar lined the wall to Flare’s left, and men and women sat on stools in front of it.

Flare was extremely aroused by the dance the nude girl was performing, but it was rather embarrassing.

“Flare. Here's a potion that I got at the apothecary. It should protect you.” Enton said.

“Protect me from what?” Flare asked.

Enton smiled, “Trust me. Take it. Tomorrow, you and I need to talk about some things.”

Flare sniffed the potion briefly and then drank it despite the horrible taste.

Enton and Atock wandered away, and Flare found
himself
all alone.

He walked over toward the bar, and found himself sitting next to a young lady. She had short sandy-blond hair, and a long lean body. Her skin was smooth, and she had a small perfectly shaped mouth. Her breasts were not as large as most of the women in the room, but they were by no means small. She was a very attractive woman.

Flare looked her in the eye, and was embarrassed to see that she had been observing him observing her. He could feel the heat rising in his face, and judging by her smile, she could see it too.

“Do you like what you see?” She asked with a wicked grin.

“Yes. You’re very beautiful.” He was so nervous; he couldn’t hold eye contact with her. “What’s your name?”

“Lalonna.
What’s yours?”

“Flaranthlas, but you can call me Flare.”

“Well, Flare. Want to go upstairs?” She asked, placing her hand on his.

“Upstairs?”

She smiled, devilishly. “Yes. There's where I normally conduct business.”

That did not sound too good to Flare. The word business just seemed wrong. “Thanks, but no. I'll just wait on my friends.”

Lalonna was surprised, “Are you sure?”

Flare swallowed hard, “Yes. Thank you.” He turned away, his heart pounding in his ears.

Flare left the brothel and waited for Atock and Enton outside the front door. He had meant to stay inside, but after the third woman had propositioned him, he felt it was time to go.

Less than ten minutes later, Atock emerged from the front door. He saw Flare and smiled, “You weren't in there for very long. You know, where I come from, the men have been known to last an hour and a half making love.” Atock said with a lopsided impish grin.

Flare returned the grin, no reason to mention that he hadn't gone upstairs. “Atock, if the men of Entucca last so long, then why did you come out after only ten minutes?”

Atock smiled, “It’s been a long time.”

Chapter 8

It was a somewhat hung over and sick group of soldiers that assembled in front of their barrack after their leave was complete. Flare was swaying back and forth, attempting to maintain formation. Sergeant Danlion stood before the squad, smiling. “I see you enjoyed your liberty.”

The sergeant’s tone was irritating; his amusement of their situation was obvious. Flare fought back the urge to vomit and closed his eyes.

“I wish to explain the next six months of your training.” Sergeant Danlion said. “Now that the squad training is complete, your squad will practice with the other squads in regiment and division drill. You will spend two days a week practicing military combat maneuvers.”

Sergeant Danlion paced back and forth in front, “The drill is only a small part of your training. You will accompany the regular army units as they perform their assigned duties. You will assist them in their guard duties, and join them on their patrol routes. But make no mistake, they will be in charge. You will follow their orders, and without question.” He paused, “Any questions?” Several soldiers swayed back and forth, and most were pale. Sergeant Danlion shook his head in disgust. “Kara, see what you can do for them, they have a long day ahead, and I don't want to be embarrassed.”

“Yes Sergeant.” Kara answered.

Flare winced, judging by the sound of her voice, she wasn't sick at all. 'I guess she doesn't drink,' he thought.

Flare was waiting patiently for Kara to reach him with a god awful smelling concoction, when Sergeant Danlion addressed the squad again. “You will report to Sergeant Latts immediately. He will make sure that you are familiar with the layout of the castle, because you begin assisting the guards tonight.” The sergeant moved closer to Flare. “I want you take the squad to Sergeant Latts.” He stopped talking and looked down the line of soldiers. Kara was slowly working her way down the line, giving those that were sick the concoction to drink. Whatever it was, it seemed to be helping, but the soldiers still looked queasy. “On second thought, take the squad through the kitchens. Make sure they each eat something.”

“Yes sir!” Flare said, desperately trying not to think about eating.

They spent the rest of the day in the castle, becoming familiar with its layout and their required duties. Strict rules of behavior were explained to them and Sergeant Latts, who was a pleasant old soldier, explained that no breaches of etiquette would be allowed.

Late that evening, each member was assigned a different location to stand guard. Flare was the last to be assigned a location. The sergeant led him through the nicer parts of the palace until they entered a large anteroom. Several chairs and couches were against the walls, and a large thick rug covered the floor in the center of the room. The room was well lit by lamps placed in the corners. On the far wall, a guard stood at attention beside another door. The guard stood straighter when they entered the room.

“Flare, this is the room of Princess Elizabeth, so please be on your best behavior.”

Flare's mouth dropped open. “This is the princess' room,” he asked, surprised.

“This is the princess' anteroom. Visitors wait here for an audience with her. Her rooms are through that doorway,” he said pointing to the door, “and are much nicer.”

“Soldier, you're relieved,” Sergeant Latts said, and exchanged salutes with the soldier.

“Excuse me,” Flare said, without thinking, “Is the princess already in bed?”

The soldier stopped, “No, she had dinner with the king, and is probably still there. Uh, and besides, Princess Elizabeth sometimes takes her time returning to her room,” the soldier said, looking uncomfortable.

Sergeant Latts motioned toward the door, “It's pretty simple. Just stand there and don't let anyone through. If anyone wants to speak with the princess, just open the door and notify one of her servants. They'll let you know her answer.” The sergeant ran a hand through his hair, “Shouldn't be anyone trying to see the princess this late at night, anyway.” He considered Flare for a moment, “the Lieutenant might look in on you tonight.”

Was that a warning? Flare wondered.

“Any questions?”
The Sergeant asked.

“Uh, no sergeant,” he said slowly.

Sergeant Latts nodded, “I'll leave you then. I have to report the duty assignments.”

Flare had been standing guard for about thirty minutes, shifting from foot to foot, when the princess entered the anteroom.

King Darion had three daughters, and Princess Elizabeth was the middle one. She was eighteen years old, blond and beautiful. Her blond hair had just a touch of brown. Her eyes were blue, and she had smooth tanned skin. She had high cheek bones and full lips, and Flare was surprised that she was only eighteen. Her body had already developed the curves that attracted men, and perhaps she was just slightly over-developed.

Flare snapped to attention. She paused in front of him, and tilted her head slightly to one side. She moved closer, and he became uncomfortably aware of just how low cut her dress was. “What’s your name?”

“Flaranthlas.”
His mouth was suddenly dry.

Princess Elizabeth ran her hand up to the right side of his head, touching his ear. “You look like an elf, but yet you don’t.”

“I’m half elven.” Flare said.

She grinned wickedly, walking through the door. “I’ve never had an elf before.” She paused, “I mean I've never met an elf before.” Her grin deepened.

The door closed behind her, and Flare shoulders slumped. What in the name of the abyss had she meant by that? He took a deep breath. The thoughts that swirled through his mind seemed awfully inappropriate.

The princess had only been in her room for several moments, when the door to the hallway opened, and Sergeant Latts and another guard entered.

The surprise was evident on Flare's face, “Sergeant. Is something wrong?”

“No. Nothing’s wrong, but I have to change the guard assignments. I need you to come with me, and Balandon will guard Princess Elizabeth.”

Flare hesitated just a moment, “Yes sir.”

Walking through the halls, a suspicion began to grow in Flare’s thoughts, until he got the nerve to speak.
“Sergeant.
Why
were
the guard assignments changed?”

Sergeant Latts glanced at him, “It’s nothing to worry about. It happens all the time.”

“Am I the reason?”

The sergeant stopped. He sighed, but didn't say anything.

“The king didn’t want me guarding his daughter, did he?” Flare asked.

“When I reported the guard assignments to the Lieutenant, he ordered me to change them.”

“Does the king think that I would take advantage of one of his daughters? I swear to you that I would never do that.”

Sergeant Latts smiled, “Flare, it's nothing like that. A lot of the king’s councilors don’t like you. If anything happens to one of the princesses, you would be held more accountable than a typical guard.”

Flare’s ill mood eased at these words, a little, but he was still disgusted with the whole situation. He was striving to be accepted, but in Telur, as it had been in Solistine, he was not being judged on his actions. He was being judged on people’s perception of him. When he arrived, it had made him mad, but now the anger was fading and a depressing resignation was starting to settle in.

Flare spoke in a quiet but forceful voice. “I have done everything asked of me. I have sworn my loyalty to King Darion. So why am I doubted?”

Sergeant Latts watched as the emotions played across Flare’s face. “The king doesn’t doubt your loyalty or your abilities.” He paused, leaning against the wall. “There is something else I should tell you.” He paused, taking a deep breath. “I’m ordering you not to repeat this, but the king’s daughters are rumored to be well versed in the ways of the world.”

Confusion wrinkled Flare's forehead. What did that mean?

“Supposedly, they have shared the beds with their guards on occasion, and they are very vindictive. I have heard that they ruined the careers of several bright young soldiers. I believe that the king is trying to protect you from a similar fate. All it would take to ruin you would be a rumor about you and a princess.” The sergeant was talking slowly, “But if you’re not assigned to guard any of the princesses’, you can not be implicated in any wrongdoing with them. Do you understand that this is in your best interest?”

“Yes sir.” Flare said quietly, looking a little sullen. “Well, what will I be guarding tonight?
The stables or the kitchen?”

Sergeant Latts chuckled, and slapped Flare on the shoulder, leading them down the hallway again. “Actually, Flare, I have a much more interesting assignment for you. I’m going to assign you to the kings’ magician. Her name is Cassandra MonDarbi.”

“Cassandra,” Flare repeated with just a touch of awe in his voice. The anger at being removed from the princess' anteroom was quickly replaced with a surge of excitement and interest.

“Cassandra doesn't normally have a guard on her quarters and who can blame her? I mean, who would enter a magic-user's room without permission?”

Surprised, Flare asked, “Well, then why am I guarding her tonight?”

The sergeant didn't seem to notice the interruption, “I'm not sure why, but on occasion she requests that a guard be posted in her room.”

With excitement mounting, Flare followed the sergeant to the northeast corner of the palace. The chambers of the magician were located in a tower that was in an empty part of the castle. Maybe the nobles didn't like having a magician as a neighbor.

Cassandra was stunning. She was simply the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She had long black hair, and smooth tan skin. She was tall, had a slim waist, and was wearing a tight ankle length red dress. By far the most intoxicating thing was her eyes. They were a magnetic deep grey. Her eyes seemed to catch him and hold him in their depths.

The sergeant introduced them, and Flare mumbled a greeting. Cassandra smiled at his stumbling, and he realized with horror, that he was blushing.