The Guardian

yay another chapter, I hope you like it!



“What’s your name guardian?”

They walked through the woods calmly side by side. They were a strange looking pair, a tattered noble and badly weathered guardian. She was amazed that her father hadn’t found her yet since the sun had risen into the sky and they hadn’t yet reached the road. Syah didn’t remember running for so long, but perhaps she had covered more ground than she had thought.

“My mother called me Thane, my first noble called me Xoar, and the military gave me the name Koda.”

She smiled as they broke past the trees and found themselves on a road again. She was thankful he knew the area better than she did.

“My name is Syah, you may call me simply that if you wish. What shall I call you?”

He cocked his head strangely at her as they walked.

“I always liked my birth name but you may call me as you wish little noble.”

No sooner had he finished his sentence did he freeze and take in a long drawn breath. Syah stopped and looked at him strangely as his brow furrowed.

“Syah come away from him.”

Not ten feet before them stood Colar, his ears and tail present and his fangs and claws glinting in the sunlight. He was positioned tensely, ready to spring if needed. Beside her a low growl rolled out of Thane’s throat.

“I’ll do as I please Colar, it isn’t your place to command me.”

He took a step to the side cautiously, perhaps trying to reposition himself in a more convenient angle.

“I beg of you my Lady, death lingers around him. Whatever lies he has told you are only to draw you in.”

Thane’s growl lowered to his chest as his wolf ears grew and his fangs extended. This was bad. If the guardians were to fight she was sure her father would have Thane killed and all her hopes would be lost.

“Colar, I command you to stop this.”

Panic was rising in him, she could tell. If he was to disobey her he would be punished by her lack of respect for him. But if he were to obey, her father would punish him just as harshly. Obediently he retracted his claws and fangs and held his ground.

“I beg of you, come away from him.”

Syah smiled and decided on an act that would drive her decision home. She extended her hand to Colar, palm up, her fingers spread wide as she stepped towards him. Thane growled as a result but a simple motion of her free hand silenced him.

“I give you one final command Colar. I want you to slice my hand.”

The guardian flinched, well aware of her intentions as he drew a knife, unable to disobey. The cut hurt more than Syah had wanted it to as he drew the blade smoothly over the length of her palm. Fresh blood sprang forth easily as she turned her back on Colar and presented her bleeding palm to Thane.

“You were the guardian of a noble once before were you not?”

Thane nodded, unable to pull his gaze from her palm. She knew the appeal of her blood to him. All guardians were drawn to the blood of humans, however it was only considered a valuable bonding element and nothing more.

“Then you understand.”

He barely paused before taking up her hand, bringing it slowly to his warm tongue. She could almost hear Colar flinch behind her as Thane licked the blood away from her palm, his saliva healing the cut almost instantly at the cost of a pale scar. A chill ran through her, very much like the one she remembered when Colar had performed the same act only on the tip of her index finger when she was five summers old.

“I release you of your duties Colar, you may have tasted my blood but you were always my father’s guardian, not mine. I take up Thane as my new guardian.”

She turned to face Colar again who had gone very pale and shivered as though cold.

“I can only obey your words my Lady. Your father awaits you not far from here. He has searched for you all night. Do you wish to go to him?”

She nodded as Thane released her hand reluctantly. Colar turned to lead, seemingly broken and in shock. It was no surprise. Guardians were usually more sensitive to bonds than common humans were. She had been cruel in allowing Thane to bond to her while Colar was still attached to her but her father would have never removed him on his own, she knew she had no choice but to sever him by bonding Thane. Only a short distance up the dirt path her father’s men came into view, and eventually, her father, who galloped to her as soon as he saw her coming. Anger was apparent on his face, but true temper didn’t arise until he laid eyes on Thane. He dismounted as Syah’s hand searched for Thane’s. Perhaps she would draw a little strength from him.

“I throw a feast for you, announce your marriage to a suitable man and you leave without eating a single bite and force me to search for you through the night!”

Rage could only be met with rage.

“You throw a feast for me that I never wanted, announce my marriage to a man I will never love and become so sick and afraid of my fate that I am forced to run as far as I can, allowing you to decide to search for me or leave me for dead. I’ve had much time think about my future father, and I don’t think Sir Jerold is going to be a part of it.”

Her father laughed at her small speech, gesturing towards Thane.

“Do you plan to take this guardian to wed? You know it is a sin, and what of your poor mother? I think you’ve had a traumatic experience. Come home and sleep, I will keep Colar by your side if you should need anything and we can discuss things further afterwards.”

Syah thrusted her hand forward, displaying her newly made scar, a pale white mark that can only be created in one way.

“As you can see father I’ve made my decisions already and I feel that I am thinking clearer than ever. You can keep Colar, he’s always been your guardian, never mine.”

Everything happened at once then. Her father stepped forward briskly, his hand pulled back to strike her. A vicious snarl ripped out of Thane who stepped forward to shield her protectively. And Colar sprang to her father’s side, teeth and claws ready to draw blood from the enemy. She was amazed at how quickly the guardians reacted, and how simply she called Thane away. She had barely touched his shoulder when his snarl dropped to a rumble in his throat and his once tense body relaxed if only slightly.

“I refuse to be controlled any longer father. I will not be a pawn and I will not be property. As you said, we have many things to discuss, but perhaps our estate is a more appropriate setting.”

Angrily he shoved Colar away, knocking the guardian from his battle stance into a submissive kitten and motioned for one of his mounted men to relinquish his horse. Thane helped her mount the animal as he took up the reigns. She realized they weren’t far from the estate then and was thankful for the short time to gather her thoughts before they were all going to be forced into the hall for a hopefully civil discussion. She doubted it would be but she could hope. Her father’s men surrounded her as they traveled, her father taking up the head of their small caravan forcing her to stare at his tense back. She had to gather her thoughts before they reached the council. If she was presented to them unprepared it could turn for the worse. She reviewed her behavior over the past 24 hours. She had left her home and stayed in the forest for an entire night. She had bonded herself to a new guardian before severing from Colar. And she had refused her father’s request that she marry. All in all she was going to have to present a strong argument. She gazed down at Thane, he was filthy. She hadn’t noticed before but in the sunlight his skin looked marred with earth and scars. She was impressed with the roll of muscles under his skin. It was then that she realized what she had to do, her only hope for escape. Had she not tried to kill herself she would have lived a quiet life like her mother. But she had tried and now she had no choice but to take all or nothing. If she challenged her father for the estate versus marrying her off she would have the smallest chance to win when presented to the council. She was the only heir to their house, and it could be considered irresponsible for her father to marry off the only rightful heir to their house. If she leaves, the house will die with her father and the land will be up for grabs and in turmoil for the next rightful leader. She could prevent that. Her plan was unorthodox, but probable. Women usually didn’t control noble houses unless there was no other choice, and if she angled her plans towards the betterment of their territory and the citizens in it she could win.

“Are you alright?”

Syah blushed as Thane stared up at her worriedly. She had been staring at him without realizing it as her mind ran rampant. They were approaching the waiting gate of the estate and panic began to rest coldly in the pit of her stomach.

“I’m fine.”

She must have gone pale because Thane’s brow furrowed further as his knuckles turned white on the reigns. They passed through the gates and armed men met them at the entrance of the estate to take their horses to the stables. Her father stared angrily as Thane helped her from her horse. She was amazed at how comfortable he was to take her about the waist and set her down as though she was weightless.

“Nathanial, call the council, I want to present to them immediately.”

Her father only stayed to glare at her a moment longer before turning and walking inside. She took a long drawn breath. He wasn’t going to give her a chance to prepare herself; he knows she’s grasping at straws. She hopes that removing Thane is his sole target; if he’s thought beyond him then she could be in trouble. If she can catch him by surprise perhaps she could out maneuver him. He never was good at thinking on his feet. Syah took Thane’s hand and ascended the stairs two by two. She knew she was practically running but she had to clean herself up before she faced the council. By the time she reached her room she was panting, Thane, however, seemed rather unaffected. She quickly closed the door behind her and turned Thane around until his back was to the room.

“Don’t move, I have to change clothes.”

She was mildly concerned with Thane seeing her change but had little time to figure out how to deal with him. She put him out of her mind as she slid out of her ruined dress and rummaged for another one. She left the silk slip on, it wasn’t tattered or dirty, perhaps it could be saved with a good cleaning. She quickly selected a simple purple cotton dress and pulled it on as she moved to the mirror. Her hands were shaking, making it hard to pull the sticks and thorns from her hair. She tried to brush her hair out with her fingers but it wasn’t helpful. She still looked horrible; she winced as a thorn dragged across the tip of her finger. It was then that Thane appeared in the mirror, his fingers moving deftly through her hair, removing what she had failed to catch. Syah exhaled a long, shaky breath as Thane stared at her strongly.

“You’re planning something larger than just saving me.”

She met his powerful gaze as his fingers left her.

“I have no other choice but to challenge him. Either I only challenge him for you, and he finds some way to eradicate you, or I challenge him for everything and destroy him.”

She watched him carefully, wanting to read his reaction and gauge just how dedicated he was going to be to her cause. If she was doing this solely for him he would be more apt to stay. If he had ran away once he could do it again. He grinned, almost evilly at her.

“You believe you can challenge him?”

She blinked at him and nodded slightly.

“Then stop shaking and breathe.”

His hand found hers and clasped it tightly forcing it to stop its annoying shivering as she inhaled deeply. She hadn’t realized she was holding her breath; perhaps Thane would be more useful than she had originally hoped. She carefully slid her hand from his and began her march to her possible doom. Thane followed obediently as she walked down the hall and descended the stairs to the great hall. As she passed through the great doors every eye turned to her. Six men sat along the head of the table, her father was standing before them, Colar at his side standing like a beaten dog. She felt sorry for him and for what she had done to him but she had no other choice. She approached the council, Thane at her side who seemed far calmer than she ever could be.

“Lord Fallock has called the council to assembly, now that both parties are here we would like to hear what is so important to have us gather in a matter of minutes.”

They were already angry for being called upon so suddenly, perhaps she could do this.

“My Lords, I would like to propose the removal of Syah’s guardian and the denial of her ever being bonded to another.”

The council stared at her father strangely as the speaker of the six continued.

“What would cause such a rash decision? Guardians are important to nobles and have far more uses than simple servants.”

Her father lifted his chin as Colar glanced at her longingly.

“She ran away from home, bonded herself to another guardian with no connection to our noble house while still being bonded to Colar, and refused my proposal of her to Sir Jerold.”

The men mumbled to each other for a moment before continuing.

“Lady Syah, we feel that we must know your side of this story. You never misbehave as you have recently and feel it is necessary to hear your part before we continue.”

Her father grunted as she breathed a sigh of relief. She was given a chance, albeit small, but she could argue her point and present her decision.

“My lords, my behavior has been rash, but I feel that I have reacted appropriately to my father’s attempt to end our noble house. I am the final heir, and I feel that it is severely irresponsible of him to marry me off to leave this land and its people in turmoil after his passing. In regards to my bonding of a new guardian, I felt it was needed. Colar is loyal to my father, he may have served me but he was dangerous for me to trust. My father never would have removed him and so I was forced to bond Thane.”

The men mumbled to each other again as she paused. Her father was staring at her hotly as Thane moved closer to her side.

“We understand your argument, but women usually do not run noble houses.”

She nodded, they hadn’t tossed her thoughts out completely, it was a good sign.

“I understand that my Lords, but it has been done before.”

She wasn’t sure how long her father would keep quiet. There was an order to things in the council and speaking out of turn wasn’t part of it.

“She is unfit and unprepared to rule this house on her own. I will not have everything I have worked for, everything my father worked for ruined by this girl.”

The councilmen stared at him angrily as they spoke with each other quietly.

“Syah, your father is right. But we feel that it would be disastrous to marry you away from the house. So we have decided upon a different solution. You will learn the ways of a leading noble over the course of the month; during this time you will learn how to run this territory. You won’t, however, remain unmarried. Over the course of the month between sessions you will search for a suitor and be married by the end of the month. If you meet with these demands you will be allowed to carry on the noble house after your father and keep your rights to a guardian, although we don’t agree with your bonding without the aid of a Priest. We have spoken. That will be all.”

Syah let out a long painful breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding as her father stormed away. Colar followed him reluctantly as she bowed to the council respectfully. They nodded back as she turned to leave, Thane at her side. She was in a fog as she found her way back to her room, Thane opening the door and leading her in. She pulled the dress over her head leaving only the slip as he put her to bed.

“You did well.”

She met his gaze as she reached out to him.

“Please stay, I don’t want to be alone.”

He circled the bed and slid under the covers with her, keeping a respectful space between them.

“Whatever you wish little noble.”

Syah closed her eyes and tried to calm her still buzzing nerves. Tomorrow she would speak to her mother and send her to family outside of her father’s land. If she stayed she feared her injury, or her father using her against her. Her mother was too fragile to deal with such stress, it would be better if she left. Thane’s hand against her cheek forced her back to reality as he stared at her firmly. He was so comfortable with her, perhaps because of the unprofessional bonding.

“Stop thinking and just sleep.”

Her pulse jumped as he trailed his fingers along her face and through her hair. It felt wonderful. She closed her eyes as he continued to pet her until she felt the sweet onset of sleep that had tried to elude her. Perhaps he would be very useful.



I appreciate those who rated and reviewed my first chapter and I hope to get more wit this one. let me know what you think!