GUARDIAN

Chapter 13: The Incident At Crystal Hall

Everyone was quiet as they finished their climb across the  tree. They did not dare to look down, or question what had really just happened. Sena looked up at her arms. Indeed, even just extending the branches, and twisting against Yemfre's leg had cause the veins to appear again. She lifted up the pouch that was hanging around her neck.

"Katoshi..."

Katoshi turned to see the broken pouch. He looked down. "I'm sorry..."

"It must have broken when I was dangling off the tree..." Sena said. "I will speak to Wren..."

"Rules are rules, if we do not abide by them...how should we expect order in our land? I will get you safely back, but I believe we both know it is the end,"

Sena shook her head. "I will talk to Wren..." She walked past Katoshi and joined Neva who's shoulders were shaking. She was both in shock but also relieved. Shocked to have witnessed a murder, but relieved to be alive. 

"Katoshi...he just, he just..."

"Katoshi did what was necessary," Sena said. "If Yemfre had a second chance,  he would not have held back..."

"You sound like your mother..."

Sena nodded. She herself felt sick to the bone. Mainly because she was partially responsible for Yemfre's death. She had set him into the very trap that allowed Katoshi to gain the upper hand. Despite him delivering the killing blow, she now understood what Katoshi meant with keeping her hands clean. She drew Neva in for a tighter hug as they carried on their hike into the forest. It did not take too long for them to break out, back into Crystal Hall's gardens, where a whole troop of soldiers and Wren waited for them.

"Well,  you took your sweet time," Wren spoke. He glanced at Neva, then at Sena, and he saw the broken pouch. "Katoshi...I really expected more from you."

"It wasn't his fault..."

"Rules are rules..." Wren spoke. "I am afraid, Sena, you will have to find a new guardian next year..."

"Wren..."

"I don't make the rules Sena! Besides, you were so unsure about your choice, why are you defending him now?"

Sena let go of Neva who merely stood there silently. She walked towards Wren. "I want him as my guardian..."

"He failed one of the basic trials there is..." Wren said. "I cannot ignore that, for your safety..."

"It has been a great honour, if only for a day,  to serve as your guardian," Katoshi spoke.

Sena bit her lip and shook her head as she turned to her guardian, she took a step towards him, and he stumbled back startled. "You are not going anywhere...and you..." She pointed to Wren who had his brows raised, "We need to talk..."

"Oooh, I see the royalty coming out of you," Wren spoke. "Nothing you say will change my mind. I am sorry, Sena, rules are rules..."

"Tell that to Yemfre who tried to kill us..." Sena said. Wren froze. His frown increased.

"Carlita's gone...so are a few of the soldiers...and so is Yemfre...."

Wren sighed and shook his head. "Damn it, I told the group that Yemfre was a big mistake..." He looked up at Katoshi then at Paschal and Neva. "I'm sorry Sena...rules are rules though." With that he turned around and walked away. Sena stood there, flabbergasted. Katoshi actually saved her life, but now because of a stupid broken pouch, he could no longer be her guardian?

She turned to Katoshi who had his arms crossed, and she walked towards him. "You're just giving up like that?"

"Yemfre tried to kill you because of me, I was the one that put you in danger,"