The Unexpected Visit

Chapter 22

The ride was not only bumpy, but very fast too. Several prisoners nearly fell off the truck. If it weren't for Jackson and I's quick feet and thinking, the others would be left for dead in the forest. During one of these saves, the boys spotted a tree that they had carved their initials and wrote under it best buds forever.

"Do you remember carving that?" I asked.

"Yeah, it was right before I left for what turned out to be my last trip to see Beca on the mainland. I was worried that I wouldn't ever see you again, so I wanted to make something that would forever remind you of me. There was going to be a storm on the water, and I thought that I was going to drown and die," Jackson replied, looking sentimental.

Soon, the compound came into view, and Jackson caught sight of the truck that Rebecca and her mother were in. As the truck pulled up to the compound, Jackson stood up and watched as she was brought gently out the truck and was quickly taken to the largest building in the group. The queen got out right after her daughter and caught sight of Jackson standing in the truck bed, watching her and Rebecca. She nodded her approval to Jackson and continued on, only stopping to talk to the officer from the truck. She pointed to Jackson and said something, the officer nodding, and went to the truck to do as he was told.

"You, the tall boy standing up, the queen wants to see you and the officer that brought you here. Do you know where this officer is?" The man asked.

"No sir, I haven't seen him since we first loaded up," Jackson replied briskly, knowing the man was in a hurry.

"Well, I suppose I will have to go find him. Have a soldier escort you to the main building. Wait there for further instructions," The man said, walking off.

"Excuse me, sir, that man over there wanted a soldier to escort me to the main building. Could you escort me?" Jackson asked, pointing out the man.

"Come with me," A soldier replied numbly.

Jackson followed him to the main building. Inside, it was an all-white interior, resembling a hospital. The area smelled very clean and looked like it was cleaned thoroughly every night. Owen was following Jackson, escorted by another soldier, but turned down a different corridor instead. He reached a not so clean, nor a good-smelling corridor; it looked like a cell block.

"Come with me, boy," A man said.

"Yes, sir," Jackson replied, following the man down the cleaner corridor.

The soldier knocked at the door.

"Come in," A woman said from behind the door, sounding worried.

"Your majesty, I've brought the boy you requested," the man said, bowing low.

"He doesn't look like a boy to me, officer. He is the correct boy, however," The queen replied, dismissing the man with a wave of her hand.

"Your majesty, thank you for seeing me. May I ask why it is that you summoned me?" Jackson asked, bowing and slowly rising.

"I might have come to a decision, but I wanted to ask you something first: What do you want to be done with Owen? I am aware now that it would be near impossible to retain control of my daughter if I killed him. Would you be willing to teach him?" The queen asked, looking embarrassed to have to ask a bodyguard, someone so much lower than her, for help.

"I am willing to watch over him, but I am wondering what it is that you wish me to teach him, your highness," Jackson replied, choosing his words carefully.

"To be like you, and to get rid of his rebellious ways. I wish him to be a fine- tuned soldier. I am aware that this may turn my daughter away from him, and I am willing to take this risk. If you accept this task, go into the corridor off to your left. If you decline this offer, head into the corridor on the right. I believe that you know where at least one of these corridors leads. Depending on what you choose, I may be seeing you very soon," The queen replied, and left the room.

Jackson turned to both corridors and then proceeded to go into the left corridor. As soon as he entered, his cuffs immediately fell off of his wrists. He continued down the corridor, only to find a paper sign taped to a door with an envelope attached. The sign read: "This is the room you will be sharing with Owen, your new apprentice." Within the envelope, there was a pin and a few words explaining that everything he would need was inside and to retrieve Owen tonight. Jackson opened the door and was not surprised to find a separate door leading to a bathroom, two beds, a desk, and a wastebasket. Jackson took a shower and got into the fresh clothes. When he was done, there was a knock on the door.

"Bodyguard Jackson, the queen requires your presence in her daughter's room immediately. Here is a map, with key rooms marked, should you need them," A man said, and quickly. retreated. The door opened to reveal not a boy, but a man in a uniform. Jackson had cleaned up well.

"Is he afraid of me or something?" Jackson wondered aloud.

On the map, there were four rooms that caught Jackson's attention: Owen's detention cell, also marked as a punishment room, his own room, Rebecca's room, and the throne room. Jackson folded up the map after a quick glance and set off for Rebecca's room, walking quickly, so as to not be late. He soon arrived at the door and knocked. Hearing no reply, he peeked his head inside. He saw Rebecca lying, motionless, except for quiet breathing. The queen was sitting right next to her, looking concerned for the first time that Jackson had ever seen.

"Excuse me, your highness, I don't mean to intrude but you summoned me?" Jackson asked.

"Yes, come in. Shut the door," She replied, barely audible. Jackson hurriedly came in and shut the door, sitting at the end of the bed and looking at Rebecca as she slept.

"The doctors say that she should be awake any minute now. I hope she does wake. To the matter at hand, however, as an official bodyguard, you must swear to protect her no matter the cost. You must train your apprentice, Owen, as well. You will be given times when you can leave the princess's room and train him. However, should your apprentice leave this room without someone to accompany him, he will be suspended and questioned. Do you understand?" The queen asked, standing quickly and schooling her features.

"I understand, and I swear that I will protect Princess Rebecca at all costs. I will also be punishing my apprentice personally, if you will allow me," Jackson said, kneeling before the queen and her resting daughter.

"I will allow it," she replied, and turned to leave.

The weeks passed quickly in a routine. Once Jackson had retrieved me and told me the rules, it resulted in me often punished, only because I was constantly at Rebecca's side, willing her to wake up.