Destiny's Binds

Prologue

Everything was silent. All anyone could hear was the scuffing of boots along the cobblestone path. Although he couldn't see who was approaching, Lloyd could identify the oncoming person by the gait of their step. Lloyd made sure to straighten his spine as he turned the corner. As he suspected, his new captain passed him by. From the approving nod, Lloyd proved himself capable. Maybe if Lloyd stayed in line and followed orders, his Officer would move him back to his post in Jade Castle. Sure, protecting the Elemental Ring was important- not that anyone knew where the Duke of the Dark Island hid the gem- but Lloyd had spent his entire life working up to the position of Royal Guard. Shipping guards across Ninjago was a necessity; a simple practicality due to a security issue. However, it felt like a slap in the face.

Lloyd took in a deep breath of the cool evening air, trying to let go of the idea that Princess Harumi was thinking about him as much as his mind wandered to her. He occasionally worked as her personal guard. To think that she cared about him particularly when she saw multiple personal guards in a twenty-four-hour period was idiotic. However, Lloyd was the youngest royal guard in Ninjago history, and that had to count for something. That had to be impressive, even to a princess who had whatever she wished, whenever she wished it.

A breeze picked up, making Lloyd's hair whip in all directions. It carried a fish stench that made Lloyd's stomach churn. From the little Lloyd had seen of the Dark Island Fief, it lived up to its name. Even the Serpentine towns were more in order than Stiix. Most of the city was on stilts over the bay. The entire city stunk of fish, as fishing and piracy seemed to be the only economic outlets for the fief. Everyone looked miserable. The weather was hardly inviting. It seemed that everywhere there was thick fog. Lloyd had heard many stories about the many bogs of the Dark Island, some even claiming that the natural gases that poured out of these wetlands were toxic to breathe. At one time, Lloyd would've assumed these to be old wives' tales. Seeing the sickly pale people of Stiix made him susceptible to that assumption.

His only comfort on his patrol of the Duke's Estate within Stiix was that once Hutchins, his old captain- proved to the royal family that the Elemental Ring was in no danger as they assumed, all Royal Palace guards displaced overseas would return to where they belonged. And Lloyd belonged in the service of Princess Harumi.

"Garmadon!"

Lloyd flinched at the aggressive shouting. It was usually so peaceful on his evening patrol. He should've known his loud-mouthed comrade would disrupt his usual routine. Nicknamed Shade by the other royal guards, the pale man preferred to be enemies rather than friends

"Notice anything?" Lloyd said, in the hopes that Shade was speaking to him strictly for work-related reasons. Shade cackled.

"I heard that the Duke of the Dark Island requested that some Royal Guards be permanently dispatched to the fief. I figured you'd celebrate the good news. It's like a homecoming, right? Maybe you'll even get adopted by the Duke." Shade gave Lloyd a playful push.

"Right. Here's hoping the Royal Family chooses the proper people to move to the Dark Island," Lloyd said, holding back all the words he wanted to give to Shade.

"Oh, it's going to be you," Shade said, exiting the conversation as he spoke his final thoughts, "You think the King wants you back after you started chumming up to his daughter?"

Lloyd hoped that his relationship with Harumi would make him essential to the palace. Who better to guard the princess than someone who would die before letting the slightest harm come to her? Not because of duty, but because of his heart.

Shade disappeared into the darkness, leaving Lloyd in awe. The wiry man always managed to slip into the shadows, becoming invisible in the darkness. It was impressive, how well he blended in with the darkness. That was why he made it so far in the ranks. First Spinjitzu Master knows that Shade was the weakest in physical strength in the barracks.