The Queen's Guard

Chapter 1

Maya's hands were accustomed to the heat of the forge, the dance of flames reflecting in her determined eyes as she hammered and shaped metal into intricate pieces of armor. Her house, nestled on the outskirts of the bustling town, was a haven of solitude and respite.

Years of enduring her father's harsh training had sculpted Maya into a skilled blacksmith, her muscles reflecting the strength she had honed with each swing of the hammer. Her father, a former aspirant to the king's guard who had never ascended in rank, imparted his unmet ambitions onto her, driving her relentlessly to exceed expectations. Despite his failed dreams, he pushed Maya to prove herself, instilling in her a determination born from his own disappointment and frustration. Through the forge, Maya found an outlet for her pain, channeling it into meticulously crafted pieces of armor and weaponry, while her father's relentless pressure shaped her into a warrior, though his motives remained veiled in shadows.

As the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the kingdom, Maya wiped the sweat from her brow and admired her work. The clang of metal against metal echoed through the air as she tested the blade of a newly forged sword.

Andy, Maya's closest friend, had made herself at home in Maya's kitchen. She could be a lively contrast to Maya's sometimes solemn demeanor, her spirit infectious in the small space. She came from a family of weavers and was able to create the most vibrant tapestries that were even commissioned to the castle.

A rattle from the kitchen broke the silence, followed by Andy's screams. "Maya!" she shouted as she ran outside. Maya turned her head just quick enough to see a chicken running for its life. Without a second thought, Maya started sprinting, not wanting to endure the tale of how a chicken outran her. When she was close enough, she leaped forward, throwing herself after the odd bird, catching it.

"I think she deserves a second chance," Maya said to Andy upon return, feeling a little bad for the flightless bird under her arm.

"Then what are we going to eat?" Andy said, eyeing the bird. Maya handed it to her, knowing her friend was right, they didn't have much of a choice. The blonde went back to her work, and dinner was ready not much later. Maya couldn't help but smile when she saw the pot on the table.

"So, no chicken?"

"No chicken," Andy said, ethically defeated by the stubborn bird.

"Should we wait for your dad?" Maya asked as she sat down.

"I don't think he'll make it tonight. We are delivering to the castle tomorrow, and he wants to go over everything again. Maniac, that one."

"I don't know, it kind of sounds like someone else I know."

"I am not that extreme! Anyway, you're not so easy yourself, Maya Bishop."

"Yeah, well, cheers to that."

"Cheers."

- - -

In the heart of the castle, the queen was immersed in the weighty task of shaping the future of her realm. The memory of her fallen brother, the late king, lingered as a poignant reminder of sacrifice and duty. Even in her grief, Carina had risen to the occasion, steering the kingdom with benevolence and pragmatism.

Her counselor, Ben, a stalwart figure in the halls of governance, had observed the toll the recent battles had taken on the kingdom. As the scars healed, an ever-present threat loomed, and whispers about the queen being the last heir circulated. It was prominent that the selection of the new queen's guard would shape the future of the kingdom's defense and stability. In the quiet moments behind closed doors, Carina shared with Ben her vision for an untraditional approach—a new path, opening the selection to anyone willing to apply, with the hope that trials would reveal the best.

Ben, thoughtful and discerning, weighed the proposal carefully. He understood the gravity of the decision, recognizing the potential in Carina's vision. "It's an unconventional approach," he mused, but he also knew that it could yield exceptional results. It ensures that the guards are chosen based on merit and dedication, rather than birthright.

With Ben's eventual agreement, the vision was presented to the court, outlining the queen's plan for the selection process. The initial surprise was soon replaced by thoughtful consideration of the potential benefits of this untraditional approach. Though brave and honorary the slaughter and near defeat of their last army and king's guard had called into question the quality of their skills. The prospect of the queen's guards being drawn from all walks of life eventually resonated with the courtiers.

When the decision was made, messengers were dispatched to every corner of the kingdom, with the message that the castle gates were open to anyone with the courage and skill to step forward. As the word spread, the kingdom brimmed with anticipation.

- - -

Under the late afternoon sun, Maya found herself assisting Andy and her dad, Pruitt, in loading woven tapestries onto the delivery cart bound for the castle. The vibrant hues of the fabrics added a splash of color to the otherwise routine chore.

As they worked, a town crier's booming voice echoed through the square, announcing the unexpected opportunity for anyone to apply for the queen's guard. The news rippled through the bustling town, reaching the trio.

"Well, that's a first," Andy remarked, pausing mid-lift to exchange intrigued glances with Maya who looked just as surprised.

Later that evening, the trio gathered around the dinner table, the savory aroma of a delicious meal filling the air.

"Well, well, to Maya, the unsung hero of our tapestry trade!" Pruitt cheered, expressing gratitude for Maya's help with the heavy work.

Andy, with a mischievous glint in her eye, nudged Maya. "So, the queen's guard, huh? That would be something."

"I guess," Maya responded as if she hadn't been contemplating it ever since the announcement.

"How are you not more excited? Didn't your dad train you for this?" Andy said enthusiastically.

Maya's mind briefly drifted to the countless hours her dad had mercilessly trained her, a practice ingrained in her since childhood. He might not have been a traditional dad, but Maya became skilled. The training she still did by herself, mostly because she liked the routine, training herself to embrace the pain. Yet, a lingering fear of letting down her dad kept her dedicated.

"But I'm still a woman?"

"So? They did say it was open to all."

Maya's eyes widened in realization. "You think they'd let a woman be in the queen's guard?"

Andy's dad interjected with a smirk. "Why not? With a helmet and armor, who would know anyway?"

The conversation continued as Maya mulled over the unexpected idea. The notion of applying for the queen's guard now lingered in her mind; even at night, she couldn't let it go.