The Queen's Guard

Chapter 2

The news had spread like wildfire; it was said that the aspirants would be tested in trials, but not disclosing the exact nature of them, leaving the candidates and the townsfolk to speculate about the challenges that awaited them. The best candidates would have the opportunity to join the queen's guard, a prestigious position that, despite the inherent danger of the job, promised one of the highest honors and a life of prosperity for their families. And among the very best candidates, one would earn the prestigious position of Commander of the Guard, becoming the queen's personal protector.

The night hung heavy with anticipation as Maya tossed and turned in her bed, unable to calm herself. The weight of the decision she had made pressed upon her, leaving sleep elusive. Eventually, she abandoned trying to rest and succumbed to the pull of her forge.

The rhythmic clang of hammer on anvil echoed through the stillness of the night as Maya immersed herself in continuing the creation of a new armor. The dance of flames illuminated her determined expression, casting flickering shadows on the walls.

The hours passed unnoticed, the forge becoming a realm of its own as Maya forged the armor, designed for agility and protection—a testament to her craftsmanship. The metal groaned and sang beneath her hands, shaping into a form that mirrored her own resilience. Sweat and determination mingled in the air as the armor took shape, piece by meticulous piece.

It was only as the first light of dawn kissed the horizon that Maya finally set the hammer aside. The armor, gleaming in the soft light, bore the marks of her labor. Exhaustion draped over her like a heavy cloak, but there was a sense of satisfaction that overshadowed it all.

With the armor completed, Maya collapsed onto the bed, sleep claiming her almost instantly. Dreams, if any, were lost in the depths of her fatigue. As the morning sun painted the sky with hues of gold, Maya slept, oblivious to the town slowly awakening.

Maya stirred from her deep slumber, the rhythmic pounding at her door waking her. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she stumbled to the entrance and swung the door open, only to be met with an unexpected sight—a flock of chickens clutched in Andy's arms.

With a perplexed expression, Maya glanced from the chickens to Andy, wondering if her friend had decided to seek vengeance on the poultry that had disrupted their dinner plans. "Dinner?" Maya asked, confused. However, Andy's distress was genuine as she explained that she had saved the chickens from the market because, in her words, they had looked into her soul.

Maya couldn't help but tease Andy about her newfound chicken epiphany, questioning if she thought saving them was now her life's purpose. Before Maya could protest, Andy gently placed the chickens inside Maya's home.

"Oh," Andy said regrettably, "I guess you should be eating if you've decided to compete in the trials," Andy remarked, her eyes flickering from the chickens to Maya's new armor.

Maya, still in disbelief that Andy had brought a pack of chickens into her home, responded with a wry smile, "Yeah, no, I wouldn't want to interfere with whatever you have started here."

Andy, however, had shifted her focus to Maya's armor hanging in front of her. She marveled at its craftsmanship, admiring the lightweight yet strong design. "It's impressive, but it's so light. Are you sure this will hold?"

As Maya told her about the way she had experimented with steel and the process of creating a lighter, stronger armor, the chickens chuckled in the background. Trying to steer the conversation back to the chicken incident, Maya found Andy still entranced by the suit.

"You're actually going to do it," Andy said in awe.

Maya, attempting to downplay the decision, dismissed it as a stupid idea from the previous night that she had put behind her. However, Andy disagreed, urging Maya to take the opportunity.