A Fairy Captain of the Guard [Hold]

The Beginning of the End

Captain of the Guard. Even after five years, Fiona doubted she would tire of hearing her title as she brushed past whispering townsfolk. Anytime a new person came to Evanswood and saw her they would inevitably ask the same question:

"A fairy as Captain of the Guard?" Sometimes they asked with awe, but more often than not they spit the question out in disgust. Fairies did not have a great reputation around the entire continent and Evanswood was no exception.

Contrary to popular ignorance, fairies did not steal babies or children. At least not anymore as far as Fiona knew. She was not in touch with many fairies and she preferred it that way. In fact, Fiona had few friends.

A strict Captain of the Guard, Fiona's striking face was usually in a scowl. Some, if they did not know her in the slightest, would dare say she was beautiful in an other-worldly character. With high cheekbones and eyes the color of flawless amethysts and full lips, Fiona could turn heads if she so choose. But instead she was content with wearing nothing to accentuate her looks and rarely smiled.

One poor soldier in her earlier years dared say she would be prettier if she smiled. Even as technically her senior she quickly showed him why she was ranked number one in her year among the other soldiers.

While normally Fiona would ignore the whispers of her race and rank, today she decided to make an exception.

"Do you take issue with my kind?" She turned to the large man. He stood a head taller than her. A long brown beard in dire need of cleaning shifted as his scowl deepened.

"Had some run ins wif fairies recently," his accent was thick, most likely from the East and not from Evanswood, "nasty bunch." He lifted up his arm - it was as thick as her leg encased in armor. A thick gash, not more than two weeks old, ran from his elbow to his wrist. It looked as if the skin had been cut apart and sew together haphazardly. "Poison." He confirmed her thoughts. She had heard some tales of a poison used by fairies that ate at the skin. The longer it stay on the quicker it would move and the best cure was to cut and remove the skin as fast as possible.

"Well," Fiona started coolly, looking down her nose at the man even though their height difference was not in her favor, "regardless I am not a criminal and I am Captain of this town so if you have something to say about me or my heritage I would prefer you say it to me. I have no qualms with educating you on the matter." Her words made it clear the conversation was over and the man nodded in agreement. He was not stupid at least.

As she stepped away she released a breath she had been holding. While able to be confrontational, especially after years of not initiating them, it was not her favorite activity. But Fiona knew if she did not exert her authority and show her face every once-in-a-while then she would become known as weak. She had seen it happen to the last Captain as he was pushed out and she replaced him. James, his name, went with dignity but it was evident he was upset.

"You handled that well." A deep voice said from her right as a figure drew up beside her. Fiona would know that voice anywhere.

"My king, what a rare surprise." She said evenly, but the butterflies in her stomach would not settle. Brennan Evanswood served with her from her first day in the Guard. They were in the same group and traveled for years until they were stationed separately. He just took over as King of Evanswood three years ago. At almost even in height she was able to look him covertly from the corner of her eyes. His light brown, short cropped hair was messy as usual and she knew his was hiding his crown somewhere. Even in the Guard his hair was a mess and while back then she would fix it, Fiona doubted his new wife would appreciate it very much. Her stomach clenched at the thought.

"I know," she saw his shoulder shake as he let out a deep laugh, "Victoria rarely lets me leave now. She is hell bent on making me a 'proper king'." His hands made air quotes as he said the words. "Only been married a week and already she's driving me crazy, but I suppose that's marriage, right?"

Fiona wanted to roll her eyes at her long-time friend's words. Having never had parents - let alone ones in a relationship - she did not know much about marriage but she knew it was probably not like that all the time. Brennan's was arranged from before his birth and he had just met Victoria, a princess from a kingdom in the South, two weeks before their marriage.

At 30 he should have been ready to settle down, but Fiona could not judge much on this matter. She was the same age, but as a fairy she was considered very young whereas Brennan was human. He had responsibilities - namely, to make an heir quickly.

"You will grow to love her." She said it without the hint of sarcasm that she wanted to interject. In the Guard their relationship was the best of friends - when he thought of her as a man. When she announced not only her gender, but her race he stayed strong next to her. No one would question a warrior who had proved themselves time and again, especially one with the backing of the future king (a fact he had hidden also). Even still, their once banter-filled friendship had collapsed to a more professional kind. Fiona lost her best and probably only friend that day.

"I might, but she will never be a friend like-"

"Stop." She hissed. "Do not even finish that sentence, my King." Her eyes finally met his, the shocking purple meeting hazel, and she saw the longing in his eyes. While she did not know if it was longing for her or their friendship, she knew she had to force herself to not care. "You are married and I am your Captain. Our friendship like the days in the Guard is over, Brennan." She said his name - something she had done in a while - and she saw him cringe slightly.

By now some people were beginning to notice their king was in the marketplace. A child came up and gave him a flower and Fiona decided it was time to make her escape. With a frown in his direction she ducked into the nearest alleyway. Having grown up in Evanswood in the very alleys she now escaped through, it did not take her long to weave her way to her small home on the outskirts of the marketplace.

While only midday, Fiona decided to take a nap. She had no duties for the rest of the day since her Second, Carson, had begun to train the newest recruits. Anytime she met with Brennan it exhausted her so she relaxed on her small bed and curled under the covers. It was not often she was able to relax and shed the Captain of the Guard persona she wore so often so she relished these hours.

When she awoke hours later she did not know why she was so cold. It was May and only truly got cold in the middle of night. Fiona looked around and realized it had to be midnight and she was outside. Judging by the area she was in the marketplace where she spoke with Brennan earlier.

As she tried to sit up, placing her hand on the pavement, she slipped and collapsed on top of something wet. Looking down in the faint glow of a nearby home's torchlight she saw a face look back up at her. Lifeless eyes stared up at her and she felt her stomach clench as she immediately emptied the contents of them next to her.

These lifeless eyes belonged to Carson and Fiona realized then that she was covered in his blood.