The Elemental Song

Chapter 4 An Apology Earns A Bodyguard

"General Bradwr." The king called to the bodyguard that silently stood by the king's side at all times. "Yes your majesty?" "You started as a general at a young age and know the ways of war and royalty. Because of the recent situation I've been thinking, do you think someone will target my little Skyrah?" "Your majesty, all royals are targeted and she is no exception although only those who serve in your castle and other royals from our kingdom know of who she is. Everyone else only knows that you have an heir and they most likely have not thought of even the possibility that your heir is a female. But if information is leaked or if there is a traitor she will indeed be targeted." "Hmmm. Very well then. I suppose it's time to find her a bodyguard. Who do you think would be qualified to be her bodyguard Bradwr?" "If I may be so bold your highness, it should be someone a little older than her, but only a couple years or so older so that she grows up with him and is close to him. If he is around her age he won't seem so formidable to the young princess and she can relax. He will have to be very strong and trained however, possibly the best in the kingdom. If they are close in age they will be close in relationship and that will be good because the better the relationship the more reliable and loyal the person will be." "You ask much Bradwr, but I think you have just described the person I was just thinking about." "And who would that be your majesty?" "Oh, just a little ten year old boy who has been around the princess ever since her birth and is already known as the 'Thunder Beast' from the Air Tribe." "Do you mean-" "Bradwr, I think it's a great time for a visit. We must hurry before our guest's leave tomorrow."

Eryk sat on the deck of his room in Seikatsu Castle watching the sunset. He was sharing a room with General Gideon because the king invited all the generals to stay a night before they traveled back to their own tribes. The room was nice and the view was beautiful. Beneath the deck was a pond and around him was a small forest. It was the perfect place for rest and seclusion. He thought back to the conversation he had with King Ryan not to long ago. "Eryk, may I make a proposition?" "Of course your majesty." "How about you become Skyrah's bodyguard!" The sudden idea made Eryk lightheaded. "I'm sorry your majesty, can you repeat that?" "I would like you to become Princess Skyrah's bodyguard." "I don't understand your majesty. I am only ten and am not very experienced. Surely there is someone more qualified." "You think of yourself to harshly. You are only ten, yes, but you are already the best warrior in the whole kingdom. Your name does mean 'ever powerful' you know, and you already have a huge reputation as a warrior and are known as the 'Thunder Beast.' You are a very powerful person and you are destined for greatness. You have been by my daughters side since her birth and are very close to her. You contain every attribute a magnificent person should have and I like to think of you as my own son. To me there is no one more qualified to be my daughter's bodyguard other than you." "I am sorry your highness, but my I have some time before I make my decision?" "Of course Eryk, be free to decline if you truly do not want the job." After that the King left and Eryk had been thinking about it the whole time. All of a sudden, a basket thumped onto the edge of a deck and Princess Skyrah pulled herself onto the platform. "Here you go," the princess said between labored breaths. "What is this for princess? And how did you get here?" Eryk waited while Skyrah caught her breath. "I didn't want to go directly into your room because it is also General Gideon's room so I went around through the woods. This is a basket of fruit as an apology for getting you in trouble with General Gideon." Oh, so this is what it is about, Eryk thought to himself. Earlier when they returned from playing with Ziff they found that the guards were scurrying about trying to find them. The king, Zhenya's caretaker, and General Gideon were all worried. Although, they all expressed their worry in various ways. King Ryan of course embraced his daughter while rambling on and on of how worried he was, Zhenya's caretaker scolded him while expressing her worry, and General Gideon, well, he was worried but certainly not for Eryk. As soon as they returned the old man started beating and yelling at him, saying how Eryk could have endangered the princesses life and that he should have been with him at the meeting. Of course Eryk started fighting the general and they battled in hand to hand combat until King Ryan broke apart the dispute. "It's fine princess. Nothing you need to be worried about. That's just how gramps acts, he was just, worried." "But still, if I just stayed put none of that would have happened." Uh-oh, Eryk thought. She's going to cry and clouds are gathering. "Hey, it's fine see. I'm fine. You can be at peace now. I accept your apology." As soon as the words left his mouth the princesses mood brightened. "Okay. Thank you. I have to go now. Goodnight." And with that she was gone. When she left Eryk thought to himself, the princess went out of her way to make sure I knew that she was sincerely sorry for earlier. She even went all the way through the castle woods here by herself and it looked like she fell a few times. Even though she was safe because the castle grounds are big and even have their own secluded forest it must have been dangerous for someone who is never allowed out of the castle. I wish I could protect her and be by her side always.

The next day Eryk didn't see any signs of the princess and Zhenya had already left for his city earlier that morning. Eryk decided to work on some practice drills in the courtyard before his party left and since gramps was in a meeting he had nothing else to do. Mid-way through his routine he heard a familiar female voice as well as an unfamiliar male voice. "Let me pass. I have no business with you and I must return to my studies." "But Princess Skyrah, wouldn't you like to visit the garden with me? I found the most beautiful spot!" The boy grabbed hold of the princess's arm. "The princess said no. What authority do you have to stop the princess Ravi heir of the Fire Tribe?" "Eryk! You came!" "Why do you have to interfere with my business Eryk? It shouldn't matter to you!" "Geez, attacking a seven year old. You should be ashamed of yourself, your thirteen. Shame on you." "I'll teach you to interfere with my business! You have no business with her yourself!" The young lord drew his sword. "Of course I have business with her." Ravi and Skyrah looked at him with surprise. Eryk brought out his famous glaive and said, "I'm her bodyguard." At the claim Ravi's face paled. He regained his composure second's later and drew up his sword. "I don't believe you." Before he could charge King Ryan appeared and stilled the sword. "That is enough you two. Ravi, please return to your father." At the king's command Ravi quickly sheathed his sword, spun around, and marched back into the castle. The king sighed then smiled at Eryk and Skyrah. "So, you decided to become her bodyguard Eryk?" "Yes your majesty. If you see me worthy of such a position." "You proved yourself worthy by protecting my daughter and defending her wishes. Thank you." The king turned and left with his hands behind his back but not before Eryk saw blood dripping from when King Ryan grabbed the sword. "Thank you so much for helping me! Are you really going to be my bodyguard?" Eryk looked down at Skyrah and saw her eyes filled with hope. "Yes, I will do everything in my power to protect the princess of Faylinn."