Eminence

Chapter 1: Grayson's Protector

     Expertise, self-worth, valor, and honor were the characteristics passed down though each generation of her family. This family consisted of warriors, knights, guards, and heroes that have served under the royal family since the beginning of their rule. The Dolans have been a very successful line of rulers, and they would only lay in the hands of the most trusted of the mighty and bold.
     The Carreons have never skipped a generation. Their children always grew to be fierce and brave, protecting and defending their kingdom, and never failing. They had always impressed and never disappointed the royal family, and in result, the Carreons would always be dependable. Their family's destiny was to protect the Dolan Dynasty, at all costs.
      It was a rare moment when a girl was born into this family; throughout the years, each generation had strong men born. She was the first daughter to enter the family line, and the only child that could be born in her generation, for the plague had just barely touched those in the family. Her brothers had moved on to the army, training to become fierce warriors that would represent this kingdom.
     She was different. She was interested in everything, eager to learn. From cooking, to writing, and tending to the animals, this one girl had managed to tackle lots of hobbies, but nothing compared to her love of martial arts.
     She constantly trained with her father, never stopping, no breaks. Someone would comment, bashing on her goals, but nothing could break her spirited heart; it only made her train harder. Many doubted her, but her determination had blocked those unimportant souls. She will become the strongest protector that this kingdom had ever seen.
     Her childhood consisted on fulfilling both roles to be a future bride as well as to serve in the royal army and protect one of the young princes. When she turned the bright age of 13, she finished her basic training and was presented in front of the royal family.
     "Your Majesty King Sean and Queen Lisa, I introduce you my eldest daughter, Kailyn, who will join the ranks and has trained hard to protect your youngest son in line." Her father says bowing his head, she followed his lead and lifted her head when he did.
      "A daughter? Are you sure she is strong enough?" King Sean says, a little hesitant.
     "Yes my king, our family's genes have not skipped her generation, she is just as strong as her ancestors and maybe even me, she has a lot of promise." Her father pursues.
     "Never has there been a girl who has been a knight in our forces..."
     "Ah yes, but in France my queen there was a hero named Joan of Arc of France-" Her father turns into worry.
     "Needless to say, I am still not sure about this, there is another knight in training from another family that we are also considering." Queen Lisa says.
     "My Queen, my family has served close to the royal family for centuries, to suddenly break that tradition-"
     "Calm yourself, we know the history with your family, and we deem it important as well. How about this; we have a little match between your daughter and the knight we are considering. At the moment he is growing acquainted with our son, Grayson... Ah there they are right now." King Sean says, gesturing to the two young boys around her age entering.
     "Grayson, this is Kailyn, she is the other knight who will be taken into consideration to protect you." Queen Lisa introduces. "Aha, a girl? Your majesty, you must be joking." The knight beside Grayson says.
     "Hi." Grayson says shyly.
     "Prince." Kailyn says, bowing her head.                  
     "Now, now, remember -- your role as our son's protector isn't set in stone. It will be based on a little match between the two of you and our son's choice in consideration."
     "I understand your majesty." The knight says and glares at Kailyn. "Kailyn, please get acquainted with Grayson while we talk to your father." King Sean says, dismissing her.           
     The three of them went to the garden and the knight Kailyn was up against was being cocky with her. He talked to her as if she didn't know her duty and role, and she noticed that he would over treat the prince in a harsh manner, as well as being overprotective.
     In the garden, Grayson demanded that he was thirsty and ordered him to fetch something for him to drink.
     "Sire, you will be alone-"
     "It's okay, today I have two protectors so you can go." Grayson points out. The knight wanted to object but left quietly. Kailyn looked at Grayson a bit concerned. "Prince are you okay?" Kailyn asked.
      "Ah, uhm, yes. I just find this whole matter pointless you know? I'm going to be a grown man and a king must learn to fight too right? I am capable of taking care of myself no prob-" He says standing up, but tripping over air, and falling into the grass.
     "Prince!" She said, going to his side. "Are you okay?"
     "Yes... I am clumsy aren't I? Yet, I feel like I don't need protection." He says, trying to act tough.
     "Young prince, I understand.... You will grow to be a wonderful king and grow to be strong. It is just temporary that I will protect you, if you allow me." She says smiling.
     "I'm not... going to be king. My older brother, Prince Ethan -- who's probably run off somewhere, causing mischief -- is older than me by twenty minutes. In all things fair, he is older, and is next in line." Grayson confessed, looking down at his feet.
     "Prince Grayson..." Kailyn speaks with sympathy, noticing the sadness that flooded his voice.
     He gets slightly flustered but before he could speak she was pushed aside by the worried knight, "Prince Grayson! You are on the ground, are you okay? What are you doing Kailyn how could you let the young prince sit on the filthy ground? What kind of knight are you?" He says in a frantic manner.