Oath of a Guardian

Chapter 9: Guards and Guardians

"Put that away big guy" She said turning to the rather large male guard.

"Trespassing in the viscount's estate is a capital offense" The guard said harshly gripping the edge of his sword tighter.

"I wouldn't do that my friend." Krios said his tone was a warning yet his face said otherwise as he smirked at Crystal.

"Or what? Elf boy?" The guard replied mocking Krios.

"Or I bash your ignorant head in the nearest wall" Crystal replied coldly.

The guard just began raising his hand as if to hit Crystal but quickly put it down at the sound of a woman behind him.

"What is the meaning of this?" The woman questioned, as she emerged from the dark corridor into the light. The woman was muscular yet slender at the same time; it looked as if she had been training for years. She was approximately the same height as the princess with short black hair straight and unevenly cut, her hair reached just above her neck the back was shorter than the front, her skin the color of honey and her eyes the deepest of blue. Light freckles covered her face but went unnoticed due to the distraction caused by a large scar from the bottom of her eye to the end of her lip. Despite the scar the woman was still beautiful.

The guard surrounding the two ceased arms immediately then raised their arm to their chest and lowered their heads in respect to the woman.

Krios eyed the woman as she approached them.

"Allow me" He whispered giving Crystal a sly smirk as he began making his way closer to her. He was stopped by a quick and powerful grasp to his arm; he turned to see Crystal holding him back.

"Don't even think about it" Crystal said moving him slowly behind her.

The woman came face to face with the guard that was threatening the princess.

"I apologize for the actions of my guards" The woman said.

"You're apologizing to these pieces of filth?" The guard shouted outraged by the woman's apologies.

"You best put your dog on a leash" Crystal said glaring at the guard.

"Enough Hector, I will take care of them" The woman spoke firmly.

"But she...." The guard began before he was cut off by the woman.

"I will hear no more of this" The woman said standing between Crystal and Hector.

"The fool does not know where his place is" Krios scoffed from behind the princess.

The woman in the front disbanded the group of guards.

"Hector that will be all, the viscount needs you" The woman said.

The guard had no choice but to leave, obvious from the threatening glance he gave them before he left that he was not happy.

"Again I must apologize for my guards' actions" The woman began. "My name is Tallen Leavoux"

"Your Rank?" Crystal asked her

"I am the high-guard of Valen" She answered the princess blankly staring at Krios as he smirked her way.

 Crystal was taken aback by the fact that such an uncivilized city would appoint a woman one of the highest ranking officers in the land. She nodded her head in approval as the woman turned and gestured them to follow her. Crystal looked at Krios questionably; he responded by lifting his shoulders indicating he had no idea what to do. Crystal ended up following the woman up the stairs into the viscount's mansion.