Steel Wolf

Resignation

Helmets tucked securely beneath their left arms, commanders, captains, lieutenants, and sergeants formed a single long line, standing at attention on the main deck as the sun rose above the horizon. The odd corporal and private watched from the back, their ranks not allowing them to take part in the ceremony.

"PRESENT ARMS!" yelled Commander Torm, helmet off. Right hands went to foreheads in a salute of the outgoing commander. Tanaya strode forward, the bundle of armor slung over her left shoulder. As she passed, each Guard slowly lowered his or her hand, turning toward the front of the ship. She winked and smiled at Sergeant Rosada as she went by; Rosada being the only silver armored warrior in the line.

Coming to a stop before Commander Torm, she laid the armor on the deck, backing up a step.

"Commander Tanaya Paulsdottir," he addressed her by Guard rank, "why have you come to this place today?"

"Commander Anston Torm, I am here to tender the resignation of my commission as well as my post within the Queen's Guard, sir."

"Have you any regrets while in the service of the Queen's Guard?"

"I have none, sir."

"Do you harbor any ill will toward the Queen's Guard?"

"None, sir."

"After leaving the service, will you bring discredit through word or deed upon the Queen's Guard?"

"I will not, sir."

"Upon conclusion of these proceedings, you shall no longer be referred to as Commander. You shall have no rights or privileges within the Queen's Guard. You shall not carry her arms. You shall not wear her armor. You shall not dine with her troops. Your bond as a Queen's Guard shall be severed for the rest of your natural life. Do you understand these words?"

"I do, sir."

"Your request for resignation is hereby approved. You have one remaining task as a Queen's Guard."

He produced a massive sledgehammer, holding it at arm's length for her to take.

With a lump in her throat, a single tear ran down her cheek as she brought the sledge over her head, slamming it into the armor with all of her might. A single enormous blow, causing the armor to jump off the deck, a huge dent in the chestpiece. She set down the hammer and backed up a few more steps. Each remaining Guard stepped forward to swing the hammer into the armor, further ruining it.

"This armor shall never be worn again. This armor shall not be used for the construction of other armor. It shall be consigned to the sea, to be broken further by the tides of time, returning to its base components," said Torm. He picked up the remains of the armor, carried it to the side of the ship and heaved it into the ocean. It quickly sank from sight.

"Tanaya Paulsdottir, you are no longer a Queen's Guard. These proceedings are closed."

As she headed for the afterdeck, she shook hands with, or hugged, various members of the Guard, those with whom she fought, argued, ordered, disciplined, and loved as family. She no longer had any power as a Queen's Guard.

She was, however, the Queen Consort.

-o0o-

All doors to the leisure room were closed and guarded. Inside sat Tanaya, along with Jarana Duncaster, seven more battlemages, and five healers. Her ladies-in-waiting had been dismissed.

"You are all Queen's Guards. You know the importance of secrecy. What is discussed here does not leave this room," warned Tanaya. She clapped her hands together to start afresh. "Who among you is considered an expert in the subject of shapeshifting, more specifically, lycanthropy?"