Aetherian(Part 1): A War Begins

Melody

 Melody's day quickly went from joy to sadness when her father knighted her as a Guardian, and then Trevor was exiled. In the chambers of the King's Council, she knew her father could sense her despair.

"You shouldn't be sad about Trevor leaving, Melody," he said. "He can handle himself."

"But those assassins that kept trying to kill him..."

"Are no match for him, especially with Illyria," her father promised.

"Why did he have to be sent away?" Melody demanded. "Is he really that big of a threat to King Robar?"

"No, but as the son of the King he slew..."

"So, yes? Why did you let him exile Trevor, anyway?"

"Because I'm already trying to solve a murder, and I didn't want to cause trouble with King Robar," said Garrett.

"How's that going for you, anyway?" Melody asked.

"Not as well as I would have hoped," Commander Vestarr admitted.

"Did you think about speaking to the last person to see him alive?" said Melody. "Where is he?"

"I'm still trying to find that out."

"Who is he?"

"A former Dragon Knight," said Commander Vestarr. "I don't know if he's still alive or not."

"Well, there has to be some kind of record, right?" asked Melody. "We could ask Ser Lloyd, couldn't we?"

"He's the Commander of the Dragon Guard," her father corrected. "The one that's in charge of the Dragon Knights is Ser Brett Coyle."

"And where is he?" asked Melody.

"The barracks, ideally," said Vestarr. "Wait, why?"

"I'll go find him," Melody quickly said, and she left the chambers, but her father quickly called her back in. She could sense reluctance from him, but it went away.

"Be careful down there," he warned. "You don't want to mess around with even a single Dragon Knight, let alone a dozen. Ask for Ser Jandar."

"I'll be right back," Melody promised, and she went down to the barracks. The Knights and soldiers down there gave her strange looks, but she wasn't surprised. They were Lysander soldiers, wearing dark jackets and black half-helmets.

"You're in the wrong place, girl," one of the white-armored Knights said.

"Actually, this is just where I need to be," Melody corrected, smiling. "I'm looking for Ser Brett Coyle."

"Why?" asked the Knight.

"That's none of your concern, Ser," Melody warned, then she turned away.

"Don't turn your back on me!" the Lysander Knight shouted.

"Oh, give me a break," Melody sighed. She turned around to the Knight and dozen soldiers pointing assault rifles at her and quickly ignited her blue lightsword. A few of the soldiers stepped back at the sight of the glowing blade. Melody raised her blade, ready to attack when she suddenly sensed a feeling of dread from the Knight and soldiers. They quickly dropped their rifles and ran. When Melody turned around, a big man wearing the Dragon Knights' black armor was standing at the door to the barracks.

"If you were looking for me, these were the wrong barracks, Captain Vestarr," Ser Brett said.

"Ser Brett Coyle?" asked Melody, putting her blade away.