With her tail flicking, ears back and eyes narrowed, her arm pulled back, elbow at a ninety degree angle, string in hand; she let go of the string. The arrow flying into the center of the target.
A bright smile on her face as her tail wagged happily. Feet thumped the grassy ground, small hand wrapped around the thin piece of metal, pulling it out of the target; placing it back in it's proper leather bag she carried.
"Nice Bulls-eye." A familiar voice taunted behind her. Whipping around, the female guard smiled and waved. "Hi Dante!" The blue haired guard chuckled. "Hey Akea!" He waved and winked. "Nekeoette has been dying for some archery lessons and I feel you'd be the best to give her some, in your free time of course but it is up to you!" Dante smiled walking towards the brunette guard.
"Sure! Nekeoette is great to teach! She learns so quick!" Akea exclaimed. "Cool! I'll p-" as soon as Akea heard the 'p' She shut him up. "Dante no. No pay. All free!" Akea said sternly. "Now, I believe you actually need to get back to Lord Levin." Akea boasted, packing her things.
"Stubborn one you are." Dante joked. "But actually, that's the main reason I came to you.." he sighed. Akea perked up. "What's wrong?" She asked.
"Long story short; I've been under stress lately and had to... Uh step down- I'm not out of the guard castle but I'm a watcher once more. And you will be taking my spot." Dante explained.
Akea's ears went back. "But Dante, you've been Levin's personal for what? Fifteen, sixteen years now? You ca-" "Yes I can.. and I specifically chose you because I knew you could take my position.." Dante sighed. "Just promise me one thing.." Dante's lapis colored hair had fallen into his eye a bit.
"What's that..?" Akea asked softly, her tail stopping its wagging.
"Be safe... this job is tough but... you can handle it... you got that?" Dante asked, taking her hand. Akea nodded.
The two walked back to the village together, tomorrow was Akea's ceremony. The ceremony to which she would become Lord Levin's personal guard of Phoenix Drop. Ohhh~ boy.
~~~~
(The next day)
Akea's ears were back as she faced the mirror, her heart was pounding, fear rising in her chest, making it feel like there was no room for her feeble lungs.
"Akea.." a gruff voice said softly. His darker blonde hair seeming to shine as the moon had casted it's glow.
She turned around; forcing a smile for the guard who is much like a father to her. "H-hi Garroth!"
"Stop with the fake smile." The blonde said bluntly. His blue eyes narrowed. "I know you're nervous. You have every right to be. You know feel exactly how I felt when I was chosen as Lady Aphmau's guard. But Katelyn would like to see you after your ceremony. She said it's special." Garroth smiled and engulfed Akea's small frame in a hug. The wolf quickly returned the hug.
"Crap.. we gotta get down to the Irene statue.." Akea said looking outside. "Yeah let's go." Garroth said and ran down the stairs, Akea following in pursuit.
~~~~
Her heart racing. Ears held high though. Amber eyes calm. Though deep inside, she was freaking out.
"Akea, please.. step forward." Lady Aphmau said sweetly, yet sternly.
Akea obliged. She had stepped forward, no hesitation when she knelt down on one knee, head down and hand placed on the ground to keep her balance, tail curled slightly at the tip, ears high and eyes closed lightly. Just like she practiced with Dante and Garroth.
She head the cold sound of the silvery sword being pulled from its chamber.
"Akea, due to Dante stepping down, you must take his place, I am sure you shall due amazing protecting my son, Lord Levin." Aphmau spoke.
The sound of the falling water behind her from the Lady Irene Fountain didn't distract her from the task at hand.
"By the power invested into Lady Irene herself," the ice cold sword touched the wolf's left shoulder. "I know pronounce Akea Addison Lord Levin's personal guard." Aphmau said, the touch of the cold sword on her right shoulder now. "I pray to Irene that you protect and serve not only Phoenix Drop but Lord Levin too." The touch of the sword was soon taken away.
Just as practiced, Akea walked up to Levin and grasped his hand, shaking it gently. The smirk evident of Levin's face. He leaned down slightly. "I knew I could count on Dante to pick someone who was just as great as him." The blonde lord whispered.
The villagers broke up, going to the afterparty.
Garroth had come up to Akea and scared her.
"Boo!" The darker blonde haired guard laughed. Akea groaned. "You suck.." She huffed.
"But anyway you did amazing!" Garroth smiled. "Without the help of you and Dante, who knew what kind of trouble I would have gotten into..." Akea shook her head with laughter, leaning against the wall she was standing near. "Eh, you would have been great either way." Garroth chuckled taking a swig of the beer he was holding.
"Anyway, I'mma go talk to Yip!" Akea smiled. "Bye Garroth!" She walked off wagging her tail.
Garroth shook his head with a smile. Dante has come up to him. "That girl sure is something. ." The blue haired watcher smiled. "Yes She is, Dante... Yes she is..." Garroth said smiling. His blue eyes watching the brown haired werewolf talk to the other dark skinned werewolf. Smiling and laughing everyone continued on with their night.
The only person missing is Laurence.
He would be glad to see his little sister a personal guard to a major lord.
