Region of the Guard

Chapter One

 It had been decades since Region was assigned to the noble son and there hadn't been one day that he wasn't waiting outside the prince's door, an hour behind schedule, because the boy didn't want to get out of bed. He knocked on the door for the fourth time that morning.

"Sir, if you don't head to the courtyard soon you will be late for the princess's arrival." After a few moments, there was a sound of scurrying from behind the door. A smirk crossed Region's face as the brunette dragonborn opened the door, shirt still unbuttoned and hair a disheveled mess.

"Alright alright Region, give me five more minutes and you can escort me to the latest suitor." Owen buttoned his shirt and fiddled with his hair before walking back into his room leaving the door open. Region just rolled his eyes and stood outside the doorway watching Owen as he pulled his shoes on and laced the leather ties up his calves before slipping on his sash and heading out of the room. "You know Region, you can enter my room. I've told you before I'm not like my father." Region just shook his head at the boy.

"I'm not risking getting my head bit off by my commander." He locked the door to Owen's room. "Besides, you know the rules as well as I do." Region fell in step behind the boy as they headed to the outer courtyard.
"Yeah yeah, since my great-great-aunt was 'attacked'," Owen made air quotes with his hands, "guards are not allowed in the rooms unless it is an emergency." He shook his head as they continued their way through the castle. After a few minutes of silence, they stopped outside the door. Owen took a deep breath before turning to Region. His guard offered him a soft smile.

"Just another princess, just another family," Region placed a hand on his charge's shoulder. "You can do this Owen. I know you can," he squeezed the boys shoulder gently his eyes going soft for a moment, "and I'll be there every step of the way." Owen met Region's eyes silently before nodding.

" Alright, I'm ready." Region nodded and reached for the handle opening the door.

Owen walked out to the courtyard where a carriage was waiting. He walked to the steps, Region following a few steps behind him, before stepping around Owen and opening the door. Region bowed before turning to Owen.

"May I present Lady Beille." Out stepped a fair-skinned blue-haired dragonborn lady with eyes like honey. She low before looking up at Owen, meeting his eyes.

"My lord," She stood with a near sickening smile on her face, "I have waited for many a day to meet you." She presented her hand to the prince, awaiting a kiss that Owen awkwardly placed on her knuckle before dropping her hand. Region stood behind watching the lady closely, monitoring every move she made towards his charge. Owen took a step back and gestured.

"Lady Beille," He gestured to Region, "This is my personal guard. He will accompany us through our tour of the palace and after, he will introduce you to your guard." She scoffed at Region, obviously irritated by his presence. Region, just stood at the ready watching, much to his disgust, as Lady Beille placed her hand on Owen's arm. He slammed the door to her carriage just before it pulled away. The group started into the palace as she turned to Owen.

"Please Owen, call my Alexandra. There is no need for such formalities. After all," she glanced back at Region, "Our families expect us to wed." Region felt a low growl rumble in his throat, though he fought it back. Owen coughed, shocked at her forwardness. The shy prince had no retort however and just continued showing her around. Region stayed a few feet back, after watching Alexandra trip over nothing. He decided she wasn't much of a threat to the prince physically. Though, from the annoyed look at had taken over Owen's expression, she might be detrimental to his mental health. Much to the boy's relief, the tour came to an end. "Lady Alexandra, this will be your chambers while you are here, and this," Owen gestures to a red-haired dragonborn girl dressed in a solid black uniform similar to Region's, "is Saoirse. She will be your personal guard." Saoirse bowed to her before opening the door to Alexandra's chambers. Owen led Alexandra into the room, leaving the two guards outside. After a very large sigh Region gestured to Saorise to step away from and shut the door. They moved a few yards away so they could speak in private.

"So what do you think Region? Has he found a match?" She leaned against the wall looking at Region. He just shook his head standing in front of her.

"No, I don't. I don't like her and I doubt he does either." Region ruffled his black hair as he looked towards the door. "At least, I hope he doesn't." Saoirse laughed at Region.

"You better watch yourself. People will start to talk. They will think you don't want him to get married." Region chuckled to himself.

"You've got your work cut out for you with this one Saoirse. She's just as handsy as she is mouthy." Region shoved her a bit. "Plus, I'm not sure why you want him to wed. You know what happens when he does." The girl nodded.

"His care goes to your father, they become rulers, and we breed." she shrugged at Region. "We've always known it would be this way. I'm not sure why you fight it Region. Does the idea of mating with me make you uncomfortable?"

"You know that's not what I think. I just don't think it is fair that we don't have a choice. The commoners get to mate for love. Why can't we?" He crossed his arms, a heartbroken look on his face. Saoirse placed a hand on Region's shoulder.

"They have to carry on the royal bloodline, and we have to produce the next line of top fighters for the kingdom. It's our duty Region. Our duty to our king and our country." Region gave Saoirse a look of near disgust. She laughed at him. "Look, I know I'm not exactly your type but I'm not the worst you could do." Region chuckled at that.

"You lack the parts to be my type, but you are right." Region looked towards the door as it opened and Owen walked out stress and terror prominent on his face.

"Region," he walked to his guard with desperation in his voice, "please tell me we have other duties to attend to." The guard took one look at his prince and nodded. He gave Saoirse a look before leading Owen. They took quite a few short cuts through employee corridors before leaving the palace and entering the garden, not stopping until they were well hidden behind a group of weeping willows next to a stream. Region placed his hands on Owen's cheeks.

"Tell me what happened? You never called out in distress yet you look mortified." Owen looked at Region, slightly pressing into his touch.

"Region, she is a monster. She-" the prince stopped, looking in Region's eyes. That was all it took. Region pulled away from Owen, eyes dark, teeth and claws bared.

"I will NOT stand for this." The pure rage in his eyes made Owen uneasy and the boy shied away from the guard. Region stopped.

"Owen," he stepped closer, relaxing his body. "I don't mean to scare you but this isn't right. It is my job to protect you." He pulled Owen into a protective hug. "Why didn't you call for me?" Owen sighed into his touch.

"Region, you can't protect me forever." he laid his head against Regions chest. "I need to learn to fight for myself. How can I run a country if I can't fend off one desperate female." Region hugged Owen tighter.

"Owen, I am here to protect you. I will ALWAYS be here to protect you."