The Witch and the Zodiac | Kyo

Chapter 6- Stone-Faced

A woman with salt-and-pepper hair tied neatly in a bun on the top of her head opened the door.

"Ah. You must be the new bodyguard. You're early." She stepped aside, motioning for him to enter. "Please, come in."

"Thanks." The young man stepped inside, removing his shades and sticking them into his pocket.

"My name is Avalon Magdalena Elizabeth Wolffe, otherwise known as the Matron Caretaker of the Bastion Witches. From this point forward, you'll be working directly under Michael Sanders and myself to oversee the safety of the young Witch. Michael was the one to conduct your interview, so you've already been acquainted."

The man looked around the interior of the large castle, then back at the Matron.

"Where is the Witch now?"

"The Nanny is attending to her." Avalon replied. "Follow me. I'll give you a brief tour before you meet the Witch."

"Of course."

"Now, there are over five-hundred rooms in the Witches' Castle, so I don't expect you to memorize the layout right away, but it was built with efficiency in mind, so I'm sure you'll know it soon enough." The Matron led him around, gesturing at the rooms as the passed and naming them. "Since she's still an infant, she's especially prone to Ghoul attacks. However, I've read your letters of recommendation and am confident that you're capable enough for the job. Leon Kemp is legendary and only trains a select few, so you having been a student of his is very assuring. Protecting the Witch is of most importance."

"When Michael returns from his meeting with the Prime Minister, he'll debrief you on each of the hidden passages and secret exits. They may only be used in the case of emergency, but it's important for all of the staff to be familiar with them. To date, we've never experienced a siege on the castle by Ghouls, but we take every precaution in the event that it occurs."

She continued to explain as he dutifully listened.

"Without other Witches to oversee her education, we've already begun preparations for tutors to be brought in once she's of age. At that time, you'll be in charge of her schedule, but we'll discuss that later. As for your current duty, you're to accompany the Witch and Nannies wherever they go. Ghouls have been known to target infant Witches before, and then there is also the threat of attack by the anti-Witch faction."

She looked over at him. "Do you have any questions before I continue?"

He nodded slightly. "If I may... what happened to the last guard?"

Avalon pursed her lips. "He was... inadequate."

"Inadequate?" He asked, and the woman began walking once more.

"He took shortcuts and wasn't prudent enough. One of the Nannies had taken the Witch for a walk, and a group of anti-Witch activists ambushed them. He had failed to do a thorough sweep of the area, and they overwhelmed him. They killed both him and the nanny, and attempted to kidnap the Witch. We were lucky that Michael had followed behind them. There's no telling what would have happened to her if he hadn't arrived."

"I see." He responded quietly.

"I'm sure there's no need to reiterate this, but I will again." She turned and stared at the young man with her brows furrowed. "The Witch's life is more valuable than anyone else's. Should anything happen to her, we will be defenseless against the Ghouls. If it comes down to it, it is your job to die in her place. Is that understood?"