Battle For the Title of Guard

Good Morning

When the sun shone in Kazuichi's eyes, he winced. Rolling over, exhaustion dragged at his eyelids. What do I have to do today? Why can't I just sleep? He had had a very long night, and wasn't exactly in his right mind. Something was nagging him though, telling him that today was important...

The contest!

He shot out of bed, swinging his feet over and onto the cold stone floor. Grabbing his jacket, satchel, and blade from the door, he stumbled out the door while pulling on his shoes. He shot a glance at the wall clock on his way out. 12:16 PM. Unless he could borrow a horse, he was certainly going to be late...

Sprinting down the street, and kicking up clouds of dirt in his wake, he made haste to the main city square. He skidded into the crowd about five minutes later. Just in time.

The princess was seated in the wooden throne they had spent a week preparing. Kazuichi himself had used a great many of his free time helping set it up. He felt a quick swell of pride, admiring the craftsmanship of the piece.

This was short-lived, however, as Kazuichi snapped to attention at the sound of Her Majesty the Queen's voice carrying over the crowd. He bounced on his heels, excitement and anxiety blossoming in his chest.

"Welcome, all, to the Decennial Tournament of Court Champions. As you are all aware, every decade we must begin a search for new court wizards, guards, and warriors. Today, this search has brought us to your town. We wish you the best of luck in both showmanship, battle, and magical prowess. Now, without further ado," she gestured widely across the waiting crowd, silver-blue sleeves trailing in an elegant arc, "Let the competition begin."

A cheer arose, every man, woman, and child full of pure bliss. This was a long-awaited day. Many in Kazuichi's town had trained their whole lives to be ready for this day. Many were returning fighters, ones who just barely missed the mark before, but were now so certain that the past 10 years had brought them to the level required for a guard to Her Majesty the Queen.

Kazuichi felt shadows of doubt, but chose to ignore them. He knew he was ready.

The recruiter stepped before the people, holding a thickly raveled scroll in one hand and a tall gilded quill in the other. "Come one, come all! Queue up, queue up! Join the competition for Her Majesty's next Royal Guard!"

A great clamor flew across the square, adults and children alike shoving their way into a line. Everyone wanted a chance to fight, to win the Queen's favor. Kazuichi pushed too, wedging himself between a tall muscular man and a wizardly-looking woman. The man shoved back, elbow connecting with Kazuichi's jaw. He winced and stumbled, and before he could regain composure the line had sealed yet again. Groaning, he conceded and began the walk to the back of the line.

For hours he waited, hearing the sounds of steel hitting steel and magic wooshing through the air, hearing the crowds' gasps of awe and the acceptance of the Queen, letting one, then two, then three, join her at her side. Every time a great cheer went up, but Kazuichi did not cheer with them. With every confirmed recruit, his anxiety rose. He needed to be accepted. He had to get out of here.

When his time came, his hands were shaking. She would only be allowing one more fighter beside her. That was the townwide limit. His shoulders felt heavy and his breaths shallow, as if he were wading through syrup. The recruiter asked his name, and he answered. "Kazuichi Souda."

"Position you're applying for?" The words were stiff. They had been repeated nigh a hundred times.

"Guard to the High Wizard."

A hush fell over the people.

The man scoffed. "Might wanna start with just 'guard', kiddo."

Kazuichi's ears grew hot. "No, I'm starting with guard to the High Wizard!" His breathing grew more uneasy, and the man before him rolled his eyes.

"Alright, fine. But don't blame me if you get killed in the process."

A chill ran down his spine.

I know the risks, he thought. I've trained hard. I know I can do this. Steadying his breathing, he closed his eyes to focus.

When he opened them again, he was in the ring, an armor-clad knight standing before him. With shaking hands, adrenaline coursing through his veins, he raised his sword.