The Guardsman
Being assigned to transport Lord Eligh’s daughter from the estate all the way to Landau City had initially seemed the perfect assignment – many of those also given the job were Tomas’ good friends, and all reports from the Magi were for good weather and smooth traveling for the entire two-week journey.
Of course, the trip had not gone as planned, with a sudden thunderstorm significantly hampering forward progress after the second day and Presta becoming more shrill with each passing hour. To hear the Lady tell it, her carriage was a “work of the under-beast – foul smelling, uncomfortable and hot!” She’d made Johnny-boy’s life a living hell, and Tomas had never seen his friend so out of sorts over any other job he’d captained. Several choice oaths slipped from the big man’s mouth, and Tomas began to worry that rash action might be in the cards.
The attack eliminated any such concerns.
They’d come screaming out of the woods, dirty men with gap-toothed mouths and crude weapons, but the ferocity of their attack combined with sheer numbers was enough to overwhelm the ten guards around Presta’s carriage. Still standing with a wound that would have felled any normal man, Johnny-boy ordered Tomas to take the young Lady to safety, and had then single-handedly held off a full charge by the rabble still on their feet, giving enough time to escape.
“This would not have happened if you people were competent,” Presta went on as they pressed forward through the brush, blonde curls bobbing in time with her words. “I’ve told my father time and again that he must set a better example, must provide more discipline in order to keep servants in line.” The sneer on her face managed to give even cruel words a darker cast.
Tomas held his tongue, though it was becoming increasingly difficult. Good men had bled and died for her safety – silence, if not gratitude, was the appropriate response. Main roads had to be avoided, precautions taken to have any chance of survival, but all Presta could do was complain.
“To die at the hands of such foul men,” she went on, “speaks to the character of those who were to be my ‘protectors’. Their ends were deserved –“ Presta’s words were abruptly halted as Tomas spun, large hands taking a firm grip on slender shoulders.
“You will not speak of my companions, my friends in such a manner, Lady. We were sworn to protect you and did so as well as we were able – Johnny-boy gave his life for yours; I watched him die as we left that clearing. They were not simply servants – they were true and honest, more than you will ever be.” He took a deep breath to calm himself, but it had little effect, and his tongue ran ahead of good sense. “I will see you safely to the city or die trying, but should you ever again sully the name of those who gave their lives for you I will cut out your tongue and teach you a lesson in the true value of silence.”
A small sound came from Presta as her teeth clacked hard together, her normally pale face turning an even more deathly shade of white. Those at the estate stepped lightly around their Lord’s only child – there was no way she could take over the lands when her father passed, but there was some hope he could marry her off to a suitor from a smaller house, one that wanted advancement badly enough to endure her temper.
“Excellent,” Tomas said shortly, “you have an agile mind, Lady – when you choose to use it.” He turned away to conceal a smile; there were a number of things he’d wanted to say for years, and since the chance they would reach Landau City alive was slim, there was no point in holding back true feelings.
The next few days passed in total silence, and despite poor weather along with hastily constructed lodging Presta did not complain. Tomas was considering an apology as they tromped down a thick game trail when he felt a sharp tug on his arm.
“Look!” Presta hissed, and Tomas raised his eyes to the clearing only steps away. A single man in purple stood in its center, bright blue eyes locked on Tomas’ own.
“Magus Trian!” He called as they broke through the brush. “We were ambushed! Attacked! How did you find us – did you bring any men?” There was an enormous rush of relief, chased almost immediately by a looming sense of…fear.
“Your band was more resourceful than I gave them credit for, Tomas,” Trian said softly, hands flashing in an intricate series of gestures. “But it is of no matter now. Both you and Lady Presta will meet your end here, by my hand. I regret only that direct intervention was necessary.”
“No.” Tomas said firmly, stepping forward to draw his sword. “I will not let you harm her.” The man had always been odd, but treasonous? It was beyond madness.
Trian laughed, a mocking thing that rang out over the clearing. “You amuse me, Tomas – you always have – but that is hardly a reason to keep you alive.” His eyes narrowed, and his hands began to glow with greenish light. “Death is coming, guardsman. Make your peace.”
“No!” Presta screamed, slipping around Tomas to face Trian alone. The magus smiled as green fire blazed but though it enveloped the young girl it did not burn, and confident azure orbs were suddenly afraid.
“What? It cannot be!” Trian screamed, and Presta raised both hands.
“It can, you fool – and you should have known better all these years. My power is hardly weak, hardly pitiful. Nothing like yours.”
“Please, I –“ whatever else Trian wanted to say was lost in a storm of bone-white fire, and within moments only smoldering ashes remained. Presta tossed a dark look over her shoulder and then extended a thin hand.
“Come, Tomas.” She said softly. “You must get me to the city, and we have much to discuss.”
The fear in Tomas ebbed, but did not dissipate entirely. What he guarded was suddenly more than expected.
- D
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