Chapter 3: Love Lost

The castle was a bustle of movement as arrangements were being made and task were taken care of. In the inner garden area, Lady Kyn’A stood in all her regal and splendor donned in her traditional royal dress; a deep red and violet mermaid bottomed dress the flared out slightly at her feet. The sleeveless dress was topped with an asymmetrical ruffled collar in varying shades of violet. Her bright orange eyes were melancholy as her hand lazily brushed through her long silver braids.

In front of her stood Prince Vanesis, a tall broad shouldered illura with large cat-like ears and deep golden eyes. As was customary for any potential suitor of the royal family, the man would have to formally ask for the Lady’s permission to court, and a prince was no exception. Kneeling, the prince took her right hand and solemnly asked, “May I have the honor of your courtship?” Even though a courtship didn’t guarantee a marriage, it did guarantee that the Lady would be exclusive to the courtship for at least three meetings and after that could decide to terminate the relationship. Lady Kyn’A, had yet to become exclusive.

“I’m sorry Prince Vanesis, but I must decline.” She gave a tired sigh as he stood, giving her a look that screamed ‘How dare you’ before storming off. Her younger sister K’Yani shook her head,

“Sister, that is the fifth suitor you have turned down, mom is going to have a fit when she hears!” Standing two inches shorter than her sister, she was a spitting image. Her electric blue eyes stared up at her sister, surprised to see her so calm.

“Yeah I know.” Kyn’A sighed, beginning to move towards the edge of the garden.

“But you don’t give any of them a chance.” K’Yani whined, “That Prince was mighty cute.”

Kyn’A stopped in her tracks and turned to her sister, “You are too young to understand. I want real love, not this fake crap I’m getting.”

“But how do you know it’s fake when you haven’t even been around them?”

“Most only ask because I’m royalty, a key to a life of riches and fame.”

“And the prince?”

“Did you see the look on his face? It’s just a sport to him. His ego is as big as Astria!”

K’Yani shrugged, “Well whatever the reasoning,” the two began to walk towards the edge of the garden again, “Mom is still going to have a fit.” They passed through the edge and into the main hallway. “You are going to end up in an arranged marriage if you are not careful.”

“Oh she better not even think about it!” Kyn’A declared. K’Yani laughed.

“I’ve never seen you even interested in a man, you’re not… that other way are you?” K’Yani wiggled her finger at her sister. Kyn’A’s eyes widened and she shoved her sister playfully,

“Don’t ever SAY that!” they both laughed, “How dare you!” The two came to the far end of the hall and up a flight of stairs to their quarters. Kyn’A opened the door to her room then stopped, ushering her sister to follow her in.

“Actually,” she began, whispering as she closed the door, “There was one man…” This time K’Yani’s eyes widened.

“Oh do tell!”

“Well it was many years ago, I tried to take matters in my own hands. I used to sneak out of the castle, just to get away from being ‘royal’. I’d wear a long cloak and change my hair and eye color and-“

“How’d you do that?” K’Yani asked excitedly, “That sounds like so much fun!”

“I don’t know really, I just thought about it and it happened. However it happened, it was worth it.” She sat on her bed, and got comfortable, “Anyway, I met a guy in a little hidden area on the far side of the grounds. He was handsome, tall and had a heart of pure gold.” Her voice turned dreamy, “I started going out there at least once a week. We’d meet up and talk for hours!” she turned to her sister, “Oh K’Yani he was everything I ever wanted in a man!”

“But who was he? Maybe we could find him and he could be your suitor!” She exclaimed, jumping up and running to the door.

“Well… no… he can’t.” Kyn’A answered, putting her hands in her lap and looking at the floor. K’Yani turned back,

“Why not?”

“Because,” she gave a long sigh, “I don’t know who he is.”

“What you mean you don’t know?”

“Well, we never exchanged names.”

K’Yani laughed, as she plopped back onto the bed, “How do you spend weeks with someone and not know their name?”

“It’s not funny. Think about it. If I asked him his name, he’d ask me mine. Right?”

“Right.”

“But I couldn’t tell him who I really was, especially since I did so much to NOT look like myself. I was scared that I’d scare him off if he knew who I was or that I was lying.” She shrugged with another sigh, “So, anytime it came up, I wouldn’t let him tell me his name so I wouldn’t have to give him mine, or think of a lie.”

“And he went along with it?”

“I told you he’s a gentleman, he respected my wishes.”

“Ok.” K’Yani thought for a moment, “So what ever happened to this mystery guy?”

“I don’t know.” She put her head in her hands, “He just…disappeared.”

Chapter 2: A Sentinel’s Honor

It is in our darkest hour that we need those who believe in us, so we can believe in ourselves…

Nathaniel was still staring at the necklace long after he heard the door close after Scriya. He knew he had no choice now. He had to return. Then again, he knew it all along. There was no way he could run from his past forever.

“What is done in darkness must come out to the light.” He murmured. Nathaniel had hoped the queen would have forgotten he even existed after all these years. But leave it to Lady La’Ana to be like clockwork.  “Next week will be seven years since I left the castle and ten years of service as grounds security.” He closed his eyes happily at the thought.

His first glimpse of her seemed like only yesterday. She wore a glittering gold gown with beige lace accents that complimented her gold tiara with emeralds. He was always one of true humility, but there was none a day that he felt more humble than to be chosen for the Lady La’Ana’s personal circle. You see, those who choose to be Sentinels are taught many ways of combat, along with a high standard of etiquette. The Sentinels were the country’s first line of defense as well as role models for the men who lived in the land. Not all men joined the ranks, and of those that tried, not all could handle the high standards that were expected of them. Nathaniel, always exceeded the high demands, rising up in both rank and favor. He became the only Sentinel in his family, giving them honor and also freeing them from their life of poverty.

A Sentinel who shows potential will go through twelve years of vigorous training. Once the training is over, the Sentinel will take specialty classes according to what their job would be. Some remained the country’s leading line of defense, while others became the castle security, chauffeurs, and other numerous tasks. Nathaniel, though, was chosen as one of the Majestic Circle, a very elite group of Sentinels who were allowed into the interior of the castle near the royal family. Put in charge of protecting the family and being by their side for whatever they may need; very few Sentinels ever become MCs. So when Nathaniel was first personally introduced to Lady La’Ana, it was a day he would never forget. The highest honor a Sentinel could receive and he had earned it.

Lady La’Ana was shocked then, when Nathaniel bowed low and turned down the offer. He remembered thinking that it would mean the end of his honor, and the end of him being a Sentinel, but there was no way he could have taken the job that she had inducted him into the MC to do. Kneeling at her feet, with his eyes closed, he could feel tears developing. He could feel the tone of the crowd around him turn instantly sour. A shock came again when La’Ana folded her arms, told him to stand, and look her in the eyes. He obeyed, and seeing the hurt in his eyes she knew that he was genuine.

“Sir Nathaniel, you are the best Sentinel I have, and I refuse to allow you to reject an honor that you so rightly deserve.” At this, the crowd grew silent,

“Lady La’Ana, I ask but one request, that you allow me leave for seven years, and if you still desire my services, I will accept your offer without hesitation.”

La’Ana smiled, “Let it be as you wish.”

Nathaniel took another deep breath, turning the necklace over in his hand. She was surely expecting him now. He gave a sad chuckle. “Clockwork.” He said aloud to himself, “Lady La’Ana was always one for precise timing.” He slowly rose from his chair, laying his sword and sheath on the table and putting the necklace in his pocket. “I might as well return it to its rightful owner.” Turning to his wardrobe he pulled out the royal armor of the MCs and blew the dust off of them. To the untrained eye, the garments looked like regular clothes. The actual armor was a special type, which would only become visible when in use. Otherwise, it was a suit pleasing to the Royal family. His was royal blue with red lining, with the symbol of the Royal Family, a dove surrounded by a rainbow. Nathaniel took his jet black hair down, brushed it and braided it nice and tight, then tucked it inside the shirt, which was customary for Sentinels. He put on thick shades, an extra requirement for MCs alone, and slid on his polished black boots. Now dressed appropriately to greet the royalty, he took one last look around his quaint cottage, before grabbing his sword from the table and walking out of the door.

Chapter 1: Facing the Past

There comes a time when all must reach into the shadows and face the things that they fear the most…

A woman sat in a chocolate colored chair facing a window. She stared longingly out into a deep blue sky. The moon rested in between the clouds and reflected light onto her face. She blinked, her honey hues gleaming up into the twinkling stars and she sighed. Just then she heard something splatter against the wall behind her. She turned to see a little brown creature with no feet, long ears and dull orange paw pads on its two large front paws, bouncing around the room holding a small piece of paper. Her eyes instantly widened.

“You got it? You got it!” she jumped out of her seat almost knocking the chair over in the process.

“Milo got it yes! Milo has!” the little creature said telepathically, but he wouldn’t stop bouncing around the room, splatting into anything he hit, leaving a burst of multicolored sparkles and a sound like fireworks. No doubt he was one of the most hyper of all the creatures she knew, and if any of the others had been around at the time, she certainly would not have picked her own for the task.

“Milo… stop… Milo… hey… Milo…” she tried irritably to calm him down, running around the room trying to catch the little guy. “MILO!!!” she finally yelled, startling him as he froze in mid air. She leaped up and grabbed him. “Gotcha!” she exclaimed.

“You scared Milo!” he mumbled, still telepathically, as her arm was wrapped around his head, and the other around his middle. “Milo needs to breathe!” he added, squirming in her arms. She held him a moment then put him down carefully,

“Sorry Milo…” she said quietly. He waved the piece of paper frantically at her knees (since that is as high as he could reach) while bouncing in place.

“Milo got a great shot! Milo did!” she grabbed the paper with a big smile on her face, then collapsed on the floor next to him, laying the paper out in front of her.

Milo just stared at her, “Something wrong with Scriya? Milo not think she looks well.” Scriya managed to un-glue her eyes from the paper to look at him.

“I’m GREAT Milo!” she grabbed him and hugged him tightly “Thank you thank you thank you!” Milo giggled,

“Its – ” She felt the symbol around her right eye heat up telling her that she was needed. “Drat.” she snapped, rising from the floor. She forced the paper into Milo’s paw, “Guard it with your life.” He looked at her strangely but didn’t question it. “Now you remember what I told you.”

“Yes… Milo guard with his life…” he said looking down at the paper, “Scriya sure is strange.” Scriya laughed, closed her eyes, and disappeared.

When she opened her eyes she was floating softly above the water, the moon shining glitters upon her, and her body nothing but multicolored sepia sparkles. She was a glowing almost shapeless figure, accented by the stars and the reflections of the water. When the water stopped, a deep forest began, and she maneuvered it seamlessly, not hitting branch, leaf or blade of grass. All without a single sound.  She floated along until she spotted a small run down cottage, in an area so dense with foliage the light from the moon could not break through.

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Deep violet eyes stared unto the reflection on the metal. The shine of the sword made his face show clearly, glaring the edge of the blade. He was alert now; the sleep had done him well. It had been forever since he closed his eyes and had somewhat of a peaceful sleep. That is why he was alert now, something didn’t seem right. As a gesture of restlessness, his hand carefully stroked the blade.  It had a shimmering silver hilt that curved down on either side of the blade in intricate details, and a large Cobalt stone gave the sword glints of blue. It was powerful and had a history right alongside his upbringing. He reflected on the sword’s past and saw his own. A single tear slowly trickled down his cheek and onto the blade.

“You should rest…” a woman said behind him. Her voice was sincere, and sweet, almost sounding as if more than one person was speaking in unison. Even though it had been years since he’d seen her, it was a voice you could never forget. He turned slowly, not wanting to lock eyes with her. He stopped midway into the turn, his eyes low.

“Thank you, but I am fully rested. I should go out and practice.” He said calmly, wiping the tear off of the sword and sheathing it. “One must be able to do one’s duty…”

“This is true Nathaniel.” She spoke with a smile. She rested her hand on his shoulder, and then ran it along his jet black braid, which was over half the length of his body. As she does he realizes exactly why she came for him and why he had a peaceful sleep. It would be the only one he would have for a long time. He turned completely away from her, knocking her hand out of his hair.

“No M’lady…I cannot. I know what you have come to ask.” He said, turning his head slightly to the right, and laying his hand on the table. His fingers ran against a small necklace. A marbled heart atop a cross hung on a deep blue chain. Looking at it, he sighed deeply. He picked it up and twirled it a couple of times in his fingers.

The woman looked upon him with honey-colored eyes. “You are LA’Ana’s prized—“

“Please…don’t say that.” he said putting down the necklace and walking away from her and towards the window.

“If you don’t come with me you know your Highness will seek you.”

Nathaniel turned his head, looking straight into her eyes, “Don’t tell her you found me.” He spoke with more life in his voice then even he expected.

“If she asks I will tell the truth.”  She folded her arms, with a look of disapproval.

“Scriya, you don’t understand. I cannot go back.” He put his head down and turned away.

“And why not?” she asked raising a brow.

“I cannot say.”

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