The Four Swords

Chapter 35: Well Guarded

"Well said, Lord Jacob!" Alina stepped out from the gardens with Cali close behind her.

"Thank you, Your Highness. I have only seen such nonsense on a smaller scale than I'm sure you have had to endure," My father admitted.

"Is it always that way? People pander to you for their own gain?" I asked Alina. Letting it all soak in around me.

"No. Sometimes you find true friends. Like ones that tell you how ridiculous it is for them to wear court appropriate attire when that is where they are heading that day." Alina looked over toward Cali with an exasperated expression.

Cali was wearing a dress once again. She looked absolutely miserable. She was itching to join the practice I just left.

"Well it is ridiculous. You have two legs and one skirt. Mathematically you're dooming yourself to trip," Cali retorted.

Although I partially saw Cali's point, I could never imagine her tripping. She was graceful and poised even if she didn't see it herself.

Cali's eyes longing peered toward the drills. The noise of clanging swords resumed. We were not far from the action. Her father always let her train with her clansmen at home, but women were never seen on the training grounds within the castle walls.

"I hope for your sake, Your Highness, that letting people throw insults around is not the only way you find who you can trust," my father mused playfully.

"No. But I will say that some charmers are more easily noticed than others. You must be careful." Alina warned.

"Thank you for the advice," I had already let two men fool me today alone. I would need more than just to train with a sword.

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Just then a particular hard hit between two fighters jarred my thoughts. Turning to face the field, I saw a loose sword flying towards us. Cali was quicker than I was. She grabbed the practice sword from my hand and deflected the rogue weapon.

Choruses of apologies came from the field. The two men who lost the weapon each claimed fault. I think neither was fully focused on their drill with two such beautiful ladies around. Or maybe it was their power that distracted the gentlemen. I recently realized the draw that it had for some people.

"Amazing save, Cali!" My father whose back was turned till the last moment was thoroughly impressed.

"Thank you, Lord Jacob." Cali's grin grew large. She always enjoyed using a sword.

"I originally came to find Jack so that we could go to the petitioner's court. I guess we should head that way so that Cali and I don't distract your men any more. I'd hate for someone to get injured." Alina thought out loud.

"Lead the way." At least I wouldn't embarrass myself further on the practice field.

"How come he gets to wear that and I'm stuck in satin?" Cali half heartedly joked.

"Don't worry, Cali. We will all be uncomfortable together. I brought a change of more appropriate clothes." I pointed toward my bag I left at the edge of the field.

"As long as we are in this together." Cali smiled. I liked the way that sounded coming from her. She was far from an optimist but at least she had my back.

I changed quickly in a washroom that Alina picked. I had not noticed the small troop of guards that followed her through the garden until we wondered our way back inside the castle. The two men that were assigned to me, fell in step behind her men. They had watched me train from the edge of the field. When I re-emerged in court attire, Alina and Cali seemed perturbed.

"Do you really have to lead the way? I know my way around my own home." Alina complained.

It looked like a new set of guards had come to relieve her last set. While the guards who accompanied her garden stroll were content to let her stand in front, it seemed these gentlemen were determined to create a diamond like formation around her.

"Yes, Your Highness" the one in the front of the pack responded.

"Can you at least give us a little more space?" Cali nudged the man beside her with her elbow to emphasize her point.

"No, Lady Calista. If you are ready, we will proceed," The guard droned without feeling.

"Very well." Alina fluttered her hand forward, granting permission for the group to continue.

I did not fit in the formation. I found myself at the back of the pack with my two shadows. I truly looked at the two men for the first time.

One was more swarthy with dark brown eyes. The other man had a round face with short light brown hair. I knew they probably would not question their counterparts, but this set up wasn't conducive to me talking to the girls. I tried my luck.

"What's up with that?" I tilted my head in the direction of the stern guard leading our group.

The round faced guard rolled his eyes and smiled at me. He found the man ridiculous too.

The swarthy man's expression made me want to laugh. He puffed up his chest and dramatically frowned, mimicking Alina's guard down to the exaggerated strut.

Since neither man spoke in our interaction, we shared this moment without the other guards suspecting a thing. If I had to have shadows, at least mine were amusing.

The lead guard turned a corner before the petitioner's court. Maybe Alina should have been leading. Even I knew where it was. Where was this guy taking us?

"Why are we going toward the king's parlor?" Alina inquired, tipping me off as to what part of the castle this was.

"King's orders," the man replied flatly.

The doors opened to the king sitting in a large arm chair. The unsettling look on his face made me shiver.

"You're late." His fingers drummed on his arm as if ticking away the time. We were in trouble