The Four Swords

Chapter 54: Regarding Guards

I approached Alina's chambers for the second time today. I was beginning to feel like an expert of the royal wing. I fell in step behind the Queen with Finley, Alejo and the maid named Marta shortly behind. I have never been more proud to be the Queen's subject.

The two guards who greeted me the first time I came down the hall still faithfully held their positions. The two men shared a startled look with each other. Neither of them expected the Queen to visit. Before we reached their post, the shorter one retreated into the Princess's parlor to retrieve Caismir.

The Queen approached the taller guard in all her glory. "Good sir, I need to speak to my daughter about changes she approved for the Prince's chambers. May I pass?"

Who would deny the queen entry to anywhere?

The guard stood in complete awe as our monarch addressed him. His mouth hung open with a single syllable emanating from his maw, "uhh."

Luckily Caismir came to the man's side. "Your Majesty! What an unexpected surprise. His Majesty did not tell the Princess's guards that we should be expecting such an honor!" Caismir added a flourished bow to the end of his flowery speech.

"Ah, Caismir, is it? I have heard a lot about you," the queen gushed. The words were true, but her tone made them seem like a compliment as opposed to a condemnation.

Caismir shot a panicked glance my way, before letting the elation of the queen knowing his name sweep across his slender face. This man wanted to be someone.

"I hope they were all favorable things, Your Majesty," Caismir clothed his speech in false modesty.

"I actually wanted to meet you, Mister Caismir. I heard you take safety very seriously. I do worry about my dear husband. Would you consider a transfer from the post protecting my daughter to being a personal guard for my husband?" The Queen used a distressed tone.

Our Queen is brilliant. She just offered Caismir a promotion, at least from a guard perspective, all while making it seem like he would be doing her a favor if he complied. On top of that, Alina would be free from the zealous guard.

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"I.. I would be honored," Caismir stammered. His eyes grew wide in anticipation.

"Of course any personal guard might need a few lieutenants, if these men suit your temperament," The Queen vaguely motioned to the other two men who were standing in the hall.

"It would be a pleasure to continue working with these men. Thank you, Your Majesty!" Casimir could have died from excitement.

"So shall it be done. Report to the King's Chamber tomorrow morning. For the rest of today please feel free to plan amongst yourselves about how to best protect King Caderyn. You are dismissed," the Queen cleared the path to Alina's room.

It was only as the three men were walking away, I realized a deeper brilliance in the Queen's method. She now had three more pairs of fairly loyal eyes watching the King. It's hard to keep secrets from that many people when they are with you all day.

I stopped mid step dumbfounded. Is that why the Queen assigned Finley and Alejo to me? To make sure I had no secrets? I continued in step behind the Queen. If that was her original intent, then I surely disappointed her. I'm kind of an open book. My favorite kind of book.

Finley opened the door for the Queen and the rest of us followed. Alina was sitting with her back to the door.

"Caismir, for the last time, please stay outside!" Alina's volume teetered on the edge of a shout. When no one responded, she turned around.

"Mother!" Alina beamed as she ran into the Queen's open arms.

"He's gone, sweetheart. Marta is going to stay with you for a couple of days," The Queen informed her.

"Your maid?" Alina asked, pulling back from the embrace. "I'm grateful, don't get me wrong, but I'm confused as to why."

"Trust me. Until I fully unravel your father's thinking behind all those guards he sent, you will want her nearby," The Queen cryptically stated.

"So she's now my guard?" The conjecture was rhetorical, but mischief ran across the Queen's face.

"Let's just say she's been trained by one of the best." The Queen eyed the two men by the door.

"Your Majesty! I thought you said you weren't giving away my secrets!" Alejo protested in good humor.

"I didn't. You did. I didn't say you trained anyone," Queen Valerie pointed out. Alejo rolled his eyes at the logic.

"Nice to meet you, Marta. Welcome." Alina remembered her manners.

"Thank you, Your Highness," the sweet dark-haired woman responded. For some reason her cheeks turned rosey as Alejo looked her way and smiled.

"Sadly Alina, the rest of us must be going. There is a Swordsman meeting we need to attend. I will call on you later," Queen Valerie interrupted my internal evaluation of Marta.

"Sounds good. See you soon." Alina then turned toward me. "Thank you, Jack!"

"My pleasure," I said before bowing my head and following the Queen out the door. My shadows fell in behind me, leaving Alina and Marta to get to know each other.

I slowed my pace as we walked through the corridor, placing myself between the two guards. I was curious. They knew so much about me, but I knew very little about them.

"Alejo, did you really train the Queen's maid to fight?" I hoped I was not being too forward.

"Yes and no. My wife was not the Queen's maid when I trained her to fight," Alejo offered.

"You're married?!" I looked at his hand, but saw no wedding band.

"Yes," the swarthy man responded nonchalantly before noticing me inspecting his hands. "A ring would tell enemies that too. It's one way to keep her safer."

"And here you are blaming me for telling all your secrets, Alejo!" Queen Valerie laughed.

Alejo again rolled his eyes before joining the rest of us in a moment of joyous camaraderie