Guardian It was now night time, the azure sky having bled away to a purple hued velvet that was impregnated with stars. The moon was a glowing sickle hanging from above, and the dark woods surrounding the young woman were strangely silent. It was a perfectly gorgeous night...too bad she couldn't concentrate on it. Across from the cinnamon skinned Anthy, the hulking robotic figure sat immobile on a log. Every now and then a small beam of twin blue lights would scan across the terrain, catching startled rabbits and owls. The fire crackled and popped loudly in the awkward silence as Anthy's brow twitched. Yes...there wouldn't be any enjoyment of stars this night. The silence was extremely awkward for the young woman, although she usually wasn't one for chit chat most of the time. Her duties at the castle, and attending her brother...didn't often allot her a chance to interact socially. But this loud silence was only broken now and then by the clicking clank of the Guardian's armor. Eerie...very eerie. Only hours earlier, the magical clockwork knight had escorted her down the mountain trails, quickly finishing off the General's men with a practiced ease. The Guardian, upon her request, merely stunned them and took their weapons, tossing them far off the edge of the cliff. The rest of the men had turned and fled, leaving their defeated green-haired leader behind, and freeing up the road for Anthy to leave. It then went about the process of investigating her wounded feet and hands, checking that the cuts were not too deep, and bandaging them as best it could for the time being. Anthy had sat through the examination silently and calmly, like a shock victim. Once through, the Guardian had then followed behind her as she hesitantly began leading them back towards the castle she had come from, intending to return with her new protector. But after only an hour's walking time, the metal creature had called a halt, declaring hollowly that travel at night in these lands was not wise Now, in the small camp they had made, Anthy could no longer bear the silence that stretched between them. So with a polite smile and a warm voice she spoke, "Ah...If it isn't too rude a question...just what exactly...are you?" She hastened to elaborate, so as not to offend her new protector. "What I mean is...there is an enchantment about you, something that's somewhat familiar to what I've worked with and studied. But...you are also...something else." She screwed up her brow as she thought, feeling that sightless helm turn to look directly at her. "Like a...doll...or maybe some sort of construct. I've never seen metal move like you do." For a while there was no reply, but then the hulking metal figure sat up a little straighter and replied in that low hollow ringing voice. "I am...a result of bio engineering and cybernetics. Unlike most robots, I am what is called a cyborg, human and technology melded into one being with the human core and brain functions still left intact." Anthy stared at the thing in bewilderment. Roh...bawt? Sai...borg? What were these strange words? It sounded like something a bard or a story teller might make up. She couldn't even loosely recall this sort of language being mentioned in the Guardian legends themselves...and she had devoted a great deal of her time studying them. Seeing Anthy's reaction, the thing gave a creaking sound as it leaned back on the log. "...Hmm...I don't suppose ..." Anthy looked up in interest. Her newly resurrected protector...it looked like it was hesitating over something. Keenly she leaned forward. "...Would you happen to know how long I was put into hibernation? There was no equipment or monitors in the cavern. I suppose it's been...50...perhaps a 100 years?" Anthy looked at the tall knight and cocked her head to the side. She looked demure sitting there, almost elegant despite her tattered dirty dress, and bloody soiled body. With as much polite gentleness as she could, she broke the news. " My lord Guardian...the scrolls that I have studied...the ones I used to find you and learn about you...they give the legend that you've been in a magic sleep for nearly two thousand years..." The hunk of metal sitting there said nothing to that, absorbing this new piece of information. Then it stood and began to walk into the wood. Worriedly, Anthy stood and called out, "W-wait! Where are you going!" The suit of armor turned, it's alien glowing eyes locking onto her form. "...you do not have any provisions with you. And based on my estimates, you haven't eaten for at least 6 hours, probably more. I'm going to hunt some game and create your sleeping arrangements." Anthy blinked in surprise at this, taken aback by the Guardian's observations. Yes she hadn't eaten but... Was it her imagination, or did the walking relic seem to carry a note of gentleness in it's voice? Anthy found herself relaxing a bit more, as it disappeared into the woods, quickly returning with three skinned rabbits, and much to her shock: a bed roll. "I located one of the enemy's horses caught in the thicket. It still had most of the soldier's things tied to the saddle." It explained, as it handed the thickly rolled material to her. As the dusky woman's fingers brushed over those gauntleted hands, she looked up into that shadowed face mask. Only the faintest blue light seemed to be shining there...so strange and alien, yet somehow intriguing to look at as well. Like witch's fire...or the pixie lights in the more mythically inhabited sections of the kingdom. Enchanting...and so lifeless. She took the roll, and looked away. "Thank you." With a clicking clank, it moved away back towards the log but did not sit down. Instead it placed it's hand upon the sword hilt it wore around it's waist. "Think nothing of it, my Princess. While you sleep I shall stand guard...and in the morning we shall continue to head for your castle." The green eyed woman slipped down into the sleeping roll, but paused as she spoke. "You call me a Princess, but I am not. I am merely a witch in...service to the king." The Guardian answered without turning. "You are indeed a Princess...one of Dio's blood...otherwise you would not have been able to summon me from my hibernation program." The woman shook her head firmly, tossing her tangled deep violet curls as she did so. "No...my brother is king only because of his marriage to the old king's daughter, and that was how he gained his title. But I am not considered to be in line for the Ohtori throne in any way...Kanae is next as Queen, and any child they conceive will take her place." The woman's tone became hollow from long buried emotions. "I am a slave to his majesty...I serve him as a petty spell caster and a...a...an outlet for his...needs. I am not even considered a court magician or enchantress. He has others to fill that capacity. That's why, as a filthy slave who is passed around the castle...it isn't right or proper for you to address me as 'Princess'." Her tone was tinged with bitterness, as she fought to keep her face carefully blank and neutral. Her lot in life was set in stone...but with the Guardian's help she had been hoping to bring peace to the gradually degrading kingdom. The old texts and diagrams described a holy knight who would be awakened, and would then go on to drive out the Darkness. And while the holy being standing there in the shadows may be protecting her now, seeing to her needs...that would surely change once they were within Ohtori lands again. She was just...a courier...a guide for the being. That was all. The Guardian startled her out of her depressing thoughts by snorting. Looking up from where she lay, Anthy crinkled her forehead in confusion. "Hmph...I don't know why you've been treated as you have, but the program is quite clear. Only a Princess could awaken me...and it would have to be one who held the blood of Dios in her veins. I'm awake...and you are the one who awoke me. I think this makes things quite clear, don't you?" Did it...did the Guardian just make a...joke? Anthy could only gaze on in bewilderment. "But I-" It turned to her and held up one gloved hand. "No...despite what this world has become...and despite what you may have been brought to believe, it isn't lineage or status that makes a princess...instead, there are certain qualities only a true one could possess. You are a Princess...even if others refuse to recognize you as such. What they believe does not matter. Your heart and inner royalty will be what puts those fools at your palace to shame, and unmasks the pretenders." Anthy felt her heart skip a beat suddenly, though she couldn't quite figure out why. "Why are you...saying these things?" Aren't you supposed to worry about the kingdom? Save us from the darkness that is choking us? She asked mentally, unable to voice her concern. She couldn't mistake the utter confidence and sincerity in that hollowly ringing voice this time. "Because I am your Guardian." Her questions died in her throat, as her heart beat even faster. The knight stood and moved away from the firelight to blend in with the shadows. "I will stand guard. Sleep for now, my Princess. At first light I will wake you and we will make preparations to move out." It then fell quiet, and Anthy turned to put her back to the thing. As the sounds of hooting owls and crickets cautiously filled the night air with their song, and the haze of exhaustion began to steal over her, the dusky skinned woman began to think for the first time...just what could be lying hidden underneath the armor of the Guardian. The aching of her wounds faded, and she fell into a dreamless sleep. When light first began to filter through the leaves of the trees, The robotic knight clanked to life and began moving toward the sleeping girl. Carefully it knelt, and reached out one gloved hand to lightly shake her by the shoulder. "My lady-" Anthy's eyes immediately flew open, and her hands swatted away the knight's own as if she had been burnt. But as she came to be aware of her surroundings, the tension in her shoulders melted away, and her arms came slowly down from their defensive position. "O-oh...it's just you..." The knight answered her in its low hollow voice. "My lady, we should have you break your fast. Then we'll need to get what things we have together, to leave. I have the horse from yesterday hobbled and ready to carry you." Anthy stifled a yawn behind her hand politely and blinked more alertly. "Alright, I understand." She moved to roll up her bed roll and then began helping to clean up the camp. Once through, tugging down the tattered remains of her dress in a sudden feeling of self consciousness, the emerald eyed woman sat down on the log to begin eating the cold remains of the rabbit from the night before. The Guardian was standing off a ways, patient and strong. Tucking snarled strands of dark violet hair behind her ears, she snuck a glance over at the magic suit of armor...and began to wonder once more...was it simply a suit of magic armor brought to life? Or was there a man inside...she found that thought strangely exciting. What would he look like? Would he even be human? The witch wondered if there would ever come a time when she would be able to find out. It was as these thoughts were passing through her mind as she continued staring, that she happened to look down at her bed roll. She'd been so distracted, she'd been chewing on the same small bone for quite some time. Throwing the remains into the fire, she washed her hands and took a drink from the water skin the Guardian provided her. "Are we ready then? Come, I'll assist you. Have you ridden a horse before?" Anthy gave a nod, "Yes...when I was younger." She paused beside the saddle as the large knight moved over and suddenly grasped her carefully about the waist. Hefting her easily with inhuman strength, she was set upon the saddle, and the Guardian grasped the reins to hand to her. "I shall keep pace alongside." Was the reply to her unspoken question. And keep pace it did, as Anthy brought her horse into a canter, the clockwork construct kept along side her easily with so much as a hint of weariness. She increased the speed a bit gradually, watching the figure out of the corner of her eye. But it never slowed. And so the two raced alongside each other, out of the forest and out onto the open countryside. The lands of Ohtori...the outskirts of the castle providence. An hour or so had passed, the two making excellent time through the fields of tall grass and the swell of hills, when suddenly the town that fringed the large castle walls loomed into view. The knight motioned for them to slow, so that they could speak. The horse brought to a walk, Anthy twisted in the saddle. "What is it? Castle Ohtori is just ahead. We should continue on." The knight considered a moment and then shook its head. "...Actually, I think this would be a good opportunity to present you as my new Charge." Anthy raised an eyebrow, resembling her brother Akio for a moment. "What do you mean, 'present me'." The knight answered, "...my program dictates that when a Princess of Dios awakens me from my sleep, I am to assist her and act in her stead and insure the purity and prosperity of her realm. But first...I need to assess the current situation." The white armored knight stated matter-of-factly. "And in order to do so unhindered, we shall present you as one of royalty, with my own personal backing. The guards and servants at the castle will see to it we are gained admittance to have an audience with the king...and from there I can glean necessary information. As well as resolve your current...dilemma." The knight turned to her, it's twin blue lighted eyes seeming to see straight into soul, and it's face plate making it's expression unreadable. "You...are a slave no longer. I will see to it that you are not treated as such again." Anthy's heart began beating wildly. Could the Guardian really mean such a thing? How had everything in her life suddenly changed so drastically? Then her blood turned to ice. The knight intended to present her to the king...her brother...what would he do to her for her impudence? What would happen to them both, if he... Her thoughts were cut short as the knight gave a short bow to her. "Now then...I think it, ah...best if we find a place to...get you cleaned up. I would not have you less than perfect for your return to the castle. But...I am unfamiliar with this town. Are there places where we can purchase fitting formal wear for a woman of your station?" Shaking her head to focus her thoughts, trying to absorb what she could, Anthy immediately situated on getting done what needed doing. A thing she had learned to do from a young age. "Yes. There's a tailor's hall down two streets from here. There's also a small inn we can use to clean up from our travels." The knight handed her a large bag full of clinking coins, that it had kept somehow conceal on its person. "Here...our soldier friend left us a present. While you go about securing a place to rest momentarily, I shall send for a dress to be made for you, and see about a doctor who can take care of your wounds." Anthy shook her head, "There aren't...many doctors around these days. They have all but died out. I think there's a healer woman who has a flower shop though. Thank you...for concerning yourself about my injuries..." Privately, the emerald eyed girl felt shamed. She was a witch, and yet for all her dark dabblings and minor tricks...she wasn't even able to heal the cuts on her hand. Or repair the soles of her feet. She was pathetic...good only for the most unsavory of things. Typical. The mechanical knight gave a nod, almost to itself. "Very well. I shall meet you at the inn..." "The Errant Rose" Anthy supplied. "Yes, shortly. For now, please rest easy knowing you are under my care. Until my return." And the knight gave a regal bow. The two separated, and Anthy in her tattered clothes seemed to draw disdainful stares from every direction. It wasn't often she had been allowed to leave the castle...and seeing their poisonous looks, (from peasants no less! ) spoiled her enjoyment of the town. Upon reaching the two story wooden building, with its faded hand painted sign, Anthy moved I through the open doorway, pushing aside a long draping cloth. Within were low tables where patrons sat, eating and drinking comfortably. A matronly woman made her way over, a scowl on her face. "Now see 'ere! We don't be catering to filthy riff-raff. We're an upstanding establish-" He tirade was cut short as Anthy produced a few copper and silver coins. "I'm look for a room to rest in. And a bath, please." The weather beaten woman's eyes widened in shock, her entire demeanor suddenly changing as she eyed the coins in the filthy slender hand. More money than she would probably see in two month's time! Her voice took on an oily tone at once, as she bowed low. "Ah! My l-lady, please! Begin' your pardon for me rudeness earlier...I will at once offer you our largest room...one with a lovely view o'course! And a bath will immediately be drawn for you, with our compliments. Mari! Come 'ere lass, and set the lady up with the stately room upstairs!" A small thin girl dressed in a drab brown bodice and simple long skirt came over, and bowed even lower to Anthy. "Please ma'am...right this way..." Leading Anthy, unused to being treated so courteously, upstairs, a couple of chamber maids began lugging up a large copper kettle up behind them. Unlocking the door to a spacious and well lit room, the little girl pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped aside to let Anthy and the two women inside. As Anthy marveled at the neat tidy oak bed, the low table and chair, the basin and mirror (A rarity) and the worn drapery that added a touch of color to the room, Mari bowed again. "The kitchen has a boar on the spit down below, so if ma'am desires any meals to be brought to her, she has but to ask. We will send up anything she might require. Please enjoy." The two serving women set up the oversized kettle, which the dark skinned woman was able to now tell was a portable bath, over in the center of the room. Then they began the laborious process of carrying steaming hot buckets of water up and down the steps to slowly fill the copper tub. Once it was full, and bringing up a woven basket of scented soaps, cloths to wash one's face with, and towels to dry off with, they departed. One of the maids had been thoughtful enough to leave a fresh white linen shift behind. Gratefully, the girl wasted no time in shutting the door and ridding herself of her filthy clothing. Stepping into the hot water, she gave a gasp. Squeezing her eyes shut, she slowly got in, letting her aching muscles unknot and relax in the warmth, as the filth from two days of travel fell away from her. Using the soap to shampoo her hair and one of the cloths, Anthy scrubbed and scrapped along her naked body. Sighing in satisfaction in feeling clean in what felt like forever, there was a tap at the door. The girl Mari again. Calling for her to come inside, the little girl shut the door behind her and made her way over to the low table. "I thought ma'am would like a comb perhaps, as she relieved herself from her travel wearies. I have also brought up a flask of chilled wine, courtesy of the kitchens." Anthy thanked her, handing her a large copper coin, which she gratefully accepted and hid somewhere amongst her skirt pleats. Allowing herself to soak a moment longer, she finally got out with a sigh, and toweled herself dry. Gods but it felt good... Pulling on the soft white linen shift, and moving to stand in front of the mirror, Anthy looked at her reflection. She was...a bit on the thin side. Her eyes still had bags under them, and her hair was snarled. There were bruises coating her skin from her battle up the mountain and with the Kyouichi general. But at least she wasn't a filthy pig anymore. A bath truly did wonders for the soul, though it was a far cry from the castle. But then...the only time she was allowed time in the big luxurious baths there was when...she had had to...entertain... Her eyes dimmed to blankness as she picked up the comb. Smooth mechanical strokes brought it through her damp snarled hair. Within moments, her hair was flowing freely and neatly in soft waves down her shoulders, sweeping low on her hips. Much better. A polite knock at the door again startled her, and thinking it was Mari, she called again. "Come in. I'm through with my bath." But it wasn't Mari. It was the Guardian. Bowing gracefully, the shining white knight, surely having turned many heads down in the streets of the castle town, stepped through the doorway, with two people in tow. One was a dour faced woman in spectacles, the other was a young blonde haired boy who was looking about him in interest. The knight dropped to one knee. "My lady, I've brought the healer and the tailor. Shall we see about getting you something to where to the palace?" Lifting it's visor to look at her fully, the knight suddenly hesitated. It seemed to gaze at her a few moments, then start up again hurriedly as Anthy set down her comb. "Ah, anyway. I've returned to insure your protection, so I shall stand by the door while you are seen to. Madam Haruna, will you please look to the Princess' injuries?" The woman sniffed haughtily. "Hmph...Princess indeed...yes yes, I will do so Sir Knight. Come then child, let me see your hands." Bristling inwardly at having this pudgy faced woman call her a 'child', but keeping her face a polite mask, Anthy did so. The woman bent over her, prodding the flesh surrounding with an expert eye. Nodding to herself, she set to whispering incantations as she smeared on various powders and herbs across the wounds, and moved to see to her feet. Feeling flesh knit together, and dull aches cease, the former slave of the castle looked on as her flesh returned to a healthy color. Once she was done the dour healer left, having already collected her fee. Anthy wiggled her finger experimentally, gazing at whole unbroken skin. The boy stepped forward next, a cheerful smile. "Now then, my lady! With your permission, I should like to take your measurements. Ah, now aren't you absolutely lovely! Yes yes...I have just the dress in mind. Please lift your arm." He took a marked piece of rope from her vest pocket, and begun taking her measurements, scratching notations out on a piece of parchment he had rolled in his other pocket. After a few moments, he was through bowing again. His smile made a small one of Anthy's come forth. His good cheer quite infectious. The young man seemed rather capable for someone his age. "Ah yes...I shall take these down to my master's shop and we'll alter one of our regal formal gowns for your use. If you should need any adjustments made before we deliver it here or have any complaints, please send for me! My name is Tsuwabuki...and my master's dresses are the best of the land! I hope you will find the fabric to your satisfaction!" With a jaunty bow and a wave, he was out the door. The energetic lad was heard taking the steps two at a time, no doubt eager to present his master the commission. A somewhat bewildered Anthy now found herself alone with the silent knight standing to one side of the door. It's back turned to her. Hesitatingly, she moved to sit down on the edge of the bed, not knowing what to do or say in the silence. She was here alone with the knight, in only a shift. Awkwardness began to set in. Hunting about for something to engage the being in, Her emerald eyes caught onto a fine layering of dust and grime on the armor. Moving closer, she saw that it had indeed seen some wear...no doubt from their race here this morning. Using this as an excuse to speak with the knight, Anthy approached the white and silver construct. "My lord Guardian...I imagine the gown will take some time. Would you perhaps like to take a bath as well? Have your armor cleaned? I can send for the maids again and have the bath redrawn. Surely you yourself, my lord, would enjoy ridding yourself of the road. I can step outside and wait downstairs if you require privacy..." The knight turned to look at her. "No no my princess, I am fine. I would not like to inconvenience you. I shall wait a time." Feeling a bit more determined, Anthy pressed. "But surely you would at least like to remove your helm for a bit, if possible? You have been protecting me for nearly a day now, and you haven't once removed it." The knight suddenly took a step back. Strangely, it's normally smooth and even voice became a bit more anxious. "No, I'm quite fine my Princess. Please do not concern yourself" Anthy stepped forward after it, as it took another hasty step back out of her reach. Puzzled but with her mind set, she reached out to try and grasp the helm. "Oh come now, you speak of wanting to present me, a lowly slave, as a Princess to the court. Surely one of legend like yourself would want to be in top shape for our audience. Why are you so shy of removing your helm?" Her curiosity making her bold she reached out again, as the knight side stepped her. "Now really, I don't think-" "But I do, now come-" The knight tripped back over the pulled out chair and fell backwards oddly. In a half kneeling position, off balance badly, the knight tried to move its head out of the way as Anthy suddenly darted forward and tugged at the helmet in one smooth motion. The helmet came off with a slight resistance, and a long tumble of pink curls draped out from underneath. Shocked, Anthy clutched the helmet as she gaze into a pair of glowing blue eyes. "A-ah...you're a..." The face that had been hidden beneath the mask was smooth and angular, skin a creamy paleness that matched well with the armor it bore. Cupid's bow lips set in an uncomfortable frown, the Guardian gave a sigh. "...a girl. Yes I know...please forgive me..." To Be Continued
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