The Queen's Guard
Lady Eleanora was taking a walk through the woods near the castle to get away for awhile when a strange boy appeared to her. The guard immediately had their weapons pointed towards the boy.
Lady Eleanora was shocked. "Stay your weapons. It is but a harmless boy."
Isadora stood in front of her. "Please milady, even thieves use children."
Eleanora waved her hand. "Nonsense Isadora, child, what are you doing out here by yourself?"
The little boy was trembling. "They killed them….all of them."
Eleanora looked alarmed. "I'm sorry, who was killed? What happened?"
The boy pointed down the path in the woods. "They killed them."
An arrow flew past Eleanora's face and struck one of her men. He was dead instantly. She let out a scream and got behind a tree. Isadora drew her sword and so did all the others.
"Prepare yourself men. John, go to the palace for help. We will try to get there, but we can't risk turning our backs."
John left toward the castle as fast as he could.
The little boy ran off into the woods and Eleanora called out to him. "Wait come back!"
Isadora drew her shield and told Eleanora to get behind her. "Surround the queen."
Just then the bandits jumped from behind the trees and began to attack. Isadora killed two with her sword but was knocked to the ground by an axe wielder. Four of the seven soldiers were dead all ready.
"We musn't let them kill the queen!" But as her words escaped her mouth the rest were dead.
The biggest brigand stepped up to Isadora. The rest had arrows and swords pointed at her. Isadora proudly faced her fate.
"I will not let you harm her! If I am to die here then so be it!"
The brigand laughed. "We don't want to kill her, we want ransom."
"You shall never. One step and I will cut you down!"
"Empty words for a wench with no chance of escaping this alive."
One of the bandits shot Isadora's sword from her hand. The leader took his chance and grasped her by her neck.
"What a beautiful face you have, we could've had a little fun with this one boys. Grab the queen!" The bandits grabbed Eleanora.
Eleanora screamed. "You will not get away with this! One of my men has made it to the castle by now."
The leader laughed. "Yeah, we took care of him. He didn't even leave the trees." He threw Isadora to the ground.
"Scream for me wench, for you are about to die."
All of the sudden Harken and the rest of Elbert's guard attacked the bandits. In the confusion Eleanora crawled away from the danger.
The leader was distracted and Isadora grabbed her sword and drove it into his chest.
"You think me weak because I am a woman, but let me show you my true skill!"
She pulled her sword from his body and he fell to the ground and died. She began fighting along with Harken and the others and they eventually killed off the rest.
"Are you hurt Isadora?" Harken asked worried.
"Only my pride. I'm glad you showed up. How did you know we were in danger?"
"One of our spies informed us of a group of bandits in the area. We were lucky to have come when we did."
Isadora looked at the bodies of her comrades. "I failed them. I shouldn't have let them die."
Harken pulled Isadora close. "We all know the risk. They were prepared to die for our liege. Don't doubt your skill as the royal guard."
"I won't, from now on I will never fail again. I will be stronger for them."
Eleanora walked up to Isadora. "Thank you, but I'm sorry this had to happen. I will make sure to listen to you next time you warn me. Oh, and no more walks in the woods."
Isadora bowed. "Will do milady."
"I want you to be called the Queen's Shield from now on. You are my most trusted knight."
"It is an honor Lady Eleanora. I will make you proud to call me that."
