Chapter Five

Lying in his bed, his eyes hidden by the pillow he buried his face in, Talon had not allowed any of the tears he felt gathering in his eyes to fall. This is what you deserve...this is what monsters always get in the end...loneliness and hatred, fear and anguish. This is what you reaped, Demon... So engrossed in his thoughts, he never heard Marlena and Adora enter into his room, but he did feel their weight settle on the mattress. Reaching out, he once more donned his glasses, making sure his eyes were once more covered before he looked at the two women on his bed. Sitting up, he jerked his leg out from under Marlena's hesitant touch on his calf.

Her hurt look was quickly covered, but Talon saw it all the same. Smooth move jackass, make the only person who thinks you're a nice guy hate you by you damn fear of touching. Stop it! Stopping it was not easy, as it had been ingraned into his mind that touching led to pain, and he had had more then enough of that. "Sorry," he spoke softly, so unlike the brash arrogance that had been his calling until now.

Marlena was not a fool, and knew that he hid much inside, just as he hid himself behind his glasses. She did not attempt to touch him again, and spoke slowly and softly, knowing that such things were not welcome yet. "Its ok, I know that this is a big shock...but for what's its worth, Adora and I did manage to convince my husband to allow you to stay her for the time being. You will however, have to be with your two appointed guards at all times." This was convenient, as that was said, Teela walked in with Adora, who had left to get her.

Marlena smiled brightly at this, and spoke in a cheery tone. "You are going to be the talk of the town, what with both of these two beautiful young ladies following you around. Or vice-versa. I don't think you have all been introduced, so why don't you all at least exchange names, hmm?" Looking around at them, it was plain that none was willing to make the first move. Elbowing her daughter in the side, Adora spoke up and held out her hand to Talon. "I am Adora, Princess of Eternia. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Talon stared at her hand, noting the calluses and rough palm, realizing that she was no pampered thing, but a warrior woman, and therefore, possibly worthy of his respect. He slowly took her hand, also noting that despite the rough appearance, it was also a woman's hands, soft and gentle, but with a strong grip.

Teela, not one to be outdone, walked forward with all the grace of a wild wolf, a person who was totally comfortable in her body, and was damn proud of it. Her hand was almost the exact same as Adoras, but with a stronger grip in her favor. "I'm Teela, Captain of the Guard, and Protector of the Heir. Now, what's your name?"

Teela and Adora both noted as he shook their hands, that his rough and callused hands, could have crushed both of theirs. He did not squeeze hard, but they sensed that he was being exceedingly gentle with them. His voice was low and slow, and it sent a small tingle down their spines. "I am called Talon."

The following quiet was awkward, broken quickly by Marlena's polite cough. "Now that's settled, why don't we get some dinner. I know that you must be very hungry Talon, all you've had were those apples a few hours ago." Brushing out her skirt as she headed for the door, she walked sedately out, followed shortly by her entourage. Arriving back at the audience chamber, which now could be better called the party room, Talon was stunned by the vast difference between then and now. Roaring fires burned brightly in the alcoves above the tables, and each table was piled high with food of all sorts. The party goers barely acknowledge the queen's entrance, but Talons reaction to the sudden surge in people was not unnoticed by his companions. Once more, his posture went rigid, his actions taking on a hard, sharp movement. Adora and Teela took a closer look at him this time, but it was Marlena's gentle push that started him down the path. The glances they received were few and far between, as all were excited at the victory banquet being thrown.

Alright, now I'm stuck as guard not only too the Heir, but also as guard to this Talon guy. Uhhh...how the hell did I get into this mess anyway?

FLASH BACK

Randor was not happy after the revelation brought out by Talon, as he did not know whether or not he could be believed. It was times like this that he really wished he could talk to the Sorceress, if only to gain a small bit of advice in the process.

As Marlena and the girls took him to his room, he began thinking about who he could spare for the guard duty. From what Duncan had said, no ordinary person would be any match for him in combat. That left the Masters...but who? Most were needed to fight Skeletor and his minions. That left him only two options: let Talon go about with a pair that could be easily killed, or to put two of his more powerful members out of active service to act as guards!

His thoughts plain on his face, Man-at-Arms spoke out with what he thought to be a good solution. "Your Majesty, I know that Talon is in need of guards, and I said, he needs someone of Master level at the least. Therefore, I propose that Teela and Adora serve as them.

Had his words been bolts of lightning, they would not have had the same impact on Randor. "What?! You would have me put our children as this mans guards?! He could kill them without trying! He...

Duncan, knowing that time was short until Talon awoke, cut in "Your Majesty, Teela and Adora are no longer the small girls that came to use to drive away the monsters in the night. They are both grow, powerful women who can hold their own in combat. It is high time you saw this. They are both the weakest among the Masters, and as such do little to turn the tide of battle in any case. In that I say let them do their part, freeing the more powerful Masters to continue the fight against Skeletor." Finished, Duncan awaited the verdict.

It was a long wait. Randor took his time in this choice, but at last spoke. "Very well. I would like to have Teela as his more permanent guard, at least until Adroa decides to learn how to fight for herself. If he causes any sort of pain to them, they are allowed to use whatever means necessary to defeat him, clear?"

Duncan bowed, and parted with Randor at the doors, heading after Teela to tell her the orders. Leaving out of course, the part where he called her weak.

Present Time

Talon had taken only a small amount of food and retreated to a dark corner, where the firelight and shadows hid his darkly clad body well. Gazing into the crowd, he watched as the people milled about, doing what they must to ensure that they received their fair amount. His eyes eventually coming to rest on his guards fathers, he could see bits and pieces of where they got their personality. Randor was clam, quiet man, but there was a passion for life that he had seen deep in his daughters eyes, as well as Teela's own matching stare. Those two were more like then they thought, and he could tell that they would do great things, if only they would be allowed to fly and fall. Yes...they will change the world if only they could spread their wings.

And what are you going to do about it, HMMM? Your nothing more then a Beast, remember!? HAHAHA!

His eyes wide open behind their glasses, Talons mouth clenched and his fingers cracked the plate in two.

YOU!! You son of a bitch! I thought you were finally gone! Why the hell cant you just Die!

The voice did not reply, as it never really did after its first few comments. Knowing that he was angry, he ignored the small shouts of his name that were coming from his two body guards. Reaching the balcony, he opened the glass doors and felt the night breeze wash over his flushed skin. Drinking in the night sky, he ignored once more the footfalls o his guards as they huffed and puffed towards him.

Grabbing his arm, Teela didn't bother with Adoras idea that they attempt to establish a raipur with their charge, and went straight to the part where she kicks his ass. "Alright dammit, you've had your little vent. The next time you decide to vanish on us, I will not hesitate to beat you senseless." Standing there in the moonlight, their roan and golden hair highlighted by its soft glow, and her jade eyes staring right back at him in challenge, and her's in wary concern, he couldn't stop himself from making the same statement that had cost him so much in his last life.

"You two are beautiful." With that, past their stunned looks, he took a seat once more in a shadowed corner, wait for the first chance to get the hell out. Talon watched as they came back inside, both flushed, whether from anger or embarrassment, he couldn't tell. All he did know is that they took their plates down at the head table and told him in plain terms, that he could either come willingly to the table, or they could drag him there.

Painfully.

Needless to say, he went willingly.

What is his problem? Its not like we have this sort of celebration every time we beat Skeletor. Yet here he is, sitting there, not talking, not eating, not doing anything! He thinks he so much better then us that he wont even acknowledge Adoras questions! Bastard... Teelas anger was well founded, as Talon had not spoken or eaten a bite once he had been moved to the head table. The peoples constant glances at his person only fueled his resentment, for he knew what they had to be thinking. The only idication of her anger however, was the level glare she directed at Talons side.

Adora was annoyed to no end. Im polite, kind, and I even offer him some of the best wine we have, the same kind Fathers drinking, yet he sits there and doesn't move! Of all the things he could do, he could at least tell me no thank you. Bastard... Adora knew that Talon was unsettled about something, but she was past the point of caring very much, and like Teela, her glare at his side was the only showing of her passion.

...I like meat. Talon was well aware that all he was doing was angering his two apparent guards, but he was past caring as he stopped himself from getting up and leaving right then. His arms crossed, he sat still through out the entire meal, ignoring the few attempts made by the rest to engage him in conversation. All good things must come to an end however, and at long last the vile meal finished, and he was free to leave. Standing quickly, he again strode off to a corner, awaiting the time that he could go.

Duncan spotted him in an instant, and signaled Teela and Adora to follow. Stopping just before him, Duncan spoke low and fast. "I do not know what is causing your distress, and I am sorry that you were so uneasy at this time, but these two do have responsibilities that require that they attend functions that are crowded. As you are now their responsibility, you are also to attend such things. A repeat performance of your actions tonight could offend the delegates at those gatherings. If you are unaware of traditions and such, Adora can teach you. But as I said, if you are to remain with us, you must show some respect."

Talon only nodded in response, but Duncan decided to leave well enough alone, and left for his last rounds of the night.

Before any other people could get angry at him for his actions tonight, Talon left, heading for the gardens he had glimpsed through the windows on his way here. Teela and Adora had to jog to keep up with his pace, and were a little put out to see him leap out of the window the ground below. Racing for the window, they leaped out and landed softly, finding Talon standing in the middle of the open grass, staring at the midnight sky. In the light, this garden was a riot of color, with all manner of flowers, a clear pool of crystal water, and a crop of trees ringing it.

Talon took no notice of these thing, staring straight up into the sky as he lay on his back, hands tucked behind his head and legs crossed. His view was blocked when both of the girls stood on either side, glaring down at him.

"What?" Was all he said, all innocent and confused.

They both blew up at the same time. Talon had no chance to even get a word in as these two erupting volcanoes of venting women blew up clean in his face.

"You are the most,"

"What is your problem? I was"

"Arrogant, selfish, annoying bast,"

"Nice to you, and you throw it ba"

"Ever met, and thats saying something"

"Face! Also! I was"

"Skeletor might have better man"

"going here for training..oops."

"Jacka...Adora...did you just say what I think you did?"

Talon, sensing his chance to escape, spoke up. "Which part, the one where I'm acting like a jerk" he winched here, realizing his potential blunder, but hurried on "Or the part where she's apparently doing secret training?"

Their glances towards one another confirmed his suspicions, but he waited for their move.

Adora spoke up first. "Listen, I know that you probably don't like us very much, and I know you have a whole bunch of reasons to be pissed off at the world in general, but father doesn't know about my training with Teela, so I would really appreciate it if it stayed between we three, ok?" Her eyes were pleading, her tone sincere, where as Teela's glare was harsh and forbidding, speaking without words that any harm to her friend would not end well for his body. Standing once more, Talon regarded the two young women before him, so different, yet so alike, both to each other, and to the women of his past...