Chapter 2
As Jed asked, he was able to snag one of the rooms that the palace guards stayed in. It was in the lowest level of the castle, aside from the dungeons since they were a floor below and on the other side of the castle, and it was the same level as the other servants' quarters. He was pleased with the accommodation, and hit it off with his roommate, another palace guard named Anderson McGillans, who was also his age. The blonde young man with blue eyes was staring at Jed as he slipped on his black boots just five days after Jed arrived.
"What?" Jed asked, and Anderson, who would rather be called Andy, smirked.
"Nothing. I'm just glad to have a roommate."
"Are you sure you're not staring at the ear jutting out of the top of my head?"
"What? No, I like your ears. They make you unique. You know, all us palace guards agree that you're the most unique and interesting out of all fifty of us."
"That's because I'm part alien. Which one of you is part a different species?" He paused. "Besides Ariel and the queen?"
"Good point, and that's the point, actually. You're another species." Andy stood up from his bed that was just across from Jed's in their small quarters that was big enough to hold a desk and dresser for each of them. He clapped Jed on the shoulder. "And I'm glad that I can call you a friend as well as a comrade."
Jed smiled. "Yeah, me, too." He stood up from his bed. "Let's get going. Lieutenant Hawkins will have a hard word with us if we're even a minute late. You remember my second day, right? I was only two minutes late and he gave me a stern talking to, and in front of you and two other guards."
The two young men left their room and started heading down the servants' quarters hallway, passing doors and ocean paintings on the walls. "I think he was dong that on purpose because he's your older brother."
"He did that because he's the lieutenant. When we're alone, he's my brother, when we're around other people, he's the head guard. I mean, I'm glad that he takes his role seriously, but... You know, nevermind. He shouldn't give me special treatment because I'm his brother. I told him not to, actually. Remember how I said he wanted to give me a normal room in the palace?"
"Yeah, and you were right to not let him. The other guards liked you before you even came, and if they found out you got a palace bedroom..."
"They would hate me."
"Pretty much."
Jed has met all the palace guards, and they are good men. Maybe 'hate' was a strong word. Dislike or jealous would be better words to describe their feelings if he got special treatment.
The two young men entered ascended stone steps, and then eventually came out into a large hallway that leads to the kitchen. They had to take that rout so they wouldn't run into any of the royals on their way to their posts at the throne room doors—palace rules. Plus, the servant's hall where the workers eat meals was right off from the kitchen.
"It smells so good," Andy whined. "I wonder what Louis is making for breakfast?"
"Nothing we can have. C'mon, let's get some of our breakfast."
They turned and walked through a small hallway that led to the servant's hall. When they entered, they saw about a dozen of the guards sitting around a large wooden table in the center of the room. A couple of the maids were in there as well, smiling and flirting with some of the guards. Jed smirked at that. He knew who was interested in who, even though he has only been in the palace less than a week. And he knew who he was interested in, but she was definitely off-limits. He learned on his second day from one of the other guards that it is strictly forbidden to be in a romantic relationship with any of the royals, and that includes Jim's whole family. Some of the younger men hated that because Princess Liliana is beautiful, as is Melody. Jed would have to admit that he was one of those guards who hated that rule. And yes, he could use the word 'hate' this time.
"Hey, Jed, sit next to me!" hollered William, a palace guard who was a few years older than Jed and had dark brown hair and eyes. A rather pretty black-haired and fair-skinned maid sat next to him on one side. He and Andy went and sat next to him on his other side, with Jed sitting right next to him. They dished themselves up some bread, jam and sausage.
"How's the newest of our guards this morning?" William asked Jed.
"I'm going well. I'm pretty excited for the training class today in the gardens."
"Oh Lord, so am I! I'm ready to practice sword fighting." He swished around his arms, pretending to wave around a sword. Jed's eyebrows shot up.
"We're practicing sward fighting today?"
"We sure are," said a blonde guard sitting across from him, whose name Jed couldn't remember. "This is your first training, and you get to do sword fighting. I'm jealous. My first was tackling."
"Hey, that was pretty fun," said a guard next to him. "I got to pummel you into the grass."
"That's exactly why I wasn't thrilled about it."
Jed snickered at their banter and he accidentally met the eyes of the pretty maid, Gazelle, sitting next to William. He quickly reverted his gaze and he heard her giggle. He felt heat on the back of his neck. Sure, there can't be any relationships with any of the royals, but relationships with fellow staff members was fine. And the maids and guards knew that all too well. He's gotten finger-waves and batted eyelashes from a few of the maids. Gazelle was one of those maids.
Jed finished his breakfast, and he was off with Andy to the throne room doors. It was their turn to man them for half the day, and then a good portion of the next half, he will be at his class down in the gardens with a few of the guards. Andy won't be there, since he had his class the day before—these classes are held every other day, but every guard attends them once a week. Some of the guards like the class so much, that they don't mind going to the four-hour-long classes on their free day. Jed will have his first free day tomorrow.
"So, you excited for your first lesson today?" Andy asked as they headed down the massive hallway leading to the throne room doors.
"Boy, am I," Jed exclaimed. "I can't wait to start the real training. Jim, I mean Lieutenant Hawkins, told me about how boring his guard days were. Other than the war with Ursula, it was the main reason why he started the classes—so there can be some excitement."
"Going out and guarding royals as they go into the kingdom is fun, too." He leaned in and said quietly, "Especially when you're guarding the two beauties in the castle."
Jed knew he was referring to Melody and Princess Lilliana. "And that's all we do—guard."
"Unfortunately," he muttered grimly, then he suddenly stopped and nudged Jed. "Hey, look, speaking of the beauties... Princess Liliana and the Queen."
Jed's heart leaped to his throat. "What?"
Andy pointed, and sure enough, there was Princess Liliana and the Queen over by the throne room doors. The guards there opened the throne room doors—the night guards that he and Andy will take over for—and the royal women turned to go into the throne room, and King Eric appeared from the other hallway and took his wife's arm and they went on in. Princess Liliana happened to turn her head and see Andy and Jed standing there. She smiled, and turned away and walked up to her parents. She said something to them, they nodded, and she went right back out.
"Oh, Lord, she's coming up to us!" Andy whispered in excitement. "Act natural."
Jed stood tall and dignified, as well as Andy, as she walked up to them. His heart hammered inside of him, and willed heat not to travel up his face since, even though he has thicker skin, one could tell if he's blushing.
The princess approached them, smiling. Jed really couldn't help but think that she really is the most beautiful young woman he has ever seen. Her brown eyes seemed to sparkle as she stopped in front of them. "Cadets McGillans and Silver," she greeted them, and Jed loved how she makes an effort to know all the palace employees names—that just shows how great of a person she is. All the palace guards were referred to as Cadet So-and-so by everyone.
"Princess Liliana," Andy said, then bowed, and Jed did as well, but a second later since he had to tare his gaze from her eyes.
"Princess Liliana," he greeted her as well, and her smiled broadened. "What can we do for you?"
"You both are trading with Cadets O'Harra and DeBrough, are you not?"
"We are," Andy said before Jed could.
"Well, I just wanted to inform you that my parents and I and the Royal Council will be in an important meeting in the throne room, so if you both will be so kind as to not let anyone in, that would be marvelous."
Both young men bowed, and when they came back up, Jed said, "As you wish, Princess."
She let out a small giggle. "Cadet Silver, I have told you before that you can call me Liliana."
Andy stared at him with wide eyes at the comment. Because of that rule, he has told no one of her little request when he first met her. Actually, Andy's the only guard who knows that he has feelings for her. "As you wish, Princess. I mean, Liliana," he corrected, and she giggled again.
"Well, Cadets, you can be on your way."
"Yes, Princess," Andy said, and he and Jed left and went to the throne room doors. The two guards there left, and Jed and Andy held both massive doors open as Liliana walked through. She gave one look to Jed and then went on in. Jed and Andy shut the doors and stood at their posts. Jed let out a large breath and Andy looked over at him. Jed noticed.
"You're stare says many words, Andy."
"The princess requested that you just call her Liliana? You never told me that."
"I didn't want to because of that rule that all the guards loathe. The other men would really dislike me if they knew. Now you must dislike me some."
"Hey, no, I don't, I'm just surprised that you never said anything. I mean, practically every guard around our age is completely in love with the princess, with you being one of them, as well as me. I think everyone would just be jealous." Jed didn't say anything to that, and Andy cocked his head at him. "I think the princess is giving you special treatment."
Jed looked over at him and saw that glint in his eyes. His heart pulsed. "No, get that thought out of your head. She's my brother's wife's sister's daughter. We have a relation of sorts because of our parents. That's all."
"Think what you want, Jed, but those smiles, giggles and looks that she made were aimed at you. Didn't you say that you two had a special moment when the two of you met? The moment when time stood still, as you said?"
Jed swallowed, remembering that moment all to well. "I was the one impacted by our meeting."
"I don't think that's the case. I think Princess Liliana has feelings for you."
Jed could only hope that was true. "I don't think so. What woman would be interested in someone who looks like me? I have ears sticking out of the top of my head, my skin is rough, not smooth like a normal human, and my nose is rather large. What woman here would think that's attractive?"
It didn't take a second for Andy to respond, and Jed was surprised by that. "Many woman. Especially the Princess Liliana. You know, I think she went out of her way to tell us that there will be a special meeting going on because she wanted to talk to you. All the guards know not to let anyone in while the royals are in the throne room, unless there's special permission."
Jed couldn't help but think that he was right. "Yes, but... the notion that Princess Liliana has feelings for me..."
"Stop thinking horrible things about yourself, Jed. Yes, you look different, but that's what makes you appealing to woman around here. Have you seen the way Gazelle looks at you?"
Jed smirked. "Okay, okay, fine. But... even if the princess has feelings for me, it's forbidden to do anything about it. It goes both ways for us and the royals."
Andy let out a large breath. "Yes... and that's a horrible thing. Royals can't marry below them."
"Yes, and that's how it is." He thought of Liliana's beautiful smiling face and shimmering raven hair. "Even if I fell in love with her at first sight."
Andy snickered and the two young men stood there at the doors. While he anticipated coming to Earth, he didn't even think about romance or falling in love with someone. He thought that he would just be focusing on guarding and practicing battle moves and techniques.
Boy, was he wrong. He's going to really need keep his head about him and not give in to any of Liliana's flirtations—if that's what they are. He needs to do well here so he can someday get into the Interstellar Academy.
The warm sun beat down on Jed's head, and he felt his ears heat up. He stood out in the garden in the late afternoon around four as about a dozen other guards stood with him. They all were chatting happily with each other as they waited for Lieutenant Hawkins to come out. Jed hasn't seen his brother all day—he usually sees him at least five times a day, other than when he has throne room door duty—so he was anxious to see him.
Someone bumped his shoulder. He looked over and saw Cadet Henry Callister, a stout brown-haired man who was around thirty, smiling at him. "You excited about the class today, Jed? I'm so excited, I've been skipping to my duty posts today. I can't wait to get sword fighting! This is my first swordsman class."
He swished around his arm like he was wielding a sword. Jed laughed. "This is my first class ever, so I'm pretty excited, too." Honestly, he's super excited to get started on the beginning of his training. It's just another step to being a sky captain. Being a sky captain, you're going to have to know how to use a sword. He's held one before, and swished it around a bit, but his father would come in and stop him and tell him not to get into his old pirating items.
"There's Lieutenant Hawkins," one of the guards said. "Finally. And wait, is that King Eric with him?"
Several of the guards started muttering excitedly among each other, and Jed stared at the his brother and the King walked to them on the spacious clear area of the garden where the classes are held. The King is going to practice with them?
"Cadets," Jim stared, and all saluted him and King Eric. "At ease."
They all stood normally and eyed King Eric. The King said, "Hello, Cadets. I'm happy to be here with you all today and help you with your training."
"I asked King Eric aid in our class today," Jim said, and Jed could tell that a lot of the guards were trying to hold in their excitement. "He is an excellent swordsman, and I believe he has crucial skills to teach you all."
"And don't try to go easy on me since I'm the king," King Eric said. "I want you all to give your best swordsman's skills."
The guards nodded, and several said, "Yes, Your Majesty," including Jed. The King's eyes went to him first. "Now," said the King, "I want you all to combat me one by one to see where you all stand. Cadet Silver, we will start with you."
Jed's pulse rose and he gulped. He eyed the sword that King Eric was holding, and it's very sharp edge shined in the sunlight. He nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty."
As he walked up to the King, he heard the guards mutter things behind him, like how he is going first because he's their lieutenant's younger brother. Jed ignored their comments and took the handle of the sword that Jim was extending to him. He gulped again.
"Relax, Cadet," he said in a stern, yet calm voice. His brother knows him well. Jed nodded and walked over and stood about six feet away from King Eric. He met the man's blue eyes and saw kindness in them. That eased Jed's nerves a little.
"Now, we're having you all show your skills one by one so we all can learn from each other, positively and negatively," Jim said in an authoritative voice as he paced while clasping his hands behind his back. "This is not to see who is the better swordsman, it is to test your skills. There will be no judgment, understood?"
"Yes, Sir!" all the guards hollered, and saluted.
"Now," Jim said and stepped aside, away from King Eric and Jed, "Cadet Silver and King Eric will start."
Jed held up his sword, as did King Eric. "Good luck," he said, and Jed nodded.
"To you as well, Your Majesty."
"And... begin!" Jim shouted, and Jed swung the sword, deflecting the Kings swing. He moved back every time he repelled the King's sword with a clank, and the two circled about in the grass as they fought. Jed felt relief every time he heard the swords clanking together since he knew he was doing something right. He felt sweat develop on the back of his neck from the exertion and the heat of the day.
"Ready for this one?" asked King Eric.
"What?" Jed let out and King Eric made a mighty swing with his sword and Jed had no choice but to dodge it and fall in the grass the sword wouldn't slice his arm. His back hit the ground with a thud and some breath was knocked out of him, and his sword fell from his hand into the grass about three feet away. The heat of embarrassment filled his face as he heard the other cadets whisper among themselves. He faced the blue sky, and his vision was suddenly blocked by the King's head. He found a hand extended towards him.
"Well done," said the King, and Jed took his hand and the King helped him up. "Very well done for your first try."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, but... that was less-than-desirable performance."
He patted his shoulder and gave him a smile. "You did very well throughout, Cadet Silver, but make sure you know how to defect my swing, even when you think you'll miss it."
Jed nodded and he faced the class. Jim walked out in front of them. "Now, who can tell me what Cadet Silver did well?"
A guard raised his hand and Jim called on him. "He blocked every move that King Eric made at him, aside from the very last one."
Jed's heart pinched at that. Jim nodded. "Yes, Cadet Sliver did well deflecting every move. Now that last move, King Eric and I will show Cadet Silver, as well as you all, how it is done."
Jed stepped aside, and Jim and King Eric took a stance. "King Eric will raise his sword like so." The King did so. "Then he will swing and I will deflect." The King did so as well, and Jim deflected him, only in slow motion. "Did you see that? Now, we will do it like actual combat." They did so, and Jed watched their moves, memorizing them. Once they were through, Jim beckoned him over. "Cadet Silver, you will duel with King Eric again, and he will make that move and you will try deflecting it."
"Understood," Jed said and got into his stance with the King.
"And... begin!" Jim shouted, and Jed and the King stated swinging their swords. Jed deflected every swing, and after a minute, King Eric wasn't making that move. He continued battling him, and when the move finally came, Jed watched as King Eric rose his sword, and right as the sword was about to hit his arm, he deflected the sword away and ended up pushing King Eric back with their swords clanked together, so much that King Eric lost his footing and fell backwards into the grass.
Jed stared at him, then at his sword, stunned. He looked around and saw that all the guards' eyes were wide, as well as Jim's. He really just did that!
"Well done, Cadet Silver!" King Eric said, beaming, and Jed extended his hand and helped the King up.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Yes, well done, Cadet," Jim said, and Jed grinned. "But don't let that head of your get too big. You still need to master how you deflect your opponent with swifter moves."
"Yes, Sir."
"Well, looks like we know who the best in the class is now," one of the guards said. "He brought down the King."
"Alright, Cadet Willhelm, you're next," Jim called, and William took his stance with King Eric. As Jed watched them duel, he let what just happened sink in...
He really brought down King Eric with his own limited swordsman's skills. He smiled to himself, knowing that one, he may have inherited some skills from his once-pirate father, and two, he's closer to becoming a sky captain. Given, he does have a long way to go, but still. He knows that he's relatively decent with a sword.
Now he just needs to learn more needed skills so he can reach his goal. What things will await him as he continues his training at the palace?