"Belle is the only word I know that suits her well- when she dances, oh the stories she can tell- A free bird trying out her wings to fly away, and when I see her move, I see Hell to pay"

'"Belle (is the only word)" from Notre-Dame de Paris' soundtrack

*note- due to everyone getting tired of it, Mryth is dropping his implied accent. When you read his thoughts and whatnot, just know that he has a funky accent, alright? SLS *

**Mryth**

As we left the Priestess' throne room, we all let out a collective breath. We had guessed when we'd saved her, more or less, that she was a lady of some wealth, but to save the Priestess from an attack only moments after we'd gotten off the boat! Truly, the Gods were watching over her, to send us to her aid so quickly.

She looked so frail and delicate, it was hard to believe that she was the actual Priestess. I'd known she was young, but I'd never seen her before, only heard of her gentle manners, and her pretty smile. I wasn't expecting her to be gorgeous.

That is to say, the Lord Palandir often spoke of her, pulling me aside to tell me how he'd loved her since the day he'd first seen her. At the time, I'd inwardly scoffed, for my Lord, while meaning well, enjoyed many qualities in ladies that I myself did not care for. But when I saw her...

She took my breath away.

"Captain! What are your orders? Should we do as the Lady says, and enjoy ourselves, or should we start a patrol, and make sure the area is secure?" My third in command, Llywen, is always on the move, never still, never resting. Even if I'd drugged him to make him sleep, he'd be restless. His never-ending exuberance is refreshing, although it can get a bit out of hand from time to time. But for now, I'm happy to have a distraction from these troubling thoughts. I glance over my shoulder at him, seeing his wide, ever present grin, and give him a smile.

"Are you volunteering for the first watch?" His smirk slips a little, then he shrugs it off with a laugh.

"You're the Captain, Mryth. You tell us what to do. Though, to be honest, I'd like some grub before I pace the halls." Fiona, the only female of my group, raises an eyebrow, though she doesn't add anything to his comment. I look to the others, seeing them more or less uninterested in what I say. A few look somewhat dazed, in fact. I come to my decision, coming to stand in front of them all.

"We'll forgo the guard tonight, simply because the security here will be increased as it is, with the attack having taken place. The kidnappers probably won't try anything again soon, but I'll make sure security is tight before I go to sleep. I want you all to rest up, and meet me in the morning so we can assign groups and posts. I suggest taking a walk tonight; learn as much of the palace and all it's corridors as you can, remember the rooms and notice any places that might be a weakness we'll need to guard. When we talk tomorrow, hopefully I'll have spoken with the Captain of the Guards, and gotten you all squads for your shifts. If anything seems out of place, report it to me, immediately, understood?" Several nods, and I decide to leave it at that.

"Alright then, move out. I'll see you in the morning." They give me a salute, then go off to wander about. Only Llywen stays behind, obviously wanting to talk. I don't mind, we've been good friends for many years, but I don't want him interfering with my rounds by insisting we go to the mess hall immediately. He catches me off guard though, grinning like a mad man.

"I didn't expect her to be so beautiful. Quite a shock, 'eh? No wonder Lord Palandir wants her as a wife, anyone'd give everything they had and more to gain a smile." I raise an eyebrow, not because I don't agree for the most part, but because his speech borders on treason. While I consider Llywen to be one of my best friends, I also remember several times in which he directly disobeyed my orders in the interest of a woman. He needs to be reminded from time to time where his place is in our group.

"Oh? She is beautiful, but she is to be Lord Palandir's. Remember that before you do anything stupid. I'm responsible for you, and I don't want any trouble. I'm sure you'll find a willing and pretty-enough maid servant to suit you tonight and however many more nights you need until your ardor cools. Remember that we are to protect her, not make advances. If I receive word of you-"

"Captain, you've my word it'll never come to fruition. She's too close to the sun, you know? Don't wanna get burned. Besides, did you see how she looked down her nose at us? The Gods'll have sunk Atlantis before she mingles with the likes of us. " I nod, walking down the hall and wondering how I'm ever going to earn the lady's trust if she won't even grace me with an audience. I sigh, looking out one of the large windows lining the many corridors. These are definitely a weakness in the palace's plans- anyone with wings could swoop in and cause problems. Another guard might be in order to protect these areas...

I ponder what Llywen says, because I'm not sure it's us that bothers her so much. I think it might be because our Lord Palandir has forced her into making a move that she is not comfortable taking. If this is the case, she has every right to be cool towards us, because we have intruded upon her home, and we're forcing her to do something against her will. I'll have to speak with her later on, to explain we meant nothing in coming, only wishing her protection. Instead, we seem to have backed her into a corner. If she'd give me an audience, perhaps I could fix the crack we've caused in her trust...

"She's got you good, huh?" I start out of my thoughts, turning to look at Llywen. He's got a smug look on his face, though why he would is beyond me. Did he seriously believe I was thinking of taking advantage of the Lady...?

"I don't know of what you speak, Llywen. I was merely pondering what we might do to gain favor with the Lady Mythennielle, as we seem to have disappointed her already. I want everyone to make sure they're working at their best- not that they don't usually- but.. Until the Lady Mythennielle accepts us willingly into her service, it would be best to make sure no errors are made on our part. Lord Palandir knows best, of course, but it might have been more prudent to wait until the Lady had formally accepted his offer of marriage. It will be up to us to appease her hurt pride." Llywen shrugs this off with his usual ease, still giving me that inane grin.

"And of course that was ALL you were thinking of, right? Nothing about how beautiful she is, or what you wouldn't give for a girl like her?" I smirk at this, waving him away to the mess hall.

"I admit, she's very beautiful, but she is another man's woman, and I will not stoop to taking what is not mine. She's to be my Queen, and I will love her as my sovereign. I will gladly give my life in protecting her, as will you and anyone else who serves under me. Remember that."

"With a face like that, it won't be hard, sir! I'm off to eat, then I'll take a walk. Goodnight, Captain!" He waves, sauntering off after a particularly pleasant looking maid, and I cannot help but laugh as he leaves.

The Captain of the Guards is a dour old man, more advanced in his years than old Velgarth, my second. Luckily for me, Velgarth and he are old friends, and so a rowdy reunion preceded our meeting. I cannot help a small frown from appearing, but such reckless behavior after such a day as today would not usually be tolerated in my troops. However, I must allow the Captain time to prepare himself to speak with me, so I say nothing as he downs another ale. When the two had calmed enough for me to intercede and steer conversation to the matter at hand, the old man once again became difficult.

"It isn't that we don't appreciate your help, son, but we don't need any more help protecting the Lady Mythennielle. We're quite capable of protecting her ourselves-"

"Which is why she was nearly kidnaped this afternoon, is that what you're trying to say?" I'm tired of beating around the bush with these people. If they're going to be openly hostile with us, we may as well return the favor. Velgarth flinches from my comment, but it gets the attention of the Captain, which is what I was hoping for.

"That was a highly circumstantial incident, we've never had anything like that happen before! Perhaps it was a sign from the Gods about your arrival; only trouble will come of it." He tries to stare me down, however, I did not become Captain of the Magliss for my timidity. I simply glare back at him, twisting his own words to my favor.

"Perhaps you're right about one thing. Our arrival was a sign from the Gods; a sign that we alone will be able to save your people from the destruction waiting at your gates." I've been an ass long enough, my temper will ruin this man and with him our chances for acceptance if I break him too soon.

"We are not here to replace you, sir, only to help you. I know you think that you do not need help in protecting your Lady, but I beg you not to be hasty in this matter. After all, we are all interested in the same thing, are we not?" Velgarth presses the advantage of being the other man's friend by following my speech with one of his own.

"Reiden, give us a chance. Th' boy might be young and perhaps a bit impetuous as well, but I would gladly follow him to th' ends of th' earth. I've had no better Cap'n, and young Mryth here has earned his ranking. He gave up a Generalship to take this position, so give th' lad some respect 'for you bite his head off. Trust me in this, Reiden, you'll not be disappointed. At least think up some squads for us, and listen to him when he's shown you what we can do. You own him that, at least."

Thank the Gods for Velgarth. The old captain, Reiden, seemed somewhat more at ease, and more willing to speak. I decided to push him into moving before his interest cooled.

"Sir, allow me to have my men go through a normal drill for you, to show you some of our capabilities. I will not press you further, but I will not stand idly by as my people are thrown to the side to stand useless in a place where they could be used to their full capacity. Please allow us the honor of showing you our skills." He frowned a little as I spoke, but he seems more or less willing to do as I ask. A nod confirms it, and we arrange to meet at dawn in the courtyard. I silently thank whatever spirit is watching over us, and make a mental note to alert everyone before I retire tonight. I thank the Captain for his time, and leave the two men to their drinks. All I have to say about them is that they'd better be where they said they'd be tomorrow, and if Velgarth is slow in the morning, I will purposely have the others target him to punish his foolish actions. Perhaps, if he does not perform well enough, I'll make Llywen my second...

I make my way around the palace, ignoring the glares of the guards set up at posts much too far apart for my comfort. Another thing that will have to be revised when I've had a chance to review the safety procedures of this place. I settle down on the parapets, looking over the city that sleeps so quietly below. A sneer crosses my face, and for a moment I am wishing myself far from this place, back at the palace of Palandir where I have made my home for so many years. It passes though, when I think of the position I refused for this one, and I turn my thoughts back to berating the people of this place.

Are they truly so backwards as to think because they are on an island, they are not susceptible to enemy attacks? Do they honestly think that a repeat of today's events couldn't happen? They're obviously a country of fools, run by a woman who, while beautiful, is too weak-willed to take advantage of her true power. It will be all we can do to put them into place, and have the country secure by the time Lord Palandir arrives to wed the Lady. Perhaps it was the Gods that arranged our coming, so that we could take of the blindfold of their stupidity-

"Oh! I am sorry, I did not notice you there, or I would not have disturbed you. Please excuse me." I almost fall off the wall, so startled am I to hear that soft voice sound so guilty and so very close. Instead of doing this, however, I quickly regain my calm and drop back onto the ground, finding myself less than five paces from the Lady Mythennielle. I give her a deferential bow, avoiding looking at her directly due to her state of dress. I can tell she's blushing and desperately wishes to be out of this predicament, so I'll do what I can to make it easier for us both to leave without any further discomfort.

"I'm sorry to have startled you, my Lady, but I assure you, you did not disturb me. I will be retiring soon, so I must bid you good even-"

"Oh no, don't go quite yet, please! I didn't expect to see you here, but I was hoping to speak with you. If you could spare me some time, that is." I risk a direct look at her, and she's blushing deeply, obviously somewhat ill at ease and wishing to be away from this place. If I were in her place, perhaps I would do the same, however, my interest is peaked by her abrupt manner, so I stay as she asks.

"I am always available for you, my Lady. What may I do for you?" She motions me to sit on one of the stone benches set out along the wall, and I sit. I'm even more surprised when she boldly sits next to me, although she avoids looking at me. Instead, her gaze is out towards the sea, looking over the sleepy city without commenting. I follow her lead and respect her wish for silence, joining her in the survey of her city and home. I silently sit beside her, but I wonder what on earth she might wish to speak to me about. Maybe to order us back to Palandir? To ask for our help in defending her country? Or something else, perhaps? What? She answers my questions soon enough, her soft voice loud in the stillness above the sleeping city.

"Tell me, how is Lord Palandir? I have not seen him for many years, and I wondered how he might be faring." I was not expecting that question, nor the slight disappointment that followed, but I push both away as I think of some way to placate her.

"Lord Palandir is well, My Lady. He regrets his inability to visit you personally, however, he did send his regards-"

"Forgive me for interrupting, but that was not what I meant. What I meant, was.. Well... I admit, your arrival was surprising, but not unexpected. I knew he might do something of this sort, but I was not expecting... to be honest, I did not expect bodyguards. If I was short with you this evening, I apologize. I was taken aback, and behaved most discourteously. I hope that you can forgive me and my rude actions earlier." I was able to curb the surprised words that wanted to escape, but my surprise must have shown on my face, for she blushed again, hurrying to continue.

"What I meant was... How do you like Lord Palandir? Is he a fair ruler, an even tempered man? Is he just, does he run his country well? Are the people happy? I ask you because you bear the mark of Palandir on your armor and weapons, which means you are elite. That probably means that you were handpicked by Palandir himself, and thus you know him well. I ask you for your honest opinion, Sir Mryth."

It dawned on me at some point during her speech that she was questioning me not because she did not know these things, but she was trying to justify something in her mind. Had she already decided then, to accept Palandir's offer? Did anything I had to say really matter, as all I was doing was asserting her beliefs? I wished to know if she truly had made up her mind, but I refrained from acting upon curiosity and answered as truthfully as possible, putting aside my own biases to speak as one should of their sovereign lord.

"Lord Palandir is a good man. His country prospers, the people are content and peaceful. His officers are loyal not because of his birthright, but because they wish to. He is wise to listen to the opinions of those around him, and he tries to be as just as possible.

"It is true, what you say; I bear the mark of Palandir because I am one of his elite officers. We grew to have a mutual respect for each other, both having learned the sword by the same teacher. I was allowed to spar with him because we were close in age and skill. Lord Palandir is an excellent swordsman, and I have known defeat from him many times. But we are friends of a sort, and I would trust him with my life. I would go to the ends of the earth to follow an order, and gladly lay my life down as forfeit for his own. I believe Lord Palandir is a good man, my Lady."

She says nothing, simply staring over her city, soaking in what I have said. I wish to tell her that she should accept his offer, but I know that to do so would not only be above my rank's abilities, it would be rude. I try to enjoy the silence that falls between us again, but the Lady beside me will not have it, apparently.

"Why did you allow yourself to be demoted? " I flinch at the words, suddenly wishing I was below in my quarters, preparing to retire. Or perhaps in the courtyard, sparring with one of the men; anywhere but here, up on the parapets of the palace, alone with the High Priestess who is wearing little more than a night shift and asking questions that I do not want to think about.

She notices however, a flush spreading across her face as she tries to recover from her slip in propriety.

"I am so, forgive me, I was rude-" I dare cut her off, simply because it is foolish to have the Lady that I am to serve to ask me for forgiveness.

"My lady, nothing you say will offend me. I did not accept the Generalship he offered me simply because I thought I would be of more use here. Where he wished to place me was already running smoothly, and I thought it best for all concerned if I used my expertise in aiding your country strengthen its guard. That is the simplest reason I can give."

Even though that is not all I have to say, it is certainly all I am willing to say to her at this time. I do not know if what I have said has upset her further, but she seems to accept my reason, and stands to leave. I do as well, knowing that it will be some time before sleep overcomes me, as now I have much more to think upon. She smiles faintly.

"Thank you for your honesty, Sir Mryth. I look forward to speaking with you again, when you have started to 'employ your expertise upon our guard.' It will be most interesting, watching how things will unfold. Until our next meeting, then. Goodnight."

I bow deeply as she leaves the rooftop, inner turmoil now more pronounced than before. Was she trying to mock me with my own words? Or simply jesting, if her slight smile was to be any judge. Gods help me, I do not understand these people or their odd customs, but I do try.

Very well, my lady. You wish to see how much we can change your guards and soldiers, sit back and watch as your kingdom becomes fortified, your men stronger, your walls secure. We shall show you what it means to be an elite force.

As for our next meeting, perhaps I shall be better prepared for you, and you will not be so quick to jest about our claims of skill, as you'll have seen them justified a thousand times over. Until then, goodnight indeed.