Chapter 1: Departure
"Aka, my dear, I never thought you'd be so careless…"
"Oh shove it."
"Seriously now. I never thought you'd lose your will to guard her so quickly."
Aka sighed and looked down at her feet, then back up at the priest. His tone of voice wasn't the only thing making her feel uncomfortable. She really didn't care much for the scenery.
It wasn't that she hated the Pronteran sanctuary, she just didn't like it. It always felt wrong for her to be in such a sacred place, almost as if she were unworthy.
"Mathias…you know very well there was no other way."
"Was there really?"
Aka gave the priest an exasperated look and sighed again.
"She would have tried to get you to change your mind…besides, I don't want to put her in danger again. I almost got her killed last time."
"Well, if it makes you feel better, I hired one of your guildmates to look after her."
Aka closed her eyes and smiled. All members of the Guards of Honor were specially trained for this line of work. She knew that any of them could handle Meral. All except one.
"Mat…who did you hire?"
The both looked up just as the door burst open, their gazes fixed on the lithe figure in front of them.
"Oh, hell no…"
----
"Meral! Come here for a moment."
Meral dropped the end of the jump rope she was holding, then waved to the three children she was playing with.
"What is it Aka? I thought…"
She looked down, then back into the bright peridot eyes of her best friend.
"You…came to say good-bye? "
"Not Good-bye, just fare well."
"Oh..."
The acolyte brushed away a tear that threatened to roll down her cheek.
"Well then…fare thee well, Aka."
"Your new bodyguard is in the sanctuary with Father Mathias. You should go in there so you two can get acquainted."
The assassin walked off, trying her best not to show any emotion. Her pride got her as far as the southern gates of Prontera before she let herself cry.
----
"So…you're telling me she's no ordinary acolyte?"
"Precisely. Her power has potential far greater than anything we've ever seen. I have great confidence hat she will become one of the greatest high priestesses to ever exist."
"So, why do you need me?"
The priest rubbed his chin, as if thinking of which words to choose.
"Well, many of the places where we prefer that she practice are too dangerous. We need someone to watch over her and protect her when things get out of hand."
The two looked up when they heard a knock on the thick wooden door.
"Who is it?"
"Father Mathias, it's me, Meral."
"Come in child."
The acolyte slowly pushed open the door, surprised when she saw her new bodyguard.
"You have got to be kidding."