Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Guardian of the Queen. Enjoy the 900-word chapter. I don't own Destiny; Microsoft and a few others do.

Mara looked at the guardian who placated himself before her. It was not a very common gesture for a single one of the city's defenders to kneel before her.

"And what brings one of the guardians to my throne?" Mara questioned as the warlock hummed.

"You are aware of what brings me here, your highness." Nicholas stated, slightly inclining his head to look upwards at the woman. "I have answered the city's call… And I do not seek more bloodshed." Nicholas added while looking at his helmet besides him.

Mara was silent. She was well aware of the deal the city had struck with her. They had been hesitant to spare even a single one of it's guardians… A very apt idea considering it left them without many warriors and even SHE saw why they might not like it.

"And what do you think of this arrangement?" Mara questioned, slowly stepping down from her throne. "A warlock like you desires knowledge, power… A way to protect the city." Mara added as she slowly walked around the guardian.

"And the city needs supplies and safe haven." Nicholas responded as he slowly rose. "Would you not sacrifice for your people if you could? I exchange one life in return for more for the city." Nicholas added, dusting off his armor and eying the queen with interest.

Mara hummed and looked upon the warrior. She knew what guardians could do, despite their limited handful? They had beaten back armies, slain gods of the darkness, cleared entire empires from the stars. They were beyond simple warriors like her empire housed… Even Mara knew one could defeat most of her warriors if they chose to.

"You desire something here besides simply the deal." Mara stated which made Nicholas hum to himself.

"I do not know what I am offered yet, your highness." Nicholas said while picking up his helmet from the ground a moment later. "Why do you assume I cherish anything here?" Nicholas questioned, dusting off his armor.

Mara was silent a moment later. She knew for a fact that things would have spiraled out of control sooner or later. He cracked his fingers as the woman turned and left the room. It was quite clear to him that she was aware of what was going on at the moment. Nicholas wasn't stupid as to what the queen could do with a single guardian under her employ, but she probably wasn't going to really do anything like that. Mara was many things, but stupid was NOT one of them.

"Do you think she can be trusted at all?" Nicholas heard from his ghost, gaining a shrug from the warlock. "You know we have our orders at the moment, right?" Nicholas also heard, causing him to wave his hand back and forth.

"We do what we got to do unless told otherwise, bud." Nicholas said, turning to his friend with a sigh and a shake of his head. "Isn't exactly like we have much work to do at the moment. Besides, this deal goes two ways, we can't chum the waters without them doing something to force our hand, you know." Nicholas stated while cracking his fingers at the moment.

Both could tell Mara was still dancing on thin ice either way. She couldn't just try and double cross the city, that would lead to a war the reef just couldn't afford to let stand at the moment. It would seal their fate if they picked a fight with the bigger dog in the yard and they knew it. This was as much of a need to be in a position of power and having a failsafe then it was a business transaction.

Still? Nicholas planned on keeping his distance and waiting to see what came next. Mara wasn't going to tell him, but that just made the issue harder for both of them to discern what came next. There was obviously going to be politics he couldn't hope to involve himself in.

"Keep an eye to the ground, bud. We're see what comes up sooner or later." Nicholas ordered while he slowly but surely walked towards the other end of the throne room. "We're have our answer sooner or later. It's just a matter of waiting at this moment and seeing what happens next. We don't make a move unless she does and knowing Mara? She's not going to anytime soon at this moment." Nicholas said, donning his helmet.

He stepped away from the throne and went to go and find his quarters. He wanted to get his thoughts together at the moment and that couldn't be done anytime soon. Still? He hoped everything worked out good enough for him at the moment, as for everyone else.

He sighed and slowly looked over his shoulder, this was bound to be a very long day sooner or later.

Author Notes

Phew. Another chapter done! I want to apologize for this chapter being short. Next chapter will be 900-1500 words and will show both Mara and Nicholas talking more and showing their history along with telling you HOW they know each other and this deal came along. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!

P.S: Next chapter is sadly going to be delayed for now.