The cold damp air wrapped around me like a heavy coat of chain mail as we descended the tight spiral staircase to the dungeons. In the absence of flaming torches, the dimness gave the impression of twilight despite the heat and brilliance of the late July afternoon outside. My body moved to the left, this room was a hidden secret only the Queen and her guard knew of. There are many little things even our Princess has yet to know of, in time she will and her guards as well. When that time came, my days as Commander and Queen's guard will be final. Ophir and Keziah will be there and one more of the new Queens choosing, maybe Helena would be chosen.
Levi's candid tone broke me from my thoughts, "Commander, we have but minutes before we must escort the Queen to the Grand Hall for the gathering," today was the gathering, it was held here every month. The leaders of every clan would come at different months to give a report, I have yet to see Brice but Bara, he comes in the place of my brother.
I placed the artifact in its allotted spot before we leave the room, as we gained steps the air became warmer until the sun shined down on us through the stained-glass windows. When we walked it was as if some force moved others from our path, magic at times. My feet just trudged the stone floor leading to the Queen's chambers the chill was gone and replaced with warmth and all the strong aromas of a spring garden.
My knock came quietly first and then there was silence then her compassionate tones came through her oak doors. "Come," it was permitted to enter, the Queen stood in a floor-length pale green silk gown, her hair going in straight waves down her back as she graced us with a smile.
"My Queen, it is time for the consul after we will be able to have our morning meal with the leaders. I did see Keziah and Ophir, they must be getting the Princess so we should hurry," each word uttered with my hand braced on the small of her back leading her from her chambers.
She bowed to each gargoyle, bidding them good morning or luck on their mission or watch. "No little younglings have been born, this is an ongoing issue with every clan. I am at a loss, have we lost the favor of Michael?" concern was heard with every word, her people are her heart.
"No, my Queen, we have not. When our father feels it is time, he will gift us with more younglings," all the answer I needed was a small nod of her head.
Once we entered the room, each leader that arrived stood before getting on a knee bowing as we set her on her throne. "Thank you for this early morning arrival. It seems we are not all in attendance," at her final words the doors opened and Naul walked in, his guard next to him.
"My apologies, my Queen," his tone was very contemptuous it boiled my blood hearing it.
Small talk broke out as we waited for the last attendee, Princess Shaylee was late. The rhythmic tapping of my nails on the polished wood of the massive meeting table grew louder as my temper was growing short hearing Naul.
He droned on, "Queen Lenore, I beg of you to give me the chance to wed the Princess. Long ago you gave me your blessing, and I hold you to your word,"
I cut him off, "Hold your tongue, Naul. You had that right taken from you,"
"Words from a killer mean nothing, how the Queen has shown you favor after your killings of the humans we were created to protect has made some of us untrusting," she looked at him with contempt, but that was short-lived as the doors opened and in walked an angel.
"My child, please come sit," the Queen smiled her voice loving, her smile could bring sunshine into the darkest place. She moved forward as Naul stood from his high-backed chair his cold eyes on her like she was his prey. "My Princess, let me help you," he made a gesture towards her chair.
"I will do the honor of helping our Princess," Keziah snarled moved in-between Naul and Princess Shaylee, Ophir pulled her chair out as we watched her tuck the soft fabric taking my set. "Thank you to all, I am sorry to be a hindrance in this council meeting," her guard moved with her, her soft voice chimed in with such empathy.
"Now that Princess Shaylee is in attendance, we have little to report the forest on the banks of the Pollacapall Lough, we have seen Demon activity, but something has killed them before we arrived." small whispers broke out after Fin was silent. This was troubling but not enough, as long as this other has not harmed the ignorant humans or Gargoyle, it can be left.
My eyes are on the Queen but it wasn't her soft tones that rang clear with conviction, it was Princess Shaylee. "Thank you Fin, send three out to scout the area. Only advance to kill if it is a demon, anything other leaves alone and report at the next meeting," when she chose to speak, it held wisdom and it warmed her mother's heart to hear her daughter willing to take on these roles.
The Queen spoke, "A wise plan, do as my daughter said. Now, Naul, what have you to say?" his eyes lingered not on our Queen but her daughter.
His tone made my blood turn into liquid fire. "My Queen, it has been silent. We have made sure no demon leaves us alive. The Holy fortress has also been built back to its former glory, for when Princess Shaylee comes," that was it, he must go. Princess Shaylee looked to go into shock hearing this, her face which all thought could pale no further did.
"Naul, enough we have spoken about this," Queen Lenore said in a firm tone, he bowed looking away.
"But My Queen, who will she marry?" another questioned but with respect, this was not an unfair question to be asked of the Queen.
"Why is it important whom I marry? I am free to choose my husband, if I ever choose to marry," Princess Shaylee was standing, her throne chair never hit the floor as Ophir held it in place.
"Our Queen must have a husband, it is said. Someone strong to protect her at all cost. She can only stay unmarried if he falls in battle," Fin answered bowing his head in respect.
"Be that as it may be, I will choose for myself. I write my own destiny, follow my own path to make our nation of Gargoyles the once great race that protected Earth from the Demon that has taken home here," her voice was soft, firm but raised enough to be heard.
"A wise new Queen we will have," Fin smiled slamming his glass down red wine spilled over as all but Naul copied him cheering for the Queen she will be one day.
"I am firm in my belief I should be the one at your side," Naul was up talking with such contempt.
She snarled, "I will never marry you, you are the lowest among us. A cruel and sadistic Gargoyle, I am far beyond you," she was standing in her anger once again, her words hit me. To her he was the worse when I have done so much worse, so very worse.
Naul nearly spat, "I challenge for your hand, any of your choosing," loud roars filled the hall "Ye should be killed, you have shamed your clan Naul. Speaking to our Princess in a manner," he was right, I stood every nerve on fire with the raw desire to skin Naul and send his skin back to his clan as a warning.
"Naul, if this is what you choose on your head it be. Shaylee chose your champion if you accept," we watched as she closed my eyes. Her stunning eyes fluttered open with no choice they locked on mine, I prayed to Michael she chose me, but she would take Ophir as her champion. Naul was ready for battle, as she spoke.
"I accept Naul. My champion is, Commander Gideon of the Queens Guard," her tone was firm as many whispered, I was the best choice but like myself most thought she chose Ophir and he would also be a wise choice.
I answered at once, "I accept this honor." And it was my honor, long ago I warned him he didn't take it to heart. Her guard moved her back as I made my way to her grace taking a knee in front of her.
"I Gideon Commander of the Queen's guard, accept your wise choice, I will protect you always My Princess,"
Smiling, "I thank you, Commander," taking to my feet towering over the Princess, but she placed a soft kiss to my cheek, it shot a spark of fire through me. Like nothing I have ever been blessed to feel, it lit every nerve on fire.
Gale smirked handing me my blades, 'She chose you, my friend, she knew you could defeat him. Or our beloved Princess wants you dead for bellowing at her as she grew," amusement was in his tone.
"I think it is your second choice, she wants me dead," smiling, but if that was her goal, it was a failed one. Naul was armed with a long blade as I gave him a look filled with such hate.
"I think Naul leader of the eastern clan should have ascended with the ill manner he had spoken to our Princess Shaylee, but she is all her wisdom chose a champion. Now we all bare witness," Fin said it echoed around the hall's, all eyes on us as we stood ready to battle.
Naul was the first to attack with a swift but ineffective maneuver, I moved with ease toying with him knowing full well my ax would not touch him until I wanted him gutted. Naul was skilled, but like in battle, he was a demon as I moved under him my fist slamming into his beefy jaw. He stumbled before taking to the floor in a large heap. He wasn't down long as his body made hard contact with Gideon's toned stomach, it was like a horse kicked me in the gut. It hurt but the time for playing with him was near an end as I tossed him from me, his body went head over heels.
It was fun, even as he slammed my body into the wall his knee rammed up into my ribs, only a slight crack was heard as I chuckled, now he understood this entire time I was playing him. I glanced at Princess Shaylee to see her reaction to this, she stepped forward as Ophir stopped her, my fun was causing her worry. "I am done playing with you, Naul. I warned you so long ago and now it led to this. I love the Princess just know that before you die,"
I moved with the skill I had been blessed with bringing the ax up in a wide arch turning it sideways at the very last moment, seeing the pulsing blue light seep from the gashing hole that was now his throat. The light poured out until it was nothing and he ascended home to our father, Michael. Cheers rang through the room as I was her champion.
Queen Lenore spoke, "This is not what I had wanted, but Naul made this choice. Commander Gideon of the Queens guard his skill is unmatched, and he has brought more honor to us. Thank you, my friend, for taking up Princess Shaylee's honor as if it was my own. Jin and Gale take one other and head to his home alert his clan, they need a new leader that should arrive here in one weeks' time," like clockwork we follow her orders.
I stand with the Queen, "It was my honor, my Queen,"
Helena smiled at me, later as I walked the long halls checking once again before I settled into my personal chambers. "It is her, Gideon. Our little beast, the little demon has been the one who has finally opened your cold heart to real love," my head braced against the wall.
"Yes," her palm braced on my bare shoulder. "Gideon my friend," her face was filled with worry seeing me breaking.
"She doesn't return these emotions, much like I had to you. I will watch her marry and love another, I asked you to marry me so I would not be alone,"
She surprised me, "I will marry you only after she has chosen her husband, you will not be alone," my arms pulled her close, her face nestled into my chest as I thanked her. My weak moment was only seen by her, my secret was safe in her.