Turns out, not all were good with blasters. Everyone could at least hit the targets laid out in front of them, but only half could hit the bullseyes. So that put Thul, Ulgo, Serrus, Antilles, and five of the commoners in the lead. It's not like Teral, Syrush, or Panteer were really holding their breath though as they did not care as much as the others to be chosen as a bodyguard. The heads of those three houses simply wanted a higher standing in the planetary politics.
Next on Bail Organa's checklist was fighting proficiency. Granted, it was also the last thing on his nonexistent list, other than the unspoken attitude of the contestants. His advisors constantly pointed out the behavior of the men from Thul, it was verging on disrespectful and crude. But the man and woman from Girard were incredibly polite, as they have always been known to be.
Neither were exactly deal-breakers as Bail knew Leia could handle disrespect and put them in their place, yet he also didn't want to choose someone she would only bicker with. And of course, Leia would argue with both Thul and Girard. They wouldn't do.
As Bail watched them all spar with staffs, he payed particular attention to the young man from Serrus. While not the best with a staff, he noticed, Bail did recognize a certain stubbornness in his steely expression. Serrus isn't known for being power hungry. Bail shook the thought from his head. House Serrus simply isn't power hungry, so why is young Asger so determined to win? Alas, the advisors had nothing good nor bad to say about the man who preferred the background.
Asger struggled with the staff portion of combat, but he was incredibly relieved to see batons among the racks of practice weapons. That he could excel at. And he did, knocking all opponents to the ground, some with more bruises than others.
It amused Bail to see the shocked expressions of the men from Thul, having first hand experience of being one of the few people to ever surprise members of House Thul. Bail's mind was made up. He'd chosen someone who Leia had at least met before. Now to convince his advisors.
Bail dismissed the contestants to the dining hall for a complimentary lunch while he spoke to his five advisors. The head of security on the planet, Cyrus Celchu, was the first Organa turned to when it came to combat necessities.
"Who do recommend, Celchu?" Bail inquired.
Celchu gazed earnestly at the departing contestants. "The man from House Antilles seems capable, sir," he stated.
A scoff erupted from the advisor from Baliss, a loud mouth, but still reliable for honest opinions. "He was too much of a pushover," she explained. "If you're going for that, then choose the girl from Girard. If you want someone who won't lay down their weapons when things get heated, I say choose one of the men from Thul or the woman from Ulgo. They won't disappoint with protecting Princess Leia."
The advisor from Teral rolled his eyes. "Have you met the princess?" he asked mockingly. "She'd tear them apart like a nexu in the wild. No, she needs someone who is intellectually her equal. While I want to be biased and recommend the member from my own house, Serrus is the clear choice. He's the closest in age to the princess, and you saw the banter between him and the boy from Panteer, old friends, no doubt. Senator Organa, you said you wanted more than just a bodyguard for the princess. The boy from Serrus would obviously provide her with witty conversations and necessary protection."
Baliss was exasperated and placed her hands on her hips. "You have got to be kidding me," she uttered. "Serrus? House Serrus? Since when do they participate in power plays? Something has to be wrong."
That was the time the advisor from Alde decided to speak. "Power plays?" he repeated. "You're one to talk about power plays, Baliss. When hasn't your house tried to get on the good sides of the larger houses? If anything, Serrus deserves to try and gain power because all they've ever done is put out excellent warriors and asked for nothing in return. Teral is right, Serrus should have a chance."
Organa approved of where this was going. Two people for Serrus. He turned to his last advisor, an unassuming woman from House Rist. "What do you think?" Bail asked her.
Rist stared off into space, thinking of all who participated. Bail secretly worried she'd side with Baliss as both houses tended to favor House Ulgo. "I'll admit, the boy from Serrus has promise," she said. "However, I think the woman from Ulgo would be best."
The senator looked back at Celchu. "Would you like to change your stance from Antilles?" Organa offered.
"You haven't voiced your preference yet, Viceroy," Celchu pointed out. "Our opinions don't matter if they're not what you would choose."
Bail grinned. "What is the purpose of advisors if I'm just going to override your decisions?" he inquired.
"This is still a monarchy, sir," Celchu answered. "But if you're still reluctant to choose, I think Serrus is befitting. At least with him we don't have to worry about secret dastardly motives."
The viceroy nodded. "Serrus it is then."
"You were going to choose the boy the whole time, weren't you?" Alde asked, amused at Bail's content expression. "You just wanted to see if most of us would agree with you."
Organa clapped his hand on the House Alde member's shoulder. "Oh, Alde, always so observant. You are all dismissed. Have a nice day." The five advisors bowed to their Viceroy before departing his company. "Celchu, wait a moment."
The head of security adhered to Bail's wish and waited for the other advisors to leave before speaking. "Yes, sir?" he asked.
Viceroy Organa made eye contact with his most trusted advisor. "I'd be grateful if you would fetch the Serrus boy for me and escort him to my office." Celchu nodded and was about to leave, but Bail thought of something else. "Oh, and have your staff watch over the others while they continue to eat. I would hate to have any of the decor broken or stolen."
The unsurprised yet still slightly worried eyes of Bail looked deeply into Cyrus's blue ones. Celchu understood perfectly. The younger members of the noble houses tended to be less aware of their surroundings or more prone to get on the off sides of the other houses. "Of course, sir."
"Thank you." Bail nodded to Celchu as a goodbye as the security officer marched towards the dining hall. Organa hurried towards his office to pen a letter to the Duke and Duchess of House Serrus to congratulate them on their son being chosen. He also extended an invitation to them to have dinner with him, his wife Breha, and Leia the next night, mainly to hash out details of the employment.
Bail was approximately halfway through the letter when Celchu and Serrus entered the room. Organa immediately stopped typing on his computer and stood to greet them. "Thank you, Celchu. I'll take it from here," Bail informed. Celchu bowed respectfully and left the room. "Please take a seat, Marquess Serrus."
The son of Duke Serrus sat in the comfy chair on the other side of Organa's desk, anxiously glancing around the offical's room. The head of security hadn't told him why Bail wanted to see him; although, he could take an educated guess. It didn't make him any less nervous. Something just as easily could be wrong.
Bail took his seat once again and scooted it in, folding his hands on the desk. "Now," he began, "I'm sure you've figured out why I wanted to see you." Asger chewed the inside of his cheek. "You performed outstandingly in the trials, acting swiftly and courteously. You displayed amazing character and skill. If you agree, I would like to emply you as my daughter's personal bodyguard."
Asger placed his hand on his heart and bowed his head. "I'd be honored, sir," he replied.
Organa beamed. "Fantastic!" he exclaimed. "I'll have a shuttle prepared immediately so you can return to your estate and inform your parents of the news. I would be pleased if you and your parents joined my family and I for dinner tomorrow to discuss things in full."
"Of course, they'd be delighted." Asger could not believe this was actually happening.
"I will be informing the Duke and Duchess of the invite, as well as when a shuttle will pick you up. Everything will be taken care of," Bail assured. "All you have to do is prepare your things to be moved."
Asger smiled politely at the older noble. "Thank you, sir. It is a real honor."