The training grounds located on either side of the grandiose castle was at any given time of day or night an absolute spectacle. They were always full of ambitious royal guards armed with any manner of weapon you could imagine. Though most opted to skip the frying pan line, a weapon the conqueror had used many times out of boredom or just to make a point. The royal guards are always dedicated to perfecting their fighting styles and learning to work together like they had been doing so for ages.
On the west side was a large forested area where warriors would spend hours in the treetops perfecting the art of tree warfare. Learning how to move like the wind itself. Stepping with such silent grace and with so much synchronization that when the warriors would leap from tree to tree the trees hardly moved. When the trees did move they would sway as one as though caught in a gust of wind. All while warriors on the ground practiced hunting them like prey, an action returned in kind by those in the trees.
On the east side archers fired shots at others who were honing the ability to catch arrows. Swords and fighting staffs clashed and reverberated endlessly through the yard in near constant consistency. Made by the countless battles taking place in several large corrals. Several such rings had earned spectators. Royal guards who were cheering and learning from the violent fighters in their chosen rings.
Marcus quickly went to the combat training grounds on the east side of the castle. Knowing he would find a majority of the soldiers and a proper leader to take over Xena's orders. He quickly found Ephiny, the Captain of the royal guard. She was one of the fighters that had drawn a large crowd and she was already deep in the midst of an epic one versus four training session and she was absolutely demolishing her foes with pinpoint precision.
Marcus pushed his way through the soldiers until he stood at the edge of the roped off ring. A sheen of sweat made Ephiny appear to glisten as she wielded her sword expertly and fought off her equally armed attackers. Marcus was always impressed by the leader's prowess as were the rest of the soldiers who had gathered around the enclosure to watch and learn.
Heeding the lesson from his mistake with the conqueror Marcus quickly interrupted the training session by yelling, "Halt."
Every warrior on the field stopped and perked up even the warriors already mid blow. They all knew that if a single blow landed after the word halt was called in the training grounds they would have to face brutal and lasting consequences. That word usually meant some kind of trouble was brewing.
Inevitably they all lowered their weapons, anxious warriors moved closer to Ephiny on the off chance that they could hear better. They looked to Marcus waiting with hopeful spirits. Two years was an insane amount of time for peace in the world. The bloodlust had long ago surpassed astronomical heights in every warrior with a pulse.
The captain had a brilliant smile on her face already as she watched the messenger quickly enter the ring and approach her. When Marcus relayed the day's events and informed Ephiny of the queen's orders her mood quickly elevated and the excitement began to grow until it purred through the surrounding army as they too had eagerly listened.
"Well what are you all waiting for? I want a hundred warriors ready with steads within thirty minutes. Marcus, go over to the barracks and spread the word. Then meet us at the front gate." Ephiny was smirking as she watched the soldiers leap into anxious action, "Today might be a good day after all."
As Ephiny began briskly following the other warriors making their way to the front gate she saw another messenger whom Ephiny called over. Laying out orders that would triple the current security force around the beloved queen. Knowing that the conqueror's pride would never afford herself the luxury of additional security. Admittedly there was a significant bit of teasing in the action, but it was nothing more than a sisterly gesture that came from a place of love.
Xena and Ephiny had a rocky start. In her defense Xena had suddenly marched into her homeland and boldly challenged her queen in a battle to the death. In the end Xena had spared queen Melosa and even saved her life more than once in the heat of several following battles. Now Xena was an endeared leader of the Amazon Nation and she had taken the Amazon's to vast heights of previously unimaginable power which was her saving grace.
As Ephiny continued to walk she couldn't help but to wonder, 'Why would anyone want to hurt the queen? Everyone in the world is safe, full, and happy. No one is homeless. These two attacks make zero sense. The advances she has spurred in the sciences alone are frankly incredible. I even heard that one of the scientists she funds in town has found a way to possibly end the common flu or at least lessen its effects. And don't even let me get started thinking about that mold lady. What did she call it? Oh that's right, Penicillin.'
Epiphany had a soft spot for the sciences. She regularly attended the science fair held daily in one of the city's huge arenas. It showcased the field's now frequent advancements and encouraged the growth and inspiration of the rest of the world. Her last visit was hinged more towards the medical advancements. Ephiny had hardly even scratched the surface on the day she had dedicated to the event. Xena encouraged all of the royal guards to go and even partake in the event whenever possible.
In the courtyard of the busy barracks several warriors were lounging, reading, talking, or just enjoying the luxuries afforded to them. Marcus made quick work of relaying the orders to the soldiers and messengers outside. Knowing that the word would spread like wildfire through the many barracks. The warriors quickly rushed to get ready for war. They were desperate to make it to the front gate before the hundred warrior limit was reached. While they fought it out Marcus went to regroup with Ephiny at the front gate.
The excitement of the approved warriors was so palpable that it was spreading to their steads. As was the disappointment for those deemed too injured or in other words unfit for the coming battle. Marcus chuckled as he went past one such warrior who had sustained a wicked laceration across his right bicep during a training session. He was so battle hungry that he was arguing with one of the horse handlers.
"Come on man, you know we can fight with both arms. My left arm is just as good as my right."
"You know the rules. I can't give a warhorse to someone in your condition."
Marcus rolled his eyes as he continued towards the front gate where the rest of the leaders for the mission were gathering. Ephiny was in her element and became the embodiment of focus and strategy as she skillfully gave orders to the steadily building army. She pondered for a worried moment if she had raised the amount of active patrols going through the massive castle's estate enough before she was forced to move on. When she saw Marcus she quickly waved him over.
"Marcus, I want you to send out some messengers to the police headquarters around the city. Tell the leaders of each station that I want the streets covered in boots in an hour. Have them fill the cells at the jail with anyone that seems suspiciously armed. We will sort them out later."
"Aye ma'am!"
Marcus quickly sent a few of the messengers to task, then began taking charge of the remaining messengers. Assigning each platoon at least two messengers to properly convey battle plans across the city. The messengers of the royal guard were a tight group who worked almost seamlessly with the soldiers of the royal guard.
Everyone in the royal guard no matter what their job inevitably became wise beyond their years and highly skilled warriors after only a year in service. After all, each one of them was hand picked and tapped by the vigilant and perceptive conqueror herself. It was only after going to war with the ruler at your side that you could ever even hope to gain a position in Xena's royal guard. Most of them consisted of the same Amazon warriors Xena had claimed the world with.
They were known everywhere as the ultimate death squad for plenty of extremely good reasons. Not only benefiting from the fact that they each had frequent opportunities to be trained by the legendary conqueror herself. They were also assigned reading material from the well stocked library. After a grace period they had to respond to the material with a decent summary of the text. Guaranteeing the expansion and growth of each member of the royal guards mind and body on any given day.
Ephiny soon sat atop a large black warhorse in front of the glorious and zealous army. She had now split everyone into teams and designated each with a specific entrance point and leader. With standing orders to everyone there to stalk anyone seen fleeing. Ephiny withdrew her lucky sword and performed a few slick tricks with the deadly sharp blade to the crowd's delight. Receiving the royal guard's full attention for her impressive show.
"We knew this day would come. The time of remembrance has begun. Today we get to show the world why they are led by the Destroyer of Nations!" Ephiny raised her sword, hearing the warriors' uproar in response she shouted, "Yah!" as she gladly led the charge out of the castle's large gates.