Tiva Boon: Royal Guardian

by Jenn Nixon

  Defor suddenly jumped up from his chair and danced around the table. He bowed upon completion and sat back down without so much as a word. The table erupted in laughter. Defor grinned and winked at Tiva. A deep full-bellied laugh escaped her and she leaned back farther than she should. The chair began to slip. Before it slammed to the ground, Tiva swung back with her legs, pushed up with her arms, rolled backwards, and landed on her knees. Everyone stopped. She looked up and stood smoothly upright, keeping her sword shielded. The table clapped and laughed.

  “Fantastic!” Kevler said.

  “Best recovery I have seen thus far in my life,” Razzil cheered.

  “Impressive,” Defor said full of awe while Dal simply snorted and drank her ale.

  Tiva picked up the chair and noticed the glances from others around her. It did not sit well with her having others seeing what had transpired. They were still on a mission, and some of these people could be part of the faction. She had no way to be sure. Yet, here they were, being careless and unobservant, or were they? Was this just another part of the mission? Perhaps a test? She sighed and sat silently as the others continued their idle chatter. Kevler’s arm came around her suddenly and he pulled her close.

  “Speak of what you feel,” he said.

  “I am full of uncertainty, Father.”

  “You will have many of the answers you seek soon, we are retiring shortly.”

  She nodded and sipped the last drop of ale, waiting for the excitement to calm. More questions filled her. She wanted to hasten home and ask all she could.

  Cursing the dawdling passing of time, Tiva quietly grumbled to herself as the group clumsily made their way back through the town, and into the alley. Razzil and Terno broke from the group first, heading toward the control center. Dal and Defor veered off to the docking deck leaving her alone with her father.

  As if sensing her anticipation, he touched her shoulder. “Ask.”

  “Why did you not see me depart or return today, Father?” she said bluntly without pause.

  “This is your mission, Tiva. I wished to give you complete freedom as all other guardians are given. I did not want to impose anything upon you for this first day, as it was most important.”

  “I understand,” she said. Partly, she did, yet it still tugged at her. “But what about my return, surely you could not impose on me then?”

  “Well, that matter is yours.” He chuckled, taking her hand. “The mission board held all you needed.”

  “I thought I must report everything to you upon my return,” she said, trying to ignore the fact that she made an error herself.

  “It is normal procedure to do so, but not required. I felt it best you relax after your first mission. Not a matter of concern, Tiva, merely convenience, many of us were thirsty.” He smiled.

  “This mission is harder than I imagined, Father.”

  “I know, dearest one, it takes time. Trust in my advice as you always have.”

  “I will,” she said and paced. “Was the outing a test?”

  “Not exactly, but I told you to stay observant, tell me what you saw.”

  “The couple in the corner of the pub was courting. Another couple in the middle of the room was married. Two groups of childhood friends congregated in the east and west tables of the room, and local workers were at the bar area.” She pointed out each person that held a weapon, every young person that entered the eatery, stayed for only a moment and left, and she even mentioned two people who were sitting in a corner still as statues. “I think they were legionnaires or guardians, but I could not tell by their faces, they kept hidden well.”

  “They were legionnaires, two of our operatives were there to filter information to Dal and the others.”

  “When the barkeep took their mugs, Defor went to the bar for another pitcher for our table, the information was passed over, was it not?”

  “Yes, it was. Very good, Tiva. I am impressed.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled. Even under the slight influence of the brew, she was able to observe all around her. She only hoped the rest of her mission went as smoothly.

  Kevler escorted her toward the house. “Now, speak of the rest of your first day…”

  Recalling the day for her father was no issue. Speaking of Solun, the other locals, and the activity on the playing field flowed out of her in detail. She mentioned all key observances, and pertinent information. Tiva concluded with the words she overheard, and ended with the cloaked figure that she thought watched them depart the square.

  Kevler did not speak at first. He strode to the staircase leading inside. “Let us ready for the night while I settle on what you have told me.”

  “Yes, Father.” She jogged the length of the stairs and returned to her room. Once changed, she slunk down the hall and tapped lightly on her father’s door.

  “Come, dearest one,” he bellowed. Tiva entered and stood near the door. “I have contacted home and told them we are well. Mother sends her love.”

  Tiva smiled.

  “You did well for your first day. I assume you will meet this Solun tomorrow?”

  “Yes, Father. He wants to guide me through the town. As he was the only person I made full contact with, I figure he is a just choice for the time being.”

  “Agreed. However you must still attempt to gather more information.”

  “I am aware. I was not expecting to make a ‘friend’ so quickly. It should prove interesting what happens next. His speech of sacrifice stirs in me a feeling he may be involved. Not only that, but he seemed comfortable and well known on the playing field Dal mentioned.”

  “Your skills are invaluable here, Tiva. Continue as you have, and I am certain you will succeed.”

  “I will do my best.” She turned and held his gaze. “Father, I must ask…why did you and the others seem so careless in the pub? Did you notice all around you?”

  “Yes, of course. I was slightly inebriated, but my senses were still sharp. I knew my surroundings before partaking in the ale, and kept to my limits. You observed well, as did I, and the others.”

  “I figured as much, but I didn’t care for the stranger’s looks when I fell from the chair. They had more than their eyes upon me.”

  “Well…” he said, “I cannot say what they were all feeling, but it was quite a maneuver and recovery. I was rightly impressed, and I assume the others were as well.”

  “I only stopped myself from being harmed. I did nothing special.” She sighed and leaned against the wall. “Why do others praise or admire that which does not merit such approbation?”

  “Because whether or not you feel it in your heart, dearest one, you are an impressive young lady. You must understand, Tiva, not many people of this world want to follow in the footsteps of the king’s protectors. While they admire the work we do, most do not possess the strength or courage to do so. Since you could crawl, you have shown great interest in being a protector. My parents encouraged me to follow my heart, and your mother and I have done the same for you and your siblings. Your training and upbringing has prepared you for greatness, my daughter, but your courage, strength, and humility shall bring you renown.”

  After speaking at length with her father, Tiva returned to her room for another night of restlessness. The day was long and tiring, yet she shifted uncomfortably trying to find sleep. Luckily, her body, devoid of energy, gave in, and midway through the night, she fell into a deep quiet slumber.

  *

  The soft, wintry wind blew through her room. She shivered and pulled her coverings over her head. Nestling into the blankets, she yawned and curled into a ball. Foreign as the house may be, her sleep was soothing and solid. The new light of the morning crept through the curtained windows, and she realized, the suns had risen.

  She leaped up, throwing the coverings to the side and dressed quickly before rushing out of her room. Chatter and clanking of dishes, and the aroma of morning meal permeated through the hall. She fastened the last toggle on her tunic and
entered the kitchen area.

  “Spirited greetings.” Dal pulled out a chair and patted the seat.

  “And to you, Dal,” she said, taking the seat. Defor and Razzil acknowledged her, but kept eating. “I am sorry for being tardy. I slept well, but longer than I wished.”

  “No, you’re fine, no need to head to the square so early today. We don’t wish this to look routine.”

  “True, I had not thought of that.” Tiva raised a brow. It was logical. If she showed up every day at the same time, it would be rather obvious. “Am I to give my report?”

  “Yes.” Kevler’s voice echoed behind her.

  She turned and smiled.

  “Spirited greetings,” everyone said, and Dal offered him a plate.

  Graciously he accepted and sat beside his daughter. “First, we enjoy the meal.”

  Once the group finished eating, they retired to the control center. There, Tiva recounted every step of her day. As she spoke of all that happened, she found the excitement building in her. She would delve deeper under the mysterious shadow. She had little more than an odd feeling Solun was part of the youth faction; she just needed to find the correct way to force him to show his hand. His interest in her was more than personal, that much she was certain. Wrapping up her report, she offered her opinion about Solun and the others agreed with her.

  “Perhaps he is a good choice, but still keep open your options, one never knows when the right time will present itself,” Dal said.

  “Agreed,” Kevler said.

  “I wish to spend part of the evening in the square, if acceptable.”

  “Quite acceptable. You may uncover more information during the night,” Dal said. “I shall take you in shortly…”

  “I was thinking, the distance is not long, can I walk?”

  “The mission is yours alone, Tiva, you may do as you see fit,” Kevler said.

  “Rightly so,” Razzil concurred.

  “Then I will make haste to the town.”

  “Be certain to carry your PCD, should you need to contact any of us,” Defor said. “One of us shall be here if you call.”

  Tiva returned to her room. She gathered her cloak and PCD, left her sword, and secured the dagger in her boot. Slipping unnoticed past the others, she proceeded to the alley and began the march to the square.

  It neared midday when she arrived at the town entrance. The promenade was crowded with people. Not wishing to careen through, she circled around the gate, slipped into a side alley, and wandered toward the playing field. A small group of trees, nestled peacefully between two large glass-stained buildings, caught her attention. Behind them, she spotted a path. No one was near, so she decided to walk through.

  She edged her way to the last of the foliage when a guttural roar came from her left. Tiva leaped to the side and looked toward the ominous sound. Before her stood a wild beast, a kind she had never seen before. Its snout, covered in blood, twitched as it roared again. The black fur that covered its lean muscled body stood on end. The beast’s piercing yellow eyes, filled with pain and malice, locked onto her.

  She slowly stepped back, began to kneel, and reached for her boot. The beast bucked and jumped toward her. Stumbling back, she had no time to get her weapon; instead, she pushed off the ground and sprinted away from the creature.

  The beast gave chase.

  Chapter Nine

  Without turning, she ran through the last of the trees and found the edge of the playing field. The roar and pant of the wild animal behind her grew louder. She pushed her legs harder and ran faster. Two groups of people were on the field, young girls and boys to the left and older boys to the right. She wished not to bring the beast toward either, and sharply turned hoping it would follow. The beast continued its pursuit.

  A screech filled the air.

  “Look. A char-beast!” one of the young girls yelled.

  “It’s after that girl,” another said.

  “She’s leading it away, someone should help her.”

  “Tiva!” Solun’s voice echoed through the field.

  She kept her fast pace, but glanced over her shoulder. Solun ran toward her pointing to a small pond at the very edge of the field. She cut sharply to the right, altering her direction again, and made way to the pond. “If you can leap it, do so, char-beasts cannot swim.”

  The animal bridged the distance and gained on her quickly. She forced her legs to move faster. The body of water was long in length, but not width. She fixed her gaze upon it searching for the narrowest point. With an abounding leap, she soared over the pond. Mid-air, she flipped to gain height and as she descended, she was certain she made it. The soft wet earth began to sink when she landed. The char-beast attempted to follow her, but fell in the middle of the pond. It wailed and waded through the water trying to stay alive. Tiva pulled herself to safety and rested on the bank as Solun approached. He seized a knife from his belt and kneeled near the pond.

  “Wait!” Tiva said and stood. “Is there some place we can take it?”

  “It is a wild animal, it will harm whomever, or whatever crosses its path.”

  “Only at the expense of its own survival,” she said, watching the beast clinging to life. “We should not condemn it because it is following its natural instincts.”

  “There are none here who can contain it, lovely Tiva. I am sorry, this must be,” Solun said solemnly, as he reached over, and stabbed the char-beast in the chest. It howled and squirmed then went limp on his knife. She frowned and cleaned the grass from her clothing. Solun left the char-beast bobbing in the pond and circled around toward her. “Are you hurt?”

  “No, I am unscathed.”

  “Good.” He secured the knife back on his belt and looked back. “That is the third wild animal I have seen in this field, though uncommon, on occasion they make their way from the mountains and get lost among the towns. You are quite a sprinter, had you been but a tad slower, you might have been its dinner.”

  “Then I am grateful you offered me your help.”

  “You kept the animal at bay and away from the children, we are grateful to you.” He bowed slightly and grinned. “You are fast and nimble, Tiva.”

  “Thank you,” she said.

  “Please, come meet my friends. They are sure to enjoy meeting you.”

  The group of children hugged and thanked her then dispersed into the square. Solun’s friends seemed enamored with her as they chatted. Two of the older boys she remembered from the field before. Unil was a short, round-faced, and flamed-haired boy, and Bumo, tall, lanky, and flaxen haired, hung on every word she said. She made no indication of the secret messages their eyes spoke to one another and continued to act oblivious to the danger of the char-beast, claiming it all as a matter of luck and good timing. As the excitement wore off, Solun motioned the others to leave with a quick jerk of his head, and Tiva looked at him curiously.

  “Did I not promise to be your guide today, Tiva?”

  “That you did, Solun,” she replied. “But why can your friends not join us?”

  “Because I wish to give you my full attention.” He grinned wickedly. “Where do you desire to go, fair maiden?”

  Tiva laughed and sheepishly tugged at her braid as if thinking. “I am thirsty after that incident, may we rest and drink?”

  “Rest and drink, we shall.”

  Solun brought her to a small shop hidden within one of the narrow alleys. Inside, were a few scattered people of all ages enjoying a meal or ale. The ambiance in the shop was lighthearted and entertaining. They found a table near the door, and placed their order with an older lady. Solun asked for ale, while Tiva ordered juice. She returned with two glasses, and Solun happily drank.

  “Do you not wish to taste the brew?”

  “I am not quite old enough, yet.”

  “You jest! Surely you are beyond seventeen cycles.”

  “No, a few moons shy, actually. My Remembrance is the first day of the Warming.”

  “You carry yourse
lf well, are you from a noble family?”

  She had no immediate response for that. Unprepared for the question, she sipped her juice and smiled, gaining a moment to think. Royal Guardians were the noblest protectors, yet many considered the legionnaires, Province Keepers, and the king’s entire court noble in the same regard. She could pick any of them and hold a conversation, however the further his thoughts from the truth, the more secure she would feel.

  “Hardly,” she giggled. “My parents are hover makers.”

  “Yet you are highly educated.”

  “I was home instructed.” A partial truth in her mind.

  “I am impressed with you more and more, Tiva.”

  “Your flattery has not gone unnoticed, Solun,” she said.

  “You are sharp of eye and tongue! It would be interesting to see your full potential.”

  “What do you mean?” she said carefully and sipped her drink again.

  “Oh, nothing, nothing, my mind is getting away from me.”

  “Perhaps you should guard it more thoughtfully.”

  Solun erupted with laughter and Tiva joined. She raised her glass and he did the same. They clashed together their cups. Tiva grinned. They enjoyed general conversations about various topics as they finished their drinks. When Solun asked her where she wished to go, she asked him to choose and keep it secret until they arrived. He agreed and offered his arm as they left the shop. Obviously enjoying himself, Solun told tales of the Hentor province and large towns scattered through the land. He offered insight into some of the problems faced by the previous Province Keepers. The information was not in Dal’s journal, so Tiva hung on his every word. Solun spoke with passion and knowledge beyond his age. Whether an elder told the tales to him or he learned of them from books, the cadence of his speech was intoxicating.