Sword and Shield (GxG)

Chapter One: The Guardian : Evangaline

"Evangline, tonight is the night you're presented to your suitors. Behave. You must look your best and speak similarly" the Queen paced around me, studying my stiff body. I had just rolled out of bed to find her glaring at me with her stone-cold green eyes. And the news I was going to be meeting my future husband tonight. I'm fourteen. And I'm meeting the love of my life tonight.

"Yes, mother" I muttered excitedly. I cant wait. I will fall for whoever is chosen and he'll be king beside me. We'll raise a family and they'll grow to rule this same kingdom when he and I are gone, off to heaven together. 

"Evangaline! Have you heard a single thing I've told you?! For god's sake, child, pay attention!" My mother scolded me. What had she said?

"I'm sorry, mother, I was distracted" I lowered my gaze. 

"I told you that you are to prepare yourself. The servants have been informed, all you must do is keep yourself in order and follow their directions" she shook her head with irateness.

"Yes, mother" I sighed. I had to wait a whole day. 

"And you will be attending the tournament before the presentation, I expect you to at least look like you care. The winner of the tournament will be taken into the Guardian's guild" bla bla bla. Another ceremony the princess must attend. The usual. Another new Guardian in the castle, basically I have to babysit for a week while they get used to life here so I can learn about 'proper educational behavior'. Whatever. Here is what is important: I'm going to fall in love tonight!

- - -

After every single servant in the castle has run by me to help me put on my dress, fix my dress, bathe me, fix my dress again, do my hair, put on my jewlery, fix my hair again and pestered me about my inadiquite appearence, its time to go to the tournament. The servants bring out two beautiful horses. One I know is mine, the other is my mother's. Mine is black as night, my mother's is so white it hurts my eyes.

"Evangaline, follow me. Do not take a step out of line"  my mother says as she mounts her horse. I mount mine and we ride off to the tournament. Of course, followed by a band of Guardians and a whole army of servants, maids, and others of use. 

When we arrive and my mother and I take our seats, we find a contestant practicing in the arena. He is a little small, though that may just be the angle of my observing him, and his style is unusual, but he is by far one of the best with the sword I have ever seen. And once he tires of the sword and grabs a bow I find he is just as deadly a shot. Similar when he practices with maces, axes, chains, tridents, knives, everything. I think he will win this.

As the first fight starts I zone out, wondering what the man from before looked like under his thick coat of armor. Probably nothing in comparison to the love I will meet tonight, but I still cant stop him from envading my mind. 

When he appears to fight my eyes are glued to the scene, the enemy he faces is easily twice his size but the battle is won in a flash and the whole audience -now most of the kingdom- burst into cheer. He does not bow at  his victory, he just walks away. The same happens with all his other fights. Until the last. When he wins that he faces me and I think our eyes met, but I couldnt see them clearly from so far away.

"Evangaline, go congradulate the winner. Bring him here once he is clean" my mother sent me off. I traveled down a winding passage of stairs into a dark chamber in the barracks of the stadium. I hear a female voice from one of the chambers. The one closest to the door, where only the winner should be. I walk in and find a young woman, my age, helping another out of armor. Its the armor of the victor, but who is wearng it? A girl my age, who should not be fighting. 

"Where is the victor?" I spoke clearly, making the girls jump.

"Me" the armored one turned around. My initial responce: she is too beautiful to be fighting. Eyes as rich and blue as the sky, with light brown hair, though plastered to her head and neck with sweat. Then I noticed how strong she was, her body had the muscles of a man, though still the delacate alure of a woman's figure. "Rikhata-Nia" she bowed low for  moment "princess" she added.

"What? Oh! I'm sorry, I didnt know it was you" the other girl also bowed. "I'm Lilian, your highness"

"My mother wants me to bring the victor to her once she is cleared of armor" I told them. 

"Of course, m'lady" Lilian went to work helping Rikhata-Nia free herself of her armor. When she was done the two whispered a little and Lilian leaned in and touched her lips to those of Rhikhata. My stomach turned to stone. Devil's servants...That is what they are. I crossed my arms and cleared my throat. Rikhata turned to me after telling Lilian her goodbye, and I wordlessly lead her up to my mother. She wouldnt allow someone like her to join the guild? Or just a woman at all! 

"My mother will have you removed" I hissed.

"Excuse me, your magesty?" Rikhata caught up to me. I walked faster so I wouldnt have to see her. Such a potential wasted on her, her beauty could do more then tempt a devil, but then again, she'd never pushed Lilian away, so she must be one of them too. It sickens me. 

"Someone like you shouldnt be allowed into my home" I retorted.

"With all due respect, I can love who I wish to love, it is not in your power to take that from me" she hardened her voice. She was defending the pratice of the devil! Stupid girl. 

"It is disgusting"

"Think what you will. My heart is mine to give to whoever I chose" she chose? Love is not chosen. It is told. You are told to marry, not chosen. 

"You may not be admited for the disrespect you've done me" I took pleasure in belittling the devil, she deserved it for her practices. 

"Then so be it. This is not for you nor your family. This is to repay a debt. And I have done that much. Free me if it pleases you" I was going to reply but my mother found me in the corridor leading up to our seats.

"The victor? Who is this girl? Have I not told you to stop involving yourself with common folk?" My mother growled.

"You have, mother. This girl is the victor" I looked back just long enough for Rikhata to cut me off without making it look rude.

"Rikhata-Nia, your magesty. Your servant"

"You are no Guardian. You are a woman. What are you wearing? It is filthy!" My mother wrinkled her nose.

"M'lady I am well aware of my gender. I have no money to buy better. I am here on a dying wish of my father that his blood be taken into the castle. My brother is dead so I had to take his place, my queen" Rikhata explained. Even if her intent was noble she was a demon! She made fear in me just by standing there and drawing me in with her dark enchantments. 

"Mother she is-"

"Silence, Evangaline. The victor has proven herself worthy and will be taken into our home and forfil her vow" my mother nodded with a softened heart. I glared at the demon-girl. "You will behave yourself, Evangaline. I expect you to treat her well and any poor behavior will be taken out on you not the Guardian"

"But-"

"Silence! I gave you orders. Follow them" my mother lead the way to the horses. I mounted mine, and knew all too well what was done next.

"Your magesty?" Rikhata looked over at my mother. 

"Evangaline, we do not have all day" she said irrately.

"Get on with me" I grumbled. Rikhata mounted behind me, her strong arms snaked around my waist. Her touch made my skin burn and made my anxiety worsen. Demons like her are not to be accepted by me. I will fall in love like I'm told. The way it should be. 

** Hey guys! So about all the put downs Eve is throwing at Riki, I mean absolutely no offence to anyone LGBT (I am myself if you havent realized already, so I wouldnt be insulting my amazing self now would I? ;)) I just want to make a point about discrimination and how much Eve is against Riki... For now <3 K