Settling in

"Well, are you an element wielder?" she asked again.

I hesitated a bit, "No."

"That's disappointing," although her face didn't really show it.

You see, this world of ours Argysus, we have special people who can wield the power of the elements. It depends on whether you have the potential or not. You have your five basic elements fire, water, wind, lightning and earth. There's also two more elements which are quite rare, light and dark elements.

But the elements aren't the only special abilities present in this world. I've heard of shapeshifters, I even think one tried to rob me. I think there are still other unknown abilities but the most common are element wielders.

You have you're basic element wielders, you can say they're start ups. Their control over their element is amateur at best. They can only use it for a short while before they're wiped. Then there's the intermediates. They have better control and much more stamina when it comes to wielding their element. And then master element wielders, have full control over their element and can use it constantly although they have their limits too.

"What about you? What's your element?" I asked her.

"I actual have two. Water and wind," she said smuggly looking at me as if she wants my praise.

"I'm guessing you're at intermediate."

"Of course, you think it's easy balancing between the two. I'm already ahead of most wielders around," now that's just bragging.

"And why would you need me as your personal guard when you have two elements. I'm sure you have guards around who also have elements. Why not get them?"

"It's simple, you seem interesting," she put down her tea cup.

"That's enough for now, your baths ready. I'll have one of the maids show you your room as well," she called for one of the maids who came in rushing immediately.

I followed the maids to the first floor of the mansion and she guided me to my room first. It was neat and spacious, with a nice sized bed and a dresser plus a shelf stacked with a few books. Maybe this wasn't such a bad thing.

She showed me to the bath, brought me a towel and some soap. "Diane was it, thanks," I told her and was already stripping making her rush out after a slight bow.

Now this was a good life. I think I'll just have to stick around. It didn't look like Autumn needed much protecting, at most I'd just be following her around.

I took longer in the bath, just letting my body soak, that Clyde guy made work up a little sweat. I got out much much later, I probably took up an hour.

I made my way to the room she showed me, and now that I thought about it, I couldn't really remember which it was. It might have been at the end of the hall. I walk up to the door third from the end of the hall and push it open.

This wasn't my room judging by the pair of angry eyes glaring at me. Autumn sat on the huge bed in nothing but her underwear. Looked like she was changing for the night. I dragged the door closed before the shoe she picked up could hit me. I must admit, she had a nice body.

I tried the next door and lucky enough it was mine. I changed into the shorts I usually sleep in and jumped in the bed. No way I was going out there and have to face her. I'll let her cool down for the night.

I woke up feeling pretty great. The bed was so soft I thought I might have overslept but it was still pretty early. I changed into fresh clothes and peeked into the hall way for an angry girl before quickly stepping out.

"Hey, slow down buddy," someone called out to me. He slung his arm around my shoulders which really bothered considering we only met yesterday.

"What's up Ian?"

"I was just heading down to get some breakfast. I didn't expect to run into you. Looks like you're an early morning guy too," he was beaming for some reason.

"Not really, but I slept really well so I guess it was that," I pulled out of his arm.

"Come on, let's grab something to eat," he led the way into the kitchen where the maids were already hard at work. Ian went behind one of the maids and hugged her from behind. She almost jumped in shock if not for Ian's firm hold.

"Let go off me. You know this isn't allowed," she complained but he didn't let go, only squeezed tighter.

"I just really missed my Hannah so much." She smacked his hands till he let go.

"There's enough time for that but not now. You'll make me burn the food," she poked him with the laddle she held. Considering it was just in that pot on the fire it must have stung.

"Sorry, me and my new bud just came to get something to eat," he pointed at me and Hannah looked over.

"You must be Miss Autumn's new guard. Word of advice, don't hang around this fool too much or you might catch his stupid," she waved her laddle at him angrily. With her short stature, brown eyes and dark hair she looked really cute when she was mad.

"Don't worry, I already noticed," She laughed at my comment and started making fun of how much of an idiot he was.

"You can get some stools from the corner. I'll have your breakfast in a minute."

Ian brought over two long wooden stools. "Is she your girlfriend?" I asked.

"Not officially, she's still trying to play hard to get but I know she likes me," he said with a smirk.

"So what do you do around here?" I was curious.

"Lord Argus recruited me to join him after he saw me use fire. He said I showed promise. They're about ten of us actually. You already met Clyde yesterday, he's a water wielder," So it was like that. Element wielders were actually pretty few. They'd make about only 10% of the human population. Noble houses usually jump at commoner wielders in hopes of improving their houses. Looks like Lord Argus was really lucky to have this many at one place.

Hannah came over with plates of warm bread and glasses of mead. Since it was only one glass each it wasn't enough to get us drunk.

"I'll be heading over to the training yard and join the others. As at now there's only seven of us here, Lord Argus took the other three on a trip with him to the main house in the east. That's where most of the Rosewood nobles live," Ian explained.

"You should join us. I'm sure everyone's eager to see Miss Autumn's newly proclaimed personal security," he wiggled his brows at me. Is it really weird Autumn chose me to be her guard. I thought most nobles did that.

"Sure, I guess."

"Great, I'm sure they'll love you," he slapped my back making me spill some mead.

"I'm not aiming for that but whatever," I wondered whether that Clyde guy would be there to. I'm sure his still pissed at me.