Guard {21}

The soldiers stationed outside the main hall knew the Prince had succumbed to sleep, could see his dishevelled hair blowing in the movement of the winds as he slept soundlessly; only jerking every now and again.

How they wished to see him smile again. Watch as the prince always fretted over the well-being of others- usually a warming exterior plastered over him...

But now... a smile dare not cross his face while he was like this- left broken and shredded, like a used doll. Completely exhausted as those walls he had built up collapsed. The amount of pain- it would be unbearable, easily crushing any sort of comfort... and destroy lesser men.

Perhaps that's all he was. A tool, a puppet of the gods who played with his life at will.

Still, they had never seen him leash out like that, the rage fuelling each word directed at a king... a god forsaken king-

They wouldn't allow the consequences to reach him, already growing to despise northern soldiers and all who associated with them. Teren especially acquired a dislike against their ways. The way they spoke, acted; heavy accented in every way.

The day that king stepped triumphantly within their castle, the atmosphere had changed from a cool quiet, to a nervous shackle. He didn't feel safe. Not as the glares never ceased to end- the constant feeling of inferiority being pushed onto them by the northerners... bastards. He could almost spit at their name.

Which is why he wanted them gone.

Teren and the men he commanded all barrelled together, the swords clanging against one another at the hip.

"We have to get as many northern soldiers out of the castle- to keep his majesty safe"

"I agree" a blonde haired male firmly stated, "I don't trust them as far as I could throw them- and by the way they're built... not far one bit"

Humour. Almost forgotten amongst all the seriousness.

"especially since he believes the king has something to do with the attempted assassination a while back"

Dread creeped up, the walls around them listening.

"Do you think that claim was true?"

A choked question. "Or do you think it could have been in the heat of the moment?"

Teren growled, low and fierce, "No. I believe it to be true- I believe his majesty with every fibre of my being"

"Calm down sir, it was just a question" he spoke softly.

"No needed to get so worked up over it"

They stared in silence. "The way the king was acting... it had me let go of all my doubts" he clarified, "that man is known to be vicious"

The blonde extended a silent hand, "in that case, we send as many northern soldiers out in search for the assassin, each led by one of us to keep an eye on them"

Plausible.

"But wouldn't that raise suspicion?"

"Not if we convince them to make the case for us" Teren added.

Clever, clever thinking. That smouldering calm that came collecting back in his mind whenever his military experience was needed, did not disappoint.

"Someone run it past the king- mention that his soldiers and only his soldiers could be reliable enough to capture her.. or whatever he wants"

A hint of disgust. Not un-expected, nor was it acknowledged as they continued in a tense atmosphere. Teren looked behind him, spying the corridors they conversed in. No one could know of what they were doing.

"Agreed. But do we know where the king is being held?"

If he knew his men... which he did, they would take him to his chambers and lock him there. The dungeons... royalty was never allowed down there to prevent regicide. So much for that...

"If my hunch is correct, it would be in his quarters, up on the second floor awaiting questioning from his majesty further"

A collective nod.

"There was no evidence as such of his accusation- and such a large one at that would need further answers before the final verdict"

Frowns and worry still lined all their faces. Teren didn't like it one bit. Their chances in protecting Liam was waining.

The blonde piped up, eyes averting their gazes as he whispered, "Does the king realise he has control over the south until his majesty is coronated?"

"Keep you voice down solider!" A firm hand clasped his mouth shut, eyes as solid as stone as he looked the blonde dead on.

"We keep this information out of their hands- as far as they know, his majesty has control"

Dam rightfully so.

"And it stays that way" Teren added.

He sighed heavily, "For now, we play guard and stay here- protect Liam"

He eyed over 3 of his men, "as for you, head to the king and switch positions with the guards, we need eyes and ears everywhere"

A few grew nervous, but they shook it off. Time was not on their side, they didn't have any left to think about doing something- they needed to conduct it.

"Again, it would raise suspicion sir"

Teren groaned, scratching the back of his head.

"Just do it, say you have orders from his majesty"

"But sir, we don-"

"-I will, when he awakes, tell him of this switch so if he is questioned he will know"

Risky, and by the look in their youthful eyes, they knew it too. But what choice did he have? There was a threat gathering in the higher walls of the castle and they had no power to thwart it.

Stretching his taut muscles in stress, he gave his final order, "go and do as we have spoken, make sure when chatting amongst yourself you remember the details... and if asked further upon it- do not hold back, nor speak of this meeting"

"What meeting sir?" A smirk with a raised eyebrow. A tone sarcastic. They understood.

"Good" he hummed, as he watched their backs fade into the halls beyond.

As for him, he would wake the prince and let him know of their plan.

With each step into the grand hall he knew it couldn't wait, it couldn't wait for him to sleep longer than a few minutes.

As much as Teren wanted to allow peace to take over him- the world was unkind to him.

Like a puppet to the gods...

Approaching the high table, Teren cleared his voice, watching the Prince rest.

He looked ethereal, even with the darkness under his eyes and the scruffy hair, his complexion did not stay pale; a warm glow pouring from him... he was the light of his kingdom now that the queen's light had been swallowed by death.

Teren believed Liam was capable of great things, which is why as he shook the prince gently, lulling him awake with a calm voice, did he stagger back.

The tired eyes that looked upon Teren's features were his usual hazel brown, but this time, a slither of silver crossed his left iris.

It was a stark difference against the darker colour of brown and his pupil making it even more breathtaking.

Did he always have this?

Liam's brow rose in a sleepy confusion. Why was Teren staring at him so... shocked?

Snapping out of the trance, Teren blinked, reaching for his pommel at his hip and pulled.

Liam awoke instantly, lunging back in his seat out of sheer reflexes.

No blow came. Instead, the gleam of a sword like a mirror was prompted to him silently. Liam remained puzzled but took it in his own hands and gazed at his reflection.

What he saw almost startled him...

His eye...

"So you can see it too your majesty"

Liam nodded, mouth agape and trembling. What did it mean? Was he dying? Was it the stress- the grief, the agony still raging like a ball of yarn waiting to spring and unwind him to ruin?

"H-how?" He muttered.

Clear as the sun had been when it arose on this solemn day- there in his eye... silver.

A silver streak.

The prince and his guard had no room to speak as they waited. Lost for words.