The Guard in the Shadows

I halted as I suddenly heard something. Now, due to years of doing business, I could gauge a person's thoughts just by closely observing his or her face. However, when I observed this person's face, I could actually hear his thoughts! I was shocked. Well from his thoughts and expressions, I could at least deduce that he was not here to kill me. While I was lost in my thoughts, the man suddenly tackled and pushed me to the ground, and put a cold blade on my neck. "How did you know I was here?". For normal people it would have been threatening, sending shivers down the persons spine. However, I was a part of the Indian Army and such situations were quite normal for me.

"Is this how you treat the man you have been guarding?" I asked while lifting an eyebrow and moved the blade on my neck. Now that I had confirmed that the people were not here to kill me, I was a bit more relaxed. I walked back to the cot where I was resting. "Care to introduce yourself?" I smirked as I sat down.

"How did you recognize me? Although you are competent, you were not at this stage when you can actually find me out, with me hiding with my stealth technique. Are you actually Puru?" The guards question surprised me. I stared at him for some time, while he moved to the area where I was sitting. "You have been protecting me since I left the capital". After going through the memories, I had felt that the journey was a bit too smooth. Even when the assassins had struck, they were not able to kill. This was only possible if I had external help. Although the prince was smart, his mind was occupied with thoughts and plans for the future.

"Although I do not know your aim, thank you for helping me deal with threats till now. However, I would appreciate if you could explain your identity and purpose." Although the man had saved me, I was wary due to my situation. The men could very well be from any of my father's nobles to get in my inner circle and spy on me.

"I am Aditya Bhadur, a part of the Shadow Guards, a force under the exclusive command of your father" the guard told me. This however got the alarm bells in my mind ringing. According to the prince's memories, my father should not have much power over the empire and army, and under such circumstances, he should not have the capacity to send men with me. I started to prepare for a struggle. Sensing my preparations, the guard let out a laugh "Wary are we now, my Prince".