It is close to two months before Ki-Ran hears anything about what will happen to him. Shortly before midday, his father and two younger siblings are at work and Ki-Ran is watching his youngest sibling, one too young to apprentice anywhere yet, when there is a knock at the door. Opening the door he is mildly surprised to find two members of the military standing there, he knew there would be a decision over his actions and was expecting to hear the outcome sooner or later. What truly shocked the half-elf was the garb the two wore, it marked them as not just military but as part of the palace guard – one of the most elite positions one could attain.

It takes him a second to register that one of the guards had spoken and the guard repeated himself.

"This is the home of Ki-Ran, son of Raeran, is it not?"

"Uh, yes. I'm Ki-Ran," answered the stunned half-elf.

"Your presence is required at the palace," the second guard spoke.

"What, uh, what is this about?" asked Ki-Ran, confused. Surely the tribunal had not needed to go that high.

"Your presence is required at the palace," repeated the guard.

A possible indication that they may not know the reason and were simply doing their job. There was no way for the half-human to decline.

His voice a little shaky Ki-Ran acquiesced, and called his little brother over and asked him to go next door to a neighbor that could watch him until their father returned. After his brother had left, the guards motioned for Ki-Ran to follow them.

As they walked down the streets, Ki-Ran placed directly between the pair, he swore he could feel people watching them and whispering. Afterall, it wasn't everyday the palace guard were seen in the city, and escorting an under-dressed commoner no less. The entire way his mind raced as he tried to figure out what could possibly be going on, but he could come up with no ideas. While he walked, Ki-Ran absently rubbed at his wrists, a long held nervous habit.

As they left the poorest area where Ki-Ran and his family lived the streets became nicer paved and the buildings became larger and more attractive. This trend continued in a slow manner until the trio reached the gates of the palace. One of the guards spoke to another who was on duty at the gate and they were allowed to pass through.

Inside the courtyard were several fountains and gardens, most growing food plants but some merely decorative. To one side was a sturdy barn and pens where a handful of livestock resided. Ki-Ran did not get a chance to fully take in the sight as he was ushered up the path and through the majestic palace doors.

The two guards led him down the winding hallways, passing statues and artworks. Along the way they passed a number of people, some dressed in a simple but elegant uniform that marked them as palace staff (these paid no mind to him and his escort), and others dressed in the finery of the noble houses (who saw his cheap clothes and looked at him with some disdain.)

Eventually they reached a closed door that the two guards stopped in front of and as one reached for the handle the other turned to Ki-Ran and gave him some apparently random advice.

"Just be respectful and honest," the guard said, then the door was open and Ki-Ran was ushered through, neither of his guard following.

For a moment Ki-Ran can do nothing as he takes in the room around him, the artwork on the walls depicting famous battles and kings past and the two layers of benches on either side, intricately carved out of valuable woods. The small handful of people who are arranged in the benches are well dressed and wear the uniform of the palace guard.

At the far end of the room is a throne, surprisingly simple yet with incredibly intricate gold filigree and a few small precious gems imbedded. And sitting there was a man with long light blond hair, the small braids common among elf culture woven in. He had an elegant bearing and wore richly appointed clothing.

Ki-Ran was almost convinced his heart actually stopped when he realized that he was in the presence of the King himself and immediately knelt and bowed to the powerful elf-king.

"You may rise," spoke King Lysanthir, his voice calm but holding an undercurrent of his power.

Ki-Ran stood and, out of nervousness and an uncertainty about what to do, moved into an at-attention stance. He could not bring himself to look directly at the king, feeling almost unworthy of it.

"Do you know why you are here?" asked the elf-king.

It takes Ki-Ran a moment to realize he is expected to speak, and directly to the king at that. Stuff like this was not supposed to happen to people like him, the lower classes didn't get audience with the ruler, their voices heard through various representatives. And someone as low as him would be lucky to even catch a glimpse of a member of the royal family during a ceremony.

He stumbles over his words in the beginning. "I, I can think of... of only one incident. Although I could not have imagined it rising so far," his voice trails off at the end, wondering if he over-spoke.

"And yet it has," replied the King. "I have summoned you here because I wish first to hear the events that transpired from your own view point."

The request surprises Ki-Ran but he cannot avoid answering and so he speaks, telling the story of what had happened. He talks of being on a routine patrol near the borders when their small group was ambushed by a large number of orc fighters. Ki-Ran tells of how they were outnumbered but still fought against the enemy, how they were able to eventually push the enemy back until they retreated. He then talks of the clean-up, how the group had managed to escape with only injuries, and of how one team-mate, Jace, had been more wounded than the others.

Ki-Ran than shares the information that Jace had given the group, that the orc band had managed to overpower Ariawyn and she had been taken, something Ki-Ran expresses surprise at, as both Jace and Ariawyn had proven themselves to be exceptionally talented warriors and difficult to overcome in battle. He next shares of the groups unhappiness at this and of the commander taking the time to think his option over, eventually deciding the best course of action would be to return with reinforcements.

Ki-Ran next mentions the unease of the group, but their willingness to listen to their commander – with the exception of Jace who argues long and loud that the need to get their team-mate back as soon as possible. He shares that he too believed that the best course of action would be to go after them immediately but the commander had said that his decision was final.

He talks of being unable to rest properly that evening, his concern for his friend and team-mate too great, and how after turning it over in his head he decided to go off alone. Next he speaks of running into Jace in the darkness and of how Jace warned him of the danger and told him of the consequences that would face them, and of how he had stubbornly chosen to continue.

He than shares of how they had gone back to the area of battle and had picked up the orc packs tracks, of how they followed them to their campsite and found their missing team-mate. That Jace had said they should wait until most were asleep so as to catch them more unaware. Ki-Ran tells of the seemingly long wait as they remained hidden until the orc's fell asleep and that as soon as most had Jace silently gave the order to move in and crept silently behind one of the guards and killed him quietly.

Unsure of how much the King wants to hear of the fight, Ki-Ran gives only the most basic details. He mentions that at some point, Ariawyn had gotten herself loose and joined them, and that they worked quickly and quietly. That they were able to silently take most out before the others awoke and of how there was a brief clash with the remaining orcs which ended with the trio of elves winning.

Finally he quickly wraps up the story by briefly mentioning the journey back to the camp and of how the commander was waiting for them. Ki-Ran shares that the commander, while grateful that their missing elf was back, had been livid at the fact that the other two had disobeyed and that he had said this would need to go before a tribunal. In the morning, the commander had said, they would still be returning to the base and that the trio would be put on indefinite leave and would be sent home.

Figuring that the elf-king does not want to hear about the journey they took to return home, Ki-Ran finishes his story and stands there waiting for judgement.

When Ki-Ran finished speaking, King Lysanthir, who had been listening to the story closely, asked only one question.

"Why? Please, explain your reasoning for disobeying the direct order of a superior."

Surprised by such a question, Ki-Ran finds himself speaking before he realizes it. "I did it because I couldn't leave a teammate behind. I thought that by the time we got to the nearest base and returned, there was no telling how far our enemy may have gone or what they may have done. I understood the risk I was taking and accepted it."

The King reclines back in his throne and is clearly thinking about something. Ki-Ran stands at attention, his stomach in knots and chest tight with nerves waiting for... something.

After several eternal minutes the King speaks again, "Recent events have had me considering another personal guard for my child."

Ki-Ran blinks, surprised by the turn in conversation.

"However, finding someone suitable has been... challenging," continues the King. "Aerlin is a well-trained warrior but can be rather reckless at times. Finding someone who will fit my criteria, and someone who can keep up with her is not the simple task it may sound."

There is a pause before Lysanthir speaks again, "I feel that you may actually be acceptable in this role. You have proved yourself a strong soldier, and shown a willingness to risk your life for your team. And you are young enough yet that you may be able to match the energy of Aerlin and her current guard, and may be accepted by them."

Of all the possible things the King could have said, this was among the most unexpected of them. Ki-Ran felt his mind go blank for a moment as the weight of what had just been suggested hit him.

"Should you agree to this, we will start on only a trial basis to make sure that everything fits together," the King continued. "I do not expect an answer immediately, this is after all a major decision. I will give you a week to think this over. I ask only that you tell no one about this, for security reasons, including your own family."

It takes Ki-Ran a long moment to find his tongue before he replies, "Uh, yeah, of course. I'll think about it. I understand. Thank you."

With that the King dismisses him, calling in the two guards from before by name and asking them to escort him out. Something Ki-Ran is a little grateful for, he's not sure he could remember the way anyway and with his mind in shock he was certain he could not.

After the stunned half-human had left, one of the royal guards turned to the king and spoke, "Do you truly feel this will work?"

"I am hopeful that it will, Sindht. The recent events with the orcs in our land, human mercenaries, and the threats we have received, they all make me certain that more protection is warranted."

"I expected that," answered the head of the royal guard. "But someone so young? He is not even a millennia old yet. He has not been in the military as long as the others, has not the distinguished career, and he is no warrior but a soldier. And he is half-human as well."

"You have had people learning everything abouthim and his family. Nothing in their background suggests divided loyalties.Should he accept, it will only be a trial basis to start with. We will evaluatehim further during this time and make a final decision."