Congratulations to the winning Author: KurokageJS

The Queen's Guard

"What happened?" 

The Captain's voice sliced into the shocked silence like a naked blade.

Shadu lifted his eyes from the Queen's body, an odd smile playing about his lips. It gave him an eerie look, for the upper half of his face lay hidden beneath a black lace mask.

"What happened?" He repeated the question softly, before giving it an answer. "The Queen is dead."

"I can see that." The Captain's voice had dropped, changed pitch, softened into something like soft rasp of a blade being drawn. "Queen's Guard, explain yourself immediately."

Suspicion had flared into life in the man's expression, already piecing things together, yet the respect for Shadu's position held him at bay. He waited for the last clue, the confirmation, and Shadu wasn't about to deny him.

Shadu shifted his gaze so that he met the Captain's eyes. "The Shriveman sent the Branded," he gestured towards the three large bodies in the center of the courtyard. "And she commanded that I let none touch her. So, I have done as she commanded."

He saw the last piece click into place in the Captain's eyes. Yet the man, the ever-thorough soldier, didn't make a move. Shadu admired that, even as he despised the man's sickening loyalty to a monarchy long since shrouded in corruption.

"You failed to protect her," The Captain said quietly, watching him. The surrounding soldiers kept silent, yet there was a string of tension among them, pulled taut and ready to snap.

"No," Shadu said. "I killed her with my own hand."

It was the only way, since she had commanded him to keep the Shriveman away from her. And commands...he always did as he was ordered. If he couldn't let them slay her, then he'd have to do it himself.

"You are the Queen's Guard," the Captain said then, the faintest notes of disbelief hidden behind a wall of steel. "And an Ulshan...how is it even possible?"

"Does it matter?"

"Yes!" The Captain's voice strained, an effort to keep control. "You took your oaths to guard her, to protect her, for life. It should have been impossible for you to even lift a finger against her!"

Shadu dipped his head, acknowledging the Captain's words. His fingers twitched, an involuntary current shuddering through his already aching body. He let none of the discomfort show.

"I was twelve and she thirteen when she gave me the oath. Children, both of us." The smile on his face softened, for just a moment, before twisting into something that wasn't quite a sneer, wasn't quite a grimace. "Do you know what the oath was?"

The Captain didn't say a word. Shadu let out a huff of grim amusement. Of course the Captain wouldn't know. The Oath between the Queen and her Guard were private affairs, witnessed only by the existing royal family. How unfortunate for everyone – well, fortunate for himself, perhaps – that the Queen was the only existing member of the royal bloodline.

"Do you promise," Shadu softly quoted, the words trailing up into the night sky like wisps of smoke, "to protect me forever and ever? I'm going to be the greatest Queen ever, and unite all the land. I'm going to make this place the best place to live, so you have to promise to protect me, okay?"

Silence filled the courtyard.

Shadu's expression smoothed out, becoming its usual emotionless mask. His eyes glittered like black diamonds behind the mask. "I made an oath to protect her, but did you know? An oath works both ways. She promised to make her kingdom prosper. Instead, our Queen has brought misery and poverty upon the land. She broke her oath to me, and thus, my fidelity was released."

"That's...!" The Captain started, then stopped, eyes widening. In the next instant, he drew his sword from its scabbard. The sound galvanized the troops into action, and the whisper of dozens of blades being drawn filled the air.

Shadu's lips quirked. He'd expected nothing less.

"For the murder of the Queen," the Captain stated grimly, "you must die. Men-" He raised his voice. "Take him down!"

Time seemed to slow, stretching out milliseconds into long moments. Shadu stood motionless, aware of every man lunging towards him, every naked blade stretched forth to end him – and he closed his eyes.

This, he knew, was the price for his freedom. If he'd been at full strength, he could have used his ability to teleport away. That was beyond him now, for he'd already reached his limits with the fight against the Branded. No, he'd die here tonight, but at least he'd die a free man.

He waited. But the kiss of death never came.

Instead, startled cries made Shadu open his eyes. He saw a strange dark mist gathering about the soldiers, trailing ice crystals as it froze the air and numbed all skin.

Alarmed, the Captain cried, "Get back!" Both he and his men stumbled backwards, shielding their eyes, their breaths condensing in air that dropped to frigid temperatures. They retreated several paces before they escaped the area with the dark fog.

Shadu was left standing alone by the Queen's body, a twisting wall of unnatural fog between him and the soldiers. He frowned.

Only Shrivemen had such strange abilities. But why would one interfere now?

"A fine night, no?"

Shadu froze, eyes widening a margin. The voice came from right behind him. The flesh of his neck prickled, his instincts screaming warnings, yet he didn't dare move. Something told him that doing so was a terrible idea. His hand twitched, and a small throwing knife dropped into his grasp.

A cold breeze rustled through Shadu's hair. On the other side of the fog, he could see the Captain and his men. The former looked wary, on guard, his eyes locked onto something just past Shadu's shoulder, while the latter were visibly unnerved, armor clanking as they shifted uneasily, weapons held in white-knuckled grips.

"That," Shadu softly said, "is a matter of perspective."

A soft chuckle drifted from behind. "Fair point."

Slowly, Shadu took a step forward, putting some distance between himself and the newcomer. Then he turned warily.

A tall figure stood there, wearing a hooded black cloak. It rustled in a wind that existed only around the newcomer, revealing a muscled olive-colored chest. Shadu's eyes narrowed. The lack of a shirt and shoes were typical of a Shriveman, though this one was possibly the most threatening one he'd ever had the displeasure of meeting.

"Why are you here?" Shadu asked. It took effort to keep his voice calm, for irritation swirled within. All he wanted was to let go, to disappear, to finally have oblivious peace, but it seemed even that would be denied him.

The cloaked figure tilted his head. "It's a wonderful night for a walk."

Shadu got the sense the Shriveman was smiling. He narrowed his eyes further, jaw tightening. "Perhaps you should find a different path to walk."

"Why?" The cloaked Shriveman spread his hands. "Am I interrupting something?"

"Yes."

Suddenly the Shriveman stood right in front of Shadu, barely two feet away. Shadu stiffened, his first instinct to fling himself back, but his training had him stand firm, refusing to show any sign of weakness.

The Shriveman leaned forward, close enough for Shadu to make out a strong jaw and smiling lips within the shadowed hood, and made a thoughtful sound. "Hmm. Broken oath or not, an Ulshan with enough willpower to strike down his protected is most impressive."

Abruptly, the Shriveman spun, the swirl of his cape brushing against Shadu's shins. There was a horrified intake of breath from the soldiers as the Shriveman walked over the Queen, crouched, and lightly touched a finger to the crusted blood of her throat. "At first, I thought it a mere accident, but I see now that it's no such thing."

Rising, the Shriveman turned to face Shadu once more. "I think I'll take you with me."

What? Shadu's breath caught in his throat. Instantly, the thought of being forced to take another oath, to be bound in servitude to yet another crowded into his mind, and he couldn't help but step back. "No."

"Why not?" The Shriveman asked. "You've just slain your protected, which leaves you without purpose. It's no wonder you were just going to let them cut you down."

"It's none of your business," Shadu growled. He raised the throwing knife, the thin tang trapped between two fingers. Forget the risks, he was getting out of here.

The Shriveman sighed, a gentle exhale. His tone changed, losing the playfulness, becoming serious. "I offer you a new purpose, Ulshan. One of your choice. My people are not so cruel as yours."

That almost made Shadu laugh bitterly. That was like calling the Queen compassionate and kind. Had not the Shrivemen been besieging the human lands for the past decade? Burning and destroying everything that lay in their path, all in the name of conquest. They were aggressive, barbaric, more beast than man – when he'd seen it all with his own eyes, how could he believe such claims?

Without responding, he whipped out an arm and threw his knife. It flew true, streaking through the night air and over the high wall of the courtyard. The second it cleared the wall, Shadu vanished in a burst of gray smoke, violet sparks of electricity illuminating it from within.

He reappeared in a blinding storm of pain. A hollow groan tore from his throat, even as he barely managed to snag his knife. His body convulsed as hot electricity scorched his nerves. He was still in midair, dozens of feet above ground, yet there was nothing he could do to stop his fall. He'd pushed too far this time.

Well, he thought. At least this is an end.

Then a cool breeze spun around him, impossibly slowing his fall. He gasped, breath puffing out before his face in a white fog. "No!"

The ground rose up to meet him, but before he reached it, solid arms wrapped around him. He fought, though it was more of a spastic flailing than anything else. Each movement brought waves of hot pain, but he didn't care.

"Stop it," came the Shriveman's voice, exasperated as if he were chiding a child.

Shadu slammed an elbow up into the Shriveman's jaw. Teeth clicked and the Shriveman's head snapped back. Yet the arms didn't loosen. "Let me go!"

A soft sigh came, then a large hand grabbed Shadu's face, covering his nose and mouth. Fingers tightened painfully, before icy fog enveloped them. The cold seared Shadu's skin and he jerked his head back, struggling to get leverage for another blow.

Frigid fog slithered into his airways, slipping down his throat and chilling his lungs. Numbness spread instantly, followed closely by lethargy. His movements slowed, even as his panic skyrocketed.

What was this?

The Shriveman removed his hand from Shadu's face. Shadu sagged, forcing the Shriveman to fully support his weight. Unwillingly, his eyes began to drift close, darkness encroaching from all directions. It was a fight he could not win.

The last thing he knew before passing out was the dizzying sensation of being tossed over a shoulder.

***

Shadu woke with a start, sitting bolt upright, eyes wide, a rush of alarm lighting his nerves afire. Where-?!

A room. Small, made of stone and mud, a small tiny window letting in a small ray of daylight. He sat on a bed, hewn out of wood and lined with a soft fur pelt. More fur had been laid over him; now it pooled around his waist.

The door was made out of slender branches and woven grass, allowing more daylight in from the top and bottom as it didn't fully cover the space. It was the only exit, and though he was alone, he didn't doubt for a moment that guards waited outside.

He exhaled softly, pulling himself together. Then he shoved the furs aside, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. Surprisingly, he felt good, with none of lingering aches or nausea that usually crippled him for days after overusing his ability.

A furrow settled between his brows. His shirt was gone, he noticed. As was his wrist holder containing his throwing knives. Though his boots sat on the dirt floor by the bed. And on a small table nearby was his mask.

He stared, suddenly aware that his face was bare. His first instinct was to leap up and put it back on, as it had been a part of him for so many years, but instead, he lifted trembling fingers to his face.

Free, whispered his mind. You're finally free from her.

But at what cost? The more cynical part of him was bitter. No doubt these Shriveman would demand a new oath of him, to make use of him just as the Queen had. His lip curled.

No. That wasn't going to happen.

He bent, reaching for his boots. At least they hadn't taken those from him. Shrivemen had naturally tough skin on their feet, so they could afford to go shoeless in even the roughest of terrains, but he had no such capability.

Shadu rose from the bed. Clad in only boots and trousers, he felt rather exposed. For a moment, he considered wrapping himself in one of the furs, but quickly dismissed the thought. It would hinder his movement anyway.

His gaze went back to the mask. The exquisite design, the fragile lace, mysterious and exotic at the same time – her taste had always been extravagant. The pull towards it was strong, but he clenched his jaw and turned away.

That part of his life was no more. It died with the Queen.

Now, he only had one thing left. Freedom. And if he couldn't have that, then he'd die fighting for it.

He strode to the door and shoved it open. Daylight briefly blinded him as he stepped outside, causing him to squint.

"Told you," said a familiar, infuriating voice.

"Hmph." The second voice was deeper, gruffer. "We'll see."

Shadu's eyes adjusted, and he saw two Shriveman leaning against a pile of logs. One of them he recognized as his kidnapper, despite the fact the cloak was no longer present. Clad only in trousers, the Shriveman regarded him with startling deep blue eyes, amusement tugging at his lips. His hair, the color of bark, was a wild mess, chopped into chaotic layers about his ears.

"Hello again, Ulshan," the Shriveman smirked. "Feeling better?"

Shadu refused to respond. Instead, he shifted his attention to the other Shriveman, who was just as tall and muscled as the first. He was clad in similar attire, though he had bracers of fur upon his forearms, and his gaze was a gray as his hair. He was obviously older, but he didn't lose out in vitality or strength to his companion.

Having deduced that these two were a very real threat, and that he'd have to get past them to escape, Shadu moved his attention to his surroundings. Thick forest rose up on all sides of the small clearing they were in, with a narrow, twisting trail winding off to who knew where.

It effectively negated his ability. Anything he threw wouldn't get far before rebounding off a tree. And as for where that trail led, it was unknown. His gaze returned to the two Shrivemen.

"Before you try, Ulshan, take this."

And to Shadu's utter shock, the blue-eyed Shriveman drew a short blade from a sheath at his waist and tossed it over. It landed upright, tip driving several inches into the earth, and quivered.

Shadu eyed it warily, making no move to take it. "Why?"

The blue-eyed Shriveman chuckled softly. "Take it, Ulshan. You won't get far unarmed."

Were they giving him a fighting chance? It didn't make much sense to Shadu. He felt like a child, small and lost. It both annoyed and frightened him. "What if I don't want it?"

Both Shriveman grinned at that. The blue-eyed one tilted his head, observing Shadu like he was a child who'd just done something amusing. "Let me ask you, Ulshan. What do you want?"

Lifting his chin sharply, Shadu struggled to maintain his calm. "You already know."

"Do I?" The Shriveman gestured to the sword in the ground. "Then take it, and show me."

That was all the invitation Shadu needed. He bent, gripped the hilt and tore it free from the ground. Without losing momentum, he hurled it straight at the blue-eyed Shriveman, vanishing and reappearing in an instant.

He yanked the sword out of its flight and spun, the blade's edge whistling as it sliced at the blue-eyed Shriveman's belly.

The Shriveman leapt back, barely avoiding the strike. He drew a second blade, a twin to the one that Shadu now carried, though it looked like a mere dagger in his large hands.

The gray-haired Shriveman remained on the sidelines, content to observe the fight. He folded burly arms across a broad chest, his sharp eyes tracking them as they danced all over the clearing, blades ringing, sparks flying.

The blue-eyed Shriveman, Shadu quickly discovered, was more than a match for him. Every cut of his blade was met with confidence, blocked or parried or batted away to make room for a savage counter strike. Not only did the Shriveman possess skill with the blade, but he was fast for his size, able to keep up with the pace Shadu set.

Sweat dampened Shadu's brow, his breath coming in shallow pants. He was no stranger to prolonged fights, but the Shriveman seemed to possess endless stamina. If they continued like this, then Shadu would tire long before the Shriveman. If he wanted to win, then he'd have to gamble.

All right, Shadu thought. Let's see how you deal with this!

Smoke began to form around him, violet sparks of energy cracking throughout. Unlike the quick bursts he used to teleport, this was a slow, gradual build-up.

"Oh?" The blue-eyed Shriveman laughed, and pressed forward, adding more strength to each swing. Each block vibrated up Shadu's arms, and when he tried to catch and turn the Shriveman's blade away, it nearly pulled his own sword right out of his hands.

He grit his teeth, eyes narrowing in focus. Abruptly, violet electricity crackled throughout the smoke shrouding him. And from one breath to the next, the world slowed around him. The Shriveman moved as if in slow motion, his sword slashing down at half speed.

It was all too easy for Shadu to slip beneath the attack, and stab his sword deep into the Shriveman's thigh.

The electrical cloud burst apart then, returning the world to its proper speed. The backlash of it sent Shadow crashing down to a knee, his head pounding, body trembling with sudden weakness.

He heard a pained grunt, and looked up through stinging eyes.

The blue-eyed Shriveman still stood, but he'd doubled over to grasp the new hole in his leg. Blood seeped out from between his fingers, soaking his clothing and dripping onto the dirt. Shadu grimly smiled.

It seemed he'd just missed the artery. A pity.

"Heh." The blue-eyed Shriveman looked up, meeting Shadu's gaze. He didn't seem all that bothered by his injury. "Not bad."

Shadu tilted over, only catching himself at the last moment by planting a hand in the dirt. He trembled, now on all fours, his breath ragged and sweat dripping from his hair. Perhaps using his ability in that way wasn't the smartest of decisions, but at least... I made him bleed.

And that was oddly satisfying, even if he'd failed to kill the Shriveman.

A huge hand reached down and took hold of Shadu's arm. It effortlessly hauled him to his feet, then steadied him when he swayed, barely able to stay upright. He glanced up. It was the gray-eyed Shriveman who'd helped him up.

Surprisingly, there was only approval in that gaze. It confused Shadu. Wasn't the Shriveman upset that he'd injured his companion?

"He got you good, Kesh," said the gray-eyed Shriveman. Shadu's legs buckled, but the Shriveman quickly looped an arm around his back and kept him upright. "Strong, even for an Ulshan."

The blue-eyed Shriveman – Kesh - laughed. "Aye. Good fight, Ulshan." He lifted a strip of cloth that he'd just ripped from the bottom of his trousers, as if in toast, then used it to tightly bind his leg. "Let's celebrate with a drink."

A drink? Seriously? Shadu watched in silence, mind spinning in bewilderment. The Shrivemen were acting like this had just been a friendly spar. It made no sense. None of this made sense.

Just what in the Queen's name was going on?