Guarding Of The Messenger

The royal halls had been ordered empty that evening but for the royal guard who stood evenly along each vibrant wall, another dozen closely guarding the four siblings of royalty who had gathered in secret. There were always rumors of treason and treachery among those who sought power by the throne and the family that shared rule over the land were not usually seen in eachother's company. They needed a messenger, to carry safely messages of great importance from continent to continent. There had been hundreds of messengers in the past and, without fail, each had been murdered for the burden they bore. Now, it was time to call upon the newest messenger carefully selected by the siblings just days before their meeting. They had summoned the person in question and awaited their arrival, none of them knowing if the newest messenger would survive to carry their first message to the King.
"She's late" The first grumbled, flicking a sealed envelope from hand to hand boredly.
"Be patient, a messenger is never late, that is the first test, it's never been failed" Said the second, the eldest by a decade.
"She will come."

The young maiden rapped upon the large doors thrice before standing in wait. It had been the royals that had ordered her here. No doubt to hand her her first assignment. She had recently been made the new messenger. A dangerous job, but it wasn't without adventure and experiences. She hoped this job would allow her to see the world, since she would be travelling far, and near. After standing for a minute, or so, she tapped her knuckles against the double doors once more, louder this time.
The door slid open, one of the royal guard greeting her at the door. "Miss Cara, we've been expecting you. Please, follow me." The guard turned on his feel to face the four royals. He coughed, clearing his throat and gaining the attention of the four. He spoke the girls name in a gentle Italian accent. "Cara Angelino, your majesties." Bowing, he took a step back, gesturing for the girl to continue.
Cara came before the siblings and bowed her head, curtsying. "Your majesties." She stood straight, her eyes in line with the eldest's shoulder. "You requested my presence?"

"Indeed" The eldest said with a sharp nod, snatching the envelope from his slouched sibling. He turned his head to one of the guards and immediately gained his attention.
"Time?" He asked, despite there being an enormous clock built into the wall just behind him that would demand consultation from any in the room.
"Six o'clock exactly, sir" The eldest nodded and allowed his eyes to fall upon the girl once more, smug in the knowledge that just behind his persons his brother who had misread the time huffed in agitation.
"You, Cara Angelino, took your vows to serve the king, but more importantly, to serve us." He gestured to himself and the three others who remained behind him, watching their new messenger with little interest, after all, there had been many before her.
"You took them before your people, you took them before us, now, until the day you breathe your last breath you will do your duty as Royal messenger and bring word wherever we send you to bring it." He was tall, easily six foot and took only two steps to reach the girl.
"As such, I present to you your first assignment" He held the envelope out to her and smiled.

Cara remembered all too well the day she had offered her life to become the Royal Messenger, for this continent, the next and all those surrounding. She had pledged allegiance to the Royals and it was to them she had given away her life.
She reached for the sealed envelope, nodding her head. She knew the first task was always the most challenging. It was the most difficult because you had something to prove. You had to put your skills to the test and try not to get killed. Cara wasn't confident in her skills quite yet but determination would overpower her doubt. She was determined to complete her task quickly and efficiently.
"Your majesty, how soon would you have this message delivered? And to where?" She tucked the envelope away in a small pouch she kept chained around her waist. She looked into the eyes of each Royal child, her eyes settling on those belonging to shortest of the four, despite his being seated. He was still taller than Cara by a couple of inches but Cara looked down at him from standing, holding his gaze.

The eldest continued speaking with purpose while his younger sibling narrowed his eyes at the new messenger, his lips sealed to prevent him interrupting the 'to the point' speech rebounding from each wall.
"We have all been sworn to secrecy about the current location of the king, to whom the letter is addressed, however, it is to be delivered to his majesty before the full moon when he is scheduled to cross the sea and reward his private army with his presence. If you fail to deliver it by then...well-"
"It will be the king, not us, who takes your head." It was the second eldest of the four that had interrupted, a woman with a face much too young to match the years she had lived, the envy of many young women whose beauty had faded far too early.
"Alexandra! Please..." The eldest paused for his sister to remain silent, only when she had did he continue, sensing the disgruntled look upon her face sending daggers into the back of his head.
"Currently, his majesty, escorted by a hundred of my own soldiers, is making his way through Elderthorn wood. There is only one path, and you will need to present something to prove you are not a threat before you are executed for trespassing. The king is aware you will be coming, so ensure you arrive respectful, on time and above all...clean"
Even as the eldest finished speaking, his sibling had not taken his eyes from Cara, almost methodically he was staring her down.

Refusing to look away from the seated Royal, Cara spoke without looking to the eldest of the Royal siblings. "Clean? Are you suggesting something, your Grace?" Her hand waved off the question lazily, needing no answer.
She smiled, her thoughts wandering off to the forest, although her eyes were still looking down at the male seated in front of her. "Your Grace, what would you suggest I present to prevent my head being lifted from my shoulders? The letter would suffice, no? Although, in saying that, any of his Highness's soldiers could be traitors. So, what would you have me do?"

With Cara's eyes elsewhere the eldest came to her side and took her arm, his thumb pressed over her inner wrist.
"The letter you give to the king, you show your identification to any who block you from his path, those who refuse you access are traitors..." He gestured to one of the guards who shifted to the left to allow a young man to pass into the seemingly private circle. He carried with him a pale, hurrying to place it next to the two of them. Within the pale there burned red hot coals that forced their haze of heat into the room. Already the youth had taken hold of the metal handle and lifted the red hot brand from the pale when his hand was stopped. The eldest took the brand from the youth and looked back to Cara, assured that he had her attention.
"Were I to give you a simple piece of jewelry or paper...it could easily be stolen and used against us, I could give you a word known only to you, but enchantments exist to wipe it from your mind, so your identification must be something worn upon your skin or rather...burnt into it" He held the end of the brand upward, revealing to her the intricacy in it's design, an elegant bird formation with four parts to it's body, flame like swirls no thicker than an eyelash spreading from it's wings, they formed what could have been a crown, somewhere in the world the King wore the same design upon a ring.
He held her wrist more tightly and watched her face for anything that might suggest her doubt, doubt that could lead to betrayal as he held the brand over its mark.
"May I?"

Cara's attention was finally drawn from the younger sibling and was now upon the red-hot branding iron. Fear caused her eyes to widen and a sudden light perspiration moistened her face and palms. Her eyes shifted to look at the eldest of the four Royal children. "Your highness..." Cara hesitated, her fists clenching into tight balls; she could feel her nails beginning to pierce her skin. Gulping back the fear, Cara looked away and squeezed her eyes shut. "Do that which must be done. I promised to serve King and Kingdom and I therefore have a duty to uphold. If this is deemed necessary, then by all means do it." She drew long, relaxing breaths preparing for the scolding pain that would soon plague her arm.

The eldest nodded his approval though Cara had missed it by turning her head. With another nod to the youth the brand was pressed to her skin and for the briefest of moments there was a soft sizzling before the thing was removed and replaced in the coals. During those moments the youth had pressed a golden cloth to the wrist, it had been soaked in a mixture of healing herbs then left to nearly freeze in the last of the snow from winter. As the prince folded the cloth around Cara's arm the pale of coals was removed and the youth dismissed.
"Perfect, we wish you luck...Cara Angelino...and as a gesture of good will...I'll have one of my men select someone to escort you, at least until you find your feet as our messenger...Caleb!" His eyes searched the guards until he found the face that matched the name.
"See to it that Cara is given any equipment she feels she needs before she leaves and then find someone suitable to look after her..Cara, it's been a pleasure..."

The guard named Caleb came forwards a few paces, beckoning for Cara to accompany him. To the eldest of the Royal siblings he bowed his head. "Your Grace, it shall be done." Caleb glanced quickly at the youngest of the four, a corner of his mouth lifting into a slight, unbalanced smile. It fell quickly to refrain from raising suspicion.
Cara wiped the tears from her eyes, which the pain had brought. She grasped her wrist, her features contorting in pain. She bowed quickly to the siblings before straightening herself. "Your majesties, I will see to it that this mission is completed quickly and efficiently, for that is the oath I have taken. I bid you all farewell." She then turned towards Caleb and walked towards him. "Would you escort me to the armory. There are some weapons I will need for this."

As the guard escorted Cara from the room, the eldest returned his attention to his three siblings, two of whom had lost interest and had begun conversing the second the commoner was gone from their sight.
"What did you think of her?" The eldest asked the youngest, his brother of the name Cornelius.
"Scrawny, not a shred of elegance in her body...hardly anything to look at and next to no meat at all on her bones...so what made you choose her?" But the eldest would not have answered for he was already striding toward his temporary private quarters, no doubt to fill out the paperwork that would forever record that Cara Angelino had once served as messenger.

Caleb and Cara spent little time in the armory, only a small amount of weaponry was necessary. All Cara needed the small daggers and bow for was to hunt. It was then that Cara had Caleb sit outside her quarters whilst she searched for the little amount of coins she owned.
Caleb rapped against the door, tired of waiting for the girl. "Cara, hurry up. There's someone I know who can help you with your task. He knows this area better than even I and he'll get you safely to your destination," he called through the small wooden door just as Cara pulled it open.
"No need to raise your voice. I'm right here," she huffed. "Now, what were you saying about your friend that could help me?"
Caleb smiled slightly. "Cara, I have a friend that can help you. His name is Morgethius. You can find him in the tavern on the far side of town. You... Don't need me anymore?"
Cara bowed her head. "Caleb, you're relieved of Cara duty," she laughed. She shook her head slowly. "No, Caleb, I have no more need of you. You're welcome to leave now. Thank you for the help."
Caleb nodded and span on his heel. Over his shoulder he called, "You're welcome and..." he smiled wickedly to himself... "Um, good luck."
With that Cara made her way to the far side of town in search of said tavern.

Within said tavern, the lighting was next to none for those who had arrived early in the night could not withstand the strength of a flickering candle as they withstood the onslaught of their tremendous hangovers. Many of those crouched in corners with their unfinished jars and glasses were soldiers with little to do but waste their unearned money, all the better for the towns they had more than once pillaged before the current king had fallen rather clumsily upon the thrown.
Sat as close to the bar as possible was a hunched figure accompanied by the tall pyramid of empty glasses he had accumulated over the hours he had occupied his seat, no one dared remove them though it was easy to see that he far too intoxicated to notice if anyone did. His reputation far extended to the furthest reaches of the kingdom and although he was a wanted criminal for crimes he would have to die a thousand times to pay for, there was no one to arrest him. He waited moodily for his next drink to arrive on horseback, for he had swallowed up the tavern's supply of whiskey.

Cara hesitated outside the doors of the tavern, wary of the people that inhabited the building. She straightened herself, locking her jaw and strode into the tavern. Cara laughed softly at the sight of hungover men scattered around the tavern. She clapped her hands loudly, the sound echoing around the quiet room, save the groans from many a man. The girl took a quick walk to the bar and beckoned the bartender over to her. "Excuse me, Sir, I'm looking for someone that goes by the name of... Um... Morgethius I believe it was? Is he here? If not, do you know where I might find him?"
The man behind the bar shook his head. "'Fraid not little Madam. See, I don't know the names of any of my customers. I'm usually too drunk to remember!" He laughed a hearty laugh and went back to his work.

With the bartender turning his back once more the figure had abandoned his post entirely and had moved behind Cara. He towered over her ominously and rested an arm upon the beam which hung over the bar so that he arched above her as if caught mid pounce.
"So...a pretty little girl is asking for me by name now? Role reversals have never been so damn popular" He spoke with a slight slur that proved he'd ingested close to his limit in alcohol but his eyes were strangely focused as he pulled her around to face him.
"Damn she's cute.." He murmured, more for the entertainment of the other drunks who plagued the tavern, a small round of shady laughing following the comment. He snatched up her bound wrist and pressed the hand to his lips.
"Name's Morgethius"

Cara pulled her hand away from the drunken male and scoffed at him. "You're Morgethius?" She asked, her tone laced with disbelief, as she rubbed her wrist where he had grabbed her. "You have got to be kidding me, right? There's no way would Caleb send me to a drunken perve such as yourself! He just wouldn't." She shook her head, refusing the believe that this... This slob was the male intended to accompany her. The smell of alcohol reeked from his mouth and it took all Cara had not to wipe her hand in the cloth she wore. No. Instead, Cara raised a hand and swung it at the male's face, her palm making good contact with his cheek. "You would do well not to touch me in such a manor ever again!"

His head remained turned slightly to the side after her outburst, but instead of being angered or put off, he simply smirked.
"What if I did?" He hissed, narrowed eyes darting back to her face. His voice had suddenly changed, the slur forgotten and a dangerous edge which gradually began seeping in. He chuckled and waved her off, making his way back to his seat and the familiarity of his sparkiling alcoholic pyramid.
"Why you'd even ask for me by name and then reject me I cant understand, go back to your daddy princess, these taverns are full of drunken pervs who'll have no issues in touching you aaaall night long...Where the hell is this whiskey you promised me? Isn't he back yet?!"
And just like that, the presence of the girl was already forgotten.

Cara unsheathed a knife and held it against the man's throat. "My Father is long dead. Don't ever mention him again. And I'm no princess. Far from it!" She slid the knife back into its sheath, seating herself beside the one called Morgethius. "I just didn't believe that Caleb, one of the Royal guard, would send me to someone like you, that's all. Forgive me, but I didn't believe you to be who you claimed to be. In some way, I still don't." Her shoulders shook with gentle laughter. "That's some mark you got there! Didn't realise I'd hit you quite so hard! And that was with my left hand!"
Cara took a quick look around, her body wary of the many drunks that had their eyes glued to her. To prevent herself from leaving in a hurry, she turned back towards Morgethius and told him who she was and why she had been sent to him. "My name's Cara. I'm the newly appointed Royal Messenger. One of the guard, Caleb, directed me to you so that I didn't have to complete this first task entirely alone. He claimed you could get me to where I need to be... Can you?"

There was a low murmur resounding around the tavern which had quickly begun after Cara blurted her identity out to the overhearing crowd and ended when Morgethius sent a glare back at them. For a moment he did not speak, instead he took her hand and kissed her cheek.
"Why that's lovely dear, of course I'll take you home" He spoke loudly, deliberately and jerked her from her seat and oput of the tavern. Once outside he quickly dragged Cara to the outside wall of the storehouse and yanked up her sleeve, removing the fabric that concealed her wrist. The mark shone up at him in angry tones of red that screamed newly established though free of any form of infection, a branding fit for the lacky of a royal, the male groaned and tossed her wrist back to her.
"Another one, already, they just dont learn, and nothing but a little girl" He paced back and forth a few times before snatching up her wrist once more.
"See this? This sort of thing is what gets poor suckers like you killed! Telling a tavern full of scumbags only speeds up the process! Know how many of em would kill you for the reward they'd get? Every last one!" He turned away from her and sighed.
"just some kid and they havent even told her how to protect herself, fucking royal brats!"

Cara stumbled on her words, her head hung. "I... I did- didn't mean to blurt that out in front of everyone. I swear. I figured it was the only way to... Make you understand." She sighed, the action obviously exaggerated. "So, tell me, can you help me or was Caleb offering false information just to get rid of me?" Cara thought about it and began to wonder. Would Caleb have done that? Was she really that annoying? Shaking off the thought, Cara looked up at Morgethius. "Was there any need to tell me? Aren't I supposed to work that out for myself? It's a test, isn't it? To see if you can be independent in keeping yourself alive?"

"Tell me this, do they intend to send children out onto the battlefield with the pretence of testing whether or not they'll flee? Because that's why you're here sweetheart, whoever hired you might have meant to test you, but it looks to me as if someone else is trying to send you out as ill prepared as possible, you think you can handle that knife well enough to fight off a group of those men?" He sighed and closed his eyes. There was silence until the jumbled thoughts peiced together in a shape that made some sense.
"So, Caleb's a guard or something now? Explains a lot, but then he always was a scumbag, big enough one to jump through the ranks like a rapist" He smirked to himself and thought of his time working along side the snidy insult of a soldier, sending his own self into battle drunk as to not hear the bulk of what he considered to be whining on Caleb's part. The thought of Caleb, sending the girl unto his drunken embrace amused him, bringing about an idea.
"It's been a long time since I had anything to do with the royals, I wont pretend that I dont make it my business to make their lives difficult and that they know it...which is why, for now, I'll lend you my services, it's not something I expect they'll be all too happy about..." he chuckled lightly to himself but turned just in time to avoid a spinning dagger, meant for him it instead burried itself in the soft sandstone of the wall. Already the tavern thugs had decided to take their chances and bring to light the demise of the newest messanger.

Cara yelped as a whiskey glass flew past her nose and she spun her head to look at the male who had thrown it. Cara was only carrying a few small weapons, one of them a short-sword which she had unsheathed and was holding in front of her. "Morgethius, I've never fought a fight like this in my life. I have never fought more than one person at a time so please, excuse me if I make an absolute fool of myself." She spun the sword in her hand and was poised, ready to attack anyone that came at her. "Oh, another thing, your help would be rather appreciated."
One of the drunken thugs was edging towards the pair, a few following in close pursuit. "Such a pretty lil thing, aren't ya!" The male's voice was gruff and his words slurred from being intoxicated. He turned his head, sweat flicking from his hair. "Boys, think we should play with 'er a bit?!" He laughed and turned back to look at Cara. "You're gonna wish you'd never been born, my lil sweetheart!"

A disadvantage of being so large was that their drunkeness easily hindered their movements. They were slow, sluggish and terribly badly organized, they barely hand time to realize how outmatched they were for Morgethius was easily the tallest man there, well built though his layers of ill-fitting clothes disguised this and far too alert for someone who had filled his belly with nothing but alcohol for several days. He had placed himself between the girl and the drunks and had plucked one of the thugs from the ground by his collar.
"Now now you deserter dogs, the girl's with me, and you know what that means" He knew there'd be recognition in the eyes of the man he held, but he didn't wait. What happened next would not go unnoticed once the bartender decided to empty his bins. As a warning to the others who would easily get not only a good price but a good time from the girl, Morgethius grabbed the male's shoulders and began pulling in both directions. A scream, a pop and a very loud tear followed as the body was messily torn in half and discarded like the innards of an unimpressive hunt.
"Well?! You know what it means" He stated in a cold, uncaring manner.

Cara's eyes widened in shock and a little in fear as she glanced from the remains of the thug and Morgethius. Blood had began to pool around the two halves of the man and the others had begun to back away slowly, disgust and fear contorting their faces.
Cara choked on her words but forced them out nonetheless. "Wha... What the Hel was that?! How... Did you do that?!" Her gaze was concentrated on the back of Morgethius' head, which became the side of his face as she stepped out from behind him. Her arms had fallen limp at her side, the sword she held touching the ground. "I doubt they'll be bothering us again," she muttered as she drew her attention towards the group of thugs, most of whom had fled the scene.
"Cowards," she spat as she sheathed her short-sword, no longer seeing any need for it. Cara took Morgethius by the wrist and dragged him away. "You can tell me how you did that once we're out of here. I don't fancy being ambushed again, no matter how well you fight."

He allowed himself to be dragged along, grinning at her rush to escape the scene, amused by her.
"You call that fighting? I was just giving them a warning, buying us time before the really fun ones take an interest in you...besides, that old fart had weeks to live, see his skin? Yellow as piss and I bet you anything-" He stopped, having allowed her to drag him far enough now that he could simply follow on at her pace. "-that his blood was made of the stuff" As he finished he actually brought his bloodied fingers to his nose and inhaled.
"As I thought, no thicker than piss and reeks of every drink he ever swallowed, here" Smirking he passed her somewhat casually and smeared just a little of the pale pink liquid on her upper lip for her nose to sample and carried on.
"So, where's the letter?"