Beyond the horizon of the Kingdom of Yondel, the sun was slowly but surely fading. Sitting on a small seat and resting her head on a small wooden beam covered by a white tarp, the silverette slowly opened her eyes as she came out of her daze. Finding the strength to raise herself of the wooden beam and to stretch her arms out, the world around her slowly faded in as her eyes adjusted to the sudden low volume of light. She momentarily looked around her as she recalled what happened in the last half-day, and she became absorbed in her surroundings as she set her vision upon an empty carriage, with only the horses at the front providing any sense of normality.

Raising herself from her seat, and carefully placing her feet onto the ground, Lecca looked around her. The rain that had tainted the sky much earlier in the evening had passed, a small beam of moonlight spotlighted puddles near her feet, and a crisp cool breeze swept through the place she stood inside of. It was almost dreamlike as a small amount of mist collected just outside of the large fortress hiding from the last rays of sunlight. The moon looked through the clouds as it shined on every part of the world, clearing the last remaining rain clouds.

Walking across, down the damp grounds, heavenly hues mixed with the last remaining oils the sun painted. The last two days had repeated endlessly in her mind as she searched for the proper time to process everything. Though her mind was full, she advanced inside, crossing the line that had once been established by the Royal Guard. She spent her time moving through the halls walking in a steady rhythm, a steady tempo. Beating gently, her heart kept a steady beat as her mind settled the feeling just over her heart, and at the end, she had finally reached her destination, the Throne Room.

Lecca felt empty as she placed her hands against the large wooden doors once more. Why did they leave her? That was the only question that plagued her mind as she applied pressure letting the doors groan alerting those inside of a new-familiar visitor.

She, to some degree had always been alone. This time, she felt her loneliness was unwarranted; like those under her command she was no one special, she was just another soldier, and she expected to be treated like one. Perhaps her faith had been placed to early within the men she currently was assigned to lead.

Focusing on the sounds of the people speaking within the throne room, it was more than apparent that a full-blown meeting between Royal Court members, military personnel, and the Royal family was in full swing. The light emanating from the artificial, magical lights burned her retinas as she entered from a darkened hallway. Though surrounded by people, she was once more alone as she walked directly to the king and the three men standing next to him.

“Hey?” Noticing her immediate approach, Thompson quickly stopped speaking to the king, and in turn spoke in a smooth, exhausted tone. “You alright?”

Lecca looked at the man with a small amount of anger, but she let go of her feelings as she took in the detail’s the captain’s face held. His face was pale and held several dark rings under his eyes. His clothing was not fit for a meeting with the king, as it was all disheveled under the multi-colored plating he had across his chest. Even his shirt was un-tucked as the man repeatedly rubbed his hand near the object sitting on his thigh. It was no doubt important to him, and she wondered why he was being so cautious about it in this environment.

“…Captain?”

Almost snapping to attention as if he were speaking to someone above his rank, Thompson seemingly gazed off into the distance as he responded with a crisp and clear voice that gained attention from some of the nearby knights. “Ma’am! Captain Oliver Thompson standing by for orders!”

The two next to the man, Green and Richard looked at him bewildered as they noticed the state, he was in. “Shit, we need to get him to the guest room, now!” Richard suddenly said as he broke off the man’s stiff arm from his side. “Green grab his other arm, King Aldrecht, I apologize, but we’ll probably be gone for the rest of the night.”

King Alrecht simply nodded as he watched the two men drag their commanding officer out the throne room. It was almost surreal, the events that had just transpired made Lecca wonder if she were dreaming or living in reality.

“Princess.”

A hoarse voice came from behind her. Flashing a fair-natured smile, she responded to the person who called out to her, “Correct. How may I help you?”

Stepping in front of her, King Aldrecht appeared with a worried expression on his face. He extended a hand towards the darkened hallways running adjacent to the throne room. “Walk with me.” He said, “We have much to speak about.”

Hiding her feelings Lecca followed. Those that were speaking throughout the hall moved out of the way as the King and Princess walked outside into the cooled hallways. Many wondered what the two were doing, but it was not their domain to eavesdrop on the conversation.

“I heard that you slept for some time in the carriage.” King Aldrecht suddenly stated.

“Yes… how long was I asleep for…?” She asked in return with an annoyed look on her face.

“Not for long. Just when your carriage passed into city limits.” He handed her these words as the two entered a into the study room through a small side door. The two walked to a set of chairs pushed up against the large wooden table with a collection of books laying atop it. Alongside the books, two cups of black tea laid waiting to be drank.

Regaining her thoughts and watching as King Aldrecht sitting down in one of the chairs, Lecca walked to the seat across him. The older man took one of the books laying on the table and opened it to a map displaying the entire kingdom. Holding her tongue, she watched as the king withdrew several objects from his pockets. He placed them in three locations as he began to speak in a tired, yet soothing voice.

“I know that you are aware of the threat that is looming over this kingdom.” He said while placing a familiar piece on the castle. “The attack on Bishmark shows that the army the Demon Lord has been building, is something we no longer ignore.”

Sitting silently with the cup of warm tea in her hand, Lecca listened as the king continued. “The Holy Knights under your command-I want you to tell me how they assisted in repelling the enemies from the Crown Jewel.”

Lowering her cup and placing it on the table, she stared at her reflection in the low-light environment. She first held onto the word she wanted to speak, but after some deliberation and the never wavering stare coming from the king, it was obvious that the First-Born Princess had no choice in the matter.

“It was at the tail end of the day…” She began to retell the story as she questioned if what she remembered was even real. “Lieutenant Patterson-Knight Patterson.” She corrected herself as the king gave her an amused look, “He spotted early movements of what looked to be a recon picket surveying the city. It was only there-after did I make the sprint to the 5th Garrison headquarters.”

“So, you forewent your duties, for what?” The king inquired.

“The Reclaimers are not familiar with our customs and culture.” Lecca stated much to the surprise of the king, “If they are not used to it, there is no chance that they will be able to protect the frontier.”

“Reclaimers?” Aldrecht asked confused.

“Though they did not participate in any direct combat, their planning and organization alone made it possible for the Royal Guard and the 12th Mountaineering Corps to retake the land that was occupied by our enemies.” Lecca began to explain what happened as the king quietly sipped on his cup of tea, “While the 5th Garrison prepared a defensive line that quickly squashed under the constant barrage of magical spells being used; Captain Thompson, and Lieutenant Patterson sent riders to the commanders of the units in the mountains, due to their quick thinking, a pincer maneuver was used against the enemy position, while they led a small recovery force to rescue those still alive in the defensive line.”

Leaning back in his seat, placing his now empty cup on the table, Aldrecht processed the words spoken by the princess. He had always been curious of the men that were summoned. They were professionals, and they understood war more than he did. Each man had a varying degree of skill, and together they were a force to be truly reckoned with. A small sensation of relief came over him as he at least appreciated the fact that he did not have to spend any recourses to take care of their basic responsibilities and needs, unlike the former youngster heroes of past.

“These “Reclaimers” …” The king mumbled gaining Lecca’s attention, “You have seen how they fight. Tell me, what do you need? I will personally assure you anything within reason, but I will need something from you if you are to accept this deal.”

“Deal?” Lecca parroted.

“Yes. A several groups of monsters have been intercepted within the frontier. If fear that we are witnessing a buildup of the Demon Lord’s army… I want you and your men to conduct a special reconnaissance mission deep into the heart of the frontier. This is something that I cannot ask of the soldiers or knights under my command, but I know that you and your Reclaimers have the expertise necessary to complete this mission.”

“What of the heroes?” Lecca questioned making the king flinch, “They are nearby, no? They have the weapons that we need to push back an army of massive proportions. This is something they trained for after all.”

“Those children know nothing of war!” Alrecht snapped as he shot up from his chair, “They act like any common ruffian you can find within the slums! If it weren’t for their egos, and unyielding desire for money and power, I would’ve sent them to die for the kingdom well over a year ago!”

Regaining his composure, Lecca remained silent as the king sat down. The tea before her now looked unappetizing, and her mind wandered to what the king was suggesting.

Though flawed, Alrecht was an honest man. He went out of his way to reveal the truth to the people, and he would always tell the truth to those he found to be comfortable around; his trusted cabinet, members of the military, and herself were such people, thus he provided them with everything they needed to know. Yet this change in him was different, though he was still being honest, he was still asking her to go on a near suicide mission to confirm the fears he had regarding the Demon Lord.

Perhaps that’s why he asked her. Perhaps he did not want to alarm the people. A large military movement to the frontier would come into question, and would no doubt soon reach the ears of the newly reformed Royal Court.

Finding the strength to raise her voice, Lecca resolved herself as she faced Alrecht. She needed to ask this one question, and she had no other time to do so, “Why would you send the kingdom’s one and only princess on a suicide mission to confirm something that you may already know the answer to?”

Alrecht froze in place as he stared directly into Lecca’s brown eyes. The fire of the candle on the table reflected in her iris, and her pristine pale lips shined in the light the orange flame gave off. He gently lowered his hands and sat up straight. He was unsure how to express his feelings. This was something that he was not confident in, being honest about his feelings.

“I-I” He stuttered as he looked down into his palms. “Your father asked me to take care of you, even as he died in my arms Leccamaradel. This is me answering his final request.” Holding a firm gaze, she stared at the somber man as he brought a hand to his abdomen. “This is for you, but I shall take the chance to send you off with proper protection before this kingdom falls to the rule of the Demon Lord.”

He removed his hand from his abdomen as he picked the pieces off the book and secured them in his overcoat. “Take the men with you. They will teach you about their homelands, and once you find a way to reclaim the kingdom, use the lessons they will teach you, and lead this place into a new golden age. You are the rightful heir to the throne, but it requires my family’s death to secure it.”

Raising herself from her seat, Lecca stepped to the main door to the study, “I’ll have the Royal Guard escort to my room. I’ll also have to inform the Holy Knights about this development.” She said closing the door and leaving the king in near darkness.

Publicly Available Information: Royal Guards:

Standing at around 20,000 strong, the Royal Guard is divided into three main division: 1st Division, 2nd Division, and 3rd Division. 1st Division numbering at 4,000 troops, is stationed within the royal capital and the “Crown Jewel”, while the 2nd and 3rd Division are stationed throughout the kingdom. Counting the local defensive regiments and garrisons under their command, the Royal Guard approximate force is around 35,000 strong.

The primary duties undertaken by the royal guard are law enforcement, diplomatic security, internal defense, and direct contact operations.