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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Emperor Valerian" data-source="post: 1478744" data-attributes="member: 15043">A Most Unique AngelKelir flashed bright in the middle of the camp, as Siabrey advanced on the man, her eyes blazing red fire.  I came close to losing Luke so many times before.. no one... NO ONE... will threaten him like that again and not taste my blade!  Her katana now hung level, its keen point aimed towards the guardsmen’s throat as she approached.“Back – off!” he barked, his sword pointed dangerously at her.  This woman advances yet... I do not know her, or her intentions... yet my charge is willing to try and fight me to defend her.  I must make her back away... and then ascertain who she is before letting her approach...The dark blade hovered in the air, and the sergeant growled, “Tell her to back off.  Tell her... or I will have to strike her!”  The party could see a moment of indecision in Luke’s eyes... his urge to beat this man that threatened his love, coupled with his love for her.  The sergeant’s grip on Luke’s sword was solid and hard... there was no way Luke could pull Ik Mataar any more, and the guard’s arms were in such a way he couldn’t squirm.  Siabrey, having sparred with him, had no doubt he could fight her one handed and the match would be tough... even tougher if he used Luke as a shield.“Back... back love,” Luke said quietly.  He waved a free hand, and let his hand slide Ik Mataar back into its scabbard.  I he means to kill me... at least Siabrey will live...  To Luke’s surprise, the man, after making sure Siabrey stepped back with the rest of the group, released his grip on Luke’s arm, and lowered his sword.  Seeing this gave Luke a new boldness... and anger rose in his face.“Who – the- hell are you?” he snarled.  “Who in heaven’s name gave you the damn right to threaten my wife, the frickin’ Crown Princess...”“Lucius,” the man interrupted him, his voice quiet, yet full of power.  “I am an ally.  I am a bodyguard.  Listen to me... and listen carefully,” he grabbed Luke’s shoulders, and Luke shrugged him off.  “If you don’t, you might die, and I will fail.”“You will fail what?!” Luke snarled.  “If you can’t give me straight answers, I’ll take this up with Alexander himself, and we’ll see how your scrawny ass does when the Emperor’s ire is against you!”The sergeant blinked, and gave an icy smile.  “I answer to someone higher than Alexander.  Follow me.”  With a grunt, Lucius reluctantly went with, but when the guardsman saw Siabrey and the others edging behind, he halted, and started to open his mouth.“I will not go, unless they are allowed to go as well,” Luke said firmly, stopping dead in his tracks.  This man said if I die, he fails.  Well, I wonder what happens if I don’t go with!  He only threatened the others... he never threatened me... indeed, he seems to think I am a charge of his or something...The sergeant stopped as well, looking at his charge with slight confusion.  He will not come unless those three are allowed with... strange.  Perhaps he trusts them.  I cannot.  To expedite, I shall allow them to come, but watch them carefully.“They may come,” the sergeant growled, “but should they make a threatening move towards you, Lucius, I will have to strike them, regardless of...”“Why would we threaten Luke?” Shaun asked, confused.“Why the hell would I threaten my only love!?” Siabrey snarled, looking threatening again until Lucius hissed to her to calm down.“I am your charge correct?” Luke asked the tall man, as the slowly started walking again.  The sergeant nodded.  “Well then, as your charge I tell you these people are safe.  I order you to not threaten them.”“I may be your watcher, but I do not take orders from you,” the sergeant said again, eyeing Siabrey carefully.  Defiant, Luke then stopped in his tracks, and walked up beside her, wrapping an army around her shoulder before the sergeant could react.“Pull us apart now,” he said to the man.  Whoever... whatever he is... he was strict orders... lets see if I can bend them some.This young man seems intent to allow that young woman close... and from the ways things look, I may jeopardize my ability to guard him if he continues to be so rebellious.  I’ll let him be close to her, but carefully watch her.To Luke’s surprise, the sergeant merely nodded, then motioned for them to continue forward. Grinning, he turned to Siabrey.“I think he’s a bodyguard with very strict orders... so I’m going to slowly bend them... as I find out what they are.”  He has a sword, and he’s near Luke, and he called me a THREAT to Luke.... augh! Siabrey wanted to scream, but managed to keep her anger pent up inside, for later release.As he led them along, they realized he was taking them back to Luke and Siabrey’s tent, as he led them inside, they saw nothing was amiss... save directly beside their bed.Where formerly Luke’s shattered noble breastplate lay, there was now a new breastplate, shining of the brightest mithril and steel, gilt work weaved into the decorations on its front... an eagle carrying a lightning bolt in its talons.  The metal shimmered with magic in Siabrey’s eyes, and she couldn’t help but gasp.“My master has charged me to deliver this to you, Lucius Caladron,” the sergeant said, lifting the breastplate for Luke’s inspection, “as well as guard you for as long as possible.  This is not negotiable... regardless of what you want, my master’s command is higher than your wishes,” he said flatly.“Who is your master?” Tess asked the question burning on the mind of those not entranced by the armor that was clearly not made in this realm.There was a brief, instantaneous moment of decision in his eyes which she caught, before he said, “My master is a good friend of yours... especially you,” he pointed to Siabrey, “and his name shall be divulged in good time.  He has much vested interest in seeing that Lord Lucius survive and the demonic armies that threaten this Valley are destroyed, and good restored to its proper place on this plane.”’Good restored to its proper place on this plane?’  How is his master a good friend of Siabrey’s?  Confused? Tess’ mind rambled.She is confused.  Simply it for her... and tell the longer story over time... the sergeants mind said.  “Simply, my name is Anias.  I serve a Most High Master, who wishes your friend safety.  I am to guard him and watch him.  If you don’t mind, I would ask that you all stay ten feet from him, save her,” he pointed at Siabrey again.  That one might cause problems... best to look her over carefully.  “You, red eyes, I would ask not to bring your weapons within ten feet of Lucius...”“Not to... what?!” Siabrey began to sputter and shake.  Not guard Lucius!?  Never!  Luke saw the fury building in his wife’s eyes, and looked at his strange, new bodyguard.  “Sir Anias,” he said quietly, and respectfully.  “I am afraid you requests are impossible.  You see... these all are my bodyguards,” Luke said rather grandly.  “Siabrey, here, just happens to be my wife as well.  Tess is my guardian with the magic of music, Shaun with his quick fingers, Quin with his sword... and there are three others.  Orion, guardian with his fists, Grumki, with his warhammer, and Elenya, with her magic.”True... none have overtly threatened Lucius.  And I have catalogued their weapons... though this new information is intriguing.  I might have to observe this Tesseron closer... her music contains power.  This Shaun has a mere rapier, I should be able to take him on if he gets out of line.  But this fighter seems to have no fear, and her blade is larger than mine even... and Lucius seems willing to join her side.  I don’t want them fighting me either... that would compromise the mission.  Very well then, a compromise...“If they listen to me, when I give instructions on how to properly defend you, I should have no problem with them,” Anias said stiffly.  It was apparent that Shaun and Tess noticeably stiffened, as did Siabrey, but Luke nodded his agreement.“They will, Anias.”“Ok.  Lucius, listen carefully,” the sergeant began again, once again showing him the armor.  “This is soulfire armor... it will protect you against instant death spells and attacks.  Don the armor now.”“But he’s in the middle of the army camp of 30,000 troops he’s a general over!  He doesn’t need...” Siabrey griped, noises that Anias ignored.“Don it.” With a grumble, Luke put on the armor, and at Anias’ insistence, the rest of his armor as well.   Once Luke was fully clad in plate, Anias looked partially satisfied.“There, m’lord.  You are safe from conventional attack.  Now, if I understand correctly, you were on a journey northward.  Shall we begin?”</blockquote>

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