Faust

The day has been too difficult, a job as simple as guarding a gate should not be so stressful.

I leaned on my spear and glanced at my brothers behind me chatting and having a good time amongst themselves.

To be so carefree while I alone suffer is much too cruel were it not for the instructions of the devil I would happily switch places with one of my brothers. Well, maybe not. The people that arrived and have yet to arrive are people that my brothers would not know how to handle.

First, it was that brat-like adult and her strange companions who caught me off guard. The brat-like adult with her suggestive words and her companions with their appearance alone. I thought back to their encounter and though it ended sweetly I do not wish to meet her again.

“Declare yourself!”

A dainty pair of legs stepped out of the big overly ornate white carriage and their owner a petite woman with delicate features wearing a brilliant white dress that stretched beyond her feet. She was followed by two identical men in identical white tunics and swords at their waist. Then came out a bronze-skinned woman taller and with more muscle than any woman Ronald knew and almost as tall as the monstrous geezer, the way she carried herself in her leather armor spear in hand reminded him of the monstrous geezer as well.

“Woah look at her size!”

“I’ve never seen twins before!”

“She’s taller than all of us here!”

“Perhaps it is because I have never seen a taller woman before but looking at her the desire to be manhandled and pinned down by a woman taller and stronger than me has been born in my heart!”

Even my brothers are excited! That last one though keep your heart's desires to yourself! Lest she hears you and does exactly that!

“Greetings guard,” the petite girl lifted her dress and curtsied.

“I am the fourth princess of the Sagitta Kingdom Ludivine Terramanz. Introducing my companions, the brothers' Sir Jean and Sir Luc and the Lady Sirena. Here at the invitation of my father his Majesty King William Terramanz.” she lifted her dress and made her way towards me then ruffled through her dress and retrieved her invitation and handed It over to me.

I quickly read through it and found nothing amiss. I bowed and handed her the invitation back. “All seems to be in order Lady Ludivine please head on in.”

She did not take her invitation and instead stared at me. “My, you’re quite good aren’t you. Why have I not heard of you before?”

A spike of alarm went through me. “I do not know what you mean ma’am, I am but a guard it is obvious that you have not heard of me.”

“Wow! Were it not for my many experiences and cunning insight I would have believed you! Tell me what your name is!”

What do you mean you would have believed me? Has she figured me out? No, I feel no malice from this brat-like adult. I will merely play along with whatever she thinks she has figured out.

“My name is Ronald Lady Ludivine, and I am honored that you even ask.”

Still bowing she stepped closer and whispered into my right ear. “Well Ronald, when you decide you are ready come to Leonis I guarantee that you will always find work there!”

She gave me a quick peck on my right cheek and took the invitation from my hands. She winked before turning away lifting her dress and walked back toward her carriage.

“Open the gates!” I yelled.

In the end, what is it she thought she knew about me? Best not to think about it lest I drive myself madder with worry.

As soon as the carriage entered the city my brothers started whistling and patting my back. I knew why they were impressed, getting a kiss from a princess was no small feat but I could not fully appreciate it as I did not wish to catch the attention of such a high-profile individual.

Recovering from my sudden flashback I studied the distance and confirmed there was no carriage ahead. I touched my swollen right cheek and thought about my second encounter.

To think that such a sweet moment would be followed by a cruel reminder of why it is I do what I do.

“Declare yourself!

The carriage door opened roughly and out stepped two knights’ swords in hand followed by a tall imposing man in a dark blue tunic. His otherwise handsome features were ruined by a long ugly scar running from the right side of his temple to his lower lip. He glared at me like an insect, and he was deciding whether it would be easier to simply crush me and walk away or just walk away.

Shit! It’s the second prince! I knew I would need to handle this situation delicately, but it looks like I am off to a bad start.

“You. Were you the one that yelled just now?

I added some fear in my voice and expression as I knew the second prince would probably like that. “Y-yes my L-Lord it was I.”

He walked past the two knights and with his right hand reached into his tunic, I pretended to be tense as he approached. He showed me his invitation. “Is this what you need to see?” He asked deceptively kindly.

I nodded and immediately after, invitation in hand he slapped me. Fortunately, I predicted his simple cruelty and rolled with the slap minimizing the damage as I fell to the ground spear thrown aside. Unfortunately, I did not predict the bravery of my brothers as they immediately approached, took up their spears, and got into formation.

“Get away from him!”

“What do you think you’re doing!”

“Are you okay Ronald!?”

“You’re courting death!” They said in unison.

Their actions touched a part of my heart that I thought was dormant. The two knights approached taking up positions next to the beast.

“You dare point your weapons at royalty!?” The beast said more amused than angry.

I need to diffuse the situation before it goes any further.

“My brothers there is no need to pick me up I merely slipped when my Lord handed me his invitation,” I said from the ground.

Even in this situation, I did not forget to read the invitation and tucked away what I read in the back of my mind as it was my lowest priority at the moment. I took the invitation and crawled towards the beasts’ feet.

“My lord your invitation.” I presented the invitation while kneeling.

The beast snatches it from my hand. “Do you think I will let you off with such a pathetic show of respect?”

“What would you have me do my Lord?”

The beast walked toward the horses pulling his carriage and stepped onto some freshly dropped manure. Then he walked back to me putting his manure-covered boot in front of me.

“Lick my boot and I will accept it as a proper sign of respect, I will consider the life of one of your brothers a proper sign of respect as well.”

I immediately licked his boot and swallowed the vomit rising in my throat. The beast kicked me away immediately after and stared at me.

“Ronald was it? I will remember you.” He said walking back towards his carriage with his knights.

My brothers helped me up but before they said anything I just spoke calmly. “Open the gates.”

They nodded and hurried to do so. I grabbed a nearby waterskin and washed the taste of horseshit out of my mouth.

The beast seemed surprised that I licked his boot. But what is so surprising about choosing to lick a boot over the death of a brother? No, I have been too idle playing guard here with my brothers that I have forgotten the difference between beasts and men. I will thank that beast at least for erasing any doubts I had about our mission.

The Sound of hooves and neighing snapped me out of the second flashback I had this day.

If that is the first prince’s carriage then my job will be over for the day!

I awaited the approaching carriage larger than the ones that came before it and dared to hope that if it were the first prince he would be easier to handle than the rest of his siblings.

“Declare yourselves!

A bald middle-aged knight stepped out followed by what looked like a chef based on his pudgy belly. Next came an old lady with a cane that the baldie helped down, immediately after a plain-looking woman with spectacles stepped out and held her hand out blocking the sun from her face. Finally, going by the beautiful appearance that he is known for, his luxurious blue tunic and the white silk cape around his shoulder, the first prince stepped out. Just the act of stepping out of the carriage and watching his surroundings was elegance personified. He walked towards Ronald with his companions and again his gait was elegant his cape flowing like water behind him. I could not help but feel awe-struck.

This! This is what a prince should be like! He is an ideal candidate! I will conv-. my thoughts stopped there as the first prince spoke.

“I don’t see why I need to prove to mere guards who I am!” He told his companions.

“Please Prince Bertrand this is merely a formality.” The baldie pleaded.

The granny waved her cane at him, and the rest did not seem bothered by the situation as glasses focused on positioning the pudgy chef in front of her to block the sun.

Although he managed to destroy the amazing first impression I had of him. If I want to make a good impression I have to take the initiative, Now’s the time to flatter him.

I cleared my throat to get their attention “How could I not know of the magnificent Prince Bertrand Terramanz who’s lack of humility and girlish beauty is sung throughout the Sagitta Kingdom!”

The fool looked at me with a satisfied expression and spoke. “Well, if you already know who I am then I won’t bother introducing myself and instead introduce my companions.”

“Introducing! The finest knight in all the land! He is known as the “Silver Death” though do not let his nickname fool you he is a kind and polite man! Sir Raphael!”

The baldie gave me an apologetic smile and bowed.

This baldie is the silver death!? What is he doing with a fool?

“Introducing! The chef who can make a stale piece of bread into a gourmet meal! Given the title “Master of Flavor” by yours truly! Master Osmond!

The pudgy man flushed embarrassed and bowed.

What an elaborate title for a chef! I will have to try his dishes to confirm if it is for show or not.

“Introducing! The Woman who can choose and make attire to fit any need while looking fashionable! The one and only “Silk Weaver” Granny!"

She supported herself on her cane and just nodded her head.

She is your fashion advisor! And she is just Granny!? Well, I cannot deny the fool looks good, the others however do not stand out.

“Introducing! The woman who manages our money with an iron fist and will punch you to prove it! Given the title “Human Abacus” by yours truly! Linnet!

She adjusted her spectacles and bowed.

The fool is smarter than I thought if he has someone other than him managing their money.

Finished with his introduction he walked up to me and handed me his invitation. I scanned it for anything suspicious though I knew this fellow did not have the wits for conspiracy. I handed the invitation back to the fool after confirming nothing was amiss.

“What’s your name guard?” The fool suddenly asked.

Why does every princeling and princess want to know my name? Do I look so friendly or important that you need to ask!

“You can call me Ronald at least when you see me as a guard my Lord.”

“Ronald I’ve taken a liking to you! You may address me as your Magnificence or your Magnificence Lord Bertrand. Whichever is more convenient for you.” He said as if he was doing me a favor.

“You honor me your Magnificence I do not why you chose to honor me so, seriously why!? but I am forever grateful!”

The fool clasped my arm as if we were longtime friends reuniting. He looked me in the eyes with his light green eyes and gave me a brilliant smile. Thump! That’s weird why is my heart thumping? Surely it cannot be because I find him attractive. No! it is fear. Though I have not felt it in a while that must be it! Someone who can kill me with just a single word has me captured in his warm soft hand.

“I will put in a good word for you with the Captain of the city watch Ronald.” He looked at me with sad eyes “If we never meet again consider this my farewell gift.” He released my arm and made his way back to his companions and carriage.

I could not process what happened, so I just stood there frozen. I saw the baldie talking to glasses and she nodded and pulled out a small purse from her satchel and handed it to him. The baldie approached me and coughed to get my attention. He looked at me with sympathetic eyes and handed me the purse he received from glasses.

“For your troubles young man.” The baldie said and then walked away.

The baldie snapped me out of his stupor but I still did not know how to deal with them, so I decided to get rid of them. “Open the gates!”

As the baldie rejoined his companions the fool looked at me before entering his carriage and gave me a smile and a nod. After they entered the city there was a silence that seemed to last for an eternity. Finally, my brothers spoke up.

“Ronald it seems that the prince and princesses like you!”

I touched my slightly swollen right cheek that the brat-like adult kissed.

“They gave you a full purse!”

I bounced the coin purse in my hand.

“Even the tomboy Princess was staring into your eyes!”

My spine shivered.

“But the prince Sylvain didn’t seem to like you.” Another said sadly.

I touched my swollen right cheek again. This time remembering the beast and I grew cold.

The fool is surely a fool’s fool, but he is not cruel. The brat like-adult is just a brat. The dutiful princess has potential, but it is too soon to tell. The beast however must die. Too cruel to oppose but not strong or smart enough to rule.

I laughed out loud. “What need do I have for everybody to like me! As long as I have my brothers It is enough.”

I opened the purse and stared into silvers and golds. “I have received a small fortune today! The next guard squad's shift is up. Let us drink away our worries and flirt with lady luck in games of chance while the day is still young!”

They stomped their spears against the ground and cheered.

I deserve a break. So many tense encounters, so many weird encounters, so many dangerous people encountered. The beast is cruel but not smart enough to be too dangerous, The most dangerous is the monstrous geezer. I cannot shake the feeling that when I was talking to the dutiful princess, he saw right through me. When I looked over her shoulder and met his eyes, he smiled a smile that I knew marked me as prey. Can such a man truly be an ally? I cannot help but be skeptical. Those are worries for another day hopefully a day that never comes. Today I will drink and then make my report. While my brothers flirt with lady luck in games of chance I will do so as well by asking the devil to let me go.