[ IP ] Guard

Surely this crowd will run out of objects to throw at some point, the Kingsguard thinks to himself. It seemed that a rock was thrown every minute, and an insult every thirty seconds; however, it was clear which was affecting the young noblewoman the most. The Kingsguard sighs and continues to clear a path through the crowd. 
 
 The newly elected official clearly was not well received in the capital, if even his daughter was receiving threats on her life. 
 
 The Kingsguard looked towards the buildings lining the street to the palace and Parliament House. An imperial archer meets his eye and signals that the crowd is still peaceful and that the street ahead is safe. The archer then climbs to the roof and effortlessly jumps across the street to the next row of buildings. 
 
 The procession marched onwards towards the palace, where the new member of parliament would be given his official title as elector. The elector's daughter tugged on my cape and I slowed down. A rock flew from the crowd towards her head, but my shield intercepts it on instinct. She turns to her guard. 
 
 `` Is this what it always is like?'' She asks quietly. 
 
 `` No, not always. But your father is n't very well liked in cities of the Reoublic like these.'' He begins, `` it's humorous, really. The people only seem to enjoy democracy when it works out in their favor.'' 
 
 `` Oh, I see.'' A cloud passes over her face. 
 
 `` But, worry not. The crowds never stay angry at the same thing for too long, always hunting along for their next target.'' 
 
 The lady slows her pace away from the guard, moving deeper into the procession. The member of the Kingsguard sighs and carries on. He scans the rooftops for the archers and their signals. But they are absent from their posts. Curious. The Kingsguard takes another look at the rooftops. This time he manages to spot a man in a black cloak, holding a Maglock repeating rifle, begin to take aim at the crowd. The assassin is hunting for a target with his sights. 
 
 `` Assassins! Rooftop to our right!'' The Kingsguard bellows, mobilizing the lesser guardsmen into action. 
 
 He slides into a defensive stance, shield raised, in front of the elector's daughter. A powerful shot smashes into the shield, but the guard's shield arm holds steady and the shot ricochetes off into the distance. The assassin picks up his rifle and dashes away from the window, and towards the stairs. The Kingsguard orders his subordinates to hold a defensive line around the elector and his daughter while he chases the assassin down. 
 
 Despite his heavy armor and weaponry, the Kingsguard was still level one hundred and five, his speed easily outclassed most of those below him. He runs close to the building before equipping his grappling hook and scaling the building with ease. The assassin was nearly across two rows by the time the Kingsguard had his boots on the roof. The assassin turns around and takes a hasty shot with the repeater before continuing his hasty retreat. The shot hits the Kingsguard in the shoulder, but the armor absorbs the worst of the damage. The guard drops to one knee and unslings a heavy crossbow from his back. A large bolt whistles across the city and finds it's mark in the assassin's leg, crippling the man. Within moments, the distance is covered by the guard. The assassin tries crawling away, but is instead lifted by his pursuer. The assassin clears his throat. 
 
 `` You ought to let me go, I'm with the guild.'' He begins, pulling up his long leather glove to reveal a sign of the Assassin's Guild on his wrist, `` the guild does not take kindly to their members being captured.'' 
 
 The Kingsguard chuckled, a rolling, gravely laugh. `` Yes, but they also do not take kindly to failure either.'' He said as he slid a knife into the other man's ribcage. 
 
 As the assassin bled out, the Kingsguard pulled his hand free of his guantlet and flashed the dying man a glimpse of his wrist. The same insignia. The guard put his gauntlet on once more before walking off, putting a finger to his helmet in a quieting sign. 
 
 *If you liked this mixture of writing prompts and worldbuilding, come check out /r/TheQuestionableYarn! * 
 

