[ IP ] Guard

A rock dinged off the shield. `` WHORE!'' a woman's voice screeched from the deep within the safety of the crowd. Lady Sian ground her teeth together and took a deep breath, then another step forward. 
 
 `` You've shamed us all!'' A man shouted, thrusting his accusing finger over the line that separated the commoner's pavilion from the queen's walkway. Immediately two palace guards approached with weapons drawn, and the man ducked behind the other protestors and disappeared. Lady Sian bit her lip and took another step. She placed a hand on Sir Felton's chestplate to steady herself, and he could see that her arm was shaking. 
 
 `` Pay them no heed, my lady.'' His voice, muffled by his visor, was soft and gentle. So different from the hardened, gleaming exterior that everyone else saw. Even as he spoke, more rocks came raining down, and the Palace guards dragged some of the protestors off in the direction of the Citadel. Those who remained certainly had their hands full keeping the perimeter in place. 
 
 `` How can I *not*?'' Her voice bore weeks of bottled-up frustration and melancholy. `` How can I ignore them when they sit outside my window day-in and day-out? When half of the messages my husband receives give some polite excuse for why that nobleman has chosen not to come to our aid after all? Or when he tells me that it's not my fault, and that these rumors have...'' her voice cracked and she had to take a deep breath before continuing. `` have n't affected anything between us, but I can see it on his face. He can barely even look me in the eyes anymore.'' 
 
 `` You ca n't let them get to you,'' he reassured her, spreading his cape around her shoulders. It did n't provide any protection, but at least she would n't have to look at the savages. `` Lord Commander Duvalt has a favorite saying: the only people subject to lies and rumors are the ones who have no *real* flaws to comment on.'' 
 
 The briefest glimmer of a smile managed to poke through, but vanished when a particularly heavy stone crashed into Sir Felton's shield, causing his arm to lower for just a second. They took another few steps in silence. `` And what if the rumor was true?'' she finally asked. `` Would you still be out here by my side?'' 
 
 The knight laughed. It was deep and booming and seemed to resonate through Lady Sian's bones like a drumbeat. `` My lady, I've been by your side since you were naught but seven. If *anyone* in the Kingdom could truly know the truth, it would be me. And I'm right here.'' 
 
 Behind them, a palace guard fell. Neither saw what had happened, they just heard the clatter of armor and the roar of the crowd. The guard's companion raised his sword to strike, but was overwhelmed by a mob of protestors before the blow could fall. His sword went skittering across the marble flagstones, and Sir Felton caught one final glimpse of the man's green cloak as he disappeared under the swarm. More guards rushed out of the palace with their weapons drawn, and the few guards left in the plaza retreated backwards to form a tight perimeter. Without another word, Sir Felton scooped up Lady Sian as though she were made of paper. His powerful legs sprinted forward, moving like the wind even weighed down by his clanking armor. Through the flapping cape, she caught a glimpse of the crowd behind them rushing forward to attack the guards. 
 
 It seemed like only an instant in his arms, and then the bright sun disappeared. They reached the safety of the castle, and thick doors slammed shut behind them and metal locks slid into place. The shouts and roars from the outside were instantly reduced to whispers. 
 
 Sir Felton placed the lady back on her feet, straightened her crown, and tucked a stray wisp of hair back into place ( which is quite difficult with hands clad in heavy gauntlets ). `` Are you all right, my lady?'' 
 
 She looked up with sorrowful eyes, sparkling with held-back tears, sparkling with held-back tears. `` You did n't answer my question.'' 
 
 He cocked his head to the side and lifted the visor. `` What question?'' his voice was back to normal now, friendly as ever but also strong and commanding. It filled her with warmth more than any fire could. 
 
 `` Would you still serve me?'' she asked again. `` Even if the rumors were true?'' 
 
 He leaned down and kissed her gently on the forehead. `` Always, my lady.'' 
 

