Guard. Badal will decide which Sect will dominate, but I didn’t
realize the Guard had women. Women guarding my husband is going to inflame the
radicals among the Azarias."
"Of course it’s Prince Badal’s
decision, but if the Guard stays, they operate by my rules, which are designed
for your safety," I said, wanting it clear I would not compromise.
"My wife is right. It will empower
the zealots who see women as inferior. Even I have trouble with women soldiers,
as you noticed with Dara. But if women aren’t inferior, then aren’t they
equal?" He shook his head as if to clear it, and a small smile appeared.
"I probably won’t like it, but I’ll like it less if my wife or daughter is
harmed. Do what you must."
"Princess Sophia, Senior Sergeant
Zinn’s team is assigned to you," I said, and stepped back as Zinn stepped
forward and gave a small bow.
"If you have any concerns or
complaints, they should be addressed to me. My team," she said, and
stepped to the side as each individual stepped forward and introduced himself.
"What is the double dragon on some
of the sleeves?" Sophia asked when they had finished.
"It’s the only recognition the
Guard gives for doing your job. Not so much as a reward to the individual, but as
a reminder to the rest of us what it means to be in the Jax Guard. They were
awarded to the survivors of Lanzhou," Zinn said.
"And to those who would challenge
you."
"Yes." Zinn smiled. "The
Guard has always had a reputation of fighting to the last Guard, but Captain
Sapir and her team at Lanzhou have reminded everyone of the cost of doing
so."
While Lieutenant Ceder introduced Wahle
and his team to Jovana, I turned to Badal. "Sir, Senior Sergeant Solow
will be assigned to you," I said, and Solow stepped forward. Badal scrutinized
each individual as they introduced themselves. "Be assured, Prince Badal,
regardless of the rank or double dragons, each person here has earned the right
to wear the Black of the Guard, will defend you with their life… and rarely
miss what they shoot at."
"I have two bodyguards…"
Badal said, worrying his lip with his teeth, as he wrestled with the potential
conflict.
"So long as you agree the Guard is
in charge of your security, I see no conflict. They know you and the potential
dangers on Molova, and we would welcome their input and support if it comes to
a fight."
"What if there is a
conflict?" Badal asked. Dara stood glaring at me. The other guard’s eyes
swiveled between Badal, Dara, and me.
"Sir, your life and your family
are my only concern. We will not allow anything to interfere with us protecting
you."
"Meaning?" Badal asked.
"In an emergency, we cannot afford
to have even a few seconds of confusion and, therefore, we will not debate our
decisions. Any interference will be met with deadly force," I said, then
turned to look directly at Dara, whose hand was resting near his weapon.
"Sir, I’m sure Dara and your other bodyguard would gladly risk their lives
to save you. I do not know their qualifications, but each Guard member has gone
through years of special training to be a Guard. I began my training at age
six. You are paying for that expertise and I must assume you want us to
exercise it."
"Six… it’s no wonder the Jax are
so much in demand and expensive. Yes, you are in charge of my security. I’m
sure I won’t like it, but I doubt you’ll care," he gave a strangled laugh.
Dara didn’t look happy.
"Only protecting your life is
important to me," I said, feeling satisfied I had taken care of the
immediate issues and the situation was under control.
* * *
The next day, I met with Lieutenant
Ceder and my senior sergeants for an update on their activities.
"Solow?" I asked after
everyone had gotten settled.
"The Prince has been cooperative,
but I don’t trust his bodyguards. They are looking for trouble—looks,
comments, gestures. Particularly towards the women."
"Ignore them but tolerate no
interference," I said, knowing they or some
realize the Guard had women. Women guarding my husband is going to inflame the
radicals among the Azarias."
"Of course it’s Prince Badal’s
decision, but if the Guard stays, they operate by my rules, which are designed
for your safety," I said, wanting it clear I would not compromise.
"My wife is right. It will empower
the zealots who see women as inferior. Even I have trouble with women soldiers,
as you noticed with Dara. But if women aren’t inferior, then aren’t they
equal?" He shook his head as if to clear it, and a small smile appeared.
"I probably won’t like it, but I’ll like it less if my wife or daughter is
harmed. Do what you must."
"Princess Sophia, Senior Sergeant
Zinn’s team is assigned to you," I said, and stepped back as Zinn stepped
forward and gave a small bow.
"If you have any concerns or
complaints, they should be addressed to me. My team," she said, and
stepped to the side as each individual stepped forward and introduced himself.
"What is the double dragon on some
of the sleeves?" Sophia asked when they had finished.
"It’s the only recognition the
Guard gives for doing your job. Not so much as a reward to the individual, but as
a reminder to the rest of us what it means to be in the Jax Guard. They were
awarded to the survivors of Lanzhou," Zinn said.
"And to those who would challenge
you."
"Yes." Zinn smiled. "The
Guard has always had a reputation of fighting to the last Guard, but Captain
Sapir and her team at Lanzhou have reminded everyone of the cost of doing
so."
While Lieutenant Ceder introduced Wahle
and his team to Jovana, I turned to Badal. "Sir, Senior Sergeant Solow
will be assigned to you," I said, and Solow stepped forward. Badal scrutinized
each individual as they introduced themselves. "Be assured, Prince Badal,
regardless of the rank or double dragons, each person here has earned the right
to wear the Black of the Guard, will defend you with their life… and rarely
miss what they shoot at."
"I have two bodyguards…"
Badal said, worrying his lip with his teeth, as he wrestled with the potential
conflict.
"So long as you agree the Guard is
in charge of your security, I see no conflict. They know you and the potential
dangers on Molova, and we would welcome their input and support if it comes to
a fight."
"What if there is a
conflict?" Badal asked. Dara stood glaring at me. The other guard’s eyes
swiveled between Badal, Dara, and me.
"Sir, your life and your family
are my only concern. We will not allow anything to interfere with us protecting
you."
"Meaning?" Badal asked.
"In an emergency, we cannot afford
to have even a few seconds of confusion and, therefore, we will not debate our
decisions. Any interference will be met with deadly force," I said, then
turned to look directly at Dara, whose hand was resting near his weapon.
"Sir, I’m sure Dara and your other bodyguard would gladly risk their lives
to save you. I do not know their qualifications, but each Guard member has gone
through years of special training to be a Guard. I began my training at age
six. You are paying for that expertise and I must assume you want us to
exercise it."
"Six… it’s no wonder the Jax are
so much in demand and expensive. Yes, you are in charge of my security. I’m
sure I won’t like it, but I doubt you’ll care," he gave a strangled laugh.
Dara didn’t look happy.
"Only protecting your life is
important to me," I said, feeling satisfied I had taken care of the
immediate issues and the situation was under control.
* * *
The next day, I met with Lieutenant
Ceder and my senior sergeants for an update on their activities.
"Solow?" I asked after
everyone had gotten settled.
"The Prince has been cooperative,
but I don’t trust his bodyguards. They are looking for trouble—looks,
comments, gestures. Particularly towards the women."
"Ignore them but tolerate no
interference," I said, knowing they or some
Similar Books
