The Dragon King's Heart

In the army encampment near the palace, citizens from all over Kinshearth had come to participate in the combat competition. A list of those who had been shortlisted for the army was put up on a huge notice board for all to see.

Those who were successfully recruited were overjoyed. Being in the army meant a job and food to fill their stomachs. For many, that was all they needed. But then, there were those who were not so lucky. 

Nyx looked at the notice board for the sixth time, screening for her name. Those who still lingered by the board were all doing the same. 

"Dang it, where is my name," she muttered to herself as sweat trickled down her forehead. 

It stung her eye, so she aggressively wiped it off before continuing to search the board. She knew her own abilities better than anyone else. Based on her observation, she was better than most of those who came, men or women. 

Yet her name was nowhere to be found. She walked over to the soldier who stood guard next to the notice board. 

"Hey, who can I talk to about my name missing from the board?" She asked. 

The soldier did not even look at her as he replied sharply, "If your name is not there, you were not selected."

Nyx crossed her arms, tapping her feet against the ground, "Not selected? Are you insane?! I am better than half of those names on the board! Why isn't my name on the board?"

"Yeah, why isn't my name on it too?" Another man came up to the guard and asked. 

The soldier did not waver, he repeated his reply, "If your name is not there, it means you did not make the cut."

"This is outrageous! Are you people blind? Bring out your best fighters, I'll show you what I have," the man threatened as he rolled up his sleeves ready for a brawl.

"Yeah! Bring them out and we'll show them who's best," Nyx joined in. 

Just then, something caught everyone else's attention. Nyx and the man turned back to see Margaret walk up to the notice board. In her hand, was a rolled-up scroll with the Kinshearth royal wax seal on it. 

"A royal seal? Could it be appointed straight into the royal guards?" Nyx wondered to herself out loud. 

The man next to her chuckled, as he jests, "Maybe we're on that list. I'm Alum by the way."

Both of them shook hands as Nyx introduced herself.

Margaret stood before the notice board. Everyone in the vicinity gathered around her, waiting patiently for what she had to say. Margaret carefully unfurled the scroll. 

"By decree of her royal highness, Crown Princess Laina, the following ten names that will be read out are to follow me to the castle immediately," Margaret announced. 

Five women and five men were selected. Amongst those names included Nyx and Alum! They quickly made their way to the front of the crowd so that Margaret could verify their identities. 

Everyone else began to whisper and discuss what these people had been called for. 

"What's so special about them?" 

"Who knows? Maybe the Crown Princess has some special use for them."

For Nyx and Alum, it did not matter. A chance to meet the elusive Crown Princess was a high honor. They were going to tell this story to their friends and family for the years to come. 

Once they were all gathered, they followed Margaret out of the army encampment and headed straight for the palace. Upon arrival, they were being brought to Laina's private quarters. 

She was waiting for them in her private training grounds. Laina had her hair tied up in a neat bun. She wore a more athletic outfit to allow herself greater mobility. Titan was excitedly circling by her feet while Kol stood a little distance away, carefully watching everything. 

He was wary of these new people who entered the training grounds with Margaret. Upon seeing the Crown Princess, all ten of them got onto their knees and paid their respects. 

Margaret curtsied to Laina, "Your highness, I have brought them as you have requested."

Laina nodded as she moved forward to address them as they stood back up. 

"So these are the ten?" Laina asked Margaret. 

"Yes, your highness." The handmaiden replied. 

"Welcome, everyone. You must be wondering why I have assembled all of you together. The reason is simple. You have been selected to be part of the Queen's Order of Knights," Laina declared. 

"The Queen's Order of Knights?" By the time Nyx realized she had said it out loud, it was too late. Everyone was already staring at her. 

"What does this mean, your Highness?" She added. Since the attention was already on her, she might as well make full use of it. 

Laina smiled, "Good question. In short, you will serve as a special legion of knights who will protect the ruler of Kinshearth. You will be going through special training to hone your skills and trust me when I say it is going to be tough."

"So we are to train and become your bodyguard?" Alum asked for clarification. 

"Yes, that is correct." Margaret helped to reply. 

All ten of them took a while to process the information they had just believed. Most of them were still surprised that they had gotten to meet the Crown Princess so easily. There had been rumors circulating about Laina all over Kinshearth. 

As far as they could tell, none of it had been very accurate. 

"Your Highness," Nyx raised her hand as she asked, "May I ask a question? Well, it's actually more of two questions, to be honest."

"Speak freely," Laina encouraged.

"Right," she glanced over to Kol who was standing a little away, and pointed at him before continuing, "First, and this is my wild guess, isn't Kol your bodyguard? And if so why do you still need us?"

"That is a great observation, what's your name?" Laina asked. 

"Oh you flatter me, your Highness. My name is Nyx, Nyx Ferovnus."

Laina turned to glance at Kol before she began to explain, "Nyx, you are right. That is Kol, he is my personal bodyguard. The issue is, while he is more than capable of protecting me there are situations where he alone would not be enough.

Also, while the Queen's Order of Knights has the main duty to protect the ruler of Kinshearth, they will also be assigned missions to complete."

"I also have a question," Alum shot up his hand as soon as Laina finished speaking, "Why not have a legion of soldiers from the army, your Highness?"

"Ah that one is simple. I would prefer a small legion of knights who answer directly to me and no one else." 

Laina's replies were clear. Most importantly, they were the truth. She could see on their faces that they needed time to make a decision. She did not want to force them into working for her. 

"The decision is yours to make. I will not force you to become my knights. But know that each and every one of you have been carefully selected for your skills," Laina reassured them. 

For Nyx and Alum, the answer was clear. They both shot up their hands at the same time and said in unison, "I am willing to become your knight, your Highness."

This was a golden opportunity, much better than being part of an army. Both of them latched on and were not about to let go! After some time, the remaining eight agreed to it as well. 

Laina smiled as she clapped her hands together, "Perfect.. Now it is time for me to put your skills to the test."

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