All it took to change the atmosphere- and my mood- were clouds. They rolled in as I jogged along the forest on foot, thick and black, full of anger and threatening.

The weather mirrored my mood. How could the king and queen expect me to protect them? I was good but not a miracle worker. It really stung. Perhaps if the experience with Gilwin hadn't happened I might have considered their offer. But that experience had spooked me good, I realized suddenly.

No, not spooked.

It scared me. I'd almost died. I was scared. My feet suddenly stopped running and I almost did a face-plant as the thought caught me off guard.

I'd never really been afraid. Not really afraid, to a point where someone else's life was more important than my own.

I glanced around me. I was in the open, a road that stretched in front of me and disappeared away on the horizon. It didn't wind much, it didn't vary, and it only went two directions. To and from Tosca.

I growled in frustration. Who knew that a bodyguard could have a conscience? And why did I have to be the one with a conscience?!

I was going to go back, I knew. But not alone. Maybe I could do something to help. . .

Two days later

Tosca stared out at the massive army lying before the city of Calbu. The night before the guards on watch had seen nothing. Then, right before dawn, the front gates were blocked by row after row of infantrymen and behind them were cavalry. Far back, behind his massive army, stood Avig.

Skelvin stood by Tosca, staring out at the massive army, "There's not much more for it, is there lad?" He asked.

Tosca shrugged, suddenly wishing for Niska's snide humor to make the situation seem less doomed, "I'm not sure, sire." He replied honestly.

"Should I walk out and give Avig my crown and spare the lives of my wife and people, or should I fight for what is my inheritence and responsibility?" Skelvin looked much older than he had appeared two days ago when Tosca had arrived, due to stress and worry.

Tosca knew it was a rhetorical question. Skelvin would rather die himself rather than let his people be killed needlessly. The question was how would Skelvin accomplish giving himself up without getting killed?

Niska, he thought, we could use your advice right now...

Author's Note:
Sorry about the late update, got an idea just got to figure out how to get it on paper. Will try to update soon!

Ink