The Tiger Within 289 Grab A Shir

The guards were already at s.h.i.+ft change and most of them were either tired or fresh as a daisy. Two of the men that were headed out to the practice field saw her and stopped. They made their way over to Kyera.

On was a bear named Oslo and the other a Snake named Race. Kyera smiled at them both. "Hey you two, are you off today?" Kyera asked curiously. The pair nodded.

"Yes, My Lady we are. Can we be of a.s.sistance?" Oslo asked his warm brown eyes friendly enough. She wondered if they would stay so kind.

"Yes, possibly. We need to get the family together. Anyone who is in the palace. Think you could round up everyone who is off work?" Kyera asked a bit hopefully. The pair looked at each other, the silent communications of  partners who had been working together for years. She waited patiently for a response.

"Yea. I can get them together. There's only about six of us who work in the guard." Oslo offered and Kyera smiled.

"That's perfect. Can you have them meet me at the falls? I need to find Lazren and I will head that way." Kyera replied, pretty much issuing an order.

"No need to find me, Lady Kyera. I am here." Lazren greeted from a few steps behind. She chuckled and nodded waving the other two soldiers away. She turned to find Lazren behind her, dressed for a early morning run meaning basically naked. He wore pants. That was it. Judgeing by the amount of sweat frozen to his body and steam rising off him she could conclude he was insane.

"Go grab a s.h.i.+rt and let's walk and talk then, Captain." Kyera suggested, not quite immune to the wolf's physique. She wasn't attracted to him, but the warrior inside her could appreciate the effort spent toning his form. Pa.s.serbys however might get the wrong idea and she really REALLY didn't need that right now.

He grabbed, presumably his own, discarded s.h.i.+rt off the rail and pulled it on. After shaking his hair out and popping his neck to the left, he fell into step next to Kyera walking into the forest.

"So, is it true? You might be getting married?" Lazren asked seeming to be walking on eggsh.e.l.ls. Kyera felt a twinge of pain in her chest. Had Mally really told someone else? Then again, he was the captain of the guard and his next words soothed her a bit. "I heard him ask for permission from the Emperor last night. I wasn't sure how you would respond." he added after watching Kyera's face for a moment.

"I...I said yes. Last night I found out my village was attacked and I couldn't think of another way. I didn't know what else to do. They need a new home and there is no way i can leave here with that mark and talis won't go without me." The words she hadn't got to say to Mally rushed out of her mouth almost too fast for her to stop them. Lazren watched her in shock as she desperately pleaded her case. Finally, unsure of how else to stop the flow he kneeled, a action that had the desired effect of confusing her into silence.

"Then I pledge my sword to your health, Fourth Princess Kyera." Lazren spoke clearly, and resolutely. She didn't need to explain to him and his actions made that clear. Kyera couldn't help but kneel hugging him. Lazren stood them both backup accepting the hug but clearing his throat a bit. "A thank you or I hope it doesn't come to that would have done, Princess." he offered as she let go and smoothed her dress.

"I know… sorry. I just… I told Mally and she went off on me. Honestly I was terrified you would turn your back on me too. I know I'm doing it for the right reasons, but is it the right thing?" Kyera voiced her concern aloud and he sighed.  

"You two are not married yet, right?" He asked expectantly. Kyera shook her head.

"I just said yes a few hours ago. I need to put together a few s.h.i.+fter gua.." the rest of her sentence was cut off when a hand popped her upside the back of her head. She froze for a moment staring at him in confusion.

"I had to make sure that wasn't illegal first. Now then, Kyera quit double guessing yourself. I will help you put together a group of s.h.i.+fters to escort you wherever."