Light of the Unexpected Adventure

Chapter 3 Guard Talk

Gabriella's POV

I suck in a sharp breath out of nervousness, looking from the ground to his eyes. Even with the helmet on his head, I couldn't see much, just his eyes as the bounce from me to the crowd. "I.. Well, uh.. I do, sometimes participate. I have no idea why you would think otherwise. I just needed to get.. some air.. It's crowded out there." I state trying to be convincing but knowing I am not, by the look on his face with his eyebrows raised. "It's rude to lie, especially to a man of the King's guard." He declares as I feel my eyebrows scrunching together while I roll my eyes at his comment because why would he even care if I like it or not.

"I don't know why you would say that because I am not lying." I spat back before crossing my arms across my chest in defiance of his accusation. "Alright, if you say so.. Then go back out there now before you miss the beheading. I would hate for you to miss what you obviously came here for." He spats right back as he steps forward, as if he is going to help me out by leading me back. But I try to step back, remembering as my back hit the hut, that I have nowhere to go.

He grabs hold of my forearm, trying to lead me out as I push my heels into the dirt, trying to stop this. I shake my head, swiping my arm out of his not even remotely tight grip. I'm pretty sure he is trying to force the truth out of me, and I am sad to say he is winning. I clench my jaw, knowing this before retorting in an anger and irritation that makes sure he and I know he is right, since I am backed into a corner in more ways than one. "No.. I don't.. I, uh.. fine.. you win.. I don't want to be out there or see that."

"Why would that be? You haven't seen a beheading before?" He asks curiously, when I don't know why he would ever care about me being here, unless he is bored by just standing here and watching the crowd to keep the peace. "That is none of your business.. Why would you care? Besides, I have seen plenty of beheadings.. Too many for my liking." I spit my answer back with irritation laced through my words as he nods. "So you just decided to hide over here?" He asks, sounding confused about why I am here while he takes a step back from me as if he is trying not to look threatening.

"Yeah, I thought I could hide here.. and was hoping I would be alone by being over in this area, but apparently, that is not the case." I snap back as he looks around at the people in the crowd. "So you are hiding from the sight of a man's head being taken, but I have also noticed you looking around for someone as well. So, whom are you hiding from?" He asks me, keeping his eyes on the crowd.

I huff out not wanting to talk about this, but apparently, he doesn't care if I want to talk about this or not and wants to shove his nose in where it doesn't belong. He is taking full advantage of his status and position right now, knowing I can't do much to object to him and his actions because of the crest he wears. Especially when I want to be questioning him and his inquiries while knowing full well that I cannot at all, because he could just threaten me, beat me or jail me to get his answers if I didn't comply right now.

I can see that he knows this with his eyebrows raised while his eyes tell me to hurry up with my answers. I don't know why he cares and wants to know. He really must be bored or just loving the power in his hands. "I don't know why it would matter to you, but Mother Ann is very particular with making sure I participate in these events. She thinks it's disrespectful to her if I don't watch the event.. and by extension, it's somehow disrespectful to the King and his family for not attending the events he sets up. She says it's mandatory for everyone, so she has been making me do it since I was a child." I declare with so much disgust for this event, as I notice him continuing to nod.

"Never would have thought you were one of the lonely orphans." he says as if he knows me and my life, which annoys me more. "Yes, I am a lonely orphan, I didn't have a family and was never wanted.. but I still know a lot and have learned to not just take care of myself but the kids in that home.. and was able to create my own family with my friends.. So what do you have besides those ignorant thoughts that stand tall behind that dull shield on your chest, along with a naive know-it-all look on your face and a big nose to put into other people's business?" The words somehow effortlessly fell from my lips while my eyes widened with shock of what I have just done.

I know I shouldn't be rude like this to him, especially under the main emphasis that he is a guard and all. But since he has been butting into my life, I can't deny that it's starting to irritate me beyond belief. He seems to be bouncing on the nerve only filled with this sensitive subject for me, and the urge to not say anything has gone away with the wind that has passed by us through the trees. I watch his eyes drop as he thinks about my harsh words, and I instantly start to regret saying anything. I feel as if I need to backtrack. But I have no idea what to say to make this any better.

I swallow the lump in my throat thinking about the next steps. He will probably beat me for this, maybe send me to the cells, or even tell Mother Ann about this and get me lashed for talking back. I feel bad for my heated words. Even if he was pushing things with me personally. I can't help but to feel worse just knowing that the reason for my anger is not exactly him, but because it's just that these events always keep me on edge, so I think any sensitive subject in this setting will get this same heated result.

"Those words have bite but are also correct since I don't have much more than that to my name. But there is no need to spitefully snap back at me as if I did you wrong, when I know I have done no such thing. I was just saying what I maybe shouldn't have, I do admit that, but I just didn't expect that when looking at you. I will remind myself to keep my words to myself next time.. so heed no offense from my words." He states as I now feel bad, fully knowing I shouldn't have said that.

"I am not offended. It's just a sensitive subject for my heart and mind. But no matter my sensitivity, I shouldn't have taken that out on you. So I'm sorry for saying that rude comment to you.. These events just have me on edge and keep me there until I am able to get away." I declare as he nods before letting out a deep breath, so I do the same. "It's fine, I have heard worse." he responds back as loud cheering erupts in the crowd. I know what that cheering means, but I don't have the strength within me to confirm it just yet. I let out a wavering breath as his eyes leave mine and go back to the crowd before he adds. "The beheading is done.. You had better head back out there before she notices you have not come back yet."

I nod, then let my body go from my tight grip of my nevous hands as I start passing by him. I stop, knowing I need to say something else before I leave that area. I glance to the side of me as I say a soft. "Thank you.. for not... well.. never mind. But I am sorry for what I said.. just.. stay safe out there." He nods before saying right back. "You do the same." I nodded, turning away from him as I swallowed the lump in my throat, knowing I needed to walk away from him. But I freeze in place when seeing the head on the open wooden stage that this act was placed on. I swallow, trying not to heave up the apple I had earlier.

I can't help but to watch the blood spill over the wood as it drains through the cracks of the platform that the head is displayed on. The head itself is still rocking from the momentum built up by rolling all over the stage, to the point that it's not completely stopped in motion just yet. The thick and dark blood is dripping down the front as people smile and point as if this is amazing to see, which is making me want to leave this place just to head back to my spot that gives me the peace of mind I so desperately need at the moment. When the head stops rocking the eyes almost lock with mine, taking the breath straight from my lungs.

I shake my head swallowing the lump in my throat, pushing whatever is in my throat and wanting to come out, right back down. I look away, taking some deep breaths before looking back behind me at the area where I was just hiding, hoping to go back and hide longer. But instead of continuously looking in the hidden area, I find my curious orbs drifting towards the guard once again, noticing his eyes are also on me. Curiously though, since this time I am not as far away from him as I thought, I can see that his sincere-looking orbs are a light blue, looking almost silver. His eyes, that are still on me, don't make me feel uneasy like most gazes do.

He holds a stoic look on his face, or at least what I can see, but either way, I think that is what he is told to do. But the seemingly genuine concern for me and what was going on with me is warming, at least for the moment, since that doesn't happen often. I have been harassed many times by guards, but none that actually meant what they were saying. The harassment always starts under the guise of decent intentions, then escalates to more inhumaine intentions. But his intentions never wavered, which was in a way relieving, causing me to want to go back that way, even if it would just be for a moment.

I looked down as I instantly noticed that somehow my feet have stopped moving even though I know I need to keep going, as if they are roots buried into the ground like a tree. My brain keeps telling me to go, but it's as if my body won't let me. The curiosity is peaking within me while I keep looking from him to the stage not wanting to go any further in that direction, since it would bring me closer to the dismembered body. While also knowing that no matter how much I don't want to, I have to.

That thought alone makes my heart race, letting me know that my body doesn't like that decision whatsoever, mostly because even though we were spatting back and forth, I felt more comfortable arguing with him than I did being even remotely close to the stage. I let out a couple more deep breaths, trying to get my body to move but it won't seem to budge. Once my eyes lock with his for another moment, I watch them soften from the stoic look they have held almost the entire time, showing me there really is a heart under all that metal. "Stop thinking about it, and don't look directly at it. Get going before you're noticed." He declares at me as I nod again, knowing he is right no matter how hard that may be for me to actually do. I instantly cleared my throat before turning around and running straight into the chest of none other than the head mother herself.

Her glaringly offended eyes bore into mine. I know I am in trouble now, well unless I backtrack from my distracted actions. "Mother Ann.. I am incredibly sorry.. I didn't know you were there... I was distracted.. and.. uh.. well, I am sorry, and there is nothing I could possibly do to express how sorry I am for this abrupt interaction." I explain as quickly as I can with my head bowed, trying to show no defiance in my actions. I knew running into her was wrong for anyone to do, and that was never my intention. But she apparently doesn't see things like that.