Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Nesia 017


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Sorry I’m late.  In good news, though, after July 4th my updates will consistently happen on Mondays.  At that time I will be on day shift and have a normal person schedule.  Yay!
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“No,” Nesia said, looking Donavan in the eyes.  “I don’t need someone.”
“Katherine,” Donavan said, “it is for your own safety.”
“I don’t need a guard dog keeping me held prisoner in my own room.” She glared at Ferren, the bodyguard loyal to the father who was no doubt going to be the one to keep an eye on her.
“You won’t be a prisoner,” Donavan assured, though she could almost see the amusement in his eyes.  “You can go wherever you want.  This is just so you will have protection wherever you go.”
“I don’t need a dog,” Nesia said again.  “I have been perfectly fine without one.”
Donavan stepped forward and put his arms on her shoulders.  “You were not my fiancé, before.  Now you are a target to any of the family enemies.  Please, I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“And I don’t want my protection ensured to some random stranger that I don’t even like.”
It was a pseudo-stalemate, and they both knew it.  Ferren would sit outside her door even if Donavan ordered him not to.  Ferren took his orders from Lord Asuraeson and the ruler was probably not going to let Nesia roam free.  He liked to have all his assets secured.
“I or another will remain outside your door and accompany you if you desire to go anywhere,” Ferren said it, his voice leaving no room for argument.
“That won’t be necessary,” came a light tenor from the open door.
The guards whirled into action, obviously caught off guard that someone was able to arrive unnoticed.  The man in the doorway did not look terribly imposing on first glance.  He was taller than Nesia, but shorter than all the other men in the room.  He was dressed dark slacks and a long-sleeved, button-up, dark green shirt.
“Kale.”
Nesia’s mouth said the name before her mind could find any information.  She had no idea what his real name actually was.  Nesia only knew that recognized him as a friend.  He apparently was also a good cook.  Still, she trusted him over anyone else in the room even with her fragmented memory.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, realizing that Donavan’s guards were still ready to shoot at Kale.  Well, Ferren was.
“I was sent after we got news of your condition,” Kale said slowly, almost staring at nothing.  “I am to tell you that Vince has decided that your whims have been catered too enough.  I am to be your guard for now.”
She made a slight show of sighing as she gave up.  “Fine.  Whatever.  You can stay as my guard.  But dog boy is not.”
Ferren was not pleased with either comment.  “I have my orders.  You are not needed.  Lady Katherine shall be my responsibility.”
“Are you sure you want to challenge me on this?” Kale asked calmly.
All the men in the room stepped back a little as Kale looked at them one by one.  Preston would have given off an aura of undefeatable, and Vince looked it.  Kale, though, had the look of a person who had survived hell and would show a challenger what that was like.  Nesia remembered that underneath his long sleeves his arms were covered in scars.
Not wanting an actual fight, since Kale was not a fighter like Preston or Vince, Nesia stepped forward and grabbed Ferren.  “Look, dog,” she snapped.  “I am not Asuraeson property for you to drool over.  I don’t like your look, so get out of my place and don’t come back.  Until the wedding I will take care of my own affairs.  Now, do you have a problem with that?”
Ferren looked like it was taking all of his self control to keep from slapping her.  “That is not the wishes of…”
“If they have a problem with that then they can talk to me themselves.  But I do promise you that if you try to guard me then I will cancel this wedding immediately.”
“You are dismissed,” Donavan ordered immediately, his voice stern though Nesia could see a hint of smile.  “I will not have you jeopardizing this relationship.  You will leave with me, now.”
Donavan strode toward the door and Kale calmly moved out of the way, bowing in respect to the future ruler of the planet.  Ferren followed with barely contained anger, though he did look at Kale nervously.  Steve looked highly amused and gave Nesia a thumbs-up as he shut the door behind him.
Nesia sighed and unceremoniously flopped onto the couch.  Kale walked over to the kitchen and immediately started going through the cupboards and making a food list.  Her head was hurting even worse than before and was starting to make her a little nauseous.  Nesia grabbed the bottle of Talline water and finished what was left before she poked her head above the couch and looked at Kale in the kitchen.


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What to do about Kale?
1 – Try to remember something about him first.
2 – Ask him why he’s really there.
3 – Ask him what her name is.
You can select more than one.  I'll take the two with the most votes.
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