WAS: Run up and drag her out of the lectica
From Create Your Own Story
All hesitation and second thoughts vanished from your mind as you pushed past the guards, ducking under their horses and rushing with the frenzy of a charging bull towards the portable couch. The crowd looked on with surprised anticipation, as it wasn’t everyday a royal escort got assaulted by a single madman. Behind you, the soldiers desperately worked to move their horses, and in front of you the frightened lady exclaimed with terror as you drew nearer and nearer:
“What madman is this?! Guardsmen! Help me! He—“
Her plea was quickly cut off as you dived into the lectica, clutching on to her robes and forcefully pulling her with you down to the ground, where the two of you rolled in the dirt before crashing into a market stall. Grunting, you raised your body from on top of her only to see the soldiers having jumped off their horses, advancing towards you with drawn blades. You rose up with clenched fists, dodging and countering their attacks to the best of your abilities, but they were more in numbers, and quickly pinned you down to the ground. Their commander raised his claymore to thrust it into your chest, but was suddenly interrupted by the old lady’s shout:
“Are you blind, fools?!” She pointed towards the lectica, where an arrow was firmly pierced through one of the pillows she had been laying on just seconds earlier. Had you not pushed her off it would have been spiked through her heart instead. “This outlander has saved my life. Release him at once!”
The guards let go of you, but instead of apologizing they pull you up and push you over to the dame, who respectfully puts a wrinkled hand on your shoulder.
“You are no Ostinian, and yet you have risked your life for mine. What can I do to repay you?”
Money instantly comes to mind, but then you take a few moments to think. In Ureveh your royal blood counts for nothing, and what good is gold if you don’t have the name to back it up with? A commoner would never be allowed to purchase estates, join the royal forces or attend feasts, and especially not if he was a foreigner as well. An elevated status might be preferred instead, one where national belongings didn’t matter.
“I could use employment. As shown just now, someone is after your life, which I alone had the strength to save.”
“Milady,” the commander intervened as the guards mounted their horses again, “we must move on. Ashurabi is surely waiting.”
“Yes, yes, soldier, but first lay eyes upon my new personal bodyguard. Lend him your sword and horse until we find replacements, and have him seated next to me once we arrive.” At first frozen in shock, the commander just stared blankly at the two of you before grudgingly complying with the order. When he handed you his greatsword it was with a spiteful glare, but his hate was of no importance. Now you had a job, and a prestigious one at that. Things were going to be different from now on, provided you are able to hang on to it.
