I stood on the observation deck of the Maxem. A rainbow of colors danced just outside the thick duro-glass that spanned much of this part of the hull. It was mesmerizing to watch the long twisting cords of color intwine with each other like someone was playing a silent serenade. This was the visual effects of traveling faster than light in what the Ethians spoke of as hyperlight.

We had been traveling for three days now. Dur-rele had kept me busy with lessons almost every waking moment. This was the first time I had to myself since the start of the trip. We would be arriving at Sora X in a few hours, so Dur-rele had given me time to gather myself before our arrival. I was thankful for the curtesy.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when we landed. Though going by what Master Kiev had said, I suspected that those at the College were upset I knew their super secret discipline of quat-lo. My dad had taught me in case I needed it to save my life, which I did happen to need, and it did save my life. But now, the College wanted me to go through some sort of assessment like maybe my dad hadn’t taught me properly or something.

I was nervous about that, and nervous about the results. Though I wasn’t sure what the results would be if I failed. The Emperor had made it clear he didn’t want the knowledge walled again in another mental lock. It was probably the first thing my birth father and I had actually agreed on since I had come to Ethia.

Would the College force a mental lock on me anyways to make me forget quat-lo if I failed their tests? I shivered. I had not even remembered dad had put three locks in my brain, or all the memories held behind their barriers, at least until recently. I certainly wasn’t eager to give up my new memories from one of those locks finally releasing.

Master Kiev was the College’s Master Mind Bender, and even though I didn’t know him well, I had a hard time believing he’d force a mental lock on me. So perhaps I was safe from that fate. Regardless, the whole topic made me feel uneasy.

But the assessment wasn’t the only reason I was going to the Protectorate College. The biggest reason was so I could choose a new Protector. I still wasn’t happy about that for many reason, but mostly because it felt like a betrayal to my dad––the man who had been my faithful Protector almost since I was born. But I suppose I had made my peace with it––mostly.

I was at least willing to see this new Protector search through. It just felt weird thinking of someone else taking up his place. My dad had watched over me my whole life, even when I didn’t know what he was doing or why. And now I was expected to trust a total stranger to do that? But I needed to do something. I had been attacked three different times in the month since I’d come to Ethia. It was clear, I needed a new Protector.

“I see I’m not the only one who likes to come here.”

The voice brought me out of my thoughts. I turned to find Master Kiev had come into the observation deck. He stood a few feet off to my right. The man was much shorter than I, but he still cut a striking presence in his dark brown uniform and short white spiky hair that made me more than a little jealous.

I had always kept my hair short on Earth, And I liked it that way. But apparently, my status as an Imperial Prince demanded long hair––much longer. My chestnut hair was now past my shoulders and I hated it greatly. I had to wonder at why a Master Mind Bender would have such short hair. I had been of the impression that hair length was a symbol of status in Ethia. But so far, I had not been able to find a graceful way to bring up that particular topic.

“Master Kiev, sorry. I didn’t know you were there,” I replied, trying to regain my composure. His sudden presence startled me. I did not even hear him enter.

“It is quite alright, Highness. I often loose myself here as well. It’s easy to do,” he said looking out the great window.

I followed suit, and for a while we just stood there together watching the folding and twirling rainbow beyond the window in silence.

“I appreciate that you tried to speak in defense for Kaller Hame with the Emperor,” Master Kiev finally replied.

“Protectors don’t always get the proper respect that they deserve from their charges, or the Empire at large. They do, after all, not only risk their lives for their charges, but devote an enormous amount of their time and attention to their duty and the Protectorate.”

I wanted to tell him it was the least I could do, since it was my fault that Kaller Hame was being dismissed, but the words became stuck in my throat. This was one of many things I didn’t understand about Ethia. Why did a perfectly good man with impeccable service for thirty years be disgraced because of one slip up?

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

But for some reason my father––the Emperor––had not been forgiving after his Protector had confronted me in my shower with a friendly warning that had turned into a full out brawl. Maybe if I hadn’t almost died from the fight, things would have turned out differently. Though something told me that as soon as Captain Hame had stepped into my bathroom, his fate had been sealed.

No. It was better to stay away from that complete fiasco. But there were certainly other things I was curious about. “From what I’ve witnessed, it seems to me that a Protector’s charge is the one who benefits almost exclusively. These men are willing to die for their charges. Why would anyone willingly sign up for that kind of life?”

Master Kiev shrugged. “Everyone has their own reasons for joining the Protectorate. Some want to prove themselves by going through the rigorous training program we offer, which is considered the best in all of Ethia.

“Some like it because we provide Protectors almost exclusively to all the noble houses, so that opens doors to individuals who never would have been able to set foot in a palace in their normal life.

“And still others simply have nowhere else to go. They have either landed on bad times or simply don’t feel like they fit in any other part of Ethian society.

“The Protectorate never turns anyone away, but that doesn’t mean that everyone who enters the College becomes a Protector. That right is only given to those who go through the ten year rigorous program and pass the final test. The rest take on support or teaching roles within the College.

“But all who become members of the College are treated with respect and honor, no matter a person’s origin. So it has become a place that many seek out, if for no other reason than to be apart of something bigger than themselves. It is home, a place to belong, and a creed to live by.”

There was a moment of silence as we both became captured by the scene playing out before us outside once more, but there was also a hanging unease as if neither of us knew what to say next.

Finally, I broke the silence, not able to truly digest what Master Kiev had told me. “Still, it seems like an uneven deal to me.”

The other man gave me a wry smile. “Do you know how much it costs to secure a Protector?”

“No, is it a lot?”

Master Kiev chuckled. “There’s a reason we only provide Protectors to the nobles houses. No one else could afford it.”

I raised an eyebrow at that. “Oh.”

“As always, twenty percent of anything a Protector earns goes straight to the College, which still leaves them with a sizable sum. But in truth, most Protectors don’t even care about the money, and many give the College far more than their required twenty percent. Most Protectors do what they do because they want to be the best in personal protection, or they truly care about their charge and want to keep them safe.”

“Well, I don’t know how I’m going to pay for my Protector.”

Master Kiev waved a hand. “It’s already been taken care of by the Emperor. He’s paid up for yours and his replacement, and each of the Protectors fees for the next five years.”

“Oh. Okay.” I blinked. I didn’t think I wanted to know how much that set back the Emperor, or maybe he was so wealthy he didn’t even care. It made me realize that maybe I should ask for an allowance or something, not that I had run into a situation where I had needed money––yet.

“So about this severing ceremony. At the palace, you made it sound like there was some risk to it.”

Master Kiev nodded slowly. “There is, but it really depends on the Protector undergoing the severing. Time of service matters too. The longer the service, the more difficult the severing has the potential to be. Typically, with Hame’s amount of service the chance of survival is a little better than fifty percent.”

Shock coursed down me at hearing that. I hadn’t realized that Hame’s dismissal by the Emperor could very well be a death sentence for him. The guilt stabbed through me like a sharp knife.

“That’s not the best of odds,” I managed to mutter out.

“No, but you have to understand that most Protectors’ lifespans are quite a bit shorter than your average Ethian due to the nature of what they do. Many Protectors never make it to the thirty year mark of service, or even twenty. For this reason alone, when Kaller Hame is severed from his bond, he can expect a rather lucrative role at the College. The fact that he was dismissed dishonorably only means he can’t take on another charge.”

Another thought came to me, and I was surprised to feel the sudden concern. “Will there be a risk to the Emperor in this severing ceremony?”

Kiev vigorously shook his head. “No, especially since he will be receiving another Protector and blood oath shortly after. The thing that causes possible death in the severing is when the blood oath is not replace with another. The bond created between Protector and charge physically alters them both, but more in the case of the Protector. Sometimes the body can adjust to not having the blood bond, and sometimes it cannot.”

“Then why not just find Hame another charge?”

Master Kiev shook his head. “If only it was that simple. The fact is that if the Emperor is dismissing Captain Hame from service, then no one else will want to take him on. They will now all see him as incapable of obeying orders and doing his duty properly.”

I mulled over that for a moment. I almost asked if I could take Kaller on as my new Protector, but even thinking it made me cringe. I remembered the way he looked at me in the bathroom as I fought back. The burning rage and hate there. He would never accept me as a charge, and I doubted I could really accept him either. The truth was, this had happened, and even though I wanted to do something to help, there really wasn’t a thing I could do. I did my best to swallowed back my guilt.

As I stood there looking out into the color dancing streams of color of hyper-light, another terrible thought came to me.

“Master Kiev, what will happen to Aragon when I take on a new Protector?”