"Razor's to the trees," Jason called, "Miners to the traps and others formation and forward."

"May I walk with you?" Jackie asked.

"Not this time," Jason said, using his hands to give orders to the groups around him, "you have your own company to command."

Jackie frowned, "No, I don't," she shook her head, "are you still angry with me?"

"That is another conversation. We will not have it today," Jason said, "I may be your brother, but I am also your commander. Your group needs leadership, Alyx has skills, but he falls under another. Those you brought with you are yours to command."

Jackie inhaled deeply before nodding, accepting the judgement, "What would you have them do?"

"They are of mixed groups, correct?" Jason waited. Jackie nodded, "show them the correct way. Much has gone wrong, and now it is up to us to make it right."

Jackie placed her right fist over her heart, "I accept the assignment and the company."

"Good," Jason nodded, "make our parents proud and be who I have always known you can be."

Turning away, he left his sister staring after him as he moved forward through the trees, "Guard, fall in. We have a Queen to protect."

Jackie watched Jason walk away, swallowing the hurt and emotion his last words brought, "I shall make them proud."

Rejoining her company, she motioned to Alyx, who stopped at her side, "Who are you pledged to?"

Alyx met her gaze, worry in his eyes; sighing, he looked at the sky before answering, "My command comes from Zander."

"Understood," Jackie said, "are you this second in command?"

"I am," Alyx said, "why does that make a difference?"

"It makes more sense now," Jackie said, "you are good at what you do, but we do not connect. Your commander will need you now. Walk with Jason until we get to the house."

"Sure, but where is Zander?" Alyx asked.

"He never left her alone," Jackie whispered.

Alyx closed his eyes, "He was not here when we arrived, was he?"

"No," Jackie said, "now go. I have rookies to whip into shape."

Nodding, Alyx ran across the field to join Jason as he strode into the forest.

"Company, assemble," Jackie called, "we have a Queen to protect."

"Does Zander know you're coming?" Jason asked Alyx as he strode next to him.

"No," Alyx said quietly, "the last time we saw each other, I was commissioned with getting his father and Kelsie's parents to safety."

Jason frowned, "That was some time ago."."

"It was," Alyx sighed, "many things have happened since then. I'm hoping he will still accept me as his second."

"One thing I have come to understand about Zander," Jason smiled, "he takes promises, pledges, allegiances and true love very seriously."

"Love?" Alyx frowned.

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"Has Zander ever told you how he came to be Kelsie's Gaurd?" Jason asked, glancing at the younger man.

"No," Alyx shook his head, "I always assumed it was a family position."

Jason chuckled, shaking his head, "Family has nothing to do with it."

"Do you know what it means to be the King's or Queen's Guard?" Jason asked.

"He makes sure she stays alive," Alyx said.

"More than that," Jason sighed, "the position is permanent, full time and requires total devotion on both sides."

Alyx faltered in his stride, "Zander and Kelsie?"

Jason nodded, "He has loved her since childhood," Jason said, "his father tried to talk him out of it. When Zander explained why he insisted on being Kelsie's Guard, there was no refusal to his pledge."

"Jason," a tall redhead woman called, pushing back her hood, "we found the way she took. The right-hand path."

Jason released a relieved breath, nodding, "Thank you, let us take down those traps. Any signs of difficulty?"

"It does look like a hunting party was in the area," she said, "since we did not find her body, I'm guessing one or more were injured or killed."

"They may have gotten around the traps," Alyx said.

"I guess they did," the woman said, "Razors command informed me there were several large footprints on the path to the river."

Jason nodded, "They were hunting her."

"Do we need to move into action?" she asked.

"No, but we need to pick up the pace. Zander may need help," Jason said.

"She went on her own," the woman frowned.

"Yes," Jason nodded, "but do you think an honorable pledged Guard will not keep and fulfill that pledge."

The woman smiled, "No, Sir, she may have gone on her own, but that kind of Guard will never leave her to fend for herself if it should be fatal."

"Neither will Zander," Jason said, "let us make all haste to Jezebel's House."

The woman saluted with her fist to her heart and moved on.

"Why do we need to get to Jezebel's House quickly?" Alyx asked.

"If Kelsie was pursued by many men, she might be injured," Jason said, "and we still have to worry about the pending attack."

"We need to protect the House against his attack," Alyx nodded, "Then let's step up the march."

Jason grinned, "You're going to do well protecting them," inhaling he bellowed, "DOUBLE TIME!"

The group of black-cloaked figures took to the trees and ran through the forest towards Jezebel's House.

Jackie motioned for her company to keep up with the rest of the Guard. Jason had been right to send her back to command them. She knew it, but she had hoped that she could walk with her brother for one last time. The way of the Order was heritage, knowledge, loyalty and truth. Jason would need to talk with Alyx. Reaching the river, taller Guardsmen and women used the rocks while those of shorter stature used the trees.

"Company," Jackie called, "we meet on the other side. Those who can easily cross over the rocks do so and those who cannot use the trees. One other thing," she held their full attention. "We are of the old Order. Once on the other side, treachery and deceit will not find leniency or mercy. We protect these lands against everything that will destroy, damage or overthrow our brethren, family, friends, and rulers. Once on the other side, your allegiance is to the true ruler. Does anyone have a problem with that?"

She waited. The company looked around at each other before looking back at Jackie.

"What does a traitor get?" a tall man near the back asked.

"Death," said Jackie, "is there a problem with these terms?"

She looked over the company meeting each of their gazes. Each shook their heads, "Then you have accepted the terms of the Order and may proceed. We assemble on the other side."

Hearing her name called to hurry, she motioned them forward, leaping into a tree, pulling herself through the branches and crossing the roaring waters while watching her company crossing the rocks.

Dropping to the other side, she waited for them to gather, mentally taking roll call, "Where is Ellie?"

"Stuck in a tree," one of the women said, "shall I get her?"

"No," Jackie said, watching the tiny woman trying, again and again, to reach a branch to cross the river, "Sam," Jackie pointed to a tall man, "help her."

The man nodded and headed up a nearby tree, calling Ellie to join him. Jackie watched as the sprite of a woman immediately trusted him. Leaping from the branch missing the target branch but catching Sam's long arm at the elbow. He pulled her into the tree, and together they descended.

"You good?" Jackie asked as the pair joined them.

Two nods in unison satisfied Jackie. Motioning for everyone to follow the rest of the Order, they started out. Halfway up the steep hill, a bone-chilling scream echoed across the air. Everyone stilled. Jason turned, looking directly at her.

"It's Kelsie," she called.

"Move," Jason called the Order as one began running up the hill, one intention to defend everything that was all to their brethren and world.