Chapter 5 Beauty and the Body Guard

She walked down the corridor, the hallway lit by lanterns. The walls were built from stacked limestone and timber beams behind for support. The ceiling was barrel vaulted, meaning the roof structure had a line of Roman arches down the corridor for support. Her footsteps echoed off the walls finally stopping in front of a wooden door. She was in the servant's quarters of her Villa, the organic earthly colors paled in comparison to the rest of her estate's polished marble. Warm smells tickled her nose; she was standing in front of the Kitchen door.

Jenni pushed the door open the herb aromas so pleasant it made her mouth water. There was a long wooden table floating in the middle of the Kitchen where piles of meats and cheeses were placed inside bread slices. A massive arched opening stood against one wall where a fire roared, Jenni could feel the heat. A large brass pot floated above the fire filled with a boiling liquid; it was being surveillanced by a small yellowish furred creature with a pudgy stomach and buck teeth. It was wearing a white apron spotted with oil stains. It wiggled its' nose, poking the pot with a stirring stick. Its' beady black eyes seemed to brighten as it caught sight of her. It bowed to her, addressing,

"Your Highness, the water you wanted boiled is almost ready." The little alien was obviously male; the accent of a New Yorker on the other hand made her eyebrows rise. "Is there anything I can get for you? Your preferred puree' tomatoes with melted cheese on toasted pita?" She had to admit that did sound good, but she had more important matters to attend to.

"No, no, that's quite alright. I just want the hot water in a portable jug." She entered the room looking at the brass pot levitating above the fire. The furry alien straightened up gazing at her with a small bucktoothed grin.

"Yes, Malady, if there is anything else you need, let ol' 625 know, eh?" Jenni returned the smile. He was a funny one, this 625 character, he was more concerned with her eating more than anything. Well, he apparently was her Head Chef so food was going to be a major priority. "How goes the new slaves?" he asked while using the wooden stick to push the floating pot out of the fire. "I hear one may be too hot for you to handle."

"Possibly, but even the mighty stallion will one day let its' master ride. His stubbornness will get over himself." She hoped so at least, otherwise she was in for a doozy.

"Apparently you don't know Gantu well enough." Chef 625 jumped onto a stool tipping the brass pot over a smaller jug pouring the boiling liquid. "He's as stubborn as they get. Stubborn, persistent, determined, ruthless and can be a big Oaf sometimes…but," Chef 625 turned towards her with the pot in his hands, his tone became serious. "He's one damn good fighter." The pot was in Jenni's hands, it was a lot heavier than she thought it would be! "You'll never find another warrior with his skills in this lifetime, I'll tell ya that. Ol' Gantu knows battle tactics that would leave the god's Anzu's immortal army powerless. One of the many reasons why your Pop enlisted him into the Turoan Empire…"

"Everyone keeps saying that!" Jenni felt her last nerve burst. Why was everyone repeating this line over and over again? It was getting annoying… "My father this, Gantu that! I get it, the man served under my father. You don't have to keep repeating this." She breathed a heavy sigh hoping this was going to get the message across how annoyed she was. Repetition was irritating to her. She was not expecting her personal cook to be regarding her with an expression one could describe as surprised. He sighed, wiping his hands with the apron.

"Malady, I mean no disrespect," his black eyes were gazing at her in hardened manner, "but it's obvious to me you don't understand what situation you have here." Jenni felt her breathing slow. What situation was he talking about? Was there something going on she needed to be informed about?

"Surely you should understand Turoan politics? While you and your mother still bear your father's name as well as his power, that time will come to a close when Chancellor Hamsterviel passes the legislation granting him the title of Emperor. When your husband was alive, Emperor Zeottualus's Throne would have passed to you and your late husband and in turn to your daughter and her partner... or you bore a male heir. But now, the gods have turned the wheel of fate on the Zeottuali familia…" Her Chef ran a pudgy hand through the tuff of fur on his head, continuing, "It seems they are on Chancellor Hamsterviel's side. Unless you can marry within the next few weeks, or produce a son by some miracle…" He looked up at her with somber eyes, "I don't think your line will survive." Jenni felt her lungs suck in air. He was right. She either had to marry to secure her and her daughter's survival, or produce a son by some miracle. She really was in a Greco-Roman society. Male heirs secured the family blood line and the Throne.

"I'll have to find a way." Jenni shifted her weight, the terracotta jug was extremely heavy! "I hate to acknowledge the possibility, but giving my hand to a repulsive Senator would at least secure my daughter's future. No one would dare touch the future Throne's heiress without the possibility of losing their life by the people…"

"That may be true, your Highness," Jenni had almost forgotten she inherited this title as well as her mother. "The Turoan people wouldn't stand to see the 'People's Emperor's' granddaughter be slaughtered by the hands of a mad hamster…"

"I would rather leave marriage as a last resort." She shivered, the thought disgust her.

"But your daughter would need some sort of protection for the time bein'…" He seemed to have wandered into his own mind, Jenni eagerly awaiting the outcome. Then a thought hit her.

"Everyone keeps telling me that this Gantu has served under my father… what exactly did he do?" her cook had a questionable expression.

"You wouldn't know, would you?" He chuckled. Jenni gathered a sense of how old this Chef 625 was. "Well, He was Emperor Zeottualus's battle coordinator and Captain of the Armada. He was sent to scout the landscape of the Blackwatuerous territories in the East, managing several victories. I heard he single-handedly sacked the Temple of Apollu of the city state Bishutu, burned it to the ground…"

"He destroyed a sacred Temple?" The information was appalling. How could someone enter a sacred ground dedicated to a god desecrating the name? It…it was so surreal. It was disrespectful! "How could a mere mortal enter divine grounds and destroy it? Even another country's guardian god, the temple should still be respected!" She almost dropped the pot. Not because it was heavy, but because she was livid by this alien's actions. "I'm surprised he wasn't destroyed where he stood. You'd think the guardian god would've protected his own temple…"

"The god's choose the side that is worthy of Victory, Malady. They say the goddess Nike, of Victory, enchanted his blade as the armies of Turo conquered Bishutu." Jenni noticed Chef 625's eyes seemed to be lost in a thought, brightened by the making of a legend. "Funny, a mere mortal granted the Blade of Nike, conquering the Temple of Apollu, and still escaping Death's grip from a mad hamster… He's a fighter, gotta give it to him. But how he became a slave puzzles me…"

"A fighter…" Jenni repeated the words, the same thoughts swimming around in her head. She bowed to her personal cook, needing to get to the servant's barracks as fast as she can. "I need to go, thank you for boiling the water for me."

"Uh, no problem, your Highness." Chef 625 bowed back to her, scratching his head as he straightened up. "May I ask what idea Malady has?" Jenni stopped at the door frame, glancing back towards her cook.

"You mentioned my familia's security will one day be threatened by the Chancellor. I'm going to give this Gantu an offer he won't refuse, if he's still loyal to my Father…I hope it gives my daughter a fighting chance…"

"Your Highness,…"

"As a mother I put my daughter's life before mine…you serving this familia over the years should know this better than anyone… Goodnight, Chef 625." She entered the hallway before he could rebuttle. She walked quickly, jug in hand, towards another black foggy archway. The fog engulfed her and she felt her body being swept into another place.
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Jenni found her footing beside another timber door. It was smaller than the Kitchen's door and looked more worn than anything. She knew she was in the Servant's Barracks, the ceiling was made of wooden beams and the earth dirt floor was beginning to ruin the hems of her dress. She paused, the door before her held the two new additions to her Villa. One seemed decent, the other a pain in the ass. Jenni took a deep breath, trying to relax her nerves. She just hoped fate was on her side tonight.

She pushed the door open. The cramped room was lit by two torches located in the middle inside a metal stand. Inside there were two piles of hay where two lifeforms sat upon. The younger dark purple male looked up at her; he had the eye color of light green, his top lip was a little swollen from the shield blow a few hours before. He stood up, at a fast rate, staring at her blankly. She wondered what he was thinking.

"You can sit down." She made her way towards the young male, almost dropping the terracotta jug as she did so. In an instant the young male was catching the pot; he was taking it from her hands. Jenni sighed, she was getting clumsier as she got older.

"Thank you... whatever your name is…" She paused waiting for the purple male to say his name.

"Oximus. (Ox-I-mus) My name is Oximus." The young warrior introduced himself. Jenni noticed he had a strange look, but she chose to ignore it.

"Oximus," She repeated his name. "Thank you. I came here to see if both of you needed any injuries cleaned." Oximus flashed her a big smile. She had the feeling he was excited to see her, she swore his eyes brightened a bit.

"I just have a busted lip, nothing major than that." Jenni gave him a small smile, trying not to hint towards anything.

"Um… well, good." She gulped, looking at the cloth bandages on her arm. "Glad to hear you're fine." She tried not to make eye contact, searching desperately for the other dark grey male. To Jenni's surprise, the pair of striking blue eyes were nowhere to be found. She saw Gantu's dark grey form sitting against the wall with the two torches in front of him. His legs propped up, one hand on his leg, the other holding his side just under the ribcage. The eyes were closed, his breathing was slow and deep, his facial features were relaxed. The firelight danced across his face and accented the deep gash over his right eye. Jenni could see where the flames' light touched the stains of dried blood expanding from his brow down to his neck. Her legs moved her being further into the room. She was kneeling next to the resting Gantu trying to be quiet enough to not wake him. The human motioned for Oximus over, taking the clay jug from him as he knelt next to her. Jenni dipped a cloth into the warm water and brought it close to the shark-like alien's face.

She watched the alien breathe, his chest rising and falling with each breath, his face still relaxed. She sucked in her own, trying to calm her escalated heartbeat. He appeared to be in a peaceful sleep, dreaming of another world. Jenni began to wonder what he was dreaming of…

The damped cloth was mere inches away from the wound when Jenni found herself staring at a wide blue eye. The grey alien ducked his head away from the soft white linen projectile and pushed his body off the ground. Jenni, still kneeling, watched as Gantu leapt onto his feet standing towards her with his fists in the air prepared to fight anything. His expression went from surprise to battle fury. Her Chef was right… this guy was a fighter.

"Hey, hey, Gantu, it's just her." Jenni heard Oximus's voice behind her. She was irritated at that statement, "her" had a name you know! Jenni stood up looking at the Turoan male who in turn was watching her every move.

"It's called bandaging." Jenni rolled her eyes feeling a snide comment coming along. "It's just warm water and clean linen. Now I know this is going to blow your mind," here it comes, she thought to herself, "but, if you put the two together, they clean all the dried blood off your skin and they clean the gaping wound on the right side of your face. Like I said, it may blow your mind, but it's just how bandaging works." She saw Gantu lower his arms and groan.

"I heard your heartbeat rise… thought there was trouble." Jenni shook her head, replying,

"The only trouble around here is you. Now please," she glanced over to Oximus who was still sitting behind her. "I need to speak to you both. You first." The purple shark-like alien tilted his head, his eyes eager. "I have a job for you." She took in a breath, knowing that her idea may impact the men greatly. "My familia's safety has been threatened, especially my mother. There have been attempts on her life since my father's passing. The guards she has are from the last generation, and I think a new face and muscle is needed. Your bravery you displayed in the Collosorena today is exactly what my mother needs, Oximus. You charge head on into danger, you recognize threats. I need that Oximus to guard my mother. You will be her guardian." Oximus was staring at her blankly; Jenni was beginning to think he might snap at her. Would he object to being separated from Gantu?

Oximus stood, a rather wide smile on his face. He closed his fist bringing it to his chest, Jenni wondered if it was a pledge symbol but she did not recognize it. "Malady, I accept the honor." He kept his arm at his chest as he spoke, "Until my last breath, I will watch the wife of late Emperor Zeottualus with bravery, honor, and valor. I pledge my life to protecting and serving the familia de Zeottuali. I will guard your mother, your Highness." Jenni felt her nerves relax. Oximus pledged to protect her mother. The first half of her plan had worked, she just needed to get the second half on board.

"I have arranged a transport to my mother's Villa. She acquires immediate protection." Jenni found herself standing in front of the young alien, his green eyes still focused on her. She felt butterflies in her stomach for a brief moment, but shook it away as she offered her hand palm down. Oximus took her hand, bringing it up to his lips and placed a kiss on it. His eyes transfixed on her.

"Thank you," She quickly pulled her hand away, feeling extremely uncomfortable. "Oximus. For being a Guardian to my familia." She took his hand and led him out the door way where two other servants were waiting along with one familiar face. Her private one eyed maid waved to her. Jenni watched as she let go of Oximus's hand and he walked with Pleakley and the other servants into the shadows where a chariot awaited them. They rode out of sight.

Jenni turned on her heel. Well, she thought to herself, the easy part's over. Now the hard part. Her footing stopped just before the door, her heart began to pound again, faster than before. Would he say no? Would he refuse this offer? What about the fate of her daughter? She could care less about her own safe being as long as there was a chance for her daughter. He just had to say yes. If he refused… Jenni was not sure what would come next.

"I know you're there, I can hear your heart rhythm." Gantu's deep voice broke through her concentration. Jenni felt her body stiffen; this was it, what she came down to her servant's barracks for in the first place. She entered the room finding the dark grey shark alien standing against the wall, his arms crossed and blue eyes focused right on her. Jenni moved forward next to the alien who towered about two feet over her and she sat; the terracotta pot with warm water and cloth rags placed in front of her. Jenni waited for Gantu to sit down facing her before she dipped a rag into the water.

The firelight still danced around the room, each crackle making shapes against his body. It was the first time Jenni was really able to see Gantu. The Turoan armor from the earlier battle had been stripped laying in a corner. The rag underneath what he called a shirt was tattered and bloody from previous injuries and the one she was addressing now. His pants were in the same state, held up by a single knotted rope. He tilted his head to the side, the right side of his face still caked with dried blood. His bright eyes hardened, still calculated and focused on her. She gulped. "Your heart races quite often. Nervous?" His voice was effortless and smooth like velvet. She thought she caught a sinister aspect in his deep vocals. It took some effort to control the urge to throw the wet rag at him.

"Don't play with me, Gantu. Your battle tactics won't work here." Jenni felt her mind become serious, she had her daughter (who she still had yet to meet) to think of. Gantu snapped his head forward, straightening his posture. She continued, "I'm different than your average battle opponent." Jenni brought the cloth closer to his eye, he flinched a little at its touch.

"How so?" He asked her as she continued to wipe the dried blood from his face, being careful around the eye. She dipped the cloth again, wiping more violet red color off his cheek and under the jawline. The wound was not that deep, she thought, it seemed to have healed quickly by scabbing. It looked worse than it was.

"I'm a mother. I play by different rules." The shark-like alien made an expression Jenni assumed was amused agreement.

"You give me an unfair fight advantage." His voice chuckled, continuing, "I wasn't trained in defensive combat against a young mother such as yourself." Gantu's expression held a small smug, she almost hit him in the eye with the rag. She sighed, Jenni knew this was the time to ask him what she needed.

"Gantu, I come to you with an offer…" Jenni forced her tone to be serious. "I have a job for you."

"A Guardian job." His expression hardened as he stated it. Jenni stopped the cleaning, her hand lowered into her lap.

"Yes. It's a bodyguard position to the familia." Jenni felt it hard to look at him, her gaze found its way to her lap. "My familia's safety has been threatened since Chancellor Hamsterviel took control of the Throne. I don't think my actions earlier today won his favor." She heard him grunt, amused. "With the attempts on my mother's life, soon there will be on my daughter's."

"And not on your's?" she heard his voice ask.

"There will be, but I'm not concerned. I fear for my daughter's future. She is young and vulnerable. She needs protection. You," she finally looked up at him holding his gaze. "who have fought many battles, you who have a sense about danger, you hear heartbeats! You fought in a sword battle the god of War himself would be envious! You have the skills that can protect my daughter, the granddaughter of Emperor Zeottualus who you pledged your alliance to in the Collosorena. Not Chancellor Hamsterviel!" For some reason this moment of Gantu's pledging his alliance stuck out to her. She felt the need to continue to drive the hammer home as they say. "All I ask in this offer is that you protect my daughter until the Chancellor is off the Throne and my familia's name reinstated. Do this for me, and I will grant you your freedom. If you are loyal to my late father, then I ask you as his daughter. Will you, Gantu, my father's military captain and trusted adviser, be the Guardian of his granddaughter?"

There was silence between them. Jenni felt out of breath, nailing the point home was taking a lot out of her. Still, through her soft panting and elevated heart beat, it was silent between her, a mere mother human, and him, a war vet alien. The fire danced around Gantu's face, still blank and emotionless. He finally closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. Jenni held her's, wondering if this was worth all the trouble she put herself in.

Gantu was suddenly standing, pulling Jenni onto her feet with both his hands wrapped around her arms. He let go, taking a step backwards while he raised his clenched fist against his chest. Jenni was holding his gaze, feeling the icy blue color pour into her very being. And she heard his voice pledge;

"Malady, I accept thee's offer. Until thy last breath, I pledge my bravery, my honor, and my life to serving and protecting the members of the familia de Zeottuali. I call thyself Guardian, to the Granddaughter of the late Emperor Zeottualus, who I shall watch, protect, and guard to The Code till I breathe thy last breath. I pledge to thee." Jenni's heart skipped a beat; she did it, it worked! Her daughter's future had a fighting chance! She felt herself smile, the biggest she ever had. Jenni was just about to thank him when Gantu's hand clasped around her arm. She was staring at him, bewildered, as Gantu lower his head until he was at her eye level. What he said next stunned her.

"I call thyself Guardian, to the Daughter of Emperor Zeottualus, who I shall watch, serve, protect, and guard to The Code till I breathe my last breath. I pledge thy honor, thy blade, thy life, to you and your daughter. You have my word." Jenni felt him release her as he stood up back to his full height. He took a step back, watching her with focused eyes. "I can hear your heart rhythm again." Jenni shook her head, finally being able to breathe again. She looked up at the shark-like alien who just named himself guardian of her familia.

"Thank you." It was all she could muster.

"Come," She felt him place his hand behind her back, pushing her towards the doorway. "I'll escort you to your private chambers." The door frame was engulfed in the same eerie black fog. She was moving towards it. Before she took another step further, Jenni paused and looked up at Gantu one more time.

"Thank you, again." The words seemed to stop the giant alien in mid step. He glanced down to her, quickly returning his attention back to the door way.

"I'm your Guardian… it's my job."

Jenni walked into the archway, feeling the cooling sensations of the fog surround her. She felt, for once, security in her daughter's and her self's future. Her daughter had a chance at life.

Her plan finally worked.