Palace Guard Legend Palace Guard Legend By Vivian, Grade 8August 2022 A horrified shriek accompanied the sound of the guillotine as another head hit the increasing large pile of severed body parts. “Lies! All lies!” the king bellowed, smashing his fist on the golden throne. “Which one of you imbecile fools is a spy for the Bagel king?” the short and pot bellied king sneered as he studied everyone within eyesight with suspicion. The king’s fit of rage has been going on for more than a week, and it doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. Worried sick, Liam kneeled before the Donut king proposing sternly, “Your highness, I’m forever loyal to you and the throne. But you must know that a crown can be remade and replaced, but we can’t afford any harm to your royal highness’ body.” The king’s expression hardened, his nostrils flared in anger. “How dare you! Do you know how much this crown means to our kingdom? Losing it would mean losing our power.” Liam lowered his head, ashamed that he could propose such a silly idea. Replacing the crown? What was I even thinking? His face flushed a bright shade of magenta as a result of the embarrassment contrasting with his bronze skin. “I understand, your sire. I see that the kingdom of Bagel has an army far stronger and coordinated than that of ours. Due to the fact that our kingdom has a stressful enough relationship with the Pastry Alliance Kingdoms, it wouldn’t be fit for us to attack the kingdom of Bagel directly. If you will allow it, I will venture to the Bagel kingdom alone on horseback and retrieve the crown.” Hearing this, a smile grew on the king’s wrinkled old face. “I believe you will, Liam.” Hearing the king’s voice of approval, Liam set off to prepare his equipment immediately. Dash, his trusty horse, was already waiting for him at the royal stable. And so they set off for the kingdom of Bagel. As Liam made his way through the endless green plains of Ireland, he noticed dark clouds in the sky. It’s surely going to rain soon. I better find a place to camp quickly before it’s too late. Liam tugged at Dah’s leash swerving the golden stallion to the nearest hill and camped out for the night. Just as expected, a thunderstorm raged on throughout the night, and it wasn’t before the morning after that Liam and his horse could start on their path again. The once smooth grassland turned soggy and squishy after the thunderstorm, causing Liam to be extra careful riding Dash, but Dash had other ideas. “Wait! Dash, slow down buddy!” Liam shouted frantically as he tried to get ahold of his leash. “Ah!” Liam’s eyes widened as Dash fell into soggy ground, staining his shiny mane with brown, gooey mud. As Liam tried to get up, his heart sank. Blood was dripping down Dash’s neatly maintained coat and he was unable to get up. What do I do now? Liam wondered as he wrapped up Dash’s wound. I can’t leave Dash here all by himself. But if I wait for Dash to heal, it’ll take forever to get back the crown. I can’t let the king down. Dash surely will understand. ”I’m so sorry, Dash. I really am. But as a palace guard, I have duties to fulfill, and I can’t afford to stall time here. Please understand. I’ll try to find a village near here where you can stay.” In the closest village Liam could find, there was a famous doctor named Connor. Liam decided that taking Dash to a good doctor would be the least he could do. “I hear that the reason the new doctor is so good is that he’s a sorcerer. Can you believe it? We have a sorcerer!” Whispered a merchant as he gossipped with the blacksmith while they were trading the newest goods. Overhearing this, Liam was overjoyed, his blond curls bouncing as he quickened his pace, eager to find the sorcerer. “Can I help you?” asked a tall, pale-skinned, red head sitting in the clinic. “I’m looking for a doctor named Conner. I need his help urgently. My horse is injured badly.” “That would be me,” stated the middle-aged man calmly. “Show me where the horse is. Don’t worry, I’ll fix them up in a jiffy.” he suggested with a warm smile. Liam showed him the way, and just like Connor said, he fixed Dash up by only a wave of his hand. Liam’s hazel pupils grew wide. “You really are a sorcerer! I mean, I’ve heard the villagers talk about it, but to see it with my own eyes… Wow! I’m at a loss for words.” Liam gushed so much about his sorcery to the point that it would be hard to say Conner’s confidence wasn’t boosted by a lot. “I know, right? And to think, that bigot that they call the donut king kicked me out of the kingdom.” Liam froze and blinked, a confused expression on his face. “Pardon? The donut king?” “Yeah, though I don’t think he deserves to be one.” “Excuse you! I am the palace guard of the Bagel kingdom. How dare you speak about our king like that? Do you think I can just sit here and watch you insult our king? That little success you have as a village doctor must really be getting to your head.” Liam lashed out at Conner. His face heated red in anger. What does a mere village sorcerer know about kingship? “You think you know so much about the king? That he’s so outstanding? Surprise, surprise, he’s actually a bigot. After the old king passed away, that pathetic excuse of a human being ruined my life’s work and career. Kicking me and my family of sorcerers out of the kingdom. All for what? because ‘sorcery is weak, real men would use guns and knives.’” Conner’s heart ached. Talking about this topic was like picking at an old scab for him. If it weren’t for the king, he and his family would have been living a well-off and happy life. But because of the Donut king, his family is nowhere to be found, and he has to get by working as a small village’s local doctor. How would anybody not hate him in this situation? Liam couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He couldn’t process the thought that the person he was raised and taught to trust and obey, no matter the situation, could possibly be the same man he was hearing about now. Feeling a little lightheaded, Liam leaned against the now perfectly healthy Dash for support. He couldn’t feel his feet. What if what he’s saying is true? No, no, don’t fall for what others say. He could easily be lying to you. “So what if I say I believe you?” asked Liam suspiciously. “The Bagel king has taken the king’s crown. If you help me get it back to the king, I’ll make sure you get revenge.” As soon as I get the crown, I’ll get rid of him secretly. “Deal.” Two days passed before Liam and Conner made it to the Bagel kingdom. They hid in a nearby bush, browsing the castle. “You distract the guards and keep them busy. I only need a little time. I’m quiet and fast. Let me be clear, only distract. We don’t need to kill them. Are you clear?” No answer. Conner had already jumped out of the bush, getting ready to attack the guards. “You idiot! We didn’t even finish planning what happens next.” Conner sprinted toward the nearest guard, grunting as he knocked out the guard using a fist seemingly made of a bright blue light. A group of guards noticed the commotion and rushed over to see what had happened. One guard might’ve been a piece of cake for Connor to deal with, but a group of guards? Not so much. Liam was biting his lip, anxious to see what will happen. The clanking of more than one suit of armor rang in his ears. The sound undoubtedly came from behind him, and Liam swiftly realized why. A pair of strong hands pinned his arms from behind. “The bagel king knew you would be coming, so our security has been extra careful these days.” The dingy dungeon was extra-untolerable, with wet moss and mold growing from the walls and a horrid metallic smell filling the area. “Thanks for the help.” Liam couldn’t help but remark sarcastically. “Oh yeah? Who was the one that got swept off their feet?” “Quit the bickering. The Bagel King would like to meet you two.” Liam and Conner arrived before the throne. A muscular middle-aged man stared condescendingly at them with piercing blue eyes. Liam was in a kneeling position, forcing himself not to look up at the Bagel king to fear of the shame being unbearable. “How dare you step foot into my kingdom?” The bagel king’s voiced boomed. “I’m here to retrieve the crown you stole from our king, and if you would kindly hand it over, it was would save us many more unnecessary problems.” “Retrieve your king’s crown? You’re hilarious. This crown was originally mine!” Raged the Bagel king, raising his voice. “Your king was the one who took it from me! We were the closest of friends, our kingdom and yours vowed to support one another through thick and thin. Who supported your kingdom when the Pastry Alliance didn’t allow it? Me. And this is how you repay me?” I had no idea it was like this. All I wanted to do was to protect the throne and protect my kingdom, but first it’s Conner and now it’s this. How should I still believe in the king? Liam recalled memories of the Donut kingdom under the current king’s rule. Looking back at the innocent murdering of citizens, the unreasonable acts driven by anger, and the betrayal of a neighboring kingdom. Everything seemed clear to Liam. The Donut king has to be replaced. ”Your highness, I really didn’t know that it was like this. I’ve always been loyal to the throne, so I followed the king’s word without a question, but hearing what you said just now has made me realize just how wrong I was and how despicable our kingdom may have seemed to yours.” Liam said angrily, but he wasn’t angry about the Bagel kingdom, instead he was angry at himself being so oblivious and blind. “I told you.” teased Connor. Liam ignored him and continued on by proposing an idea. “Your highness, I know you are furious at the Donut king and I would be, too. I know of a good way to gain revenge and for the two kingdoms to come to peace again. ” The Bagel king twirled his blonde goatee, considering Liam’s answer. “I’ll have you stay in the castle while I think about your proposal.” Liam thanked the king, and a guard showed him to his room. Before the break of dawn the day after, the king of Bagel gave them his answer. “You may take my finest army of men with you, but if you’re lying to me, I will come find you and gauge your eyes out with my own two hands. Do I make myself clear?” “Of course.” answered Liam. With an army of soldiers and Conner by his side, he returned to the kingdom of Donut of confidence. “I assume you’re back with my crown, Liam. I trusted you, so you better not be letting me down.” the Donut king smirked. “I don’t have it, but you don’t need to worry, because you won’t be needing it.” said Liam calmly. “Ha-ha. Very funny, Liam. Now, where is my crown?” The king asked, now getting more annoyed. “I thought I told you, you won’t be needing it anymore.” Liam whipped out his sword and aimed straight for the king’s heart, catching the king off guard. Never in his dreams did the king imagine his most loyal palace guard would be the one to end his life. “There’s no use. Once you have the power I have, you will abuse it just like I did. There’s no escape.” wheezed the Donut king. “No, I will not. I’m not like you I care about our citizens.” Liam said with a cold stare, as the king’s body stiffened and dropped down cold on the floor. At the same time, Connor leading the army men successfully attacked the guards outside the castle. After the death of the Donut king, Liam successfully became the successor of the throne. Under the rule of Liam, the kingdom of Donut quickly became a place of peace and prosperity.
