The bells outside were ringing, there were excited calls of the common folk putting up banners, tents, and other temporary buildings. It was a day of rejoice. The Queen was going to give birth that day. Everyone, common folk and noble men alike, was rushing to make sure that everything was ready, perfect for the new prince or princess. Those people included twins Ressi and Kiran.
698Please respect copyright.PENANAhLe1kjQdjg
The twins, like other squires and low ranking soldiers, were carrying strange instruments back and forth. The majority of the time, the kids didn't even know what they were carrying. They did their job well anyway as they were as excited as everyone else for the new royal baby.
698Please respect copyright.PENANAJ59NHwRO28
Kiran carefully placed the object he was carrying down on a table that was next to the door to the birthing chamber. He wiped the sweat from his brow as he leaned against the table. As he slacked, he decided to examine the unusual instrument. “Hey, Ressi, what do you think this thing even does?”
698Please respect copyright.PENANAR73DzWaVLI
Ressi placed the item she was carrying next to the object Kiran was questioning. She shrugged and poked around at it, “I dunno. Is it even for birthing royalty?”
698Please respect copyright.PENANA1slzfLWo9D
“I think so? I mean, it's gotta be otherwise there wouldn't even be a reason for us to be carrying these things around, right?”
698Please respect copyright.PENANAbNvV56zkGb
“Yeah, but, I thought the queen births it by herself. Does she need a robot assistant or something?”
698Please respect copyright.PENANAxkB0Jd4Yas
A small laugh escaped from Kiran, “This looks nothing like a robot, you idiot!”
698Please respect copyright.PENANA1scQV8Zf1G
“Hey! It kind of looks like an arm, shut up!” Ressi barked back. Kiran just stuck his tongue out at her. Before she could give him the beating of his lifetime (or for the day, at least), two large hands picked up the twins to separate them.
698Please respect copyright.PENANAdLO2kkegb1
"Honestly children, it's like we have to keep you two under close watch at all times," The large man, Archibald, shook his head.
698Please respect copyright.PENANAUDLwmfyDWe
Ressi struggled against the man's firm grip but all she accomplished was tiring herself out. She gave up reluctantly and crossed her arms as she did so, looking away from both Archibald and Kiran. Archibald just laughed and placed them both back on the ground. Kiran looked smug as Ressi pouted.
698Please respect copyright.PENANApsItsqQrFR
Archibald pat the twins' heads, his hands seemingly able to crush them if he so wished. He did not wish to, of course. He grinned down at them, "Alright, kids, go back down to the storage room. There's still plenty of jun-- erm, important items for you to carry up here!"
698Please respect copyright.PENANAqGJPU9gcTU
Kiran looked up from his smug expression at his sister, "Wait, were you about to say--"
698Please respect copyright.PENANAvkJietyNYL
But he was quickly cut off by Archibald's laugh as he pushed the two away from the doors of the birthing chamber, "Come now, kids! You don't want to be caught slacking off on the big day, huh? This day only comes a couple times per generation, you know!"
698Please respect copyright.PENANA7YAR7FVC77
As he began to escort the kids down the hall, Archibald noticed a tall robed figure across the way and called out to the familiar man, "Hey! Reldin! What are you doing out of your laboratory?"
698Please respect copyright.PENANAXvcMTH5JL4
The figure, Reldin, looked somehow simultaneously displeased and pleased at Archibald's shouting. He hesitated before approaching, then spoke to Archibald in his usual tired drawl, "I am simply delivering these pain resistance potions to the Queen." He paused before continuing, eyeing the young twins, "You know better than anyone that I leave my laboratory daily."
698Please respect copyright.PENANAoSxOGoMOZ3
Archibald just beamed as Ressi looked between the two curiously. She opened her mouth to say something before she was interrupted by the chamber doors clambering open, the King appearing. "Reldin!" He called with his usual authority, though he was sweatier than usual and seemed a bit shaken. Ressi could only wonder why he looked almost afraid. Was giving birth really that scary? "Your potions are needed, quickly!"
698Please respect copyright.PENANAVKIUkE4oK9
Reldin immediately walked away on cue with a quick, "I will be seeing you, Archibald."
698Please respect copyright.PENANANBojgMqBH3
Archibald called back to him, "I said to call me Archie!"
698Please respect copyright.PENANARmFEQL9jn6
Reldin's response was ambiguous as he was leaving but there was an almost disappointed looking shake of a head before he entered the birthing chamber. The King stayed behind and approached Archibald and the twins, "I need you to stay right outside the door, and keep those kids with you. I believe we will need them close after the child is born."
698Please respect copyright.PENANAv4kkj8BPiV
Archibald bowed his head, "Of course, Your Grace." He grinned at the twins, clapping them on their backs, "You hear that, kids? Seems like you have an important job ahead of you!"
698Please respect copyright.PENANARQRglzQcmp
The King gave a small yet soft smile before he headed back into the chamber to accompany his wife. He hesitated a bit at the door, but he was able to keep his composure as he reentered the room.
698Please respect copyright.PENANAAC6nKEtWQy
"What is in there that is so scary?" Ressi asked, "I mean, isn't bringing in new royalty supposed to be something beautiful? That's what everyone keeps saying!"
698Please respect copyright.PENANA25zCpR30WR
"Yeah, the miracle of life!" Kiran added, clearly on the same wavelength as his twin, "I thought there would be light shining from the sky as the baby went into the Queen's arms or something."
698Please respect copyright.PENANAUrYcNXH4wi
"Or a large bird flies into the window with the baby all wrapped up in a blanket!"
698Please respect copyright.PENANAdUpqHlavFO
"Yeah!"
698Please respect copyright.PENANAUTak1i5nlp
"Yeah!"
698Please respect copyright.PENANAa7xqfkjy2r
Archibald laughed, yet not his usual hearty laugh. It was more nervous and unsure, "Ah, it's a bit more complicated than that. But I'm pretty sure everyone in that room wishes your ideas were true, that's for sure." He lead the twins back to the chamber door before they asked too many questions. "Anyway, you kiddos have any idea why the King wants you stationed here with me?"
698Please respect copyright.PENANAK7dSXcl7DE
Ressi and Kiran looked at each other and back up at Archibald, shaking their heads at the same time. "Well, it looks like you're getting the same job as I have."
698Please respect copyright.PENANAYYWC5f3tS0
"We're going to be the official guardians of the Queen?" Ressi blurted, beaming.
698Please respect copyright.PENANAMaV8ghq9e8
Archibald laughed, "No, no. It seems to me you two--" he poked them each with his large hands "-- are going to be the official guardians of the new royal child."
698Please respect copyright.PENANA2sSTSCQx1e
Ressi gasped, “That’s even better!”
698Please respect copyright.PENANA3dcfYQCXSL
Kiran nodded along excitedly, "I wonder what the child will be like?"
698Please respect copyright.PENANA5QNJYnYaC8
"I hope she would like to sword fight with us!" Ressi excitedly exclaimed.
698Please respect copyright.PENANAHSjQtM3AKq
"She?! What makes you think it won't be a he?" Kiran asked.
698Please respect copyright.PENANAEU3qOH8E7E
"Because I want her to be a girl!" Ressi said, making a face at her twin brother.
698Please respect copyright.PENANAgBWprz7uWh
"Well I want him to be a boy!" Kiran countered, making his own face back.
698Please respect copyright.PENANAP7SlOecLE6
Archibald laughed and got between the two for the second time today, "Alright you two, settle down. We need proper guards for the Queen."
698Please respect copyright.PENANAPGxbYMaxc3
The twins straightened and saluted, "Right!" They said simultaneously as they walked in opposite directions so they were standing across from each other on either side of the hall.
698Please respect copyright.PENANANE1JgGCh50
Archibald looked proud of the twins and went to stand sentry at the door to the chambers and all three waited. And waited.
698Please respect copyright.PENANAPiSHxF6S0s
And waited.
698Please respect copyright.PENANAiy5ek5GZYM
Every once in a while, Reldin would run out and come back with more potion. Each time Archibald would drag him into a conversation that would be interrupted when the King came out to fetch the Mage. Other than that, there was nothing really of note happening for hours and hours. The twins were only ten years of age and understandably bored out of their minds.
698Please respect copyright.PENANA74R9CSO3K3
Finally, finally, the King poked his head out of the chamber and called the Knight and his two squires in.
698Please respect copyright.PENANA58Tzy6aiwx
The chamber was flooded with light from the large windows on either side of the balcony door, where the King and Queen will be showing off the new royal child. The Queen lay on the bed, damp from exertion yet happy of the outcome. The light shined around her as if she was the one who was emitting it.
698Please respect copyright.PENANAOPvm034ya6
If Archibald, Kiran, and Ressi had any drop of poet blood in their veins, they would have waxed the moment they stepped in. But they did not and the three quickly made their way over to the bed. Ressi bounced over, "Is it a prince or a princess?"
698Please respect copyright.PENANAlnU2UT8oAo
The Queen smiled at her baby, the mother's love clear, "She's a princess."
698Please respect copyright.PENANAhs9dSgEqtP
Kiran crossed his arms in disappointment as Ressi stuck her tongue out at him. Though his eyes were still wide in wonder at the new princess. "What's her name?" He asked.
698Please respect copyright.PENANAbgEIetzJYN
The Queen looked to her husband, then back to her daughter, "Martina."
698Please respect copyright.PENANABTMcQAJspe
Archibald let out a boisterous laugh and reached his arms out for the princess. The Queen handed her over to her trusted knight as he lifted the princess up in the air for all to see. "Princess Martina Garamond! Daughter of King Kenman and Queen Antella Garamond of Stornval!" He announced proudly.
698Please respect copyright.PENANAKMOLSj7Rla
The King let out a small chuckle as Archibald handed his daughter back. He looked to the two children, "I have a job for you two."
698Please respect copyright.PENANAUwuAuaYd3j
Ressi gasped, "What is it?!" The twins looked at each other in excitement then back to the King.
698Please respect copyright.PENANAsv1pPJhwzf
"You two," he started, and paused for dramatic effect, "are to be the official guardians of the princess."
698Please respect copyright.PENANAtnSSiLwYg8
"Archibald was right!" Ressi yelled in excitement as Kiran let out a whoop of joy.
698Please respect copyright.PENANAlp4qDAg12P
The King's eyes narrowed at Archibald who looked embarrassed. He sighed, "Yes, Archibald was indeed correct. Though do not get too excited--" The twins ceased the celebration and stood at attention-- "The job requires more responsibility than any in the kingdom. You will have an exceedingly strict schedule and Martina will have the most control over you than anyone. Betraying her trust will lead you to exile or even death. Is that clear, you two?"
698Please respect copyright.PENANALRq0UUqJQy
The twins nodded in unison, faces serious. The King smiled, "Then that is settled. I officially name Kiran Victor and Respelda Victor the guardians of my daughter, Princess Martina Garamond of Stornval."
698Please respect copyright.PENANAliMoTmi5A7
Kiran and Ressi celebrated together for a moment before the King continued, "Archibald, Reldin, show the Guardians to their new quarters. Those of such titles need a little more room for growth."
698Please respect copyright.PENANAmvK9FWVuyN
The twins whooped and cheered and danced as Archibald and Reldin ushered them off to their new living quarters. The two barreled into the room and immediately made their way over to the bed and started jumping on it.
698Please respect copyright.PENANAaQjdboUV6i
Reldin looked to Archibald, "Aren't there supposed to be two beds?"
698Please respect copyright.PENANAeUBFPo1geM
"Ah, well," Archibald explained, "There's usually only one guardian per royal. I had to make a case for both of them, otherwise it would have only been Kiran."
698Please respect copyright.PENANAYELQt666ys
"Kiran would have made a fine guardian by himself, why both?"
698Please respect copyright.PENANAkKvVn7Fxcr
Archibald looked at the Mage as if he were mad, "They're twins. You can't exactly separate them now, can you?"
698Please respect copyright.PENANAiZTcA4fEXs
Reldin let out an almost imperceptible chuckle, "No, I suppose not."
698Please respect copyright.PENANAV4z9KGK4IU
CRASH!!!
698Please respect copyright.PENANAv0t2GaGIe8
Archibald and Reldin got ready to fight instinctually at the noise but… it was just the kids. Ressi was pushed off the bed but she quickly jumped back up to do the same to Kiran. The elder two relaxed. "Those two are not sharing a bed," Archibald stated plainly. Reldin silently agreed.
698Please respect copyright.PENANAU2uIdB8Bts
The training of these two will be interesting.
ns216.73.217.1da2