The Warmonger awoke to the sound of heavy footsteps. Now in the Clark, this was a normal sound as many of the contenders wear armor but these did not sound like knights or the typical gladiator. No. These sounded like soldiers. A sound she knows all too well. She also recognized the sound of an experienced fighter, walking all too cautiously. The Warmonger didn't know what was happening, but she had a feeling it involved her. She felt the upcoming feeling she's been having is about to come into fruition, much to her annoyance. She let out a sigh and waited for them lazily. As she expected, she was right. Twelve soldiers burst into the room and surrounded her. She paid them no mind. They were small fry, easily killable, and, despite their "high ranks", were nothing more than common cannon fodder. In the time the Kingdom was at war, even she would fear twelve soldiers, as they would be a force to be reckoned with for any knight. Not that she herself is a knight. Sure she is similar but her fighting style and weapon say otherwise. Of course, she isn't really honorable either, and that apparently goes against a 'knights' code. To be honest, it sickened her how the public view changed what a knight does. They were made for killing and loyalty. Not fairy tales. 

Then, walking in from behind the soldiers was a familiar face. Warmonger couldn't help but chuckle upon seeing him and slowly reached for her weapon. The soldiers tensed and tensed even more when she stood up and ripped her weapon free from the ground. The soldiers, even though she was wearing a helmet, knew she regarded them as nothing more than flies. It was humiliating yet terrifying. Her main attention was on the person wearing heavy silver armor wielding a large cutlass adorning a bald head and brown eyes. The Grand Advisor, Grillant Thorndare. 

"You know, I didn't expect to see you here. I doubt the Kingdom is at war so..."

Warmonger put her right hand to her helmet, mockingly pretending to think.

"....did I do something that got me in trouble? Or, scratch those two options, did the King give the order to kill me?" Warmonger asked, walking in small circles with her sword on her shoulders, her eyes never leaving the soldiers in front of her. Grillant let out a sigh and gave the soldiers the single to lower their weapons. They did and he put his cutlass in front of him, looking like some of the statues of famous warriors.  Of course, he wasn't posing. Warriors do this all the time. Still, he was showing Warmonger that currently, he didn't mean any harm. Warmonger paced around for a bit more before coming to a stop and took her weapon off her shoulder, her back slumped. Grillant still could never get over how someone who looked to be so full of openings could probably kill everyone here. Grillant hasn't been behind on his training and is even using a tougher one than what normal soldiers and knights go through in the Kingdom currently. It was not a stretch to say he was one of the best warriors the Kingdom has to offer. Yet he knew he could not beat Warmonger in a fight one on one, and probably not even with the twelve "elite" soldiers he brought with him. If there was one thing he and Warmonger share their view on it would be the state of the soldiers. They would be nothing but cannon fodder out in the wars. 

"No, Sharia. You've been promoted," Grillant broke the news to Sharia with a sigh. Even though Sharia was wearing a helmet, Grillant could see the disbelief on her face. 

"You're joking, right?" Warmonger asked, pointing one of her clawed fingers at Grillant. While it is true that her knowledge is limited from her cell down here, she didn't think the King would be stupid enough to send knights to fight to their deaths in the arena if he even thought there was a good chance the Kingdom would be attacked. Warmonger knew the King was no fool, despite being one. In better words, he is a fool but not stupid. Besides, she found it hard to believe she would suddenly be promoted to a captain or officer out of the blue.

"No. Follow me and you'll learn of your 'promotion' when we arrive."

Warmonger let out a sigh but picked up her sword.

"This job is gonna be an annoyance, I can just tell," She muttered to herself, but Grillant still heard. He shook his head, not believing fully that this is happening. He just hopes that she'll end up back here soon after the princess comes to her senses. 

'Sharia as the Princess's personal guard. Just what has this world come to?'

________

Warmonger was surprised when she was lead into the throne room and noticed the girl, who she now knows for sure is a princess, was there. She definitely looked the pampered type so why would she be here? 

'Maybe her father coerced her...or maybe she just wants to see what is up? Either way, I'm sure she'll find this bor-'

Warmonger stopped her thoughts when she noticed the Princess's eyes. She was staring at her and was full of determination and...curiosity. Warmonger wondered briefly if she was here to get scolded by the King for being too cruel or something. Maybe she'll get scolded by the princess herself. Who knows? 

Of course, Warmonger didn't think that would happen. The King wouldn't call her over to the palace just for that. If he did, then she would have some serious reconsidering about him to do. She met the King's gaze and was surprised to see that he looked worried. The thought of getting scolded by the Princess came back stronger now. Surely she isn't here for that. Actually, what is she here for? She can't think of anything on the top of her head. If she isn't here for war, then what could the King possibly want her for?

Meanwhile, Princess Isalene's heart is thumping out of her chest. She can't believe her plan worked! Though it wasn't much of a plan, it still worked! She was going to have Warmonger as her personal guard! Seeing her up close though, she could see that she was shorter than Warmonger by what looks to be a foot, but she was surprisingly short. Maybe because Isalene was looking at her from above but she is about five to six inches to even a head shorter than the soldiers in the room. Now that Isalene could see her up close, it was easy to see that what made her look taller than she actually is was her helmet. 

The King stood up and made his way to Warmonger, who stood for a moment before slowly taking a knee. She was still somewhat loyal to the Kingdom after all and she did have some respect towards the King. Of course, her opinion of him hasn't changed. She still saw him as a fool. Her hand was still on her weapon's hilt. She was used to carrying it all the time and the weapon itself was heavy enough to crack the ground if she dropped it. That and she isn't so sure her life isn't in danger. She still can't figure out what the King wants her for.

"Sharia The Warmonger. Today I have called you here to give you a promotion," The King stated, stopping in front of Sharia. Princess Isalee tried her best not to tremble in excitement.

'So her name is Sharia...though I was told that yesterday.'

The King let out a sigh that was heard by Sharia, who gave him a quizzical look. It was clear that this wasn't his idea. In fact, he looked unsure of himself. What promotion was she getting that would worry the King? If she was getting promoted to an officer or captain, then that shouldn't worry him since she wouldn't have much power, especially if he puts her on the outskirts of the Kingdom. 

"...From here on out, you will serve as Princess Isalene's personal guard."

Sharia was silent for a full minute before she slowly turned to look at the princess she now knows as Isalene. She studied her for a couple of seconds before turning to look at the King. 

"I have to guard that?" Sharia asked, pointing one of her clawed fingers at Princess Isalene. Isalene flinching didn't go unnoticed by Sharia, though Sharia didn't care. She was more in disbelief than anything. The King didn't blame her, nor did Grillant. The soldiers there were outraged at the disrespectful attitude Sharia had. Meanwhile, the real reason Isalene flinched was because of two things. One was because of Sharia's voice. She sounded definitely feminine but young, which was against Isalene's expectations. However, her voice was mostly scratchy, like she hasn't cleared her throat in a long time or her helmet was heavily muffling her voice in a strange way. 

The second reason was she realized just how selfish her request is. Sharia loves fighting and there won't be much of it if she becomes Isalene's personal guard. Isalene thought that maybe she could convince her father to allow Sharia to still fight in the arena? She knew that Sharia could handle a few fights. But, what if she gets gravely injured or dies in the arena? Isalene was now having second thoughts on whether she should try and convince her father to allow Sharia to fight in the arena.

"Yes. Your duty starts officially tomorrow," The King told Warmonger without a single sign of hesitation in his voice. Sharia let out a sigh. She was right, as usual. The King walked back and left the throne room. Princess Isalene turned to follow him but stopped and ran over to Sharia. Isalene did a slight bow, making the Warmonger pause.

"Thank you and please take good care of me."

With that, Isalene turned and ran out of the room, following her father. Warmonger shook her head and got up. Grillant walked over to her and put a hand on her shoulder.

"You didn't disagree. I thought for sure you would."

Warmonger let out a chuckle before turning to face Grillant, who took his hand off of her.

"What can I say? It was an order from the King, or promotion anyway."

Grillant shook his head and took a couple of steps back before facing Sharia again.

"If you try to corrupt or harm the princess in any way..." Grillant warned, glaring at Sharia who only swung her sword lazily in return.

"Don't you worry, old man. She's an incorruptible princess. She'll never see things the right way or even close to how you see things. I can't possibly corrupt her. She has her eyes closed even more than a baby does."

Warmonger chuckled at her own cruel joke before she let out a long sigh.

"Besides, I have a strong feeling she will become an annoyance real quick, more so than she already is to me."

Grillant and Sharia stayed still, looking at each other before they both let out a hearty laugh. Grillant knows Sharia, and he knows that once given a task, she will do it. Besides, she was right about Princess Isalene. It is impossible to corrupt that princess. Besides, Isalene would be more of an annoyance to Sharia than Sharia is a problem to her. 

"But I'm still confused why you took the job so easily?" Grillant asked. Even he would hesitate about accepting the job more than Sharia had. In response, Sharia shook her head.

"Let's just say, I was bored and this job seemed like a breath of fresh air. I know it's going to be an annoyance but, in life, you sometimes take what you get."

Sharia The Warmonger looked outside the throne room windows at the sprawling city below and put her sword on her shoulder again. Grillant looked at Sharia, watching over the Kingdom like she used to, and couldn't help but remember the last time he saw her like this. It was...a strange memory where he didn't know how to feel about it. Angry or sad, happy or remorseful. Grillant couldn't decide. Whatever the future brings, he found himself hoping that Sharia would change for the better.

'Hah. Sharia change her views? Yeah, that would be the day the world truly ended.'