Almost ten years later...

C A D E T H 

Hard laughter filled the cold bunks of the camp as men swung their arms and chugged their wine, swindled at the nearly tenth year Scotland had been free from King James rule. Heavy taxations were lifted to reasonable prices, the council was rehired to smart and noblemen, the roads were cleaner and the town was happier, but of course, there were still the bad parts. The Scottish army ended its prior mandatory enlistment that was enforced under Spain's ruling. From the point that Queen Adelaide took back power of Scotland under supervision of her uncle, life of Scotland residents changed. All young boys who fit the build of prospect future soldiers were required to attend training until the age of ten, but those who no longer wished to partake in the armed forces were given the chance to step down from service. Several men did, but it was not short of a shock that more decided to stay at fight beside the new queen of Scotland.

There were always tensions between the royal siblings and their countries, but many tried to avail the rumors of King James plan to take over what was first his and rid his sister of Scotland. Many of the men believed that this is why so many chose to stay with the forces, to protect the queen and their land. After Queen Mary's death, many still hoped for another heir, much with her passion and commitment to the land to return and bring Scotland back to what it was. Queen Adelaide was brought in young, still under ten years of age, but was taught how to protect and serve a kingdom much like her mother would have done so. A number of Scottish lads disagreed with Adelaide's return; they questioned her rule and if she was, in fact, the daughter of the queen or some girl found on the road. That she was posed to be Queen Mary's daughter and only followed the guidance of the noblemen's court, but this common opinion was simply due to some men's belief that women were unfit for the rule without a man.

I, Myself, have been ready to fight and serve whoever rules Scotland, man or woman, the minute needed be, I had been this way since I was born. A few of the older soldiers here say I was born with a sword in hand, born to fight, rather it had been my choice or not. I had seen men hung for treason, beheaded for conspiracies, and throat slashed for vile thoughts and rumors of the queen. Any soldier, who conspired or spoke wrongfully of the queen suffered the consequence unless they could prove their innocence... it was almost a miracle to be trailed and live if it involved wrongful actions against the queen in any way. For the queen, and all those who came before her, were held to a higher standard. The royal blood that surged through their veins granted them the upmost respect and treatment, only they could rule a kingdom.

"Cade come, come!" A husk voice demanded across the camp. It was Griffin hollering, his voice slurred and rasp from his wine he had devoured all night. Throughout my years, I had drawn close to a few of my brothers more than others, eight to be exact. Although they were closer to me than anyone I had ever met, the only family I would ever associate the term with, none of them knew the grave difference I held from them all. I do not fear that they would not support me, but I would likely lose some of the best people who I had ever met, for something I had no control over. I was the only girl to have ever been in an army, from any realm. Women were not to fight, unless they are the queen, they were house-made. From as young as I could remember my father would put a sword in my hand from daylight to nightfall and whip my wrist every time my posture fell. He wanted a son... so he made me one. From toning my body, disguising my features, and whipping my posture he changed me into his son. In my life, these men were the only good things that came out of all of that.

"So Mitch here don't believe you jabbed a man's eyeball on your sword and you didn't notice till end battle!" Griffin laughed, now using me as his balance to stay upright. "It wasn't no war, but merely a disagreement with a few men at the pub." I winked towards Mitch, grinning through his disbelief he shared. "Take a seat with the boys, I'll be back soon." I remarked to the men. Though Griffin reflected onto me as a brother, at end of day he was my unit captain. He held order over myself and up to five hundred other men I estimated, Griffith never had disclosed the true number.

"What's he doing?" Mitch asked Griffin as I wandered away, one hand on the leather grip handle of my sword and the other in my pocket. "He likes going over the hill and staring at the castle. He-" I couldn't catch another word, but it wasn't much of my interest. At the top of the hill was a large tree and in the distance, was the castle on the edge of the water enclosed in a sea of large bush trees. The castle that seemed so simple from a far, carried more land within it than I could comprehend. Sliding my back along the bark till my underside met the chill lush ground, it amazed me how one person- one woman, had so much power. Queen Adelaide protected her people and only sought what was best for her kingdom, as I did the same from the seemingly simple, bare position I held in comparison.

Adelaide

"Mary always knew how to aside her feelings for lust from her feelings for her country. Your mother had always done what was best for Scotland, even when it meant a broken heart-". "Like... like my father. Lord Bothwell." I quietly responded, only receiving his nodding gesture in return. No one in the kingdom besides Uncle James had known about my mother's lover and who my father truly was. The members of the castle were groomed not to ask and told all that mattered was that I was my mother's daughter. I was not a full heir of royalty from King Darnley and Queen Mary, but I carried enough royal blood to heir the throne. From the wretched stories I had also learned, I was grateful that my father was my mother's loyal protector, instead of the man attempted to withdraw my mother from her throne.

As I had let my mind wander, a fellow guard had rushed to us in urgency. He had only spoken to my uncle in secrecy, but I knew I could demand to know anything that he had been told; James knew the same. "Xavier is dead. He tested some wine that had been delivered to you as a gift and it was poisoned." For a brief moment in time, it seemed that everything was at peace, life was as it always should be with everyone happy. Xavier had been my bodyguard since I turned twelve, he protected me and thought of nothing but my safekeeping. "H-how did this happen? Who was it from?" Growing anxious, Xavier was not only a loyal guard but a friend who I entrusted my life in. No answer was given, instead I was escorted by my uncle and the informer back within the walls of my home.

Servants and workers bowed as I briskly passed them in the halls, heading to the main chambers. Shoving the doors open, my eyes landed among my deceased life-long friend. My throat began to tighten, cheeks quivered, and tears filled my eyes. He laid across the large rug on the floor, the small poisoned wine stains dotted the fabric beside him. Other guards stood aside as I rushed to him, Xavier laid still, lifeless, something that no one had seen coming. My fragile hands clutched his shirt tightly, burying my face in his clothes. "Leave us" I somehow managed to choke out. His lips were white, stained from the poison that took his life. "I don't k-know who did this. But I promise you, Xavier, they will hang for this". Anger fueled me to a point I had not known before. I had lost many guards to battle and servants to treason, but never a friend as close as him.

"Adelaide?" a voice spoke from behind me along with a knock on the chamber door. It was Katherine, a young girl who was once no one, but a stranger who had been chosen by my uncle to serve as my friend through tough times. "Katherine... he's dead." My voice was nothing mere a whisper at the end. "Sh." she hushed me, "Lord James was going to enter, but I insisted that I do so instead." Her arms embraced me, providing me security in a time that I had felt I had none. "I know it's fast, but you know the rules. Lord James has sent word to the highest ranking barracks to find another who will protect you and honor you all the same. He goes by the name-" 

Cadeth

"Cadeth!"... "Cadeth!"... "Cadeth Marie!"

Awoken from my slumber, I jumped to my feet searching for the longing voice ordering my presence. I quickly gathered myself, dusting any dirt or scum from my uniform to ensure I was presentable. Hurrying down the hill, I continued to follow the voice, recognizing it as Griffin's. Breaking through the crowd, my eyes laid on a barrage of horsemen dressed in royal garments. They sat upon strong steeds that wore the royal crest along their saddle. These were the Queen's men. Griffin stood beside them speaking with one of the horsemen who had dismounted. "Cadeth Marie present yourself" the large man shouted. "Sir. I am Cadeth Marie." Standing at attention that has been taught to me thousands of times beyond count. My eyes stayed locked on the horsemen, although they longed to continue the sleep I had just awoken from.

"Cadeth Marie. You are hereby summoned to the castle under recommendation of your direct officer to serve as the lone bodyguard of Queen Adelaide. Pack your gear, grab a horse, and come with us." He firmly implied as he turned, swinging his coat and straddled his horse. I didn't understand why I have been chosen, for what reason put me in a better position then others who had served longer than me. I wanted to ask Griffin, but in the presence of the royal guard it was forbidden. Officers and soldiers were not to have a direct relation, so the brotherly connect myself and the other seven men had formed with Griffin was not allowed. All I knew was now I held a different and more direct purpose that I was ready for, even if it meant my life. I gave a quick glance to Griffin at the last possible moment before turning to climb on my steed and follow the royal guard on their journey. I did not know when, if ever, I would see Griffin or my brothers again.

The ride to the castle was not brief, the men took me on one of the longest routes to the castle to discuss with me my duties as well as to blur my memory of any possible chance of remembering the course. Though I was one of the Queen's loyal guards now, it was dire that they monitor me and ensure that I could be trusted in this new position. It was only procedure. I am to stay close to the Queen at all times, unless to her chambers. In that instance I am to clear her room for any dangers before letting her be. I must taste all food before it is served to her, enter all quarters before her to ensure it is safe, and be ready to give my life at any moment for her majesty. I had no argument with any of these rulings, I had been taught since birth that nothing is more important than the safety and rule of Queen Adelaide. It wasn't to surprise me if the Queen would be hesitant or even rebellious against my duties, her past protector is the only one she had known since she took the throne and I knew this would only be more difficult on her than it could ever be on me.

The castle up close was so much more than I could have dreamed of from my hillside. The towers caressed the clouds and kissed the Scottish wind as it passed. Thousands of guards and trained men were everywhere you turned. The royal gardens bloomed every flower a Queen could wish for and grass that had seemed to be watered from the fountain of youth itself. Guards stood port at every turn, every door, every corner; though I am sure most of them had never seen the Queen from their posts. I was granted a special uniform, far different from my druids and nothing like those of the guards. The direct guard of the queen wore a distinguished outfit that other guards and members of the castle could recognize since I would be granted special privileges. The matte black, 11-button up, fastened all the way to my neck with a patterns of swirls and waves scattered across in stitching of black silk. My long brown hair was tightly pulled into a bun, luckily many men in the palace had shoulder length hair so it wasn't that I stood out. My father had made sure to scratch up and fade any major feminine features I had. My flattened breasts from years of restriction, my committed years to the army, hard work, and many friendships supported my claim for being a man simply gifted with a more feminine face. Fitted with shined black boots and black pants my sword was switched as well. That of one that felt heavier than the one I had looked after for years, one gold stripe ran down the center and the royal family crest over the handling.

 I stood looking over my appearance in the mirror of my new chambers. It was the room nearest to the Queen's chambers, but still quite far down the long hall. I looked nothing like my own appearance I had grown to recognize. All of my past was gone besides the history and training I held within myself. The single thing I had kept was the long bandage I had used to seal my small chest from any questioning or notice through my uniform. I was only granted a short training speech before escorted to a large room that looked as though a fancy ball would be held within it. The porcelain floors shined, showing my own reflection as I glanced down. Beautiful candles hung on large golden metal rungs from the tall ceiling. An incredibly detailed painted covered every inch of the ceiling with artwork of angels and clouds above. Strong, wide rock pillars stood from floor to ceiling with it's own detail or artwork and royalty. The enormous windows were shaded with cream colored silk sheets, golden stitching swirled throughout each one. The vast room was empty besides the posted guards and royal staff that passed through. A few others have stood near myself, aweing in the beauty of the room. I had overheard how they were new to the castle as well, new staff with ranging of positions from maids, to stablemen, basic knights, and other. Those who had introduced themselves to me during this short time did not even have to ask of my duty. The outfit itself described who I was, no other person was dressed with any similarity to myself. The garments had been pulled from storage for me, there were numerous copies of my clothing made in differing sizes in preparation of a new bodyguard at any moment of a different size than the last.

"Her majesty approaches!" an announcer shouted, swinging two grand doors open. My body tensed, standing at attention merely an instinct instead of a forced action I much remember. One by one she met each new member of her staff. I stood at the very end of the line, furthest from the door she had entered. My gaze kept straight, not looking to anything particular but more just gazing. I tried to watch out of the corner of my eye without moving. Slowly, I could begin to see the details of her. She was dressed in a dark blue silk dress with golden details stitched down her arms and over her back. Atop her curled and braided hair was a string of diamonds connected on cloth purposed for holding back her fallen hairs. In the time I had taken to notice the small details of her dressing, I had not realized how close she had gotten until she stood in front of me. She turned, her eyes meeting my own, my gaze broken from nothingness and fixed onto her emerald eyes. Her height only a few inches below myself. 

"Cadeth Marie, your majesty." I bowed taking her hand as it rose in front of me and pressing my lips against her angelic skinned knuckles just as I had been trained, the same as she was trained to present her hand. The fragrance of vanilla and flowers flooded over me. I was almost embarrassed with how rough my hands must have been felt to her. As I looked up towards her, still bowed over and lips ghosted over her skin, her eyes gleamed, but face stayed masked with no emotion. The pain she felt from losing her trusted protector still lingered heavy on her heart, you could see it in her eyes. Slowly I began to stand, our eyes not breaking connection. I was waiting for her to speak, but she said nothing. We lingered, frozen in time. Her gentle hand cradled in mine as we watched each other. She broke our gaze without word, turning and heading back the way she came. 

She stopped at the door, turning to us all. With a clear of her throat and brisk lick of her pale rose lips she greeted us. "Thank you for what you all have volunteered to do, the castle wouldn't be what it is without people like you. Welcome home." Her eyes glanced over all the beaming new staff, landing on me with her last words.  At that moment her eyes told me everything I needed to hear. At that moment I knew... we both knew;
This was the beginning of our undoing, but I couldn't be more excited to start.