“Stand your guard!” Han held a wooden sword, taking an attack position against a boy. The Commander’s red cape draped his left shoulder, he had short black hair, and a trimmed beard. “I shall attack first.” Blue-gray hills surrounded them as a cool, crisp breeze swept through the tall grass. The multitude of knee high blades rippled like waves across an ocean.

Edward drew his wooden sword, taking a defensive position. “I am ready High Guard.” He stood by a large Cobalt Oak in the land of Naught. The silver-blue tree shaded them as a Crimson Jay chirped to the new sun’s cycle.

Five more High Guards surrounded a carriage, watching the fight. They cheered on the boy Prince as a carriage driver tended to four horses. The steeds needed water before the last stretch of their journey back to the Fletching Kingdom. The journey to anoint the Prince a potential Emperor was over. A little girl with an open book watched the practice duel.

“Quiz me,” she pleaded to one of the guards.

Von took the book, asking, “What is a nal?”

She smiled, smoothing her hands down her plain brown dress. “A nal is a measure of time. There are twenty in a day, what we call a sun’s cycle.”

“Good . . .” Von glanced up, noticing Han was ready to begin, so he hurried the next question. “What is a mite?”

She giggled. “A nal consists of a hundred mites, it also measures time.” She beamed with pride, knowing the next fact. “There are two thousand mites in a sun’s cycle.”

“Well done,” Von said. “What is a zoc?”

“It measures distance. A horse can run a zoc in six mites.”

“Good, good . . .” He handed the book back, turning his full attention to the Prince and Commander. “Let us watch the duel.”

Han thrust his small wooden sword, and Edward blocked.

“Excellent,” the Commander told him. “Now we need to work on countering.”

Han repeated the attack, and Edward blocked, then thrust toward the Guard’s belly. Han blocked, then stripped the Prince of his sword, and the weapon fell near the carriage.

“Never believe you have the upper hand.” Han’s face hardened. Edward was so much like his father the King, so arrogant and fallibly confident. Not cruel, but self-centered. The Commander hoped his future King would be a good ruler, one with a heart for the people. “Let up your guard in the least, and your enemy shall take advantage.”

The Prince bowed his head defeated, he hated losing. “I do not see why I have to practice the sword.”

Han sighed. “You must learn to defend yourself, my lord.” He leveled his blade on the Prince. “You must be able to protect yourself.”

The little girl gasped, dropping her book, then ran to Edward’s sword, picking it up. She ran behind Han, jumping on his back, then placed the wooden blade next to his neck. The girl declared, “Not as long as there are High Guards to protect him.”

Han laughed. “So little one, are you a Guard?”

“Yes,” she answered.

He grabbed the sword, then rolled her off his back into his arms.

Edward kicked the dirt jealous that Han’s attention was on the girl. “Girls cannot be Guards. Girls are not allowed to handle weapons.”

Han put the child down, then looked her over. “You know the Prince is right, little one. What’s your name?”

She admired the man, towering over her. “I’ve only been called girl. I’m . . .”

“The peasant was never given a name,” Edward interrupted, looking down on the girl. “Her mother died when she was born, she has no father, and so has no name. My mother the Queen took pity on her, and made her my playmate.”

Han rubbed his black beard, examining her. “You are what, eight?”

“Nine,” she replied. “Two seasons younger than the Prince.”

“Why haven’t you picked yourself a name?” the Commander questioned.

She batted her big brown eyes. “I don’t know what to call myself.”

Han glanced over those gathered, focusing on one of his men who was an Archer, then grinned. “How about Pluck?”

“Pluck?” she repeated.

“Pluck is not a girl’s name.” Edward sneered, wondering why the Commander never picked a name for him. He was the Prince. “Anyway, is that not the heart, liver, and lungs of a slaughtered animal. Why do we not just call her Entrails?”

Han frowned, shaking his head. “Never mind the Prince, he can be spiteful when he loses a duel.” The Commander turned his gaze back to the girl. A name was very important, it identified who you were, who you could be, and once given no one could take it away. “Pluck also means resourceful courage and daring in the face of adversity.”

She smiled. “I like Pluck.” She delighted in how the word rolled off her tongue, and that it was something that belonged to her.

“But Pluck is not a girl’s name,” Edward insisted, stomping his foot. “It is not proper.”

“True . . . True . . .” Han looked to the girl. The Prince was right, the name wouldn’t be accepted in the Fletching Court. “Perhaps I should pick another.”

“No. I like it.” She pleaded with her small hands, fearing he would take it away before it was hers. “Really I like Pluck. Please let me keep it. Something that’s mine.”

Han’s face softened, thinking, “Poor child. To have nothing in this world, not even a name.” He raised his wooden sword, and tapped her on each shoulder as if knighting her. “Pluck it is.”

Edward rolled his blue eyes. “How much longer until we leave?”

Han looked to the carriage driver.

“If we’re to ride non stop to the castle, the horses should rest a few more nals, Commander.”

“Then we shall.” Han scanned the prairie. “Why don’t you play, my lord. It isn’t every sun’s cycle you’re allowed beyond the walls of your castle.”

Edward’s pout vanished. “Well . . .” He looked over the blue-gray hills, then saw a forest in the distance as a mischievous grin crossed his face. “I could busy myself for a nal or two.”

“Good then. Just stay where we can see you and don’t go into the forest.” Han turned to his men. “Bulwark and Von keep an eye on the children. The rest of us shall ride ahead to the village and pick up our supper. We shall be back within the nal.”

“Yes sir,” Bulwark and Von replied.

“This way,” Edward commanded, scurrying through the tall blue-gray grass as if chasing something. “I saw a Prairie Toad. Let us see if we can catch it.”

“Where?” Pluck ran after him carrying the Prince’s wooden sword. “I don’t see a toad.”

“There!” He pointed at the imaginary amphibian then thought, “I need to get us closer to the forest then wait till the Guards are not looking.” He glanced at the girl. “All I have to do is convince her to follow me.” He smirked. “She is very devoted. It may not be as hard as I believe.” He told her, “The toad is heading into the forest.”

She stopped then shook her head. “We can’t. Han said we’re not to go in.”

Edward also stopped. “He did, but who is the Prince?” He raised his chin pausing. “Anyway . . .” A sly grin crossed his face. “I shall need a Guard to accompany me.”

Pluck’s face brightened as she pointed to herself. “You mean me?” She motioned back the way they came. “But what about Bulwark and Von?”

The children looked across the prairie to the warriors. The two High Guards were distracted by a traveler asking directions.

“We shall not be gone long. They shall not even know we are missing, so come.” He headed into the forest. “It shall be an adventure like those told in stories.”

“I don’t know.” She followed him searching the trees. “What if Necroms live here?”

“Necroms,” he laughed. “They are told to scare little children.”

“I am a child . . .” Pluck sighed still scanning the forest apprehensive as she gripped the sword. “I am scared.” She bit her lip not wanting to go but did, desperate to protect the Prince no matter how frightened she was. “There are reasons children shouldn’t go into dark woods.”

Summer green shrouded the forest as Black Feathered Yaws sang to the new sun’s cycle. Their high pitched shrills echoed across the forest as pine scented the air. Trunk Beetles buzzed about the children as Edward led them down an animal trail. The canopy thickened the farther they ventured. The woods darkened as the sun found little passage into the forest domain and the air grew cool.

“We better go back.” Pluck searched the shadows for monsters as misshapen trees frightened her.

“Are you afraid?” Edward’s heart pounded for the excitement knowing nothing would turn him back.

“Yes,” she admitted. “Please, let’s return.”

“Just a little farther, then we shall. Look . . .” He pointed to a structure hidden in the vegetation. “What could it be?”

“A temple? Maybe . . .” She saw statues of a Woolly Tiger, Fire Lion, Striped Cheetah, and Ghost Panther guarding the overgrown entrance. Their cold stone eyes glared at them warning them not to enter. “I don’t think we should go in.”

“Nonsense. There is nothing to be afraid of. There is no one else out here.”

“That’s why I’m afraid.” Her little hands trembled as she readied the wooden sword. “I’m the only one here to protect you.”

In the distance, Bulwark and Von shouted, “My lord . . . Prince Edward . . .” Their cries were frantic. “Where are you?”

Pluck started to shout.

“No,” Edward commanded, staring at the temple that beckoned him. “I am not done with my adventure. They shall find us when they do. Come.”

“I think we should let them know where we are.”

Edward turned to her and his piercing blue eyes stared at her. “Do you love me?”

“What?” His question surprised her.

“Do you love me?” he repeated.

“Yes . . . I have always . . .”

“Then come with me,” Edward interrupted, feeling nothing for her. She was an object, something to own, something to rule . . . He attacked her heart, the one muscle vulnerable to words . . . to lies . . . A simple gesture . . . a smile . . . and she was his. His mother taught him well. “If you love me, you shall do as I say.”

Pluck didn’t answer him just nodded.

Edward rushed into the structure following a long pale-white hallway. Brass torches lit the stone passage.

“Someone is here.” Everything within Pluck told her to run, to flee from this place. “Someone had to light the fires.”

“Let us see.” He steadied himself on a cold stone wall determined to continue. “This temple must protect something,” he thought. “I must know what it is.” Edward told the girl, “This is my kingdom and anyone here is my subject.”

Pluck bit her lip again. “That doesn’t mean they’ll obey you.”

The hall opened to a large room with a round blue pool. Steam hovered above the water like a ghostly mist. A bush grew from a platform in the middle of the water and on it a single white flower budded.

Edward’s eyes widened. “A Mystic Rose!”

“A what?” The flower’s beauty awed her.

“A Mystic Rose. It is written they possess great power.” He licked his lips greedily then breathed deeply smelling the Bud’s sweet aroma. “It is said the Rose was the only magical thing brought to the Fletching Kingdom.” He rubbed his palms. “I must have it.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t. It belongs to someone.” Pluck noticed more statues of large cats encircling the room. “Please, let’s leave.”

“I am the Prince. What I want, I possess.” He crossed stone steps to the bush. Glittering sparkles surrounded the Bud like fluttering pixies. Carefully he grabbed the stem of the white Rose breaking it from the bush. He waited a couple of moments to see if anything would happen then headed back.

“See . . . Nothing . . . Now let us return.”

Pluck looked around holding her breath, sighed, then studied the Bud. “May I touch the Rose?”

He thought on her request. “You may, but only once.”

She touched the white petals of the Flower with her left hand then slid her index finger down its stem.

“That is enough.” Edward pulled it away.

“Ouch . . .” Pluck put her finger to her mouth. “The Flower bit me.”

“Huh?” He examined the stem. “It did not bite you. You caught your finger on a thorn. See . . .” Edward showed her. “There is a little blood here.”

The thorn absorbed the blood as she looked. The Rose’s petals changed from white to blue. Pluck smiled, then giggled and the Bud’s petals turned yellow.

“How pretty.” She looked to her index finger and her eyes widened as magical sparkles materialized. The multicolor lights danced about like fairies then a black dot appeared on her fingertip. Two black lines shot from the circle then split curving around to the top. The lines joined then created four separate rings up to her knuckle then the sparkles faded. “Ohhh . . . Is this magic?”

“No . . .” Edward shook his head. “It looks like a tattoo. Do you not know magic happens only for those with Royal blood?” He examined the markings thinking, “No peasant shall receive power from my Rose.” He told her, “The Queen shall not like that you have a tattoo.”

Her faced reddened with embarrassment and fear dreading the Queen’s wrath. “It’s your fault I have it for sticking me with the thorn.”

“My fault?” He frowned. “Do not blame this on me.”

Pluck pouted. “I am and I’m going to tell the Queen.”

“My mother!” Edward cringed. “You cannot. I command you not to.”

Her face grew stern. “You’ll have to do better than that.”

Her disobedience outraged him. “What did you say?”

She folded her arms. “I want something for my silence.”

“Give you something, hah!” He looked to the yellow Bud. “I shall not give you the Mystic Rose.”

Pluck laughed. “I don’t want it. I want something else.”

“What?” Edward looked around the room as if it would be there.

She blushed before whispering, “The Kiss.”

The Rose’s petals changed to pink.

Edward’s face flushed. “My first Kiss, but that is for my betrothed.” He looked her over like she was rabble. “Anyway, you are not royalty.”

“That’s true, but The Kiss only pledges your heart to the one.” Pluck giggled. “Not that you’ll marry me. I know you can’t marry a peasant.” She fiddled with the wooden sword. “This is all I want.”

He thought on her proposal. “The Kiss is meaningless to me. If it shall buy her silence.” He answered, “Agreed. I shall give you my first Kiss in exchange you do not tell my mother it is my fault you have the tattoo.” He then added, “Or that I gave you The Kiss.”

“Then it’s agreed.” She blushed again coyly. “I’ll ready myself.” Pluck placed her hands behind her back then puckered her lips.

Edward took a deep breath gathering his courage then leaned toward her lips ready to meet them. Before they kissed a howling wind whipped in chilling the air and flickered the fires lighting the room. The docile stone faces of the statues magically became angry and the children heard large cats rage. The Rose’s hue became purple as fear filled Pluck.

“Who dares!” a woman’s voice demanded like the roar of a lioness. “Who dares steal the Mystic Rose!” A woman fair as an Angel Dove soared into the room like a white apparition. “Is it ye?” She pointed a slender finger at the Prince.

Both children paled.

“Speak up child!” she demanded. “Is it ye?”

Edward looked to Pluck then stepped forward. “Yes. I took the Mystic Rose.” His fear turned to anger. “This is my kingdom, I shall take what I want.”

“Curse ye, arrogant one!” she shrieked. “Ye shall regret the sun’s cycle ye transgressed this Temple.” She floated above them. “Do ye not know I am Fairah, Protector of the Rose? Curse ye! If ye had only asked, the Rose would have been ye’s.” Fairah hovered to the ceiling as green currants of electricity surged across her body. Her long white hair stood as power flowed through her ghostly form. “Ye do not deserve the Rose!”

“My Prince,” a voice shouted from outside the structure.

“Han, here!” Edward replied, hoping his guards would save him. “I am in danger!”

Fairah raised her hands forming a ball of electricity in her palms as her solid white eyes glowed green. “They shall not reach ye in time.” She flung the energy and the ball hurled toward him.

Pluck’s heart skipped, seeing Edward in danger. “My lord!” she shouted then thought, “I must save him.” She rushed toward him pushing the Prince out of the way. “Look out!”

Edward landed on the stone floor then rolled to face Pluck as the energy hit her throwing her back, but she didn’t fall. The power lifted her into the air like a great wind. She screamed as green electricity surged through her tiny body whipping her brown hair about. Roars of Woolly Tigers, Fire Lions, Striped Cheetahs, and Ghost Panthers filled the room with unbearable noise. Edward covered his ears. A turquoise energy exploded from Pluck blowing the Prince’s black hair. The power shredded her dress ripping it from her body and she covered her nakedness with her arms and knees.

“I’m burning!” Pluck screamed, reaching her hand toward the prince. “Save me!”

Paralyzed by fear, Edward shook his head as he covered his eyes with his hands. “Make it stop! Han, save me!”

Short beige fur sprouted from Pluck’s body as a long tail formed. Tiger like claws replaced her nails and her canine teeth lengthened. Pluck screamed again, but she sounded like a Ghost Panther and her hair changed to fiery-crimson and grew longer into a full mane. Her eyes changed from brown to emerald green and her legs grew, becoming more cheetah like. The power lowered Pluck’s small frame to the floor. She wept, wrapping her furry arms around her ill-fated form and shivered as tears streamed down her face.

Edward scurried away from the ghastly sight making Pluck cry all the more. Han, Bulwark, Von, and the rest of the Guards rushed in with their rapier swords readied. Bulwark and Von hurried to the Prince then carried him out of the Temple as Han rushed toward Pluck then halted.

“By Fletching! What beast is this?” He lifted his sword to strike her. “Crell spawn!”

“Do not hurt the child,” Fairah commanded. “She is only cursed.”

“Pluck?” Han lowered his sword examining the Beast more closely. “Is that you, little one?”

She turned to him furry beige face wet with tears. “Yes,” Pluck quivered.

Han pointed his slender sword at the apparition. “Is it a fight you want, witch?”

“No.” Fairah shook her head. “My duty ‘tis over. Ye may leave in peace.”

Han turned to his men. “All of you, out.” They did as commanded then he removed his red cape covering Pluck. “Change her back.”

His request surprised her. “I cannot. As I said, there is a spell on her.”

“Why?” he demanded. “Why this hideous form?”

“The punishment was meant for the boy, but she pushed him out of the way.”

“But why?” Han repeated.

“Why does this Man not know?” Fairah wondered. “All of Fletching should know.” She answered, “He stole the Mystic Rose which I am protector of.” Fairah motioned to the bush in the center of the pool. “They should have known better.”

“Known?” He snarled, gripping his hilt. “Who are you?”

Again he surprised her. “Ye do not know me? I am Fairah. And this last place of magic has been protected by the King’s decree since the foundation of the Kingdom.”

“My dear lady, I am Han, Commander of the High Guards.” He swiped his sword pointing to the room. “I have not heard that this land is protected. You must have been forgotten by the passing of time.”

“Forgotten?” She contemplated the possibility. “Then the boy knew not to take the Rose or that in asking he could have had it.”

Han nodded.

“So I punished him for only being an arrogant child.” Fairah looked to Pluck with compassion. “Or should I say, I condemned her.”

Han demanded, “Then take back the hex.”

She sighed. “Even with my powers, I cannot. But . . .” Fairah floated down next to the girl. “There is a way.” She waved her hand over the child. “If she can receive what was promised this sun’s cycle before the Mystic Rose, the curse shall be broken.” She lifted into the air as her ghostly form slowly vanished.

“Where are you going?” he demanded.

She paused. “There is nothing more for me to guard here till another Rose blooms.”

“What about the child?” Han felt helpless. “I cannot take her back to the castle like this. Since our birth we are told to fear Necroms, despise and kill any we might come across. Look at her.” He turned Pluck to face Fairah. “She’s the very embodiment of what we hate. I understand, but the others shall not. They shall throw her in the dungeon or kill her.”

Fairah shook her head with disdain. “This is how they praise heroes now?” She looked around the Temple. “The child may live here. Few people venture into these woods so she should be safe.” Fairah vanished.

“No,” Pluck pleaded, turning to the High Guard. “Don’t leave me here. Not alone.”

Han felt for the girl. Her life had been hard enough, now with the curse . . . “I am sorry, but you can’t return with us. They shall not understand. Too many in the court still fear the myth of the Necroms.” He left then returned, placing on the floor the supplies they purchased in town. “Here is some food.” He started out.

“No! Don’t leave me.” Pluck grabbed his leg. “I don’t want to be alone, not again.”

Han’s heart broke as he placed his hand on her furry head. “I vow as a High Guard I shall return tomorrow.” He beckoned to her so she would look to him. “Little one . . .”

She lifted her feline eyes.

“You sacrificed yourself to save the Prince, a duty that was ours. I shall not let you be forgotten like the protector of this temple.” He helped her onto her new legs not knowing what to say to ease her pain then noticed the wooden sword on the floor and remembered his duel with the Prince. “You have proven yourself, rules or not, I shall train you to become a High Guard. You have earned that right, now dry your eyes. Tears are not becoming a warrior.”