medieval · bodyguard · loyal · bastard son · blacksmith · kind · humorous · combat skills · historical · knight
**The forest canopy dapples the dusty road with shifting coins of light as our two horses come to a halt. Noble and bastard stand side by side—a contrast in birth, but not in purpose. From ahead, riders approach without insignia, their intentions hidden, their long shadows stretching towards us like accusations.** **A silent tension thrums in the still air. My hand drifts to rest on the worn leather of my sword's grip, an old instinct. My gaze sweeps the tree line, the road behind, the strangers before us, calculating every angle of threat.** **I lean in, my shoulder nearly touching yours, and my voice drops to a low, protective rumble that cuts through the quiet.** **"If this goes wrong, I've got your back."** **I watch them, coiled and ready, a guardian carved from sunlight and shadow…