A Captain's Desire

It had all started with a glass of Merlot.

Myrin thought back to the bottle of wine he had shared with his beloved Rhyga, a few hours earlier. Now, as he sat on the ruins of a destroyed column, he looked around at all of the destruction and chaos on the palace grounds. He noted the blood dripping down the tip of the spear his commander had used to kill the assassin sent to murder their High King. It reminded him of the glass of Merlot, now spilled and dripping down the side of the white tablecloth of the restaurant he had been at, enjoying what he hoped would be the first of many dates with the alluring Ryga.

How could a simple, hopeful evening out turn into such chaos and disaster?

A few hours earlier

Captain Myrin Dhojhar, second in command of the Sapphire Knights Guard, was finally getting his much-needed day off. Being an elite guard for the High King Meridon, ruler of the Elotra City, did not often grant the young captain much time for a personal life. Although the city had become the pinnacle of futuristic society after the World's War, his order had historically certain restrictions related to dating and marriage. But the High King was finally adapting the rules and bringing the order into the 25th century. Myrin had anxiously been awaiting a certain proclamation and was ecstatic when the notification alerted on his holopad

All warriors of the Knights Guard are henceforth entitled to own land and are no longer restricted from attachments or marriages.

~War Council, 24 Mar 2430

Myrin re-read the notification several times just to be sure. Words confirmed, his thoughts drifted to the woman he had wanted to take on a date for years and about the path his life had taken.

When he first joined the warrior guild, he had aspirations to be initiated into the High King's protectorate, the Sapphire Knights Guard. He had grown up in the underbelly of Elotra City, cluttered with gangs and violence and poverty. Most nights, he would stare up at the glittering skyscrapers with the aerial crafts zipping by and dream of a better life.

Being the shield of the King granted him that life. He pushed himself in every area of study to be at the top of his class. It was not until his Archery classes, that his top spot in training was threatened.

It was not a period that Myrin was likely to ever forget. His memory provided a colorful description of when he first met…her. It was as if the skies were dull and sunless, filled with dense, turbulent clouds and when she appeared, the clouds parted to reveal the sun and light her path as she entered the garden.

In the palace Archery training yard, the different classes of students were preparing to begin target practice. It was the first time in training where the Rangers, Warriors, Mages, and Assassin Recruits all completed the same courses of instruction together.

Myrin was struggling with the mechanics to grab an automated training arrow from his back quiver and nock it to his bow. He had never struggled with any of his courses and was growing increasingly frustrated that this was not coming second nature to him. As he continued to struggle with his bow, he heard a strong melodic voice come from behind him:

"You're grip is all wrong. That is why you struggle. Here, let me show you."

Myrin looked back to behold the loveliest sight he had ever seen. A woman, who was dressed in the brown and green silks of the Scout recruits, stood before him with her cloak blowing in the wind. She had a cream Dragonbone Synth bow strapped to her back and her curly auburn hair was tied smartly in a fishtail braid, worn down her right side. Her skin, a warm sepia in tone, glowed with a faint bronze. Or at least it seemed that way to Myrin.

But most striking about her was her eyes…a deep mesmerizing hazel with gold and green flecks distinctly present. Myrin found himself hard press to look away and continued to stare at her until he returned to his senses. Slowly, he remembered she had offered her assistance.

Myrin chuckled, " Is it that obvious how much I am struggling? I would gladly accept your assistance, Lady - ?"

A small smile appeared on the woman's face as she responded, "No such royalty here. Mhorhyga Perleth at your service." She swept into a mock curtsey and they both shared a laugh.

"Most everyone here calls me Rhyga though. You may call me that as well. Now to your grip and stance."

Rhyga began to correct his archery form and gave him some tips and tricks for aiming and shooting. She was a natural and he was slightly above a hot mess but slowly his form improved.

And that was the way that month of training went. He and Rhyga were inseparable and spent many hours training together. The other part of their time was spent time talking in the gardens. He loved her ferocious nature. Her skill with her bow and daggers was unrivaled; she easily bested him during some of their training sessions. When the time came for the selection of the leaders of the individual scout parties, no one was surprised that her name topped the list.

Myrin himself had gotten his desire of being selected for the Knights Guard. But after all of his time spent with Rhyga, it was a bittersweet selection. Joining the Knights Guard meant giving up his attachment to her. Attachments went against the oath they swore as Elite Guards. The council did not want their loyalty divided: High King or Family. Rhyga had no such oath and was free to choose her path, which brought him great stress. How could he selfishly ask her to wait for him with no promise of the future?

Myrin, still sitting in his office, holopad in hand, thought back to the oath he made to her almost 4 years ago. He promised her that he would find a way for them to be together and when the time came, he would take her to the grandest restaurant in the city for their first date.

And now it seemed the moment had come. Calmly, as he did not want to seem overly giddy in front of his fellow warriors, Myrin walked out of his office and took the lift down to the Scouts headquarters. He thought of the words he would say to Rhyga and suddenly became very nervous.

"Uhh, my dearest Rhyga would you honor me with your presence for dinner? No, that sounded too formal. She would turn me down in a heartbeat."

Myrin wiped the sweat that had started to collect on his face as his nerves increased. A battle-hardened warrior and he was nervous to ask a woman on a date. His friends would have teased him mercilessly if they could see him at this moment.

Myrin banged his head against the door separating him from the inner sanctum of the Scouts. This was going to be harder than he thought. He stood before the door trying to come up with something charming to say when he heard a familiar melodic voice come from behind him.

"I sure hope that you sound more intelligent than that when conversing with the High King, my dear Captain".

Rhyga, as quiet as ever, had snuck up him. She had been gone for several weeks on a scouting assignment. She had been vague with the details in their daily chats on their VidComms, not wanting to divulge too much before she was certain. but she had said something about trouble brewing in a neighboring city, Malgul. Though she looked tired, she was as lovely as ever and Myrin was almost tongue-tied. He blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"Rhyga, dinner yes? Go with me? First Date? Tonight?"

Myrin almost face-palmed himself in embarrassment. Rhyga's laugh filled the courtyard as she took in Myrin's flustered state. After a beat, Rhyga put him out of his misery and responded,

"I see you have read the king's new proclamation? Of course, Myrin. I would be glad to have dinner with you. What did you have planned?".

Now with the hard part out of the way, Myrin regained his charm and told Rhyga of his plan. As he had promised several years ago, they were to meet this evening at the Scarlet River, the grandest restaurant in Elotra City. With the details situated, both he and Rhyga departed to get ready for tonight.

Although Myrin hoped to have a quiet uneventful evening tonight, he still strapped his daggers in his leg sheathes. Soon the time came, and Myrin headed to the Scarlet River for his date. Finally settled at the balcony table, he anxiously waited for Rhyga to arrive. The restaurant had one of the highest points in the city, providing a view of the pale blue glow of the palace and the surrounding city skyscrapers and floating houses. He ordered a bottle of Merlot, one of her favorite wines which he had discovered during one of their nightly garden talks.

Rhyga made her grand appearance a few minutes later. Wearing a glittering emerald dress and her curly auburn hair flowing freely, she commanded the attention of everyone in the restaurant but her gaze rested solely on Myrin.

She settled into her seat and smiled warmly at him.

"You are a man of your word Myrin. This is the grandest restaurant I have ever been to!"

They settled into comfortable conversation; trading hilarious stories and childhood memories. It was just like old times, but there was something deeper too. They could finally express how they truly felt about each other without fear. Myrin raised his glass of wine to say a small toast and to finally confess his deepest feelings to Rhyga.

"Rhyga, I –."

Myrin was cut off as far-off explosions rumbled the restaurant and knocked over glasses and plates on the dining tables. He quickly looked in the direction of the palace and saw fiery red smoke rising from the palace gates and sidewalls. Both he and Rhyga rushed to their feet and quickly made their way out of the restaurants. The king was in danger and they needed to help their sisters and brothers in arm.

As quickly as possible, they arrived at the palace gates and saw the source of the explosions. Warriors, wearing the black, red, and gold symbol of Malgul, were attacking the palace and city. As quick as lighting, Rhyga drew two small but deadly daggers that had been sheathed in her thigh holsters. Despite their current situation, Myrin could not help but smile as he drew his dagger.

Back to back, they fought their way past debris, bodies, and menacing warriors to the throne room, where the Knights Guard would be protecting the king. As they entered the throne room, Myrin took in the broken columns from the explosions and saw his commander standing with his spear over a dead assassin.

With the king secured and exhaustion setting in from the many enemies he had slain, Myrin took a seat on one of the destroyed columns littered about the throne room. Rhyga sat down next to him and watched as guards scattered about to clean up the mess and the healers checked on the wounded. Rhyga gently placed her head on Myrin's shoulder,

"Well, that was some first date. Can't wait to see where our next date adventure leads us!"

Myrin could not contain his roar of laughter.

"I owe you another glass of Merlot, darling. Life with you is never dull Rhyga."