It felt strange to be getting everything he had ever wanted this way.
The news had first come to him that morning, in the shape of a big, blue lioness he instantly recognized. Jian, the Empress’ shadow, was heading straight for him. At first he had been troubled, wondering if he had displeased someone somehow, though he had been going everything right. Maybe Yujin had gotten him in trouble. The Royal Guard’s grim expression certainly made it look like this would end up badly for him.
“Pindua Rangi, Ping. Yes?” The lioness practically barked when she was close enough. He thought this might be the first time he had ever heard her speak. Her voice was rough, and seemed impatient. It also occurred to him that the Empress wasn’t in the West House lands right now, and it was certainly strange that Jian was so far away from her. He gaped briefly, then nodded slowly. Yes, she had the right lion.
She only nodded curtly, then wheeled around, heading back towards wherever she came from. “Come.” A little bewildered, and certainly bemused, Ping could only hopelessly follow.
It took a full twenty minutes of trotting along before he finally worked up the nerve to ask what was going on. “Er, excuse me. What is this about?” When Jian turned to look at him, he swallowed. “Please. If you wouldn’t mind telling me–“
The blue lioness stopped suddenly then looked at him, seeming a little surprised, as if she had just remembered he was present, or why he was present, or… she had just remembered something. “His and Her Majesty have selected you to be Lóng Fengwei’s guardian.”
Considering the context he had been provided with, needless to say Ping was quite shocked by that statement. With Jian’s manner it seemed more like she was taking him to be beaten, as punishment for whatever wrong he had committed. So, helplessly, he blurted. “What?”
Jian seemed irritated, and it came to him suddenly that she was an experienced Royal Guard, the Empress’ own, and he probably shouldn’t slight her. The problem was, poor Ping was so confused he didn’t know how not to. “You will be a part of the Royal Guard, like me. You will watch over the Heir.” She replied, after a pause, almost as if he were a particularly dense child. Ugh, did he feel stupid.
But at the same time, inwardly, he was growing excited. Ever since he was a child, he had dreamed of being part of the Royal Guard. Being a member of the Royal Guard in the West had been as much as he expected, but if what Jian said was true, he would be working with Lóng Fengwei, future Emperor of Tianxia. That was huge. “W-why me? Why now?” He asked, hoping he didn’t sound upset or ungrateful. The heir was so young, and the Emperor and Empress hadn’t yet begun to take him along with them to other Houses.
“The need has arisen.” Jian said with a shrug, then, as if done with the discussion, started to trot along one more. She didn’t speak again for several hours. She had come to fetch him in the early afternoon, in the heart of the West House, and now it was well into the evening and they were just entering the Center House. Ping was growing tired, and to say he was relieved when Jian finally slowed t a stop would be an understatement. He didn’t want to make a scene, but… These lands were so irregular, travelling through them at such a pace took a lot out of you!
The blue lioness turned to face him. “I need to clear up some things with you.” Without too much effort he bit back the urge to quip about how yes, yes she did. But he did think about it. Fortunately, Ping was a sensible boy and not likely to say stupid things to important people.
“Yes, ma’am.” He nodded, trying to be as respectful and obedient as possible. He wondered when he would get the chance to inform his mother, brother, sisters and Yujin of what was going on. He was going to be a Royal Guard. He! Pindua Rangi! Ping! Son of a nanny in the West House…
For the briefest of moments Jian seemed surprised to be addressed that way, but just shrugged and went on with it. “First, you must keep the heir safe at all costs.” Including your life. He filled in, mentally. That was a given. “You must never be without earshot of Lóng Fengwei. When he is older he might instruct you to do so, but now he is a cub and you must always be with him, even if he tells you otherwise. Only His or Her Majesty may send you away.” That was strange, that he was being told to ignore orders from the Heir of the pride. It had the potential to put Ping in a rather disastrous position.
It took him a bit too long to notice she had paused to give him a chance to nod and confirm that he understood what he was hearing. He nodded, trying not to look too sheepish, even as he saw Jian quickly roll her eyes. “Lóng Fengwei is not to engage, or be engaged, in rough play. You must ignore hi requests, if he makes any, to be allowed to do so.” That seemed like a strange rule to him. The heir was a cub, playing was healthy, as Ping was sure the Emperor and Empress were aware. Moreover, again, he was being told to ignore the Heir’s wishes.
“And he must not be allowed to traverse dangerous paths, near edges, or anything that may harm him.” In a land like this, such was hard. “You have the Ting Lan and Miandui Tiaozhan’s permission to restrain him, if necessary, as long as you do not cause him harm.” It sounded more and more like a babysitting job, didn’t it? And the thought of somehow restraining the Heir of the pride was more than a little scandalous. This was not just some cub, this was the third most powerful creature in the pride. He was supposed to go against Lóng Fengwei’s wishes, even force him? The idea of picking up such a child and carrying him off against his wishes… “Of course, once he is older you will need to trust his judgment more, but for now…”
He couldn’t help it, at this point, and without properly thinking it through Ping interrupted. “I’m sorry, please, but what is this all about?” Was the heir a particularly reckless cub? In his public appearances thus far – just one, really – he had seemed a perfectly reasonable, intelligent child, as he should be.
Jian narrowed her eyes. “You will understand when the time comes.” It looked like that was the best explanation she would provide him. He wanted to repeat his question, or rework it in the hoped of getting more information, but she pressed on. “Now we will meet them.” That was enough to get Ping’s heart pounding again.
“This is a very delicate time for them. You must be on your best behavior. Better than that. Do not ask questions. If you have any, come to me. Do not say, or do, anything to displease or upset them. Lóng Fengwei especially.” As if Ping needed to be reminded not to upset the Emperor, Empress, or any of their children, especially the Heir. “You will not return to the West House anytime soon. You may wish to send a messenger to those important to you.” His heart sank briefly, if only because he was being separated so quickly, without warning.
After another pause, for him to fill in with a nod or a serious ‘yes’, she seemed satisfied he had been briefed well enough. “Let’s go.” Without waiting for him to agree, she was off again. They were headed straight for the cave at the heart of the pride. Ping had no idea what to expect when they arrived.
