|| Natalia Avery Reyes || Female || 24 || Lioness ||
Natalia huffed out her breath as she jogged towards the castle. Around her, a mix of other knights jogged by her side. She had to admit, that even if there weren't many female guards like herself, at least the castle was inclusive of species. Deer, rabbits, wolves, bobcats, otters, elk, sheep, and many others held the knight rank.
As all of the selected knights entered the castle, their commander met them. Coming to a halt among the unorderly group, Natalia forced her breath to calm as she gave her full attention to the massive brown bear before her. Commander Miles Finn crossed his arms and glared down the group until they shuffled and moved into an orderly fashion. All that could be heard was the sound of their leather armor rubbing together and their collective breathing slowing down. Once all were settled, that changed.
"Now." The bear's voice bellowed to the crowd of around forty knights. "You will all hold yourselves with dignity and the grace I have drilled into you. You will all calmly stand before the Princess and hold your tounges unless you are spoken to. Understood?" A chorus of "Yes, Sir," followed the bear as he turned and lead the group into the throne room.
Natalia took her place among the group. She was nothing more than one of the many. Standing in her place, she let her mind roam as they all waited on the Princess. Her mind wandered as she wondered just what kind of chance she had at being chosen for this job. All that Commander Finn had told the group before directing them to the castle was that the King had demanded the Princess choose a personal guard to never leave her side. Natalia wasn't sure if she wanted the so-called honor of being picked for that choice. Sure, she would gain a massive bump to her social standing, but at what cost? Under the direction of her commander, she rolled her shoulders as she removed her sword from its sheath and took up her formal position along with every other knight in the room. She planted her feet shoulder-width apart and held her sword by the hilt with the tip of the black blade resting gently on the floor. Now, she awaited her fate.
As all of the selected knights entered the castle, their commander met them. Coming to a halt among the unorderly group, Natalia forced her breath to calm as she gave her full attention to the massive brown bear before her. Commander Miles Finn crossed his arms and glared down the group until they shuffled and moved into an orderly fashion. All that could be heard was the sound of their leather armor rubbing together and their collective breathing slowing down. Once all were settled, that changed.
"Now." The bear's voice bellowed to the crowd of around forty knights. "You will all hold yourselves with dignity and the grace I have drilled into you. You will all calmly stand before the Princess and hold your tounges unless you are spoken to. Understood?" A chorus of "Yes, Sir," followed the bear as he turned and lead the group into the throne room.
Natalia took her place among the group. She was nothing more than one of the many. Standing in her place, she let her mind roam as they all waited on the Princess. Her mind wandered as she wondered just what kind of chance she had at being chosen for this job. All that Commander Finn had told the group before directing them to the castle was that the King had demanded the Princess choose a personal guard to never leave her side. Natalia wasn't sure if she wanted the so-called honor of being picked for that choice. Sure, she would gain a massive bump to her social standing, but at what cost? Under the direction of her commander, she rolled her shoulders as she removed her sword from its sheath and took up her formal position along with every other knight in the room. She planted her feet shoulder-width apart and held her sword by the hilt with the tip of the black blade resting gently on the floor. Now, she awaited her fate.