Retired

Chapter 51

Chapter 51

We were headed for the palace in the emperor's armored car. "What the hell was all that formality about, Robert. You have never been a stickler for that kind of thing."

"Reporters were watching from the fence line, and I wanted absolutely no hint of impropriety when handling that bitch."

Asta laughed from her seat beside her husband. "Besides, Drake, it is always fun to see how uncomfortable your dress uniform makes you. Just feel happy we didn't make you wear full dress blacks. You would have to have a sign that read, 'Medals continued on next soldier'."

"How are the kids?" I asked.

"Cleo is bouncing off the walls because her Uncle Drake is coming to see her. Daniel is excited to show you his new hoverbike and wants you to take him for a ride. Little D can do nothing but tell people you are coming. They all miss you terribly."

"I know, Asta, but I could not retire and stay here. I had to move away, or I would never have been able to lay down my duty as a PG."

"What if I gave you a writ of exception?", Robert asked suddenly.

"My friend, you know as well as I do, the PG cannot divide their loyalties. They cannot protect you if they are worried about a loved one being hurt."

"I know, but it just isn't the same without you here. I see the faces I know, but I don't feel the trust I felt with you. I know they are sworn to protect us from any threat. I know they will do it. But I can't place blind trust in them. I always knew you would keep us safe, or die trying."

"They will too, Robert. It is what we all do."

"Listen to you," Asta said, with a mocking smile. "You still say we. You are still a part of them, no matter what you say. If someone attacked right now, you would do everything in your power to protect everyone here, and you know it."

"That is the problem, Asta. I could not protect just one of you. My loyalty would be divided."

"Your majesties, if I may speak," Lizell said softly. She was obviously nervous about being in the car with the royal couple.

"Be at ease with us, Lizell. You are among friends," the emperor said.

"It seems to me your answer is in front of your face."

"Please enlighten me. I see nothing but the dark cloud that has covered my vision since the day my friend asked to retire."

"You gave him the rank of Supreme Marshal. Let him be that. As the SM, he is in charge of the entire military. The PG is just one of his tools. He could remain in place and direct the armies in the war on your enemies. Plus, using the military intelligence branches, he could help to prevent the threats from ever manifesting in the first place. A threat prevented is a threat stopped in time to protect everyone's life."

Robert stopped to consider this for a few moments. "You would no longer be a Praetorian Guard, but you would still be in charge of them. You would be regular military again, and you would be able to marry and have children."

Asta jumped in. "That would also allow Cleo to go on an inspection tour with you. She loves the idea, but we have not been able to give it enough of an official reason to make it work properly."

The car settled to ground in the underground garage of the palace. The majority of the PG had already arrived and cleared the place. I stepped out of the car and was suddenly swept under a set of arms.

"Uncle Drake, you made it!", Cleo screamed, as she wrapped me in her arms.

Then the voice of a young man of about fourteen rang out. "Uncle Drake!"

As his arms enfolded me, a small voice started at my knee. "Unca, Unca, Unca, Unca!

I scooped up the small boy and held him in my arms. Then I kissed Cleo on her cheek and returned Daniel's hug. Finally, I kissed Little Drake's cheek and buzzed him noisily. "How are my favorite niece and nephews?"

"Unca Drake come home!", the little one shouted.

"Yes, Little Drake, I came home for a visit."

I could see Lizell's eyes grow wide as I spoke.

My greeting with the royal children was pleasant and tearful.

"Let him in the house, kids," Asta said, as they all tried to vie for my attention.

They let me go and started to lead us into the palace. Lizell stepped up next to me. "You have a member of the royal family named after you?"

"Yes, they insisted. I told them it did not sound very royal."

She stopped me and turned me to face her. "You big oaf, you do not understand at all. You may be their bodyguard but every one of them would take a bullet for you. These people love you."

"I do know, Lizell. That is why I had to leave. I could not allow them to risk themselves for me. I protected them for fifty years, but the day Cleo was shot trying to save me, I put an end to it."

"You can tell me about it tonight," she said softly, then she turned and led me after the others.