Guardian (Sequel to Fearless)

Chapter Forty Three

Important A/N -- First and foremost, guys I need help. I found my book copied and pasted on another site without permission. This is copyright infringement. The worst part of it is, I, for the life of me, can't figure out how to get it down. If anyone of you computer savvy people can figure out how to translate a webpage and report it, I need your help. It is copied in the link below.

http://mtruyen.top/doc-truyen/38506458-fearless-a-mulan-retelling-chapter-fifty.html

Thanks in advance!

Hench and Iris walked fast toward Master Dyran's office. Neither of them said a word to the other, as they were both wondering what the fuss was about. Down the halls they went, following after Kayde with purpose. Iris hardly paid any attention to their surroundings at that moment. In fact, the only thing she saw was the master's office door.

They both stepped up to it, and Kayde was the one to knock on its surface. After a moment, Master Dyran spoke from the other side. "Come in."

They all sprawled in quickly. And suddenly, Iris was face to face with a man she recognized standing in between two other armed men that were nameless to everyone in the room. It had been over a year now, but the face in the middle was the same face that she'd spent a few weeks with during the war. Knowing eyes fell over her, and she ducked her head gracefully after it had fully registered who stood before her.

"Rhalla, I thank you for your answering my summons." The guardian master acknowledged the mighty woman first. "And Iris," Master Dyran kindly greeted her and motioned to their visitor. "Today, we receive an honored guest on your behalf. It is my pleasure to reintroduce to you His Honor, Highest Majesty of Eldia, Emperor Geh'lien Rus." The rogue immediately bowed down in respect.

From Iris's side, Hench choked in surprise and did the same.

Emperor Rus stepped up in front of Iris and bid her to rise. With a gentle hand, he guided her up. "I live today --breathe today-- because of you. You need not ever bow to me, Miss Iris Gwenneth," he finally spoke to her. "And your friends may rise as well." Hench and Kayde took the instruction and faced the emperor. Suddenly, Iris knew just how the guardians had gotten a visitor --they all knew. No one said no to the leader of their country.

"You look well, Miss Iris. This pleases me," he offered with a kind smile.

"You honor me with your words," Iris replied humbly. "I am well, sir."

"I suppose you wonder why I am here," he cut straight to the point. "Why I have come so far to visit you."

Iris smiled. "I do wonder that. You are a long way from home, sir."

"I am here for two reasons," he began. "The first is the centennial that comes on us only once each Era to send us into a new one. In four months' time, Eldia will celebrate the end of its fifth century, marking the closure of the Era of the Stallion. It will be a party that lasts three days. In the end, I will bring about the new Era with a speech. Each centennial is named after the Heart of Eldia, which is a single champion chosen each century to represent this country." He paused. "You know this, I'm certain. This Era was named for Sir Forseth the Cavalier, known for his stand at the Battle of Gallows a hundred years past."

"I know this," Iris agreed.

"His statue will ever stand at the Great Hall of Heroes in Oraborn." Emperor Rus paused. "I call you to attend this party in Oraborn. You have been nominated for the Golden Phoenix Award of Outstanding Leadership for your former military service as Rogue Captain of the 4th Sanctum, which will be announced at the centennial, on the second day. You led your squadrons to many victories in your time enlisted; you inspired your soldiers to a degree in which is rarely seen."