I looked solemnly at our two hands joined together. Two thoughts raced through my mind:
1. When in my life had I ever held such a hot guy's hand?
2. How was I supposed to end a WAR?
I calmed myself before turning to Boris. I am realistic about my strengths and weaknesses. Overall, I was smart book wise, had a good sense of humor and was cute. My weaknesses were anything to do with sports or any physical training. In short, I had no skills that would help them for war. My alleged intelligence could not assist them with strategy because I knew nothing about war and my corny jokes were not funny. My cuteness was not anything legendary and, in my modern world, was only enough to get a free extra scope of ice cream.
However, I was sure that I could develop some kind of valuable skill that would allow me to be of some use as a "Guardian". I just needed them not to kill me or cast me out right now because I currently still deadweight.
"Are you a forest faerie?," Boris asked me curiously as he touched my dark wavy hair, "I met a forest faerie once and he looked similar to you."
I assumed there weren't many people who looked like me here which is how he reached that conclusion. However, a forest faerie sounded like a powerful, magical and useful being that I failed to meet the requirements of.
"No, she's obviously part of the dog clan. Look at her mannerisms and hair," Grey had not moved his hand from on top of mine until now where he firmly placed both hands on top of my head. He then began to pat my head like a puppy and it felt surprisingly nice. I found myself snuggling into his hand because I had been so touchstarved since Zack left me.
Grey looked extremely happy as he looked down at me. When we made eye contact however, he began petting me faster and more forcefully.
"I think it's a mistake that she's my Guardian. She isn't made for this War. We should wait until we find the next dog tribe then release her there."
That would not be a good idea, Mr. Warlord. I had no clue about this world. Countless images of me dying, being sold as a slave to someone or worse started floating through my head.
It was inadvisable to overly touch a warlord but the grey haired man seemed to have a soft spot for me. I didn't want to be manipulative but I needed to increase the chances of my survival. I plopped myself into Grey's lap and wrapped my arms around his thick neck.
"Luna doesn't want to leave you, Mr. Warlord " I said in the sweetest, most innocent voice I could muster. I slightly gagged at my own audacity. The silver haired man was so surprised that I felt a tremor pass through his entire body. Boris laughed before he began to speak.
"Grey, it's not a mistake. I know you want to do this alone because of..." Boris trailed off and looked at Grey significantly, "But having this maiden by your side will help you. She is a gift sent to you by the heavens!"
"We don't know that Boris," Grey said as stared at my exposed leg and turned bright red for the third time. He had stopped petting me when I sat on his lap but he suddenly began again with more vigor.
"Then let's use the necklace to determine if she is." The blonde reached under the uprooted table and into a cloth pouch. The "necklace" was made out of what looked to be silver with two large red stones that matched Grey's eyes. To be honest, it looked much more like a fancy collar for a pet than something a person would wear.
"Why do I need to put that on," I had removed my arms from being entangled about Grey so I could better see Boris.
"It is infused with my mana," I was surprised Grey answered me, "Only my guardian can wear that." Boris handed him the collar and kneeled silently next to his friend. After a few moments passed, with shaking hands, Grey took it and placed the collar-like necklace around my neck and clicked the clasp closed.
Within a few seconds, indescribable pain shot through my entire body. I held in a scream.
"How do I get it off her Boris?" I could barely hear Grey's voice as the world flashed white for a moment.
"Wait," I heard Boris reply through my labored breathing.
Grey picked me up and set me gently on the bed. His dark browns scrunched together as he watched me. The pain slowly ebbed away until I only felt a dull ache. I weakly looked between the two men.
"She survived. I was correct," Grey's brows furrowed at Boris's words.
"You must keep me Mr. Warlord," I pathetically pleaded as my collar shined brightly around my neck, "This proves I am your guardian."
Grey was about to respond to me until the sound of a trumpet sounded in the distance.
"It's a surprise attack!", yelled a solider from outside the tent, "Wake up!"