Three hours had shot by for Shourya, who had been kept busy, running errands for the Captain as well as attending to his duties, which was mainly made up of ensuring the soldiers were all in the right place as well as checking on their moral among other things.
Right now though, he was standing outside of the door to the main hall. The moment she had said it would, the doors were opened.
Pavitra's voice could be heard inside. "Lieutenant Shourya. Please enter."
Taking a deep breath, he walked inside. Pavitra was on the throne which was within the middle of the room, the three captains as well as that general and his captains were inside as well. Aside from them, there were a few other military representatives and some officials. There also that scribe who was sitting on a chair at the side recording all of the events that were taking place.
He only paused for a second and continued to approach Pavitra on the throne, she just watched him as he walked. Then as per the normal custom. He bowed down and gave a military salute when he was exactly ten paces away from the thone. Standing at attention he then waited for her to speak.
Seeing that he had done everything by the book and exactly right, Pavitra sighed in her head before she began to speak.
"Shourya. In the battle at the bridge, it has come to my attention that you had killed an enemy officer and alongside that, you also were the one who killed the Count. Is there anyone who rejects these claims?"
The room was silent, no one spoke up to deny anything.
Then she carried on. "In light of your actions as well as your personal skill in combat. I was hard-pressed to find you a role. So today I am formally establishing my own personal guard. Shorya, I ask you today. Will you become my guardsmen? Protect me and my subjects from harm? Last, of all, will you uphold the laws of the state and the faith?"
Her questions were all basic and yet they were all slightly different from the normal vows of a personal guard. Shourya though found them just right. "I do swear to all of this."
His reply was short and yet it was also perfect.
"Then get onto your knee." He did as he was told almost instantly. Once he had done so, Pavitra stood up and walked over to him, in one hand was her sword. Standing before him, she tapped the flat edge of the sword onto both of his shoulders.
"Now rise. Shourya, the commander of my personal guard."
Her words shocked him. He had only asked to be a personal guard, not their commander!
He couldn't refuse her though. Not here anyway. Slowly he stood back up to the applause of everyone within the room. As he turned around, he was a little unsure what he should do now. So he awkwardly walked to the side of the room. Pavitra watched him for a few seconds, smirking at his clear awkwardness. Then she sat back into the throne itself.
"Well, this is not what we had planned." Her little joke sent a few chuckles throughout the room.
"To business, our goal is still the same. But for now, I think it would be best if we secure this city first and make sure it is cleaned and fixed and secure. It will be a major supply point for us, connecting us to the capital. Are there any objections?"
No one said a word and just continued staring at her.
"If that is the case, we will do that. I do want scouts sent out along the path though and for positions to be marked down for possible campsites. Then I want them to find a good location for the fort itself within the valley."
Her words were met with a small nod, from the ranger commander. He was happier with this than just sitting around within the city.
"Now, other smaller tasks will be handled via the administration. If anything requires my immediate concern please send a runner to get me. The meeting is over. You may all go. Shourya accompany me."
As everyone left the hall, he quickly moved over to Pavitra's side. After waiting for everyone to go, she smiled massively at him.
"How did you like my surprise?" She was excited clearly.
Shourya did not know really what to say, "Uhh well I was definitely surprised. I didn't see it coming, that is for sure."
His reply was yet again not exactly what she had wanted, leading her smile to start to disappear a bit. "Well as my personal guard you have to be nearby me at all times, not only that you will also be in charge of the other guards and arrange the defense of the palace and or keep in which I am staying. Aside from that, there is not really much."
Her small explanation of his duties was short and yet she was right. For now, at least there were not that many at all. In the future, it would probably increase but for now, the main one would be just ensuring her safety.
"Pavitra, what about over guards? I can't do it all on my own you know."
She looked at him smiling for a second. "That is why I have arranged for a trial to take place. Those who pass will be allowed onto the training course, where they will be trained to the highest possible standards by well me. After all, I am the only one who knows the actual training program of the royal guard. Then those who do not drop out from that training will be allied to be my personal guard. It is simple and yet those who get to the end will be on a level compared to the royal guard."
Everything she said sounded great, even he had heard of the rumors at how tough the training of the royal guard was.
"So I will be overseeing with you?"
Pavitra just looked at him like he was silly.
"No. We take part. You are their leader, you have to show you are the best."