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riptideprolab · 6 years

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#sna4w The Transfer (Benalish Honor Guard)

She never thought it would end up this way. How could it? Kwambe never wanted to be a knight. She wanted to leave her homeland. She wanted to become something more, something Suq’Ata would never be able to give her. She wanted to learn from the Tolarian Academies that the Ghitu were a part of, learn magics and spells and whatever else she could about the world. Being a knight was never part of the plan. It was the last thing she wanted.

Until she met her. Palla. Kwambe (still fresh off the transfer boat to Benalia) was here to seek out more knowledge of protective magics and to attend various other learning schools such as the lesser-known Samite. She had wanted to make sure she could protect herself in a fight.

Palla changed all that. Her face, her smile, her radiance. Kwambe had met her at the park near the statue of Gerrard Capashen, and it was exhilarating to talk to her. Palla talked about how great it was to live in the city, and how she relished taking the chance to skirmish against the Cabal. She wanted to drive them from the land, to finally bring peace to Benalia and the surrounding lands, much like Gerrard did all those years ago. Kwambe, for her part, couldn’t stop looking at her. She was so beautiful. Her words were tinged with that Benalish accent, a kind of prim and proper feeling to each syllable uttered. After talking with her, they had agreed to meet up every week to continue talking stories about each other; their homelands, their lives.

One week, Palla was nowhere to be found. Kwambe had met at the same spot they usually came to and waited for some time before going to ask around the park for more information. “She had to go on an important mission,” said one man, who knew Palla. “I’m sure she’ll be back soon.” Kwambe’s stomach tied in knots. What if something had befallen Palla? What if the Cabal had taken her our and her regular talks (and growing romance) with Palla would be over, just as soon as she arrived here? This would not stand. Kwambe would find her, would protect her.

Asking a Benalish knight near the park about recent skirmishes, the knight remarked that they had just sent out some of their best to the west of the city, where some Cabal were lurking about. Kwambe suited up with her finest gear she brought from Suq’Ata, even though she had hated bringing it because of what it reminded her of. She was from bold and fierce heritage, knights born and bred to be fast, deadly, and efficient. Now, she thought, I can bring that heritage to save the one I love.

She rode out on a horse borrowed from the nearby stable (a day trip, is all she uttered to the stablemaster to try to assure him of no evil deeds to come of the horse) and rode out to find Palla. She came across the outskirts of a village, where clearly some huge battle had just taken place. Bodies were strewn everywhere: Cabal skin witches and Benalish knights, grimnants and other villagers who wanted to help defend their town littering the landscape. She looked ahead and noticed only two combatants remaining in the middle of all the fighting. She had hoped, even prayed to Serra (Palla having shared stories of her) that Palla would be okay.

Sure enough, as she rode close to the last ensuing battle, Palla was engaging with a terrible Lichknight. Clearly the leader of this group that decimated both sides, Palla was struggling on foot against the Lichknight who was on horseback. Kwambe became tense. What would have happened if she did not come looking for Palla? She could not bear to think. She summoned her courage, her Suq’Ata initial training as a child, and commanded the horse to ride forward, faster and faster. She had to intercept the Lichknight. As the Lichknight’s blade came down to sever Palla’s head after a brief respite in their fight, the clang of metal on metal came as Kwambe blocked the blow.

Palla was taken aback that Kwambe was even here, having not discussed the fact that Kwambe was even trained in martial swordplay. The shock of being interrupted in combat, the Lichknight hesitated for a moment, which allowed Kwambe to grow in courage and strength just by being near Palla. She pushed forward, thinking of all the times Palla had helped her get through the day with their stories, and how life would be without her. She severed the Lichknight’s head with one fatal stroke.

---

Palla fell backward onto the ground, out of breath. She had clearly underestimated her foe, as well as Kwambe’s power. She had felt like she had given Kwambe the courage to fight in her place, and that felt good. Kwambe came over to her, dropped off her horse, and knelt next to her. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be here to help earlier, Palla.” Palla’s heart leaped for a moment and then in a fit of passion, said “I wouldn’t have wanted you here for fear of danger, but I am so happy you are here with me now. I always want you by my side, Kwambe.”

Kwambe’s heart reacted with joy. She had found a place where she wanted to be, even if it was different from her initial mission. She wanted to be with Palla always, to help protect her from dangers within and without. “Palla...? Do you think I could become a Benalish knight?” Palla smiled deeply. “I think you could become anything with me alongside you, my love.”

She never thought it would end up this way. How could it? She never wanted to be a knight.

Now an Honor Guard, she could sport the red colors of Suq’Ata and protect Palla all at the same time.

She never wanted to be a knight. She needed to be a knight.

#sna4w #MtG #mtgcommunity #magic the gathering

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