Abby was the kind of girl to work and keep her head low. Train, eat, minimal sleep and reading lessons. That was her daily routine. She didn’t keep her head low enough. She was knighted at eighteen, unlike her father. The local apothecary.

Being a guard wasn’t hard. She did the same things with a bit more pay. Quickly rising in the ranks. By twenty she’d been appointed your guard.

You were smart, quick witted, creative. Everything Abby wasn’t. Maybe that’s why you two worked so well. You’d teach her etiquette and she’d teach you to hold your own.

Today she’d been determined to teach you archery. Taught you to hold a bow. Your hand met your jaw as you pulled the bow back. Feeling her behind you adjusting her stance against her body. You got flustered and shot the arrow way off target.

“I think you might have better aim than me.” Abby held in a laugh. A smile on her face that made you forget of status and money. Just her being happy was enough.