Authors notes: I have no idea where this came from, nor if I will continue with other one shots for the other characters. It is what it is, hope it amuses someone...

Disclaimer: Mistwalker owns The Last Story and all it's characters. I just borrow the amazing characters for a short while for this fan fiction story.

While the two leaders of the mercenary group were acting as body guards in the ball room, the rest of the gang also had guard job duties. Syrenne had been assigned to guard the beautiful gardens of the castle.

It was a simple and boring task, and was sure to keep her out of trouble. Or so their mercenary leader Dagran wished.

The Belle Of The Guards:

Syrenne's forest green eyes followed the movements of the patrolling knights from where she stood. Her back was pressed against a pillar, near the edge of the grand garden. Her arms were crossed in front of her chest, and her face was set in a scowl.

She was still pissed from her encounter with that knight Therius. Just thinking about him made her blood boil, and the scolding she got from Dagran afterwards did not help her mood. She was no fool, she knew it had been bad of her to make a scene, but that knight had no right to treat her like that.

He had of course reacted to her attitude towards the two knights by the doors. She had sent them a nasty remark, but that was because they had tried to feel up her ass. It had been very clear to her that knights thought they could do as they please. After meeting the idiots here, she did not know if she really wanted to join them.

The more she thought of it, the more she realised it was not for her. She liked the thrill of being an mercenary. To just dive into work and then take a nice drink at the end of the day. Sure, she hated the negative things. Never being liked, always treated like something the cat dragged in. She knew she did not want to continue being a mercenary without her friends, but she did not know how to tell them. Dagran worked so hard for them, to get them into a better life. She felt like an ingrate for not wanting that which he worked so hard for. Knighthood was not for her, she felt it.

Her forest green eyes landed on the guards guarding the garden alongside her. These guards were a nice sort, and they got more freedom than knights. Being a simple guard appealed more to her. Yes, that might be a good choice for her.

''Damned bastard...'' She muttered to herself, as she noticed Lowell in the window of a empty bedroom. It was not hard figuring out what he did there, probably messing around with a slutty castle maid. The odd feelings she had for the ice mage made her own skin crawl. He was a hopeless whoremonger, and a simple drunk. She hated him, but at the same time liked him. It was a puzzle for her, and she hated herself for it. The soft tunes coming from the ball room, just made her think of Ariela's tavern. The familiar thirst for ale stirred within her.''I'm so bored...''

''Oi! Miss mercenary!'' A guardsman shouted to her. His hand beckoning her to come over, a grin plastered onto his face. It seemed like he noticed her tensing, because he put a finger to his lips.'' Over here, this might brighten your mood...''

Syrenne's interest had been piqued and she sauntered over to him. Her guard was still up, and her hand rested on her blade, despite her relaxed stance. She looked at the offered bottle, and up at the merry man.'' You do realize that this ain't gonna get ye a free pass inside my panties..'' She sneered lightly, as she accepted the gift.

''You're a pretty belle, but I'm happily married.'' The guard only replied with a wink. He grabbed her hand, and lead her over to the back of the garden.'' I heard what happened with the knights earlier. My friends were there, and you did right to stand up for yourself.''

''Really? You're probably the first nice person I've met in this damned castle..'' Syrenne answered surprised, as she took a swing from the bottle. She shivered when the familiar feeling she got when drinking slowly filled her body. A happy grin appeared on her face, when hearing his words. Before following him behind the garden shed, she took one last glance up at the window. Her eyes narrowed when seeing two shadows embrace within. Hope he fucks himself to death one day...damned man..

''There are a lot of us who's decent folk..'' He answered before pointing to a man sitting on the ground.'' Even that one is a honourable and kind man. But, he acted wrongly hours ago. I thought seeing him like that would cheer you up, you're in the same boat and all.''

''I'll be damned! Sir hoity-toity got a arse spanking, eh?'' Syrenne happily mocked the tipsy man on the ground. His steel blue eyes immediately snapped up to glare coldly at her.'' Got stuck with garden guarding duty too, huh?''

''Something I can kindly thank you for, mercenary...'' Therius coldly replied with a shrug. He still felt foolish for his behaviour. He acted nothing like the knight he had taught to be. This guard duty served him right, for blackening the reputation of his commander. What he himself did, would reflect back on General Asthar.'' But then again, I have been informed by guardsmen Dave here that it seems like I was in the wrong, I apologise, mercenary.''

''Your apology skills suck, you realise that right?'' Syrenne said with a grin, happy to have this git crawl at her feet.''You spit out the word ''mercenary'' like it's some kind of piss tasting ale.''

''It is because I have never met a mercenary worth being regarded with respect..'' Therius calmly told her, while sipping on his own bottle.'' I assume you are the same, seeing as your views of knights are...well, not very pleasant''

''Maybe we should head back to our posts, before you fight again?'' Dave asked looking a bit concerned.''We can even play some cards, miss mercenary.''

''Figured that out all by yourself, did you?'' Syrenne cockily replied ignoring Dave's offer. Her eyes looked down into Therius annoyed face.'' We mercenaries may be seen as barbarian in eyes of the people, but I rather take that, than being a soulless, deceitful arsehole of a knight..''

Therius watched as the fiery mercenary turn towards Dave. He felt anger at her words, but he hated to admit they were true. Many knights were deceitful and lacked honour. They conducted themselves poorly and without etiquette. Perhaps the newcomers to the castle could prove him wrong. Maybe there were mercenaries out there who were just as good as knights..

Syrenne walked in silence next to Dave. Her encounter with Therius had got her thinking. Maybe there were hope for knights, maybe there were good folk beneath their shiny armour. Her future was unclear, but when she rounded the corner, her thoughts were pushed aside. A small group of men sat huddled together with a deck of cards. They greeted her warmly, and it was a distraction she gladly welcomed.

''All right, men! Let's go all out, shall we?'' Syrenne exclaimed happily, and threw a handful of coins on the grass. She was greeted with chuckles and the sound of coins falling on top of hers.'' Those knights are all sticks in the mud, but you lot are all right!''

''As you say, miss mercenary!'' Dave and the other men happily replied. His eyes met hers, and he felt warmed by her words. The knights often treated them badly because they were guardsmen.''Let's see what you got, spitfire belle.''

FIN.