We make our way off the road and into the trees until we’re out of sight and hearing range. I keep my magic detection close to its maximum range so I can get a sense of animals in the forest and anything that comes by the road.
The journey until sundown goes by in a flash. Princess Sylvie and Eric chat while I lead the charge and keep tabs on our environment. Just before dark, I decide on a resting place.
“It’s getting dark, let’s rest, then adjust how we’re traveling.” I motion at a spot on the ground to sit, then plop myself down
“Yes, we should rest,” Princess Sylvie says through heavy breaths.
“Ok, I could use a break," Eric says, "running earlier plus all this walking is hard.”
“Eat some more food, especially the fatty bits of meat. You’ll need the energy.” I pass the food bag again, then create a small ball of water and sip on it.
But notice Princess Sylvie staring. “Alfred, how hard are your hunting trips? You don’t even seem tired.”
“They can be challenging, especially if I’m far from home and have to carry a large amount of meat back. I guess I could carry one of you on the way back. But it might reopen the wound on my stomach.”
Princess Sylvie’s worn expression gives way to a smile. “I’m not asking you to carry me, Alfred. I’m jealous of how natural this all seems for you.”
“I’ve spent a lot of time hunting and exploring areas like this. It becomes like second nature, though I prefer having more supplies when I-”
Northwest, something big.
I lift my finger to my lips to impress the need for quiet on Princess Sylvie and Eric. The Princess covers her mouth with her hand, and Eric starts to tremble slightly.
There’s a bear maybe 100 meters up the mountain. It must’ve been sleeping - it shouldn’t be this close without me noticing. There are benefits to being closer, though.
I focus some of the magic I’ve been spreading about the area and use it to command the air’s energy to create faraway elemental magic. An earth magic spear shoots out of the ground under the bear, piercing its skull before receding back into the ground.
SNAP SNAP
It flops onto the ground and breaks some sticks on the forest floor. Princess Sylvie covers her mouth, while Eric’s trembling grows more violent.
I mimic the voice I use when speaking to Sara, and lean in to whisper. “Don’t worry, it’s moving away from us. Give me your ropes and let’s start moving again. You can keep a hand on my back or shoulder, but don’t restrict my movement, ok?”
They both nod before standing and placing their hands on my back like they’re praying at a religious site. These two aren’t cut out for this.
The rest of our walk back to Sante is uneventful. Anytime a predator nears our group, a spike grows out of the ground and eliminates them before the Princess or Eric can notice.
“Princess Sylvie, Eric, take my hands for a moment.” I hold my hands out to the two. There’s barely enough light to see them, even though we’re standing so close.
“Um, ok, is there bad terrain?” Princess Sylvie asks, then takes my hand.
“No, but I have good news.” I take both of their hands and press them into the eastern wall of the Sante Kingdom. “We’re home, keep your right hand on the wall and walk behind me down the hill to our left.”
“We’re actually back...” the Princess says as a tear rolls down her right cheek.
“We need to get the hell out of this dark, c’mon let’s go!” Eric says, rushing us. He’s been jittery ever since we heard the bear crashing into the ground earlier.
We make our way to the edge of the forest near the eastern gate. There's a bit of light from on top of the walls that lets us see each other clearly.
“Um, Princess, before we go up to the guards, can we get rid of the ropes?”
“Huh, why?" she asks, "I guess we don’t need them anymore, but I wanted to keep mine.”
Eric tilts his head at me, sharing in the confusion.
“If you want to keep the ropes, put them in the bag here.” I open the bag we’ve been carrying food and blankets in, then hold it out. “If I walk up to the guards with the missing Princess tied up in a rope, I don’t think I’ll survive the night.”
“Ahah, right, sorry, the rope felt comforting in the forest. Eric, let’s take them off.”
The three of us make contact with the knight standing guard outside the gate, and he turns white seeing us. I’m guessing these guys got an earful for allowing the Princess to be taken. That’s tough.
The knight leads us inside and readies a carriage for the royal palace.
“Um... can I just go back to my dorm? I want to clean up,” I ask, looking between the leading knight and Princess Sylvie.
“Nonsense, Father will want to thank you. We have baths and fine clothing in the palace. I will be taking care of you for the rest of the night.”
Man, that phrasing didn’t sound good. Eric is turning into an angry tomato again.
“Right, ok, I’ll go then.”
Resigned to my fate, I take a seat in the carriage.
***
knock knock
“Alfred, are you decent? Father wants to see you.”
The bath here wasn’t bad, but they’ve had an attendant suction cupped to me. She even tried to wash my back.
I exit, and Princess Sylvie leads me to a small drawing room where her father is sitting. I really hope this goes quickly.
I enter before placing my hand across my chest and bowing deeply. “It’s a great honor to be here, Your Majesty.”
“I think you’re right, Sylvie. Count Pruss drilled etiquette into his boy. Alfred, lift your head; you’ve done me a great service.”
I lift my eyes and head slowly. “You honor me.”
Father didn’t teach me much, but Shayna could’ve been special forces.
“I must express my thanks, Alfred. When my daughter was targeted in class, you confronted the enemy and drew their attention to allow her a chance to escape. You wouldn’t have been taken or injured if you hadn’t acted.”
“Your Majesty, Princess Sylvie is Sante royalty and a dear classmate. I believe anyone would have done the same.”
“Ah, but in fear no one else did what you did, that takes strength beyond your years. Count Pruss will beam with pride when he hears.”
My cheek twitches. “Oh, um, was word already sent to Father?”
“No information about the kidnapping has been released thus far. Some know there was an incident at the academy, and classes are cancelled for the rest of the week, but that is all.” The King repositions in his seat, then takes on a formal tone. “Let us discuss that in a moment; I have a few questions I would like answered.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
“Sylvie and Eric say an older man came out of the mountains and rescued you, but you were the only one who saw him. Could you please explain what my daughter and Eric missed?”
“Yes, your majesty. We were riding in the back of a carriage when a commotion started outside. In the next moment, something crashed into our carriage and broke it. Princess Sylvie and Eric seemed to faint or have been struck by debris from the impact. I rolled out of the carriage and saw an older gentleman with grey hair and black clothes fighting fiercely with the knights. I was able to remove my bindings with a sword from one of the fallen.”
“Sylvie said she woke up under the rubble of the carriage, but could you tell me more about the older gentleman? How did he fight? And did he say anything to you?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, his fighting style was unique. It was difficult to follow with my eyes. And he didn’t seem to land completely on the ground as he fought.”
Argh, that’s already more than I should say.
“Once he had dispatched the knights who took us, he asked if I was alright, then bent over and held his back, saying it hurt and he needed to go home…”
“Hmm, I see, that matches the reporting of other knights who have received his aid. Did he say anything else? Such as how he knew you were taken?”
“I’m afraid not, Your Majesty, though I wonder how much he knew...”
The King’s gaze sharpens, and I feel more pressure than I would expect.
“What do you mean, Alfred?”
“If he knew we were in the carriage, I believe he could’ve dispatched the knights without harming it. And I don’t believe the Alarian knights would’ve harmed the carriage they were holding hostages in.”
“It’s as you say, that detail doesn’t make sense. Unless a frightened horse caused the damage... our knights will investigate the carriages and try to learn more. I apologize for asking so many questions after the day you’ve had.”
I bow once more, then raise my head. “I’m happy to be of use, Your Majesty.”
“That was all I wanted to ask. But you mentioned informing your father earlier – did you want to pen a letter and explain things in your own words instead of having the castle send a messenger?”
“That’s not my intention, Your Majesty. My Mother loves her children dearly, and as such, she tends to worry. If possible, I’d like as little information about my involvement to reach my family as possible…” I add another bow, hoping he doesn’t mind some fibbing.
“Aha, a child worrying about his parents’ sanity, you’re a kind boy, Alfred. I’m afraid your involvement on school grounds cannot be kept a secret since there were so many witnesses, but beyond that, your involvement can be left private.
But this draws the Princess’s ire. “Father, Alfred led us through a treacherous forest infested with predators in the dead of night to bring us back safely. We can’t ignore such a thing.”
“Sylvie dear, I don’t intend on ignoring it, but it would be best for the Kingdom if your kidnapping never made it past the walls of Sante. That story would align perfectly with Alfred’s wishes, and I’m sure you can convince Duren’s son to say the same, but Alfred’s deeds deserve recompense. Is there anything you want or need?”
“I am humbled at the offer, Your Majesty, but life at the academy has suited me well. I can’t think of anything I lack. If you would find it acceptable, please lend aid when my Father and his territory may need it.”
“My, you are fond of your family and their lands. It’s admirable, but that’s not quite sufficient. Sylvie tells me you’re a dedicated hunter and cook in your spare time. I will be sending you the best hunting gear and finest spices we have in the Kingdom. Please use them well.”
“I humbly accept, Your Majesty.”
“Alright, I’ve kept you long enough, and I’m sure you’re tired. You’re welcome to stay at the palace if you’d like, but I won’t stop you from returning to your dorm if you wish.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I’d like to return to my dorm. I had prepared a meal to cook after classes, and I’m greatly looking forward to it.”
“Ah, a cook indeed; you’re free to leave. Sylvie, dear, please assign a knight to escort him back. The boy has accepted enough danger for one day. Let us return him safely.”
“Yes, Father. Alfred, please follow me.”
I’m escorted through a long hallway, then several flights of stairs, before Princess Sylvie stops and turns to me. “Alfred… there’s not a doubt in my mind that you’ve hesitated to spend time with me and felt unease at my presence.”
She stares so deeply into my eyes that my soul feels naked, and I pinch one of my hands.
“Despite that, you placed yourself in significant danger to protect me and escort me home. Please accept my thanks.” Princess Sylvie bows deeply and keeps her head low.
“Princess, please don’t bow to me. I did what was natural, and nothing else.” A bead of sweat rolls down my neck.
“What you did naturally helped me and hurt you...” Her words sound meek, unlike her typical personality.
“Would it help if I said I only acted because I knew Eric would get himself killed trying to help you? He was the first friend I made at the academy…”
I would’ve let them take your ass if he didn’t wake up.
“Aha, yes, that helps a little, even if it’s a lie.” She wipes at a watery eye, then rights herself with a hard inhale. “Now come, the knights are through here. Quickly, before I feel like crying again.”
The knight that escorts me back to the academy looks like he could eat me, and the healer they had see to me when I arrived did a good job too. It is the royal palace; I guess it’s filled with the best talent.
That thing about the prepared meal for when I got home was bullshit. I’m just allergic to royalty. Maybe Sylvie and Eric will get married and drop out? He did lead her away from the school. It was directly into enemy hands, but still, it was a great effort.
I flop onto my duck feather-topped bed and think hard; there’s something I should be considering.
Right, I need a test subject for the weird healing magic I saw this morning. I was able to put Princess Sylvie and Eric to sleep, but I haven’t tested the rest of it. I wonder if Jen would let me experiment on her for money... yea, that sounds wrong.
I’ll kidnap a bandit and mess with his brain a bit. That’ll work.