Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me

Copyrighting not intended

It's been a ridiculous amount of time since I last wrote a fic but the ideas I've had just never fleshed out into a proper story, Recently, however, I read a fic about a mercenary and Queen and thought it would be cool to translate this into the Negima world.


The village was quiet when she entered. It was the dead of night after all, most of the villagers would have been in bed a couple of hours before. Add on the fact that there was a heavy fog in the areas around the village, even the most veteran of travelers had stopped for the night. A light shone from one of the buildings, the muffled sounds of drunk voices reaching her ears. Setsuna tapped the pouch on her belt, smiling as the familiar edges of coins touched her finger tips. Good enough for the night, she mused.

The light was blinding as she stepped into the tavern, her eyes taking a moment to adjust to the brightness. Travelers from all walks were gathered at the tables, each drinking and making merry with their bands. Setsuna sidestepped a drunk traveler as she made her way to the counter, the elderly tavern keeper looking up at her with a smile.

"Need a room dear?"

Setsuna nodded. "Just for the night"

"15 coppers for a night."

Counting out the coins, Setsuna paid the woman who quickly shuffled up the staircase next to her.

"Well here's your room dear. Let me know if you need anything."

Setsuna thanked the tavern keeper and stepped into the room. It was small and simple, just a bed and cupboard but it was all she needed. She was just staying the night after all. She removed the cloak around her shoulders, tossing the garment into the cupboard. Her armor and belt soon followed, eliciting a sigh from the young woman as she was relieved of the weight of her equipment. Stretching to pop her joints, Setsuna let a yawn escape her lips as she pulled her hair free of its bonds. Collapsing on the bed, she closed her eyes, letting sleep overtake her.

She hadn't been asleep long before she bolted upright in bed, quiet whispers echoing through her mind. Frowning, she opened the window, shuddering as the cold wind blew into the room. Staring out into the darkness of night, she scowled as more sounds filled her head. Tearing open the cupboard, Setsuna grabbed her sword and her cloak, quickly lacing the garment around her shoulders. She would have liked to have been able to grab her armor but time was of the essence and all she could afford was her braces before she leaped out of the window. Luckily it was a mere 2 storey drop, and before long Setsuna's boots were hitting the ground as she ran out of town, hoping she was in time.

"Hey!" Her yell was enough to distract the man she had seen, his blade clutched in his hands, its tip pointed right at a young woman. He froze momentarily but quickly recovered and drove his blade down.

Setsuna tackled him from the side, knocking him off balance and away from the woman. She dropped to the ground as a blade swung towards her, her own sword meeting the offending blade as it came towards her for the second time. A growl came from the second assailant, and Setsuna turned to the side quickly, using his weight against him and kicking him away from her. She placed herself between the two men and the woman, blade at the ready.

"Step aside girl. You dare disrupt the Royal Guards?"

Royal Guards? Setsuna stared in surprise, the bright colours of the uniforms suddenly making themselves known to her. Shit. This was bad. If this was official Royal Guard business she might be in over her head. A quiet whimper of pain from behind her refocused her mind, no matter the situation, 2 men against a single girl was not a good sign.

"Royal Guards you say?" Setsuna licked her lips, eyes still watching the 2 men "You're telling me you have an official order from the king to murder this young woman?"

A loud snort came from the first man "You don't even know who she is, do you?"

Before Setsuna could ask, they lunged forward, their killing intent as clear as day. They were bigger and heavier than she was, but that didn't mean they were better than she was. Setsuna parried one of the swords, dropping low and slicing through armor to meet flesh, the ruby red blood spilling onto the ground. The man cried out in pain but still tried to get into one last attack but Setsuna easily dodged and finished him off with a blade though the chest. A sharp pain shot through her side as the last man thrust forward, the edges splitting open skin as she failed to dodge completely. The split second distraction was all the man needed to land another blow, this time to her wrist, knocking the blade from her hand. She scowled, rolling away before he landed a third blow, watching from a distance. Luckily her bracer had caught the blade and it didn't meet flesh.

"Leave." He commanded "You have no business here. You can leave with your life if you go now."

When Setsuna showed no signs of backing down, he unhooked a pouch from his side, tossing it to the side carelessly. The pouch spilled opened, revealing an impressive amount of coins.

"People like you like money, so take the money and pretend you saw nothing."

The coins gleamed in the moonlight, and judging from what she could see, Setsuna knew it would be enough to replace her all her equipment and still have some to spare. It was not mere change. Looking to her other side, Setsuna stole a glance at the young woman she had stepped in to save. She had fallen unconscious sometime ago, during Setsuna's scuffle with the 2 men, red staining her hands and side. She really could use the money, but Setsuna had already made up her mind, even if it was just to annoy the man that had just slapped her with a stereotype.

"Yeah well. You can go screw yourself." Setsuna scowled, angering the man.

"Bitch!"

Now that she had no weapon, Setsuna was at a clear disadvantage, but luckily for her, her opponent was angry and clearly tired. His swings were sloppy, which made it easy to predict his movements. She twisted out of the way, grabbing the man's wrist as she redirected the blade unto the man's neck, blood spurting onto her face as the life left his eyes.

"Damnit." Setsuna pushed off the man, wiping the blood from her mouth.

She grabbed her fallen blade, then made her way to the unconscious woman by the road. Now that she was closer, Setsuna could see a small dagger sticking out of the woman's side, still buried in flesh. She had to pull it out, leaving it in would cause more damage, especially if she was moved. Grabbing the hilt, she froze as a groan came from the body under her. Unfocused groggy eyes looked at her, neither afraid nor curious.

"Hey. I gotta pull this out or it'll do more damage okay?" Setsuna spoke quietly, relieved as the young woman nodded tiredly "Sorry. It'll hurt but just grit through it."

As quick as she could, Setsuna yanked out the dagger, a sharp scream ripping from the woman's lips. Shredding her cloak, Setsuna pressed the cloth to the wound as she tied strips of cloth to place pressure to stop the bleeding. By the time she was done, the young woman had fallen unconscious yet again. As Setsuna stood up, the sounds of hooves thundering on the ground reached her ears. 4 men rounded the bend on horses, blades at the ready. The colour of their clothes told Setsuna that these were more Royal Guards, but were they allied with the men she had just killed or were they actual Royal Guards? Her hesitation came at a price. Setsuna stumbled back as an arrow ripped through her left shoulder, and before she could draw her blade the first man had ridden past, his foot outstretched and slammed right into her face. He got off his horse and sunk his sword hilt right into the center of her chest, knocking the wind out of her before she could even collect her thoughts. Collapsing to the ground, Setsuna tried to draw breath into her lungs but found herself facing the tip of a sharp blade, tip leveled at her eye. She turned her eye up and met the man at the other end of the sword. He was a well built, clean shaven man sporting a short dark hair cut. Setsuna guessed he was maybe in his 40's, his prime. His dark eyes bore into hers, thick brows furrowing together in anger.

"Who sent you wench?"

Another order. Setsuna was sick of these orders. She answered to no one but herself. Another kick to the side sent her sprawling to the side. The hole in her shoulder flared up in pain as she landed hard.

"One more chance wench. Who sent you to kill the Princess?"

Princess? What? Setsuna was confused, and being in pain wasn't helping. However, one thing was clear, these men were different from the 2 she had just killed. Things were beginning to make sense as she struggled to catch her breath. Thank goodness they weren't hitting her again. What had she gotten herself into.

" I was just passing by." She answered, her breathing heavy "And I happened to see her being attacked so I stepped in."

A flick of the blade and a stinging pain flashed across Setsuna's cheek. The man had drawn blood.

"Lies. I have 2 dead guards and you are the only one covered in blood."

Setsuna couldn't stifle her laugh, grimacing as pain flared in her side "Yeah, I killed them. Maybe you should do better and not let traitors enter your ranks." When the men faltered at her statement she continued "They were attacking her and I stepped in to help your princess. I have no reason to want her dead."

"A likely story." He growled, his grip on his blade tightening. Setsuna assumed he was the boss. He looked a little different from the rest, carried himself differently too. "Someone paid you to kill her and you will tell us who. We'll drag you back to the castle dungeons if we have to."

The hilt of his sword connected with her head and her world went black.

When Setsuna came to, the first thing she knew was the immense throbbing in her head, followed by the angry pain in her side. A few seconds more and she had a better grasp of her situation. She was tied to a tree. Rather tightly too. The ropes were biting into her side where there was a rough attempt to stop the bleeding. It was better than a open wound, Setsuna mused. The smell of smoke told her she was in a camp, and from the angle of the shadows, it was evening. She had been out for an entire day. Lifting her head, Setsuna took in her surroundings, she knew the area pretty well and from the trees around her she knew she wasn't anywhere near the village she had been in. Great, she scowled inwardly. She had lost almost all her equipment, having left most of it in her room back at the inn. She'll have to replace everything, that is, if she ever gets out of her current situation. Being beaten and tied to a tree for treason was not on her list of things to do.

"You're awake." a gruff voice reached her ears.

A heavy set man approached from the trees, probably from the campsite just out of her sight.

Keeping silent, Setsuna watched as he continued his approach, watching his gloved hand that rested on his sword. She was at his mercy. If he wanted to kill her she would have no way to defend herself.

"What's your name?"

"Doesn't matter." Setsuna replied "You don't need my name to kill me."

"Why would you think I would kill you?" he asked, seating himself on a tree root nearby. Setsuna raised an eyebrow.

"Take ur pick" she drawled "Treason? Murder? Kidnapping? Isn't that enough reason?"

"Did you?"

"Did I what? Commit treason? Hell no but it doesn't matter does it. I'm guilty in your eyes." Setsuna took a breath, her head hurting once more. "So don't try to play nice with me."

"Look. I saw the dressing you did for the princess." He spoke quietly "It's the same material as your cloak. I don't know what happened but I don't think you were trying to kill her."

"Hah, what makes you think I didn't do that so I could deliver her to whoever this mystery employer of mine is?" Setsuna leaned her head back against the trees, her eyes closing in an attempt to quell the marching band in her head. The words she spoke did her no favours but her head was throbbing and she couldn't think clearly. She was also extremely irritated at the absurdity of her situation, so they would have to deal with her snarky attitude for the moment.

"You really want me to believe that?" the man shook his head. He noticed the furrowed brows on the raven's face and his features softened slightly. He knew a concussion when he saw one. They were not fun, and he knew better than to play games with someone sporting a concussion.

"Believe what you want." Setsuna scowled, she was done with this conversation.

He watched her until the wee hours of the morning, then another guard changed shift with him. Setsuna paid them no mind. She was thinking of how she could break free of her ropes. Her hands were tied behind her back, trapped between her body and the tree. There was no chance to escape. She'll have to wait for an opportunity to escape.

The next few days passed in a blur. The guards would untie her from the tree in the morning, and tie the rope to one of the horses, forcing her to walk along or be dragged. She'd learned quickly that they didn't care if she stumbled and fell, the rough bleeding abrasions on her arms were a testament to the distance she had been dragged before she managed to somehow force herself back to her feet. When night fell they would find a tree and tie her there before setting up camp just out of her sight. At least they fed her and gave her water, even if it was just the bare minimum. The questioning would start soon after and end after a couple of blows to her face or body when she couldn't give them what they want. She was thankful for the heavy set guard from the first night, he was the only one who would treat her injuries after her beating, shooting her an apologetic look each time.

"Wench!" Her head whipped to the side as a fist collided with her jaw. "Who sent you!"

Setsuna spat out blood, a tired grin on her face "Your King." That earned her a black eye.

"Lord Screw Off" She got a broken nose for that one.

"Duke Prance-a-lots" Her bottom lip split open after he backhanded her.

Setsuna grinned as the guard got angrier and angrier. She'd be damned if she let them see how afraid she actually was. She had defaulted to being snarky after the 2nd day of interrogation, hoping that they would leave her alone after giving them absolutely aggravating answers. No such luck. She did however get an odd morbid sense of satisfaction at pissing them off, also she had stopped feeling much pain after a couple of blows.

"Enough! Stop right this instance!"

"Your Highness!"

Even though her own blood was obscuring her vision, Setsuna could see the livid face of the Princess as she stalked angrily into view, brunette hair waving in the wind. There are sparkles shimmering around the Princess, though Setsuna brushed them off as hallucinations from her brain being knocked around so much.

"Release her at once! This woman saved my life, I will not have her treated in this manner."

"Your Highness, we found her with her weapon standing over you. We have two dead guards that-"

"Guards that betrayed me and tried to kill me." the brunette hissed angrily.

The leader paled slightly but frowned "To insinuate that not 1, but 2 of the Royal Guards have betrayed you is a tall tale, Princess."

"Are you accusing me of lying, Verl?" the Princess retorted, Setsuna could have sworn that the brunette was glowing, literally glowing. Her eyes were bright and the sparkles around her had gotten much brighter than before.

"N.. No, Your Highness." He bowed his head, his tone sharp.

"Release her, Captain."

Setsuna felt the ropes binding her fall away, feeling the rush of blood to her limbs. She couldn't move much, sagging against the tree she had been tied to. Hands grasped her shoulders to steady her, hands much smaller than the guards.

"This should help."

A cold chill swept across her body, washing away the pain radiating across her face and body.

"Magic..." Setsuna whispered "You..."

The brunette nodded. " I'm sorry. You saved my life and this was the thanks you got."

Now that her injuries and pain were fading away, Setsuna felt more energized and her mind was much clearer than before. Looking at the brunette up close, Setsuna could see the beads of sweat forming. Using magic must be taking a toll on her body.

"Stop." Setsuna grabbed her hand, lifting it from where it had been resting on her side.

In an instant, 3 swords and an arrow aimed at her head. Setsuna flinched slightly but kept her focus on the woman before her. "Stop. Save your energy."

"B..But...your injuries" She protested weakly

"My injuries can wait, but you look like you're about to collapse." Setsuna smiled oddly, her eyes glancing around "I'd rather you be conscious so that your guards don't get any funny ideas about using me as a target board."

The brunette raised her other hand, and the guards lowers their weapons reluctantly. "Leave us."

"Your Highness!"

"Leave! That's an order."

"I refuse. There is still someone after your life, even if it's not this wench." Verl replied, "Your father would kill me if I'd left you alone in the forest."

"Fine. Then she's coming with me, and you are all to stay a few feet away from us." The brunette threw Setsuna's arm around her shoulders, hand gripping her waist "Can you stand?"

"Y.. Yeah.." Setsuna replied, ignoring the scowls from the guards.

She followed the princess into the campsite, the roaring fire warming her chilled and aching bones. The guards following quietly, each watching the pair even as they went back to their spots.

The princess pulled out a box of supplies "Let's tend to your injuries first."

"I'm capable of doing that myself You Highness, please don't concern yourself with such menial tasks."

Opening the supply box, Setsuna fished out a roll of bandages and herb mixture. She winced as she rolled up her shirt, exposing the gash by her side. There was an audible gasp by her side followed by an awkward "Um I'll go get us some food."

Setsuna raised an eyebrow, not bothered in the slightest at the mild state of undress. She winced at the colouration on her side. The gash was an angry red and clearly infected. The same could be said for the hole in her shoulder. Luckily, the crude dressing done by the guards had protected them to some extent. They were not as bad as they could have been. Her arms stung as she cleaned them, picking out dirt and rocks that had lodged inside some of the deeper cuts. By the time she had patched up what she could, the princess had returned, a guard carrying a tray of food behind her. He set down the tray and left, not before casting a wary eye at her.

"What's your name?"

Setsuna flinched at the question, the guards had been asking her that for days, though she had never given in. This time the question was posed with such sincerity and grace it was hard not to reply.

"Sakurazaki Setsuna."

"I'm -"

"Princess Konoe Konoka of Mundus Vetas. The Old Kingdom. I know." Setsuna spoke "Everyone knows who you are. The rumors are true. Powerful and beautiful, our kingdom's gem. Had you not been there, I would have been killed by your guards." Setsuna shook her head, shifting off the log they had been seated on, Setsuna fell into a kneel "I am forever in your debt."

"No no no please, get up" Konoka reached out hurriedly "You saved my life first. I should be the one thanking you."

A quiet growl cut through the air, and Setsuna turned beet red, turning away in pure embarrassment. She hadn't eaten a proper meal in days but to have her stomach make that fact known in front of one of the most powerful royals in the kingdom?

Konoka smiled, amused at the raven's reaction. "I suppose it's time to eat. Would you care to join me?"

"Join you?" Setsuna was quite taken aback by the invite

"To thank you for your heroics, and also because I have a few questions."

"Oh"

Questions. Right. That was probably the main reason that the Princess had invited her to dine with her. Setsuna was too hungry to care, if dining with the Princess meant for than a slice of bread and water, she would gladly take up the sat in silence for a moment, Setsuna was trying hard not to wolf down the food set in front of her. She was in the presence of royalty after all. The hot food immediately warmed her body, making her forget about her wounds temporarily. She sighed contentedly, getting flustered almost immediately.

"Sorry."

"Would you mind if I ask some questions?" Konoka asked as she ate her meal with complete grace, unlike herself, Setsuna mused.

"Go ahead, Your Highness."

Now that she was fed, Setsuna was a little more friendly than before, and something in her gut told her the Princess was someone she could trust.. for now.

"You're a mercenary, yes?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"How well do you know this area?"

"Enough to get around."

"Would you know the way to Eos?"

Setsuna nodded as she ate, famished from several days of barely eating. She had to restraint herself from wolfing down the food before her, though her manners were still lacking. "It's not that far from here. Though the roads are pretty rough to get through. "

"Would you consider escorting us there?"

A piece of bread lodged in her throat and Setsuna coughed violently, thumping her chest to dislodge the offending piece. "Sorry? Escort? Don't you already have... 4 escorts?" Setsuna gestured to the scattered guards around the camp.

Konoka shifted slightly "Well, as a result of the unexpected attack, we've lost the maps for the area. I could really use the help. I'm expected in Eos in 3 days for a meeting with the Duke and I really can't afford to miss it." Konoka took a breath "You would be well compensated for your troubles of course."

Setsuna cast a glance at the captain, who was scowling in her direction. "I would be honored to see you to Eos."