AN: WARNING! HEAVY PRINCESS BRIDE REFERENCE IN THIS ARC AND I DO NOT REGRET ANY OF IT!
Edit: Thank you for pointing out my errors on Hisui's name. That was embarrassing.
Chapter 21: The Kidnapped Princess
Cacophony of different panic sounds mixed with concern ones caused a headache inside me, having enough of it. I walked up to a table and shouted with the top of my lungs, "SHUT UP!"
The room went stilled from my voice, making me nod in satisfaction.
"Alright, normally I'll ask the detail on how they managed to kidnap a princess with supposedly secure knights on their hand," I made a pointed look at the line of injured guards who duck their heads sheepishly from me, "But there's no time. The longer we argue, the more likely we'll lose the Princess. Rebecca, fetch me Courage!"
While she done to get my trusty steed where a land from Joya would call it the Hound Horse. Because while it has the body of. A horse, its head was one of a lion, making you doubt if it's was a herbivore, and has the keen nose and ears of that of a dog. It had snuck inside TORRI since I never certified animals to not be able to go in without my permission.
It was terrifying sight, getting inside to find a lion-headed horse at the middle of the ship, eating away the vines and flowers on the wall.
Only for three seconds though, after that the horse hissed and tried to hide beneath the table, quivering. I found out later on that he's an easily frightened horse.
So after this and that I ended up keeping him and named him Courage.
Courage the Cowardly Horse.
… No comment on my side other than that I have no regrets.
Lucy grabbed my hand and I turned, one look at her and said one word; "No."
"You know I can help," she countered.
"I do, but I doubt your father will be thrilled in you going along in some danger." to emphasize, I pointed out the far figure of Jude, standing critically at us even when surrounded and talking with his business partner. We've already stretched today's adventure as some play date of us just two instead of running with our lives.
Lucy looked the same spot as me but Jude has returned his line of sight to his 'partner's.' Making Lucy gritted her teeth in frustration.
"Fine, but I'm not leaving you without at least my spirit." She pulled out her silver key. The key bow was similar to Lyra's or Plue's design but with picture of a red eagle stamped on it. The key's bit was the shape of a talon. "Open the gate of the eagle, Aquila!"
A flashed of light and behold, right in front of me was the emerging form of a humanoid bird. With the body of a man, a white feather covered its bird head and and stretched out to his chest, his wings and tails were vibrant red, and wearing a golden crown.
Oh come on. Do you really think after travelling with me for years she wouldn't pick up a few new set of keys along the way. Get real, Lucy is a real collector of keys.
"Aquila, I want you to watchover Roy and Nick on my stead and support them when needed. Make sure you listen to him unless it was a stupid or suicidal idea."
"Hey!" I cried offence tone.
Aquila didn't say anything. He just nodded in that solemn silent nod of his. I don't know how Lucy does it, but somehow she could understand Aquila perfectly despite him never saying a word. Just a nod, a shake or sometimes glare. It's unnerving while Lucy doesn't seem to mind at all.
I turned away and was about to dashed out when Lucy took my hand around hers and I turned to her one last time.
"Be safe," she ordered.
I grinned and gave her a mock salute, "Aye, aye, Ma'am."
I then went to the boxes of presents, and snatched one that came from Shisui, proceed to the front of the mansion where Courage is waiting. He was just as I describe him but with gold sheen coat for his body and his mane rivalled the color of fresh blood, his eyes had different colors. Yellow on the right and neon green on the left. I made him sniffed the box, Courage had its nose upon it for awhile before he made a heart stopping growl, a sign to say that he caught and remember the scent. He was ready to follow the trail.
Nick was also ready, having Hope on his back, ready to fly and searched for the princess alongside with me and Aquila.
Rebecca put the saddle on Courage's back and tighten but paused and looked at me quizzically,
"You know, with Nick's nose you should have been able to chase after The Princess regardless with Courage's..." she skeptically eyed the cowardly horse, "...ability, but I must ask why?"
To her credit, I blushed in embarrassment and scratched my cheek in a guilty manner. "Rebecca, I'm mounting a lion headed horse, do you even need to ask why? Besides, I've always wanted a distinctive entrance while gallantly saving someone, so it was either the horse or the coconut."
"Coconut? Why on earth would you need that?"
"... Never mind." These people needed a good dose of Monty Python, honestly. "Ride on Courage!"
With a loud roar of agreement, we set out to find the Princess of Fiore Kingdom and saved her from her possibly untimely doom.
. . .
Princess Hisui had experienced various kidnapping attempts. Some were ridiculous, some were close calls, some weren't even worth mentioning. But this would the first that someone had actually succeeded.
She was beginning to gain consciousness but decided to keep her eyes closed and her breathing shallow. She had first thought they were a group of beggars when she spotted them outside and one of them looked like had sprained leg and needed medical help. The moment she got close though, she was knocked unconscious and they must have a strong mage or warrior among them if her knights weren't on her side.
She dared to peep at her captors and observed them. The first she took notice was the handsome man who had a long face and a long nose, his light brown hair managed to defy gravity, a sideburn and a goatee on his chiseled jaw.
Then there was a giant of a man, unnaturally big and tall you would doubt he was human. He has a round face, his hand gigantic and could possibly hold a whole head, he has curled dark brown hair, a unibrow, and a flat nose.
Then the last of the two was the shortest, barely higher than 1,5 meters and driving the carriage. His skin pale and has slit asian eyes, his raven hair most likely was long and was tied into a bun. He was wearing what might look like a silk eastern style garment.
However, between the three. What caught her eyes the most was the black metal looking collar on the two neck that wasn't the short asian man. The sign of slaves from the country of Caelum.
She began to slowly listening in to her kidnappers who seemed to be arguing among themselves.
"...you didn't tell us we were kidnapping to kill and not ransom," The giant protested softly.
"and what if I did tell you? It's not like you could do anything about it. You're my slave. You understand that? S-L-A-V-E! You do as I tell you with no question asked and what we do is none of your concern so don't think with you're already small barely used buffoon brain of yours and used your brute strength which is what I've bought you for."
Shisui tried to listened in if the Giant Man would retaliate from the insults but didn't. He just sat on his spot beside her as if he had heard the insults a thousand times over. Different to the man who was sharpening his rapier across her. She noticed, when she dared to peep, that he hardened his grip until his knuckles turn white and he briefly stilled from sharpening before continuing like nothing happened.
However, he then stilled again and looked pointedly at her, causing to shut her eyes at once. She then find out he wasn't looking at her but something behind her.
"Master, what do we do once we're being followed?"
"Don't be ridiculous, we've already miles away from town and we were silent on our kidnapping. No one should be able to track us down this quickly. It's inconceivable."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, like I said. It's inconceivable...why do you ask?"
"Because there's a figure of someone riding a house that's gaining on us," the man replied flippantly.
"WHAT?!" He whirled his head and his jaw comically drop that his slave was not messing with him. "Tha...but that's...inconceivable!"
Hisui had to put every ounce of her wil not to smile at that moment. She knew without a doubt Roy would come for her. If anyone from the ball could save her, it was him.
"Don't think so smug yet Your Highness," Shisui tensed, how did he know when he hadn't even lay an eye on her. She thought he was bluffing but he continued, "Just because one person managed to follow our trail doesn't mean anything if he dies now. Spade!"
"Right on it Master." The handsome man stood and while the carriage was still running in full speed, he opened the door and jumped out with no hesitation. Shisui couldn't help but turn her head and found that the man had landed without a problem.
"Morning Your Highness," the smug voice of her captor made her turn with icy glare that followed, "I see you've woken from your slumber."
"He'll save me you know," she said with strong conviction.
The Master of Slaves didn't leave his eyes off the road but the voice he was using made her suspect he was arching an eyebrow, "Oh, so you know the man that's following us."
"Indeed, and I know that other than saving me, he'll stop whatever wretched plan you have in mind."
Shisui had thought she instilled enough fear to make them doubt themselves. You'd be surprised how doubt can be use against you. Instead, he laughed outright at her with his head thrown back.
"You seem to have reasons I do not know that he could very well topple my months old plan to crumble. However, know this Your Highness that I have my own reason why I don't think he'll ever be a problem."
It was her turn to arched an eyebrow at him, "Pray tell then why?"
The Asian Man then turned her way to give a smug look as he said it, "Because he's facing The Strongest Swordsman of All Ishgar."
. . .
It was when the shadow of the carriage was at sight when it happened. Courage growled loudly, his back hunched forward and he looked like he was about to murder someone, but only I know the truth and it was one of the reason why I chose to bring him.
"What's up with Courage?" Nick asked when he and Hope flew down after spotting us stopping. Aquila not far behind. He didn't say anything but birdish expression told me he had similar concern.
"It's his Danger Radar," I answered him.
"Danger Radar? I didn't know Hound Horse has that."
"They don't, it's something I called Courage's inner instinctive gift that only he possessed." I proudly boast despite the truth of the matter.
"Really, that is so cool!" Nick exclaimed with bright eyes, "So, what does it do?"
Time to burst his bubble, "It tells us how dangerous our adversary is by how much Courage is frighten."
On cue, Nick's face fell flat from the truth alongside Aquila and they weren't sure what to say, so I went on explaining as if he didn't hear me. Courage was a peculiar mammal more than the already being a lion-headed horse. One of his quirks would be he was the smallest of the Hound Horse despite being the same age and how much he was bullied that he has this kind of instinctive radar build inside him to know how dangerous a person is. For example, if he was a Level 1 danger Courage would simply tremble (Meaning yeah, he trembles with almost around anyone), if he was a Level 2 his hair would stand, if he was a Level 7 he would try to stick his head to underground.
Meaning, the more frighten he is, the more dangerous the person.
"So, what is he doing now? He doesn't look afraid at all nyu~" Hope pointed out with more curious than concern in her tone.
"Ah, but that's the thing. He is afraid. He's just bluffing at the moment."
"And that would mean…?"
Something or someone was dangling on the side of the carriage before jumping off and landed in the middle of the road.
"We're dealing a Level 9 danger," I said simply when in truth I wanted to curse aloud. "Nick, go high and keep following the princess alongside Aquila, I'll deal with him."
"Aniki-"
"No Nick, this person is way better than you and me put together. Most possibly he wouldn't mind killing us so I have to talk him down and you know I'm a good talker. If worse comes worst, between us two, I'm more likely to be able to escape from him. At the very least our top priority, The Princess, is safe, do you understand?" Nick pursed his lips but kept it shut since I'm sure there are a thousand reasons he wanted to say but couldn't because he knew I was right as usual.
"Just...be careful Aniki."
"Right back at you Nicky."
With those sentiments we part ways. I then turned to Aquila who was looking at me as if deciding if my decision was suicidal or not. "You know I'm not going to let myself die today right?" after a nod that followed after a long silence, he flew up and side by side with Nick, went after the Princess. Afterward when finally urging Courage to keep moving forward, he lost his scary face and went back to trembling.
"Don't worry you Stupid Horse, I scarcely think he would pay attention to you while he's dealing with me."
He hissed at me but that didn't deter me as I sighed, "I don't like this any more than you do but someone got to do this, might as well be us." I ignore the whimpering he made as he trudge forward to meet our mysterious adversary. When he was close enough for me to make out his face, before I could judge what kind of first impression he made. Instead, with one swift movement of his sword, a torrent blade of wind almost blew us away if Courage hadn't hold down his heel. When it ceased, I thought he was only trying to scare us off or prove our worth from withstanding that attack.
I was proven wrong when a familiar creaking sound caught my ear and my eyes widen as I looked to my left. The sky darkened, or at least I thought it did, when I realized it was the shadow of a gigantic tree falling over to us. Courage managed to jumped back before we were squashed like a bug.
The tree finally fell and the road was blocked. While it was only inconvenient for me, I smiled when I realize the significant of his act.
The man doesn't like to kill.
Meaning, the talk is going to be smoother than I realize. There's also the likely thought he doesn't waste his time killing pest but I'm not giving up my faith in humanity just yet.
Though at the moment I have to deal with the tree first because when I said gigantic tree, I meant enormous! The plant is literally called the Giant Tree for a reason so I doubt Courage could jumped over it. Looking up what might as well be a 15 foot tall wall. I had Courage to heel and was about to use my Walk-Everywhere-Shoes and jumped to the tree…
...but fall down instantly afterward and planted my face to the ground.
I have sneaking suspicion Courage was snickering at me while I was spouting out dirt but when I turned my head, he was whistling innocently instead.
Cheeky horse.
"Oh yeah, I'm still wearing my party shoe. This sucks."
An exhausted exasperated sigh fell out of my mouth and I looked back at the wall. I could, in theory, use any other runes to passed this but I bet my neck the Swordsman is waiting to ambush me on the other side.
I didn't realize how long I was contemplating my plan before a voice from the other side broke my thought. "Excuse me" he cried out, "I don't mean to disturb you but would you mind hurry along with your plan so we can get to fighting?"
I blinked a few times, caught off guard by his polite words and Spanish accent that I wasn't sure what to say before my mouth ran off on its own, "I'd be quicker if you're not there waiting to ambush me."
"...Touche." We fell into silent, and while my mind was still planning with every possible to fight or escape alive from the man. "How's the planning going?" he asked me again.
"Slow going since I know not much about you." I exclaimed for him to hear.
"...I don't suppose you could speed things up? I hate waiting."
"Look Man-on-the-other-side-of-the-tree, I don't want to be rude but you're disturbing my concentration. If you're trying to buy time then congratulation, it's working."
"Then how about this, I would not attack to kill you or any kind of harm until you've reached to the other side of the tree."
I frowned at his proposal, "You sure are an impatient man, but what reason should I trust your word? Afterall, for all I know you're just as impatient to finish the job as you are waiting for me."
The swordsman was quiet again for a moment before with a grave serious tone said this; "I swear on my Father's grave that I will not attack you in any way until you reached to the other side."
It was my turn to turned silent and wasn't sure what to say until a decision came to me, "Say it again on your father's name!" I called out.
"I swear on my Father's name, Jackson that I will not attack you in any way until you reached to the other side."
I contemplate his words seriously before I said "Wait there!" and with my hands climbed up the tree bark before jumping off to the ground when I reached the top.
I finally took one look at my opponent and gauge him. What I saw in him was a man you would often see in Top 20 Hottest Man in girls magazine. Add some wicked magic sword skill and one would wonder how he turned into slave. Hell, the guy better wasted a fortune on him because that face sure doesn't come in cheap.
I briefly wondered what he might see in me while he gauged at me as well. Surely he never expects a brat who just turned to a man today to follow a dangerous group of criminal. He seemed to think so as he groaned to his hand and said "Aw hell no, I'm not doing this sober." Then promptly, he took a flask from his back pocket and made audible gulped as he drank it down.
"What? You think just because I'm 16 I can't handle my own?"
The man tried tipping his flask but was greeted with empty drop, he looked surprised by the fact and threw it carelessly away. "It means you're meeting someone way out of your league and I'll have to put you down enough so I could return to my master knowing you won't be there to follow."
I tilted my head, wondering at the choice of words he used, "You said 'putting down.'"
"What? You think because you're barely a man I would go easy on you?"
"No, but you didn't say you'll kill me. Or is it the same meaning in your language?"
"Kill you?! What am I, a Cray-cray? I don't go killing people just for the hell of it. Only when I'm about to die or my master ordered it."
"...Please don't ever say the word 'Cray-cray' again with that face of yours." The Man looked confused but I didn't elaborate, "You seem like a decent fellow, too bad we had to fight."
"I know, you sound like a decent fellow as well, but I must follow my order. I'm sure you know what this collar meant for people like us."
"Yes," I said in solemn tone, "You're a slave from Caelum. The only country that still has slaves out in the open legally. If you disobey your master, you'll be brainwashed and the slavery magic will be put onto you and you'll do it anyway. Some masters like to pick a much more serious setting, such as cutting your head off." I said all that with evident disgust in me.
The Man nodded, "And as much that I don't like to hurt you, I like to live a lot more please don't take offense from that."
"None taken. I completely understand that. It's not everyday I get to fight someone as polite as you. It's very refreshing, usually they shout how much cooler their magic is or monologuing their plan when they think they'll win and nothing could stop them."
"Ah yes, my master does that occasionally. It was my job along with Zeffik to clean up his mess when things go wrong with his oh so 'brilliant' plan." his tone was evidently showing what word was air quoted.
"So...should we fight?" I asked him since all this time, he's been only talking to me and haven't raised a single.
He shrugged, "I'm ready when you are."
I raised my hand and the coiled silver bracelet move to make my own rapier on my hand and he in return lifted his at me.
The fight is going to be a long one but I can say what I had on my mind before we did.
This is going to suck hard.