Note: Okay, the names of the two guards that accompany Mina in the beginning of the game had no name that I could remember(unless it said so in the credits, but I don't remember, so I'll just make them up.) Just so if anyone is curious, the names of the characters in the story are quite different(well, some of them,) so I will give a little pronunciation key here:
Ginmae(Ghin-may) Trianna(Try-anna)
The view from the window consisted of a palette of blue; blue sky littered with white, fluffy clouds hanging harmoniously above the stretched out ocean below. They were calm, almost motionless except for the small ripples that coursed through them periodically. It was the same each day, the same scenery, the same rays of sunlight cast down through her windows, occasionally drowned out by her lavender, silk curtains; it was all the same. Princess Mina, of the kingdom of Wyndia, sighed deeply and gazed longingly out the large window from her lavishly decorated room in one of the southern towers of the castle. It was this time of the day that Mina enjoyed the most, the time when bird song could be heard upon the breeze and carried across the deep ravines and cliffs below. It almost seemed to echo all around her; she just loved it. A hand touched upon her frail shoulders, startling her with a gasp.
"Princess, it is time to brush your hair. Please sit in front of the vanity mirror." A middle-aged, white winged maid said gently as she pulled her hand away and moved across the plush, lavender carpet. Mina glanced over her shoulder, smiled and nodded to her maid, Alma. Ever since she could remember, she had taken care of her, more so than her mother, Queen Hina, had. Though, she couldn't blame her poor mother, she was so busy with nursing the king ,whom had fallen ill several times, back to health.
"Yes, Alma. I am coming." The princess said softly and walked with the grace that was expected of a royal daughter over to a beautiful, oak dresser with a vanity mirror propped on top of it. Alma stood behind her and chuckled, trying to reach beyond Mina's somewhat extended, white wings; it was proving quite difficult with her standing up. She lightly tapped the girl with the brush and laughed. "Oh, I am sorry, Alma. " Mina said in a fit of panic as she folded her wings ever so tightly to her body, and sat down quickly upon a cushioned stool. Though, as she rested her body down, a loud tearing noise accompanying the motion. The princess blushed brightly, Alma just laughed once again, shaking her head with a smile.
The maid's next words came out more as a mild chuckle, "Ah, girls..." The woman sighed as she gathered the fine strands of cerulean into her hand and brushed it briskly. Mina had incredible hair, no matter how hard or long she brushed it, it always kept that adorable, pixie-do. No surprise, it was natural, she assumed. After all, most of the female Fae clan members had the same hair style. Suddenly, Mina began to apologize profusely about something, had she not been paying attention enough? "Oh, princess... don't worry about your dress. We can always make you another, and you have an entire wardrobe full of them." The woman said and finished with the last stroke through the silky head of hair, reaching around to set the brush down on the drawer and help Mina up. Alma kneeled down and ran a fingertip over the tear in the princess's dress; it was bad stitching upon the side seam of the fabric. She would need to talk to the seamstress, Alma thought as she stood up and strolled over to the large wardrobe and opened the doors.
Mina scurried over to Alma's side, carefully watching the clothing the maid was sorting through, trying to find which one would fit her, and look nice on her on this particular day. The princess suddenly reached out and pulled out an elegant, and beautiful piece of clothing. It was shoulder-less, low-cut purple and pink dress, trimmed in gold and decorated lavishly with assorted sapphires, ending with light blue ruffles upon the bottom hem of the skirt(until I find out what exactly everything is called, I'm not too sure on exact clothing names. I'm sorry for this humiliating description.) "I would like to wear this one today, Alma." The maid laughed and shook her head briskly.
"My lady, it is too good of a dress for just sitting around the castle." The middle-aged woman said in a scolding tone of voice as she began to look yet again, through the other dresses for Mina to wear.
"Alma, have you forgotten? I am to visit my sister at the Magic Academy!" The princess said with a smile, those emerald eyes of her glistening with joy. Mina was always excited whenever she had the chance to sneak out of the castle and visit her older sister. Though, at times, she wondered why her sister never came to the castle to visit her; why she so blatantly avoided mentioning anything about the castle when they exchanged letters ever so often. It was perplexing to the girl and she just smiled about it. Sister just didn't have the time to take from her studies and visit her in Wyndia, she understood; she wanted her sister to become a great magician, that is why the king and queen sent her there for!
Alma sighed with frustration and threw her arms to the side, bothering not to go against her princess's decision. "I give up, princess. If that is what you would like to wear, then so be it." The maid smiled and tucked a strand of her own, burgundy hair behind her ear. "You're so much like my daughter when she was your age. She always dressed up, even for the littlest things." Alma closed the wardrobe and spun Mina around by the shoulders to face a mirror on the wall. She reached out toward the princess's back and slowly began to unlace the strings binding the poorly made, yellow dress to the girl's body one at a time, careful as to not to snap them as she pulled them from their clasps. The princess tried to stand perfectly still as Alma undressed her, finally managing to unlace the strings and pulled the clothing open, like one pulls open a curtain, exposing Mina's slightly bare back. Mina stretched those splendid, white wings gently, a single feather shedding from the mass structure of alabaster and falling upon the floor. Many of the Wyndian dresses were made this way to accommodate the large, protruding wings, through simple slits on the back of the dresses that were easily hidden by lacing up the back of the cloth. The fancy number dropped onto the soft carpeting, fully revealing the soft, silky slip claded body. "Step out of the dress, my lady..." Alma instructed, a little irritated in her tone of voice because of the fact she could never get Mina to wear the proper undergarments that royalty should. Who could blame her though, it was all far too heavy to wear and then there was the dress over that.
Mina nodded and carefully stepped out of the dress, staring down at it for a couple of minutes. Alma came by and swept the clothing into her hands and laid it on the nearby chair for later dealings. The woman took the dress of Mina's choice from her hands and knelt down, allowing for the princess to step into it, which she did. After a few moments of struggle, the attire eventually fitted over her petite form. The good thing about it was that the dress zipped up in back and came up to just before her shoulder-blades; where her wings protruded. It was an easy dress to walk around in, and it was also easy on her wings, leaving way for convenient use of them if needed. Alma lead Mina back over to the vanity, reaching into the many drawers and pulling out a jewel embedded choker, golden bracelets, and a few rings. The maid carefully placed them on the princess and slid a pair of pink hued gloves over her slender arms. Alma smiled at Mina's reflection in the mirror, running a hand through the girl's hair.
"You look beautiful, as always, my princess." The woman said and nodded. Mina just giggled in response, like she always did to compliments from anyone.
* * * *
"HEY! Get over here, you sneaky swine!" yelled a feminine voice from inside the castle corridors. Seconds passed, and the door literally shook open, giving way to a fleshy-toned piglet that snorts happily at the sight of Mina. The little pig trots at full speed over to the princess, whom kneels slowly and opened her arms, ready to accept the little creature into her arms with laughter. Alma furiously stomps her foot, shaking her head in disapproval.
"Princess! I've told you a thousand times-"
Mina looked up at Alma with a smile, holding the young piglet close to her body. "It is alright, Alma. It is Suzy, she is a clean girl." The princess stands, rubbing under Suzy's chin with a gloved digit, causing the small pig to squeal in delight. Alma simply sighs and shakes her head, again.
"I know that Suzy is your pet, but she is still an animal and it is inappropriate for a princess to keep such a thing in her room." The maid said, looking at Mina with a scornful face. Alma began to wonder who exactly let this piglet slip past the inner courtyard and into the princess's room. She would sure give them a talking to when she saw them, that's for sure. Allowing an animal to trot right into Mina's room, and god knows that dirt or disease they were tracking in as well!
Footsteps emitted from the hallway outside of the room, first sounding far away, then becoming louder and louder with each passing moment. Without warning, a young, white-winged female barged into the room, breathless from running from down the hallway at such an incredible pace. "S...s.." She stammered, pushing back a lock of aqua hair and folded those wings of hers, she was completely and utterly speechless. It was embarrassing, especially in front of the princess, to look so weak and out of shape. "S..Suzy!" Blurted the young woman, garbed in a simple, light-weight breastplate of thin iron and a golden tunic. Guards at the castle only wore light armament while on patrol. The Wyndians were, after all, hallow-boned creatures and could not don anything too heavy that would weigh them down in flight. Alma sighed in irritation at the guard's arrival and rested both her hands upon her hips.
"Ginmae! I should have known... " The older woman muttered, shaking her head. "you're such a clumsy girl! How hard can it be to keep track of ONE pig?" Alma was extremely angry, her face was caked with frustration, anger and scorn; no one in the castle was stupid enough to get on her bad side. Too bad today was Ginmae's unlucky day. The aging maid stomped up to the younger woman and looked her straight in the eyes; blue to blue. Alma's gaze narrowed as she shook her head and pointed at the pig in Mina's grasp. "What would happen if Suzy caught some disease and spread it to the princess?! How do you think that would make the king and queen feel? They've already-" She suddenly gasped and crept backwards, covering her mouth with both hands; she realized if she finished that sentence, it would be a grave mistake. Speaking of past affairs around the guards, especially the newer ones, was not a good idea. It would only arouse questions and suspicision.
"They've already what? I don't understand, Ms. Alma, Suzy's never been outside of the castle!" Ginmae retorted, throwing her hands to the side in frustration in not being able to comprehend that woman's misplaced anger. She was always like that, always angry at one little slip up, anything that seemed remotely threatening to the princess's health, even if it was minuscule. Ginmae could see that Alma was only becoming even more agitated with each word she spoke and shrugged her shoulders, staring downcast. "Okay, fine... I'll take Suzy back to the courtyard..." She whimpered, like a child would after being scolded by their mother.
Mina stepped in-between the two and just laughed, stroking Suzy's back. "Come now, it is alright! Alma! Please do not be so harsh..." The girl said softly, trying to ease Alma's temper and maybe even Ginmae's tension. "Suzy is a royal pet, she is allowed to come into my room. That is that." Mina walked gracefully over to her vanity, picked up a small pouch containing a wealthy sum of zenny and began to make her way out of her room and into the hallway. "I will be going now, Alma." The princess was gone.
Ginmae darted over to the doorway and peeked a glance around the corner, watching the princess walk quickly toward the inside courtyard of the castle. Why did she have a pouch of zenny coins? The princess was never allowed to leave the castle, unless.... "Whoa! Wait a minute here!" Ginmae said in surprise, spinning upon her heels to face Alma with a stern look. "Don't tell me Princess Mina is going to leave the castle by herself?!"
"...How did you know?" The maid responded.
"Well, I don't see why she would need zenny if she was in the castle!" Ginmae shook her fist at the maid, shaking her head briskly, "Why aren't you going with her?! What if she gets killed? For once, I'm surprised you're not jumping all over her." The guard began to tower over Alma, casting a dark, looming shadow upon the carpet. She was beginning to seem like some sort of menace by the way she was acting. "She's in real danger now!"
Alma sighed and began to pace back and forth, her face showing signs of obvious concern. After a minute, she paused and looked up at Ginmae. "Yes, you're right... but you must understand once the princess makes up her mind, you can't stop her! I am far too old to protect her out there... so, please, Ginmae... could you?"
Ginmae let out a loud laughter, folding her arms over her chest. "Wow, that's a first! You're trusting me to do something? Well then, Lady Alma! I will do my best to protect the princess!" The female guard turned, ready to spring forth out into the hallway, but Alma's voice stopped her right in mid-action.
"Please, do not tell the king or queen about this." She pleaded.
The guard nodded, quietly replying, "On my honor." With that, she quickly darted into the hallway, spreading those wings of hers to come into a simplified glide the rest of the way. Once again, she was interrupted by another voice, though it was still a familiar one.
"Ginmae! Where are you going in such a rush?" A loud, commanding female voice shouted from a few meters away. Ginmae landed promptly upon her feet, folding those wings of hers and sighing. There was no telling how far Mina was by now. "Well? Answer me!"
"Trianna, I'm in a hurry. Please understand!"
"Hmph, I asked where you were going, so answer me and I'll leave you at that." Trianna's voice had gotten louder as she closed the distance between them. She was about an inch taller than Ginmae, with long, wavy, violet hair that was bound up at the swell of her hips. Few waves of hair rested across her visage, she was quick to sweep them aside with a gauntlet-clad hand. A higher in rank guard, obvious by the quality of her golden armor and clothing. Trianna was known as the 'Crimson Wing" for her fiery red eyes; obviously it was seen as intimidating by the other grunts and lower guards. "Hurry up, or else I'll be assigning you to latrine cleaning duties again for insubordination."
Ginmae's eyes widened, she had recalled the last time she had been giving the duty of cleaning the toilets and it irked her to no end. It was truly the most disgusting experience of her entire life. She spun upon her heels and immediately saluted her superior, "Ma'am! I am going to escort Princess Mina outside of the castle!" There was no way she could get passed Trianna without the truth, so hopefully... well, she hoped that she would understand. Instead of understanding, Trianna got right up in her face and slapped Ginmae, sending her head reeling to the side. It was painful.
"You stupid fool! Why are you letting the Princess get out of the castle?" Trianna said quietly, yet loud enough to scare the living tar out of someone. Those crimson depths pitted against her sapphire blue eyes, leaving Ginmae with a dry lump of air in her throat. "I need to inform Queen Hina of this this instant!"
"No! You can't! Lady Alma told me not to tell!" The guard blurted out, without realizing it until after all was said. She fidgeted and clasped her hands behind her back, "...oops..." Ginmae felt foolish, once again. Although, it was a feeling that was frequent.
Trianna suddenly paused, beginning to think about the current situation. It must have been important if Lady Alma had told no one not to tell that the princess was leaving. "So, she told you not to tell... Why? Where is the princess going?"
"I don't know, but I'll protect her no matter where she goes. So, if you excuse me..." The young guard trailed off, turning upon her feet once again and began to sprint down the hallway.
"Ginmae! Halt!" Trianna yelled after her, but her words seemed to have fell upon deaf ears. Damn that girl, she thought. It was far too late to tell the queen, who knows how far Mina has gotten? Maybe Ginmae knew that as well and decided to follow... Well then, that's just what she would do as well. Guard Princess Mina with her life, she would. "I am coming with you, Ginmae! Hold up!"
* * * * * * *
Mina wandered through the dank, dirty dungeon of the castle, navigating around the giant maze-like structure. Long ago, they built this here to prevent anyone from trying to invade the castle; well, at least help slow down an invasion at least. It appeared that it was never needed in the first place, but they kept it for safe measures. She knew this was the quickest way to the continent she needed cross over to; the only way to reach the great bridge that spanned over to the eastern lands. The corridors were barely lit, the cobble-stone was crumbling and moss had begun to grow heavy upon it. And the air, it smelled of stagnant water. Suzy snorted in Mina's arms, the sound carried down the dark dungeon in an echo. "Suzy, shh!" The girl said in a hushed whisper to the small piglet and continued to travel down an unknowing corridor that she took a turn at. However long she had been walking around here, she did not know. It had been awhile however and it was starting to make her feel hopeless. Though, she would not let herself give up, she was set on going to see her sister at the Magic Academy in HomeTown(for lack of name)and she was NOT going back. Something told her she was very close to the entrance to the bridge, maybe it was the subtle coughing of a nearby guard standing outside of an iron gate. Mina's heart started to beat rapidly; she was so happy she had found her way through the maze. The princess's footsteps startled the half-asleep male, white-winged guard.
"H...Halt!" He said in a fit of panic, hoisting up his spear at the girl approaching him. Mina, in shock, takes a step back, cradling Suzy closer to her chest in fear. The guard shakes his head and raises the visor on his helm, squinting his eyes. "Princess Mina?" The guard says in uncertainty, lowering his pole-arm.
"Yes."
The man stretches his wings and promptly salutes her after his discovery. Mina giggles in response and begins to close the gap between the two, smiling at him. He merely gazes down at her and speaks, "Why are you here?"
"I would like to leave the castle."
"I'm sorry, but I cannot let you leave... Especially if you're going alone." The tone of his voice was flat, yet apologetic at the same time.
Rapid footsteps echoed down the corridors of the dungeon, causing the guard to jump in surprise and drop his spear. Rounding the bend, were two Wyndian woman; Ginmae and Trianna. They were running out top speed toward the two, coming to a skidding halt as they reached their destination.
"Fear not, the princess is not going by herself!" Trianna gasped, trying to regain her breath and composure. Ginmae just nodded and stood beside her superior while her chest heaved as she gasped for air. "So, please raise the gate." She ordered, looking directly into the male guard's eyes.
"Yes ma'am, captain Trianna!" The guard reached over to a lever on the wall, clamping his first over it and pulling it down. With a loud, mechanical cranking, the gate dropped as soundly as a stone into the ground, allowing passage onto the bridge outside. Mina looked stunned as she turned to both the women, but she managed to pull off a smile in gratitude. She could not believe they were helping her, she was so thankful.
"Lady Ginmae, Lady Trianna... thank you so much. Are you accompanying me?" The princess asked, with a hopeful glint in her deep, emerald eyes. How could they deny such a request now that they've seen the look on her face?
"Yes, we will." Trianna responded with a nod.
"I am grateful... thank you so much. Let us get going then." Mina said after
a polite curtsey and headed straight for the wide, open arched doorway. She had
gone ahead and was happily gazing at the view of the ravine from the bridge.
"Ma'am, you aren't going to go back and report her... well, you know.. because she didn't get too far..." Ginmae asked her quietly.
"No... I don't want to be the one to let her down. Look at her, she's so happy to be outside.. There must be something important she needs to do." Trianna whispered back and headed out toward the bridge, ready to leave. Ginmae nodded, smiling at her captain's kindness... she never knew she was like that. Trianna was always such a stickler for the rules.
Suzy squealed and began to kick her feet around in Mina's arms, struggling to be released, Mina sighed and set her down. The piglet began to trot happily around the princess, snorting and squealing in such an ecstatic manner. Luckily, Suzy was well mannered and did not leave her side on the bridge. Ginmae and Trianna approached their princess, ready to journey and defend her.
"Just one question, my lady. Where are you headed?" Trianna asked in a gentle tone, very unlike how she addressed her grunts. Well, after all, it didn't seem polite to address a princess with a commanding tone.
"Hometown... Do you know where that is?" Mina asked, cocking her head to the side. Sure, she was going to head out alone, but she had no idea where she was going. It made her feel relieved that they were coming with her.
"Of course."
"Then, let us go, Lady Ginmae, Lady Trianna!" The princess said with a cheerful yell, and then looked down at her feet, to see Suzy staring up at her. "Oh, and you too, Suzy!" The two guards chuckled at the girl's behavior. So innocent. Trianna treaded down the bridge, leading the way, while Ginmae followed behind in the back, making sure nothing would come up from behind and attack the princess. There was a long walk ahead of them and hopefully, it would be uneventful.