A/N:
Yeah, I'm trying not to wait too long when posting chapters for this. Heh. I've been looking into a few hacks to give me some ideas on where to head with this story. Hey, some of them are pretty good for inspiration. Also, you might meet a character in this chapter who sounds... familiar... Anyway, remember to sit back and relax here. Word Count (1,067)
"I know you are concerned, Iris, but rushing out into the fray is the easiest way to get you killed." Aveline said, calmly adjusting the documents before her.
"Is it truly better to just sit around and wait for the danger to come here?"
The queen sighed, having no patience for her daughter's games. "Remind me to talk to Arwel about your education."
Iris clenched her fists, proceeding to pound one on her mother's desk. "No!" That woman didn't see what happened! "I'm not going to stay here while our people… while Harold is in danger!"
"Iris…"
Diana walked up to the soldier guarding the door. "You are relieved of duty." She said, earning a sigh of relief and quick thank you from the young man.
As the woman walked into the room, she was met with the sight of a rather disgruntled princess, pacing about and mumbling some rather unbecoming things for one of her station. "I can't believe her, locking me away like this. How old does she think I am… four?"
"No, but sometimes you do act it." Diana said, acquiring the princess' attention.
Pff. "Please tell me you figured out the guard she assigned." The girl spoke, leaning close to the fireplace.
"Yes, well as you know, the queen forbade me from seeing you tonight; so you know the risks I'm taking by speaking to you."
The pause stretched between them as Iris watched the embers die out. "I know, and you didn't have to do this. I've gotten out on my own before."
Diana chuckled. This girl sure was something. But this was no time to be letting her guard down. The woman looked back, checking to make sure the coast was still clear. "True, but I won't let you off alone this time. I know what you're planning, my lady. Don't forget the ones who stand at your side."
Iris couldn't help the smile which formed on her face at that moment. "Get the others. We'll need them."
It had only been a few hours, but Iris felt like days had passed before her allies arrived back at her room. True, she had a habit of ruining her own plans, but everyone still trusted her for some reason. She just had this innate magnet quality about her. "Alright everyone," she started off. "It won't be easy getting out together. Doubtless reinforcements will be called if any of us are spotted by one of the patrols on this mission."
Algar snorted at her use of the word mission. Iris was quite fond of using it to describe their past assignments. She was quick to give him a cold glare, which was enough to bring the viridian knight back to his serious self. Fortunately for her, the rest of the group didn't act out as much during the rest of her little speech. "Now be quiet, and please, no killing. These are loyal members of the Palace Guard."
With one wave of her hand, she sent her companions forth. They ran down the halls, keeping as quiet as they could under the circumstances. Their heavier armor stored away outside the palace. After all, it wasn't exactly the best for going unnoticed.
The group came to a halt as the footsteps of a palace soldier sounded from down the hall. Clink, clank, clink, clank. Iris took the lead, hiding behind a pillar in hopes of getting close. As the man rounded the corner, the princess attempted to strike the man's head with the flat of her blade. It stunned him long enough for Kaiser to rush forward and deal a stronger blow to knock the poor soldier out.
Kaiser leaned down, collecting a key from the man's belt. It weighed on Iris' conscience, but they needed supplies if she was going to be out on her own. She led the hunter towards one of the weapons stocks. Hopefully no one would be behind this door.
"Alarm!"
Diana grabbed her lady's shoulders, pushing her towards the safety of the rear of the pack. As much as Iris hated the thought, they were much more capable than her in this situation. This is why she escaped alone in the past; to avoid conflict, and hurting her people.
While the sounds of clashing steel echoed ahead, Iris made her way to one of the balconies, looking for any other way out. Had she considered making an escape rope? Well, yes, but it was much too impractical. Too time-consuming and too many parties to climb down.
A loose page flitted its way down before the princess, landing on the bannister. The princess picked up the page, immediately recognizing that chicken scratch handwriting before a voice sounded above her. "And… yet another story I'll never finish…"
"Didn't expect you to be flying around this late." Iris commented, wearing an amused grin.
There was a shuffling up above, and the sound of wings belonging to a pegasus. The figure lowered herself, coming to about eye level with the princess. Messy purple hair lay over her silver armor. "You know this is when I get the most inspiration." The knight said, narrowing her crimson eyes.
"For what? You never finish your work, Em." Iris laughed, petting the nose of the white pegasus Aemilia was riding.
"I do so!" The rider snapped back. "I never abandon my work!"
Iris decided to continue poking fun at the subject, her friend was too easy to get worked up. "No, you just decide to delay everything like my brother seeing potential brides."
Aemilia fidgeted in her saddle, a blush appearing on her face. "H-how is your brother, by the way?"
Iris could have held her silence, but decided against it. "No one knows. But I'm leading a party to bring him back."
"Aren't you under house arrest though?"
Gods, how fast does word travel around here? A crash sounded from within the palace halls. "Em, I need your help."
Aemilia shrugged. "Sure."
"Is that a yes or a no?"
The pegasus rider extended a hand towards her princess, allowing the girl to climb up. Iris had a pit in her stomach for doing this. She should've stayed with the others. This felt dishonorable…
"Hey Iris?" Aemilia asked while that balcony shrunk in the distance. "Are you sure about this?"
"Yes." The princess answered. "We agreed on a location to meet up afterward. It's…"
A/N:
So in case you haven't guessed, Aemilia's a self insert character. Don't worry guys! She's not the focus of this story! It was just an idea that I went along with. Iris is still our lord, Aemilia's the middle p. knight. I can have a cameo in my own story. Grumble grumble...
Anywhos, the idea behind this map is for it to be an escape map. With a hidden escape ;) . I'm writing this down in the author's notes so I don't forget when it comes to working on the hack. Therein lies the key to the next chapter!
Hope you enjoyed, peeps! Remember to leave a review, follow, favorite. That stuff that helps the author know their work is being appreciated.
This is your lovely Squish, wishing you all a wonderful day!
