Chapter 7

The start of a unlikely journey.

“Father I believe I have attracted the attention of someone troublesome at the reception Darius was his name” I tell father after the wedding reception.

“Indeed, that bastard wasnt even invited, dont worry I would never give you up to a barbarian like that.” Father reassured me.

“He doesn't seem like the type to take no as an answer, do you have any plans on how to deal with him?” I am curious how father is going to handle this.

“Its simple in our country you have to be at least 13 to officially be engaged or married. Those are the laws of our country if he doesn't like them its too bad, we are not going give in to his desires. I doubt he could afford a war between us he is already fighting a war with the beast-kin who are upset over the slavery in his country.” Dad explained.

“Well that is good news.” I am happy that me causing a war is unlikely I didn't want to become Helen from Troy.

“We are however going to get you back to Lorrington as soon as possible and as secretive as possible. You should say goodbye to Mandy it may be awhile before you meet her again.” Father said and then left to arrange my transport.

Damn this what I get for going along with Mandy and mothers little games. I wont lie it is fun being the center of attention, but now I am a target which is scary. I really need to say no once in a while I am too nice to Mandy. I head over to where Mandy and Felix are which is at the head table of the reception hall.

“Well if it isn't the little angel Kara who stole the heart of my little brother Richard as well as everyone at the reception” Felix said to me .

He is calling me an angel? Actually Kara is the name of one of the Valkyries, which is similar but not quite the same as an angel in my old world. I simply nodded to him, “ Can I borrow my sister for a few minutes? I need to talk to her in private, family stuff.”

Mandy could see the troubled look on my face and told Felix she would be right back. She then led me to a back room within the kitchen that was unoccupied.

I then explained the situation to Mandy doing my best to prevent her from feeling guilty, this was very much my fault and not hers. I didn't succeed at all though.

“This is all my fault Kara I am so sorry. I dont think I will ever forgive myself, you always do your best for me and now you are in a terrible situation.” Kara was crying pretty bad.

“No this is all my fault Mandy, for some reason I cant say no to you I never have. I love you too much. Anyways dad is going to take care of it.” I hope so at least.

“I dont know what I can do to make it right I feel so helpless.” Mandy couldn't bring herself to stop crying.

I then hugged her and embraced her. We hugged for a minute straight and finally I said to her.

“If you feel responsible, then you can owe me one favor down the road that you must oblige for me no matter what. It would be something within your power and within reason I assure you.” I offered her a chance to repay what ever debt she felt she owed this is all I could think of to make her feel better.

“I potentially ruin your life and all that you want is one favor? That is not equ......” Mandy is cut off by my hand covering her mouth.

“Its fine, anyways I am leaving probably tonight so I just wanted to say goodbye since I dont know how long it is going to be until we can meet again.” After a tight hug and an exchange of ' I love you's, I headed back to where dad was.

Dad leaned in and whispered to me, “ Its all set I have arranged you transport, Its going to be inside a wagon and not a carriage so you dont stick out. You will have 20 guards disguised as merchants. We wont even give that bastard a chance to get his hands on you. You leave in a few hours while finish arranging everything in secret.”

Yes I must agree even though the possibility that he would make a move for me here in Toulia is small, its better to get me out now before they can plot something. Since we will appear as merchants there will be no flags that come up from people watching the gates. This is a very well thought out plan I thought, I guess my dad really does love me after all.

Time to go back get my things ready.

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Jonas POV

My name is Jonas and I find myself in a terrible situation. I am 42 years old and have a wife and 2 kids here in the city of Toulia. For a profession, I drive wagons and carriages . I am also in deep with the wrong kind of people. You see I have a gambling problem, I like to bet on fights in the coliseum but I am not very good at it, in fact I owe those bad people a large amount of money I have been giving them what I can scrape up from my job but its only barely covering the interest.

My luck is looking up though! A man whom said he was a merchant needed me to transport some goods from here to Lorrington and was paying really well he needed to leave tonight. Which was weird why couldn't it wait for morning I thought. A matter fact everything about this merchant seemed off. He obviously could hold his own in a fight based upon he appearance. Also the way he talked is way too formal. Plus he didn't even haggle the price with me. This guy is no merchant he is a guard! They must be moving some really valuable cargo this might be a chance for me to get free of the debt collectors!

After I agree to the commission I tell my workers to ready the wagon. I told them I would be right back. I am going to see if my information is worth enough to get me out of this debt. I head down to there hideout and explain the situation that an apparent guard from Lorrington is transporting some important cargo in a few hours and that the request seemed really fishy. The guy I talk to goes back in the building, and comes back with another person. This guy is probably the boss he looks tough with scars everywhere on him.

“Hello Jonas I am Roland its nice to meet you. The information you brought is worth clearing of your debt and some extra, all you have to do is........”

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Roland POV

I cant believe my luck! Termain almost pulled a fast one on us but miraculously an informant fell right in my lap. I have to make sure this isn't just a diversion or trap, but so far it seems legit. The informant owed us a lot of money but it paled in comparison to the amount we are going to get for this kidnapping. He probably doesn't even know the cargo is a princess. I told him to abandon his wagon and release the horses as he crossed the bridge over the river Coll, which is by a giant forest that separates Termain and Jabel. A perfect place for an ambush. This is gong to be too easy.

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Kara POV

All the preparations have been made. I am going to be riding in this wagon for several days. I thought the carriage was hell but at least it had padded seats. They gave me a hooded cloak and regular clothes to wear, they were definitely a lot more comfortable then what I am use to. The man driving the wagon seems really nervous, I was introduced as one of the guards daughters as a cover. Does he see through the lies we gave him? While unlikely I will have to keep an eye on him. There are a bunch of crates loaded on the wagon, I am pretty sure they are empty or maybe they have like rice in them. This is just a front for the true cargo which is me.

This is so frustrating, having to do all this because one A hole king. I need to get stronger again, this break was fun but I am definitely out of my slump now. I actually am excited to start training again now that I have a target. Also mother said she would teach me magic, I am still at the basic stage of magic I can cast up to level 2 of most spells but when she starts to teach me I will have to relearn everything again.

Well I guess I should try and get some rest. I wake up after 5 hours it appears we have made a quick camp for some rest. Continuing as scheduled using my gift for distance at this pace we will reach the border of Termain at night fall, those woods are dangerous they have high level beasts in them. So I imagine we will push through the night before we make camp again. I wonder how many of these guards know I am a princess? My identity is a need to know basis to limit chances of a leak, so I am assuming that no more then a few of the guards know.

I walk up one of the guards who looks young, probably just finished training maybe he is 14.

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“Quick spar before we set off again?” I asked him grabbing 2 wooden swords from a crate that the soldiers use to keep practice things. I threw him the sword.

“Are you sure you are a girl?!” He just barely blocked my attack to his face.

“A woman will kill you no different then a man on the battlefield, dont mistake chivalry for stupidity.” I tell him letting him stand up and take a stance.

He is level 20 which is amazing for his age I guess our army's military has a great training program. I am currently level 12, I actually leveled up a few time during my performance at the reception, but my level 12 is more like lvl 30 since I get a lot more stats per level from my gift.

We are having a fun little match, I am holding back but it is still fun for me. His form is fairly decent but I can find several holes. I quickly slash down and twist my body at an angle to expose one of them. “ You hold your sword too far out, you cant react to a quick change of attack mid-swing as well. Try holding it without locking your arms out as much.” I coach him up. That's a lot better I think as he is a lot more flexible with his guard. After a few more minutes I feel satisfied and end the match.

“Wow you surely are the daughter of sir William. I cant believe I was outclassed by a younger lady” oh right that was the guard who was in charge and I was pretending to be his daughter.

“What can I say she comes from good stock” William who was watching came up to me and patted me on the shoulder “why dont you come with me to breakfast 'daughter'”

“Sure but can I get your name young man?” I already knew it with the gift I wanted to give him the chance to have the honor of introducing himself.

“Of course, I am Mathias Grimwald, and your name young lady?” he asked. Shit it would be rude for someone to give there own name and for me not give them my own. But I needed to use an alias this William never told me his surname but I know its William Craft because gift-san. Hmmm Kara Craft doesn't work. How bout Lara like tomb raider? I like that a lot lets go with that.

“Its Lara, Lara Craft” tomb raider I added mentally well Craft wasnt Croft but what ever its close enough in my book.

Sitting down enjoying breakfast with everyone was great. This informal setting was such a relief for me compared to the prim and proper way eating I have grown up to. We broke camp and got ready to depart once again. William pulled me aside to talk to me privately.

“Your highness, I cant believe how good with a sword you are!” William quickly praised me after seeing my fight earlier with Mathias.

“Well I am a quick learner and Max has given me a few lessons” its not totally untrue but it is stretching the truth pretty far.

“By the way William who all knows about my real identity? In this group?” I ask.

“I am the only one who knows your identity, this is to prevent leaks. Back to your sword skills, just a few lessons doesn't explain how you upstaged a recent graduate of our military school you must be really practicing! Its astonishing how much talent at everything you possess at a young age prodigy doesn't do you justice, I know you will do great things in the future for Termain.” William stated.

“I just wish I wasnt so sheltered, if I could truly train without restraint I think I could push my limits and become truly strong.” I kind of said what was on my mind out loud.

“Princess you dont speak like a princess at all, you speak like a young warrior. I am sure your parents only have your safety in mind when holding you back. I guess its time to depart.” William responded.

The guards all got back to there horses and I went back to the wagon, and we departed again.

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful, only saw a couple of merchants on the road. Ir was starting to get dark again as we approached the boarder of Termain. Something didn't feel right usually I could hear the sounds of animals and wild beasts as we traveled, yet all I heard was silence. My warrior's intuition told me to stay alert.

We started to go over a bridge it went over the river Coll that separated the two countries. Midway on the bridge we suddenly stopped, I quickly went to check on the driver he had released the horses pulling the wagon and was running to the other end of the bridge.

Whats this bandits? The driver says something to the bandits and after a slight pause the bandits cut him down ruthlessly. This is strange what was the driver doing? Did he try and sell us out and then get back stabbed? That's my take, anyways I can use identify on the bandits and these are no bandits, only dressed up like them they appear to be mercenaries. There leader name is Roland hes level 40, not terribly high but higher then most of the guards here and there were like 25 mercenaries. OK we will retreat.

I look at our retreat path in horror as there were another 20 some mercenaries coming up the rear. This is a clear pincer attack, this ambush was perfectly sprung and we have no way of winning I think.

“Mathias I want you to come here.” William called to the young soldier. Once Mathias got close enough he whispered into his ear I am guessing the fact that I was not actually his daughter. “ You will protect her we will clear a path for you two to escape”

“But I can help fight” me and Mathias both said in unison.

“No this is what must happen please dont fight me on this. The girl must escape and return to Lorrington.” William pleaded desperately. “Now get ready we haven't much time, both of you ride my horse he is the fastest here”

“I dont know how to ride a horse” I stated, it is true even though it would take me little time to learn how.

Mathias got on the horse and extended his hand, I grabbed his hand and he pulled me up to the horse. I could have easily climbed up myself but I figured I would let him have the honor. “ Hold on tight”. He told me. I wrapped my arms around him, through his chain mail his body was very solid. He definitely was fit and muscular for his age, I didn't feel anything 'weird' from holding on to him just admiration of his hard work.

“OK wait for us to make an opening and then take it” William said. He cast a little fire ball on the wagon and it lit on fire he then kicked it backward down the bridge to cut off the enemies coming from our flank. William charged forward with all the other members that were sent to escort me and attacked Roland's group.

This is crazy I thought, this is the first real battle I have witnessed. Even though people are dying right and left I cant help but feel excited this is an effect on my wargod blessing. It takes a lot of willpower not to jump off and join the fray, but these guys are sacrificing themselves for us to escape.

The guards have pushed in the outside of there force in slightly and Mathias instantly takes it. Success! We made it to the other side of the bridge through there forces. Immediately though I grab Mathias and pull him off the horse and we come tumbling down on the ground. The horse a few steps latter was snagged up by a net trap, I was able to see it thanks to my low light vision as well as my battle intuition.

“That was a close one” I say as I help pick up Mathias and we ventured into the forest. They were shooting crossbows at us as we disappeared into the forest.

After a short period like of running following the bank I heard Mathias coughing very coarsely and heard him throw up. I turned to check on him in horror as what he had thrown up was blood, he had taken an arrow in between his nape and right shoulder. He had been shot in his lung, I having experienced a collapsed lung can understand the ramifications of his injury.

“Just leave me. They are just going to track my blood I could lead them away from you princess.” Mathias has tears in his eyes.

“I cant just leave you with your injuries you will die. We need to find somewhere we can hide and I can see what I can do about your injuries.” my healing magic is definitely my worse by far I had trouble healing big cuts. However I had alchemy so saving him wasnt totally out the question if I got lucky with the right herbs.

The mercenaries would surely rout William and his men so once that happened it would become a tracking mission for them and with Mathias leaking blood even a novice could track us. Between the mercenaries tracking us down and the wild beasts wanting to eat us in the forest this would not be easy.