Chapter 5

We are the last people to enter as behind us the gates are closed and barred creating a resounding thump.

The town seems like it was taken straight out of a fantasy book. Sturdy one- to two-story buildings made out of wood, and the occasional three-story building with a stone base, line the cobblestone streets. And people of various races are mixing and mingling in the taverns, bars, shops, and plazas.

Watching the people, I notice the simplicity of their clothes, very few have anything embroidered or otherwise decorated, unlike Earth, and plain tunics, trousers, as well as dresses are most common. Another thing that catches my eye is the armour some people wear, carrying weapons at their hips or on their backs.

By the lack of smartphones or even electric streetlights, I surmise the internet isn’t a thing, here. Damn, having an on-demand search engine would be so useful for us. Not that I expected anything else, but knowing it is simply different to assuming something and having entered society I finally begin processing what our new world has in store for us.

As I’m taking in our surroundings, we are steadily walking along the main roads until we come to a building, which I quickly identified as an inn. Going through the door, I’m quite thankful that it is broad enough for my wings, though I still scrape the frame on both sides entering.

Clicking his tongue, Matthew complains from behind me.

“Next time, retract your wings, will you?”

Ashamed at the harsh comment, I meekly answered.

“I don’t know how.”

Before he could reply Ren shut him up. Giving me a friendly smile, she offered to teach me how to hide my wings, before addressing the others sitting around a table.

“We already have rooms reserved. Girard and Matthew will share a room, as will her highness, Lily and Erica. Aren and I will keep our two guests’ company. They are on the right side of the second floor in that order.

Girard, I want you and the princess to go out and make sure we have enough supplies for the return trip before the market closes. We’ll meet up at the northern gate at dawn. Dismissed.”

As her speech concluded Girard and Ayla left the inn, whereas Ren bid me to follow her upstairs, Alice following us.

After entering the room, walking sideways to prevent any more damage caused by my wings, she gestured for me to sit on one of the beds.

“I heard you only recently gained Mana Manipulation, and despite it not being strictly necessary the lower Skill level will make this more difficult. You should also be aware that, first, you’ll need to create a pocket space inside yourself using Mana. Your body will automatically make this space, but the process is very painful, regardless I urge you to finish in one sitting as taking a break can cause irregularities and lead to injury and even disfigurement.

Now let’s get you started. Grab hold of your wings and tail using your mind and gently pull them into you. Do this until you encounter a barrier or a wall, if you will, at your skin. You need to tear a hole into it that is big enough for your appendages to pass without touching the edges, otherwise, you’ll injure yourself. Once all of them are through you’ll have succeeded.”

Her instructions complete, I set myself to the task, and once I start dismantling the barrier, enormous amounts of pain flood my nervous system. Gritting my teeth, I struggle to maintain the small portals I opened let alone widen them further.

I slowly lose my mental grip holding the rifts. Dreading failure I renew my effort, dredging all my remaining strength into the attempt, I rip the passages wide open. Too wide, the resistance I felt vanishes and the wall crumbles. Bits and pieces fall, and the pain becomes unbearable. Shutting out everything else I pull my limbs inside keeping an eye on the fragments of the barrier, striking any remnant away before it can touch my wings or tail.

I don’t know when I finished, I only know that at some point the soothing warmth of healing magic replaced the pain before it became almost unbearably hot. As the heat tapers out, I open my eyes and see Alice, Ren, and Ayla standing above me with worried looks on their faces.

“Ow. What happened?”

“Ahh, you’re responsive again. Good.

What happened was that instead of holding open some portals as I instructed you, you broke your Mana Boundary. Don’t worry it will heal in a few days. Until then you’ll be more susceptible to Magic and environmental Mana, so be careful.”

“I’ve been really worried when you fell from the bed and wouldn’t respond. Please, don’t do that anymore. I don’t want to lose my little sister only a few days after we got married, but have a nice long life, and maybe some kids.”

Ren raises her eyebrows at Alice’s statement but doesn’t comment further. Meanwhile, I kiss my wife and assure her.

“I’ll do my best. I don’t want you to leave me either, so promise me you’ll be careful, too, okay?”

“Sure. I promise.”

“Let’s go downstairs, eat supper and finish our discussion from earlier.”

Left alone, I check on my wings and tail only to have a slight feeling of unease and generally being incomplete. The sensation lessens when I materialise my tail, and I’m elated at my accomplishment, despite the problems I’ll face while healing.

With a new-found spring in my step, I move to the ground floor and join the others.

Instead of the usual fare of soup, we have a loaf of bread and an assortment of cheese and ham on the side. It is so tasty that I lament not being able to have some good red wine, as the conversation will undoubtedly require me to be sober.

“Let’s begin by having you two explain who you are.”

“Uh… Uhm…”

Unsure how much is safe to say I look to Ayla for help. Recognising my distress, she steps in.

“Alice and Freia are lost travellers. When we first met them, they couldn’t even understand us and required help. Seeing their poor state, I decided to provide aid where I can, as it seemed too cruel to leave them to die without even knowing where they are.”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“I see. Why then has Aren spotted Lily joining them in their debauchery this morning?”

“Freia only recently evolved into a Succubus and I wanted to make sure her needs were met.”

“They seemed perfectly fine providing for themselves in that regard. No matter, his majesty will decide about them in any event. More importantly, are you going to give us trouble or will you meet your father to explain yourself in person?”

“I will come quietly.”

“Excellent. I’m sure his majesty will be delighted to know his daughter is safe.

Girard, were you able to procure the supplies?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Well, that concludes our business for tonight.

You two must be tired. Go upstairs and rest, we’ll have a long day tomorrow.”

With the last sentence, Ren indicates Alice and me, so we retreat for the night and the two of us decide to cuddle together and share the bed, before enjoying our first night in a proper bed on Angholm, while Ren is watching over us.

I am ripped out of sleep’s and Alice’s embrace by Aren violently shaking us. Looking out the window I notice it’s still dark outside. Then I check on our captors, they are unperturbed at the early hour, motioning for us to hurry up.

Bleary-eyed Alice and I make for the door to use the bathroom, though once we are in the hall Ren and Aren pull us along downstairs and outside making way for the north gate. Once there we wait the few minutes for the Gate to open before heading north accompanied by Ayla, Lily, and the other three knights, who had arrived at the town’s entrance before us.

Travelling the road at least helped me remove the lingering drowsiness from untimely awakening.

“Hey Ayla, Ren could we make a pit stop Alice and I had neither breakfast nor an opportunity to freshen up or relieve ourselves.”

“Watch your tongue peasant. She is ‘Your Royal Highness’ to you. Speak so disrespectfully again and I’ll cut off your tongue.”

“Matthew, if you treat my friends like some village girl again, I’ll ensure you won’t have to worry about starting a family anymore.”

“My apologies, your Highness.”

“Better. Now Freia I’m sorry, I can’t do anything about your need for a toilet, so hold it in, for now, we’ll break for a short brunch soon. What I can do though is cast Cleanse on you to remove any dirt if you want to.”

“Yes, please.”

Feeling all the sweat and grime break away is nice and the refreshed feeling it leaves, briefly energises me, before pain erupts from my back as parts of my skin dissolve.

“Ahh, I wasn’t thinking, your Mana Boundary has yet to recover.”

“No, I’m fine and I needed to get clean. Could you heal me though?”

“I’d rather not, I only healed you yesterday because you were spasming in pain, otherwise it’s too risky to heal someone, who’s Mana Boundary is damaged.”

“Oh, uhm, about how far to that promised break because I really need to go.”

I see Ren is about to answer before thinking better of it and replying.

“We’ll stop now. Girard, prepare a meal while I make sure they don’t make a break for it.”

Peeing in the open has become somewhat normal over the last few days but being intensely watched doing it is an entirely new experience. I’m not sure how I feel about it.

Back at the camp, I ask Ayla for another Cleanse in lieu of a washbasin and soap.

“Thank you, Ayla.”

“Just be careful and I’m sorry to have roped you into my problems like this, please forgive me.”

Alice, who’s been quietly following me joined the conversation at this.

“Sure. After all, without you, we’d still be wandering around naked near World’s End trying to learn the language. Though I still can’t believe you’re a princess.”

“I deemed it better not to tell you. Anyway, while buying supplies yesterday I bought some clothes for you. Let’s climb that hill and try them on.”

She leads us over the hill and into the next valley, Aren following to keep an eye on us.

“I didn’t know if you’d prefer dresses or shirts and trousers, so I bought both.”

Ayla materialized two pairs of leather boots, two backpacks, and two bags one filled with an assortment of dresses, blouses, and brassieres. The other held skirts, trousers, leggings, and panties.

Most things in my size are generally dark coloured, only occasionally are there white highlights. Probably to match my hair, wings, and tail, or maybe there wasn’t anything else available with wing slits.

Alice’s selection is about twice the size of mine in both numbers and range of colours. Whereas I kept to dresses, Alice happily chooses all manner of clothes, and eventually, I have to offer to pack some of hers in my rucksack in order for us to carry everything.

When Ayla notices I didn’t put my boots on she asks.

“Don’t the boots fit you or is there something wrong with them?”

“No, they are fine. It’s just I’ve been barefoot these last few days and found a new appreciation for it that I want to remain shoeless.”

“Oh, okay.

I also purchased a dagger and scabbard for each of you.”

Taking the items, I strapped the sheath around my thigh, hiding the blade beneath my skirt.

“Thank you, Ayla, but please tell me; why are you gifting us all this?”

“What do you mean? Isn’t it normal to watch out for your friends?”

“Yes, it is. Giving someone, you only met three days ago, enough clothes to outfits a small family isn’t. Not to mention Lily’s appearance at the stream yesterday and your knights.

What is wrong? Is it about the marriage? Didn’t you call us your friends? We want to help. You don’t need to bribe us. If something is bothering you, please tell us. We’ll support you; I promise.”

At that she suddenly starts tearing up, crushing me in a hug and soaking my dress while bawling her eyes out.

I gently hold her head and rub her back as I look at Lily for help. In response, she only mouths ‘later’ and starts sorting through the pile of womenswear.

Concluding her breakdown Ayla stands and climbs back up the hill Aren is watching us from, barely audibly mumbling something about breakfast. Leaving us alone with Lily I receive a new dress, considerably easier to put on now that my wings aren’t in the way, and the promised explanation.

“Two months ago, the Queen fell ill. Neither the healers nor the alchemists could determine the cause, resulting in her death one month later. Shortly thereafter reports came in that Armsrest was increasing the size of their garrison at the border and the King arranged the marriage between Ayla and Paul Ironheart the heir apparent to the throne, despite her many misgivings.

Her brother Dale is in the north surveying the situation, and so she hasn’t had anyone to talk to for the last few weeks. I hope you’ll continue being a friend to her in the future.

Come, we should eat and be on our way.”

Lily turned around and went after Ayla, and I could swear there was a moment in which I saw tears sparkling in the corner of her eyes.

Back at camp, Girard finished breakfast or rather an entire buffet of food and I suspect our break wasn’t meant to last this long.

I enjoyed some salad and sandwiches I prepared from the arrayed food and as soon as the last bite was in my mouth Ren addressed us, again.

“Thank you, Girard. Everyone, pack together, we’ll increase our speed, to make up for lost time, and arrive in Arven this afternoon, before reaching Demros tomorrow.”

Marching on nobody says anything and at least an hour passes in tense silence. Finally, the Spell is broken by Alice who envelopes Ayla in a fierce hug.

“Lily told us about your Mom, my condolences, it must have been hard on you. If you decide to share it with us yourself Freia and I will listen.”

“Brea-th, plea-se.”

Embarrassed Alice releases her, looking into the distance and pointedly ignoring the barely restraint chuckles of the knights.

“How come we haven’t seen any monsters yet?”

“They instinctively know they can’t win and hide until we’re past. When we are closer to Arven the ground will even itself and you should be able to spy monsters in the tall grass and fields.”

“‘Course Bandits are still around, so be sweethearts and give us all your Gold.”

I whip my head in the direction of the new voice and standing there against the sun is one silhouette quickly joined by eleven more, and on the other side, another nine people appear. They move in tandem closing off our escape routes.

In response our guards tighten their formation, preparing for combat.

“Drop your weapons and surrender or perish.”

“You should have given up your Gold. Now, we’ll take your lives. Attack!”

Immediately the leader ducked out of the way of Aren’s arrow and rushed forward to meet Erica. She parried his blows, but soon the other bandits arrived, and everyone, other than Aren, was besieged by at least two enemies.

Meanwhile, a few of them stay on the hill and start launching fireballs, earthen spikes, or blades of wind at us. And arrows rain down from the opposing hill.

Seeing how outnumbered we are I rush to Lily’s side, who has been blocking and dodging two opponents only intermittently attacking them. I manage to distract one, letting Lily capitalise on the opening by piercing her short sword through their throat.

In turn, I, high on my success, notice too late the other Bandit swinging their blade at me and am only saved by Aren pulling my tail, resulting in almost as much pain as last evening.

Because I fell to the ground, I make a good target for their mages and soon after I blackout from a spike piercing my shoulder, numerous cuts on my body and the heat from a fireball that narrowly missed me.