❆ ❆ ❆ ❆ Three ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆

Princess of Commoners

The circular tower in which her room was located made Snow feel like she was some trapped fairytale princess. The only difference was there was no prince to save her. Technically there was, but the whole point was that she didn’t need to be saved. Snow rifled through her drawers and stuck her hands to the back, pulling out some ‘commoner’ clothing and a grey cloak. She held up the outfit. She smiled at the worn stitches on the white ruffled shirt and faded leather pants. The symbol of impoverished mischief was her solace from this insufferable estate. After slipping it on, she cracked her door open, looking out into the hallway. When the coast cleared, she hurried through the hall.

The royal guard that ensured the safety of the estate and their family stood guard downstairs and at all the major entrances. Snow skipped the downstairs main staircase, continued to the end of the bedroom wing, and exited using different stairs. This staircase wasn’t curved, grand, or led to the snowflake hall. It was dark, ridged, and steep. The servant passageway was more like a gutter between the primary castle chambers, acting as the perfect way to get around without being seen. Snow already knew the way out. Like a rat escaping a maze, snow maneuvered through the servant passageway, keeping a close eye and ear out. Snow hurried her pace when she could see her goal; The garden supply door, the door after the kitchen, which led to an unguarded section of the west courtyard and subsequently the way out of the estate. Upon reaching the metal exit door, Snow paused. She could hear the chattering of two knights.

“Did you get assigned to the caravan?”

“No, you?”

“Yeah”

“Ha, unlucky you.”

“What do you mean? While you’re standing around staring at nothing, I get to see some elven beauties. I hear they make great food too.”

“Great food? Yeah sure. Have fun eating bowls of vegetables.”

This wasn’t good. This exit was not supposed to be guarded. Snow’s concerns were amplified when a sharp creak echoed from three doors behind her; a servant entered the passageway. Snow quickly jumped into the nearest door, which was the kitchen.

The kitchen was glowing red from the crackling hearth fire, supplemented by the soothing sound of flowing water. The freshwater passage that ran through the baths and courtyards also partially ran through this kitchen. The kitchen had a prep table, topped with the usual cooking utensils and greens, in the center and plenty of barrels and boxes stacked around. Snow approached the flowing waterway in the corner of the room.

“I can get to the west courtyard from here.”

“Well, well, well.” Someone spoke up behind her.

Snow spun around in fear.

“I was just hungry-” Her sentence cut off once she realized who had caught her.

It was the only servant with an elongated neck and pointed ears; Lamille, her primary caretaker. Lamille’s green-as-grass hair was loose, and her violet eyes curiously scrutinized her.

“You look about ready to go for a swim, dear.” Lamille approached and pinched Snow’s ruffled shirt, “I see those newly assigned guards outside were placed for a reason..”

“Lamille, I’m sorry. I just needed some air. Please don’t tell my mom.”

Lamille looked up at the cobblestone ceiling in thought before exhaling. She gave her back to Snow. A knife was drawn from a holster on the table, and the sounds of vegetables were heard being sliced.

“I wonder what that noise was?” Lamille shrugged, “probably my imagination...”

Snow smiled, “Thanks Lamille.”

“Don’t be late for dinner.” Lamille tailed her message with a slam of the blade, finishing the beat off.

Snow nodded before crawling into the waterway like a spider.

The city of Regalia was filled with merchant stands, ground waterways, and substantial heat runes that melted any accumulating snow into said waterways. Once Snow was out of the castle estate and in the city with her disguise, she was free to walk wherever she pleased. Snow went directly south, passing through the once dirty and poor ‘old district.’ The old district was now the newer one, minus the advertently designed waterways and gathering centers. The sky was sprinkling lightly today, and children ran about as most work and mentoring sessions had ended. Snow’s shoulders lightened the more distance she put between her and the castle.

Snow crossed the southern gate without trouble, and she found herself outside the city walls, on the border of the frontier. Rows of farmland were in the process of being just outside the kingdom’s wall. Snow turned to the southeast; a lone white house stood farther away from the outer wall.

The white three-story house stood alongside a huge barn surrounded by a short cobble wall. Animalistic shrieking and deep hisses sang from the beast-holding barn. The noise was nothing new, but something did catch her eye. A new section had been built, surrounded by a tall silver gate. Within the shiny pen was a huge furry bat three times her size. The sight of the exotic beast drew her in. Its chest had a flair of yellow fur, and its wings were darker than night. The bat noticed her presence and immediately grew hostile, flapping its wings and causing them to flash magnificent shades of yellow. The nocturnal beast tried to take flight, but a chain was revealed as it snapped taut, holding the bat from flying more than a few feet off the ground.

“Hey, Snow, that you?!” a man emerged from the nearby barn. He had a dry voice, red checkered clothes, and a rugged face with scars and greying hair.

“Hi, Mr. Windram!” Snow met his approach with a solid hug. Mr. Windram wore a few straps that hung tools like metal braces, claws, and hammers.

“Did you say hi to our new friend?” The bat screeched in angrily before its voice cracked.

“What kind of creature is that, Mr. Windram? It looks like a giant bat.

“It’s a demogation bat. Handful this one, but in truth, he’s a big baby.” Windram unlocked the gate and approached the bat.

“Demogation bat?”

“Haha, no. It’s a term breeders use when they try to recreate an extinct animal or ancestor of an animal. For our furry friend here, the breeders crossed a normal bat with a pure anagalid. Not only is that hard to do, but the odds of conception and birth survivability are astronomically low.”

“Anagalid?”

“A giant rat.”

Snow grew confused, curious, and disgusted about the possibility of that interaction.

“Ew.”

“The result is that our little friend here is an extremely close representation of what the original bats looked like before they evolved down. This one even has conductivity abilities; it can generate electricity with its fur. Windram slipped on a metal gauntlet before approaching the bat with an apple. To which the bat snarled at the fruity sight.

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“Let it be known here that I called the fact that they evolved to eating fruit. All this one wants is meat, specifically pork.” Windram held up the apple to the bat’s face, to which it turned its neck away left and right, like a baby dodging a spoon of greens. “He can eat it. He just very much dislikes it.”

“Why don’t you just give him meat?”

“I’ve taught him to not target cattle or horses, but if he’s hungry, he wouldn’t care. So he needs to gain the pallet for fruit.”

“I see.”

The beast tamer grabbed the bat’s jaw, and the bat snapped at him, biting into his arm.

“Mr. Windram!” Snow began to rush in.

“It’s fine, do not enter.” Windram hissed at the creature before grabbing its ears and twisting them harshly. The bat, in response, released him and wined, but Windram didn’t let go until the bat lowered itself to the ground in surrender. Windram offered the apple again, and the bat ate it, to which Windram gave him a gentle pat. Demonstration given, the beast tamer returned to the gate. Snow saw his steel arm guard; the arm guard had a massive dent on it from what seemed like repeated bites.

“That seems like dangerous work.”

“He’s already falling in line. I’ve tamed much worse. This little guy is just loud.” Windram removed the saliva-dripping arm guard. “Bah, even considering, he’s got a strong bite. Janette gave him pork once, and now he’s hooked on it.”

“Mrs. Windram’s pork is good....” The bat curled up into a little ball before snoozing. “It really does sound like a big baby.” Snow chuckled.

“I’m assuming you’re here to pick up the other baby, though.” Windram eyed Snow.

“Mhm.” Snow nodded.

“I was starting to worry that you wouldn’t come around anymore with how he’s been acting….” Mr. Windram opened and locked the silver gate behind him before shouting towards the stable. “OI RANDAL GET OUT HERE,” he yelled in the direction of the stable next door.

“yeah, get him out of here, please,” he told snow, looking slightly defeated.

A bunch of noise rattled from inside the stable building,

“Uh, coming, dad!” Randal shouted from inside.

A few moments later, Randal appeared. He froze at the sight of Snow.

“Snow!” Randal ran up to her. He still had his work outfit, mimicking his father.

Randal had brown hair and blue eyes; he looked very clumsy. He grew into a spitting image of his father, with his mother’s brown hair.

“Hey.” Snow greeted Randal.

Randal looked dumbfounded. He latched onto her and bursted into tears. “That’s what you say after almost a year?! I haven’t seen you in forever!”

“I’m not dead. I’ve still been here the whole time….”

He was still hugging her, whining.

“Alright, let go of me, stupid!” Snow complained

Randal let go and pulled himself together.

“Sorry, sorry.” He sniffed

“Let’s go.” Snow started to walk off.

The day was filled with play in the cisterns and the sneaky visitation of friends. Once the pair was tired, they ended their day in the main square, encircled by waterways and heating runes, centered by the goddess of their kingdom.

Snow threw some seeds on the ground, and doves descended upon them.

Randal was swinging his legs under the bench.

“I’m glad we were able to hang out today, Snow,” Randal said, looking at the seeds.

“Sorry, I should have told you. My mom has me and my sisters training like mad.”

“Training? You mean like fighting?” Randal asked, surprised.

“Yes.”

“What? But you’re a princess. You shouldn’t be the one fighting!” he exclaimed

“That’s precisely the reason. Since we are frostborn, we must learn how to use our powers properly. It’s just the way things are.” Snow recited while lightly petting a dove.

“Well… can I see then?” Randal grew excited.

“See what?” Snow asked

“Your powers! All frostborn have special ice powers that rival even the strongest magics! Let me see, let me see!”

The life of a commoner was simple. Nevertheless, Snow couldn’t help but envy Randal. Something as simple as a frostblooded display was a rarity and awestriking for someone like him. The temporary detachment from the life of royalty now only worsened the feeling. Snow and Randal sat only a few inches apart, but those inches felt like a growing chasm.

“Well, the thing is, I can’t ‘use’ my power. I haven’t figured out how to yet.” Snow said, scratching her head in embarrassment.

“Oh… well, it’s alright. I’m sure you’ll get it! your super smart after all!” Randal said in full support.

Snow leaned back, and a dove flew and landed on her forehead.

“What about you, Randal? What have you been up to?”

“Mh, well, my dad is really passionate about taming and keeps trying to get me to tame everything that can eat me in one bite, besides almost getting killed from that.. oh yea, I forgot to tell you! Can you believe... I am driving your mom to the Elven capitol tomorrow!”

Snow picked her head up, and the doves flew away. “What? I didn’t even know she was leaving?”

“Yeah, it’s supposed to be a super secret mission! I can’t believe it either. I was so surprised when her butler asked me. Of course, my dad vouched for me, but I’m not as good as he claims I am. I’ve been training hard this past month. I thought that if I did a good job, then maybe I could be your driver in the future! That would be a dream come true!” Randal was happy just thinking about it.

“My driver? Well, that would certainly be something.” Snow smirked.

Randal jumped off the bench and kneeled on one knee with his hand extended out.

“My Princess, are you ready to depart?”

Snow laughed and took his hand.

“Sure, let us depart.-“ Snow held his hand for a moment before pulling it back.

“Snow, something the matter?” Randal asked worryingly.

“I must have pulled my shoulder in training today; yeah, no worries..” Suddenly she couldn’t stand to look at Randal’s face anymore.

“Oh.. ok, sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Randal quickly apologized.

Snow got up

“How about we get some sugar crystals, on me...again.” Snow jumped off the bench.

“Hey, I can pay my own way this time!” Randal retorted.

“Shut it.”

Snow and Randal spent the remainder of the day walking around the city eating candy. The castle was coming up as the sun was drawing a close to the day. “Well, see you, Randal. Good luck with driving tomorrow. I’m certain you’ll do a great job.”

“Your mom’s butler said he will teach me all the communication signs and show me the route tomorrow, but I won’t get any sleep if that warden doesn’t pick up that screeching nightmare from our stables,” Randal said, complaining about the demogation bat.

“Warden?” Snow’s eyes opened as her steps paused.

“Yea, a warden is supposed to come to pick up that bat today. Some lady with two color hair.”

Snow darted past Randal, away from the castle.

“Snow, where are you going?!” Randal yelled out.

“Your house!”

“Um, ok?!” he chased after her.

----------------------------------------

It was nearly dark by the time they got to Randal’s house.

Snow looked through the silver gates, and the bat was gone.

“Finally, you guys are back. Randal, why didn’t you walk snow to the castle?” Randal’s father, Mr. Windram, was outside closing the gate.”

“Where is the warden that took the bat?” Snow quickly asked.

“Pardon?” Windram was confused at the quick question.

“The warden, where is she!?” Snow yelled in demand.

“Flora? She walked off with the demogation not even an hour ago.” Randal’s father pointed towards the open frontier, snowy fields away from the kingdom.

Snow ran off in that direction.

“Snow, it’s getting dark, and the snowfall is worsening! Windram shouted behind her; his voice was already falling from the distance.