Friend or Foe

The pair flew into action. The man was fast, but the princess was faster. Her foot shot out in a precise kick meant to strike his thigh. The man dodged, shifting his weight and launching a punch towards her face. She leaned back, his fist coming within a hair breadth of her cheekbone. A step forward and she’d gotten inside his guard and landed an open palm strike on his sternum.

“Point for Her Highness,” the ox-like man called, acting as referee. The crowd roared their approval.

The princess smirked. The man flushed and skittered back to reassess his opponent. The princess took a haughty stance and waited, gesturing for the man to come to her. The man rose to her bait and launched forward. He was giving it his all now, each blow more precise and measured. The princess wasn’t smirking anymore, giving the match her whole attention.

After a flurry of blows, the man managed to draw the princess into a bad position with a well-timed feint. Then, his arm shot out and he struck her shoulder with a palm.

“Point for Yuto,” the referee shouted. There was a mix of hisses and cheers.

The princess’s eyes flashed. Her face was set with an expression of absolute focus. She flew at him as if she were fighting for her life. Yuto could barely keep up, kept on the defensive. He couldn’t help but be pushed around the Pit. When next he went high, she went low and launched a palm solidly into his hip. He spun, off balance from the blow. The princess gave him no time to recover, diving forward and striking him hard on the arm he’d thrown out to regain his balance.

“That’s two points for Her Highness. Victory belongs to Princess Mizuki!” the referee cried.

The crowd cheered, clapping and stomping. I got caught up in the moment and couldn’t help but clap along.

Mizuki held out her fist to Yuto. There was a pause, then Yuto knocked on the top of her fist with his own. I guess it was a way of shaking hands after a match. Both fighters hopped out of the Pit, receiving pats on the back and either congratulations or condolences.

Out of the corner of her eye, Mizuki noticed me. Her whole face changed, like she’d spotted a snake in the grass. “What are you doing here?”

Everyone turned to regard me. People had noticed me before then, glancing my way and muttering to the person next to them. A few had gestured towards me, brows furrowed in confusion. It was clear to me none knew who I was and they didn’t seem to have a problem with me being there. Mizuki knew who I was, though her level of hostility struck me as unwarranted.

“I went for a walk,” I said, deciding to say the simple truth. “I heard fighting and came to investigate.”

Mizuki frowned and started towards me. “You shouldn’t be out here.”

I grinned, unable to hold back my amusement on her perfect set up. “On that, we agree. I shouldn’t be here at all. Yet here I am.”

The princess didn’t take my blase attitude well. Her eyes grew stormy, her lips thinning. “Well then, please allow me to escort you back to Sparrow Hall, Seer.” She emphasized my title, no doubt for the benefit of the group. Whispers broke out, just like they had among the kitchen staff on my way down here. What do they think of me? What had they been told?

“You are too kind, Your Highness. But I would hate to take you away from your training. I will see myself out.” I hopped down from the rock and set off towards Sparrow Hall. I considered addressing the crowd, but what would I say?

Footsteps drew closer and closer until Mizuki came up beside me. Being on level ground with her made me realize she was quite tall, at least a head taller than me. That put her easily over six feet, maybe six two or so.

“It would be my honour, Seer. I wouldn’t want you to get lost,” she said. She smiled, lacking all sincerity.

I couldn’t find the words to turn her down, nor could I in any way outrun or outfight her. My time without an escort had come to an end.

“I’m so very grateful,” I said, voice lacking all emotion. We set off at a brisk pace, neither speaking for a time. The sun had risen, gold creeping further up into the sky. I let my mind drift as we walked. This princess was yet another enigma, absent from the Empress Dowager’s funeral and openly hostile to me. Would she become yet another obstacle to getting home? Or could I use her obvious dislike of me to my advantage?

“You shouldn’t wander alone,” Mizuki said, interrupting my thoughts. She had the stern tone of a mother speaking to an unruly child.

“Why? Am I in danger?” I drawled. Part of me wished someone would try to hurt me, to give me an opportunity to vent all my rage on them. There was also the slim chance dying would bring me home, but I wasn’t eager to test that theory just yet.

“Yes,” she snapped. “You have no idea what it cost to get you here. If anything were to happen–”

I stopped dead in my tracks. “And what did it cost, exactly?”

She stopped walking too. “If anything were to happen to you, all of Wosurei would suffer.”

A wave of fatigue hit me. I was so tired of being spoken to like I wasn’t a person, like I had no feelings and no say in this at all. Like I should know everything and respond accordingly.

“Hi,” I barked. “It’s nice to meet you. My name is Rin, what’s yours?” I put on an exaggerated expression of cheerfulness.

Mizuki was taken aback by this, but seemed to sense my meaning. She’d just walked right up to me and demanded I leave the training ground without so much as a hello.

She scratched the back of her neck and curtsied. “My apologies. I am Crown Princess Mizuki Imai.”

“A pleasure,” I said, my irritation leaking out of me. “Now, let’s get something straight between us. I was summoned here against my will and I have no intention of stopping the End of Days. Not until I receive a guaranteed ticket home, that is.”

My words had stunned the princess even further. “I–”

“My lady!”

Vris was hurtling towards us like a loose shooting star. She spotted Mizuki and stuttered before regaining her composure. “T-there you are. I’d been looking everywhere for you.”

“Sorry, I was up early and wanted to look around,” I said.

“Next time, you need only ring the bell and I’ll come and assist you.” She held out a black robe to me. I took it and slung it over my shoulder, having no desire to wear it.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” I turned to Mizuki. “Well, I’m sure Vris can see me safely back to Sparrow Hall.”

Mizuki eyed Vris. “Very well. Until next time, Seer.”

I gave her a two finger salute. “Your Highness.”

She frowned, unable to determine if she was being mocked or not. Without further ado, she left.

“Come now, my lady. Breakfast is ready.”

I followed Vris back up the slope and toward Sparrow Hall. Only time would tell if Mizuki was an ally or an enemy. Seeing how well she fought, I prayed I never needed to face her in battle.