An Educated Guest

In the comfy confines of a familiar coach, I once again stare out of a window at the passing scenery. Feana sits inside, enjoying an opportunity to rest. Ms. Tsa stands guard outside, and Sera's dad drives. It's a formation I've gotten used to seeing, though the members of it are slightly different this time.
But, before the carriage can even come to a stop, Ms. Tsa opens the door.
"Ven!" She points to somewhere in the snow. I take a look.
Two individuals, seemingly well-prepared for a fight, are being surrounded by a pair of hulking beasts. They're not Rhinos, nor are they Bulls, but a twisted description of the two brought to life. I'd've been happier knowing these creatures didn't exist.

More importantly, those two people are in trouble. I call to Feana, who snaps to attention.

"Princess, what are those?"
"Those are... Canter!? Why are Canter attacking people!?"

That's all I need to know. With a database of death in hand, I bolt from the coach and shout to the skies.

"I wish I could show these Canter the life of a Huls!"

The device glows white. The creatures come to a stop. Behind me, the princess hops from the carriage, composes herself, and goes to greet the two strangers. Ms. Tsa immediately follows.

"Princess, I don't have eye contact with one of the Canter! It's blind but it can still move!"

Feana continues walking without so much as a word, but Ms. Tsa gives me a nod of acknowledgement and unsheathes her blade. I can imagine what expression she's wearing—I've seen her in battle mode a couple of times already.

I haven't been in this world for long, yet somehow, I've already saved more lives here than I ever did on Earth. Is this world really that much more dangerous, or do I just have more power here? It's probably a bit of both...

◇ ◇ ◇

After some introductions, the princess guides the two strangers back to our carriage. I keep a grip on the cube until we've travelled enough distance to be safe from the creepy-looking creatures, then finally, I let go.

"Haah... For a first practical test, that was pretty stressful..."

Ms. Tsa gives me a pat on the back. "Hia hia", she whispers. That means "good job".
Though the princess has introduced herself to the two unfamiliar faces, and they've no doubt identified themselves to her, I strike up my own introduction. It's an opportunity to try out the 'single name' thing.

"I'm Hildna. Are you two okay?"

The duo are quite a bit older than I am. They look a bit dishevelled, but that's probably because they were fighting for their lives just a minute ago.
The taller one responds first in an accent I can only describe as pompous.

"Yes, thanks to you. My name is Ti. You have my gratitude."

The bruised-up man beside her speaks with more of a gravely tone.

"I'm Ofol. How'd you manage that back there?"

It's clear to me almost immediately that Ti cares more about leaving a good first impression in the presence of royalty, whereas Ofol is more direct. He's got questions, we've got answers, so he's gonna ask.
"Sir Hildna's family were blessed with empathy. Even the animals will listen." Feana explains in a... diplomatic but untrue manner.
"Incredible!" Ofol looks directly at me, barely acknowledging the princess. "How does it work?"
I put on my family's patented smile. "I just ask nicely," I respond. Now that's a diplomatic answer with some truth behind it!

"So, what are two Xarkan teachers doing in the wilds of Lann?"
"Yes, Princess. We had been studying wildlife in the mountains, as our school had arranged with your King."
"We came down and that kid at the border told us to screw off!"
"Oh my! At the border to Yve?"
"Ofol-! He's telling it wrong. They told us politely that no one from Lann was permitted to cross the border."
"Oh, I see. I hope they didn't offend."
"Of course not! Now I understand why they asked us to come back tomorrow! We had no idea the princess was travelling this road!"

These people seem pretty unaware of things, even from my uneducated point of view.
"Did her return not go public?" I ask.
Before we left, the princess announced her intent to take the throne publicly, and that information should've been sent to officials from Lann, Xarka, and, of course, Yve.
The princess takes over. "If I may, how long were you in the mountains for?"
The two respond in unison, not even needing a moment to think about it. "35 days." Ti follows that with "As agreed."
"And this agreement was with... my father?" Feana questions.
"Well, the papers sent to the head teacher had the royal seal, but whether he looked over them personally is not for me to say," Ti answers in such a way as to expel all doubt.
"What do you consider the state of the world to be?" The princess once again asks a question of them.
The two look at each other for a moment, then Ofol shrugs. "Same as ever? Since we got His memories, right?"
The rest of us in the coach sigh in collective understanding.

"Yve and Lann are at war. Eraidus, too, is our enemy."
"What!? How? Why?"
"I'm not quite sure."
"With all due respect, you're the princess of Yve, are you not? How could you not know why your country is at war?"

A flicker of sadness passes through Feana. She, more than anyone here, wishes that things weren't this way.
"If the truth were that easy to find, Xarka would not exist today." She addresses the inquisitive two. "Would it now, dear researchers?"
The word "conspiracy" no doubt came to their minds without any further prompting required.

"We'll deliver you to the border, but if you two plan to return to Xark, you'd best do so as soon as possible, for your own safety."
"Of course. Thank you. We'll be sure to report that the princess of Yve saved us."

To this formal yet positive conversation, I interject with a candid comment.

"You should probably call her the queen of Yve. Isn't today your last day as Princess, Feana?"

In sync, the two Xarkans look to Feana, awestruck...

"You can be the last to call me Princess, if you so wish."