The Forgotten Princess

455 The Attack on Tarmac (3)

I was in my quarters changing my dress into a more comfortable attire to move in. I was in a hurry so that I could be on the wall before the wyverns arrive.

*KNOCK KNOCK*

“Your majesty.” Tricia called out from outside the door.

“Yes, Tricia?” I asked. “You can come in.”

Tricia came inside while I had just finished tying my clothes.

“Your majesty, I heard that you will be on the front lines.” Tricia asked with a concerned look.

“Yes Tricia.” I replied. “I cannot stand by and watch, knowing that I could help.”

“I know you will say that your majesty.” Tricia replied. “But please promise to be careful. I will be here waiting with your children.”

“Thank you, Tricia.” I replied. “Please watch over my children. Be careful eve if you are here inside the manor.”

“I understand, your majesty.” Tricia replied. “I will guard the prince and princess with my life.”

“Promise me that you will be careful as well.” I said.

“Of course, your majesty.” Tricia replied.

*KNOCK KNOCK*

William knocked on the opened door of my quarters.

“The horses are ready and waiting, your majesty.” William replied.

“I understand.” I said. “I am ready. Let us go.”

I exited my quarters and William followed behind. We headed towards the grounds where my horse was waiting.

Once outside, two horses are already waiting outside. I go to one of the horses and held the reigns. I got up with some help from William.

Traveling towards the wall will be much more faster by horse rather than the carriage, and that is why I asked William to get me a horse.

“Your majesty, we will be following you thru the shadows, so you need not to worry.” The shadow guard emerged from the shadows.

“Thank you.” I replied.

The shadow guard quickly left thru the shadow as quick as he had come.

“Let us go, William.” I said. “Hiyah.”

We moved forward slowly at first and then faster once we were moving. We navigated the streets of Tarmac until we arrived at the walls of the city. I looked up and saw that the walls are at least twenty meters in height.

“Thankfully, the wall is high and looked sturdy.” I said.

“The wall was built a long time ago, as I have heard.” William said. “These were made with invasion from Alvannia in mind. This city is a border city and a strategic spot for warfare.”

“Then it is good that I was able to stop my father from allying with Aunt Patricia in the past war.” I said. “Because if not, then this city would have been devastated by war.”

Thinking of the last war made me remember the death and destruction it had made to Jennovia. I would not want that to happened again.

“Your majesty, captain.” An imperial knight was standing by the stairs going up the wall. “The two groups are already stationed in their assigned posts.

“That is good.” I replied. “Sir William, you can proceed to your designated position. I can go by myself from here.”

“As you wish, your majesty.” William bowed. “A word, if I may.” He asked. _pandan(o)vel

“Of course.” I replied. I nodded to the imperial knight to head on ahead and leave me and Sir William alone.

“Alicia…” William called out my name.

It has been a while since he had called be by my name. I am sure what he is about to tell me now is something my close friend would tell.

“What is it, Will?” I asked. Addressing one another by our names brings back memories when we were much younger.

“I have vowed to always be by your side and protect you. But as you have ordered me to be on the other group, then I cannot do anything.” William said. “Promise me that you will be careful. His majesty will surely scold me if anything happens to you.”

“Do not worry too much, William. I promise you I will be okay.” I smiled. “You know that Regaleon has also thought me some sword skills.” I told him.

“Speaking of swords…” William took out a rapier from his waist.

I was curious a while ago why William was carrying two swords. As what I knew, William and Regaleon were both using longswords. I just realized now that William was carrying the rapier sword intended for me.

“His majesty emperor Regaleon has asked me to hold unto this rapier sword. He had made this specially for you.” William said and handed the rapier sword to me. “He would have wished to give it to you once you two parted ways in Alvannia and gave it to me for safe keeping. I realized that you might need it now. I will apologize to his majesty later on.”

“Thank you, Will.” I replied.

I held the rapier sword in my hands and felt the sheath smoothly. When I put my hand on the hilt, it felt like my hand fits it perfectly to the tee. I unsheathed it and looked at the blade reflect the light from the torch burning by the side.

‘So, Leon had made this specifically for me.’ I thought.

Regaleon had taught me in swordsmanship before and I still know all his teachings by heart. He had taught me how to use a light sword, because that is what my arms and body can manage. What was missing was having a sword of my own.

“I will be heading on then, your majesty.” William bowed and headed towards the gate that exits the city.

Not long, when William exited, I heard a horn blow.

“THE WYVERNS!!!” Someone from up the wall yelled out. “THE WYVERNS ARE HERE!!! CLOSE THE GATE!!!”

The gates exiting the city was closed to a shut. I then ran up the stairs and search for Arnold who was leading the defensive up the wall. While I was running on, I looked out to the field and saw in a distance a hoard of creatures running. They were as big as a horse and were running in two feet.

“Arnold!” I called out once I saw him. He was looking outside the field with dreadful eyes.

“The creatures… there are so many of them.” Arnold said in astonishment. “H-how can we…”

“Do not continue what you are going to say.” I said with seriousness. “We will hold out for the night. We must.”

I looked out and saw the creatures getting nearer. At a close inspection, I saw them with reptilian features with wings.

‘Alicia…’ I heard Snow call telepathically.

I looked at the field just below the wall where the troops were waiting. I saw Snow in her tiger form standing beside William. She was looking up at me.

“Snow!” I called out to her.

‘Do not worry. We will do everything to stop them.’ Snow replied. I nodded in understanding.

‘Be careful.’ I replied telepathically. ‘You and William.’

‘We will.’ Snow replied.

Looking at the hoard, I cannot but help worry about Regaleon and the others with him. If there were this many wyverns, then how are they doing there inside the forest.

Seeing as there was smoke coming from the direction where the facility should be means that fire was burning.

‘Please be alright, Regaleon.’ I wished earnestly.