Book Three Chapter Forty Three: The Little Princess

Book Three Chapter Forty Three: The Little Princess

Leaving the child who had probably just learned entirely the wrong lesson about how to be a support companion, the rest of the party stepped through the unlocked gate into the backyard of the house guarded by Royal Guards. The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

The first thing that drew Qubes attention was the shining lute in the bay window. Even though the world was still somewhat grey, it was as if a beam of light had been specifically coaxed from the sun so it could fall upon the instrument. It probably wasnt very good for the wood to be in direct sunlight like that, but Qube had to admit that the effect was spectacular. She glanced between Sencha Bards trusty lute and the one in the window. They were clearly the same.

Okay, everyone get ready for a fight, the Chosen One said, rolling his shoulders as he limbered up.

I dont see anyone around, Qube said cautiously. It looks like we just need to sneak in through the back door and get the lute. Maybe we should try and detect traps or magic? The music in her head hadnt changed to battle music, so she wasnt sure why the Hero was so sure of an ambush.

Of course theres going to be a fight, the Hero said. Theres been one in every other room.

Thered been plenty of other rooms in Temples that havent had fights, Qube protested. Like ones that required us to solve puzzles, or jump on platforms. The fact that we were able to sneak into the house is probably a sign that this is just us solving the puzzle.

Unlocking a few doors isnt solving a puzzle, the Chosen One said scornfully.

Well then maybe the Temple was expecting us to fight the Royal Guards, Qube countered. Or try and shove past them or foolishly provoke them.

Do you think theyd drop some unique loot? the Chosen One asked wistfully, before looking guilty. Not that I would fight them just for their cool outfits, he hastily added.

Sencha Bard had ignored this by-play, instead spending the time strumming a few notes on his lute. His green mana shot out across the backyard just as the Hero declared his firm moral stance against murdering people for their clothes. The Bard paled.

Ah, he said, cutting off Qube and the Chosen Ones conversation. This place is he squinted, as if trying to bring the garden into focus, not trapped? he finished uncertainly. But everything within me is saying its trapped. Something is very strange about this. Wait. [Detect Magic], he sang.

Everything lit up purple. The colour stood out shockingly against the dull palette of the memory, almost obscene in its brightness.

I dont understand, the Bard muttered, looking around. Definitely Bad Guy scoffed, and closed his eyes. When he opened them they were their familiar blood red, the veins throbbing with power as he looked around.

The Bard is right, he said reluctantly. Something is very strange about this place. I advise we proceed with caution.

Honestly, the whole Temple had been strange. For all Qube protested that non-combat rooms were the norm, and theyd already had two fights (well, one traditional fight and one instance of Squiggles being a tad overprotective and massacring a bunch of otters), she felt like theyd been missing something about the various memories theyd delved into. Things just didnt seem right.

She just didnt know what they were missing.

Huh, maybe they forgot to put the traps in? the Chosen One said, looking around at the glow that signified powerful magic at work.

The Temples themselves are also magic, so maybe thats interfering with the detection of magic? Qube offered.

Nah, I think its just cuz its the last Temple, the Chosen One said, stepping out onto the brightly-coloured grass.

[Lesser Shield], Qube instantly cast, desperately trying to protect the Hero from any consequences to his rash action.

But nothing happened. The silver-protected Hero paused for a second, as if waiting for something to attack him, before shrugging and continuing towards the back door. The others, naturally, clustered behind him as he forged a path through the purple grass.

This one looks like its got a rune on it or something, he said. He frowned. Which would be almost impossible to deal with if you hadnt been here, he said to Definitely Bad Guy, who lagged behind the Bard and Briar. Squiggles lagged even further behind, seemingly reluctant to leave the child Bard, who was claiming that her bright green ribbon perfectly matched her flat, black eyes.

Just like the locks would have been almost impossible if we hadnt had Sencha Bard, Qube said, loyalty sticking up for the Bard in the hopes of bolstering his battered self esteem. The Bard gave her a brilliant smile, before approaching the rune.

Please, save me! the Exiled Princess heaved. Qube, while still a staunch loyalist to the throne, couldnt help but notice that the Chosen One was right with his cutting observation regarding the Exiled Princesss appearance. While most of her body was covered in excessive amounts of bows and lace, no doubt designed to stop crossbow bolts and stabbings, it didnt take much to realise that she was a fully-formed adult female, just child-sized.

It was a little bit uncanny.

I have been separated from my brother, the Exiled Prince, and am being held prisoner in this house! Please, free me! The princesss chest continued to rapidly rise and fall in a very unhealthy manner. She was probably trying not to panic, the poor thing.

Tell her to take deep breaths, or else she might hyperventilate, Qube instructed Sexy Screamy Spider Briar, who gave the Healer a cynical look.

Shes fine, the Hunter said bitterly, a world unsaid existing between the lines. This is normal.

Qube didnt press the issue.

Okay, well, I guess we just take her out the back way? the Chosen One said, frowning slightly as he cleared out a display cabinet. Man this Temple really is weird. Maybe we really were supposed to fight those guards out front. I feel like Im missing something, but I dont know what.

Chosen One, please put those plates back, Qube said. The Hero stopped his looting.

I have secured the lute, Sencha Bard said from the bay window.

Okay, well, come with us, I guess? the Hero said in less than heroic tones to the tiny princess.

I cant go that way! Its full of traps! the princess said as soon as they got to the back doorway.

Check for traps, the Chosen One ordered Sencha Bard.

I did but a moment ago, the Bard said, sounding mildly offended.

Yeah but there might be traps now, the Chosen One replied.

No one has ah, the saturation of magic. Yes, perhaps youre right. It could very well be primed to create a series of traps the moment the princess leaves the house, Sencha Bard said. He gave the Chosen One a rare look of respect. I wouldnt have thought of such a thing, he admitted.

Thats why they pay me the big bucks, the Chosen One said, slipping a full-sized vase into his pocket.

The Devs pay you in large male deer? How is that practical? Qube asked, instantly intrigued, only to have her attention dragged away by Sencha Bard giving an exclamation of surprise.

It appears our theory was incorrect, he said, taking co-ownership of the Chosen Ones idea, possibly in an attempt to soften the blow about it being wrong. Theres still no traps.

The Hero shrugged. Eh, it was worth checking, he said, turning to the princess. Okay cupcake-dress, time to go. He started ushering her out the back door.

I cant go that way! Its full of traps! the princess exclaimed again.

My darling, theres no need to be frightened, Sencha Bard is an expert, Sexy Screamy Spider Briar cooed, reaching out to soothe the princess. Come, shall I carry you? As the Hunter approached the princess she took a tiny step backwards to get away from her, inadvertently getting closer to the backyard. She swivelled and stared at the purple, but otherwise clear, lawn.

I cant go that way! Its full of traps! she stated in the exact same cadence as her other two declarations.

Right, the Chosen One said, stepping carefully around the Hunter and picking up the princess. Ive always wanted to do this.

And, heaving the tiny Royal behind his head for a wind-up, he threw the princess over the garden wall.