15. Saving the Princess

Noon. Ox quota done. I sat in my room with the fan.

Princess Helene’s. On my belt since she gave it.

（What is that.）

The sword, in my head.

At first she would not shut up about letting go. After the lottery she had gone quiet. I did not know why.

「Someone gave it to me. When I saved a life.」

（Love at first sight.）

「Uuuu.」

No good answer. Maybe.

The first look had hit. Long gold hair. Soft manner. Grace.

Princess, all the way down.

「I hope she is all right.」

（Worried. Then go see her. Use the feather.）

「I do not know where she is.」

I tried anyway. Helene. Nothing.

Need a place, not a person.

「Master.」

Knock. Miu.

「What.」

「Excuse me. A visitor.」

「What kind.」

「Um… a princess? I think?」

「Eeeeh.」

Heart kicked.

A princess. No.

I grabbed the sword and left. Miu behind me.

「I put them in the parlor.」

I went fast.

Inside.

「Ah…」

Not Helene.

Iris Teresia Mercouri. Princess Iris.

A dip of disappointment — then gone.

「Kakeru.」

The look on her face wiped the rest.

「I need you to help my sister.」

I sat. She said it at once.

「Sister. Princess Helene. What happened.」

「She is on the front.」

「Ah. The consolation trip.」

The day I pulled her out.

「Yes. The campaign against the barbarians. Most of it pacified. Someone from the house was to go, offer comfort, settle the after. My sister went…」

「But.」

「The local commander went over to them. The whole thing flipped.」

「Defected. And Helene.」

「Her guardian knight, Fotis, felt it in time and got her out. A small force is in a fort nearby. I want you there.」

「Me.」

「Yes. Reinforcements will come. They are slow to form. First I need my sister out.」

My sister at least. She meant it.

Read it: Helene lives even if the men in the siege do not. That much urgency.

Strong. So a doubt.

「Are you sure. You were just betrayed. Would you not want someone you already trust.」

「That fan.」

She pointed at my hip. Helene’s. Against the skin.

「My sister’s. When I first met you, and now. You have kept it there. Like it matters. I thought it would be you.」

「I see.」

I touched it. It matters. The owner more.

If she asks, I go. Life on it.

That tracked.

「Besides.」

「Un?」

I looked at her.

Besides what.

Straight back. No hitch in the face.

「I can trust Kakeru.」

It landed hard.

A look like that and you have to meet it.

I was on a horse.

Out of town. Next city. Fresh horse Iris had waiting. Next. Fresh again.

Relay. Full speed for the fort in Euboea, where Helene was said to be.

Closest town. Another horse. Better maps.

Then the fort.

Small. Wood fence.

（Smoke. Too late?）

I looked hard. Extra eyes. Siege. Heavy attack.

Relief.

「They are still holding. We made it.」

（Oh. Yeah.）

「I am using you.」

Grip. Noisy weapon. Reliable now.

（All right. In return you hear one wish later.）

「If it is let go, or hurt someone, no.」

I said it first.

（Fuuu. Use all of it.）

Black aura off the edge.

Same look as when it had Mari. I was not taken.

I could tell. Stronger as a blade than before.

Sword in hand. Off the horse. Into them.

Straight line for the gate.

Confused faces. I cut what stood in the way.

「Enemy!」 then men with real hate.

「Small fry! Move!」

Swing. Cut. Forward.

About a hundred. Then the gate.

A face I knew on the other side.

「Fotis!」

「You—!」

The knight from that first road. Shock.

Pressure at my back. No room.

「Princess Iris sent me! Open it.」

「Her Highness Iris? But…」

He hesitated. Open or not.

「Kuuuu.」

A man from behind. I turned and cut.

Gate at my back.

This was where they were thickest. Worse than the rear I had punched through.

Waves. No matter how many I dropped.

Wipe them all, I thought —

「Fotis.」

A voice I knew. I did not need to turn.

Helene. Alive. Relief.

Fotis went tight.

「Your Highness! It is not safe. Please—」

「Open the gate.」

「But—」

「Open it.」

「…As you will.」

The gate moved.

「Now. While you can.」

「All right. OOoooooo!」

Both hands. Sword down. Overhead. Into the dirt.

The ground jumped. A crater.

They lost their feet. Could not come on.

I was in. The gate shut.

Princess Helene.

「Princess Helene.」

「Kakeru-sama.」

A moment.

「I am here to save you.」

All of it in the line.

She smiled. A large flower opening.