The Princess Who Went to War

Chapter 3 - The Princess' Bad Temper

[Calysta]

After four days of riding, we arrive at the Eastern borders, where monster activity has been increasing in the past few weeks.

As usual, the weather is gloomy. It rains frequently here. When I was here last year, I made it so that a fog came down a few meters from the walls, making it difficult for monsters to see, as I guide the soldiers through the fog. 

I may very well need to do the same thing again. On the way here, we hear more and more stories of monster attacks being the reason for a number of shortages of imported goods. 

"Your Highness, we welcome you." Ser Remnand, the knight my Father has put in charge of this border greets me. Behind him are some knights and soldiers. 

I jump down from Maximus, and Gwen and the soldiers with me get down from their horses as well. 

"The King has sent them to report here." I tell Ser Remnand, gesturing at the soldiers.

"Yes, we've received word by raven. Please follow to Ser Grem, he shall lead you to your commanders." Ser Remnand says, gesturing to a knight with blonde hair behind him. 

The men leave and head out to stations. I look up to see that the top of the walls are lined by archers, there are at least two watchmen in every tower. 

I can see the training grounds not too far from where we stand, and there are soldiers currently training. 

"Nothing much has changed since I was last here." I comment. Sir Remnand sighs. 

"Except, the monsters." He tells me as he gestures for us to walk. 

I start walking alongside Ser Remnand while Gwen follows closely behind us. 

"It started about a month ago, travelling merchants were attacked by a group of goblins not too far from the walls. At first we thought the group only got cocky, but a few more attacks by different monsters including werewolves, goblins, and small dragons started to concern us." Ser Remnand tells us as we go up the spiral case that leads to the main tower. 

"They start getting dangerously close too. Just last night, a pack of werewolves started climbing up the walls." Ser Remnand asks. 

"The walls?" I repeat, finding it hard to believe that they would be cocky enough to do this. 

"We fought them off. But a few men got injured as they were detected late." He tells me as we finally emerge to the top and the cold wind kisses my face. 

We look beyond the walls. There is a clear, and pretty large path leading up to the gates of the Kingdom but it is surrounded by thick forests. These forests are where monsters reside. 

It is quiet for now, with the sky gloomy. I raise both hands just chest-level, both of them facing up the sky. I look up, and I feel a gush of wind beneath my feat, as my cloak is lifted up the air slightly. 

I will for fog to come down, starting 5 meters away from the walls and into the forests, estimating that the fog stretch out to 50 meters away. 

I will for it to rain hard, along with the fog, so that lingering scents that monsters use to navigate the forests are washed away. 

I finally let my hands down and look back to see Ser Remnand staring at me. He seemed flustered when I catch him looking. 

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. I don't think I'll ever get used to the way your eyes glow." He says as he clears his throat. 

"I hope I don't stay too long here that you end up getting used to it." I reply as I start to walk towards the stairs and back down. 

"Shall I escort you to your room, Princess Calysta?" Ser Remnand asks me. 

"Tend to other urgent business. I can find my own way." I tell him. He bows slightly before he starts to leave and head to the training grounds. 

Gwen and I make our way into the same room I used when I was here a year ago. It's the exact same way it was before, still cold and dark. It's not exactly as comfortable as my room in the palace, but I'm not in the place to complain. 

I will be sharing this room with Gwen, just as I have a year ago. We are officially reporting here tomorrow, as we've been advised to rest after a few our journey to get here. 

"Shall we head to the tavern today, Princess Calysta?" Gwen asks me as she sets down her belongings on her bed. 

When we were here last year, we loved heading to the tavern and have a few drinks, especially after a busy night of clearing. 

I smiled at her and nodded. I've set down fog and heavy rain just outside the walls anyway. The monsters should be confused for now. Our real job may come tomorrow. 

Not a lot of people know of our arrival just yet, so I change into a simple, brown cloak and make sure every strand of my hair is hidden. I pull the hood down my face. 

Gwen wears a brown cloak and pulls her hood as well. We both leave our quarters to head to the tavern. We choose to walk there, even if it's a bit further down. 

Riding our horses would draw attention, especially at how one can immediately say that they were bred to be royal stallions, considering their built and look. 

Once we arrive, Gwen and I sit at a corner table, away from the eyes of the people inside. A lot of soldiers are here right now. 

"Beer for us." Gwen tells the server. She nods and heads back to get us beer, earning a smack on the behind from one of the soldiers. 

Gwen and I look at each other, and raise our brows. From under the table, I flick a finger and a gust of wind from outside comes sweeping the soldier's chair off and he falls on the ground. The men with him laugh. 

Gwen and I can't help but snicker as well. 

“I've heard the first princess will be joining us in clearing the monsters.” A gruff man says as he downs another glass of beer, spilling some down the side of his lips and into his beard. He wipes it off with the back of his forearm.

"The princess? What would she do? Dance until the monsters leave?" Another man from the same table asks as he laughs.

The men sitting with him laugh, and so does several other men in the tavern.

I scoff under my cloak. Careful that I don’t react. I didn't see these men last year when I was around. Most of them must be new.

“They are asking us to risk our lives babysitting her! What do you think is the number one priority now that she’s with us? Surely it’s no longer defeating the enemy but keeping her alive.” Another man with black, long hair comments.

“Nothing but a spoiled brat if you ask me. Must be thinking it’s all fun and games in the battlefield. One day out here and she’s out crying to Daddy that’s for sure.” Yet another man says.

“I heard she’s a powerful sorceress. A few squires mentioned that she was here last year.” A younger man comments. Ah, yes. I've seen him before. He's a squire in charge of polishing the armors.

“What are you? In love with the princess?” The man who had spilled beer earlier asks and all the other men laugh.

“If she’s so powerful she should end this all by herself. If you ask me, princesses should stay at home and wait for foreign princes to create alliances. Neighboring countries would be glad to send their troops should the Princess of Raziem become their own.” Another man comments.

That was it. I am disgusted. Comments like these irk me most. To suggest that I sit idly by, waiting for a Prince to come sweep me off my feet is preposterous. I’d rather bleed for my Kingdom.

I feel tingling on my fingertips, probably the zaps of electricity bouncing off my fingers right now. Everyone inside the taverns look out the window as the clouds turn dark.

“See? A thunderstorm? Right when the Princess with the ability to control weather is here? Doesn’t seem too powerful to me.”

“One would think it’ll all be sunshine when she’s around.”

Well, you got that one wrong. Windows flew open and glasses shattered as the winds got too intense. They are testing my patience.

Soldiers drinking by the windows fall back as they get drenched in rain. Thunders roar as lightning strikes the ground right outside of us.

"Your Highness." I feel Gwen's hand on my arm, but she quickly takes it back, perhaps from getting electrocuted. I stop at the realization that I am once again letting my emotions get the best of me.

The rain stops, just as quickly as it started. The skies cleared up as I summoned the sun back up.

“What just happened?” One man asks out loud. I look around, seeing everyone has sobered up from the experience.

I look around to see that I've damaged the windows of the tavern. I sigh. 

I put down the pouch holding my money on the table. I've lost the appetite for a drink. 

"Pay the keeper for the damages. I need a walk. Enjoy your beer." I tell Gwen. Before she could say anything, I walk right out. 

As I head out the door, I notice a man leaning on the walls of the tavern. His hair is short and black. He caught my attention as he looked neat for a squire or even a soldier. 

He looked like a knight, but that was impossible, judging by how young he looks. 

"A bad temper for a princess." He says, looking straight ahead, making me unsure of whether he's talking to me. 

"I'm sorry?" I ask. 

"Oh, shall I bow?" He asks, rather mockingly. How in the world does he recognize me? 

"If you're only going to cause trouble with your bad temper, you might as well head back to the Capital and have your grand balls and parties with all your noble friends. We can manage." He says as he starts walking away. 

I scoff at his comment as I watch him walk back to the wall. I looks as though I have a lot to prove during my stay.