by Chris Hechtl
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They heard a scream and braying cry and spun in place. Ryans felt the hair on the back of his head go up and a sinking sensation in his stomach. One of the lighter war beasts was loose, it had slammed the guard and grooms to the ground and was trying to chew on one of them. Its claws raked at the shrieking man's body. It was muzzled, so it couldn't bite.
Deidra was down, knocked clear or she had fallen out of reach. Men were scrambling. Perry and Ryans leapt in. Ryans lunged in, grabbing the beast's headstall as it turned on the fallen princess. “Oh no you don't,” he snarled. He bore down on the head with his full weight and strength. The muscles in the neck were ropy, but another handler threw his weight on the other side. Its head slowly sank to the ground.
It tried to buck but they bore down harder and more men came to their rescue. “Well this is fun,” he muttered.
“Stand clear so I can shoot it,” Perry called, having helped the others pull the fallen victim to one side. Ryans grunted as the creature cawed. “Skull is as thick as yours and sloped. You’re not going to penetrate with that pea shooter,” he ground out between gritted teeth. The thing shook its head and it was all he could do to hang on and keep bearing down. Perry grimaced.
Men and boys were using shepherd crooks to hook to the rings on the animal's harness, and then driving the long spiked end of the crooks into the ground. Lines were tossed over it and tied off. Perry helped two men pull the fallen man clear. “Medic!” Perry screamed looking around and then whipping off his belt to use as a tourniquet.
“This is Five I need a medic at the convoy stat. Trauma, victim is a young adult male, mauled by a creature,” he said, touching his bluetooth then patting the man's shoulder.
“It's okay, we've got him,” a boy said pulling at Ryans' sleeve.
“You sure, I don't want that happening again,” Ryans snarled then slowly let go. The animal tensed and rumbled, but didn't move. He could feel the raw energy as it built up for a tantrum and then let it go as if letting go steam. It even hissed like a steam kettle. He backed away as the boy shielded its eyes. He backed up and then fell beside the princess. “You okay princess?” he asked reaching for her.
She blindly grabbed him and held on, sobbing. He sighed rubbing her back, using his sore left arm to prop them both up into a sitting position. His whole body shook like hers did, but his was more from muscle fatigue than lingering fear. Perry looked over and grimaced. “No fair, you always get the girl,” he joked. Ryans snorted. As Deidra calmed down she opened her eyes and noticed the blood. She started to become concerned, possibly readying herself to scream so he hastily assured her it was not his.
She looked over to the guard. He was torn to ribbons, body covered in a blanket. Perry was standing to one side looking grim. “Sorry ma'am, there was nothing we could do.” He sighed waving the rushing medical team off. They slowed abruptly then walked, taking in the scene. She nodded and gulped.
Perry and Ryans helped her to her feet. She yelped when she put weight on her right ankle and arm. “Seems like you twisted it in the fall,” Perry observed.
“Oh well, here we go,” Ryans said, lifting her up into his arms. Instinctively her arms went around his neck. She settled against his shoulder, eyes closed. She seemed to relax, to take comfort in the gesture of support.
“Princess rescue inc rides again,” Perry snorted. Ryans glared.
“I heard that,” Deidra murmured. Ryans rumbled a chuckle. He carried her through the town gates, through the town and up to the castle. He managed to make it up the various stair cases, despite the looks of the staff, to her quarters but was winded when he was done. For once he didn't give a shot about propriety, his own feelings or of what message he was sending.
“Glad I got my Wheaties,” he joked as he set her down. She still clung to him fiercely, not letting go. In his attempt to set her down she knocked his bluetooth from his ear.
“Never let me go. Don't leave me,” she started to say, crying once more and clinging to him fiercely. Zara arrived, face puffy. She took one look at him and stumbled back eyes wide.
“It’s not mine. The guard's,” Ryans said looking over to her as he stroked Deidra’s hair. She looked torn and gulped. “I guess I need to freshen up. The princess too, seems I got it all over her,” he sighed. “Sorry about that princess,” he said. He looked around for his bluetooth then found it. He explained again.
Zara nodded as a lady in waiting arrived wide eyed. “Hey,” he said quietly. He patted Deidra’s head then stroked her fine, soft hair. “Hey,” he said again, this time softer. She sniffled. “We need to get cleaned up and I need to answer the call of nature. I've managed to hold it this long, but you’re squishing my bladder and it's crying,” he said. She sniffled again, tightening her grip.
Zara giggled. Deidra looked up to him and then over to her younger sister. “I'm not going far, just going to go get cleaned up and stuff, I'll be back to check on you in a moment. Okay? Let your sister and your friends get you out of that bloody outfit and sorted out. You'll feel better. Where's Doc?” he asked looking up to Zara.
Fresh pain and anguish flashed over her face. She looked away, biting her lip. He grimaced. “Never mind, I'll find her. Princess Zara your sister has a sprained ankle and wrist. Right side. Be gentle please. Hopefully they aren't broken or torn. Ask Doc to check when she's got a moment,” he said. He sighed in relief as Deidra’s grip loosened. He patted her hands. “I'll be back.”
“Promise?” she asked eyes locked to his.
“Sure thing,” he smiled reassuringly. Zara came in as he moved aside and hugged her sister. Deidra closed her eyes and sobbed once more, rocking in her sister's arms. He sighed as he made his way out. He hadn't expected that, hadn't expected Deidra of all people to go to pieces like that. She'd been a rock throughout the trip. Apparently she'd let her guard down when she'd gotten home, relaxed, and the sudden fright had broken through her control.
He rolled his shoulders and flexed his arms. Courtiers were in the hall, they had got a lot of looks from them as they had passed through the town and castle. Some questioning, some approving, he'd ignored them all. Now he noticed them and then shrugged. “Nothing to see here folks, the princess is okay. Her guard was killed saving her from one of the war beasts and she's a little overwrought and banged up by the experience. Move along,” he said motioning to them. Some nodded and moved off. Others turned to one another and began to murmur. He sighed as he made his way past them to his quarters. “Sue what’s going on?” he asked tapping his bluetooth.
“Busy here, just a moment,” Sue answered curtly then shut the channel. He pulled off his shirt, sniffed it, and then dropped it into the laundry basket. He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled off his boots.
“Doc? Oh hell, Charlie? Wanda?” he asked. Charlie answered, sniffling. “What's with the waterworks? It was a close call but Deidra and I are fine. I feel sorry for that guard and his family though,” he said over the net. Something was going on and damn it someone better start talking. He sighed as he managed to yank the right boot off.
“It's the King,” Charlie said over the link and then sniffled again. He froze.
“What happened Charlie?” he asked carefully after a pause. She didn't answer at first.
“He was exercising, getting some sun. He saw the whole thing and collapsed. Doc said it's another heart attack.”
Ryans grimaced throwing the boot to one side. “How bad?”
“He's out. We don't know if he'll come back. Doc has him hooked to the external pace maker, that's the only thing keeping him alive. We had to defib him three times,” Charlie replied. He opened his door to find her standing there. He motioned her in as she kept talking. “Wanda's in with her now but most likely he won’t live much longer,” she added. He sighed as he pulled off the blood soaked pants, noting a couple of rips the horns had made.
“Damn, I'm not looking forward to feeling that later,” he sighed seeing bruises on hi
s arms and legs. He picked up a washcloth and gave himself a quick wipe down. “I take it the court knows, Zara was upset when she met Deidra and me.” Charlie sniffled. “Doc said she doesn't expect him to last the night.” She looked and sounded a little lost.
He sighed, puffing his cheeks. “Oh hell, that sucks. That royally sucks.” He shook his head. “Try to go to work. Do your best to... I dunno, not dwell on it. We'll take it as it comes.” He rested his hand on her shoulder. She nodded and then walked off.
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He met with Deidra in her quarters nearly an hour later. He sighed outside her door, nodded politely to the new, rather nervous looking guard then tapped politely. It was opened immediately by Zara who smiled reassuringly and seemingly extremely grateful. “She's resting now,” she said softly.
He nodded. “I'll go in and wait, or she'll never forgive me,” he murmured. She nodded and then left quietly closing the door behind her.
Within the chamber he noted her sleeping on the great four poster bed. He went to the ante room and settled in a rocking chair near the balcony. He pulled out his tablet, checked to look at her over his shoulder once and then dug into the reports he'd missed since the disastrous morning inspection. She stirred a few times over the next several hours before waking. Each time he would look up at her, then back to the report when she settled. “How long have I been asleep?” she murmured some time later.
He checked. "About three hours, give or take a couple of minutes," he answered.
She stretched and then froze. "Is daddy...?”
“He's still alive Deidra. Doc isn't sure for how long," he said carefully. “The last heart attack...” He shook his head and closed his eyes. “I'm sorry princess.” He sighed as she got up. Her face was drawn. She checked her wrist and ankle, both were wrapped tightly. “Zara does good work,” he noted.
She nodded. “She's had a lot of practice,” she replied dryly. “It's not like we haven't been hurt before.” He looked at her in surprise. “We were all quite rambunctious in our youths,” she smiled as he chuckled.
She got up and stretched and then motioned for him to look away. Blushing slightly when he saw her pick up the chamber pot, he got up and went out to the balcony. He felt the stiff night breeze on his body and smiled. Off in the distance the convoy was lit by torches and pyres. The wagon folk danced and partied. He snorted. “Party?” she asked behind him. He turned; she was leaning against the door jam, holding her favorite red shawl around her shoulders. Gently he aided her to the edge. She looked out. “Yes, they do it every time. They leave quite the mess. But it's fun,” she murmured. She grinned in memory of something and then she sighed. He gave her a curious look but she didn't see it. “I snuck down there once, a year ago, it was a lark, so many people, but many were drunk,” she sniffed. “Not very different from some of the low brow parties here in the castle.”
He chuckled at that. Yeah, I can imagine. Maybe next time we should set up a picnic area for them complete with trash bins,” he joked. She blinked at that. “Sorry,” he said, realizing it was foreign to her. She hugged herself to his side. He stroked her hair.
“What is that?” she asked indicating the wall off to one side of the castle. Ropes dangled from the top of the wall. “I've seen it, seen men climb it but never understood why.”
“Boot camp. Sergeant Waters, Gunny Paris, Scooter, and Lieutenant Perry are running another batch of Silent Knights through a night exercise it looks like,” he explained. He watched as men, looking like ants, ran around. They were dressed in black, so once they entered the embrace of the shadows they faded into invisibility easily.
“Why do they climb the wall? Why not just go around?” she asked. He smiled.
“It's a training exercise. The wall is an obstacle they must overcome. It builds character, confidence, and teamwork. It also builds upper body strength and stamina,” he explained.
Deidra shivered as the night breeze plucked at her fair skin.
“Here now, let’s get you in before you catch cold,” a female voice grumbled behind them
.“I'm okay Nana,” Deidra looked up smiling. The old woman nodded and then smiled and moved off.
“Yeah well, I don't know about you, but I'm hungry,” Ryans said chuckling. “Time for something to eat,” he said. He held her to his side as they walked into the anteroom chamber.
Nana, an aged frumpy looking woman smiled at him. She had dimples despite her advanced age. She was a tiny thing, not quite four feet tall. He chuckled softly. “And now what has you in such fine spirits?” Nana asked, eyes twinkling. She seemed a lively sort, somehow filled with warmth and mirth. She filled a room with sunlight and happy feelings.
“Just amused by myself and life's little quirks,” he replied. He much preferred this Nana over Druzilla. Deidra seemed to stumble on a flagstone. He caught her and then swept her up into his arms and then gently set her down on a chair. “There that's better,” he said. Her arms remained around his neck. “Ah you’re welcome?” he said questioningly.
She smiled, and then hugged him. There was a knock at the door. He caught the look of annoyance on her face as she released him. Her sister came in followed by servants. “Deidra, we need you in the main hall, politics as Lieutenant Perry said are getting nasty,” Zara said, not bothering to say hi or anything. She shook her head, clearly disgusted but also slightly scared. Ryans noted she was in a Victorian princess's dress, complete with bodice, frilly petty coats, and face mask. “Are you up to it big sister? Mother needs our support at the ball,” she asked searching her face as she fluttered a Japanese style fan.
Deidra sighed, and then straightened in her chair. “How bad is it?” Ryans asked as the servants went to work on the princess. She opened her mouth but a servant grabbed her chin and started painting makeup on her. He snorted looking away.
“Bad enough, Father's collapse has them tearing at each other and sharpening their knives. Deidra’s close call has made things... further complicated,” Zara answered, looking from Deidra to Ryans. She was sounding like a natural politician, which was probably true. She'd most likely grown up with politics and schemes and went to bed with them dancing in her head he thought wryly.
He sighed. “Well, princess...es I'll leave you to it then,” he said getting up. Deidra’s eyes widened.
Zara intercepted him at the door. “Oh no, you’re coming to, Mother insists,” she said firmly.
He sighed. “Great, I hate parties. And don't get me started on politics. Put the two together in one setting...” he snarled. Zara looked up at him in surprise and then chuckled.
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He managed to make the rounds with the princess, then gently but firmly got her to sit down. She wearily complied. She seemed a little smug though, and the looks some were shooting their way were getting on his nerves. He smiled at her. “See, I told you it wasn't wise to stress that ankle. Doc will probably flay us both for letting you up and about when she hears.” The princess's lips puckered then she cocked her head. In truth it wasn't just her he was concerned about. The monkey suit they had saddled him with was rubbing him raw in places he didn't want to think about right now. At least it was something they'd cooked up with Sue and Wanda in his absence. Not that he wasn't going to rip them a new one over it.
Two men with their backs to them were talking, their voices rose. “He's a commoner, A Gaijin, out worlder! No matter the law or tradition, he's as poor as a church mouse!” one of them said loudly and rather obnoxiously. He was clearly looking for agreement.
The other shrugged. “Both tradition, and the law are clear in this. Vita Sodalis. He has saved the princess. This last time right in front of this very castle,” the young man said. Ryans’ jaw tightened at this. Deidra shot him a look and then went back to watching the men. “He does have those loyal to him, and has the royal favor, that too has to be taken into account.”
“But he hasn't been on the battlefield! Or in the court! Where was he today?
With the princess?” the first man snorted and turned. The princess straightened. The loud mouthed snot's eyes widened comically as he caught sight of them sitting there. “Princess! Ah...”
Ryans’ mouth quirked in a sour smile. “You were just talking about us?” he asked nastily. “Nice night isn't it?” he asked sarcastically straightening in the high back chair. The princess shot him a reproving look.
The Duke of Nuevo Troy came over. He was a recent addition to the court, having arrived the morning before with his retinue. His duchy was a new addition, on the outer south western quadrant of the Kingdom. He and his family spent most of their time setting up their new demense. They had been here briefly, earlier but had to go to attend to business and to raise more followers for his part of the army. Now they were back and the Duke was ready for war.
“Ah my sons, there you are!” he said, hands spread to encircle each son's shoulder. He looked over to the princess. “My sympathies your highness,” he said politely and then bowed deeply. She regally tipped her head in a small bow to him. “And my thanks, and that of all the subjects of the realm go to you good sir.” He bowed again to Ryans. “I was there on the parapet and saw the entire thing. Quite brave of you.”
Ryans shrugged. “Right time, dumb luck,” Ryans replied. The Duke straightened with a surprised look and then chuckled. His lady tittered.
“That may be true, but rumor has it that you have saved the princess several times already,” he looked toward the princess. She looked away.
Ryans shrugged. “Which one?” he asked. “Princess Deidra a couple of times. Princess Zara? Only three times. I'm not exactly keeping track." The courtiers hushed and looked from one princess to the other. Deidra’s eyes sparkled.
“So you have saved Princess Zara... Are you going to marry her instead? Or both?” someone in the back asked quizzically. He scowled, this wasn't going as he'd hoped or expected.
“Wait, you said you've saved Princess Deidra more. How many more?” Troy's eyes hardened.
