Chapter 30: Chapter 29: a royal meeting

   

We are currently riding towards our destination, the gates of the royal capital Amphos.

I can see some merchant carts waiting at the gates, but otherwise the place looks desolate. Like a disaster happened here. 

 

"Ah, Tomoko and Minako, I just remembered one thing." I said. Then they both looked at me.

 

I continued, "remember the teleport thing we did?" They nodded, with a questioning look on their faces.

"Well, I said it was a one-time thing right, so don't forget that we will be returning to Grae Thal the hard way, by horseback. So mentally prepare for a long journey back."

 

To my surprise, they were not worried at all, as Minako replied "that is no problem, we are prepared to travel for a week, and we are already here, so we have plenty of supplies. Don't worry Greya! We can handle it!"

 

"Thank you, that is a relief." I said.

 

Baldric then replied, "won't you be staying as our guest then?" 

 

"Well, Baldric, it all depends on what is going to happen. But for now, it's your job to get us into the city. 

We are almost at the gates, can you do the introductory thing and ask the guards that we are on a diplomatic mission to see the king at his earliest convenience? Ah, don't forget to mention that you are the first emissary to have returned home. That might help. " I said.

 

"Of course Greya, I already prepared this a while ago. Just trust me and only speak when spoken to. There are some of us who discriminate against your kind." Baldric said.

 

"Honestly Baldric, that already sounds a bit insulting you know." I made sure to show disapproval on my face.

 

"Apologies princess, please know I meant no disrespect. Please, from now on it is vital that you all keep quiet. Again, I only wish to help." He said.

 

The rest of us nodded in agreement while we waited about fifty metres from the gates. We were at a full stop, to show them that we meant them no harm. 

 

The merchant was allowed to pass when one of the capital's guards approached us. Apparently they don't want us to come closer without an inspection. I hope this will go well.

 

The guard came closer and closer, looking at me, then at the others, before finally stopping before Baldric.

 

"Sir Baldric, you have already returned. Why are those filthy foxes following you? Did something happen?" The guard asks.

 

"Guard, what is your name?" Baldric asks in an authoritative voice.

 

The guard salutes and then replies "my name is Lawrence, Sir Baldric".

 

"Alright Lawrence, now stand down. I visited Eshar and met these kitsune. We are on a diplomatic mission and need to see the king at his earliest convenience. The kitsune have agreed to send emergency help to our country."

 

"I see, but still, they are foxes. Do you want to let them into the capital? I can always..."  Lawrence continued.

 

"Now stop it! Show respect, Lawrence. Now send a messenger to the king at once. 

Tell the king that Baldric has arrived, accompanied by princess Greya and her guards. That is an order!"

 

"Princess, ah? ah, of course Sir Baldric!"  

 

"Wait, what time and day is it anyway?" Baldric asked Lawrence.

 

"Huh? What happened Sir? It is Sunday, the fourth day of the eighth month. The tower just struck seven bells, Sir Baldric."  Lawrence replied.

 

"Good, now, do as you are told."

 

He bowed to Baldric, then to me, and ran away to the gates, while we waited for confirmation.

At least we confirmed that it was still early morning, on the same day that we left our palace. I don't know if this is by design, or if I messed up the teleport. 

 

"It was by design sweetie, let's say you needed some divine help to move things along..." Mother answered in my mind. This made me smile, while Baldric looked at me confused. I just shook my head, indicating that he should ignore that.

 

Half an hour passed without any action, I guess the messengers needed to run to get to the king. 

Maybe he should send another messenger? Ah, wait, something is happening.

 

A messenger runs to Baldric, then pants, takes a deep breath and relays the king's orders. 

"Sir Baldric. The king orders you to report to him at once. Your envoy will be treated with diplomatic honours. 

He guarantees their safety, but her guards are not allowed to enter the throne room."

 

Baldric looks at me, to check if I agree. Well who knows how long this is going to take if I don't agree.  

"I agree" is all that I say. 

 

My guards look at me, worry in their faces. I look at them both, smile and nod. They understand that I have a plan, good.

 

"I will relay that answer to our king, Sir Baldric. Please urgently report to the palace." He then bowed and ran away. 

 

We then moved into the capital, through the enormous gates. The road was in disrepair, and I saw the same hungry faces all around me. It pained my heart, but we had a mission to complete.

 

When we approached the market place, halfway to the palace, I noticed some cat-kin sitting on the ground. No, they had collapsed! One man was shouting at them and kicking them while the people on the ground were crying and begging for mercy. I stopped my horse, despite Baldric's warnings to ignore this.

How in the world can I ignore this scene? I would never be able to live with myself again. 

I unmounted, then motioned for the others to do the same. Then I ran to the people with the intent to heal them, only to be stopped by that jerk.

 

"Stop, you filthy fox! Who released your leash?" The man who was previously kicking said.

 

"No! You stop! I am princess Greya. I am on a diplomatic..." but I couldn't finish my sentence as I was being surrounded by more of those thugs. My guards protected me from them, by showing them their daggers.

 

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"Stand down!" Tomoko shouted.

 

Minako showed her teeth, while waving her daggers, looking around to see who would attack us first. 

 

"Stop it!" Baldric said.  "Are you insane? These are royal guards of the kitsune! Don't mess with them! They are protecting their princess." 

 

"And who are you, traitor?" the thug asked.

 

"I am the one who will end your life if you do not stand down immediately!" Baldric said.

 

"Ah ha, try me, you are not even wearing armour." the thug dared to say.

 

Baldric approached the man without any further discussion, then evaded the thugs' knives and slit his throat in seconds. 

 

Minako and Tomoko were also attacked but were proficient enough to disable their counterparts as well.

 

The remaining thugs immediately backed off. None had attacked me, but they still glared at me, then ran away into the small alleys. Oh dear, I think we will be seeing them again. I sure hope not.

 

"Thank you Baldric, Tomoko, Minako. Well done." I said.

 

"Really Greya? Thank you? This could have been avoided! You were ordered to see the king at once!" 

 

Grrrrr, I let out a very audible growl, which surprised me, but I didn't show my surprise. "Watch your tongue Baldric. I know you were speaking in the spur of the moment, so I will forgive your outburst. These people are injured, hungry and defeated. It is my job to help anyone that needs it. If that means to clean up some filth, then I won't lose any sleep over it." 

 

Baldric was surprised with my assertive reply, he bowed and replied "yes, princess." He couldn't say anything else.

 

Then Tomoko gave me a sudden bear hug, which took all the air out of my lungs. "He...he...he...help, air!" was all I could say, moments before passing out. Minako pulled her away from me and they both said "apologies Greya."

 

I smiled and said "really, thank you guys. You protected me. I won't forget that. Let's save the hugs for when we are safe at home, alright? I have a job to do."

 

They both nodded and stood next to me, offering further protection.

 

I then looked at the crying people on the ground. I had already noticed that they were not mortally wounded, or I would have healed them earlier in my divine form. That form would also offer me some protection, well, that was what I hoped. Still new at the job, remember? Anyway..

 

I walked towards them and kneeled "don't worry, I am a healer. Who needs healing first?"

Only then did I notice that a man and a woman protected a small child who was buried beneath them. 

 

"Please, heal my daughter first!" the woman said. I then laid my hands on the child, who started crying uncontrollably, probably due to the shock. A few seconds later, the girl was healed. I did the same with all the other injured people and then said "what happened here?"

 

Only then did the man notice that I was a kitsune. "Why did you help us? You are a kitsune, don't you hate us cat-kin?" 

 

I gave my signature warm smile, and said "I understand your point of view. But please note, I mean you no harm. I am princess Greya, head-priestess and servant of goddess Ima. We are here on a mission of peace to help your country and of course to feed people like you." 

 

All of the people, including the public who had gathered bowed to us for a few seconds, when I noticed that the child was mal-nourished. "Come here little one," I said. 

 

The child looked at her parents for permission and when they nodded, came to me. 

 

"Here, this is for you." I gave her one of my sandwiches. My favourite with fish. I hope this one likes....ah yes, the sandwich has already disappeared in her tummy.

 

I then said with a loud voice, looking at the people around me, "I am sorry people, I cannot give you our rations, as we have to travel back to our country in a few days. But know that we are aware of your hunger. We will speak to your king today, and will try to send emergency food to you as fast as possible. 

We kitsune are your neighbours. Hold on a little more and wait for help, assuming your king will let us!"

 

"Yes he will!" a female voice in the audience shouted. I looked surprised at the origin of the voice, my ears twitching and moving on their own to pinpoint the location. Ah there. That lady. She seems to be well-dressed and there are guards around her. Oh oh. Royal guards.

 

"Dear lady, might I ask who you are? We need to see the king immediately." I bowed and asked politely. Well, that never hurts, right?

 

"I am Rose Sapphire, queen of this proud nation. Or at least what is left of it." The crowd dispersed, including the recently healed people.  

 

The queen continued "my guards warned me that some thugs were attacking our citizens. We received many of these reports lately, but I couldn't believe them, until I witnessed this myself. Hadn't you intervened, we would have. You are obviously not from here, who are you and what business do you have with my husband?"

 

All in our party bowed to the queen, then I replied "honourable queen Sapphire, it is an honour to meet you. We come from the capital Grae Thal in Eshar. We are on a mission of mercy. I am princess Greya, these two are my guards and this is the emissary who reached our country and was well treated as a guest, Sir...." I couldn't finish my sentence. 

 

"Baldric of Astworthy, my queen. I am the emissary sent by our king to our neighbouring country Eshar, to the  fox-kin." He looked apologetic to me, seeing that I was interrupted. I motioned him to continue.

 

"My queen, we were ordered to report to our king to present this diplomatic party, so they can send emergency food to us. They are not planning war, they sent their only princess and heir to the throne as ultimate proof."

 

"I see," the queen said. "You may proceed at once. Go to the Palace immediately. Follow my carriage and my guards will make sure to let you pass without being delayed." 

 

We all nodded to her, agreeing to her orders. 

 

"Ah Greya," the queen said. Well, a queen is superior to a princess, so she can call me that. "Thank you for helping my people and healing them too. That is impressive. Might I inquire if you are also the court healer?"

 

"No, queen Sapphire, I am the head-priestess at our main temple. I serve my goddess Ima and will try to help all that are needy."  Doesn't hurt to make as innocent an appearance as possible today.

 

"I see." the queen said. "Job well done. Now follow us."

After following the royal carriage to the palace, which took fifteen minutes on badly maintained roads, we entered the palace. As the queen already mentioned, nobody asked any questions, we could proceed inside without issues.

 

We left our horses in the care of the guards and followed her majesty the queen to the throne room.

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