Chapter 17 Xavier

The cells of the Princedom of metal had gained many new holes and saw a marked increases in latch and bar replacements. I knew that it would be better to sit tight and do things right, rather than break out and chase after the princess. Third Prince was working on our release and the only saving grace is that the first stone had been stolen.

There had been some yelling had I broke a few cells as well as broke out just to show good faith. It wasn't received that way, but I made it clear that I was staying in here voluntary rather than not.

"They are letting us go on the condition that we secure a contract for magic ore processing with one of their factions. Plus, if we recover the first stone, we will have to return it. Honestly, they tried to hold out for more but breaking out the second time did the trick."

"Let's get a move on it. We have lost two weeks due to me getting arrested. If they get to far the tracking tag I placed on harmony will dissipate." I spoke shortly irritated at this whole legal, political setback. Honestly who do these people think they are?

They could be getting matching outfits!

Who wouldn't understand the severity of the situation and let her go to save lady Harmony? The prince would escape destruction and war only because they agreed to help. Quickly moving to the stables, they packed up and set their horses up to be escorted back to the kingdom. A pair of stable hands who hadn't realized who they were.

"Why do we have to do this? Aren't they some foreign noble man?"

"If we don't the prince might lose face." The girl in plaid and denim responded as she retrieved a set of leather bridles.

"How could that effect anyone? He's a prince."

"I just told you he could lose his face…literally" There was a rattling as the metal loops and buckles clattered.

"I don't understand, how do you latterly lose face." He asked quizzically to his fellow horse hand

"The Gray Rose Reaper of Claire de Lune is the one asking." One could watch his face and see the hamsters on the wheel speed up as comprehension dawned on him.

"Well let's get moving no time like the present!" Their pace noticeably increased as the fact sunk in.

I know I had been a bit less restrained since it concerned Princess Harmony, but maybe I needed to tone down the violence.

Or was I supposed to increases the violence, so no one dares speak of it?

I decided to leave that one for the scholars and philosophers. We had no choice but to get moving. It was a four-day trip to Flux, a small city on the northern border. We did it in just under two. It was fortune that the third prince was a prince otherwise I wouldn't have tolerated his complaints. We swapped horses at relay stations, allowing us to gallop at rapid speed, aside from short breaks we rode nonstop.

"This is rough, there's got to be a better way." As the trip wore on at the first station.

"I hope this hurts for you as much as me." As the trip wore on at the second station.

"A pox, I say a pox upon you." As the trip wore on at the third station.

"May a rock fall from the heavens and take you." As the trip wore on at the fourth station.

"I will never forgive you as long as I live." Fifth.

"Ill forgive you if you can just make it end." Sixth.

Personally, I could tell the pampered third prince didn't ride enough to endure this. I may not be able to cast moderate or major magics and spells, but endless mana and a minor healing spell made the trip mostly painless.

What a rube. That's what he gets for showing off his advance magic in front of me.

Despite the pace we couldn't immediately chase down lady harmony when we arrived in flux. The prince was a barley functioning and I couldn't guarantee that I could be at my best. We bedded down and waited out the morning.

A hot bath and some general unstiffening and both of us were more human like than we had been. I had kept an eye on the tracking tag and found they stayed the night here and were planning to stay the day, so we took a bit of time organize ourselves. It had been a brutal ride, and we had details we needed to work out.

Once lunch had begun, we initiated our search for the princess. It would be an ideal time since there would be people around the princess so she couldn't just blast magic around without hurting others. Our general plan was to have the prince sneak in first since he stood out a bit less and then have me pin her down. If she spooked, he could intercede before she could escape.

Tracking the princess to a small dive bar was not an ideal set of circumstances.

"She couldn't possibly be here." Third prince was a noble threw and through. It wasn't a surprise that he found the idea of a princess eating at a duppy dinner to be unheard of. I knew better to that girl taste was everything. I still remembered the sight of her happily grinning as we had a traditional rustic pot roast at a small dinner after she had escaped at ten.

"My tracking tag puts her here." For once I hadn't minded that I had the third prince with me. Despite a small scuffle on the exact way to approach, he had a valid point. If we just carted her back the mind control spell might harm her. This was also a thief that managed to slip by two high security locations, caution might be warranted.

"You're doing this to get back at me for all the bad things I communicated to you yesterday." I cuffed him behind the head.

"Do you really think I would screw up a chance to recuse my lady?" Using one of the most potent tricks in my arsenal, I slowly raised a single eyebrow. Its surprisingly hard to do but the effect was well worth it.

"Right, I took leave my soul for a moment." He backpedaled quickly. "I'll sneak in first."

I let him grumble his way in. I gave it thirty counts before I stepped inside. Weapons that were not excessive were common, so I kept it to the sword. We were here to talk, not start the next big war…I hoped.

Tacky artwork and other decorations were void, instead it was just holes and dirty walls. Roughhewn tables with crappy chairs and stools formed the interior. The prince had snuck in and set down at the small table, where I paused. It had been three weeks since I last caught a glimpse of the princess.

She kept her long violet hair, which shined bright in grungy room. Despite the minor disguise magic it was clear who she was to me.

She was smiling softly as she enjoyed a plantain stew. Soften stewed banana fried with onion and tomatoes soaked in a rich beef broth served with cornmeal. Looking at her only heightened my desire to just knock her out and drag her back to the kingdom.

I had forgotten just how stunning and regal she looked, her soft gilded aurous eyes like, like, coins.

When the hell did, I get so poetic? When did Princess Harmony look so…beautiful?

She had on quality clothes that were not the excessive noble luxury. Refined yet not overstated, a long skirt elegant stich work and a cute flowery blouse. It matched the simple hairclip with the flowery design. There was a silver chain and a small neckless that rounded out the look.

I shook my head, these were not good thoughts, rather than my nightmare I thought about me being the one to…

"Princess." To banish the thoughts, I moved quickly to the table she was at and sat in the booth. So fast did I move that it should be read as teleported.

Said princess spat plantains in my face.

Moments ticked and I simply sat, anger and rage broiling beneath the surface. Gravy dripped onto the table and in my motionless state, I could see the fear slowly increasing as I remained quiet. I looked into her eyes as she twitched slightly and somehow everything drained.

"Its good to see you your highness." Moping my face and table with a purloined napkin, I tried not to stare, people said my eyes were unsettling.

"Er, Sir Xavier I didn't expect to see you here." Before she could move, I clasped her hand that was on the table. I was grateful for my gloves so nothing would happen to the princess.

"Of course, now than how about you fill me in on how you've been…leave nothing out. It's been so long since we talked."