The Strongest Princess ⚜ Ch. 5

The quest to find what the keys unlocked was more difficult than Devna had anticipated. But at least it provided something more interesting to do than wandering the castle aimlessly.

One Saturday morning she was on her regular hill, meditating. Using her sword, she practiced balance, precision, focus, and calm.

But as she did, she heard someone scrambling up the dirt. Their voices were loud and threatened to steal her focus.

"Well well, will you look who it is. It's the little girl who thinks she's so strong."

His friend laughed. "Oh, I see. Can't disturb your being all mystic. Why don't you go back to your mountains? You're not a soldier."

She ignored them. As long as they didn't try to push her off she sheer end of the hill, she had no fight with them. (At least that's what she repeated mentally. She was still working on believing it.)

Something hit her in the back and she flinched. They'd thrown a pebble at her! How dar- No. Breathe. Keep moving and they'll go away. Please go away...

The knights laughed and started whispering. She braced herself, but they started going down the hill.

Waiting for them to return, she picked up the pace of her practicing. The blade cut through the air as she moved, hoping they'd gone elsewhere.

But about a minute later, she learned where they'd gone.

"Hey, give that back! Leave me alone!"

She sighed. Sword in hand, she went to the edge of the hill where it dropped of, and saw the same two knights picking on a rather short first year boy.

With a deep breath, she slid down the hill, landing gracefully on her feet at the base.

"And what's this?" one of them asked. "Now you want to play, girlie?"

The other shoved the boy, and she quickly got between them, careful not to touch either of them with the sword. "You will leave him alone," she said with quiet authority.

The bullies snickered and mocked her. "Leave him alone? Oh I think we're just getting started. This twirp-"

"You will leave him alone," she said again, trying to keep her voice even. They were both much bigger than her and this boy.

"Look at this silly little girl, thinking she can stop us. Stand aside," the more obnoxious one ordered. He made a move to hit her, and she put her sword to his neck.

"Unless you think I am small and weak enough that you do not need a weapon of your own to face me, I suggest you two walk away while you have all your fingers."

Their eyes narrowed. "Are you threatening me, pip squeak?"

She got up in his face too, her sword still to his throat. "You raise a hand to strike me or this boy, and I will be perfectly justified in relieving you of the ability to do so again."

Seeing the deadly serious look in her eyes, the boy started getting nervous. "You're bluffing. Ha. You wouldn't do it."

"Nah, she wouldn't," the other said, his eyes darting around. "Come on. Let's go somewhere where people are more fun."

"Good idea." The boy pushed away her sword with a finger and spit at the boy, laughing as he and his friend walked away.

"What a couple of jerks," the boy behind her said, his accent strong.

She turned to see him and sheathed her sword. "Did they hurt you?"

"No. Thanks to you. I'm Sean of Scotland, by the way," he said, holding out his hand.

She smiled and shook it. "Princess Devna of Nepal."

He stepped back and bowed. "Thank you then, Princess." Looking a bit sheepish, he said, "It seems that the princess has rescued the knight, in an unforeseen turn of events. And I'm glad for it."