Princesses Don't Fight in Skirts

by Aya Ling

  No one seemed to sympathize with her. James threw back his head and laughed, a few other guards chuckled, while one was actually rolling on the ground, until he met the embers of the cooking fire and leaped up with a yell, thus creating more laughter.

  “He deserved it, my dear princess,” James said, grinning. “I’d pay good money see Malcolm landing on his coat tails! I’ve known him since I was a boy, and he wasn’t the most appealing character then. Now people will be thanking you for teaching him a lesson.”

  Ari still wasn’t pleased, but looking back at that night, perhaps it had been better to lose her temper than let him near her. That drunken, lewd expression on his face—he was no gentleman, so why should she treat him like one?

  “It’s just…it was Cecilia’s debutante ball, and I feel bad for causing such a stir.”

  “Don’t worry.” James’ voice was warm. “You’re the princess of Linderall. They know you’re Lady Matilda’s great niece. It’s only natural that you would defend yourself rather than scream for help.”

  “Some men find it attractive, too,” a guard said, with a meaningful look at James.

  Ari, however, happened to be yawning so widely that she missed the remark.

  They arrived in a small Tintagel village that was nearly on the border of Linderall. If nothing drastic happened, they could reach Linderall by early afternoon. So far, the journey was not eventful. There was a troll who crossed their path while they were near Tintagel, but it took one look at Howard and trudged away.

  While resting by a stream, Nadine took her bow and arrow to hunt for their midday meal.

  There was a rustle in the bushes, and she let her arrow fly. Before Nadine could go on to check if her arrow met the target, a figure emerged from the bushes, carrying a long, crooked cane. Silvery-grey hair, creased forehead, eyes as bright as an eagle’s.

  “Lady Matilda!” a cry rose.

  Great Aunt Matilda raised her staff. Nadine’s arrow was embedded on the top of it.

  “Who shot that arrow?” she demanded in an intimidating voice. Her sharp eyes raked over the group, and those who met her eyes could not repress a shiver.

  Normally, most people would have owned up nervously. But Nadine, ever the emotionless creature, dismounted and made a low bow.

  “Nadine of Nostrov begs pardon for her carelessness.”

  Great Aunt Matilda looked at her sharply, and suddenly laughed.

  “So you are the Nostrov girl whom Darwar had spoken highly of! Well, I see that you have been training well. I was concealed behind the bushes, yet your arrow nearly hit my eye. Impressive hearing and aim, I should say.” She grasped the arrow, pulled it out, and tossed it at her.

  Nadine caught the arrow. “Once our mission is accomplished, I shall see that a new staff is fitted and sent for you, Lady Matilda.”

  “You shall do nothing of the sort,” Great Aunt Matilda said, waving her staff. “This staff has served me forty years, and nothing can replace it. All it needs is a little fixing, which I shall take up to a professional, once our mission is accomplished.”

  “Lady Matilda intends to join us?”

  “You are joining me, not the other way round.” Great Aunt Matilda snapped. “Did you people seriously believe that I’d hang around watching when my nephew’s country is ravaged by dragons?”

  James turned towards Ari and raised an eyebrow. “No wonder she could bully your father into making you enroll at the Academy.”

  Celestine also had dismounted.

  “A pleasure to see you again, Lady Matilda.”

  “Save the pleasantries for later; we have dragons to deal with.” Great Aunt Matilda gave a shrill whistle. A handsome mare cantered into view. The legendary lady warrior grabbed the reins and swung herself onto the mare, her movements as swift and smooth as someone thirty years younger.

  James gave a low whistle. Leaning towards Ari, he said, “Your great aunt certainly lives up to her name.”

  Great Aunt Matilda had heard him. Guiding her mare towards Ari, she looked at her great niece sharply.

  “Arianna, what is this? You found yourself a young man already?”

  James laughed, but Ari blushed crimson. James had only said a few words to her, and Great Aunt Matilda was already suspicious of something going on between them?

  “Have you any latest news, Great Aunt Matilda?” she said, trying to appear dignified and calm. “Are the dragons kept under control yet?”

  Great Aunt Matilda looked grim. “Another village has been destroyed. Last I heard, the dragons were swooping onto the plains and spouting fire on any livestock and human in sight.”

  “Do you think the dragons might be enchanted?” James said. “It’s highly unusual that they would be randomly attacking people, unless the villagers provoked them in the beginning. But how could the Linderall villagers want to provoke dragons? It’s worse than trying to tame wild lions.”

  “You have some sense, young man,” Great Aunt Matilda said. “What you said isn’t impossible, but right now we can only hurry to find out.”

  James tried to look modest, but failed dismally. Being praised by the greatest woman warrior in history was no small feat. Even he, who usually disregarded court rules and social decorum, held Lady Matilda in the highest regard.

  “Excuse me,” Celestine’s cool voice echoed through the air. “But I believe that we must speed up to reach Linderall before dark.”

  “Right.” Great Aunt Matilda dug her spurs into her horse and rode off, the others following close behind.

  Linderall was the same as when Ari left. Hilly roads, gray skies, cool winds. Yet, the tension of fear hung thick in the air, reminding them that the danger was not over yet.

  They stopped at the town on the border of Linderall and had lunch at the same inn where Great Aunt Matilda had told stories of her glory days. The innkeeper looked as though he had aged ten years, and his daughter, Peony, was visibly relieved and thankful that they had arrived.

  “Two villages have burned down,” she told Ari, bringing them mugs of ale and plates of rye bread. “And two of the dragons have been caught. The king has sent an army of well-trained warriors, as we have heard.”

  “Two dragons caught?” James said, leaning towards her, his blue eyes fixed intently on her.

  Peony blushed furiously, spilling drops of ale on the table. Ari reached over to her and set the mugs firmly on the table.

  “They... they say that there is still one dragon that has evaded attacks. A big one with scarlet wings, the most ferocious of all three. We are uncertain exactly where it’s currently hiding, but it’s still cause for great worry.”

  “A scarlet dragon? That is a rare species.” James closed his eyes for a second. Ari knew that he longed to see the dragon as soon as possible. Dragons were usually green or gray, sometimes even black, but according to James, a dragon of bright colors was rare.

  “Where has the scarlet dragon been last sighted?” Great Aunt Matilda demanded. “And where’s Harold’s army? I need to speak to their captain.”

  It took Peony a few seconds to realize that “Harold’s army” referred to the king’s men.

  “At Misty Valley, unless fresh news has arrived,” the innkeeper said respectfully. “That’s where the king’s army captured the other two dragons. Scarlet made its escape, and we suppose it’s been residing in the mountains. That was about two days ago.”

  Great Aunt Matilda nodded. “We shall head towards Misty Valley. Ari, you stay here with James while Howard and I go investigate.”

  “I want to go with you!” Ari said, surprised at herself. “I... I want to see the dragon, too.”

  “This isn’t child’s play! It’ll take years at the Academy before you can face a dragon!”

  Ari drew herself to full height. “But wasn’t this always YOUR dream, Great Aunt Matilda? You wanted me to become a warrior. Now that I have learned how to fight, all you tell me is to stay away?”

  “This occasion is different!”


  “Excuse me,” James said, putting a hand on Ari’s shoulder. “We’ve brought dragonwood, which will pacify the dragon simply through its fumes. It may not be as dangerous as you think, Lady Matilda.”

  Great Aunt Matilda narrowed her eyes. “What is this dragonwood you speak of?”

  James explained, with the help of an alchemist from the University.

  “Hmph!” Great Aunt Matilda snorted, though her stern expression had softened. “I don’t doubt that you have conducted experiments, but this scarlet dragon is no common breed. Suppose your dragonwood fails? How do you plan to deal with the dragon, then? When I was fighting the Great Wars, it took a hundred soldiers to take down a scarlet dragon.”

  Howard suddenly came forward. He laid a huge hand on Ari’s other shoulder, and gave Great Aunt Matilda a firm nod. He indicated that he would protect Ari, no matter what happened.

  “Fine,” Great Aunt Matilda relented. “But stay in the back. If this dragonwood doesn’t work, Howard, you are going to take Arianna away. Knock her out if necessary.”

  Howard thumped his hand on his chest as sign of acceptance.

  Ari glowered. She didn’t know why she was mad at not being trusted to fight. After all, she was perfectly aware that her sword fighting abilities were still child’s play compared to the others, but an irrational fire burned within her. She had endured a year’s worth of training that was a load more than her contemporaries. Seeing the worrisome expression on Peony’s face and the frightened peasants in her own country, she couldn’t just go back to the castle and stew while her country was in danger.

  She had to fight.

  Misty Valley was situated in the northwest of Linderall—fortunately, far away from the castle. After sending a message to the king, Great Aunt Matilda ordered the best horses, the best weapons, and plenty of food. The scarlet dragon was no common dragon. It was rumored to be the size of a mansion, could capture several people at once in its talons, and one spurt of its fire could render a normal cottage into a pile of ashes.

  “What is this Misty Valley like?” James asked, in a brief moment of rest. They had stopped at a stream where the horses could rest and drink, and then it would be full speed to the valley.

  “Just a place in the north,” Ari said, frowning. She didn’t know much about Misty Valley; in fact, she doubted many Linderall people knew much about it. “It gets pretty cold in winter. Besides, I’ve heard that the cliff can be really steep. It baffles me why anyone would bother to go there.”

  “Steep cliffs are no barriers to dragons,” James said. “The thing is: what made the dragons come out? It’s summer right now; the valley should not be barren. It isn’t as if Linderall has a princess for them to carry off.”

  Ari rolled her eyes. “Be serious.”

  “It’s a question whose answer we shall find out,” Nadine said.

  As they prepared to leave, there was the sound of hooves beating on the ground. A group of riders, dressed in the royal Linderall uniforms of blue and silver, galloped into view. There was a shout from the leading rider when he came closer.

  “Lady Matilda!” he called. “You have finally arrived!”

  Ari recognized the leader as Captain Tobian, one of the senior knights in her father’s council. He had given her a lesson in sword work before.

  “There was business in Tintagel that kept me from coming sooner,” Great Aunt Matilda said. “But no time to waste, we’d better hurry towards Misty Valley! As you see, Arianna is with us. Now Toby, I want you to make sure that if things get out of hand, you and Howard will get her to safety.”

  Tobian’s eyes bulged at the sight of the princess in a plain, wrinkled riding dress and leather boots. He had seldom seen Ari before, but the few times he did, she was always dressed splendidly in brilliant colors and fancy costumes. Without her bright clothing, she looked normal—too normal.

  “Y—Your Highness,” he coughed. “Yes, certainly, Lady Matilda. You may count on me to ensure Her Highness will not be harmed. And the other reinforcements with you are...?”

  “From Riviera. That’s the second son, James, of the Riviera king, the archery instructor, a warrior maid from the Nostrovs, and other fighters from the Royal Academy.”

  Tobian bowed. “Your assistance is much appreciated. The king has sent us to aid the others at Misty Valley; they will be glad to see we have extra help.”

  “What happened to the two dragons that were captured?” James suddenly asked.

  “They were conveyed to the castle. One of the dragons was killed instantly, while the other did not last the journey. It died as well.”

  James’ expression darkened. Ari knew that he was saddened about the dragons’ deaths, but there was nothing they could do. All she could do was hope that they would not have to kill the scarlet dragon. Hopefully, the dragonwood might prove effective.

  “It’s the remaining dragon we need to take care of,” Great Aunt Matilda said grimly. She dusted some dirt off her iron-tipped staff and mounted her steed. “To the Valley! And remember—constant vigilance!”

  Thirteen: A Real Battle

  They reached Misty Valley in late evening, though there was still bright daylight everywhere. A troupe of about twenty warriors were either sitting or standing near the edge of the cliff. Those who were sitting quickly got to their feet when they saw Tobian, Ari, Great Aunt Matilda, and the others arrive.

  “Johan!” Tobian called. “No sign of old Scarlet?”

  “Still down there!” Johan, Ari’s former archery instructor, shouted back. “Since we captured its companions, it might not make a return.” He looked tired and frustrated, with dark circles under his eyes. So did the other men. They probably had been guarding the cliff from day to night.

  “What shall we do now?” Ari asked.

  Great Aunt Matilda surveyed the troops. “Toby, pick ten of your men and we shall go down the cliff together.”

  “Wait!” James held up a hand. “Let us use the dragonwood first. It will be much easier to deal with the dragon when it has fallen asleep.”

  Great Aunt Matilda nodded. “All right. We’ll give it a try.”

  Under her orders, the men tied thick linen cloths over their noses and set fire to the pieces of dragonwood that James had brought. The dragonwood looked just like normal pieces of wood. However, Ari, who was standing a bit too near, caught a whiff of the smoke. A heavy, drowsy feeling came over her.

  “Here.” Nadine passed her some water. “Drink up. This will help you clear your brain.”

  “Throw the wood into the valley,” James shouted. “Let us wait for a quarter hour at least to allow the fumes to do their work. Then we can go down.”

  The warriors from both Linderall and Riviera started to throw the burning dragonwood into the valley. But the valley was so vast—what if the dragon was much farther than their reach?

  “I have a better idea,” Celestine said disdainfully. “Give me the wood.”

  Everyone watched as the elf fitted a piece of smoking wood on her arrow and released the arrow into the valley, carrying the wood with it.

  “Brilliant!” Johan said, taking up his bow as well. “Let us follow her example! The wood will travel much further this way!”

  Under his command, the warriors began shooting the dragonwood into the valley. Ari tore a piece of linen from her sleeve and tied the cloth over her face. Now she was protected from the fumes, she could also join in the shooting.

  James handed her a piece of dragonwood. “Careful, the fumes can still be effective. Don’t breathe in deeply.”

  Ari released the arrow and watched it soar into the air before diving into the valley.

  “So what do you think we should do, once we find the dragon?” Ari asked.

  James pushed a lock of dark hair from his forehead, revealing his eyes, which were unusually alert and gleaming. “Find out what is causing the dragon to pillage the towns. As I’ve said, it’s highly improbable for the dragon to attack humans, unless there
were people to provoke it first.”

  Ari dared herself to step to the edge of the cliff and take a look at the valley below. The stories were true. The ground sloped almost vertically downward. Sharp, jagged rocks jutted from the cliff, and clouds of mist prevented her from seeing what lay below, though she glimpsed a dark shade which might be lake water. Was the dragon truly down there? It was so quiet that she could hear the wind.

  Suddenly, the earth rumbled violently under her feet, throwing her off balance. From the valley came the echo of a deep, anguished roar.

  Before Ari could get up and run, a crimson cloud rose into the sky. It grew bigger and bigger—becoming so large that the sky was blotted out. Its great wings, spread out like a huge crimson blanket, flapped and beat and produced a wind so strong that the tops of the trees shook and swayed. The sheer force from the wing stung her cheeks so much that it felt like it was scraping her skin off.

  She heard sharp intakes of breath from everyone except Great Aunt Matilda, the only person who had seen the scarlet dragon before.

  “Shields out!” Great Aunt Matilda shouted. “Arianna, get back!”

  And just in time, for that very second the dragon gave a terrible shriek and released a jet of fire. Ari ducked behind a large tree just in time; a ball of fire hit the tree trunk a second later.

  The air crackled with intense heat. Smoke engulfed her surroundings; it was impossible to see anything more than a foot in front of her. While she leaned against the tree, coughing and spluttering, a chunk of her hair caught on the tree bark. Ari yanked it out and found that a good portion of her hair was singed from the impact.

  Drat!

  She’d have to cut off most of her hair—again!

  Thoroughly infuriated, Ari grabbed her bow and aimed for the dragon. The smoke had thinned out by now and it wasn’t as if the dragon was hard to miss.

  Clang! Her arrow struck the tip of the dragon’s wing and bounced off.

  “Princess, get away!” Tobian shouted.

  But it was too late. The dragon, infuriated by Ari’s attack, flew at her direction. It let out a roar of fury, and smoke engulfed Ari. She started to cough uncontrollably, her eyes smartened, and tears flowed down her face. Her whole body felt as though it was on fire. Only sheer willpower made herself stand upright.