CHAPTER 19: The Hunt for the Princess - Part 3

  She hoped to reach the ship without incident as she saw the two guard towers of the southern gate. But that hope vanished when city patrols attempted to stop them, leaving them no choice but to charge through. A patrol member blew a whistle, setting off a series of subsequent whistling sounds.

  The whistles also alerted the southern gate guards. They turned just before the Arcani could incapacitate them. A brief battle ensued at the southern gate between eight Arcani and dozens of guards. Nevertheless, she believed the Arcani would open the gate in time and continued to urge her horse forward.

  Two hundred steps to the gate. An Arcanus fell, impaled by a spear. The no-kill restriction put them at a disadvantage.

  One hundred steps. Two Arcani were slain by swords. Three Arcani fought protecting their two comrades who were attempting to turn the wheel to raise the portcullis.

  Fifty steps. The two Arcani at the wheel fell, arrows protruding from their backs. The half-raised portcullis slid down.

  Ignaz leaped from his horse under the portcullis. No time for half measures, he manifested trees to support the portcullis. Reinforcements swarmed towards him with naked swords, but Igmar arrived, fending off all attacks with his kicks.

  She, Keane, and the three captains flattened themselves against their horses' backs to pass under the portcullis before it crashed down behind them. She glanced back to see Ignaz, Igmar, and three Arcani running after her. One unfortunate Arcanus was crushed by the portcullis at the waist, severing her in two.

  She could not afford to look back for long, for ahead of her lay the downhill path to the harbor, flanked by guard towers. She needed all her concentration to dodge the rain of arrows.

  The riders formed a column formation with her at the lead. She was the first to enter the middle path. The frantic movements of the horses slammed her against one wall then the opposite. Sparks flew as the stirrups scraped against the walls. The riders behind her faced similar difficulties but all managed to reach the harbor.

  The clatter of hooves on stone gave way to a thudding sound as their horses stepped onto the wooden planks of the harbor. Revionne stopped to allow the twins and the remaining Arcani catch up.

  A gated archway separated the civilian and military harbors, and in front of the gate, a hundred Isofean naval soldiers were lined up in a phalanx formation, with overlapping shields and protruding spears.

  She had to break through them to reach her ship. By good fortune, the enemy forces were not fully alert yet, and most importantly their Decimae had not arrived.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  “Is our vessel prepared to set sail?” she asked Keane.

  “Princess Ilise had instructed the crew not to disembark upon arrival in Isofea in anticipation of such events. However… ahem, they were rather disappointed at forgoing the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the local women.”

  “Marquis, your words. Please,” Igmar said.

  “Princess,” Ignaz said, “The two Arcani and we will pave the way. We kindly request that you and your lordships promptly return to the ship.”

  “There is a matter I must address,” Revionne said.

  “We understand, Princess. Diplomatic considerations constrain you from directing the soldiers to aid us. We commit to refraining from causing harm and minimizing any potential damage.” Igmar and Ignaz bowed.

  “No.”

  “We beg your pardon?” Both raised their heads in unison.

  “Be careful,” Revionne said.

  The twins looked at each other. “Cer-certainly, Princess!”

  Both of them led the charge. Ignaz cast a spell with both hands, while Igmar’s legs glowed a faint blue as he exerted his Prana. Igmar avoided the line of spears by leaping high and kicking the enemy shield wall, toppling three men at once.

  Ignaz pressed both his hands against the shield wall, manifesting vines that entangled the enemy soldiers. They managed to create a gap in the enemy line but not to break through it. That was when the two Arcani slipped through and handled the rest.

  “Allow me to take the lead.” Keane spurred his horse upon seeing an opening in the enemy line. He used no weapons, but his kicks were enough to topple the foes obstructing his path. She and the other three captains broke through the mass of flesh and steel.

  At the harbor, each captain went their way to command their respective ships. Only Keane, the captain of the Crescentine, her flagship, remained with her.

  “Weigh anchor! Furl the sails! Maximum Mana propulsion!” Keane shouted orders from the dock even before setting foot on the Crescentine.

  The deck of the Crescentine came alive with shouts and activity. They furl the sail as they prepared to leave the dock using Mana propulsion, not waiting for the wind. They cut the mooring ropes and released the anchor chains, having no time to lift them.

  Crescentine and the three other ships pivoted on the spot and moved away from the harbor. Mana propulsion left a trail of ripples on either side of their sterns.

  “Captain Keane! They’ve placed underwater chains!” the first mate shouted.

  “Seagod’s cum! Divers, follow me! We’re going to cut it!” Keane started to remove his overcoat, but a gentle touch on his arm stopped him.

  “Keep her on a steady course. I will handle the particulars,” Revionne said, striding towards the bow.

  She cast a spell. Ice pillars rose from beneath the sea with a rumbling sound, lifting the thick chain.

  “Triesse.” Revionne extended her hand. As soon as her spear was in grasp, she thrust it forward, and her Prana projection shattered one of the chain links. The ship's crew cheered.

  Her crew was experienced; they did not need continuous commands and could handle the rest. She then turned back towards the quarterdeck to check on Igmar, Ignaz, and the two Arcani still left at the harbor.

  Both Arcani were killed, while Igmar and Ignaz tried to break through the enemy's encirclement with all their might. As long as the enemy Decimae had not arrived, they still had a chance. However, every time they managed to loosen the encirclement, soldiers in the second line tightened it again in no time.

  “They are unlikely to succeed,” Keane joined her.

  A slight vibration was felt as the Mana Decimae accelerated the ship. Revionne knew their chance of returning was now closed.

  “Chart a course for home port,” she said, turning her back on the harbor.

  “Certainly, Admiral,” Keane replied. “With your permission, I would like to observe a bit longer. I wish to witness their struggle to the end.”

  “Do as you wish.”