22. The Princess Falls
The kings were celebrating their victories. It was a marvelous one. Never in their wildest dream that they would turn back an mighty army many times their number! The princess was congratulated by the kings. She was extended many invitations, which she graciously accepted. Even the Tall Prince, who had always been derisive of her, finally admitted that she was a capable leader. All was merry in the encampment.
An even better news broke during the celebration. The prophesied child has been born! Cheers went up and wine flowed. The Princess could not stop the flow of wine, but reminded them that until the day was done, and the Queen's army retreated from the land, the danger had not passed, and wine should be consumed in moderation.
Suddenly, the Princess's ear perked. She looked around her and saw nothing but jubilant faces. The Captain, who always looked after her, noticed this. He approached the princess. He, too, looked around him and saw nothing amiss.
"Is there something wrong, Princess?" asked the Captain. The Princess said nothing. She kept looking around her. Everything seemed fine.
"I don't know." said the Princess. "Everything seems normal. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong, is there?"
"Everything seems normal to me." answered the Captain.
"Perhaps, someplace else, then?" said the Princess doubtfully. "Is the child safe?"
"As safe as can be." replied the Captain. "They are with the shamans of the Three Mountain. The child is very well protected."
"Then, where else could it be?" asked the Princess. As she looked around her, she heard the unmistakable sound of gunshots so far away. Instantly, her eyes went to the Queen's camp. "They're shooting at their own people!" The Princess was horrified at the revelation. Instantly, she was up on her horse and rode for the Queen's.
Her action was too swift for anyone to stop her. The Captain immediately signaled the horsemen and rode after her. As one, everybody ran after the Princess. There was no argument, no discussion, no orders. It was all instinctual. Everybody loved the Princess, and they will follow her to the death.
The Queen saw the lone horse rider going toward her, and recognized that it was the Princess. Addressing the Old Warrior, the Queen said, "Kill her."
The Old Warrior was surprised. He knew the Queen was mean, but he didn't think she would breach war etiquette. "Your Majesty, it is forbidden to kill a messenger." He didn't want to kill her.
The Queen merely regard him as a child. "She is the source of all our troubles." the Queen said, "Kill her, and our troubles will melt away." The Old Warrior looked at the Queen. He was really reluctant to do so. "Take the Guards and kill her." The Queen ordered the Old Warrior.
There was no more discussion. The Old Warrior, honorable and obedient to the Queen, had no choice but to obey. He formed the Honor Guard as a shield to the Queen, and instructed them to shoot the Princess.
The Princess was hurriedly riding through the troops. "Make way! Make way!" she shouted. The troops, recognizing that it was she who spared their lives, obeyed and parted to make way for the Princess.
The Princess rode past the troops, saw that the Guards were aiming their musket at their own troops. She spread her arms protecting the troops, as if a hen spread her wings protecting her chicks.
The Old Warrior had no choice. "Ready." he said. "Aim..."
The Guards also didn't want to kill the Princess. One admitted to the other, "I don't want to shoot her."
"So, shoot the horse," came the reply.
"... Fire!"
As one, the Guards fired their musket. The Princess's horse crumpled. There was not a single Guard who desired to kill the Princess. All aimed at the horse. At once, the Princess was flung from the horse onto the sands. She landed poorly.
The Guard stood transfixed to their spot. They couldn't move. They were all waiting for the Princess to stand.
The Princess laid on the sand for a long time. Then she slowly got up. The Guards all let out a collective sigh. But there was something wrong. The Princess expression was that of pain. She was wounded and bleeding!
Though all the Guards aimed at the horse, not all have hit their target. A few bullets hit the Princess, and she was struggling to walk.
She walked not back toward her encampment, but toward the Queen. The Guards's heart melted at her bravery and compassion. Not a single person moved.
The Princess was walking toward the Queen, slowly, painfully, one single step at a time.
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