The Wishing Princess - Chapter 26

26. Epilogue

It was Spring the following year, where the Princess fell on the kingdom of the Red Sand. There lies a path of wild flowers, where once was the trail of blood. The path led to a tomb made of marble. A figure of a young woman was carved upon an altar. The figure was wearing a travelling cloak, and grasped a sword in her hands. It was carved as the Princess was when she died upon the sand.

On the side of the altar, there carved a plague where the Princess's wishes were written down. It was carved as Oma would have told them, as it was when she combed the Princess's hair one last time.

And on the bottom of the altar, where the visitors might gather, there were 13 cups, each representing each kingdom. These cups were always filled with clean water. Sometimes, flowers were put in them.

But there was something that is embedded inside the altar, behind clear crystal, so that anyone may see. It was a doll, in the likeness of the Princess, when she was young. It was battered, but clean. And in the bosom where the heart would lie, there was a big heart shape, sewn in the place, to cover a hole caused by an errant bullet.

And on the other side, there was a plague where it told the story of the Princess, beginning with the phrase "Here lies the Wishing Princess..."


Characters:

The Kingdom of the Hidden Valley
1. The Great Warrior King
The father of the Wishing Princess. His is big and strong. Smart and Wise. He has the body of Conan the Barbarian, smart as Napoleon in battle, loving and gentle to the princess, his last surviving child.
2. The Wishing Princess
Our titular character. All her wishes have come true. Naturally gentle, her talent lies with warring skills. She is as good as any men regarding swordplay and gun play. She learned from the best: Her father and Opa.
3. Opa:
The greatest warrior of past generation. He was second in command to the King's father. He once single-handedly defended a mountain from invading force for 3 days, until help arrived and defeat the enemy. He won Oma as a wife-slave in one of his battle, yet Opa loved Oma dearly, and never mistreated her.
4. Oma:
She came to the kingdom as Opa's spoil of war. She became Opa's wife when Opa married her. They love each other deeply, and they love the princess as if she was their daughter.
5. Captain:
The Captain of the Cavalry. Young Gallant Officer of the Kingdom of the Hidden Valley. He is the Leader of the Cavalry Unit, reporting directly to the King. He acts as bodyguard for the Princess. His Cavalry Unit trained with the Princess every day, earning the Princess not only the highest Cavalry skills, but also their utmost respect.


The Council of Kings
1. Kingdom of the Hidden Valley: Lead by the Great Warrior King. Leader the the resistance army.
2. Kingdom of the Red Sands: The kingdom where the battle is located.
3. Kingdom of the Tall Grooves: The haughty Tall Prince
4. Kingdom of the Dry Marsh: Weaklings but eager
5. Kingdom of the Three Mountains: Strong shamans
6. Kingdom of the Long Grass: Great foot soldiers


The Queen's Entrants
1. The Queen:
Evil and Heartless, she was feared by her enemies. Fawned by her supporters. She was nicknamed "The Old Prune" due to her refusal to marry.
2. The Sergeant:
The Queen's second in command. He was an old soldier. Though his rank is now advisor to the Queen, everybody called him "The Old Sarge" or just "Sarge" due to his genial attitute toward his men.
3. The Old Warrior:
An experienced, honorable warrior who marched under the Queen's banner. He duelled the Princess in a flanking maneuver. He's the leader of Queen's Reserve Army.

Attribution:
(1) The Battle Hymn of the Republic