The bartender looked open-mouthed at the three men and strangers at his inn. Would they really be the reinforcement? He looked at Kaida and saw that her hood had slipped off. He uttered a cry of surprise. That color hair? And those color eyes! Oh my god don't tell me that I have offended the queen.
"Hello Hello! Did you hear what I asked for?"
Kaida waved her hands in front of the bartender's face. Where is he with his thoughts? I want to handle this as quickly as possible.
The bartender walked from behind the bar and made a bow
"your highness sorry for my rudeness earlier. Everyone in the village has been tense since .."
Kaida waved her hands and interrupted him
"get up, leave the formalities behind, its long overdue. Do you or do you not have a chamber that we can use to hear out the prisoners? Preferably one that is soundproof. And what is your name "
"My name is Daisuke your highness and you can use the basement to lock them up and hear them out. Do you need anything else? "
Daisuke pointed out where the basement was
Kaida turned to Kyro
"you know what to do. Do what you have to do but make sure at least one remains alive"
Kyro nodded and lifted two men and walked towards the basement. Rei grabbed the last man and pulled him by the legs toward the basement.
Then she turned to Daisuke again and smiled,
"I still would like to be served, the long journey left me hungry. And if you would be so kind to tell me everything I want to know, before we get visitors again "
Within an hour, Daisuke told in tears what had happened to the village. The leader of the bandits was a war veteran and grew up in the village. after the war there was nothing diffrent about him, but since he had been in contact with a stranger his behavior began to change. Daisuke did not know who the stranger was. When the leader spoke about him, he was only talking about a wise man.
"He suddenly started complaining about everything. According to him, the taxes were too high and the king had forgotten our village. Yes our houses are due for a makeover and we have had better days but I believe the king did not forget about us. Eiko is just not thinking clearly, as if he's brainwashed! "
Kaida listened carefully. She gestured to Rei
"tell Kyro not to be too hard on the men. They are also villagers. I feel that there is more to this. Let him make sure that all three live "
Then she turned to kayra
" You wait for Koto and Käen to come back and accompanying them to the inn if they arrive."
Another hour passed, but no one came to stir up trouble at the inn. Kaida heard from the sounds outside that there were people outside. They were busy taking their place in their formation. Because of Daisuke, she knew it was only about ten bandits including Eiko.
"Do you have a chamber where we can stay the night? It looks like today only the waters are being tested. We will show our strength tomorrow "
Daisuke looked up in surprise. Will she be able to close one eye tonight, knowing that they are being watched? If I can remember clearly, it is said that the crown princess of the dragon tribe cannot fight. But based on what I have seen with my own eyes it appears to have only been a rumour.
"If you would excuse me I will now prepare three chambers for you"
Kaida nodded
"I will really appreciate that, but only two rooms are needed"
Kyro came out of the basement. His face was tight and he looked irritated.
Rei approached him and put her arms around his waist.
"What made my husband so moody? You haven't been too hard on them, have you? "
Kyro looked at Rei and clicked with his tongue.
"That's why I am in such a mood. But don't worry, I always only do what my job is. And I finished that. I Did not need much time for that since only one was a warrior. The other two spoke immediately when I put a bucket of cold water on them "
Kaida turned to Kyro
"tell me I'm curious what did you find out"
"First of all, the villagers who are missing are safe. The leader sent them to an abandoned barrack. According to a wise man the village would no longer be safe and according to him the king had abandoned his people in the village, because the crown princess of the dragon tribe only loves luxury. That is why tax prices had also gone up. The bandit managed to persuade three warriors and six villagers to follow him. To ensure that no money was earned over the backs of the villagers, they plundered the harvest and stored it safely in a shelter "
Kaide shrugged. I like luxury? who made these things up!
"Hmm what nonsense! But there is still hope to avoid a fight. He does this in the interest of the village. Let's get a good night's sleep, I feel that tomorrow will be an interesting day "
.......
Kaida left her chamber and went down the stairs ofthe inn. Daisuke stood behind the bar and was cleaning cups. Kyro and Rei sat comfortably together at the table.
Kaida cleared her throat
"good morning, how happy you are for a fight"
Rei laughed
"I am not afraid of a fight, but I suspect that you have something else in mind. "
Kaida sat down and nodded
"that's right, it is clear that Eiko does this in the interest of the village. I would like to negotiate first to see if we can resolve this in a peaceful manner "
Kyro thought
"how do you intend to get him so far that he is willing to talk"
She smiled and turned to Daisuke
"as I walked through the halls of the inn, I saw that you were in possession of a spear and an arrow and bow. Can I borrow it? "
All three looked at her in surprise. Why did she need those items?
"Your highness it is my honor to give them to you"
She laughed and waved her hands.
"Daisuke, it's only necessary to borrow it. I believe that Eiko is willing to talk when the lives of his men are in danger. In addition to that he does not know how the true nature of the crown princess of the dragon tribe If I show him that the rumour about me is not true, it might stimulate his interest in knowing the truth "
Rei who normally devised the strategy thought about Kaida's plan. It can work, but a plan B was also needed.
"It's a good plan, but it can also be counterproductive. If you injure his men with your own hands he may think that the rumour is mild and the crown princess of the dragon tribe sees the people of the fox tribe as nothing "
Kaida thought. That is indeed a possibility but she was convinced that Eiko will do everything to keep his men safe.
"I am prepared to take the risk, I think that Eiko thinks primarily in the interests of the village and its comrades. I leave plan B to you. I hear from the sounds outside that they are getting ready to take action. Let me be ahead of them "
Daisuke then walked over to her and gave her the bow and arrow. She put the bow behind her back and pushed the arrow into her belt. She grabbed the spear with her left arm and went to the door.
Daisuke looked at her full of wonder. She was wearing her combat uniform because of the gold of her armor, it was clear to see that it was a combat uniform worn by someone of a higher rank. The red that formed a dragon at the back of her armor clearly showed that she belonged to the dragon tribe.
She opened the doors of the inn and went outside. There was still no soul to be seen on the streets. The only difference now was that the bandits were hiding in strategic places.