Harmony
Fortissimo was the closest city to the capital, and the first stop for my continent-wide tour. I didn't have a ton of plans, but there were places I always wanted to visit. Now that we got out of the city there was no way her bloodhound bodyguard could follow her scent.
"This is not bad, totally different taste profile than the rich foods at the castle." It was a more rustic and hearty meal than I was used to, but I couldn't deny it was delicious. My 'kidnapper' sat across from me, enjoying his own meal.
"Well than Sir Louis, shall we plot our next move?" Leaning a bit in I examined my new companion. He didn't have the racked and stacked look of a knight. It was more of a common man with a hint of nobility. His eyes and hair were dark, and he exhibited almost zero magic talent. That aside it was comforting to have, he reminded me of second brother.
"I was merely compensated for getting you out, after that we are now just traveling together." Louis said wiping his mouth with a cloth.
"Perhaps you could tell me why you needed to be kidnaped." He asked and I hesitated a moment on exactly what and how much to say.
"Well, my parents are forcing me to get married and-" I was cut off as his hand shot up.
"Worry not milady I will make sure your never trapped in a marriage you don't want." He looked at me genuinely, as if he truly cared about me. It felt nice to know someone cared about what I had to say.
"How sweet, then let's go steel something valuable!" I exclaimed "Oh and we need to stop by the whistling cliffs and see the raindrop falls and visit Dark moon mountain.
"Dark moon mountain?" Some of the most inhospitable terrain in the world existed there, so much so that no country claimed them.
"There someone I want to meet there." I said simply, setting her fork aside. Supposedly, somewhere on the mountains existed a hermit that had taught Xavier everything they knew about fighting and tracking. If I could learn her tricks, I could get around them.
"That aside we should steel stuff in other countries, I don't want to hurt my own citizens."
"Fancy painting, priceless gems, antiques, and other famous items. What does my dear princess wish for?" His way of talking and addressing me was strange, but did not seem out of line, he must just be friendly with everyone like third brother.
"I'm not sure, oh let's get the first stone!" The first stone was a famous rock, it was the first non-living thing that retained formed magic rather than mana. It was useless now, but it was a show piece for the Princedom of Mercery, in the city of metal, Ytterbium.
"I may know a fence or two who might be interested in that." Idly flicking a loose hair in an exaggerated elegant manor, I had failed to notice that he was acting this way for my benefit. Louis wished to court the princess, but it fell on deaf senses.
"I have money are we going to need more?" I brought a stash of coins in all denominations; the local banks had given us the common size of coins used in the area. My guide had been indispensable in helping with the minor things like haggling and avoiding price gouging. He also helped me acquire clothes and gear fit for traveling.
"One never knows what the earth shall produce against us. It never hurts to have more or be able to get more if we need it."
Nodding at his wisdom I didn't think much more of it. We made a few more plans and general direction for the next day and bid each other adieu, as the thief had other matters to attend to. Rather than explore the city, it seemed more prudent to rest, after all if I wanted to sleep hours before my defined bedtime I could now.
The room was small but clean and simple. Thick wooden planking floor, a simple lockable chest, a few plain chairs, and a single nightstand. Magic lights were common fixtures these days and a single glass jar holding pieces of light stone glowed softly. I collapsed on the bed. Why is this so stiff? I suppose that a royal mattress was a different breed.
There were a lot of things to think about at this moment. Most importantly this marked the first night I ever spent out of the castle. Strange to be worried about since I had deliberately arranged my own escape. Perhaps this was the oddity to be human? My maid and butlers, my mother and father, the bodyguard…
Perhaps he was more important, my kidnapper had tossed a bundle of clothes with a stone in it, in some compound in the slums. It was supposed to make it look like I was there magically. I never did figure out how the demonic bloodhound found me. I was out of the city in its entirety, so whatever means they had, I should not be found easily.
Rolling left, I wondered if it mattered, even if I did get away long enough for my marriage date to pass than what? It's a national agreement that I marry a prince from Leibniz. Rolling right I consider what I could say to my father to not force me to marry, yet as usual I drew many blanks.
There was something I didn't consider, what if I meet someone while traveling, what would happen If I showed up with some boy from someplace. If nothing else Xavier would never tolerate that. He might even execute the poor guy on the spot.
I know I was never the best child but why did he get so many liberties with me? Why was he always there? Why do I sort of miss the guy? No.
We ignore that.
The main point was that I needed a better plan for what to do after, but I think for tonight I should just look into the places I want to go. The ocean was a good choice, I think there was a well-known seaside city that we could stay in. This was of course after we swiped the first stone, we would need to lay low, and what better place than a beach getaway?
We intend to stay another day and night here and leave in the morning. It will give us some time to get the things we might need. There was also a point of contact we needed to see to find the specialized tools for our big heist. I never imagined id go from apples to first stones, not bad for a small-time princess, eh?
There were more concerns and worries, and I idly examined them as the sun sank into the night. There were things to do so I didn't mind dozing off. In dreams, I kept seeing some guy from the night market. When did I visit the night market?
After taking care of basic necessities the following morning, I left to get a few things. All the while I wondered what my dream meant. Breakfast at the inn wasn't terrible, boiled grains with breads and fruit. The streets were filled but not lively, as everyone struggled to be awake in the morning. I located a stable, which would rent horses, and a convenient tarp and tent setup to camp with. On my way to my next destination, I saw something that stunned me.
It was me.
On a missing poster.
With a very handsome reward, I didn't know I was worth that many zeros. I rushed back to the inn avoiding the crowds. Louis wasn't present so I started packing what things I had. It seemed like every time I heard a noise, I couldn't help but think that I had been found out and rose-colored eyes would be hunting me. It was fortunate that I hadn't unpacked most of my stuff, so it was in short order. That I was ready to leave. Now I just needed my kidnapper, knocking again, I got no response. So, I paced back in forth in my room a few times.
I stopped shortly, it didn't help anything so all's I could do was sit on the bed and wait. I heard other patrons descend for an early lunch and I had eaten lightly in my excitement. I descend from the upper floor deciding it was too late to hide from the ones who had already seen me. I took a tray, munching on one of the rolls that came with it. I sat in the far conner, thinking for some reason no one would notice. Louis did.
"If I had known you would be hungry, I would have come back sooner." He said siting across for me after he wandered into the dining area.
"There's a poster, we have to leave." I was surprised when he nodded.
"I know we wanted to go to Mezzo Forte, but I think going to Vivaldi would be a better bet. It branches sooner and we can still get what we need there."
"Great, let's do that than. I'll let the innkeeper know, I hope we can leave before anyone notice me from the wanted poster." In hindsight an early lunch meant a far less crowed and noises room. We hadn't noticed at the time, but we noticed the next day the man in the booth next to ours noticed or words.