Princess Andrea loathed to admit it, but she was completely unprepared for this whole quest thing. For one, her feet hurt. Their small group had been trudging through the forest all afternoon before setting up camp for the night. Princess Andrea slept fitfully, the thin blanket had done nothing to stop pebbles and bark from sticking into her back, creasing her silk gown and leaving the dress riddled with dirt and holes. It was utterly ridiculous, Andrea had thought to herself during that late night, why was she made to suffer like this? She was a goddamn princess, if anything the Earth should simply give way for a bed of flowers for her to lay upon.
That had soon become only the beginning of Princess Andrea's qualms with the difficulties of this whole quest thing...
That morning, Princess Andrea grew increasingly frustrated with the way the world seemed to be working against her, as her feet blistered and her hair blew wildly about her face (not even in that effortless chic way that would leave any knight swooning). Juno and Sir Jamathon had dutifully packed down their camp and began their walking for the day. Admittedly, Juno complained and moaned and groaned tenfold in comparison to Sir Jamathon. Not that Princess Andrea noticed at all, she had been preoccupied with fixing her dress situation which was becoming more and more unladylike.
The group had made it out of the forest by midday, following a beaten road to a neighbouring town. The bustling market drew Princess Andrea's immediate excitement, at the very least she would need a new dress. Princess Andrea was aware of the need for subtlety, she had pursuers both royal and villainous alike, all looking for one beautiful princess on the run. It was imperative Andrea blend in with the common folk, but her regal demeanour, and slightly dirty, but expensive attire made her stand out.
Sir Jamathon, ever loyal, draped his hooded cape over Andrea's shoulders, hoping to conceal her identity ever so slightly. Though it was dirty and smelled like a dog, Andrea was glad for the knight's generosity.
"Please, stay close to me Sir Jamathon..." the princess breathed.
The knight took her hand, giving her a reassuring squeeze. Though Andrea was grateful, she couldn't help but find him slightly odd. Sir Jamathon was unrelentingly loyal, but for no reason at all! Apart from his knightly vows, which all the other knights had to swear, Princess Andrea couldn't possibly fathom why he was so desperate to prove himself to her. Princess Andrea knew she was incredibly gorgeous, of course, but even that only accounted for so much.
Princess Andrea decided at that moment to note more of Sir Jamathon's rather unique (odd) behaviours. She often had her beauty sleep in the palace rudely interrupted at odd hours of the night due to a strange howling every month or so. During her morning strolls through the palace gardens, often accompanied by Sir Jamathon, she would ask him if he too heard the annoying sounds. Princess Andrea never got a full response from him, the usually confident knight sputtering absolute nonsense in response to the Princess' questions. He must be a heavy sleeper, Princess Andrea thought. The knight also really liked meat, he would go out hunting during his spare time and would always bring back animals, he must really like cooking!
Juno grumbled under his breath, snapping Princess Andrea out of her thoughts, as they weaved through the bustling crowd of merchants and shoppers
The unicorn hated crowded human places. They always stared at him, and the children would often come up and try to pet him. He detested this greatly, and over the years had resorted to biting their filthy little hands if they so much as touched a fluttering strand of his furry mane.
Walking through the bustling market, underneath the vibrant flags raised for the empire and the stall of honeyed melons and precious trinkets, Andrea's eyes widened. She was taken back to her royal days visiting the people at the markets and handing out bread - her parents would allow her anything she wanted - no item was ever off limits.
"Do you have any money Sir Jamathon?" the princess asked coyly. The knight grunted, preoccupied with scanning the market for possible threats.
The princess sighed, "Unicorn? Do you have coin?"
Juno snorted, "The unicorn NAMED JUNO, doesn't need coin you stupid girl! Besides, aren't you a princess? You should be balling with your daddy's coffers opened wide"
Princess Andrea stuck her nose up, distraught at his uncompromising attitude.
"You're so mean Juno...". The unicorn simply rolled his eyes.
As they walked through the market, Juno offered them life advice, warning them of the dangers that lurked in the kingdom. He was apparently very well-travelled. Princess Andrea listened absent-mindedly, there was too much to see.
Sir Jamathon sighed "Princess it might not be safe here, I know you wish to find the prince but you must worry about your own safety"
Andrea picked up a broach made of copper, "You're such a nag Jam Jam, I'm sure someone here knows where that villainess's secret hideout is located, if we buy a few things we might just get that information - that's why I need your money!"
"I have none, Princess, the money I earn as a knight is sent back to my relatives. Have I not told you this?". For a moment, Princess Andrea flushed, feeling a sense of guilt for not knowing anything about Sir Jamathon's family situation. She nearly apologised, before making a stark realisation. The Princess let out a gasp, whipping her head around to the knight. "How could you be so silly Sir Jamathon! How on earth do you buy nice things that you like if all your money goes to your family? That explains why your sword is so aged I suppose, you can't even keep up with the trends. Oh dear, am I going to have to take a loan?" the princess whimpered miserably.
Juno chuckled, "of course not princess" he mused.
Andrea lifted her brow curiously, the unicorn with his head lifted high said "I can literally poop gold!"
Andrea almost shrieked, "Really?! That must be quite uncomfortable for you?"
The unicorn eyed her as if she was stupid, "Of course not, you fool! Have you ever heard of a unicorn that can shit gold?" he rambled. "Well you certainly aren't as smart as you are stuck up, now are you?" he grunted under his breath.
The Princess frowned, unamused by the unicorn's cruel joke.
"You think I'm just some stupid princess, don't you? All sheltered, naive, and spoiled huh? Well, guess what, I'm all of those things! But at least I'm trying to change, trying to take destiny back into my own hands, instead of wailing about and letting others do my work, I'm out here trying to get back not only my prince but your daughters too! Have some dignity about you, before I toast you on a spit, since apparently, no one has money, not even for dinner!" the Princess finished in a huff.
"Are you done, princess?", asked Juno.
"Yes, quite so," the princess remarked.
Sir Jamathon turned to them, "My princess! If need be, I'll take out a loan. But first, there is a spice merchant that is said to be knowledgeable about all things. I'd even venture to guess they would know where the prince is being held." Andrea nodded as they approached the spice stall.
"Careful to keep your identity hidden princess, we can't have anyone figuring out who you are" Sir Jamathon whispered.
The shop was old, but the fragrant notes of flavour pierced every crack. Rows upon rows of bottles with substances of every kind lined dusty shelves.
"A spice shop?" the Princess said in a disgusted tone. The owner clearly hadn't caught on and hired some of those mini invisible elves that magically make everything clean and wonderful while you leave your chambers for the day. Princess Andrea missed having those - she wondered if they stopped tidying things once she had left the castle.
A voice rang out, "If it isn't the princess of Greencourt herself, gracing my very humble shop!"
The princess gasped, she had been found out. Sir Jamathon unsheathed his sword "You threaten the princess?" he growled.
A laugh rang out as a cloaked figure appeared, "it was just a hunch, but my suspicions have been rewarded, I have a very important customer on my hands."
The figure wore a dark hood concealing their features, but judging by the voice which was clear and crisp, like a flowing stream, it was a woman.
"If you're here to harm me you'll find yourself ill-prepared!" The princess tried to sound brave, fearless even.
The woman tipped her head back, a glorious laugh escaping her throat
"You believe yourself well-defended hmm? A malformed unicorn, and a dog of a knight?" Andrea's companions stiffened, caught off guard. The girl unveiled her hood, revealing her face, Andrea instinctively drew in a breath, the woman in front of her was... To put it simply - divine.
"Fear not princess, I wouldn't dream of touching a hair on your head, for the right price of course!"
Princess Andrea could barely think. She had never seen someone who looked so otherworldly, with hair as white as snow, but it seemed to glow with the light of the sun, her eyes were a warm shade of amber, and her brown skin was flushed with an effortless glow. She was unlike any human the Princess had ever laid eyes on.
Andrea breathed out, corralling her thoughts. "So it's money you're after?".
The girl gave a snide smirk, motioning Andrea to continue. "Well, you're right, I am a Princess - a rich one too. I have lots of money and things too, anything anyone could want, but I need to know what you want!". Andrea was scared, this strange woman definitely hadn't stumbled upon them.
The woman laughed, "I want money, everything you've got, hand it over"
Andrea gasped, "You're trying to rob me?! Doesn't that go against, like, consumer laws?".
The woman flashed towards the princess, pulling down the hood Sir Jamathon had given her, "Do I look like the kind of person to care about consumer laws? Hand over your pretty little purse before I do something really, really bad," she threatened, her sharp nails running across the princess' golden locks.
Sir Jamathon moved quickly, holding his blade to the woman's throat, "Step away from the princess, now!" Juno was quite confused by the whole situation. Human greed, he pondered, what a fitting end to a Princess who tried to purchase a bronze brooch for the sake of vanity only ten minutes before. Juno thought it had been quite tacky quite frankly.
Princess Andrea knew she wouldn't die, she couldn't, she had to save her Prince.
"I have no money, not a single coin on my person!"
The woman snarled, "As if the princess would carry so little, you expect me to believe that?"
Sir Jamathon warned again, "Step away from the princess, I will kill you if I must."
The girl looked up, rolling her eyes, "Oh shut up will you," she lifted her hand to the knight and blew, a powder spurred straight into the knight's mouth. Sir Jamathon dropped instantly.
"Sir Jamathon!" Princess Andrea cried.
"Oh please, he's fine, sleeping like a little baby," said the woman. "Now where were we? I think I see it now, your filthy hair, filthy clothes, the recent news of poor Prince William. They must have tried very hard to keep it under wraps, the reason you're here" the girl laughed, "so tell me?"
Andrea tried to calm down, this was a dangerous situation, she had no idea who this girl was, or better yet, what she was. "I'm on a quest to find my beloved, to rescue him, I won't let that evil witch have her way, I won't let her ruin what we have!"
The woman smiled solemnly, "I see, well you can't go about looking the way you do, all jewels and flowing hair, you might as well still be wearing your tiara for all that capes doing."
Andrea baulked, eyeing the woman's ragged cloak, "You're giving me fashion advice?"
"I'm giving you life advice!" the girl spat out. "Now I'm ready to offer my home to you. I'll give you new clothes and fix your appearance so you're not practically declaring that you're royalty, you can eat and have a night's rest before being on your way. How does that sound?"
The princess was wary, "what's in it for you?" She knew the girl was nothing but trouble, but she was also desperate.
The girl smiled, "what else other than money? I'll need a payout, a written statement with a large sum payable by the king, after that I'll never breathe a word."
Andrea sighed deeply, she already knew her answer, "You have a deal".
...
The strangely beautiful woman had guided them back to her home after quickly closing her shop. The place was a small cottage on the outskirts of the town, its cobble walls covered in small yellow flowers. When everyone was settled in the woman indicated to the princess to sit down.
"Now I really hate telling people my name, but you'll need it for the payment statement, so I'll let you in. It's Etherea!"
The princess frowned, "That's a bit on the nose, isn't it?"
Etherea banged her fist on the table, "it was a self-fulfilment! My parents graced me with that name, now stop being a cow and listen to me!"
Princess Andrea didn't like being told what to do, and she could see how serious Etherea was, it made her very uncomfortable. Etherea pulled out a wooden chest, the contents inside clanged about as she sat it down in front of her. Etherea opened the lid and pulled out jar after jar of indistinguishable powders and liquids. Etherea started to smile wickedly, "Now I'm not usually so generous, but I recognise a lost cause when I see one, and it hurts my soul to leave you so unprepared."
Andrea was starting to understand more, "oh please, not this..." she whimpered
Etherea laughed with glee, "Oh yes indeed, a makeover"
Andrea was doomed, "I'm already literal perfection!" she cried
Etherea shook her head, "Your current look is entirely unsuited for a quest, it's either this or pack it back up and head home princess!"
The princess started to cry, she knew Etherea was right, she was too much of a princess, too pretty and perfect, so much so that everyone could see her royal status from a glance.
"What are you going to do?" Princess Andrea asked between sniffles.
"I'll just change a few things, make it so that you blend in with the common folk so that you aren't so attached to your current attitude..." Etherea mused. She reached out and touched Andrea's hair, which was long and golden, though it was slightly messy it was still glorious.
"This will have to go," Etherea stated.
Andrea's sniffles grew in sobs, "My beautiful hair..."
Etherea took out a pair of scissors from her wooden chest and began to hack away at Andrea's hair. Andrea wasn't satisfied with Etherea's skills or the gleeful malice in every slice.
When Etherea was done, Andrea looked in the mirror and gasped. Her hair was now short and choppy, with uneven layers that framed her face. Andrea couldn't help but to think she looked like a boy, "what have you done?" she wailed, "whatever will Prince William think? I'm hideous!"
Sir Jamathon, who had been sitting at the door like a puppy watching the entire ordeal stared at her with a strange look, "I think you look chic princess, surely you'll start a new trend when you return to the palace after the quest!" his attempt to lighten the mood did nothing
"What do you know of trends?" she screamed
Etherea chuckled, "Stop whining princess, I've achieved what you wanted, no one would give you a passing glance." Etherea suddenly stood up, "now princess, I really must ask you to take off your clothes"
Andrea's eyes bulged in disbelief, "you can't mean... I can't possibly..."
"I'll stop you right there princess" Etherea pulled out a pair of clothes, passing them across the table. "Change out of those clothes, they're entirely unsuited, impractical and make you look ridiculous."
Andrea opened her mouth, but couldn't argue with the woman's logic. She grudgingly changed into the clothes, feeling self-conscious in the rough fabric. But when she looked in the mirror again, she was surprised at how different she looked. The image she was accustomed to, so royal and grand, was so easily replaced by this new person. Her hair was wild and choppy, and her silk dress had been replaced by a simple hemp shirt, brown skirt and woollen jacket. She didn't look bad, she just look different, less prancy and out-of-place, maybe for the first time, Princess Andrea actually believed she could complete her quest. Confront the villainess. Save her prince.
Andrea sat back down. She looked back at Etherea and while she was thankful for the woman, she had a suspicion...
"Wow Etherea, you're full of surprises," she said quietly
Etherea smiled as she was packing up her chest, "That was something I could have told you, princess, you haven't even grazed the surface of what I'm capable of"
Andrea chuckled, she was chillingly calm, "You know you're very beautiful.."
Etherea look up with a bemused expression, "Now princess you flatter me, I could have said the same for you- before I cut off all your hair" she laughed.
Andrea held down her anger, she was onto her. "You know my first thought when I saw you, was that you looked otherworldly, I've never seen someone with your unique complexion"
"You must not be very well-travelled." Etherea stood up, her heavy cloak rustling.
Andrea stood up with her, unrelenting, "stop dodging what I'm trying to say!" she started, everyone in the room looked up at her. Juno who had almost been snoozing gave a quick chuckle, "Just say what you mean princess, it would do us all the favour of shutting you up!" he moan groggily.
Etherea smiled wickedly, "Yes princess, please just say what you mean, I personally would love to end it right here"
"You're not human, are you?" Andrea bit out.
Etherea gave out a tremendous laugh, "You catch on quick, don't you? It's not like I try to hide it, you humans will believe what you want!"
Sir Jamathon looked deeply confused about the whole thing, "what's going on princess?"
Andrea smiled, she knew it, "You're a fairy aren't you?"
"So what if I am" Etherea tipped her head. She pulled off her heavy cloak, revealing a pair of glowing golden wings. "You know back where I'm from, I used to be a priestess, humans would mistake me as an angel if they hadn't seen my wings. You should be more careful in the future princess, any other might have taken offence to your questioning, considering your complete lack of strength it could have been very dangerous."
"Why are you living with humans? I've never heard of such a thing" Andrea questioned.
"That's a story for another time, perhaps if you treat me well, with the money I mean" Etherea pulled her cloak back on, batting off the dust.
But then the princess started thinking, she knew it was a far cry, but she knew a great opportunity when she saw one. "I know you may not like me, but I know you love money, so name your price!" she declared
Etherea turned back confused, "What do you mean? I've already named my price"
"Not for tonight, I want you to join us" the princess started to ramble, "I know fairies are powerful, I was taught you are all blessed with magical abilities, you said you were once a priestess, if you join us and help us with our mission, I can give you anything in return, endless riches, a title, land, servants, whatever your heart desires!"
Etherea started to smile, "So tempting, I was beginning to become bored of this human routine, perhaps embracing my fairy identity again will be good for me." she looked up at Andrea with startling clarity, "It will be more than riches, a title and land, I want a diplomatic mission to my realm, I want a bridge, I want to go back with the force of the Greencourt Kingdom behind me"
Andrea knew it was a lot, but she was willing, "I'll personally escort you, and I'll be the backing you need, it's yours if you join me."
Etherea smiled and reached out her hand, "You have a deal princess, I'll lend you my strength and you'll lend me the authority of your kingdom." Princess Andrea clasped the fairy's hands, sealing their agreement.
...
The next morning, the group joined by their new companion the fairy Etherea, set out to the local markets once again to gather the necessary supplies for their journey. Andrea was still getting used to her new disguise, but she felt more comfortable now that she wasn't wearing her royal attire. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she was glad for the change.
As they walked through the bustling space, Juno trotted beside them, his tiny hooves barely making a sound. He had a habit of grumbling under his breath, but no one seemed to pay him any attention.
Sir Jamathon, on the other hand, was a towering figure in his rugged knight's armour. His broad shoulders and muscular arms made him stand out in the crowd, and many people stopped to stare as he walked by.
As they were browsing a stall of exotic fruits, they suddenly heard a commotion coming from the other side of the market. Screams and shouts echoed through the air, and people started running in all directions.
Before they knew it, a group of dark-clad attackers had appeared out of nowhere, surrounding the market, leaving no exit. Their leader was a terrifying prey mantis humanoid creature, its razor-sharp claws glinting in the sunlight. Andrea let out a scream almost instantly, wholly unprepared for the whole ordeal.
"The princess!" One of the attackers shouted. The crazy scary-looking insect screeched, it sounded harsh and guttural, it raised its long sharp limb in her direction, and suddenly the group started towards her.
Princess Andrea froze in terror as the assassins closed in on her, their weapons drawn. But Sir Jamathon was quick to react. He unsheathed his sword and charged towards them, taking out several of the attackers with swift and deadly blows.
Etherea, meanwhile, grasped her hands together and a burst of light echoed out of her. Andrea was left stunned as the fairy summoned her powers, the fairy was preoccupied with sending bolts of light towards the remaining assassins. The tiny Juno, who had been grumbling under his breath the entire time, began to hurl insults at the attackers, distracting them and causing them to stumble. He would then stamp on their heads with his little hoofs, and poke them with his horn, although it didn't really do much on account of his size, it was still terrifying.
Despite the chaos, Andrea managed to slip away, ducking behind a nearby cart. She watched as her companions fought bravely against the assassins, their weapons flashing in the sunlight.
As Andrea was catching her breath, hiding behind a row of stacked barrels, she glimpsed her brave knight fighting valiantly for her honour. Suddenly there was someone behind her, an attacker, he grabbed her by her collar dragging her from her hiding place. The princess started to scream in terror, she was wailing about but felt so out of control. She glimpse Sir Jamathon as he looked up at her, the princesses eye's budged in panic as the attacker put a knife to her throat, the threat cold and sharp.
It only took a second, Sir Jamathon who was across the market, 20 paces from Andrea erupted in a mass of fur, his armour flying across the stall, knocking his attackers into the dirt. He flung himself towards her, his body convulsing and expanding- he became a wolf, a werewolf.
The once knight- now wolf, hurled himself onto Andrea's attacker, his jaws locking around the man's throat, subduing him in an instant. Andrea was stunned, she clutched her throat, feeling for blood, but she was untouched. "Sir Jamanthon?.." Andrea whispered, she didn't know what was happening.
suddenly began to twitch and convulse. He clutched his stomach, his face contorting in pain.
The wolf turned her, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. "I love you," the beast growled, his voice rough and gravelly.
Andrea was taken aback by the sudden confession, her mind racing with confusion and fear. But before she could even respond, the werewolf Jamathon lunged towards the prey mantis, which upon seeing its comrade's death was stalking towards the pair, its claws flashing in the sunlight.
In a flash the pair clashed, claws and limbs, jaws and blades, barreling into each other with savage abandon. The fight was fierce and brutal. Andrea was sure that her friend Sir Jamathon, her Jam Jam, would be victorious, his newfound form proved that. Was he always a man-wolf? Surely the prince would have known, but she really knew so little about the man.
The fight was quick. The prey mantis creature, with its long limbs and glinting armour, it was a vicious thing, the blades at his hands tore into the wolf knight, without his armour he was simply flesh. Soon enough that strange creature had the upper hand its blade coming down across Sir Jamathons neck. Andrea screamed, searching for help, for Etherea, even Juno. But there were too many attackers, they were too far away, Andrea was alone and she couldn't do a thing to stop what was about to happen.
Sir Jamathon was killed, his head slashed clean off his body. In an instant the princess lost her knight, she sucked in a ravaged breath.
The prey mantis creature turned to her, dropping Sir Jamathons body, its attention clear and unwanted. It stalked towards her, making a deep clicking sound.
Andrea wailed, "Etherea! Etherea please!" she called out
The prey mantis was closing in on her, its clicking gave way and then it spoke.
"I have a message for the Princess of Greencourt" It spoke so unnaturally through the metal of its skull, it sent terror through the princess.
The princess was frozen with horror, as It bent down so it was at face-level with her, when it spoke she trembled, "Try as you might but the prince will die by the hands of my master, the misery inflicted on him will be unrelenting, you will weep with pity when you hear of his end" Andrea could feel the tears streaming down her face, "give up now, that is my final warning, next time it will be you that loses their head should you continue this foolish quest, I'll make sure to send it back to your father"
Andrea balled her fist, breaking through her fear, "why are you doing this?" she squeaked out.
The creature made a deep clicking sound that echoed a laugh, "My master wants everything you have, who am I to deny her will", the creature with its hand that was a blade touched her cheek, it was still covered in Sir Jamathon's blood.
"The time will come when you must make a choice, perhaps you can save the prince, but I'd like to think you'll fail miserably. There is nothing I wish for more. Goodbye princess, may you return to your idyllic life in peace."
Suddenly the prey mantis's back erupted, giving way to two huge wings, it launch into the air and was gone in an instant. The rest of the attackers retreated through a thick black fog, they were gone in an instant as if they had never been there.
Andrea started to crawl towards Sir Jamathon's body, she was a blubbering mess, weeping as she pulled herself through the dirt. Suddenly Etherea was by her side gripping her shoulders, "stop princess, we can't stay here, it's not safe" she urged. Andrea pushed her away, "Sir Jamathon..." she moaned, "he cannot be dead..."
Etherea who saw no other option wrapped her arms around the princess, "It's okay princess, it'll be okay..." she breathed.
Andrea looked up at her, eyes darkening, her heart was afire, she was angry.
"I'm gonna kill that bitch."