Survive??? Easier said than done. She was a princess in a world where she could either bring peace by living or dying or destruction from being abducted and used. Not to mention, there were millions of people who played the game all over the world! And more would be apt to return if they heard the princess was now in play. Maru's head was starting to hurt more as the soldiers all bowed in front of her.
"Noo!! Get up now! No more bowing, none of that!" Maru yelled as she pulled the general to his feet. The other soldiers all stood up. "You need to go back on patrol! No one can know I'm back! Do you understand?! It is obvious that my presence is going to cause mass chaos, and I'm not sure how to deal with that yet, so go back!" Maru explained. The general sat for a moment, taking in her request. He waved his hand at his soldiers. All but four of them began to walk away.
"You are very perceptive as expected, my lady. However, I can not leave you unguarded. Please accept these four and me as.." the general began.
"One." Maru began, "Choose the one who has the best skill set."
"One? My lady, please..." the general pleaded. Maru held her hand up.
"One is enough. I need to stay hidden. A woman going around with an entourage of men clad in armor is hardly inconspicuous. On top of that, I am not a helpless child with no knowledge of combat." Maru answered. She knew too well that a group of npc characters would arouse suspicion to nearby players. The general went to wave off the four, suggesting he would be the most suited to protecting her. "Unfortunately, a missing general can also raise suspicion." Maru quickly added. The general stared at Maru a bit in awe. A sigh escaped his lips. He stripped his armor and gave it to the man standing beside him.
"You are wise, my lady. However, I am the only one suited to be on this journey with you. Shang will step in and act as general in my stead." answered the general. The man Maru took to be Shang bowed his head in answer as he held onto the armor and the four men left in the direction of the army. Maru sighed. This would buy her sometime but not much. "What is your plan now, my lady?"
"New identities. General, do you happen to have currency on you?" Maru asked. The general gave her a questioning look. "We need common clothes so that we can blend in with other np...the other lower tier woodland elves."
"I think that is a wise decision, Lady Kyomi." answered the general.
"Wait... you can't call me that. Try Maru. And would you like to choose your own name general, or should I pick one out?" Maru asked.
"Maru??? Are you sure it to be wise to use your mother's name? She was half dark elf and found to be a traitor after all..." questioned the general. Maru did not know why this statement made her grit her teeth. She was also not aware of the queen's name or back story. It now made sense in a small way why the dark elves would think killing Kyomi would bring peace. Since she could assume the queen was dead, seeing as he talked about her in past tense. It would make sense that they would see Kyomi as the last blemish between the two elf tribes. However, what would make the woodland elves think differently? He said the queen was a traitor. If the dark elves see Kyomi as a blemish, that would mean queen Maru had betrayed both tribes. Were the woodland elves just benevolent in the belief of punishing the sinner and not the offspring? Or was there more to Kyomi? "My lady?"
"Maru will be fine. Besides, she is no longer a part of this world. Anyone to question that would be a fool. So you never did answer, do you have a name in mind or should I choose for you?" asked Maru.
"I think I would like to take on the name Haru if it pleases you, my lady. As I'm assuming you'll be wanting us to pretend we are siblings, no?" answered the general. Maru smiled. He caught on quickly, thought Maru. She gave a nod. Then she took a stance and made some fast hand gestures while saying a chant. The general and her both had a green aura around them that left as quick as it had appeared. It worked! Maru was a bit shocked she could even remember the spell! It was a spell of concealment. That would last for a day in game time. Usually, it was used more for stats. Or to conceal legendary items to keep away theives. But this case was different. The general, now named Haru, stared in awe of Maru. "My lady, ancestral magic? You really will bring peace to the realms, won't you?" asked Haru in a hushed tone. Maru was a bit confused.
"It was just an easy concealment spell. It only lasts about 24 hours, so I'll have to do it every day. Shall we make our way to town? How much currency do you have on you, Haru?" she asked. Haru dug in his clothes.
"My month's salary of one gold bar and a couple silver. I'm sorry it's not much, my laa...Maru." he answered. Not much that was an understatement. That was his month's wages?? She could get that for a half bundle of herbs. However, it would be enough for them to buy level one clothes. They just could not afford weapons. At least Haru had his sword still thought Maru.
"Not much at all but enough for now. We can see about gathering herbs along the way. They can fetch a nice amount if the rarity is high enough. Enough dawdling. We can talk more along the way. Wait... Haru, let me see your sword." Maru said, holding out her hand. Haru placed the blade in her hands. She held the sword on its side. Then she placed her hand over it as she moved down the blade, saying something inaudible. The sword glowed red for a brief second. "There, I've placed an enchantment on it. It will greatly increase your attack. However, do be careful with it. For it now has a poison element to it." Maru said, handing it back to him. Then, she made her way past him. Haru stared in awe at the blade and then placed it back in its sheath. He quickly caught back up to Maru. The two of them made their way towards the neighboring village. On the way, Maru was surprisingly able to find some rare herbs. Not quite to the quality of the ones she found earlier but still good. Finally, they had made it to the village called Tenal. They made their way to the small clothing shop. Surprisingly, they had change left over from Haru's salary after buying their clothes. The two then made their way over to the apothecary. Maru made her way over to the shop owner, placing the herbs in front of him.
"Hello, weary traveler. How may I be of service to you?" asked the owner. Maru nodded to the herbs. "Ah, so do you wish to sell or have them made into medicine?"
"Depends... looking to sell, but if your price is too low, I will craft them myself." Maru answered. She watched the owner carefully go over the herbs. Then she watched him look her and Haru up and down. A sigh escaped her lips. "Clock is ticking old man."
"I'll give you six gold bars and 3 silver." he finally answered. Maru went to grab the herbs. "Wait!" he said as he stopped her hand. Haru quickly removed the store owners hand from Maru. "Miss be reasonable! Looking at you both, I can see you need the money! And I'm just a lowly medicine merchant who also needs to make a living..."
"Twelve gold and 8 silver. Not a bar less! Or perhaps I'll take them to the apothecary in Trinity? They seem to have no problem paying me double what I'm asking." Maru said with a half smirk. She knew that the Tenal apothecary was at war with the one in Trinity. Something about Trinity being more fair with their quality and pricing along with the fact it was run by the Tenal owner's son. You could unlock a multiple part side quest to try and smooth the relationship over, but the two shops would forever be at odds. The owner gave a grunt.
"Shrewd woman ya are. Fine twelve and eight." He answered as he pulled out the bars. Maru nodded and thanked the man. Then she asked about a nearby inn. The owner told her there was an inn down the street. Again, Maru thanked him. They began to head toward the door. "Uh miss! If you're ever looking for a job, come back and I'll put you to work!" yelled the owner. Maru nodded and waved.