The ship wasn’t very far, they had told her, but they’d been running since leaving the Western Temple and Noriko was out of breath.

“I’m—I’m tired…”

“We mustn’t stop, child,” Dija said, not even bothering to turn to look at her as she yanked the princess along by the wrist, dozens of samurai surrounding them in long lines.

“I’m scared. Where is my father?”

They were also flanked by fifty or so of the royal guard. “Everything will be fine, Princess,” Mika assured.

Noriko glanced up ahead. There were so many soldiers around her. How all these men in their armor—especially the foreigners, covered from head to toe in metal—could keep up, she didn’t know.

Something had made a really loud noise—like an explosion? She had seen the fire and smoke. Was that intentional? They had skirted the battle, but Noriko never saw it. They were in the forest now, and there were hills.

The rain was starting, and the cool wind blew hard, making the trees sway. The princess was too out of breath to go on. “I… can’t.” She stopped, almost falling to her knees since Dija didn’t stop yanking on her wrist immediately. The cat eye turned. “We cannot stop. Look about you, Princess. We are fleeing. Your father the Emperor and brother are fleeing. They’re probably waiting for us at the ship right now! We’re leaving these lands before our position is overtaken.”

“I know!” Noriko said, falling to her knees.

One of the knights approached. “Are you all right, Highness?”

“Yes—I just… need to catch my breath,” she said, breathing heavily.

“I will carry you.”

They certainly seemed hasty. But why is that? Are father’s forces losing the battle now?

She jerked her eyes up and suddenly he was bending beside her and scooping her up into his arms. She almost yelped.

“What—“ Dija exclaimed, but stopped herself mid protest. She nodded. “Let us go, then.”

“Shields!” one of the knights ahead called.

“Guard the princess!” another exclaimed, this man having a distinct Mikuma accent as he bellowed the commands.

Noriko looked up ahead, along with Mika, Dija and the rest of the soldiers surrounding them.

“What’s happening?!” Dija yelped, looking about, an almost feral nature to her.

“Stay close, Princess,” Mika said, not looking at her. She too was glancing about, her knife bared.

Mika would have said something about not being able to stray, but she was distracted. Soldiers were running about, some of them getting into a line.

Are we being attacked?