Transmigrate to another world

Chapter 37: The Princess

Rebel Camp, Princess Amercy's point of view.

Zamart left to talk to the mage guild master a few minutes ago, I'm sitting in my tent nervously awaiting his return. Everything is going to depend on whether or not we can convince the other nations of the threat my father poses to them. The three messengers are ready and waiting for Zamart's return, each has a letter written by me and signed and sealed in my name.

I know my father has spies in the other nations, so once my letters arrive, it won't be long before he discovers that I am still alive. At that point, I expect them to send an army to exterminate us. I should be making plans with Alexa for that, but until I know how things went on Illium, it's hard for me to think about next steps.

I'm also a bit worried about Zamart himself, he's still in good physical shape, but as far as I know he's almost a hundred years old. If anyone can convince the guild master to help me, it's Zamart, I trust him completely. I have since I was seven years old and he agreed to teach me magic in secret because he was afraid of my new father.

Even before he agreed to teach me magic, he was my favorite teacher. He was always very patient with me, even when I was acting like a spoiled child. I know that if he had known I was still alive, he would have rushed to join me as soon as he could. I don't blame him for serving my father, I know he did it for the sake of my little sister.

The fact that the king was able to sacrifice his own daughter for power is only one of many reasons why he cannot be allowed to remain in power. I will do whatever it takes to have him overthrown and the country returned to what it should be. The fact that I will now have Zamart's advice to help achieve that goal is a relief.

I must remember, when Zamart returns, to ask him to teach me magic again and also to find someone among the rebels who can be taught. With all the court mages dead, magic will be an important factor in future battles. I should also ask him about his previous apprentices. I remember hearing that they were all sent to the army because the king did not trust them, as they were mostly commoners.

Maybe Zamart can get in touch with them and get them to defect. On the other hand, if I made my identity public, we would probably get much more support from the people, but that would also greatly increase our danger. I will ask Zamart for his opinion when he returns.

The guard says, "Princess, Alexa is here to see you."

"Show her in."

I watch as Alexa strides in. She moves quickly, but she is aware of everything around her. It is her awareness that earned her a place in the queen's guard and her outstanding service that placed her as head of my guard the day we were attacked.

"Alexa, do you ever regret being with me instead of the queen that day?"

Alexa pauses before saying, "I regret the queen's death, but no, I don't regret being there with you. I may have lost a lot of good comrades, but it was worth it to keep the future queen alive."

"Sorry, for some reason my mind goes to the past a lot, did you need something?"

Alexa says, "Yes, the assault teams are back, they were all successful!"

"Great, what about casualties?"

Alexa says "Some injuries, no losses!"

"Wow, that's unexpected, is there a reason?"

Alexa says "The garrisons were understaffed as I expected and their discipline was lax."

"Well, a win is a win, I'll take it!"

Alexa says "Is Zamart back yet?"

"No, I would be surprised if he did. Although the guild master is an old friend, I expect he'll want to verify the information before acting."

Alexa says, "Okay. Should we talk about our next plans then?"

"No, I can't think beyond Zamart's return right now. It will all depend on the response we receive."

Alexa says, "Okay, I'll come back when Zamart is back."

As Alexa leaves, I find myself trying to remember the last time I practiced with a sword. It's been too long, I need to practice again, I may need to use one very soon. Magic is not a problem, I have practiced as Zamart taught me, every day without fail.

My mana reserve is much more developed since the last time he taught me, that's why I want to get more lessons from him. Magic is useful in all sorts of different situations and having it as a trump card that no one knows about saved my life before and I might very well do it again.

The guard says, "Princess, Zamart has returned!"

"Send him away immediately!"

A minute later, Zamart enters the tent, I can tell by his stride and the smile on his face that he has good news and I instantly relax as some of the tension leaves me.

-Zamart, sit down and tell me all about it, tea?

Zamart says "Yes, please" as he sits down across from me at the desk.

I pour him a cup of tea and pass it to him, before he can say a word, Alexa enters the tent and quickly steps behind me.

Zamart says, "Everything went very well, the couriers are already through the door. There will be escorts waiting for them, as well as letters from the master of the mages guild and the head of the city. Illium is already preparing for war and they are with us."

Alexa and I smile at each other and at Zamart. This is our first real step to attack the king.

"That is excellent news, my friend!"

Zamart says "There is more, the city master, Ambrose, has said that Illium will accept refugees in small groups and that we can use the city merchants to buy weapons and supplies, if we have the funds."

"We have some funds but not much."

Alexa says, "Actually, I have a plan for that."

"Oh yeah, let's hear it!"

Alexa says, "I've long thought that if we need funds, we can raid the mansions of the nobles who stay in the capital all the time to be close to the king. I have a list of targets and plans to raid them."

"Robbing nobles loyal to my father to fund the rebellion against him? Ha ha ha ha ha ha, I love it, we'll definitely do it!"

Zamart says, "Give me a day or two and I can craft items that will counter the barriers and reveal things hidden by magic."

Alexa says, "Anyway, it will take a few days for the raiding parties to be ready, since they just got back."

"Then, it's decided. The raiding parties can rest for a few days while Zamart makes the items. Then, when they return, we should have enough funds to be able to buy what we need. Let's start sending the refugee families through the gate starting tomorrow as well. Once they are safe, it will be easier for us to plan our defenses, because once my father knows I am alive, we will definitely be attacked."

Zamart says, "I should get to work immediately, if I can't find suitable items to enchant I'll have to make some."

Zamart finishes his tea, stands up and bows to me before leaving the store. Alexa walks around the table to stand in front of me and also bows.

Alexa says, "I should get to work too."

"Yes, of course. Also, please start drawing up plans to counter an army coming into the forest to look for us. I guess that will be my father's reaction to finding out I'm alive."

Alexa says "Yes, Princess."

She bows again before leaving. Zamart reminding her that I am a princess has had an effect. I was getting used to being just Mercy, but now it looks like I'll have to go back to being Princess Amercy.

But a rebellion needs a symbol and a princess is a better one, so if that's what I can do for my people, then I'll just have to get used to it.