The Great Hero is a Schoolteacher

When the valet Gario let us in, Taiki was coming down the main stairs. Seeing our faces, he brought us to his father’s office without a word. As soon as Catalin joined us, he closed the door.

“What’s the problem?” he asked.

Chess told him about Mistress Jemos and her squad. They insisted that the instructor had no business in Merumo, unless she was there on a special mission.

Taiki’s tail curled one way, then the other.

“Why do you think her mission is about us?”

“Because why else would she be here? She’s been my instructor for two years, out of the four I spent at the Royal Sword Academy. I know her!”

Taiki rolled his eyes and looked at me. I crossed my arms.

“I trust Chess. If they say Mistress Jemos usually doesn’t go on away missions, I believe them, and it means I owe you all an apology. I’m the one they’re after. I’m the one who ran away and dragged you along.”

He had a slight frown.

“And?”

“I’m sorry, that’s all.”

Catalin shook her head. “I believe we all freely chose to follow you. I wanted to see Turoch Garnet’s house and I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that I’m studying his grimoire! Do you think I regret it?”

“All right, I’m glad I did it too!” Taiki smiled. “We had a good fight over there. But I’m not waiting here for an armored squad to scare the whole household. Everyone, pack your things, we’re leaving!”

“You don’t need to…” I began.

He pointed a finger at me. “Of course I’m coming! I don’t want to miss any fun! Now hurry before they show up here!”

“I’m packing the grimoire,” decided Catalin.

Our bags were hardly undone, so it didn’t take us long to pack them again, grab a few snacks in the kitchen and wave uncle Asko and aunt Kiru goodbye.

As soon as we were out of sight, Taiki scratched his ears.

“Now it gets complicated. What if we bump into them? I’m afraid we’re no match against ten soldiers.”

“I don’t even want to try, if it’s all right to you,” said Chess, their head bowed down. “I spent the past four years training hard at the Royal Sword Academy. I’m aware that by now, I lost all my chances of ever becoming an officer, but I’m not fighting my own instructor, not right now.”

“Right. So now, we head to the port and we find my baby.”

I looked around us. There was nothing unusual, just the normal activity of the city. People walking, people working, people talking.

“Al? Why do you look thoughtful?” asked Catalin.

She’s been watching me again. I sighed.

“I’m worried about our situation. If we encounter Mistress Jemos and her squad, we might get arrested, but if we don’t, she’s likely to go to Taiki’s house and cause trouble.”

Taiki looked as me over his shoulder, as he led the way to the port.

“Trouble? To my family’s reputation? No chance. I’m already known as the odd one, the one who hangs out with thugs in the worst taverns of Zerta and walks home with a slash across his face. I can get away with more minor mischief.”

“But can you get away with making soldiers bother your aunt and uncle in their own home?”

He winced. His ears moved to the sides, then back to the front. “I’m not sure. Maybe we should make sure Chess’s instructor stays clear of the house. Just give me time to think… For the love of all!”

We were finally in sight of the port and Taiki stopped, both arms extended to prevent us from walking past him. He pointed a finger to the pier where his boat was moored. Two armored figures were standing there.

“I can’t believe it! They’re guarding my baby! You were right, Al, they know we came together. They knew we’d want to sail away, so they set a trap.”

We should have expected it. Then again, this city isn’t a dead end. It’s a trade hub.

“We can try another route,” I suggested. “There are roads leading out of Merumo, and they probably won’t expect us there.”

“Leave by the road and let them keep my boat?”

Taiki looked as distressed as he sounded, his hair standing on end, his tail raised behind his back, his blue eyes wide open.

It looks like it’s time for me to be the adult in the party, again.

I tried to smile.

“Taiki, I understand your concern, but even if we manage to sail away, how far can we go before they get to us? When we left Carastra, it was the middle of the night, and nobody knew what we were up to. Everything’s different today. Horsemen will catch up in no time.”

After a second of awkward silence, Chess spoke up.

“I’m afraid Al’s right. If we had a chance to get away, I’d be all for taking on these two soldiers and unmooring the boat, but I don’t see how we can avoid getting caught. We’ll sail down the river, and then what?”

Taiki shook his head. “That’s because you don’t know the Rekario as well as I do. You have to trust me, okay? I know where to hide my boat. Then you can hop off and go save the Gold Dragon.”

Catalin frowned.

“Do you mean you won’t follow us?”

“I’m not leaving my baby alone,” Taiki answered with a sad smile.

Is there a way to convince him to go with us? I’m afraid not. This boat is like a student’s first apartment to him. He won’t part with her unless we physically pull him out.

I nodded. “I guess you can deal with two soldiers, but I don’t like the idea of fighting them.”

Chess tilted their head. “You won’t kill, will you, ma’am?”

“Not if I can help it.”

They smiled. “That’s what I thought, but you shouldn’t worry about it. They’re wearing armor and we only have light weapons. They’ll get no serious injuries, I promise.”

I looked the cadet up and down. That doublet is no armor and they’re still sore from yesterday’s fight. If anyone gets a serious wound, it’ll be them.

“Will you be all right?”

Taiki put an arm across Chess’s shoulders. “Of course we will! We’re strong and we fought together yesterday. We know each other, now.”

My heart tightened. They’re kids, they want to face soldiers, and I can’t stop them. All I can do is make sure I don’t get more people into trouble.

“All right, then. Taiki, Chess, Catalin, I trust the three of you. Get the upper hand as soon as you can. In the meantime, you know I’m the only one who can’t fight, so I’ll do my part on my own.”

Catalin frowned. “What do you mean?”

I pointed behind me. “I’ll lure Mistress Jemos and her squad away from Taiki’s house.”

“But what if they catch you?”

I shook my head.

“They won’t. They’re wearing armor, remember? I’m fit enough to outrun them.”

“Then may the Almighty protect you.”

I went back, dodging carts and pedestrians along the way. I had to locate the squad before they saw me, and yet, I couldn’t keep my mind from racing. I didn’t thank Chess enough for insisting on coming with me. Without them, I’d be caught already, because the bakery distracted me and I didn’t notice the soldiers in the square. Maybe, one day, I’ll be less driven by my love of cakes, but not today, obviously. Oh, here they are!

I flattened myself against the nearest wall. Mistress Jemos was leading her squad in the street that led to Taiki’s house, turning her back to me.

It was close! Two minutes later and she was knocking on the door.

She glanced around, and so did her soldiers, but they weren’t scanning the crowd too precisely. Perhaps they thought we moved as a noticeable party. Or perhaps they just expected to find us inside the house, although I couldn’t imagine why. In any case, I had to get their attention.

Okay, now think. Is the way reasonably clear?

It was. I climbed onto a crate and called “Mistress Jemos!” at the top of my lungs.

She turned around and startled when she recognized me. I immediately jumped down from the crate and ran away, but I saw her gesture in my direction, out of the corner of my eye. The squad was following.

Good! They wouldn’t bother Taiki’s aunt and uncle, or at least, not for a moment. But now, I needed to make sure they didn’t catch me.

I jumped over a wheelbarrow, ran past two crossroads in the crowded street, then hid behind a large barrel and risked an eye behind me. As expected, the soldiers were slightly slower than me, my comfortable clothing making up for my relative lack of training. When they stopped at a crossroads and looked left and right for me, I showed myself again.

One soldier pointed at me. “There she is!”

I smiled and darted to the port.

Don’t overdo this, Alicia, they’ll start thinking I’m making fun of them, and if they do catch me, they’ll make me pay for it! Then again, I am playing with them. I didn’t think I’d enjoy it that much.

Fun as it was, I was getting out of breath sooner than expected. Mistress Jemos’s squad still weren’t catching up, but I wasn’t losing them, either.

Then, from the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of metal reflecting the sun. I risked an eye over my shoulder. There were more soldiers, coming out of a narrow alley! Were they another team joining in the chase, or men and women from the initial squad who’d taken a different route to block my way? I had no time to think. I couldn’t turn to count them. They were nearly on me, and my life depended on my ability to keep outrunning them.

I’d nearly reached the port, but my lungs and legs were on fire. At least, when I went to the gym, I could warm up before giving my all on the treadmill.

“Catch her!” shouted Mistress Jemos.

Of course, like in a cloak-and-dagger film, people around got out of their way to let me escape, rather than hinder me.

It’s good to know there’s casual rebellious spirit in this world too.

As I turned around the last corner, my foot slipped on a cobblestone. No, I’m not falling now! I grabbed the nearest person to regain my balance, nearly knocking him over.

“Sorry!”

I ran as fast as I could, sweating heavily and wishing I’d removed my green bodice before deciding to sprint across half the city. On the other hand, run around in just a white shirt? Forget that. Hey! Wasn’t that guy…

Yes, he was. I had no time to ponder on that, so I kept that information for later and focused on finding the last sparks of stamina that would lead me to freedom.

The pier was right ahead, and two armored figures lay near Taiki’s boat, which was being unmoored. Chess stood next to a bollard, Taiki was at the helm, and I could make out Catalin’s bright red hair near the sails. All of them were safe! But with the little slipping incident in the last corner, Mistress Jemos’s squad had caught up and I could nearly feel their hands on my clothes.

No, I can’t, they’re a few steps behind, it’s just my imagination! Come on!

I thrust all my remaining energy into the last sprint.

“Al!” shouted a relieved Catalin. “Thank the Almighty, you’re safe!”

A few more strides along the pier. Chess held out a hand to help me on board, but I had enough momentum to jump onto the deck. The cadet followed me, kicking the bollard in the process to push the boat away on the river. We were out of reach right on time.

When the squad reached the end of the pier, a soldier drew a crossbow from behind his back, but Mistress Jemos stopped him.

“Too dangerous!” she said. She pointed at the other boats around. “We’ll catch them sooner or later, so don’t risk hurting someone in a busy port. Tend to the wounded instead.”

And then we were gone. Taiki maneuvered us out of the port and down the river, skillfully avoiding the many other boats that were sailing in the area. I sat down on the deck with my back leaning on the hull. Sweat ran down my face and down my back.

“You’re out of breath,” commented Catalin.

I smiled.

“Indeed. I may need more cardio exercise after all.”

She frowned. “Cardio?”

“Yes. To make my heart stronger.” I looked up at Chess, who was sheeting the sail. “Do you remember the silver-haired man who laughed at us in the street, a little before you noticed Mistress Jemos near the bakery?”

They nodded. “What about him?”

“I met him again. I slipped on the cobblestones while I ran, I grabbed someone to avoid falling, and there he was.”

“It must be a coincidence.”

“I suppose so. I just hope he doesn’t think I have a crush on him. After all, I’m already engaged, aren’t I?”

Catalin sat down next to me and put her head on my shoulder. I was too breathless to protest.