Warrior Princess

The most wonderful, absolute bestest thing about the Yuirwood was how hard it was to access. That’s what Claira thought, anyway. Isolation was bliss. She didn’t need to leave, nor was easily able to due to the huge body of water known as the Sea of Fallen Stars bordering the land around the mystical forest. Besides, who would want to leave a place that was this picturesque? She certainly didn’t… right? These kinds of thoughts often threatened to make the plucky half-elf lose her concentration when she mediated. Her senior, Ryotan, often told her the best time to mediate was in the morning, as it allowed her to open her mind to his teachings later in the day. Claira wanted nothing more than to be the best and most powerful warrior princess monk ever – she was going to make certain of it. But today just wasn’t a day for meditating. The sun was warm, the morning dew sent exciting chills through her body, and there was so much to do and see.

“You are fidgeting again, Ms. Korr,” came a soft but jovial voice.

Claira turned around, sighing, and rolling her eyes when she saw Ryotan standing behind her, arms crossed, and a cheeky smile plastered on his wrinkled face.

“Well, I can’t help it if the day demands my attention. Can’t you hear the merchants getting ready to head off? Or the singing from the monastery? Or how about-”

“Excuses, young miss, excuses. But, if you’re ready to get on with the day, let’s go for a walk. The sun truly is warm this morning,” Ryotan laughed, beckoning the young half-elf to join him.

Claira bounced to her feet, excitement building in her stomach. Ryotan was special to her, and whenever he asked her to walk with him, he always told her one of his many stories about the adventures he has had, or the monsters he has slain. He was her hero, and she wanted to be just like him. Ryotan was teaching her the Way of the Drunken Master, an amusing yet cunning way of fighting where the monk puts on a drunken performance to present as an incompetent combatant who proves frustrating to engage. Claira loved the idea that she, as a Drunken Master, could play a fool to amuse the disheartened or humiliate the arrogant. That’s what a hero does, after all.

The Yuirwood bristled with magic, both ancient and new. The ancient forest had been home to many a magical creature, and still housed cheeky Feywild creatures who were rumoured to power the various Menhir Circles, magic portals, hidden in amongst the many ruins. On this particularly warm summer’s morning, the Yuirwood was booming. Colourful birds flitted from tree to tree, animals called to each other, and the monk Monastery was ringing its bells to mark the end of morning canticle. Claira looked up at Ryotan with shiny green eyes, skipping by his side and taking in the noise. She didn’t expect him to suddenly hip flip her onto her back and move into confusing, albeit carefully executed stumbles that showed her he was ready to fight. Pushing herself up from the ground and landing swiftly on her feet, Claira matched his drunken dance moves. The pair looked ridiculous, as if they’d been on an all-night bender and couldn’t quite work out how their legs worked. Yet if you looked closer, you’d see they were blocking, parrying, attacking, and retreating in an oddly beautiful dance. Ryotan was clearly winning, having dealt enough non-lethal blows to Claira that she’d doubled over, winded. Laughing, and coming over to see if his student was okay, Claira sprang upwards and clocked Ryotan across the face, causing him to stumble back. Closing the gap with a single long stride, Claira drunkenly ‘fell’, curling up into a roll, slipped underneath Ryotan’s legs, and tripped him, making him sprawl across the ground, landing unceremoniously on his face.

“Gotcha!” Claira laughed, breathing heavily. She stood victoriously, her hands on her hips, trying to emulate a hero’s pose. Ryotan rolled onto his back and joined her laughter, his eyes creasing as the corners.

“Beautifully executed, child! Although hardly a fair move on a helpless old man,” Ryotan chuckled, getting back to his feet. The pair enjoyed a good laugh together, until Ryotan’s wizened face fell, the joy leaving his eyes. “It’s my responsibility to keep my students informed as to the goings on in Aglarond. Although our forest is but a small part of the region, we still need to keep our eyes out for the Thayans.”

Claira’s smile quickly dropped, her face going slightly pale. The Thayans. The ambitious and utterly deadly people who were notorious for their Red Wizards, mages with a disturbing love for undead and wanting dominance over everyone. Claira knew their ways well, uncomfortably well.

“They’ve pushed into Aglarond again, Claira, despite being beaten back to Thay by our loyal Foresters. The rangers were keeping and eye on the Thayan borders, yet they didn’t see the Wizards arriving on the outskirts of the Yuirwood. They’re here, child.”

Claira gulped, a huge lump in her throat threatening to choke her.

“Well, we just gotta get rid of them, right?!” she said, feigning positivity.

“They’ve taken hold of a Menhir Circle that allows them to teleport further into the wood, close to the Monastery. They’ll likely be here in a matter of days,” Ryotan said, keeping his voice calm as he watched Claira’s face darken.

“Which circle? We’ll lay in wait and ambush them!” Claira said, balling up her fists, not realising how much she was shaking.

Ryotan knelt, pulling Claira down with him, so they could sit face-to-face. His facial expression was impossible to read – a trait he’d learnt from being as old and wise as he was.

“Do you recall the Simbul, child?”

Claira’s face lit up. “Heck yeah! The Simbul is the most powerful warrior I know of! E-except for you, of course. I’ve always thought that if anyone can be powerful AND beautiful AND responsible, then they’d be exactly like the Simbul. Her title literally means ‘watchful warrior wizard’, how awesome is that?! Man, I wish I could be just like her,” she gushed.

“Was, Claira. The Simbul was indeed all those things. Her disappearance all those years ago, as you know, sparked renewed ambition in the Thayans. Without her, without someone with ties to Mystra herself, the Red Wizards could push as much as they wanted into Aglarond. They want its land and people.”

“Yeah, you don’t need to tell me. They make me sick.”

“What your parents did to you was vile, Claira. Your heritage, as much as you try to deny it, means you are constantly at danger of being-”

“Found. Yes, I know. Why are you bringing this up?” Claira interrupted, narrowing her eyes. She didn’t often get angry, believing her duty was to bring joy to others. But Ryotan was rubbing her up the wrong way, bad.

“Claira, your unwillingness to even listen proves the point I am trying to make! You. Are. In. Danger!” Ryotan yelled, startling his student. “You don’t leave the Yuirwood. You don’t travel with the merchants to help guard them. You don’t even leave the Monastery grounds without someone else being with you. You are still young, child, that is true, but you are not growing as a person.”

Claira blinked at Ryotan, tears stinging her eyes. She’d never heard him raise his voice at anything nor anyone, not even in the heat of battle. Why was he shouting at her, she’d done nothing wrong! She didn’t need to leave the Yuirwood because there was nothing out there she needed to see, that she wanted to see.

“Child, the Red Wizards are going to attack the Monastery, that much is certain. The Forester scouts have confirmed as much,” Ryotan said softly, taking Claira by her shaking hands. The half-elf was almost besides herself, and he could feel that his words hurt her far more than he’d intended them to.

“So, what do we do?” Claira said, her voice small and frightened. The soft patter of her tears landing on her lap joint the cacophony of forest sounds. Claira hated the Red Wizards, hated her parents for being part of them, and hated that she wasn’t strong enough to stop Thay’s grand plans of taking over the world.

“We, at the Monastery, will stand together and fight them back. You, however, will not,” Ryotan impassively said, watching Claira’s eyes go from shocked to angry to confused.

“Wha-”

“You won’t be in the Yuirwood when they arrive. You’ll be on a boat, going west across the Sea of Fallen Stars.”

“That I ain’t!”

“That you are. Your phobia of water must be concurred one day, child. Perhaps not today, nor in the next year. But you will leave, and you will go across the Sea.”

“How could… I mean, why would you say this to me? You know this is my home. My whole life is here!” Claira shouted, launching to her feet as she dropped Ryotan’s hands.

Ryotan slowly got up, letting Claira pace back and forth and voicing several more reasons why she was absolutely refusing to leave. When there was a gap in her speech, Ryotan pulled Claira to him and hugged her close.

“Everything you say, child, I hear and understand. But I don’t agree. Your refusal to leave and see what else is out there is going to prevent you from being what you want to be. Your leaving is not an exile, nor my way of telling you I will stop being your senior. But it is a way for you to be safe and to find yourself. Somewhere out there is an adventure, and it’s going to need someone like you. It’s going to need a warrior princess monk,” Ryotan whispered, as Claira sobbed into his chest.

They stood like that for a long time. The sun rays that poked through the dense canopy dappled on the ground, making the green forest floor glow gold. Despite Claira’s sobs, the forest still sung with life and delight. Eventually, after many interesting-sounding gulps and sniffles, Claira peeled herself away from Ryotan’s chest, giggling slightly when she saw the wet faceprint she’d left behind.

“W-when do I-I leave?” she asked through quivering lips.

“Tomorrow, child. You will be leaving with the merchants in the morning.”

“Will you be alright?”

“I am always alright, Claira. As long as I have joy, even when there has been an almighty storm, I will be alright,” Ryotan said, offering her a handkerchief.

Claira wiped the tears from her flushed cheeks and nodded. One thing Ryotan had taught her from the first day she’d arrived at the Yuirwood, after she’d fled from Thay and her abusive parents, was the power of joy. After all, it was the reason she’d started worshipping Lliira, the goddess of happiness and freedom.

“I’ll go. I want you to know I don’t like it! And I’m doing it because I want to do it, not because it’s the right thing to do or because I’m scared of Thay or anything!” Claira exclaimed, putting her hands on her hips, and sticking out her chin in defiance.

“Yes, yes, of course, Ms. Korr. Ever are you the decider of you own fate, my Princess!” Ryotan laughed, bowing to her mockingly. When he straightened, his face got serious again. “I apologise for bringing up your past. I know I have not asked about nor pried into your business. I only know what you have told me. But your parents do not define you. What you are is up to you.”

Claira nodded, raising her thin and finely plucked eyebrows. “Yeaahh, when you brought up all that stuff, I thought you were trying to provoke me, like another lesson or something. I kinda get it now, why you said all that stuff. Maybe one day I’ll tell you the whole story?”

“I will look forward to that day, every day, until you come home and visit us, child,” Ryotan said, smiling. “Would you like me to help you-”

“Pack up my things? Nah, I’ve got this! And I’ll absolutely be coming back! So don’t go dying or anything! I’ll need to show you my sweet moves!” Claira said joyfully, turning and dancing away back towards the Monastery. Ryotan watched her go, shaking his head fondly. Claira Korr always was and probably always will be a whirlwind of positivity. He hoped that she would keep that trait for the rest of her days.

…

The next morning was a series of emotional goodbyes and fond farewells for Claira. She had very little in terms of personal possessions, as was the way of a monk. The largest item she had was her viol, which she was adamant she’d bring with her even when others suggested it may weigh her down on her journey. When the time came for her to say goodbye to Ryotan, they were both surprised when neither of them felt any sadness. Even Ryotan thought that despite all his training, he’d be the one to cry saying goodbye to his student who’d become like family to him.

“Well… here we are!” Claira said, bounding up to Ryotan. There was so much she wanted to say, so much she wanted to do with him. But time was short, and the merchant wagon she’d be travelling with to the Sea of Fallen Stars were almost ready to leave.

“Here we are indeed,” Ryotan said, his face calm but his eyes twinkling. “I’m excited for you, child. The world is so much more beautiful than you think. Enjoy it! Make friends! Shine bright.”

“Yeah, I’m going to be awesome!” Claira said, laughing and pulling Ryotan in for a short hug. She pulled back and did a back flip to land on the back on the merchant’s wagon, causing the wooden vehicle to shudder and protest. The merchants sighed, looking at each other warily. Ryotan sighed as well, although he looked amused.

“Oh Ms. Korr. If you ever learn how to stay calm, do let me know. I’m sure even the Gods would be shocked,” Ryotan laughed.

“Ready to go, Miss?” the owner of the wagon asked. He was a tall, elven man, with especially long and pointed ears.

“Yep! Onwards and upwards, or something!” Claira laughed, plonking herself down and pulling out her viol. Her fellows at the Monastery waved and giggled at her musical departure, some breaking into dance as she picked up the tempo of the diddy she was playing. If ever there was someone feeling disheartened in the world, they’d surely feel uplifted should they meet Claira Korr.

When the merchant wagon left the woods, Claira stopped playing, looking around to take in the open plains and rolling hills that made up most of Aglarond. She’d not seen this view since she first entered the Yuirwood. She was at least glad that the splendour of the place hadn’t diminished in the few years she’d spent in the forest. Her eyes glanced over each hill, and she wondered what the grass would feel like underneath bare, dancing feet. Then, her eyes locked onto the looming and terrifying city of Thay sat in the distance on the eastern horizon. Even from a distance, the city looked like a series of claws pushing up out of the ground, threatening to enmesh any into its frightening coils. Even though the merchant wagon was going away from Thay, Claira felt the chill of its ever-shadowed streets as if she was suddenly there. Fighting back the urge to vomit, Claira stood up, balancing on the back of the wagon, put her hands on her hips and shouted up into the morning sky.

“I’ll never forgive them! I will never forgive any Red Wizard for their villainous ways! They’d better watch out because the Warrior Princess will be watching and waiting!”

The merchants that were accompanying her looked to each other and laughed, some glancing back at the young half-elf stood like some kind of wannabe hero. Little did they know, Claira Korr may very well make them eat their words now that she was out and about. Evil beware, the Warrior Princess cometh.