He glared at her for a moment, then turned his back to her. “I will assign men to guard you immediately. You cannot refuse me this.”
With that, Riftan walked out of the tent. Maxi was about to follow him, but Princess Agnes was quick to stop her.
“You should give him some time,” she murmured. “People might think he’s bad-tempered, but deep down, he is a sensible man. Once he has had a chance to cool his head, he’ll see that this is the best option we have.”
Maxi hesitated. “B-But…”
“Sir Riftan seems to be irrationally protective of you. Some might say as if he were trying to protect a six-year-old,” the princess said disapprovingly. “Of course, that wouldn’t be a problem if you had no objection to it. But if that is not the case, you must make him see that you possess a will of your own.”
For some reason, Maxi felt both chastised and encouraged by the princess’s words. Agnes patted Maxi on the shoulder with a boyish grin.
“In any case, I’m truly glad you’re here. There are currently twenty-two mages at Eth Lene Castle, and we are up to our ears casting barriers around the camp, preparing defensive runes, and creating magical devices. We would be grateful for any help we can get.”
“Did you knock heads with Sir Riftan all so you could exploit Lady Calypse?” Ruth asked incredulously, glaring at the princess.
“Exploit her? What a mean thing to say!” Princess Agnes cried shrilly.
Maxi barely suppressed a snort of laughter as she gave Ruth an odd look. Was he not the one who had taught her magic just so he could use her as an assistant?
As if unable to remember his past actions, Ruth declared, “Sir Riftan would never allow it. Besides, it would be difficult to explain this situation to the other mages. I think it’s more than enough that her ladyship is helping at the infirmary.”
Princess Agnes glowered at Ruth before turning to Maxi and clasping her hands. “I do not ask for much, and I most certainly do not intend to exploit you. If you could help us with the formulation of the runes from time to time, I shall be forever in your debt.”
After a brief pause, Maxi nodded. “I-If it is in my ability…I-I will do my best to assist you.”
The princess looked deeply moved. Seeing her grateful face, Maxi suddenly recalled what it was like to help Ruth sort through runes all day and began to grow anxious. She was regretting her rash decision when the princess began to usher her toward the tent entrance.
“Good. Then we should head over to my tent this instant,” Agnes said cheerfully. “I think you are in need of a change of clothes.”
Maxi awkwardly tried to smoothen Riftan’s loose tunic. “First, I-I think I should go to the women’s tent…to fetch my belongings.”
Ruth, who had been waiting for the chance to get away, promptly volunteered. “Allow me to get them for you, my lady.”
Maxi stopped him as he tried to scurry out of the tent.“What do you intend to t-tell the female clerics? I disappeared so s-suddenly…they are bound to be suspicious….”
Ruth shrugged. “You’ve had your face concealed behind a hood until now. No one would recognize you even if you were to reappear as a mage of Wedon.”
Maxi was dumbfounded by how lightly he was taking the matter.
“How many weeks d-do you think I’ve been working with these women?” she asked dubiously. “Some of them surely must have seen my face…. A-And more importantly, some will recognize the way I talk…or my voice.”
After staring up at the ceiling for a moment, Ruth pulled an irritated face and said, “Very well. I will explain the situation to them.”
Maxi frowned. “Wouldn’t my i-impersonating a female cleric…become a problem?”
Ruth shrugged again. “Well, you aren’t a spy, and all you did was volunteer to tend to the wounded. I don’t see why it would. Even so, there are always those who will sneer and slander, so I suggest we keep this from becoming public knowledge.” He shook his head. “Fortunately, there are currently more than fifteen thousand people in this camp. I doubt any of them will notice the sudden appearance of a low-level mage from Wedon. You need not worry so much, my lady.”
He lightly patted Maxi on the shoulder and left. With Ruth gone, the princess immediately took Maxi to her tent and gave her new garments to wear.
Donning a pair of trousers and a fresh tunic, Maxi finally found herself dressed in something that was neither rough nor dull. However, the hem of the trousers dragged on theground, and they were so tight around her hips that she feared they would rip at the slightest movement. Feeling like a duck with stubby legs and a bulging rump, Maxi let out a disheartened sigh. She enviously eyed the princess’s tall, slender figure, which was reminiscent of a doe.
Looking embarrassed, Agnes handed Maxi a dress instead.
“It may not be as comfortable as trousers, but it shouldn’t hinder your movement,” the princess said. “It was designed for activity.”
Maxi slipped into the blue, ankle-length dress and strapped Riftan’s dagger around her waist. It was modest, barely exposing any skin, but Maxi still felt uncomfortable in it. After being garbed in a glorified sack for quite some time, wearing such an outfit made her feel as though she were dressed for a ball.
Agnes handed Maxi a wooden tag bearing the crest of Wedon. “This is a tag that shows you are part of Wedon’s army. I know Riftan intends to have men guard you, but I still want you to carry this with you just in case.” Her face grew stern as she added, “As I told you earlier, the soldiers of Wedon, Livadon, Osiriya, and Balto are gathered here. There have been quite a few disturbances lately with the men acting up.”
