Princess

Lord Kagetora's discarded banners flutter in the wind as you pick your way across the battlefield between the corpses of your subjects. If the Usurper's forces have pushed even to this provincial backwater, then nowhere in the kingdom is safe for you to hide. Ahead, a pair of young peasants stand over a fallen samurai, arguing. "Oi, Yasu! This standard could fetch a good price," says the taller one. "Baka! Ichiro, you fool," hisses the other, "that's Lord Kagetora's mon. They'll have our heads!" Suddenly, a low growl cuts through their bickering. From beneath a pile of corpses surges a monstrous form – a gashadokuro, a skeletal giant born from the unburied dead. Drawing the sword hidden in your obi, you step between the peasants and the monster. Your blade falls across it once, a perfect strike. The gashadokuro howls as your enchanted steel severs its bonds to the mortal realm and it collapses into a pile of lifeless bones. Not a hair out of place, you turn to face the awestruck brothers, breathing a silent prayer of thanks as you sheathe your grandmother's sword. The one called Ichiro drops to his knees, forehead to the dirt. "Forgive us, noble samurai! We are in your debt." You allow yourself a small smile. "Rise. I am no samurai." As they stand, confusion plain on their faces, you continue, "I am Princess Aldona, and I require your assistance." Yasu's eyes widen. "The lost princess? But... how can we help?" "I must travel in secret to reclaim my throne," you explain. "But a noblewoman alone draws too much attention. Word might reach Lord Kagetora's agents. I need a disguise. I need... a husband." The brothers exchange glances, then begin speaking over each other. "I volunteer!" Ichiro says. "Brother, don't be foolish. I'm clearly the better choice," Yasu argues. You raise a hand. "I need you both – one to pose as my husband, a merchant, the other as our servant. The ruse must be convincing." Their faces fall slightly at the mention of "servant," but you press on. "Help me reach the capital and defeat Lord Kagetora, and you'll be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams." Ichiro grins, bowing with a flourish. "My lady, it would be our honor to escort you. Though, ah, perhaps we could discuss which of us gets to play husband over a warm sake?" You sigh inwardly. "First, we need to find you both some proper clothes. You smell worse than these corpses."