The Princess’s Pilot

“I still cannot figure out how you managed to get invited to the Aviarian Sky Duel, and a year the princess is up for grabs.” Julian said over the radio. “How the hell did you manage that? I know one of their minor Lords granted you a knight hood Radu, but still.”

“That’s Sir Ionescu to you Julian.” Radu laughed. “I got the slot as the only person in the whole cluster to have actually fought in air to air combat. Not to mention one of the few non-royals to have my own war-bird. My guess is they will be trying to clip my wings and put down any or all of the ‘uppity riff-raff’ before anything happens.”

Julian chuckled, “The news is full of interviews assuring your ‘honorable and just treatment’. The princess is playing her cards very close to that chest of hers. Although I think I agree with the crazies, she’s hoping you’ll win and if you make it though the first round she’ll grant you her favor. Although that could be my hopeless romantic.”

Radu heard the PA announce they were going to be entering the atmosphere of Aviaria, “Got to go Julian, plasma interference and the likes.”

Julian nodded, showing his age, “Give them hell for me.” Julian then cut the line. Radu shook his head at the screen his mentor had just occupied.

“Are you ready for final descent?” A ginger stewardess bearing the royal coat of arms on her chest pulled Radu from his pondering.

“Yes ma’am, is there somewhere I should be?” Radu said attempting to put on a knightly tone.

“Right this way” she giggled leading Radu out of the communications station and back to his suite. He was the final combatant to be delivered by royal courier. Both the benefit and curse of being from the borderlands. “I must say Sir Ionescu it is an honor to be apart of your journey. You are perhaps the best example of a knight I’ve ever seen.” Radu noticed her little bow, and could feel the ginger’s disappointment in the forced modesty of her dress. “Should you wish I would be most honored to escort you though the tournament.” Radu had to pause; he was fond of gingers, she was clearly fit, seemingly with any excess weight only in the proper places. The ginger clearly saw his contemplation, attempting to enhance her offer. It was true that all the other knights were likely to appear with large entourages, even if the weeks of FTL travel had made any details sparse.

“I believe pilfering one of the Clestro’s own members would be taken much more negativity than my appearance in general. Perhaps when I am bested we could arrange a consolation prize.” Radu was almost embarrassed at her blushing excitement leaking out around her facade. With what little grace she could manage she departed, leaving a scribbled note with her name, Elizabeth Windsor, and her comm code. Radu felt a bit of shame possibly getting her hopes up. He knew he would likely be killed off even if he survived the tournament. Yet he was a fighter jock, and that title was one no other could properly paint over.

With that he took to his suite, the apartment sized suite was vacant. Unlike the expected occupants he had no squires, no aids, or servants. Yet he took a seat near the window and watched the orange glow envelope it as the ship dropped into the atmosphere of Aviaria. A short time later Radu was standing on the tarmac watching the ground crew unload Fulger from the cargo hold. The ancient design haled from a lessor nation of the era. Radu had rebuilt the fourteen cylinder radial engine at least twice now. A turbo charger, an addition of his own design and he had managed to unify the armament at four twenty millimeter auto-cannons. With the blended in modern tech and Fulger could pass off as a complete reproduction, rather than the centuries old relic she was.

“You build this thing your self Sir knight?” one of the dock hands said as they walked around Fulger inspecting the old war-bird.

“At this point might as well, not much left of the old IAR 80. Between metal fatigue, corrosion, and good old wear just about everything has been repaired, replaced or remaned.” Radu said genuinely proud of the work he had put into fixing the old girl. “I did upgrade a few bits here and there to solve some deficiencies.”

“Bloody good work than. I thought she might be, but the soul felt older.” the dock hand said patting the wing “You’ve seen a lot over the years haven’t you Fulger.” he visibly sighed when Radu nodded at his pronunciation. “With any luck your knight will let you see much more.”

“Here’s to that. Hopefully I’ll survive this, and get to keep flying.” Radu said patting the dock hand on the back as he hitched up Fulger to the tug.

“Although winning a princess wouldn’t be a terrible fate.” The dock hand laughed with Radu. “If you make it and become the next king that will be something. That said I think everyone has money on the Dragon of the Sun Serpent.” The dock hand said as they arrived at Radu’s hanger. A grumpy older man with gray hair and an expensive looking suit rushed into the hanger as Fulger was unhitched from the tug. He looked around before slightly regaining composure and approaching Radu.

“Sir Ionescu I presume?” he said inspecting Radu, who nodded in reply. “Good. Your file doesn’t do you much justice. I am Lord Chancellor Vaelor Hand of King Clestro and games master for this tournament. I do apologize if you were mishandled on the way in. More than a few were hoping prevent you from arriving. Frankly I think their honor is more injured by their desires to prevent you from attending this event than your attendance would.” Lord Vaelor than turned his attention to Fulger. “You have quite the machine here. I suspect you were in something a bit more modern when you earned your knighthood.”

“Yes sir; I was in an atmospheric fighter. A Lancer to be specific.” Lord Vaelor’s eyebrows raised halting Radu for a moment, “Two with long range, one with short and two more with the cannon. Made ace in a sortie. Thankfully I didn’t end up with anything more than minor injuries to me or the Lancer.” Radu continued. “Since I made it back in one piece I was granted a title, and with the pay bump I restored Fulger here to fighting fit. Just in time for these games. Hopefully I can put on a good enough showing.”

Lord Vaelor nodded. “I believe you do not have your own ground crew. I have found some suitable personnel who should be over shortly with the inspector.”

“Sabastian!” A female voice cut into the conversation. Radu and Lord Vaelor turned to the hanger doors where the outline of a shorter woman in a puffy dress was accented by the oppressive midday sun. “You didn’t tell me the final contestant was here!” She stormed into the hanger a few attendants in tow. “You know I must greet all of my would be husbands.” Her tone was mostly mocking, although genuine annoyance slipped though the cracks. Her statue was diminutive yet she projected strength, “I thought I gave very clear instructions to be notified as soon he arrived in orbit! Let alone planet side!”

The princess was visibly irate, the feathery birthmarks on her neck darkening. “Now Lord Vaelor will you introduce me to our final suitor or will I have to do it myself?” Princess Valreia said bearing down on the larger man. Not waiting for a response she turned to Radu looking him over. She paced circling Radu. Her dress was a royal blue and looked to be velvet, which brought out the silver in her skin. Yet her eyes cut into Radu, one a deep blue the other a steely gray. “Sir Ionescu?” The ire gone from her voice. “Tell me about yourself.”

Radu swallowed, “I’m nothing special just a poor country boy who did what needed doing; when it needed doing.” He was frozen in her stare. Princess Valreia grabbed his hands looking over them.

“Lord Vaelor, ensure this man is protected from sabotage and assassins. I’ll get my father to order it if you insist.” Princess Valreia said turning to Lord Vaelor not releasing Radu’s hands.

“As you wish Princess.” Lord Vaelor said with a bow. “I was planning on doing so regardless. Do you have something more specific you wish with this fair knight?”

Princess Valreia stared into Radu’s eyes clearly reading something in them. “No.” She released his hands and began to circle Fulger taking up a stance of a seasoned appraiser. “You’ve made a few upgrades. This isn’t a standard IAR 80. It would be closer to an 81, but this oil cooler is larger and I suspect that’s an inter-cooler.” Princess Valreia gestured to the intake on the bottom of the fuselage. “Not to mention how tastefully you’ve integrated the modern sensors. Oh and is that a second pair of 20mm cannons?” the princess’s façade fracturing a moment as she looked over the wings, excitement poring from the cracks.

A sharp cough from Lord Vaelor brought her back to composure. “I believe everything was in the paperwork that was provided to you about the contestants before they arrived.” he said clearly disappointed.

“You of all people should know there is a difference between pictures taken by amateurs and looking over the machine yourself.” Princess Valreia huffed. “Besides of all people, you; should know I’d get more out of inspecting the machine myself than I would any puff piece written on the plane.” She rolled her eyes at the Hand of the King. “Not that much was written about Fluger or Sir. Ionescu here.”

“I didn’t have much to say your highness.” Radu spoke up. “I simply filled out the questions as asked and didn’t know what elaboration was necessary. I will gladly answer questions if you have them for me.”

A wicked yet warm smile crept onto Princess’s Valreia’s face. “Oh I have questions for you however I’ll get to them later. I believe you have a ground crew to scrutinize and I believe there’s a ball I must prepare for. I do hope you attend.” With that she turned and drifted out of the hanger.

I hope you enjoyed this preview. The full story should be finished soon and I’ll let you know what happens with it. If you want more short story segments or full short stories let me know.