Shiroko saw the blades glimmer as they grazed the princess, and immediately darted into the crowd where they had emerged.
Kouko was faster to react, grabbing the strings that the unseen attacker held, but that gave Shiroko a chance to get further into the crowd and cut off any escape routes.

"You are surrounded. Surrender now and you may yet survive your foolishness."

She spoke in the direction of the assailant, but she couldn't help but glance toward the Princess.

[i]Ears?[/i]