Chapter 1: Thrown to the Wolves
The fire flickered from across the way and the flame's orange glow was the only light illuminating the room. I squinted my eyes, struggling to see his face. From this angle, shadows only covered the contours of his cheekbones and hid the deceit his eyes possessed.
A deep, drawly voice spoke as the tapping of boots began against the hardwood floor. "It's been so long, but do you remember?"
I lowered my head with a nod, "Yes."
"Can you say it?" The sound of the boots circled around the table and around me. I felt him lingering over my shoulder, eyes piercing through the back of my head, and urging me to answer.
Lifting my head, I nodded once more. I parted my lips and resolutely spoke the words engraved in my memory since childhood, "As a knight of the King's Chosen I am loyal and fierce. Nothing bends my will and I shall pledge myself to my country and Her King. In both body and soul I shall serve Her until death. And death shall await, should I betray Her, for treason is the greatest crime. This I swear."
Clear and beautiful skies hung over the Kingdom of Artai as Shizuru gently swung open the balcony door and stepped out onto it. She delicately held the edges of a glass of wine and took a sip, appreciating the warmth of the alcohol. Taking in the beauty of spring over the country, Shizuru listened to the returning birds sing and fly about. The snow had melted, revealing the green grass, the flowers waiting to bloom, and the trees who long awaited to feel the sun's rays touch its leaves. So much life and energy. The scene of the kingdom below matched spring's revitalization after such a long, freezing, dull winter. The far northlands of Artai were unforgiving, but still the people managed to prosper. Merchants bellowed in the markets far off, church bells rung at the mark of the hour, and children ran about the streets, shouting and enjoying the wonderful weather.
She let out a content sigh when a light breeze kissed her face, blowing her chestnut locks around in the wind. Although the sun was warm, the breeze, however, still had a slight chill to it. "Not yet, I suppose." Shizuru closed her crimson eyes with a shiver and crossed her arms over her chest. She missed summer's warmth more than anything and just hoped it would return soon. Perhaps it was nothing compared to the warmth of Zipang or Windbloom far to the south, but she would appreciate what little Artai could offer. She loved the warmth for the comfort that made her forget all her stress from work; like a warm bath or the arms of a lover.
Another chilly breeze swept through and Shizuru instantly returned to her quarters, shutting the balcony doors behind her. Rubbing her exposed arms from the sleeveless tunic, she downed the last drop of wine, the warm alcohol returning heat through her body. With another sigh, she set down the glass and seated herself at the table, "I should really take this time to relax…" she said to herself while rubbing a shoulder. All winter, for three months, she had accompanied her unit. They made rounds through various military posts around Artai's borders, inspecting them, and slaying Orphans—corrupt monsters—around the harsh tundra so their numbers would not increase and overwhelm small towns and villages outside the capital. It was a truly backbreaking task. Such was the Royal Knight's task—as Captain Yuuichi's lieutenant no less. "Hn, twenty-seven this year, I feel so old…"
The knight peered out the window once more. She had always been outside year-round because of her duties. She never knew a day without the sun or the moon; or without sweat and sore muscles. Now that she thought about it, she never got to stop to admire her surroundings, never truly had time to slow down. It was always work, work, work, for the lieutenant, soon-to-be-promoted to captain.
She figured her upcoming promotion might be the cause of her recent workload. Captain Yuuichi, no matter his denials and protest, thrived challenging his best soldiers. With such challenges, young squires without the heart to handle pressure avoided catching his attention and becoming one of his favorites. Shizuru never intended to make his list of favorites. She only did what she had to do without question and she intended to continue to do so. Shizuru stretched her tense arms, "Maybe I'll be able to take a few weeks off now that I'm back." She figured she would just wander the streets. Yeah, that sounded nice.
Knock, knock
Shizuru turned her head towards the door. Her hopes for a vacation were dashed at the sound of those knocks at her doorway. She stood up and straightened out her tunic, composing herself before walking up to the door and opening it with a smile, "Ara, Yukino-san, it has certainly been a while. It's great to see you again!" Shizuru greeted the shorter woman and urged her to come in. She led her to the small table, "Perhaps to catch up? Can I pour you tea or wine?"
Yukino's timid eyes were hidden behind spectacles. She appeared rather awkward, even guilty, and averted her gaze. While in normal circumstances she would love a social visit with her friend, Yukino shook her head, hardly disturbing her short and messy red-brown hair, "No thank you, no tea… Well, how should I say this…" She trailed off, trying to arrange her words. Shizuru just looked at her with a smile, patiently waiting, "Captain Yuuichi—" A thunderous cry down the hall cut Yukino off, seeming to get louder.
"FUJINOOOOOOOOOO!"
Shizuru and Yukino flinched at the volume of the tumultuous voice. They immediately knew it was Haruka. The blonde was sprinting through the hallway at top speed, all while pushing away poor soldiers and squires that frantically stopped to salute her. The tall, muscular woman appeared like a bull rampaging through the corridor, gradually slowing to a halt as she neared Shizuru's quarters. Shizuru, still not prepared, winced and covered her ears as Haruka burst through the cracked doors, "Fujino!" She shouted again. However, fatigued, she bent over and caught her breath.
"Ara, Haruka-san is everything alright?" Shizuru asked, attempting to appear unbothered.
The blonde inhaled deeply and took a few heavy steps towards Shizuru. She grabbed the front of Shizuru's tunic while taking special care not to lift her off her feet, having more than enough potential to do so, "Fujino! Pack! Now! Leave while you can!" She yelled in her face with the eyes of a complete madwoman.
Shizuru could not help but cast a confused glance to the side towards Yukino. Knowing Haruka, her outburst was a clear overreaction to something she was told. And knowing Yukino as Haruka's best friend, she knew the cause of her outburst, "Haruka-chan, calm down…" Yukino pleaded, pulling on the cape attached to Haruka's heavy plated armor.
The brunette, behind Haruka's incessant rambling and Yukino's urges for her to calm down, just smiled and calmly asked, "Ara, can you please calmly explain what is happening?"
Pushing up her glasses, Yukino looked at the ground and explained, "Captain Yuuichi would like to see you in his study."
The brunette let out something between a sigh and a whine, "Where am I going to now?"
"Your death, that's what!" Haruka bellowed.
Shizuru lifted a brow, "Isn't that all the time? The danger of death is no stranger to any of us."
"No, idiot! This is worse!"
"I don't quite like the idea either, but it's really not for us to decide Haruka-chan…." Yukino said quietly. Clearly, she was worried about what awaited Shizuru, but the young woman did well to suppress the shaking brought about by her concern. Her voice amazingly sounded as timid and soft-spoken as usual, "The Captain wished to inform you himself, so you should see him as soon as possible."
Shizuru wasted no time preparing to meet the captain. Haruka and Yukino waited for her in the hallway as she fixed up her ruffled clothes and pulled a longer shirt over the sleeveless tunic. Only after tying a purple sash around her waist and slipping on boots did she leave her quarters and join her companions, "Let's go. " She sighed with a wave of her hand. Very lazily, she turned around and marched down the halls with Haruka and Yukino by her side.
"Ara, really?" Shizuru questioned, her eyes wide in disbelief. She disliked having to make the captain repeat himself, but she was beginning to agree with Haruka's opinion that it was outright insanity.
With a sigh, Yuuichi nodded, "Yes, really." He sat behind a large desk with papers scattered all over its surface and looked up at the women. "I'm sorry Fujino, but there was nothing I could do about it. Trust me, I would rather have your help here—you may even accomplish more here than there. However, the King insisted that you and only you take this task. The only thing I can do for you is pray and wish you luck."
"But Tate," Haruka started, able to address the Captain as her equal.
"It's fine, Haruka." Shizuru cut her off. Haruka opened her mouth to say something until Yukino lightly tugged at her cape and gave her a small smile. She quietly gave in and just stood there, arms crossed, leaning against the wall, and listening intently. Shizuru sat herself down in front of the desk. She held a hand over her mouth and took a deep breath, "Please tell me again. In detail."
"Very well…"
Tate, without a care, brushed off the books and papers on the desk. Everything fell to the floor with a thud to reveal a map of the continent on the desk's surface. He pointed at the northernmost tip, "We all know Artai is up here. What you will be doing is traveling down southeast to the Kagean forest." He moved his finger and slid it down to a large portion of green forest, marked with a mountain range, "And don't let the map fool you. It looks small, but it's the largest forest in the world. Filled with all sorts of plants and animals… Orphans."
"I know the classroom version of the forest as much as the common person, captain."
He laughed, "Of course you do. If not more than the common person actually. I was told you survived there for a few weeks. That is likely why His Majesty chose you."
Shizuru grew quiet, "That was many years ago." Tate grew silent as well, feeling he touched delved into territory that would be best left undisturbed. However, the brunette observed the map of the forest without losing her focus on the discussion and realized something, "Ara, it's incomplete."
Tate blinked and nodded, "Oh… yeah, many explorers have tried to complete mapping out the area, but they all came back scared shitless with their findings missing. A few have gone missing."
"What is it that His Majesty wants me to do?" Shizuru tilted her head.
"Several tribes live there,"
"I remember that, but I don't see what's so dangerous about people living in a forest,"
"You don't remember that part of class, do you? Or were you never told?" He lifted a brow, "These people are—"
"Mutts. Mongrels. Monsters." Haruka interrupted.
"Haruka-chan, that's racist…" Yukino whispered. She had to wonder if it was the correct term, though.
"What?" The blonde whispered back, "It's true, isn't it?"
Yukino rubbed her temples, "Let's just go wait outside." She dragged the reluctant Captain out the door.
Shizuru and Tate stopped until the two women were out of the room and continued. "Anyways… shapeshifters. Most of the tribes primarily descendent from wolves. So in other words… werewolves. Without a curse. And there are other types, but we don't know much about them at all." Tate sat back down and leaned back in his chair.
"Ara…"
He brought a hand up and rested his chin in his palm. "There used to be a route running through that forest that saved a lot of traveling time for merchants, soldiers, and travelers. It was a fragile peace and the deal let us humans pass through without any issue at all until an incident sixty years ago caused the natives to cast the entire forest as off limits. Those that do decide to brave through either return unconscious with no memory of what happened or never come back at all."
"What could have happened to make them sever connections?" Shizuru asked.
Tate shook his head, "I don't know to be honest."
"I do believe knowing the cause would be most useful if I am being sent to make peace."
"Yes, I agree. Like you and any other folk who attended school, I was told the incident is taboo to speak about. Upon being told about this task, I tried to research the area, but Yukino said the castle holds no records of what happened." He paused briefly and continued, "His Majesty wants to suggest restoring connections with them so that the routes can open again. This passing winter Artai has suffered economically; sea travel is long and expensive and we cannot survive much longer being geographically isolated."
"It makes plenty sense." Shizuru nodded, hand under her chin, "Go on."
"He believes plenty of time has passed to ask for peace. The werewolves have thousands of years ahead of them and His Majesty does not; he's getting old. It'll be difficult if a new ruler decides against peace talks." The captain leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, "There are no clear instructions we can give you, it's a purely independent task. Also knowing you thrive in handling situations alone, we wholly trust that you can do this. How you go about this is in your hands, lieutenant." The captain reached under to open a desk drawer and pulled out a smaller copy of the map. He handed it to Shizuru.
Shizuru took it in her hands and asked, "The latest I can leave?"
"Tomorrow."
She sighed, "I'll leave at noon today." Shizuru then stood up and smiled with all the enthusiasm she could muster, "On the bright side, this may be fun. Like a camping trip, only with werewolves. I may be able to have my vacation after all," She chuckled.
The captain shook his head, chuckling along with a grin, "Fun? Well, don't get eaten and return home safely, eh?"
"I surely will, Yuuichi-san." Shizuru smiled. She bowed and turned to leave.
"Wait, Fujino. I almost forgot," She turned back and awaited her superior to continue speaking. Yuuichi placed a piece of paper on the desk with a loud thud, "This… is your second objective." He tapped a finger on the parchment, face turning from soft to grave. Shizuru stepped closer to look at the ink scribbled on the paper. The brunette's crimson eyes widened.
"Ara… that's… It's more complicated now."
Shizuru used the next few hours to prepare for a few days' ride towards the Kagean Forest. Only two of those hours were spent packing and planning her route. The rest of her time, she took advantage of filling up her belly with food and water, as well as resting so half of her ride to the next town would not be plagued with urges to stop on the side of the road for a nap.
Only a quarter past noon Shizuru was already on the path towards the castle stables to finalize her departure. A bag containing extra clothes, a few survival necessities like a knife and sewing kit hung over her shoulder. Strapped to her back was one of her many naginata, a specialized polearm weapon. A hardened sheath covered the long blade, curved at the tip, at the end of the staff. Shizuru personally disliked the idea of bringing a weapon to a peace talk, but her own survival against Orphans along the way was a necessity as much as the other few items she lugged over her shoulder.
She opened the stable gate and locked it securely behind her, instantly met with the sight of the beautiful horses inside the barn. Shizuru walked a few paces down the hay-covered walkway and stopped when she saw a black shire horse with white stockings to her left, "Afternoon George," she sung. Her stable horse whinnied in response, his ears pointed towards the sound of her voice, listening attentively. Shizuru stepped inside his pen and gave him a pat and treat, "It looks like we'll be leaving home for a while." She told him. The knight proceeded to saddle the horse and secure her bag and sleeping roll along with it.
Once done, Shizuru took the reins in hand and guided George outside of the barn where she placed a foot in the stirrup and mounted the saddle. The knight settled herself and adjusted her vest. While in her quarters, Shizuru changed from regular attire to a white tunic and light leather armor that had seen its share of sights and travel. She knew regular armor would look too menacing and would only be a burden to wear. Shizuru knew with the extended time she would likely spend in the Kagean Forest that it would also be best to favor comfort.
She understood Haruka's worries about it being a suicide mission. Artai had been out of contact with the Kagean forest for sixty years. They knew nothing of it and its natives. The only sure fact they could confirm was that Orphans infested the forest, adding to its lethality and unpredictability. However, the knight did not concern herself, nor was she afraid of spending time with the wolves, the monsters, or leaving anyone behind as she had no family. Perhaps the only concern was leaving behind the few friends she possessed. Regardless, it was a task given to her and a task Shizuru was prepared for, whether the result be success or failure.
Just as Shizuru urged her horse forward, someone tapped her on the arm. The knight pulled back gently on the reins, asking George to stop in his tracks. She looked down to see Yukino, accompanied by a displeased looking Haruka. She gave a smile, "Yes?"
"Thought you could leave without saying farewell as usual?" Haruka huffed and crossed her arms.
Yukino smiled. She had a large hawk with peculiar blue eyes perched on her forearm, "We just wanted to say good luck Fujino-san. And also please, take Diana with you to keep in contact." Yukino began, "She'll always be able to find her way between us." She held her arm out to Shizuru, allowing Diana to perch herself on a part of the saddle behind her.
Running a hand down the feathered back, Shizuru gave Yukino another smile, "I'll take care of her."
Haruka tapped her foot furiously next to Yukino, arms crossed and vainly pretending not to care, but worry plastered her face. She glanced at Shizuru several times before asking, "Are you sure about this?"
"I'll be fine. I'm sure those people are just misunderstood and actually friendly!" She assumed optimistically, clasping her hands together.
"Friendly my ass!" Haruka thundered, "The King's a little out of his rocker thinking those beasts would let go of a grudge so easily! Sixty years must feel like one to them," Haruka hissed aggressively, making a 'loco' gesture with her finger when she talked about the King.
"Haruka, you shouldn't speak about His Majesty like that…" Yukino muttered.
Trying not to prolong the farewell, Shizuru had to interrupt, "Well, I'm off to have fun with the wolves! I'll keep in touch Yukino, Haruka." She said her goodbye and smiled at her two friends as she guided George to face the palace gates.
Yukino managed a smile and waved, "Take care, Fujino-san."
The knight began to slowly depart out of the palace courtyard and to the gate. Haruka was shaking, feeling a weight press down on her as the sound of the horse's footsteps grew further. She itched to let something out. The blonde ran after the horse and stopped short, "Oi, Fujino!"
Shizuru stopped and looked back.
"Don't get your ass eaten while you're having your 'fun'!" Haruka hollered, "I'd hate to find your half-eaten corpse when we still have a score to settle, so you better stay alive, you hear me!"
"Ara, that's the same thing Yuuichi-san said to me." Shizuru smirked at her rival, "I promise I won't get eaten. I'll even bring back some friends!" She waved and turned back around to leave the palace grounds and eventually Artai. She would have a long way to go.