Series:
The Twelve Kingdoms (Juuni Kokki)
Rating: G
Wordcount:
272
Note: Written for a first-line challenge with the line "I'll take care of him."
-o-
We're relying on you: please take care of him.
"I'll take care of him! I'll take care of him, so you don't..."
The supply officer's only response was to bow lower, which should have been impossible. Doesn't the grass get into his noise, Taiki wondered, then shook his head, distressed.
"...don't have to do that, after all your job is the same as mine, I mean, I'm to look after..." he stumbled. The rest of the company watched from just beyond the campfire; that was, he couldn't see them, his night vision had always been bad and lately they'd been maintaining a careful respectful distance, but he could feel their eyes. Was Gyousou also watching?
"...look after the Emperor. Um. Just like you've been doing." The officer didn't move.
I wish someone would stop this Taiki thought, and was ashamed. It was his problem. There was an agitated rustle of cloth from the other side of the campfire. Of course, these men would be apprehensive, now that their commander and kingdom were reliant on someone like him.
"That is kind of you to say," the officer said, his voice muffled by dirt.
His neck will hurt! Taiki thought, desperately. He'll catch a chill from the dew! Before he knew what he was doing, he'd knelt to place a hand on the man's shoulder.
"Please, stand." Taiki watched the man to his feet, then said: "Thank you for all your work so far," and bowed his head. The officer looked down with an awed expression.
On the other side of the campire, there was an approving murmur, and conversation started up again.