Writing down the number of weapons into the storage's notebook went way faster with Taiyou counting everything, while Tenma just filled out the brackets previously made by Minamisawa. That guy was madly in love with order, so no wonder he wanted to make it easy for himself to keep track of the storage's status, even going as far to fill an entire notebook with lines, margins and brackets based on weapon type, numbers, general condition and how many of them was in unusable condition. He'd left some great help for his successor when he decided to side with the dukedom.
Having finished Tenma's tasks for the day, the boys were making their way to the Pegasus stall what was built near the castle. Laughing at the events they missed from the other's life throwing in question after question with excitement in their voice. They both shared the love for flying, finding a topic they've always returned to whenever the conversation was about to turn into a dull comments on their everyday life.
However, while Taiyou mostly saw flying as a crystal-technology, Tenma kept admiring the pegasi and their gigantic wings. However, there was one crucial point what prevented the brunet from achieving his dreams, but this didn't discourage him at all and he kept on trying, while keeping his innocence and positivity. And as Tenma opened the door to the "stalls", Taiyou once again understood why these creatures were so important to the boy.
The pegasi were kept in a field much larger than other horses, with a thin magical web made by their court magician Kariya as an addition to keep the horses from flying away while giving them a way of freedom to stretch their wings. It was a helpful addition as the pegasi knights became more effective during battles thanks to their partners staying in good condition.
"Last week I almost got one to trust me. It came closer and closer and I swear that he almost accepted me, but then Tsurugi called for me and the pegasus ran away…" The boy told him, sitting on the wooden fence.
"Which one was that?" asked Taiyou, watching the boy from the corner of his eye but thankfully, his question seemed to bring back the chirpy mood as Tenma pointed at the white horse standing in the other corner or the field.
"That one over there!"
"Don't tell me you wanted to ride Aoi's pegasus," Taiyou chuckled.
"W-Why? I didn't want to take it away from her or anything. It was just a simple test to see whether or not I'm able to get closer to one."
"Uhum," Taiyou gave him an all-knowing smile. "Why don't you try that overo over there? I think it would suit you better."
Not too far away from them a pegasus with brown and white coat was grazing in the grass, it's bicoloured wings were neatly folded alongside of its body. However, it lacked the atmosphere of purity. Somehow the pegasus reminded Taiyou of the young guard with its out of place colouring.
"Hengroen? No, way. Not even the girls can ride him. I doubt I would have a chance with a monster like that."
"I think you should still try it. Isn't 'We won't know until we try' one of your mottos? It will work out somehow if you believe in yourself and that pegasus."
Tenma shot him a glance, before jumping off the fence and landing on the other side. The youth hesitated, even though the Pegasus was metres away from him. He pursed his lips and for moments he only stared at the colt as if his feet were stuck to the ground. Those minutes felt like hours and Tenma was sure that this time he managed to bond with Hengroen somehow. He boldly took a step forward, only to fall flat on his rear when the horse angrily stood up and spread its wings, flapping them a few times, like an angry crow, before the pegasus hopped away from Tenma, disturbing the peace of its stablemates.
"That horse really has some nasty attitude problems," Taiyou admitted, but in his voice there was some kind of amazement. He rarely saw the Pegasus knights in Arakumo and their meeting was usually brief with only the knights being present. "Is he related to Tsurugi in some way?"
"I told you. No one was able to mount him ever since he was a small foal. "
"There is always a next time. Remember, when Sata said that he can't repair the crystal generator on his own and now he is our best mechanic."
"But machines don't differentiate between men and women," Tenma added walking back to the fence. "And pegasi do."
He spoke the truth. For some reason or other, pegasi only accepted female riders, anyone else was thrown off or trampled when they tried. They say, this type of distinction comes from the fact that both pegasi and unicorns are pure creatures and in some way they sense some kind of kinship with maidens and those who are pure at heart. It might have something to do with men taking up jobs where killing animals and harming others was involved.
"You should just ask Hikaru then. That alchemist apprentice might come up with something that could be used to fool the pegasi, even if it's for a day. A potion, perhaps?"
"No, no, no. I would rather try for years. Just don't make me go to the workshop!"
Tenma's face twisted into a weird grimace as past events flashed through his mind. Not only Hikaru blowing up his workshop, but the times when he asked them to try out his new potions. The young knight, Tenma and the sorcerer Masaki were his favourite Guinea pigs because they couldn't say no to his begging grin.
Asking the alchemist for a potion to fool the pegasi, might come with side effects like turning into one.
"At least you have an alchemist with a workshop! Just how cool is that?"
"Waking up to explosions almost every morning is not so cool," Tenma sighed.
"Well, still better than waking up to Sata hammering something in the garage at dawn. Or trying out the new crystal engine, then failing miserably. Man, the whole guild was engulfed by blue smoke." he grimaced as he went through his memories again. That was one day-off spent with cleaning and scrubbing the walls.
"Would you be so kind and finish your chitchat already?" That voice belonged to Midori, captain of the Pegasus knights. She must've been out of duty because she wore linen trousers and a baggy shirt instead of her regular armour, her expression however, told a completely different story. "Kirino is keeps running around like a headless chicken to find Taiyou. He should've known if it's Tenma, you two end up here."
"Well, he always takes me to show off his pegasi. Next time you notice we might be flying away on a pegasus." Taiyou smiled at Midori, however he almost instantly knew why she was there in the first place. The council must have made a decision regarding Arakumo.
"Whatever. Do what you want, just keep your grabby fingers away from my Pervical! Especially you, Tenma! And Taiyou, you better search for Kirino, now, before he alarms the other knights."
"Okay, okay," Tenma replied without hesitation then he turned to Taiyou "Do you want me to accompany you? I don't have anything to do, so…"
"Oh, no, it's okay." the pilot shook his head. Truth is, he wanted Tenma to go with him, but knowing the council and their way of talking to people it was better if Tenma left this experience out of his life. "Hopefully it will end quickly, without their usual bickering."
"Let's hope for that," Midori nodded. As Taiyou was walking away from them Midori stole one last glance from the corner of her eye, before letting out a sigh. She know it well what was going on and what will happen to Taiyou once he finally stands in front of the old geezers. They always thought about Raimon, what could help Raimon survive, but they never ever thought about making countries, vassals and frontier towns stronger in order to protect the source.
And the problem was how King Takuto shared the same view as them. He went great lengths to assure everything went well within the range of Raimon, but that's all. So probably the council was calling for Taiyou to tell him some sad news. Like not getting more provisions, refusing military support from Arakumo or worse, completely leaving them alone in this situation. After all, it happened before with the fishermen.
"Tenma, you better be ready for whatever to come." he warned the boy. "I have the feeling Taiyou won't be so happy when he gets out of their clutches."
She expected Tenma to be surprised or even ask for her reason, but somehow he too, seemed to understand what was going to happen. "I know. I just can't help but hope that they learned from their previous mistake."
"Well, we both know that the chances are scarce. That's why we have to keep our eyes open. Taiyou is not as peaceful as Akane so he won't walk out in silence."
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A/N: I think I'm slowly starting to get back my writer mood. Or rather, I finally found some sweet OSTs that go well with the story. Maybe both. I kind of wish I had some way to play FF Crystal Chronicles, but my Wii, sadly never had a slot for Gamecube games. -w- Bummer. But I really really recommend that OST because it fits Raimon's image. If I had to choose something for Arakumo. It would be from Grandia.
Also reviews are greatly appreciated. So please, if you would be so kind and leave one, it would make my day!