---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IN LOVE AND WAR
CHAPTER 9: Responsibilities
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The first attack on Port Caynn was a Tortallan victory, but it had cost the lives of many young men, and wounded so many others. Both sides retreated to regroup and resupply. Shinkokami spent her days working in the hallways of the palace that had been turned into a hospital for those well enough to be moved. All of Corus, and most of the rest of the country, was in a state of emergency.

Among the wounded was Domitan of Masbolle. He slept for nearly two weeks, Kel keeping a vigil at his side. She was pale, but at least she was surrounded by healers who made sure that she ate and slept.

When Dom woke up, Shinko was tending a young man on the other side of the room. The young man had been in his first battle, and he was excited to write home about it. His only problem was a break in his writing hand. So the princess wrote his letter, as she had many others over the last few days. As she finished, Kel passed by on her way out of the infirmary.

"Sleep now," she said to the soldier. "Soon you'll be up and off again."

"Thank you, Princess," he said, leaning into his pillow and beginning to drift off. Shinko had to run a bit, but she caught up with Kel, and learned of her plan to go to into the city.

"And so I'm looking for the boy that Dom befriended in Port Caynn," she finished. "Would you like to come along?"

"There's a supply wagon going out for the refugees. We can go with them," Shinko said. Kel and Shinko found the wagon and climbed up onto the seat beside the driver. Kel went first, rolling her eyes at Shinko's three bodyguards. As the knight turned, her shirt pulled tight against her frame, and Shinko noticed the gentle curve of her belly. Kel offered her hand to help Shinko up, and saw her friend's grin.

"What?"

"You, Lady Knight, are having a baby," Shinko said. Kel smiled.

"I hadn't noticed," she said with one hand on her belly. The the driver snapped the reigns and the wagon began to roll out of the palace gates.

…..

Even though countless families had taken in as many as they could, refugees still slept in makeshift shelters in the streets. Shinko and Kel had to ask around for the children of the Port Caynn orphanage. After hours spent checking with various temples and homes, they finally found the woman in charge of the orphaned children. They were staying in a schoolhouse in the Lower City.

They were directed to a room where the children were playing. They looked dirty and hungry. Some were playing games they'd invented with stones from the streets. One little girl was writing her letters onto the wall with a stray piece of chalk.

They walked through the room, Kel fumbling with one of Dom's sergeant armbands. A little boy with green eyes and bright red curls watched her.

"Where did you get that?" he asked quietly yet determinedly.

"From the man I care about," Kel said in a soft voice. "His name is Dom. He was hurt in the explosion at Port Caynn, but he's going to be okay. He told me about a little boy he met there. Are you Thet?"

"Mmm-hmm," he said, pulling a matching armband out of his pocket.

"Let's talk," Kel said, taking his hand and leading him outside.

Shinko stayed behind, watching the children. She could feel her bodyguards keeping a keen eye on her as she wandered through the rooms. One little girl with brown hair and big blue eyes tugged on Shinko's skirt.

"Are you really a princess?" she asked. Shinko smiled.

"What's your name?" she asked, kneeling to her level.

"Maya," the girl said, suddenly shy.

"I am a princess," Shinko said softly. "My name is Shinkokami. You're so pretty, Maya."

"Thank you," she said. Other children ventured closer, asking questions about all sorts of things. As she wiped faces with her handkerchief and answered their queries, Shinko made a mental note to have food sent out to them immediately.

…..

When they returned to the palace, Thet went with them. Kel took the boy to Dom's bedside and Shinkokami went to her rooms. She quickly washed and changed her clothing before going to the nursery. Tomo and Lianne were embroidering little tunics as the baby slept soundly. She was pleased that her sister had found a friend in Roald's sister.

"How was your day?" Tomo asked as Shinko settled into a chair with her infant held close.

"Very tiring. I understand why you don't help longer in the hospital," Shinko said.

"It's sad in there," Lianne pointed out.

"Not as sad as the refugee children in the city. Some of the families from Port Caynn are sleeping in puddles of filth on the streets. I wish that there was more I could do for them."

The girls remained quiet, their stitches slowing. Shinko looked around at the most cheerful room in the palace.

"Who needs this many toys?" Shinkokami said suddenly. "Lia is an infant. She can't even lift any of these things. Tomorrow, I am going to take them to the children at the orphanage."

"And risk offending the nobles who gave them to her?" Lianne asked.

"We all have to make sacrifices in wartimes," Shinko said, determinedly. "Roald and I put off our wedding, now our baby can give up some toys."

"Won't you keep a few, Shinko?" Tomoko asked, pushing a Yamani rocking horse with her foot.

"Of course, but most of them are going to the orphans, and I think I'm going to sell some of my jewelry and wardrobe to get money for food. The people are in need, and I can help them."

"I'll help too," Lianne said, placing her earbobs in Shinko's hand. The princesses smiled at each other. Shinkokami got servants to begin taking the toys away, and went through her jewelry herself.

Lianne returned with a bag of jewels in one hand and a pile of dresses thrown over the other arm. Little Princess Vania trailed behind with some dresses and toys of her own. Lianne grinned.

"Wait until Roald hears about this," she said merrily, adding her things to Shinko's cast-offs.

"What is going on in here?" a voice called. Queen Thayet stood in the doorway, holding a stuffed monkey that Vania had dropped.

"We're giving away stuff to help the people," Vania said. "I don't need this many toys."

Thayet smiled at her youngest daughter, then looked up at Shinkokami, obviously approving.

"You'll start a trend. When word of this spreads, noble women from here to Legann will sacrifice for the war effort."

Shinkokami dumped a handful of earbobs into a box. She looked up at her mother-in-law.

"Good."