Chapter 9
Corrin let out a breath as he sank onto a rock, his shoulders slouching as he relaxed. All around him the villagers were preparing for the journey to Shirasagi, where the Hoshidan royalty would prepare some temporary accommodation for them before they were re-settled. He ran a hand down his filthy, smoke-streaked face, letting out another, longer sigh.
The Hoshidan soldiers were helping the villagers, but Sakura had been adamant, in her adorable timid sort of way, that he rest and recover his strength before they make the return trip to the castle.
Ryoma and Sakura were nearby, discussing the route that the villagers would take with the village elders. From what Corrin heard Yuzu would be leading them with the Hoshidan reinforcements that they were waiting for, a task that the swordswoman had accepted without so much as flinching. In fact, she had seemed quite proud to be staying behind.
Corrin watched as the younger Princess used her staff to tend to the wounded villagers, the brown-haired girl he'd seen before never far from her side. He couldn't help but smile appreciatively as he watched her work, her gentle demeanor calming his troubled thoughts. She knelt down, comforting a small child before healing a gash on his leg, then humbly waved off the thanks of the child's parents before moving on to the next injured person. It was inspiring.
Selkie, too, was amongst the villagers, but the Kitsune girl seemed more inclined to play with the children Sakura had already healed than to actually help them prepare for their exodus. Which, surprisingly, seemed to be appreciated by the parents of the village just as much as the Kitsune kept their children out of the way and out from underfoot while they readied what little supplies they had left.
"Where is Takumi, anyway? Why didn't he and his soldiers come?"
Corrin glanced up, Hinoka and Ryoma approaching him now and clearly finished with the elders.
"I think I scared him off," Corrin called with a wry grin. "He didn't seem too impressed to meet me at the castle."
Both of the Hoshidan royals stopped before turning and approaching him.
"You already met him?" Hinoka asked.
"Yup," he sighed. "And he wasn't nearly as friendly as the three of you have been."
"He's very proper, very traditional," Ryoma said apologetically. "Mother says he takes after Father in that respect. And he really doesn't like Nohr. But to others it can seem that he's… curt."
"I was going to say 'rude', but that works," Corrin snorted.
"Hey, he's your brother, too," Hinoka laughed.
"We have yet to establish that," Corrin reminded her.
There was an awkward silence before Ryoma cleared his throat, looking up at the sky. The cloud of smoke had cleared now that the village had effectively burned down, giving them a clear view of a stunningly beautiful sunset. Beautiful and, much to Corrin's chagrin, still insufferably bright.
"Hopefully Reina isn't far off," the older Prince said. "Once she's here we can leave her knights to watch over the refugees and return ahead of them."
Corrin perked up at the familiar word.
"Hoshido has Knights?" he asked curiously.
"We do, in a manner of fashion," Ryoma said with a slight shrug and a grin. "I don't know how much I should explain about them to a Nohrian Prince with no relation to the Hoshidan Royalty, though…"
Corrin rolled his eyes at the older man's poor attempt at humor, shrugging.
"Okay then, don't," he muttered. "I was just trying to make conversation anyway…"
Ryoma smirked, chuckling apologetically.
"My apologies," he said. "You can't blame me for trying."
"Hoshidan Sky Knights are our answer to Nohrian cavalry," Hinoka explained, leaning on her naginata. "Because so much of Hoshido is mountains we don't really have the space for horses. Pegasai love the peaks around Shirasagi, though."
"You know a lot about them," Corrin commented idly.
"Well, I am one, too," Hinoka said proudly. "There's not as many of us as the Nohrian Knights, but we're better trained and far more mobile."
Corrin leaned back, arching one brow at her statement.
"You know not every Nohrian cavalryman is a Knight, right?" he asked. "In fact I think only one in one-hundred is actually knighted. It's a very prestigious rank. Whoops. Maybe I shouldn't be telling this to the Hoshidan Royalty, huh?"
Corrin grinned up at the two other royals, their faces breaking into smiles along with his. Ryoma shook his head a little, leaning back and crossing his arms.
"Well, we didn't know that," he admitted.
"Just like I didn't know about the Sky Knights," Corrin shrugged. "So now we're even."
"So did you know any Knights, then?" Hinoka asked. "How good are they? I wanna know if I could beat 'em."
Corrin's good cheer evaporated almost instantly, his face falling as he looked at the ground between his feet.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "I knew one. He raised me, helped train me, and taught me everything I know."
"I-I see," Hinoka said awkwardly.
Corrin scoffed, glancing up again.
"But he was old," he said with forced cheer. "When he was young? He would have saved this village single-handed and left us in the dust."
Hinoka nodded excitedly. "Then I guess I've got a lot of training left to do!"
"Indeed," Ryoma laughed. "I'm going to find some high ground to try and signal Reina when she flies over. Hinoka, keep an eye on Corrin."
"Trust me, I'm not going anywhere," Corrin chuckled with a dismissive wave.
Ryoma turned and jogged for the higher ground near the pass, exchanging a few words with the soldiers and villagers as he passed them. Hinoka and Corrin both stood and sat in silence for a time, Corrin letting his mind wander as he watched the villagers while Hinoka occasionally snuck glances at him.
"How…" she started, trailing off.
"How what?"
"How… bad is your memory loss?" she finally asked.
Corrin sighed, shrugging a little.
"Could be worse," he admitted. "I have good days and bad days. On a good day I can remember parts of my childhood. Spending time with my sisters, studying, training with my brothers and Gunter. Ah, Gunter is- was my retainer, the Knight I spoke about earlier."
"And… the bad days?"
"I black out," Corrin said softly, looking away. "I wake up and I have no idea where I am. When it gets really bad I have no idea who I am. It's… a struggle sometimes, but I get through it. Felicia, one of my maids, usually calms me down until it comes back to me."
Hinoka nodded, her knuckles going white around the haft of her naginata.
"It's not fair…" she said, her voice shaking. "I… we finally get you back after all this time, and… and… you don't even remember us… it's not fair…"
"Hey, I'm the one with the wonky brain here," Corrin chuckled. "It's not that bad. I mean I've only had one serious episode in the last year or so, so I think I'm getting a little better. It's still a little hard trying to remember when certain things happened sometimes, but…"
Corrin trailed off when Hinoka gave a sniffle, glancing up at her from under his fringe.
"I-I'm sorry," she muttered, wiping at her eyes with the heel of her palm. "I'm not usually this emotional."
"Don't worry about it," Corrin smirked. "It's not like I don't get where you guys are coming from. I understand how you would feel, but… I just don't think I'm him. I'm sorry."
"No, don't be," Hinoka said, shaking her head. "I know you're… you. Even if you don't yet. Whatever Ryoma has planned will solve this, I know it."
"Yeah, one way or another," Corrin mumbled.
Before either of them could continue their conversation they were interrupted by the sounds of someone approaching. The tired-looking archer Corrin had seen among the soldiers stepped up to Hinoka, bowing low. She rose back up, looking blankly at the Princess.
"I forgot," she said after a moment.
"Is she for real?" Corrin asked.
"Yes," Hinoka sighed, blushing a little. "Setsuna's one of my retainers. She's great shot, but she's a little… air-headed."
"Aw, thank you, Princess," the archer, Setsuna said with a smile.
Corrin snickered as Hinoka groaned, running a hand down her face. Setsuna, for her part, just beamed obliviously at the clearly misunderstood statement.
The retainer was wearing similar clothing to that of Prince Takumi, except of a noticeably lower quality. She wore a short black kimono over pale blue tights, with a strange skin of some sort wrapped around her middle beneath her belt. Her quiver of arrows hung from her hip, and she carried her bow in one hand. Her short pale blue hair was a similar hue to her leggings, which had clearly been chosen to be complimentary.
"Think, Setsuna," Hinoka said slowly. "You had something to tell me, you came over here, and…"
"And… Oh!" the archer said. "Right! The villagers are ready to go. Lord Ryoma says to mount up. Because he's spotted Reina in the distance."
Hinoka sighed, glancing apologetically to Corrin.
"I have to go and find my pegasus," she said.
"Sure," Corrin smiled. "We'll talk more when we get back."
Hinoka stopped for a moment before blushing, her face breaking into a huge smile.
"You mean that?" she asked hopefully.
"Why not?" he shrugged. "Can't hurt any."
She nodded, her smile not dropping as she turned and strode towards the crowd of villagers, where Yuzu had left their pegasai under the watchful eyes of the other soldiers. Setsuna lingered for a moment, eying Corrin curiously.
"Are you really him?" she asked. "Are you Kamui?"
"So I've been told," he said with a sigh.
"Good," was all she said before turning and following Hinoka.
And leaving a very confused Corrin to shake his head as he watched the two women leave.
"What a strange lady."
"You said it," he agreed, glancing over his shoulder.
Selkie grinned down at him, displaying her elongated canines as she clasped her hands behind her back.
"You coming with us, too?" he asked conversationally.
"Nope," she chirped. "I'm going to go and keep looking for my daddy. Which way is south?"
Corrin glanced up at the setting sun, or as close as he could without his eyes burning like they were on fire, to get his bearings before pointing to his right.
"That way," he said. "Roughly. Want me to see if someone has a map?"
"Nah," Selkie said airily. "It's more fun without one."
Corrin chuckled, shaking his head a little. He was so tired at this point that he didn't even jump when Selkie surprised him by leaning down and giving him a big hug, throwing her arms around him and squeezing with no regard to his injuries. He just reached up, cupping the back of her head with his left hand and ruffling her hair a little before she pulled back.
"Take care of yourself, Selkie," he said.
"You too, Corrin!" she laughed, her voice growing distant behind him. "I hope we get to play again!"
Other Sky Knights were beginning to land among and around the villagers now, Hoshidan soldiers beginning to fill the area around the village. Corrin spotted Kaze making his way towards him, and with a tired grunt he pushed himself back to his feet. The flight back to Shirasagi was a few hours, so at least he'd get a chance to rest for a while before he had to deal with the Hoshidan royals again.
In the Krakenburg Library a loud, haggard sigh echoed around the stacks of files on the ground floor. Leo was looking for… he honestly didn't even remember anymore. He was just hoping that he'd remember if he saw it.
The last two weeks had been hell.
Leo's siblings had barely been sleeping, they were so consumed with worry over Corrin. He knew firsthand, because he couldn't sleep either and kept running into them in the dead of the night. Elise had even taken to reading in the Library at strange hours, Leo often finding the young girl slumped over the fiction novels on the higher floors in the small hours of the morning. Camilla was a wreck, liable to explode at anyone for the smallest things. Just that week alone she had lectured Leo for almost fifteen minutes about being late to dinner. The fact that he'd been on time that night and she was lecturing him about being late more than a month ago was apparently irrelevant. And Xander… well, Leo had never seen their oldest sibling train so much in his life, not even when he was preparing to enter the Knighthood. It was worrying how much he was pushing himself.
Nohr's second Prince breathed another, softer sigh as he leaned back against the stacks of books and ledgers, massaging his temples with his fingertips as he tried to focus.
What happened to Corrin was a serious problem, yes. But until they figured out who had him, where he was and even if he was still alive they couldn't act. Especially not with the magic field surrounding Hoshido. And even though Corrin was missing they still had a nation to run. Every day their father unloaded more and more responsibility for the daily running of the kingdom on them, while he did what Leo didn't know. What he did know was that the three older royals, himself, Camilla and Xander, were being pushed to breaking point worrying about Corrin and still trying to run the country.
Fortunately, they had their retainers to support them.
"Lord Leo! I believe I've located the cursed tome we were questing for!"
Leo opened his eyes as Odin came around the corner, his yellow robes swishing theatrically as he dropped to one knee and presented the Prince with one of the many ledgers off the shelves.
"You were correct!" he continued. "It appears that the Gery family did indeed offer less than usual three years ago in their tithes! However the following year they gave twice as much as usual."
"Good work," Leo nodded, suddenly remembering what pointless busy work they were doing. "Now we just need to cross-reference this with the treasury reports and we'll know if they still owe any taxes or not."
If not for the retainers support, the Nohrian royals would surely have broken down long ago. Laslow had always been essential to Xander's work, but the steel-haired man had become even more-so in the last week, deflecting much of the superfluous things that Xander didn't have the time or focus for and in most cases simply taking care of them himself. Peri, despite being wholly unstable in Leo's opinion, had been assisting in keeping the nobility of the Nohrian Court occupied thanks to her own family's connections, leading hunts in the forests to the south and similar affairs. Selena, too, was playing peacekeeper between Camilla and the Court, the acid-tongued woman ensuring there were no misunderstandings with Camilla's current disinterest with the Court. Odin was admittedly proving far more adept at clerical work than Leo had ever thought the man capable of, surprising him with his keen insight into the running of a country. Elise's retainers Effie and Arthur were both working to maintain the peace in Windmire while also supporting the young princess emotionally.
Which left Beruka and Niles. Leo wasn't entirely sure what Camilla had Beruka doing, but he had seen the diminutive woman around the castle more lately. Leo just had to trust that Camilla wasn't putting her talents to waste. Niles, though, was the busiest out of all of them. He was using every lead, every contact, every favor he had to get any information on Corrin's whereabouts he possibly could. Leo hadn't seen the one-eyed archer in days he'd been so busy in Windmire's slums, and he knew for a fact that Niles had left the capital multiple times following leads.
Leo shook his head, focusing on the task at hand. It was late, and he was exhausted. The sooner they got this done the sooner he could return to lying awake waiting for word from Niles.
"Right," he said. "We need the financial reports from the last two years regarding tithes, they should be on the top shelf of the fifth stack somewhere. If you find those I can-"
"Odin!? Odin, are you in here!?"
Both men froze at the angry tone calling out for the mage, their eyes meeting. It was Selena. And she sounded mad.
"What did you do this time?" Leo hissed.
"N-nothing!" he hissed in reply.
"Odin I know you're in here!"
Leo rolled his eyes, tucking the ledger that his retainer had brought him under one arm. Selena and Odin thought they were being secretive about their relationship, but Leo was a very observant man. It was in their body language around each other, the fleeting glances they gave each other. The pair might have the rest of the group fooled, but not Leo. Besides, if he caught them making out in the Library, hiding in the shelves, one more time he was going to light Odin's cape on fire.
"I think I can manage to finish this myself," he said, his voice slightly louder than usual. "Why don't you call it a night, Odin?"
The blonde mage's face fell, going slack for a moment before he broke into a grin.
"Very well, my Lord Leo," he declared. "I wish you the best of evenings! Selena, my friend, I am here!"
With that he was gone, the sounds of conversation following the two of them out of the library while Leo stood, staring up at the stacks instead. He glanced at the large tome in his hands and resigned himself to another late night. He didn't want to sleep anyway.
Outside of the library Odin and Selena made it barely a few feet before she dragged him into a window alcove in the outer corridor, pressing herself flush against him and burying her head in his shoulder.
"Gah! Selena, we're in public-"
"Don't care," she growled. "After the week I've had I don't care. I just need… a moment."
Odin sighed, wrapping his arms around her. Despite her prickly nature he'd learned long ago that Selena was actually quite soft on the inside and needed a lot of support. Of course she'd kill him if he ever said that out loud, but he knew she appreciated him. Most days.
Selena sighed again, scrunching up Odin's cloak beneath her hands.
"What are we supposed to do?" she asked quietly.
"There's not much more we can do," Odin said, forgoing his usual theatrics. "It's not like we can just march into Hoshido and say 'hey can we have Corrin back, please?'"
Selena snorted a laugh, relaxing a little.
"If anyone's stupid enough to do something like that, it's you," she said without looking up.
"Hey, I do seem to recall someone being there with me every time I did stupid stuff when we were young," Odin said.
"What kind of 'fated companion' would I be if I didn't follow you?" she asked, finally stepping back with another sigh.
Odin saw his chance, deciding to use his powers for good for a change and striking his favorite pose, his hand outstretched as he smiled devilishly.
"Selena! A spell of gloom has ensnared you! Hold and allow me to dispel it! Depart or be destroyed, evil magic! Release Selena from her torment! Blast! It remains unaffected! I must prepare another chant..."
She giggled a little, shaking her head and trying to hide her smile.
"Why don't you tell me what's really bugging you?" he offered, dropping his pose.
"I'm fine, Odin. I was just feeling lonely. It's… been a rough week, and I miss our homeland. You know the one. It's so very out of reach... I guess I'm just a little homesick."
Odin nodded sagely, cupping his chin in thought.
"Ah, yes. Homesickness is a mortal affliction. Be careful lest it overtake you."
The redhead stepped around him, looking out the window at the weak Nohrian moonlight, so unlike that of their homeland.
"Do you never feel that way?" Selena asked over her shoulder.
"No. That demon has yet to lay its infernal hands upon me," Odin grinned. "Lord Leo's been keeping me far too busy for that."
"Oh, I wish I was the same," Selena sighed, resting her forehead against the glass now. "Lady Camilla's been inconsolable, and even the Court has started taking the hint… All I have left to do is train and watch her brood…"
"Then we must convene the Justice Cabal and seek a solution!" Odin declared suddenly.
Selena glanced over her shoulder again, frowning. Odin simply grinned, holding out his hand expectantly.
"I'm going to regret this, but whatever," she sighed, taking his hand.
Odin grinned, leading Selena out of the Library Tower and into Krakenburg proper, before they ascended to Prince Xander's rooms. Selena slowed a little when she figured out where they were, but Odin just gave her hand a squeeze and led on, until they stopped out the front of Laslow's suite.
"This was your plan?" Selena sighed. "We go talk to Laslow?"
"Indeed!" Odin laughed triumphantly. "The three of us are Nohr's Justice Cabal! Between us there's nothing we can't overcome!"
"You don't think that it's a little late?" Selena asked.
"Of course not," Odin shrugged. "I know for a fact he barely sleeps these days. Besides, you can see the light under his door."
Selena shook her head as Odin pounded on the door without any further discussion, not waiting for an answer before he pushed it open.
"Laslow!? Laslow, my friend, we have come to convene the Justice Cabal!"
Selena followed much more reluctantly, taking the room in in a glance. Laslow's armor was discarded in a corner atop his shield, his sword leaning against the wall next to the pile. His suit, the one he wore when he was running errands for Prince Xander, was thrown haphazardly on the back of his sitting room's sofa. Dirty plates and cups were piled up near the door, and the whole room felt as if he hadn't been taking care of it.
"Stop shouting," Laslow groaned, stepping out of his bedchambers. "I just managed to convince Prince Xander to get some rest, I don't need you waking him up again."
Laslow looked tired. His skin was pallid and he had large bags under his usually energetic eyes. He stepped into the sitting room wearing nothing but a pair of light trousers, the scars crisscrossing his toned chest and arms shining in the weak lamplight. It looked like he had lost some weight, as well, his muscles much smaller than Odin remembered.
He yawned, running a hand through his hair as he reached for a pitcher of water, drinking straight from the jug.
"I had thought that we should discuss the matter of Prince Corrin," Odin started. "After all, we three are-"
Laslow choked on his water, coughing and spluttering as he held up a hand to forestall Odin. He pressed a finger to his lips before pointing to the room he'd just come from.
"Laslow?" someone called from within. "Is everything alright?"
Odin's face went instantly red and Selena sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose as a young woman, wrapped in nothing but one of Laslow's bedsheets, came to the door with a look of worry on her face. She was one of the palace's kitchen maids, if Odin's memory served; quite the looker, too. Laslow had gotten much better at picking up women since their youth, it seemed.
"Ah, fret not, my dear," Laslow assured her with a wink. "It is nothing that can't wait for tomorrow. Why don't you head back to bed, and I'll be right there."
The maid nodded hesitantly, giving Odin and Selena a curious glance before turning back and disappearing into Laslow's room. As soon as she was gone Laslow groaned, blushing bright red and hiding his face in his hands.
"I can't believe you," Selena groaned without looking up.
"I can't believe you two chose now of all times…" he moaned.
"Is this really the time to be… to be…" Selena spluttered, trailing off.
"We all have different ways of blowing off steam," Laslow sighed and shrugged. "I would have thought after all these years you wouldn't be surprised by this anymore."
"Er, yes, we'll, ah, come back… later," Odin stammered, pointedly looking away from his friend.
"Better come back tomorrow," Laslow laughed, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
"Gawds!" Selena hissed, grabbing Odin by the wrist and stomping to the door. "You never change!"
"We can't all be innocent children forever, Selena," Laslow called after them. "Come see me just after dawn, before breakfast! I think I should have some free time then!"
Odin winced as Selena slammed the door behind them, making no effort to hide her presence as she stomped back to the stairs. Laslow's promiscuity had always bothered her, but given her current mood…
"Well, this plan backfired terribly," Odin muttered to himself.
Usually Laslow had far less luck with the ladies. Sure, he did manage to score often enough to stop him from giving up, but the timing here… Odin sighed, preparing to spend another evening listening to his old friend rant. At least he still had some wine stashed in his room.
In Krakenburg Corrin's apartment was empty and devoid of warmth, despite the young woman in maids' clothes sitting on the sofa in the living area. She sighed, looking around the immaculate room, the bedrooms and bathroom in much the same shape.
Felicia was lost.
Without Corrin there she didn't know what to do. Ever since she was a girl serving him had been her life, her and her sister both. She had no doubt that Flora would simply go about her daily duties, waiting for Corrin to come home, but Felicia… she couldn't. She'd just make a mess.
With a great, heaving sigh the maid lowered her face into her hands.
In the end, she'd failed him. After everything he had done for her, protecting her from the soldiers that were once stationed with them at the Northern Fortress, helping her to become a better and more confident maid, simply being there for her and treating her like family, she had failed him. Corrin had been captured because Felicia had been stupid and slow and clumsy.
With a sniffle that turned into a broken growl she reached down, clamping her hands around her ankles and squeezing.
If only she wasn't so clumsy… If only she had the poise and grace of her sister…
Felicia sighed, sitting back up and hugging her knees to her chest. The temperature in the room fell, crystals of ice beginning to form on the windows as Felicia let herself fall into despair.
It had been two weeks now, two long weeks with no word. She couldn't take it anymore, not another day…
She leapt up to her feet as the door to the apartments opened with a squeal, the frozen hinges protesting as they were forced open.
"Niles! Thank the Dusk Dragon! Where is-"
Felicia froze as a hulking, heavily muscled shadow pushed its way into the room, the stink of cheap wine preceding it.
"Well, well… so these're the runt's rooms, huh?"
Hans slurred as he stomped into the apartment, looking around with unfocused eyes. Felicia hesitated as the brute came further into the apartment, looking around with a cruel smirk on his face. She took a deep breath, gathering her courage, and stepped into his path. Hans started, blinking down at her before his grin widened.
"Hans, you have no business in Lord Corrin's rooms," Felicia said evenly, copying the tone her sister used to reprimand her so often. "Please leave. You are showing great disrespect for his personal space and privacy."
Hans guffawed, taking another step and forcing Felicia to retreat.
"But he ain't here, is he?" Hans growled. "He's… probably dead in Hoshido. Leavin' you here… all alone… what a waste…"
Felicia shuddered, resisting the urge to gag as she retreated another step. His breath was like being slapped in the face, the stink of alcohol making her eyes water.
"Hans, you need to leave," she insisted, her voice far weaker now than it had been before.
"You don't sound too sure of that, girl," Hans guffawed, stepping forward again. "'sides, you can't order me around. I'm a Retainer of the King. Look, all official and everything."
As Hans spoke he held up his hand, King Garon's seal glinting weakly in the lamplight on the signet ring around his pinky. Felicia gasped, eyes widening. They… they had failed! And Hans had been given such a great honor!? It didn't make any sense-
Suddenly Hans surged forward, his meaty hand wrapping around Felicia's throat and lifting her off the ground. She tried to gasp, her hands flying up to try and break the iron grip around her neck, futilely clawing at his hand and wrist as she kicked in the air. Hans grunted, frowning in dissatisfaction.
"Bah, no fun," he growled. "You really thought I came up here just to see the runt's rooms? I had my eye on you since the Canyon, girl. You could at least make me work for it…"
He threw her backwards onto the floor, Felicia letting out a pained cry and bouncing against the far wall before curling up, clutching her bruised throat and coughing painfully. She glanced up, Hans looming over her with a cruel smirk on his face.
"You ain't even worth me takin' off my belt," Hans muttered, a sour look on his face. "I should just kill you and-"
"Get out."
Hans whirled at the voice, tensing up as a shadowy form dropped from the ceiling. Princess Camilla's retainer Beruka, clad only in a tight black top and her usual baggy pants, crouched on the ground for a moment before standing, staring down the far larger Hans with her usual impassive face.
"Get out," she repeated.
"Oh?" Hans laughed. "You gonna make me, girl? You just wait your turn, I'll get to you when I'm-"
"Lady Camilla asked me to watch over Prince Corrin's maid," Beruka said impassively. "I will kill you if you touch her again. Get out."
Hans actually laughed, stepping forward menacingly. Beruka moved to meet him, the tip of her dagger stopping mere millimeters from Han's eye. Both froze, glaring at each other over the dagger.
"I won't repeat myself again," Beruka said, her tone never changing.
"Do you know who you're messin' with, girl?" Hans growled softly.
"I don't care," Beruka responded. "Lady Camilla gave me an order. That ring on your finger is the only reason I didn't already kill you. Give me an excuse."
Hans smirked, stepping back and holding up his hands nonthreateningly.
"Another time, girl," he said to Felicia over his shoulder.
With that he stalked from the room, leaving the door open behind him. Felicia sat up slowly, coughing again as she looked up at Beruka.
"T-thank you," she rasped.
"I know you can fight," she said, ignoring Felicia's thanks. "Next time fight back."
Felicia nodded, watching the slight woman silently cross the room and close the door, drawing the bolt securely.
"And start locking the door," Beruka added, melting back into the shadows.
Felicia sniffled miserably, drawing her knees back up to her chest and remaining on the floor, the temperature in the room dropping again.
It was getting quite late by the time Corrin arrived back at Shirasagi, night well and truly having fallen. The air had a biting chill in it that Corrin's ragged cloak couldn't quite repel, but the darkness was familiar and soothing. At last, his eyes had stopped burning.
He slipped off the back of the Pegasus he and Kaze were riding, Rinkah doing the same from behind whatever Hoshidan soldier she'd been stuck with, giving the man a dirty look before assuming her usual position at Corrin's shoulder. Glaring at everything that moved.
Corrin hesitated at the edge of the light being cast by the lamps in the Pegasus Stables, breathing a sigh out his nose as he watched Hinoka and Ryoma laughing, Sakura trying to stifle her giggles behind her hand. They were a family he had no memory of, yet still they insisted he was a part of it. Well, they did; his other assumed brother clearly wanted nothing to do with him.
"What are you waiting for?" Rinkah snapped.
Corrin arched a brow at her, grinning a little. It was still funny to him, the way she spoke to him. No one in Nohr would have spoken to him like that if they knew who he was. But Rinkah spoke as if they were equals, and held nothing back from him. He found it refreshing.
Kaze smiled encouragingly, patting him on the shoulder.
"Come, Prince Corrin," the ninja said. "Let's put an end to your worries."
He sighed and nodded, stepping into the light and joining the Hoshidan royals. Ryoma looked up as he approached, clearing his throat.
"It appears we are back earlier than I expected. The Queen is currently recharging the magical barrier around Hoshido, and will be indisposed for some time yet."
"Very well," Corrin shrugged. "Is there somewhere I can wait, or shall I just stand in the stables until she's ready?"
Ryoma's face split into a grin as Hinoka barked out a laugh.
"Why don't you take a bath?" she suggested. "We're all going to take a break before we meet again in the Throne Room. I'll have one of the apprentices show you to the baths. Emma!"
A young girl scrambled forwards from where she was feeding and watering the pegasai, tripping over herself in her haste. She wore a simple short white and blue kimono, her long brown hair held back from her face with a big red bow. Corrin arched his brow at the girl's obviously Nohrian name, but said nothing as she bowed to Ryoma and Hinoka before snapping to attention.
"Y-yes, Princess!" she squeaked nervously.
"This is Corrin," Hinoka said, waving her hand in his direction. "See to him and his friends while he's here. Be polite, he's my brother."
Emma's eyes widened, her jaw dropping when she turned to look at the dirty, disheveled stranger standing next to her Prince and Princess.
"Is… are you… I… Ka… Prince Ka-" she stammered.
Corrin cut her off, crossing his arms and glaring down at her.
"Corrin," he grunted. "I swear, do I have to paint it on my chest or something?"
"Get used to it," Hinoka laughed. "Everyone here still remembers you as 'Kamui'."
"I can change that," Corrin deadpanned. "Very, very fast. You. Emma."
"Y-yes!?" she squeaked, jumping a little.
"Can you please take me someplace I can bathe? I haven't had a proper bath in a week and I stink. Also, I will need some new clothes. Black, preferably."
"Already settling right in, I see," Ryoma chuckled. "We will send for you when preparations are complete. Until then feel free to relax. Kaze, keep an eye on him."
With that Ryoma, Sakura and Hinoka left the stables, Hinoka loudly talking about how she was heading right to the baths as she left, leaving Corrin surrounded by Hoshidans watching him with varying levels of curiosity and hostility. He glanced over his shoulder at Rinkah, who met his gaze with a snort.
"And you?" he asked. "What are you going to do?"
"Follow you," she frowned, crossing her arms.
"Very well," Corrin shrugged. "Lead on, Emma."
"Y-yes!"
The young girl spun on her heel, walking very woodenly out of the stables. Corrin and Kaze chuckled a little at her nerves, Rinkah just rolling her eyes and following behind. Emma led them through the labyrinthine Shirasagi without any pause or hesitation, Corrin becoming hopelessly lost again very fast. He glanced down at Emma, finding her sneaking a glance at him. She squeaked, pointedly looking away and blushing heavily.
"So… Emma, huh?" Corrin said conversationally. "That's a Nohrian name, right?"
The girl slowed, her posture drooping.
"Y-yes, milord," she said softly.
"Good," Corrin said, patting her on the back. "Makes me feel more at home."
Emma looked up at him in confusion, Corrin grinning back down at her.
"I was raised in Nohr," he explained. "I was feeling a little homesick, honestly."
"Oh! I'm glad I could help!" Emma laughed.
"So how'd you get the name?" Corrin asked.
"My father was Nohrian," Emma explained. "My mother is from Izumo. In the south. She's still there now, but I travelled to Hoshido to become a Sky Knight!"
"That's an admirable dream," Kaze piped up from behind them.
"Indeed," Corrin chuckled. "I used to dream of becoming a Nohrian Knight myself. Hopefully I can still enter the Knighthood when I get back."
"Y-you're… going back?" Emma asked nervously.
"Of course," Corrin said. "It's home. I just don't know when I'm going back. I seem to be being held hostage by Hoshidans."
"I'd hardly say you're a hostage," Kaze chuckled.
"See?" Corrin whispered, leaning down close to Emma's ear. "They even sent one of their ninja to make sure I don't escape…"
Emma giggled, clamping her hands over her mouth to try and stifle her laughter as Kaze sighed. Corrin glanced back, smiling apologetically at the grinning ninja.
"Here we are," Emma said brightly.
They had stopped in front of a large sliding door, lit from within. Corrin glanced down at the girl questioningly.
"This is my room?" he asked.
"No!" Emma laughed. "It's the Royal Baths! I'll take your friends to the servants' bath. Only the Hoshidan royal family is allowed inside. I'll come back with a change of clothes for you, Prince Corrin. Please, enjoy the baths."
Emma proceeded to lead Kaze and Rinkah away, the Flame Tribe warrior hesitating and giving Corrin a strange look before snorting and following.
"You tell whoever's taking care of my laundry to be gentle with my cape!" Corrin called after them.
He turned back to the door, sliding it open and stepping into what appeared to be a changing room. He was struck instantly by the warm, damp smell, the humidity in the air clinging to his skin and clothes and leaving no illusions in his mind about what was within. A wall of shelves full of baskets sat to his left, piles of towels and linen on the other wall. The wall opposite the entrance had two more doors, one on either side, one obscured by a blue curtain and one by a red one. The room was lit by hanging lanterns, swaying lazily above the benches situated in the middle. Corrin stepped down onto the lower stone floor, sitting down on one of the benches with a tired sigh. He gave an even greater sigh of relief when he kicked off the boots that Rinkah had provided him, wiggling his toes in satisfaction.
"What are you doing here?"
Corrin glanced back over his shoulder at the irate voice, the young Prince he'd met upon arrival glaring down at him. Takumi was wearing a light blue bathrobe, holding a bucket that looked like it contained soaps and cleaning cloths.
"All of a sudden I'm glad I finished," the Hoshidan Prince snapped. "They'll apparently let anyone use these baths these days."
"Give it a rest, Takumi," Corrin sighed, undoing his cape-sash. "I get it. You don't like me. As soon as Ryoma's done whatever he plans to do about my memories, I'll leave. I want to be here about as much as you want me to be, so just… give it a rest."
Takumi froze, going rigid before letting out a long sigh as Corrin continued to undress.
"There are more robes in the pile over there," the Hoshidan prince said, his tone softer. "And remember to clean yourself at the trough before you get into the bath."
Corrin glanced up suspiciously, eyes narrowing as he nodded.
"Thanks."
"Forget it," Takumi said. "I know I've been… standoffish since you got here. Nohr's done a lot to hurt my nation, and I may have been… a little rude. I hope you can forgive me."
"Don't worry about it," Corrin sighed. "I'm sure if our roles were reversed I'd be suspicious, too."
"Still," Takumi insisted. "To make it up I'll give you some advice. The bath on the left is outdoors, and has an incredible view of the night sky. You should give it a try."
Corrin stopped, turning to fact the other Prince.
"Thank you, Takumi," he said honestly. "And… sorry about being rude before."
"Don't worry," Takumi said, smiling. "After all, we may just be brothers. I will take my leave. I'll… see you in the Throne Room later."
Corrin nodded, waiting for Takumi to leave before he pulled down his pants. He sighed, studying the tattered pants for a moment before tossing them into a basket with the rest of his clothes, carefully folding his cape and placing it atop them. Then he grabbed a random assortment of what appeared to be soap from a cursory sniff, a rag to wash himself down with, and a small blade he assumed was to shave with. He stepped through the left doorway, pushing aside a red curtain as he did so. Taking his time, Corrin cleaned himself and shaved carefully at the trough of warm water on one side of the room, perching on a low wooden stool to do so.
Deciding he was clean enough, Corrin stood and stretched, glancing at his body in the mirror as he unceremoniously shoved the wet hair out of his face. As he'd thought, the wound he'd suffered at the Bottomless Canyon had left quite the scar, the large pink welt standing out splendidly compared to his pale flesh and the multitude of smaller training scars he'd gotten from Xander and Gunter. With a sigh he ran his fingers over the puckered flesh, letting out a small his at the stab of phantom pain that lanced through his side. Shaking his head, Corrin turned away from the mirror, hiding himself with a small towel, and stepped through another sliding door into a hazy outdoor bath.
It was just as Takumi had said; a beautiful view of the stars hung over his head. Corrin stared enraptured at the night sky, smiling a little to himself as he slowly crossed to the bath. The night sky in Hoshido was something he wasn't quite used to yet. It was entrancing and mesmerizing. To think that the Hoshidans got to enjoy this sky every night actually made him somewhat jealous…
"Mother? Is that you- ah! C-Corrin!?"
Corrin glanced down at the bath at the sound of splashing, two figures already in the water. Hinoka and Sakura stared up at him with wide eyes and gaping mouths, frozen. Clearly they found his pale skin and scars to be a little bit of a shock. At first Corrin had felt a little strange about the mixed bathing in Hoshido, but after experiencing it with Rinkah he was prepared this time. It was still a little embarrassing, but he stepped into the water, letting it sink up to his shoulders and letting out a contented sigh.
"Ahhh, this is heavenly," he groaned, leaning back against the edge of the bath.
"Wh-wha-what are you doing!?" Hinoka shouted.
"What?" Corrin asked innocently. "Doesn't… isn't this… what you do in Hoshido?"
"Of course not!" Hinoka cried. "Who on earth gave you that idea!?"
"B-but…" Corrin stammered, starting to blush now himself. "I… Rinkah… Takumi said-"
"I… I can't be a bride anymore!" Sakura sniffled, shrinking away from Corrin.
"Takumi!" Hinoka roared, leaping up in the water.
The older Princess instantly blushed to her ears, shooting back into the water and glaring at Corrin as she wrapped her arms about her shoulders to hide herself.
"Get out!" she shrieked.
"Oh gods I'm so sorry!" Corrin yelled, racing from the bath in a spray of water.
He didn't stop running until he was back in the changing room, almost slipping over multiple times in the process. In the change room he ran into Ryoma, wearing nothing but a towel, too, and doubled over laughing. The oldest Prince held his stomach as he rocked back and forth, erupting into a new fit of laughter when he saw the look on Corrin's face.
"Were you in on this!?" Corrin snarled, desperately trying to readjust his towel.
"O-of course not!" Ryoma roared with laughter. "I heard screaming a-and… I'll… I'll make sure Takumi is properly… p-punished… but it's still funny!"
Ryoma took a few deep breaths, calming himself with a few chuckles sneaking out when he glanced at Corrin again.
"For future reference, blue is the men's side," he said. "I think it's just about time. Why don't you get dressed and we can head to the Throne Room? Emma dropped those off."
Corrin nodded woodenly before he and Ryoma proceeded to get dressed. As per his request Corrin had been provided a simple black kimono and matching pants, similar to the gi that Kaze had provided him. He felt a brief spike of anxiety when he didn't find his cape, but he decided to trust that Emma would take care of it. As they were getting ready to leave and Corrin was pulling his boots back on Ryoma pulled the red curtain back, leaning into the women's side of the baths.
"Okay, we're leaving!" he called laughingly. "It's safe now!"
Hinoka shouted something back that sounded violent and vulgar, but Corrin didn't quite catch it. He sighed, shaking his head as he and a laughing Ryoma left the baths. Emma was waiting outside, innocently falling into step behind the two royals as they walked.
"Well, they're never going to talk to me again," Corrin sighed.
"I'd say they'll be madder at Takumi than you," Ryoma chuckled. "But do yourself a favor and do not under any circumstances spar with Hinoka for the next week."
A little later Corrin stood with his arms crossed in front of the ivory Hoshidan throne, a little way away from the rest of the Hoshidan royals. Hinoka was openly glaring at Takumi, who was doing his best to project an air of innocence while struggling not to laugh. Sakura was literally trying to hide behind Hinoka from Corrin, sneaking glances at him when she thought he wasn't looking, while Ryoma just stood and did his best not to laugh at the entire situation.
In a strange way it was almost like being back in Nohr. The siblings were all obviously close, the same as the Nohrian Royal Family was, but it was still different. Alien. Corrin felt like he didn't belong.
Queen Mikoto gave Ryoma a questioning glance, but he simply grinned and shook his head. She smiled and chuckled softly, moving aside from the throne as Ryoma stepped up.
"Corrin," she called. "This throne is the symbol of Hoshido. It is said to have miraculous powers, to be able to return anything to its original form."
"Fascinating," Corrin deadpanned.
"I think it might cure you of your affliction," Ryoma said.
"That's brilliant!" Hinoka laughed. "Why didn't I think of that!?"
"At least we'll know if he's lying," Takumi mumbled.
Sakura watched on silently, observing the whole ordeal.
"That's it?" Corrin asked. "You… just want me to sit on the throne? Then I can go home?"
Ryoma nodded, Mikoto reaching out to offer Corrin a hand up onto the dais. He ignored her outstretched hand, grunting a little as he pushed himself up and approached the throne. He unceremoniously fell into the seat, no longer caring how disrespectful he was being.
"I still expect you to make good on your promise," Corrin said, looking up at Ryoma from his seated position. "I don't care if you don't bring me back personally, but… I… uh…"
Corrin's gaze dropped to the floor, his brow furrowing. Everyone except Takumi stepped forward expectantly, Mikoto laying a hand on Corrin's shoulder as he shuddered. Sounds assailed him, as well as a thousand sensations, all at once. The fire burned beneath his skin, scorching his veins as everything came rushing back to him at once. A shadowy figure moved out of the corner of his eye like a wisp of smoke, gone before Corrin could focus on it, and he could hear a vicious howl of frustration in his mind reverberating through his very soul.
In the distance he could hear singing. A familiar melody, the one from his dream so long ago, soothing him and driving the darkness that surrounded him away.
Then, all at once, it was over. The young Nohrian Prince slumped forward, resisting the urge to throw up as he panted, drenched in sweat.
"Well," Corrin said without looking up. "I'll be damned. You were all telling the truth."
He glanced up, blinking a few times at Mikoto before breaking into a warm smile.
"Hello, mother. It's… been a while, huh?"
AN: Not as bad as the jokes from the Flame Tribe. I almost consider the hot-springs bungle to be canon, really.
