- The Prince's Request -
It took three hours to reach the flying continent of Albion known as the white country, a nickname derived by the white fog covering the underbelly of the island.
Reaching Albion hadn't been easy. When the 'Marie Galante' was forced to depart early, it didn't have a full store of Wind Stones needed to reach it, fortunately Wardes being a Square class wind mage was able to carry the ship the rest of way using the 'fly' spell.
Upon arriving safely at the port and with the ship secure, the pair departed on Wardes' griffin with Louise directing them to Wales' last known location.
Despite their rather conspicuous attire they managed to reach their destination without incident. Wardes' griffin soon landed outside the doors of a somewhat remote monastery.
Louise wasn't all that surprised that the Crown Prince sought sanctuary here. Like Henrietta, he too could trace his bloodline to Birmir whom was revered by the church as both its saint and founder, not to mention the first user of the holy element; Void. Therefore the church often went to great efforts to protect and support the royal bloodlines and its offshoots.
"Is this the place?" Wardes asked as they dismounted.
She nodded. "At least he should be close by."
She had followed the Princess' directions to this location, but there was no guarantee that the Prince hadn't moved on already. They entered the monastery's chapter house, only to find it abandoned. "It's empty." Louise said disappointed, maybe there's was some clue as to where they went next.
"Not quite." Wardes warned.
Louise's geass flared to life and to either side of the room, a wall comprised of magical runes blazed. 'An illusion spell,' she realized. 'Triangle class at least, only someone like Wardes would've noticed anything wrong.'
The illusion suddenly dissipated and mage knights dressed in the regalia of Albion's royalists lined the walls to either sided, their sword-wands drawn and leveled at the pair. At the back of the room more knights appeared, the leader denoted by his purple mantle stepped forward brandishing his sword-wand.
"Intruders! I demand that the three of you identify yourselves."
For a moment the pair blinked at him in confusion. Behind them Nemo frowned having a feeling of déjà vu.
Wardes stepped forward gripping the hilt of his rapier-wand. "I am Viscount Wardes, Captain of her majesty's Griffin Knight Corps, with me is Tristain's ambassador; Lady Louise de La Vallière."
The Albion knights shifted in recognition of the titles. Wardes was well known throughout the neighboring kingdoms such as Gallia and Germania as a prodigy among Tristain's mage knights, so well known was his reputation that his very presence would give pause to even the most disciplined army.
Even the La Vallière name was well known for its loyalty to the crown of Tristain, especially in regards to her father whom in wake of defending the reigning monarch; King Philip III from the machinations of his first minister Duke Estashu.
"If you speak the truth," the knight said. "Then present the 'Ring of Water' bestowed by the Founder to his descendants whom have inherited the kingdom of water."
Louise suddenly remembered the ring that Henrietta had given her for luck. Had the princess known that she'd be required to present it in order to be granted an audience with the Crown Prince? If so, why not tell her?
'A clever ruse,' Nemo noted admirably. 'Without it no one but Louise would've being permitted an audience. A good way to expose pretenders.'
Though uncertain she held out her hand with the ring, the knight did likewise with a near identical ring with a green gemstone embedded in it. Suddenly the space between the two lit up with a spectrum of colors leaping from one ring to the other.
"When wind and water are combined they create a rainbow..." The knight recited lowering his hand and sheathing his sword-wand, the knights also lowered their wands. He then reached up and unfastened his closed helm revealing a head of blond hair." Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Crown Prince, Wales Tudor at your service."
Louise curtsied. "It's an honor to meet you, your highness."
"An honor," Wardes reiterated as he bowed, "but before we continue there's one thing I'd like to clear up."
"Very well," Wales permitted.
"Before you said there were three of us, but I'm afraid we're only a party of two." Wardes pointed out. Glancing to either side, he saw that the other knights shared his confusion.
Perplexed Wales fixed his gaze on so-called nonexistent third member of their party. She was dressed in a strange seamless garment that covered her from the neck down and appeared to be made from a single piece of cloth. Her face was similar to Louise's such that she could almost pass for Louise's twin, only the girl's hair and skin were paler, and her eyes a darker shade of red.
The girl brought a finger to her lips, motioning for silence as Wardes following his gaze and turned to look, only to focus not on the girl but the door they came through, seemingly oblivious to the girl's presence Wardes strode towards the door, just as he was about to collide with her... he past right through as if she were an intangible apparition or illusion.
One thing became clear to him at that moment; only he was aware of her presence and no one else. He then observed Louise making eye contact with the girl.
'Except her...' He amended.
He didn't know what the girl was or her relation to Tristain's ambassador, what he did know was that attempting to expose her would likely make him appear foolish in front of his men.
"My apologies Sir Wardes, it seems that in the excitement of confronting you I miscounted. Perhaps I mistook your shadow for an enemy knight." He said in jest, he and the knights shared a good chuckle at his expense.
Wardes accepted his apology good naturedly, "Given the circumstances no one can blame you for being overly cautious."
Back at La Rochelle, Kirche lay sprawled across the covers of her bed wearing nothing more than her underwear while holding a cool damp cloth wrapped around pellets of ice - courtesy of Tabitha - to her aching forehead as she dozed.
A few hours ago she had being brawling with the thief Fouquet, the pair had being equally matched/obstinate and after exchanging blows for a time Fouquet retreated citing that she had done all that was required of her.
Afterwards Guiche helped her limp to her room followed closely by Tabitha, once there Guiche left them in search of Louise and Sir Wardes. The moment he was out the door, Kirche had stripped off her clothes and collapsed on top the bed, too hot and tired to be bothered with getting under the covers.
Her body ached all over from the pounding she had taken during her fight with Fouquet, Kirche had to give the thief credit, the woman was no slouched in a fist fight. Though she dared say her condition was no better than Kirche's. Bruises formed dark smudges on her brown skin covering mostly her torso and arms, one solitary bruise resided on her temple where Fouquet's first blow connected and Kirche fought to keep from whimpering as the stabbing, needle-like pain throbbed continuously.
By this point Tabitha had recovered enough to create a few cubes of ice which she then wrapped in a handkerchief and then gave it to Kirche as a makeshift ice-pack. Kirche didn't want to imagine what it cost Tabitha to make even that small amount of ice and gratefully took it and applied it to her head, after which Tabitha went in search of a bucket she could use to draw water from the well outside. While she could draw moisture from the air using magic, it was less taxing to freeze a preexisting body of water, even if it was a buckets worth.
In the meantime Kirche drifted off to sleep, holding the ice pack. What waited was a nightmare.
She was back at the hideout surrounded and at the mercy of her captures whose features were shrouded in shadow. They laughed as they tore away her clothes and pulled her to the floor where they held her down. All she could do was scream as numerous hands, too many to count reached out towards her as she tried to scream, however sound came out.
In the doorway behind them Fouquet stood repeating the same thing over and over again, "Magic doesn't make you invincible."
Kirche woke with a start only to find a solitary figure shrouded in shadow standing over her, his hand stretched out towards her. Panicking Kirche hurled the nearest object at him, which happened to be the half melted ice-pack in her hand, scoring a direct hit to the intruder's forehead knocking him down and out.
Recovering from her panic it suddenly became apparent to her that the intruder was in fact known to her; with his ruffled shirt, black cape and... blond hair? Oh, it was only Guiche.
"Guiche!?" Kirche rushed over to his prone form where he had fallen to the floor, a goose egg protruding from his forehead. She lightly slapped his cheek repeatedly until she managed to rouse him, he groaned painfully.
"Good grief, don't sneak up on me like that!" She chided him, "Next time try knocking."
"I did knock, but you didn't answer," he explained, "and I heard crying through the door. I thought you were trouble, so I let myself in. Turns out you were having a nightmare."
'Damn, was I really making that much noise.'' She wondered. It was no mystery how Guiche gained access to her room, physical locks posed little obstacle to most mages - though it was considered bad etiquette - and even magical locks could be defeated by powerful Earth mages skilled in 'alchemy' and 'transmutation' such as Fouquet, still...
"What are you doing here in the first place Guiche?" She asked."Aside from trying to fondle me that is."
"That...!?I was on my way up to inform you that Louise and Sir Wardes had left the hotel during the ruckus."Kirche wasn't entirely surprised, Guiche continued, "I ran into Tabitha on the way up, she gave me that bucket over there to bring to you and then went to her room."
Looking where he pointed, she saw the bucket with a number of small towels piled on top of it. Peeking under them, she confirmed that it had been filled with cubes of ice. Making this much ice must of being a bigger drain on Tabitha than expected, so the girl had given it to Guiche to deliver before proceeding to her own room for some much needed rest.
Helping him up from floor she guided him over to the bed where he sat. She then scooped up a handful of ice and wrapped them in a towel before it Guiche's lump.
"Regardless I apologize for entering without permission." He said wincing as the cold pack was pressed to his head."It's just that... after what happened earlier, I was worried about you."
Taken aback by his sudden admission, Kirche blushed. "They..."Guiche hesitated before continuing, "Didn't hurt you or anything, die they?" He asked, voice filled with concern.
Kirche looked away as the memory of her temporary capture surfaced in her mind. "No" She said, "You... interrupted them before they could really begin to hurt me. I'm fine." She put on a brave face, but it wasn't convincing. Physically she hadn't been harmed - if you discounted the bruises courtesy of Fouguet, those she could cope with easily - physiologically however she was still reeling from the helplessness she'd felt during her capture and from what would've most certainly happened if Guiche hadn't barged in when he did. But that had only started to sink in after she came down from the adrenaline rush that resulted from all the fighting.
She leaned against his shoulder.
"Kirche?" He started, concerned by the sudden shift in her demeanor, not to mention how quickly he became aware of how little she was wearing.
"I lied. I'm not fine at all." She admitted her eyes hidden beneath her hair, "Truthfully, I'm still a little rattled. So if it's not too much to ask, could you please hold me... just for little while?"
Caught off guard by vulnerable she looked, he couldn't help but cradled her against him. He'd always thought she was beautiful, but it was only as he held her close did he realize much so.
For a time he held her, lost in thought, wondering when exactly did he became so attached to the girl in his arms. Guiche couldn't fathom how much it took for her confide in a mere acquaintance such as him. During the incident with Louise's familiar, they had barely known each other aside from being classmates and by reputation. So there was no reason to confide in him, unlike with Tabitha.
Thinking back on his rescue, his performance had being abysmal. The fact that Kirche was able to escape under the circumstances in spite of his blunder, demonstrated just how capable and amazing she was under pressure, Montmorency wouldn't have fared nearly as well under the same circumstances.
With this in mind, he vowed to do better.
"Guiche. Earlier you were just trying to wake me, right?" Kirche asked, when he didn't answer right away she became suspicious, "You weren't actually trying to fondle me while I was asleep… were you?"
"Ummmm…"
After resolving their misunderstanding, Louise and Wardes followed the Prince through the covered walkways of the cloister, to the west range above the scriptorium - used for copying books near the library - where the Prince made use of one of the abbot's offices.
Seating himself behind the desk, Wales focused on the two standing before him, while trying hard to ignore the intangible third - leaning back against the far wall - that shadowed the pair everywhere, least he look the fool by staring at empty air. "Now," he started. "What business do you have with me?"
Stepping forward Louise offered him Henrietta's letter. "The princess asked that I give this to you in person." She said as he examined the royal seal on the back of the envelope, opening it he looked over the contents.
Once he had finished reading he sighed wistfully. "I see. The first minister has negotiated an alliance with their rival; Germania to defend against future incursions by Reconquista. However there is a letter in y possession that poses a security risk should it fall into enemy hands.
Very well. I'll hand over the letter, but in return you shall do something for me." Louise had a feeling déjà vu as Wales began writing a letter of his own, explaining the contents as he wrote. "As a result of the navy's defection, the enemy; Reconquista, controls the highest ground of all; the sky, and with the loss of our last stronghold at Newcastle it is impossible for the royalists to oppose them so long as those ships loiter above our heads."
When he finished writing Wales applied his seal to it before handing it to Louise alongside Henrietta's letter."Upon your return to Tristain, this letter is to be delivered to my cousin; King Joseph of Gallia. It is a request for aid, specifically from that of his navy. As things stand, his fleet is the only one on the mainland with both the strength and numbers to oppose Reconquista's stolen vessels." He explained, "If Gallia's navy could inflict significant damage, it would go a long way to helping me quell this uprising."
"I will deliver these to her majesty when I return to Tristain." Louise promised accepting both letters. "Though if I may ask; if the situation were so dire, wouldn't it be prudent to seek asylum in Tristain?"
Wales shook his head."If I were to do so Reconquista would most certainly invade Tristain with all haste, they will not gamble on me returning with an army. By remaining here I am buying my cousins time to muster their strength, though honestly I do not know how long we can last at this rate.
Before Newcastle fell, we had only being able to rally three hundred knights, of that number only a little more than a dozen remain."
"Three hundred!?" Louise gasped, "That's all that would stand with you?"
"There are royalists trapped behind enemy lines," He explained, "But their numbers are spread too thin throughout the White Country. They lack sufficient strength to hinder Reconquista's progress, if my cousin Joseph could at least draw away the majority of the fleet, I might be able rally them. Now if that is all-"
"If I may your highness," Wardes interjected. "I have a request."
Willing to hear him our Wales gestured for him to continue."Miss Vallière and I are engaged to be married soon, it would be to our honor if you would act as go between and preside over our wedding here before we depart." Wardes explained.
Louise gaped at him."Sir Wardes! Aren't we being a bit hasty imposing on the Prince like this?" She chastised him.
"Not at all, in fact I think it would be good for his men's moral if we departed on such a positive note." He pointed out, Louise found herself at a loss for words.
"It's alright, I don't mind." Wales chuckled, "and I agree that a wedding would help lift the men's spirits, I Wales Tudor would be more than happy to preside over your wedding."
"In that case we'll make the necessary preparations and meet you at the church." Wardes told before leading Louise out f the office. Louise sent Nemo a questioning look.
"Go on ahead," she said, "Me and the Prince need to have a private chat," When the door closed behind them she remarked, "Well aren't he pushy."
"You disapprove?" Wales asked her.
"I barely know the man," She answered, "Nor does Louise for that matter."
"He is her fiancé." He pointed out.
"The last time they spoke was eight years ago." She countered.
"Eight years...?" Wales frown, even with his duties to the Griffin Knights, Wardes should of had ample time to at least write to his fiancé. To not do so over such a lengthy period of time seemed rather neglectful. Wales shook his head, "We're getting off topic. Who and what are you?"
"My name is Nemo and I am Louise's familiar," She introduced herself revealing the runes on the back of her hand. "As to what I am, I'm afraid your language lacks the necessary terminology to describe me."
"Your kind must be foreign to these lands then?"
"You have no idea." She said nonchalantly.
"You're rather outspoken, especially in the presence of royalty." He observed.
"I'm a familiar; I am beholden only to my master and no other. Your title has no meaning to me, nor does it have any bearing on my person."
Interestingly Wales found her frankness to be refreshing. "How is it that you hide yourself from others?" He asked curious.
"Contrarily only Louise should be able to see and hear me, while everyone else is ignorant to my existence." She pointed out, "There is however a sentient sword that is aware of my presence, since he lacks the usual anatomy we can only assume that whatever magic that allows to it to perceive the world is how it does so. Therefore it is you Prince, and your cousin Henrietta that are the aberrations."
Wales was surprised by Nemo's revelation, 'Anne can see her also.'
"Honestly I am curious as to why you two in particular are so special." Nemo wondered out loud.
"Have you met with any other members of the royal family?" He asked, Nemo shook her head. "Perhaps it's because we are descendants of the Founder Birmir whom preceded us over six thousand years ago." He offered as a way of explanation.
"Six thousand years," Nemo scoffed. "At this point in time I wouldn't be surprised if half the peerage was in some way related to him."
Wales blinked in surprise as he thought over the numerous possible marriages of Birmir's descendants and found himself agreeing. "In that case I cannot think of a plausible reason as to why."
Before she departed through the door, Nemo turned back to Wales. "Fair warning, we were attacked at La Rochelle by mercenaries lead by a mage using a spell called 'Ubiquitous Wind. I suggest you not linger here for too long after we depart." She warned him.
"Regardless, if you are satisfied by the answers I've given you then I'll be taking my leave." Wales nodded his consent, but before she left she asked one last question before phasing through the door as if it weren't there.
"'Ubiquitous Wind.' That's a high level wind spell. Not even I can perform it and those that can are few in number." Wales couldn't hide the concern in his voice, due to the repercussions.
"Don't suppose these few have names do they?" Nemo inquired.
"There are only two that I know of. One would be Sir Wardes as it is well within his ability, the other would be the former commander of Tristain's Manticore Knights, Karin the Heavy Wind, though he never used the spell during his career, he would've being strong enough to caste it. There may be others within Gallia and Germania that could use it but I cannot be certain." He said.
"What about among the rebels here in Albion?" Nemo asked.
Wales shook his head, "No. They have no one of that caliber among their number; if they did... the royalist wouldn't have survived for this long."
"So the only two we know of are from Tristain." She noted her tone foreboding.
A short time later, Wales and his Knights gathered in the monastery's church waiting for the bride and bridegroom to appear.
For the ceremony Wales was dressed in his formal uniform. He wore a purple cape the symbol of the royal family, and a hat with seven colored wings the symbol of Albion's royal family.
The church door opened, Louise and Wardes had arrived. As they proceeded down the aisle, the knights lining to either side of the aisle saluted as they passed between them. When they reached the altar, Louise stood with constrained expression on her face, which concerned the Prince somewhat as he urged her to stand before him.
The veil she wore was nicely made, and the flowers that were eternally fresh due to magic, made it look beautiful. Her black mantle had been exchanged for a white one. Only brides were allowed to wear one, as it was the mantle of a virgin. Both had been borrowed from the monastery, apparently they were accustomed to being visited by eloping couples who wanted to get married in a hurry. Go figure.
"Well then, let's begin the ceremony." Wales announced.
Towards the back of the church, Cromwell hid behind one of the columns, arm extended towards the girl as he enforced his will upon her through the power of the ring on his hand, its blue gemstone glowing faintly as the ceremony proceeded.
He was only able to sneak in behind Wardes due to a powerful illusion spell caste by his accomplice; Sir Wardes, of which he was thankful for as sweat dripped sown the side of his face as strained to maintain control. The 'Ring of Andavi' had the power to control the waters that gave the body life and through it he could bend others to his will, however something within the girl resisted the spell. It took all his concentration to keep the girl under control, one lapse and she'd break free of the spell.
"Do you take this man as your husband, and love him in the name of the Founder?" Wales awaited the appropriate response from the bride, but when it didn't come; Wales became concerned as Louise's constrained expression grew in intensity.
Behind Louise a purple spark flickered, drawing Wales' attention as Nemo emerged from the stone floor. "W-wales..." She gasped, "Reconquista... they're here..."
Startled by her warning, Wales glanced at each of his knights, only to spot a shimmer near one of the columns. 'An illusion spell.' He realized, had he not been a Triangle mage he wouldn't have noticed. Leveling his cane at the blur he fired off a spell, startling both Wardes and his knights. "Air Hammer!"
There was a yelp from the shimmer as the block of solidified air slammed into the column showering the trespasser with pebbles and dust, dispelling the illusion revealing... "Cromwell!?"
Wales couldn't believe it, Reconquista leader Cromwell, standing in the same building as him. 'How did he get so close without being detected?'
At the same time Louise freed from Cromwell spell, collapsed like puppet whose strings had being cut, as Nemo seemingly recovered her strength.
Nemo deployed five of her slash-harkens against Wardes intent on driving him away from both Louise and Wales, he easily deflected them with a powerful 'Wind Shield,' but was forced to leap back as the sixth emerged at his feet behind the barrier, missing him by a hair.
Cromwell managed to escape in the confusion as the knights uncertain as to whom to level their wands at; Cromwell, Wardes or the razor tips tendrils.
"So you did manage to follow us, familiar."Wardes mused. Waving his wand, four images of him appeared next to him.
Nemo snarled, "So it was you!"
- End of chapter 11 -
A/N: I know it's being a little longer since my last update, however my early lead has officially run dry. When I began uploading this story, I had already completed the first 7 chapters and had begun work the 8th. As a result updates will be a little slower, check my profile for release dates. Part 1 is almost finished and I've been debating on whether to release the events of Lagdorian Lake as a side story featuring Kirche, Tabitha, Guiche and Montmonency as the main characters. If you'd be interested in reading it, let me know in a review. If there is enough interest I'll post them prior to Part 2.