=Chapter Fourteen=
At last, winter was finally over. Nearly all the snow had either melted away or washed away, leaving behind a vibrant greenery. The weather became warmer and warmer by the day. Something that Amy enjoyed with enthusiasm.
It was astounding how time went by so fast. A matter of months would mark Amy's first year since arriving at the Imperial palace. She couldn't believe it would already be year since leaving her home. The cherry-pink female wondered what her siblings were doing right now and what had become of them.
XXXXXXX
There were big things happening in the palace. For one thing, Rouge, Damien, Shadow and the Generals were making arrangements for taking charge of the Royal House while the Emperor would be away on his trip around the dominion and territories. There was also the issue with the Mainlanders mobilizing on their coastline. For now, Shadow had just a few legion of the Imperial Army not only patrol the open ports, but also check the cargo of incoming ship whether they were just trade ships or fishing boats. This was to ensure that nothing was being smuggled onto the island.
Meanwhile, despite thinking quite the opposite, Amy sat quietly in her chambers reading a bit literature and poetry. She assumed that with all the planning ahead going on, she would have a big job to do or some duty to perform while Shadow was away. But to her surprise, there wasn't any. In fact she literally had nothing to do. So, the young flower was spending peaceful afternoons in the halls of Imperial Palace.
Truthfully, Amy didn't really feel left out with all that fussing about going on, especially since Tikal didn't get any big jobs either. Besides, Amy felt she was still a bit inexperienced so it was kinda relieving that she didn't have any obligations at this point. Then, she heard a light tapping on her door.
"Amy-chan?"
"Come in, Tikal."
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"Not at all. So what's going on out there?"
"Well, everyone's a busy little bee. Even Blaze's constantly on her toes."
"Really?"
"Oh yes, but she and I have it easy. All we really have to do is watch the little ones."
"Rouge-sama must be exhausted by now."
"She's used to it. Besides, she's never sane when she has nothing to do."
The two ladies shared a laugh.
"Well, I know it doesn't sound right, but I'm glad I have nothing to do."
Amy then noticed that Tikal had a knowing look on her face.
"What is it?" she asked. "You look as if you want to tell me something."
"Oh I do." Tikal replied teasingly. "But not just yet."
The terra-cotta echidna quickly got up to leave while Amy was still befuddled.
"Hey, wait a minute!" the sakura hedgehog cried. "What is it?!"
Tikal let out a giggle and playfully skipped down the hall before Amy could catch her.
"Tikal!"
But by the time Amy got to her door, her sister-wife was already out of sight.
"Rrrg, dono yō na kanojo ga kakurete iru?!" she growled.
XXXXXXX
At dinnertime, Amy continuously gave Tikal the annoyed evil eye while the female echidna just ate away at her supper with a dignified expression. Damien kept looking back and forth between the two, trying to figure out what in the all the hells was going on between them. When dinner was over, he was able to get Tikal alone and asked her what the hubbub of sorts was about. After she whispered her answer into his ear about it, he blushed just a bit and put on a slightly uncomfortable expression on his face. That only made Amy ever more frustrated at being denied the information that Tikal apparently held secret.
Amy just detested being out of the loop on something in that way. What if it was something really important? At first, the cherry-pink female thought about going to Rouge about it, but then it made her feel like she was tattling on Tikal. And that also made Amy feel so..childish. So she was faced with one heck of a dilemma. Later on in a recreational room, Blaze was met with a sullen Amy.
"Why the long face, Amy-chan?" the lavender feline inquired.
Amy made a pause and then finally spilled her guts.
"Blaze, is there something going on that I should know about?" she asked in reply.
Blaze was about to blankly answer 'no', but then a realization hit her and she remained quiet. Making poor Amy nearly go insane with anxiety.
"Well, there is and there isn't." Blaze answered in a soft voice.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Amy asked in confusion.
"Well Amy-chan, it concerns that journey Lord Shadow plans to go on this Spring."
"Alright then, is there something I have to while he's gone?"
"No, no. Nothing like that. The reason I don't want to say anything to you yet, is because at this point Lord Shadow isn't quite sure if he's really going or not."
"Oh, because of the Mainlanders?"
"Right. He's not certain if it's wise to leave the Royal City at this time or any time with this issue hanging over us."
"I see. So, are you certain that there's nothing for me to worry about?"
"For now, no. But if anything happens, I promise you'll be the first to know."
Amy breathed a little sigh of relief.
"Arigato, Blaze."
XXXXXXX
A few weeks later, things started to quiet down a bit. The weather had gotten very rainy lately and the clouds had gotten so thick over the Imperial City that it got nearly as dark as night. With nothing to do, Amy spent most of her time in her chambers to avoid getting caught up in the chaos in the halls. The only time the young flower ever came out was when she was needed or when she had to go to the tutoring hall. Damien still hadn't returned to join her in schooling, making Amy wonder what he was up to.
Suddenly, a loud crackling clap of thunder was heard, making Amy jump a little. It sounded like the little rain shower had become quite a storm outside. Then, amongst the booming sounds of nature, Amy's ears twitched to voices echoing in the halls outside her chambers. It was a pair of guards passing by. They appeared to be talking about the legions of the Imperial Army being dispensed all over the Empire to protect the borders. At first, Amy wanted to ignore them like Rouge had told her, but then she heard her father's name pop up in the conversation. She quickly and quietly went to wall to listen more on their discussion.
"Did you hear what happened with General Rozu's unit out at sea?"
"It was attacked wasn't it?"
"Hai. Too bad it turned out to be pirates. If it were the Mainlanders, we could've had some incentive to launch an attack on them."
"What became of the unit?"
"They dispatched the pirates' vessel, but unfortunately, the General's unit was dealt with a harsh blow themselves."
"Their vessel sank as well?"
"Aye. His majesty had sent another legion out to the battle site to investigate and recover any survivors."
"Have they arrived back yet?"
"Nay. It appears it's taking longer than they thought. The weather is making things quite difficult."
"Hmmmm..."
Amy drew away from the wall, not wishing to hear anymore from them. She was absolutely horrified at what she just heard. She fell to her knees starting to feel rather distraught. Even though her father had basically sold her off like furniture, the sakura hedgehog was immensely worried and upset about him.
'Wait.' she thought. 'Shadow sent soldiers to look for survivors. There might be a chance that he's alright.'
Of course Amy didn't want to think the worst had happened. She had to wonder when this even had transpired. Amy thought about going to Rouge and ask her, but then she remembered that the Empress couldn't be reached that day. She would just have to wait.
xxxxxxx
A convoy of Imperial soldiers arrived late the next afternoon to the palace. Shadow, accompanied with Damien and a few other guards, was the first to greet them. The commanding officer, a captain, removed his helmet and saluted his Emperor. Shadow noticed they brought a cart and a wagon holding only 5 people inside it.
"Are these the only survivors?" the ebony hedgehog inquired.
"Yes, my Lord." the captain responded. "Their vessel was forced to run aground upon a large reef. Half of the ship was broken apart and we recovered as much of the cargo as we could. We tried locating the crew but we only found these five sailors floating out on the sea on parts of the ship."
"What is their condition?"
"They're all nearly half dead from battle and the elements, your majesty."
"And the enemy vessel?"
"Destroyed, my lord. No survivors."
"And you're certain it was pirates?"
"Aye, sir. There was no evidence to prove otherwise. No other Mainland or Westerner ships were present. Each of the survivors we retrieved gave their own accounts of the incident."
"See to it that they fully recover. I want to hear their testimony for myself."
"Yes, your majesty."
A few workers in the palace came rushing out with wooden stretchers and carefully placed the wounded sailors onto them. Then Shadow with Damien at his side, went to inspect some of the cargo recovered from the wreckage. There were barrels of gunpowder, firepowder, weapons, and a little armor.
"Were you able to recover the log?" Shadow asked again.
"Aye, milord." the captain replied.
He snapped his fingers, and another soldier came running over with a small book and handed it to the midnight clad male. Shadow started to read through it when Damien spotted something amongst the recovered cargo that caught his attention and causing him to emit a stifled gasp. Thus catching his father's attention, the Emperor's blood red eyes widened a little as he also saw what was reverently placed in the middle of the cart.
It was two katannas and a helmet belonging to General Rozu. Shadow handed Damien the log book and carefully lifted the helmet to inspect it. It had a large chip in the front and what appeared to be a tiny fleck of dry blood stained on it.
"I do not suppose the General is amongst the survivors..." Shadow said in a low voice.
"I'm afraid not, your majesty." the captain replied solemnly. "He was lost to the sea. We could not even recover his body."
"I see. Take this and one of his swords and return them to the Rozu's lands. Leave the other blade with me."
"As you wish, my lord."
The captain went off on his orders as Shadow carefully placed the helmet back in the cart, picking up one of General Rozu's katannas in its place. Damien made a very sullen face. Even though he only met the General once, he knew that Amy just lost her father.
"Otōsan..." the prince murmured solemnly to his father.
"It's alright. I will handle this matter." Shadow replied softly. "Examine the log and then report back to me."
"Hai."
XXXXXXX
That evening, Tikal was on her way to fetch Amy for suppertime when Shadow met up with her in the halls. He told her what had happened and to leave Amy to him. The terra-cotta echidna then left with a saddened look on her face. The young flower in question was busy weaving in her chambers, trying to give herself something to do. She heard a polite knock and instantly stopped what she was doing.
"Hai?" she called out.
Quietly, Shadow went in, surprising Amy.
"My lord?"
He had a serious look on his face, making Amy lower her ears a bit. Then the crimson-splashed male presented her with a katanna, causing her jade eyes to widen in shock and disbelief. She recognized it as her father's weapon. Amy looked up at Shadow, who gave her a nod confirming that the worst had indeed happened. Amy continued to stare at the sword, trying to register the reality that was hitting her like a pound of bricks.
"..h-how..?" she croaked.
"His unit was attacked by a renegade vessel at sea. Both ships went down and a few of his men were the only survivors." Shadow told her in a hushed voice
There was a pause. Amy slowly took the sword from the Emperor.
"Does...does the rest of my family know?" she asked.
"A messenger has been sent with the rest of the General's belongings." Shadow replied.
Amy continued to stare at her father's katanna, still trying to register the bad news while simultaneously trying to put on a brave face. Unfortunately, that failed and tears began pooling in her eyes. Shadow put a hand to her muzzle, stroking it.
"It's alright to grieve, Chisanai." he whispered.
The sakura hedgehog squeezed the sword tightly and held it close to her chest as she let out a sob. Shadow let her cry for a bit before wrapping his arms around her form. Amy continued to clutch the weapon tightly as she wept. Her suitor in turn, just held her and gently stroked her soft pink quills.
Translations:
Dono yō na kanojo ga kakurete iru?! - What is she hiding?!