Wandering Pilot

by Mercaba

Waking up in an open field a weary pilot finds a trio of shapes moving in the distance, following them a whole new and adventure awaits them all

35. Chapter 35

Standard Disclaimer

Oh boy…nice little update here. Car died, got a new one, job threw a new language to learn at me (Ember), learned it. Family member is very sick…that took some time to think through sadly. Sorry for the delay but life is a bitch at times. Have a happy Easter!

X-X

Wandering Pilot

Chapter – 35

Shinji was doing his best to keep his temper and not rage at his current situation, but it was getting harder by the day. Traveling with Yuit was just a mixed bag with more negatives than positives in it. Telling himself fit was just reunion shock, that Yuit was just going through a phase, and remembering how he acted when he last found Alleyne helped a little. A very little sometimes sadly. Three days of traveling with the small elf tribe member had pressed Shinji's patience to the max. It was as if the girl was trying to drive him away with one hand and hold onto his bag of goodies with the other.

As they had travelled to the capitol, Yuit made it painfully evident that she wanted all of Annelotte's attention. When walking…walking…when Vante carried Yuit and the others walked, Yuit would just so happen to always be between Shinji and Annelotte. If he moved to the other side, so did Vante. It just kept happening so often that Shinji gave up. Thankfully if Annelotte did the moving Yuit backed down and let her 'onii-sama' do whatever she wanted. Sleeping arrangements had been similar, Yuit kept next to Annelotte's bedroll and Shinji got to have all the time to himself. It had been months since he slept alone, and he found it had lost much of its luster.

First two nights, Shinji stayed up late, watching the fire die down and watching Vante. Just what was Vante? He had no idea at all about what that thing was. It just seemed alive, it 'breathed' but was it actually the same as terrestrial breathe? The body, aside the gauntlets and leg pods, was elf looking…a very attractive elf. But without that controller Vante practically was motionless. Was it a golem, was it a wind-up doll, or was it something more? Shinji didn't know, but he saw emotion on it's face, heard it call out when it struck things. To him, it was more alive than not, but he wasn't going to ask.

Food had been one of the two olive branches Shinji tried offering the small elf, but it was slow progress as well. Breakfast foods worked best, eggs and other mild tasting foods were lauded by the elf much to her chagrin. When time for supper or dinner came though, everything was to spicy or bitter for her. Oh she ate it all, more so than Tiina even ate leaving him even less to eat, but she complained all the same. It as his bag of technology that kept Yuit from openly antagonizing him. She couldn't get enough of his gear from Tokyo-3. Always had something out of it, tinkering with it, asking if she could disassemble it, or how it worked. When she found the tablet with its PDF's…well that helped ease yesterday's tension.

Wanting to enter the capitol under the shrowd of night, Annelotte had slowed their pace to the surrounding green hills. Memory surged into Shinji's mind as they made camp out by the bridge. Same bridge Leina and he fought Melona at, and the army of the dead. Where many of his friends reunited after long journeys. It was Annelotte's suggestion that Vante and Yuit keep an eye out…and to keep Yuit's attention showed her the PDF's that instantly took the girl's attention. Annelotte then suggested they take a little walk about to scout the area.

Annelotte wasn't very good at being subtle, or at hiding her wants Shinji learned. Up front and earnest to a fault, very much like Leina he noticed again. Just Annelotte spoke a lot less, she said what was needed and otherwise let others fill the air. Yuit had been good at that, talking about everything and anything, more to keep Shinji from talking he suspected. When they were alone though, down under the bridge, Annelotte had pounced him. Part of Shinji thought he saw the same clearing Alleyne and he had used but it was likely just his imagination. Annelotte wasn't blind to Yuit's selfishness, she just let the elf have her way, but she craved some private time alone as well. Shinji just hoped Yuit didn't hear them, Annelotte did have a very powerful voice when she used it.

That was another thing that was different between his growing love and his most powerful, Annelotte fully abandoned herself into the act. Threw herself into it with such abandon and recklessness, Shinji suspected it was the only time she fully relaxed. And she was nearly insatiable. Crawling into his lap, arms around his neck, she had him sit and ground and hopped against him in small circles. Her nails dug into his back, thank the gods his healing powers kept her from seeing her acts, and she was a biter. Nibbling on his neck and ear to keep her voice controlled, they spent a good part of the day together. And when the returned to Yuit, she was still fully engrossed in her reading…Vante watched on.

Now they were cloaked and moving through the darkened city moving ever closer to the Queen's Castle. Shinji just hoped nobody noticed one of the four cloaked figures was floating. "It's so different than the last time I was here. Cleaner in parts, but darker in others," Shinji still remembered his first time here.

"I would have liked to have seen the city back during the last Queen's Blade as well. It had more poverty, I've read, but had more openness," Annelotte took a moment to take and squeeze Shinji's hand. Yuit saw it and soon Vante brushed between them. Fixing her own hood, Annelotte looked down as they passed a small squad of talking red-clad women. "They have far more patrols than I would have expected. Where do you think we can hole up as we plan our next move?" she whispered.

Taking Annelotte's hand herself, Yuit did appear to be the child of the group…just let it go don't get angry. "We could go to the grand church. They've always been the countering agent to the Queen's regime here. Well it used to be one of two countering agents. Since the Vance barony was destroyed its just been the church and the queen," Yuit offered with just that level of happiness that made Shinji roll his eyes. Moving from main roads to side streets, the poverty level increased again, no longer did the shops appear to cater to the wealthy and affluent, but the hard worker, the regular.

"I'd rather we avoid the church right now. Both Annelotte and I have somebody in the inquisition looking for us. And I've had…issues with the church before," Shinji confessed. Yuit showed no care about his stories so far, so Annelotte and he opted to keep the elf in the dark about his healing powers. Though he did wonder, was Melpha still at the grand church? Could he find her there, still being her lovely and selfless self? Could they go to the clinic they spent hours healing the unfortunate and down trodden? "I pray she's doing alright," Shinji muttered.

Sidestepping a group of drunken revelers, Annelotte's hand went to Grim Venus and held it there. The men had weapons, had the look of mercenaries or bounty hunters about them. "I would agree with Shinji, the church might cause more problems than not. I would not wish to run into Sigui again under negative light. Woman was confusing," Annelotte stopped under a sign. Pointing up at it, her stomach rumbled loud enough for them to hear, "Maybe we could stop here."

"Shai-Fang authentic cuisine? I've never had that before, and I could use a good supper," Yuit snidely commented as she approached the restaurant. They had a few windows with light streaming out of it. Huddling around one of them, Shinji saw Yuit very maturely sticking her tongue out at him. Was this going to be the new atmosphere? Tiina was gone, his dreams getting worse, Annelotte's time stolen by Yuit…he hadn't felt this alone in a long time and it had only been a few days!

Taking in the whole of the building, it had a red stippled roof, the window were round glass, with a lattice with red wood inlays, and the smell sealed the deal. "This smells like Chinese food…do either of you know about this Shai-Fang place?" his own stomach rumbled. He didn't feel hungry, but the nostalgia hit him hard. Nyx, in a rare showing, went with Echidna and him to a Chinese place back what felt ages ago in Tokyo-3.

"It's a very remote region in the continent, surrounded by mountains and clouds. Not the best place to be, but their history states it used to be much better," Yuit answered when Annelotte shook her head. Already opening the door, guess further debate was postponed, they all shuffled in to the restaurant. It had a quaintness that was relaxing. Soft lighting, a pair of women were playing some instruments in a corner, and other dinners chatted softly.

An older man, mouth shrouded with a thick mustache, approached them with clasped hands. "Ah welcome to the rising dragon, the only authentic Shai-Fang restaurant in the capitol! Would you like a table for four? We do have some items that your child might even like!" the man bowed lightly to the pair. When he saw Vante and Annelotte's faces, he gasped and turned to Shinji with a big grin, "Might I ask if you'd mind if your wife and concubine pose for a painting? I'd even provide traditional Shai-Fang robes like my musicians for it! Would make a great center piece!"

"How about we get sat first and we can think about it?" Shinji felt himself color for various reasons. Yuit was about to attack the man for his child comment then flippant remarks. It was funny though, damn funny! Following behind them man, whose eyes did dance over Annelotte and Vante's faces, Shinji took the chairs out for all three of them, playing the father well. "If we could get a pot of tea as we look over your menu, that would be great, oh and a glass of water for her," Shinji pinched Yuit's cheek playfully. Moment the man shuffled off, Shinji felt sharp pain in his fingers and Yuit bit his hand hard.

Once her mouth was free of obstruction, and filled will a little copper taste, Yuit's cheeks puffed out comically. "The audacity of that man! Acting like I'm a child and that onii-chan is-is…and that Vante is a concubine! And you! What was with that pinch! You don't have touching privileges!" Yuit did not add credit to her claim. Her legs didn't reach the ground, and she barely crested the table's lip from where she sat. Pouting under her hood, "And why am I not good enough for a painting with her?"

"Oh I'm sorry young miss, you are quite darling, you could be in the painting as well. Sitting on your mother's lap…which one of you is the mother if you don't mind my asking?" the proprietor was already back with both tea and water. Man was playing it on thick and heavy to hopefully get his wants. Shinji rightly guessed if the allowed it, they'd get free food, not that he was even considering it.

Snickering, something she did oh so rarely, Annelotte contained her joy and raised her hand, "She is my family." That shut up any rebuttal Yuit might have had, to contradict now would be to go against her beloved 'older brother.' Pulling her hood off, the others did as well, Annelotte thankfully took her metal head gear off with the hood. They looked just like a family out to eat supper, sagely Yuit had hidden her ears and Vante's under their hair. "Now if you'd give us some time to review your offerings?" Annelotte was ever proficient with handling people, noble and poised.

The man left again, and this time Shinji did let out a few laughs and got a savage kick to the knee from Yuit. Ok, he deserved that one for enjoying it, so Shinji didn't fault Yuit for it. "Sorry, I just didn't expect Annelotte-chan to play along. You so rarely…" he shut up less she never do so again. If Annelotte thought she appeared poorly she'd stop. Looking over the menu, it was basic stuff that he had before, some he could cook himself, so he offered a few suggestions to his dining companions. Tea was bitter, far to bitter to be considered good, so he switched to water. "So what do we do about or sightseeing?" he asked after their orders had been received.

Holding a chopstick in each hand, Annelotte grimaced at her plate of rudimentary Hunan Beef, she was not skilled in the use of the implements. "We'll have to think of something that'll keep us out sight," Annelotte just started spearing her food and eating it like a shiskabob. Yuit did the same, Shinji did his best to not snicker at the comical view. The trained warrior and the 'skilled alchemist' fighting with simple implements. A nice and peaceful meal inside, even if he had to admit the food tasted subpar, for Authentic 'Shai-Fang' it tasted more like a shoddy stripmall variety.

"Hey! Hey how dare you call this authentic Shai-Fang! This is terrible!" a woman at a table behind him, called out. Waving the smarmy host over, she pointed at her food angrily…well the empty plates. Stepping up, putting one of her toned legs up she pointed at the table, "This tastes all wrong! Not one piece of this is authentic or even good!"

The man, sniveling and grabbing at this hands, hurried over to the ladies, and tried to smooth things out. "Miss I can assure you it's truly authentic! We ship all ingredients in along with the spices! Have chefs from Shai-Fang! And…you clearly ate enough of it," he gestured to the bowls.

"Sainyang I told you that you ate to much," the smaller girl with long white hair chimed in. The smaller girl was about Yuit's size, and the two had on similar red jerkins with odd metal collars on. Sainyang, if Shinji heard the name right, suddenly paled a little and the momentum of the conversation shifted. Suddenly the man that thankfully gave up on getting his painting had lost his placating personality. Accusations of dining and dashing were hurled, the sisters got out from the table as other workers started to converge.

Getting out of his chair, Yuit and the others did as well. Good, these two women were right, this was fake cuisine and not worth the price they had to pay…last of their actual coins. About to step in to help this Sainyang and her sister, Shinji gapped when he heard Yuit speak, "Lets leave! This isn't going to help us save Mirim! We can use this to escape." She would just leave them? These two girls had at least seven grown mean moving in on them over a con-job!

When the sisters got into a fighting pose, Annelotte's tension left her face and she smiled softly. "They will be fine, Shinji. We can leave them without fear," she reassured him. Well Shinji wouldn't argue with Annelotte, but Yuit's not so much. She would abandon him just as fast wouldn't she, girl only cared about Annelotte, Vante, and this Mirim girl. Color Shinji shocked that the odd Valkyrie girl was Yuit's friend!

Rushing out the back way as the growing shouts on the other side of a wall of boxes, Shinji collided into Annelotte who's cloak got caught on between two of the wooden containers. Well…Murphy's law was just as real a thing here as it was in Tokyo-3. Boxes toppled, creates split open and spilled rancid smelling fish and cheap ingredients. The whole room went silent, just observing the lie exposed, and then they all went into a huff demanding their money back and calling out the cheats. They used the distraction to flee too the alley outside the restaurant.

"Well that was fortuitous in covering our escape. But we won't find such for entering the castle. It'll be well defended. But we must get in there," Annelotte cast a worried eye up at the castle.

Coughing discreetly behind them, Shinji turned to see the alluring Chinese looking women. "You need to get into the castle? I don't recommend it. Nasty place that is. Tarnyang and I can tell you that for sure," the woman's accent was thick but she was legible. Yuit offered a weak dismissal of the claim, but Annelotte confirmed it. "Well if you NEED to get in…we owe you for saving us back there at that terrible restaurant. And don't think I didn't see you about to jump in to help us boy," she actually winked at him, "So we can offer you a map and an alternate way in," Sainyang roped and arm around Shinji's neck and lead the quartet towards what she assured them wasn't a trap.

X-X

Under the cover of night, Annelotte followed behind the two sisters with an extra sense of worry. This was the enemy's home turf, their primary city. Eyes were everywhere, potential traps abound, and if one person recognized her she might be doomed. Not only would she be in danger, but Yuit and Shinji as well! Sainyang was giving off a good vibe though, so Annelotte wasn't to worried she was being led into a trap. Back allies, dirty streets, at one point they went through a dilapidated home to get to where they were. That house did make her angry through, it was ransacked with every sign of the Queen's work.

Now on the outskirts of the town proper, they were walking up a rocky hillside with a heavy forest backing. "And why do you know of this entrance of yours? We are quite far away from the castle," Annelotte asked. She hadn't taken her grip off of Grim Venus in over an hour, well one hand. As Yuit was scanning some map that Tarnyang provided, she could steal a little affection from Shinji. Holding his hand as they scaled the cliff face, she didn't want to let go.

"Let's say we found it by accident and leave it at that. Not our best moments," Sainyang's chipper tone sounded just to forced. The woman could talk, and she did to extreme, but it was all interesting. Shai-Fang sounded like a very interesting place, if only a little sad since the change of fates that befell it. This mission they were on brought them to the capitol and the castle, but the exact details they kept silent. Coming up along Shinji's side, the woman's eyes gave the sole male a quick once over, "And you, are you from Hinomoto? You have that look about you. They give you the whole Olive treatment?"

Sadly, to Annelotte, once they were under the watchful eye of somebody Shinji freed his hand. Annelotte had an image to maintain, the stoic and fearsome leader, and softness clashed with that necessary persona. A little uneven Shinji whispered, "More often than not the people in towns do. But I've more than a few allies that can see past that. D-do they say the same to you two?" A rock face with a broken gate was quickly approaching them, whatever the duo had planned for them was soon to be thrust upon them.

"Not surprising those idiots can't really tell the difference between us," she actually laughed. Tarnyang whispered something into her ear, Annelotte tried to hear it but the girl was far to quiet. A few moments later Sainyang blushed a little and shoved the sister away. "Anyway, after we get you to that gate, you four will be on your own. You sure you want to go there? Finding a friend is one thing, but if they don't want to be there, means they're in the prison. You don't get into or out of the prison without getting found," she put a hand on Shinji's shoulder.

Why was she touching him like that? Annelotte didn't like it! Was this some foreigner thing? They both had some distinct facial features, but Hinomoto was an island nation and Shai-Fang was part of the main continent. "Yes we have to go. Our friend and something special to us has been taken. Any risk is necessary, and we have a guide that's been in the castle before," she put her own hand on Shinji's other shoulder. Rude, she was being rude! Sainyang was a happy person as all, hell she got a swat on the butt earlier from the chipper woman!

"With this map we won't need his archaic knowledge of the castle. If you believe his story, they likely changed the layout since the Queen took over," Yuit sharply retorted. Anything to take Shinji down a peg, to keep him on the same playfield or a little below her, Annelotte didn't know why! It wasn't as if they were vying for her affection, Yuit was a cherished friend and Shinji was her…lover. Gods it was still hard to think of that word without feeling odd, a pebble in the boot of her mind. Hopping off Vante, Yuit rushed over to the door and smugly puffed out her flat chest, "I know exactly where this is, and can lead us anywhere in the caslte."

Tarnyang said something again to Sainyang and this time the pair nodded in unison. "Well we'll leave you all to it then. And Ikari Shinji, your unseen companion wishes you good luck and is proud of you. And…to think we'd meet the king of this land," Sainyang leaned in and kissed his cheek playfully. Helping Vante open the doors just wide enough for the floating golem to get through. It was then that Annelotte noticed those odd necklaces the two wore were glowing just a little.

Shinji stopped and gapped confused at both the action and the words, "Unseen companion? W-who are you talking about?" His hand traced cupped his cheek and rubbed it softly, and he took a back step when Annelotte purposefully stepped toward Sainyang and took his place.

"We could tell you, but they don't want it known. We're exorcists, can sense spirits, and one is following you. But it's a good one. As for you," she poked Annelotte in the bust and winked, "you're not very subtle, but I find that cute."

Vexed, Annelotte took Sainyarn's hand and gave it a resolute shake before heading back to the entrance to a very disused looking tunnel. "It was a short pairing, but it was interesting. Go in peace and I hope you find whatever you seek," she ushered Shinji away from them. He had that look about him that she found confusing. He was thinking about something, he'd ask them about this 'spirit' and they'd enact some sort of payment.

"Wait," Tarnyang called out stopping the quartet from entering the tunnel. The small white haired girl hardly ever spoke loud enough for them to hear, unless it was to chastise Sainyang for something. Pulling out a plank of wood with elaborate symbols on it, she waved it about and her voice took on an unearthly quality as she spoke words Annelotte couldn't understand. A green aura billowed out of the child and enfolded over all of them. "A ward of protection, be safe…it will not affect you sadly," she pointed at Shinji. And sure enough the green aura settled on all but Shinji. Kissing the cheek Sainyang hadn't, "You are touched by both light and dark. I wish you peace until the fates unite us again."

Climbing up Vante's side and getting into the bicep, Yuit scoffed again once all four of them were in the tunnel. "Do you have to flirt with every woman we come across? Worried you'll try something with us if we don't keep an eye on you! Vante don't let him do anything…bad to you," Yuit warned her personal floating elf robot. The sound that left Vante's lips sounded a happier than worried, and her smile was just as sweet as always. "Onii-chan you can take her other arm, we'll need our strength if we have to fight. He can keep up with us," Yuit pointed at the other upturned arm.

"She's right, and you know it," Shinji said softly at her side and nodded his head at the arm. He was being self-abasing again! And what was that dark and light comment, was he keeping something from them? He had paled when the small girl said it, yet tried to cover it up. Annelotte noticed, she noticed nearly everything around her! She needed to get him alone again, needed to talk to him and not…gods she had been so bold this morning. Smiling and handing her his bag, "I haven't had a good run in a while either. Alleyne-sama would be so disappointed in that."

With a heavy heart, Annelotte climbed up and accidentally used Vante's breast as a stepping stone. The creature just smiled softly at her as Yuit teased her about it. Joining her tiny elf friend in a laugh, Annelotte felt that schism start to deeper, the crack in her heart grow. Here she was joking and enjoying her time with Yuit, while making Shinji suffer as they did it. She'd have to do something, something to get Yuit and Shinji to see more eye to eye, or at least get Yuit to accept Shinji just a little more. Both Shinji and Yuit could easily ride a single arm together, if they wouldn't threaten violence. "Well let us get going. Your friend is waiting for us," Annelotte would defend her two friends.

It was a tense twenty minutes as they went down pathway after oddly clean pathway. It was odd, the entrance had been so neglected Annelotte thought this whole chamber would have been the same. But that was not the case, they were far away from the castle still , deep under the proper building, but she was seeing signs of heavy use. "Let us stop and check our map now, plan," she asked more to give Shinji a break.

"Yeah, we have a few different paths coming up, be best to make an informed decision about how we want to go about this. We don't even know where Ymir will be," Yuit climbed down off of Annelotte and stood at her side. Pulling out her little controller, she opened it up and a low light displayed a side view map of the castle. Looking back at Shinji, as he came jogging over, "You going to be alright, look a little tired."

Hand to his side, Shinji held up is free hand and took several deep breaths. Yuit kept Vante flying at a good pace, but kept Annelotte distracted to it by conversation and left Shinji sweating and panting. After he got his breath, "I'll be fine, as for Ymir…probably someplace with access to a forge and open air. So near the bedrock on the outskirts I bet. Near the armory so she can continue to practice her craft?" He made to move closer to Annelotte but Yuit hit something on her control and Vante did so instead.

"Not a bad idea, but she is almost the primary strategist, so I think she'd have to be higher up, closer to Claudette. Without a good guard on her, people like use could get in to take her out," Annelotte sighed heavily. Yuit always had been selfish, guess she hadn't outgrown that yet. But to give her friend some credit, Shinji and she had been traveling together for a long time, Yuit just now joined them. It was a little excuse, but something Annelotte could accept that but not agree with it.

A pensive look crossed the small elf's face, alternating between both Shinji and Annelotte, she scratched her cheek. "I have to agree with him on this one, at least to a small degree. She'd likely be lower. Since she's testing my mother's crystal and others like it, she'd need a safety buffer. Those crystals are volatile and have been known to have…accidents. If she was close to the queen and other high level members of the court it would put them at risk. Now I don't agree with the forge or armory, that would put the…do you hear that?" Yuit's ears twitched ever so slightly. Once…twice…her head whipped to the side and she closed the map.

Following behind Yuit as she ran deeper down one of the paths they hadn't expected to take, Annelotte was about call her to stop when she heard it too. Cheering, she could hear a lot of people cheering?! But this was far under the castle and late at night!? What could be happening? Finding an archway, they all rushed in and were gob smacked at the sight.

A hidden gladiator arena deep beneath the queen's base of power! Seat upon seat of wealthy garbed men and women all wearing masks were watching a pair of women fight. So this is what the ex-nobles were up to! But how? How did such a thing operate right under the queen's nose without being discovered? The arena was much like the old Queen's Blade arena. It was a large circular pit with square stones surrounded by course sand. Watching the two women fight, Annelotte forgot herself for a moment until she felt Yuit tugging on her sleeve, "Something else?" Both Shinji and Yuit were giving her a strange stare.

"We have to keep moving Onii-san. Map says a better way to go is just beyond these pillars. We better move quick though, with all these people, odds of us being found increases the longer we stay," Yuit tugged again and get Annelotte moving.

Avoiding Vante and getting up close to Annelotte, Shinji winked at her playfully, "Distracting isn't it. You want to jump in there and have a quick little test of your skills don't you?" Oh he knew her to good for how little they actually spent together. He just was able to read her, or she wasn't as good as masking herself with him. "We all get distracted, don't worry about it so much. Anyway this is crazy. Claudette would never just allow this to happen. All these people…the nobles," he said with an unexpected anger that last word, "she took away their power…but not so they could scurry in her like this."

"Are you two coming or did you WANT to fight our way through the castle?" Yuit whispered hoarsely back at them. A cheer went up from the crowd, the fight must have turned for one of the fighters. Under the cover of their bilious cries they rushed on. Moving further from the arena that Annelotte noticed had been lit by an elaborate series of mirrors channeling moonlight, they came to a halt. "Now…where would the Iron Strategist be?" she pointed to a number of various doors.

Rounding one of the columns, a man with a bandaged face and fancy yet garish clothing called out, "Looking for the Iron Strategist are you? I think we can help each other out. I know where she is, but I need a little help first." The man jumped off his podium and sauntered over to them. Letting out a low whistle his good eye widened when he saw Annelotte. "You're a looker aren't you, and you've a body to back it," he scowled at Yuit, was puzzled and Vante, and frowned at Shinji.

Pulling her hood back up, and closing her cloak, she did not like the way this man looked at her, Annelotte took a defensive position. "What could we do to help you in exchange for this information?" Annelotte did not like the question came after that whistle. Was he going to demand something she was unwilling to give? She'd sooner take the castle apart stone by stone then give herself to some man she didn't know let alone trust.

"I need a fighter to take on the prize fight for the night. My current contender had to bow out, her weapon broke. You have the look of somebody that could offer a challenge. You fight in the match, I tell you where you can find the Iron Strategist. Deal?" the man oozed distrust. But what option did they have? And he looked a little familiar for some reason.

Yuit was quick to try moving away, "We don't have time for this! We can find out own way." Already climbing back up on Vante, she growled in frustration as Shinji approached the man.

With a small nod to Annelotte, Shinji extended his hand to the man. "My woman will fight, but if you don't handle your side of the deal," he thumped his staff lightly and the pillar nearby cracked. Annelotte gasped mentally and tittered at it. It felt…nice to be called his 'woman', even if it wasn't what Shinji was playing at with the man. Throwing off any potential speculation, Shinji acting like a fight master, the owner of gladiators. It would mask Annelotte's position and name and get them the info the want. It was win-win…and as she got into the arena, old dreams of fighting in the Queen's Blade came awash back to her…it was time to fight.

X-X

Moving into one of the less filled viewing boxes, Shinji was disturbed by the change of events. His time in the healing house had made him suspicious of the nobles, and this little underground arena spiked that worry. This was a very well maintained and elaborate coliseum, and the people were all drunken revelers. Paying to watch people fight against each other and vicious monsters? And he thought his world had some grotesque sports. At least the Queen's Blade had a purpose, this was just fighting for betting and enjoying people hurting one another. And Annelotte was going to participate in it to find Yuit's friend.

"So after this fight you'll tell us where Ymir is, as in the exact moment she wins?" Shinji didn't trust the bandaged man. Seeing a wide variety of con-men thanks to his travels, this man just screamed untrustworthy. The jingle of coins in the man's pocket, the way his eyes danced over the various nobles…a wolf sizing up sheep. Stepping over to the edge of the booth, he took a deep breath in and got a whiff of the arena. It smelled of blood, sweat, and worse things. People have died here, died for the enjoyment of these rich and entitled assholes.

Sliding off Vante's arms, boy did that get more than a few odd looks as they made their way to the booth, Yuit 'accidentally' landed on Shinji's foot. Offering no apology, "Yeah, Onii-chan is only doing this for that information. I still can't believe you made her agree to a prize fight against one of the highest rated fighters. If she gets hurt you'll have to…apologize." Shinji's wide eyes must have jump started Yuit's mind, his healing powers were supposed to be kept a secret. Comically to short to see over the booth edge, Yuit took Shinji's bag and stood on it. Waving at Annelotte, "Onii-chan! Good luck!"

Waving back at them, Shinji imagined she was looking at him specifically, Annelotte was in her full combat regalia. Alone in the center of the arena, Annelotte was waiting the reveal of who she was going to have to fight. Anxious yet confident, Shinji saw that raw beauty that shined through just like with Leina. He hated it, hated how he was powerless to truly help her in combat. His training was good, his practical experience even more, but he was leagues below the best fighters of this world. But again like Leina, Annelotte had an itch. It was shard with all true warriors, the unconscious desire to improve and test themselves against stronger opponents. Leina did so for self-improvement, Annelotte did it to insure she was ready to fight for her cause.

"Yeah, soon as the fights over I'll tell you where the Iron Strategist is, but not a moment before. You get that info and she'll throw the fight," the man leaned against the wall by the hall. Taking out a few more coins from his pocket, he jingled them in his hand and wobbled his head. Tossing Shinji a larger gold coin, "That girl out there…she the best of your women? I need some good talent, mine is getting outpaced. These nobles are wanting bigger and more dangerous fights. I could buy her off you." He showed a few more coins.

Slavery, Shinji absolutely hated that reality of this world. Tossing the coin back, doing his best to not do so in anger less their ruse be revealed, he shook his head. "Not for sale, sorry. She's the current jewel of my life," he smiled warmly at Annelotte. For as horrible as he suffered in this world, it was far outshined by all the good. His heart jumped in his chest as the audience let out a massive cheer, the doors were opening. "So…who is she fighting anyway?" Shinji saw the woman walking out and she wasn't alone.

Either tan or dark skinned, a woman in what was not armor but looked like a white bikini with gold trim, long braided brown hair, and armed with cracked and broken sword and buckler. This woman must have been a crowd favorite though as they were going crazy. Behind her though was something Shinji had never seen before in Gainos. A smaller green man with long elf like ears, with sniveling eyes, and a nasty smile made worse with one gold tooth.

"That's Branwen the dragon descendent, and that disgusting imp is Dogura her master," the man spit at mentioning Dogura. Walking about the confines of the booth, kicking at discarded food, he glared angrily at the tiny figure. "Don't know if I believe the whole dragon descendant bit, but I do know that bastard somehow got ownership over that woman and she's been wrecking house on all other fighters. Bets against her are always in her favor. So if your woman wins…we'll both be in for a good payday," he flashed Shinji a thumbs up.

Looking over at Yuit, Shinji sadly was under informed at that bit of details. Dragons existed in reality here? He'd never seen them or even heard of them. Paintings existed of them, and Melpha's holy books spoke of them vaguely, but that was it. Leaning in, not to close as to warrant her hitting him, "You know anything about what he said?" Yuit was smart…she'd know right?

Leaning away from Shinji and into Vante's side, "Not much, but dragon descendants are those that act as the intermediary between dragons and humans. They're very rare, and very strong…how one got enslaved…it's a real tragedy. Stupid slavery…why is it even allowed?" Yuit glared up at Shinji and for a moment they both had something in common.

In the arena, Annelotte charged off towards Branwen with Grim Venus pulled back ready to jab. Closing the ground quickly, Branwen was hampered by a massive ball and chain around her ankle, Annelotte stabbed inward. The gong sound of steel against bronze echoed in the stadium, and Annelotte was left open. With a solid kick to the stomach, Branwen knocked Annelotte back and gagging.

"She's getting hurt over this! This is all your fault you idiot! We could have just went on our own, or you could have used your barbarian strength to threaten that man! What good are you if all you do is put her in danger!" Yuit slapped her hand against Shinji's chest hard. The controller was what really hurt, it was heavy metal and the surprise did a number. Watching the deadly ballet before them, she stomped on his foot again, "If you were gone we'd have made so much more progress!"

Ok…his patience was wearing down to the breaking point. The verbal assault was one thing, the cold shoulder he was used to, but saying HE was slowing them down…that he was endangering the mission was to much. "Are you being serious here? Vante and you stand out everywhere we go! We can't hide nearly as good with a floating woman and a child that yells at EVERYTHING!" Shinji yelled at her. Not immune to anger, Yuit was specially crafted to draw it out of him.

The crowd got their attention again, Branwen was moving this time. In a show of unexpected strength and power, Branwen spun around another slash of Annelotte's and used the ball and chain to smash into Annelotte again. The leader of the rebellion was sent railing and spinning along the ground in a pile. For a moment, Shinji stopped breathing, did she lose…that hit was massive! He could feel it from here, and he was just watching. But, when Annelotte stood up, Shinji cheered her own, then he doubled over as Yuit actually punched him in the gut.

"How dare you say that! Nobody comments on us, they DO notice you're an olive, I wish you'd just go away and leave Onii-chan to me!" Yuit's eyes went wide and then she covered her mouth. Ah, so she was racist or said something she regretted. Waving her arms back and forth, "I didn't mean…you hurt me with your…I just wanted to…hey! That guy ran off!" Yuit pointed at where their contact had been before. Now there was nothing, their booth just had the three of them in it. Yuit ran to the lip of the booth, "Onii-chan! Our contact ran away! We have to hurry!"

But before anything could happen, Yuit and Shinji were shown something they both didn't expect. "I wish I could hear them over the crowd!" Shinji could see the small goblin talking and holding some odd device. Then wires appeared to attach from the device the Dogura and odd metal nubs on Branwen's armor, next came what Shinji could only equate to electricity.

More cheers came out, Annelotte was stopped in her tracks as Branwen came to a stop as her body was ravaged by the power from Dogura's controller. Only the woman wasn't looking to be in pain, over the din of the audience Shinji heard screams…but those he only heard when in private, and the look on the woman was not of agony but ecstasy. "She's a masochist!" Yuit just had to call out the obvious. Yes, this Branwen had been tortured so much she was starting to get off on it!

Ok, he had to do something about this…nobody deserved this, and Shinji had his plan. Putting his staff down, he picked up a rebelling Yuit and stationed her on the staff so she could still watch the fight. Going through his bag, Shinji found part of his secret shame…two bottles of Holy Milk. Whatever that curse was doing to him, it had changed again and was just churning up his insides making him use his powers to keep the pain at bay. It had only been since Yuit arrived, and the standard was the curse would shift every three days. But the byproduct of his current issue was those two bottles…a veritable fortune. If possible, he'd trade it for Branwen, set her free!

"Alright…you hate slavery right? Any…" Shinji saw Yuit glaring down at him again…even after her rather hateful comment, she was still upset. Anybody she saw as competition from Annelotte, or maybe just because he was a man, was to be hated. Closing his eyes, he sighed…he had to do this even if he'd be terrified of Annelotte going off without him. "I'm going to try and free that woman Annelotte is fighting. You three go on and find your friend while I deal with this. I can follow the nobles out, we can meet at that old abandoned house we saw on our way into the city. Agree to that…and I won't tell her about your little statement."

That powerful brain inside the child-like body was processing and as it did, they both watched the fight. Numerous exchanges continued to rain back and forth, flavored by more 'encouragement' from Dogrua's pain device. The audience hushed though when Branwen's ankle cuff came off. For the first time Shinji could hear the woman's voice, "For your conviction to find your friend, I will meet you with full force to honor that." And the woman literally started to glow with a bronze aura. Leaping into the air, far higher than a person should be able to, that aura took on the personification of an actual dragon. Such power, Shinji felt it vibrate out of the woman and all eyes were on her.

Through it all, Annelotte stood poised and ready to receive the attack. Dirty and more than one small cut, both women were keeping the other in check. But this might have been the changing blow. The air was pulled into a vacuum behind Branwen as the mighty dragon form flew down at Annelotte…only it stopped short when a green symbol emerged right before the blow could be struck.

"Tarnyang's seal," Shinji marveled at the beauty of the green swirling sigil clashing with the bronze aura of Branwen. The audience however didn't enjoy it as much as the expulsion of energy knocked everybody about, even Yuit had to shield herself into Vante less she be knocked back. With the jars stashed behind his back, Shinji vaulted down to the arena floor and rushed over to the two women. It was then Shinji noticed Branwen had a red and blue eye, and was quite exquisitely beautiful. Throwing his arms around Annelotte, "Amazing, that was amazing. But we have a problem. That man ran away." He'd not rat out Yuit for starting a fight that distracted them from keeping tabs on the man.

Smiling softly at the two, Branwen dusted herself off and reaffixed her ankle cuff, "You seek Yuit the Iron Strategist correct? Look to the sky garden, I have heard she was spotted there. It was a rare honor to challenge one such as you. But…I must go now and receive my punishment for losing." Regally the chained and tattooed woman, Shinji saw the tattoo actually change as she walked away…a link added to a chain around her leg, she saw to the grounded Dogura.

Taking the wind out of Shinji's sail, Annelotte beat him to the punch, "I wish we could so something for her. I hate slavery, and she is far to proud and gentle to be owned by that pig!" Annelotte shuddered in bliss as Shinji's hands touched hers and his powers healed her wounds. Keeping his hand in hers, she looked conflicted, something was going on and she alternated between Yuit, Shinji, and the kneeling Branwen.

"You do with Yuit to find her friend…I'll do what I can here. I think we all need a big talk about the elephant in the room between the four of us," Shinji would always include Vante until he knew for sure she wasn't alive. Giving her cheek a soft caress, Shinji had a spike of longing for Leina in that moment. How often had he done the same for her after she won a fight, gods he missed her so much. "Get going, we can meet up at that broken down house we passed coming into town. And you'll travel faster without me," Shinji saw those eyes of her dance with delight as she ran off waving.

The arena was dark now, the conflict of seal and raw power shattered the reflecting dishes that captured the moonlight. Gathering his bag of goods, Shinji found Dogura screaming obscenities at Branwen for failing and used that device of his to intermittently abuse her. "Excuse me…can't help but see your…displeasure with this woman here. M-might I take her off your hands?" Shinji felt dirty just at thinking it. But like Tiina, the good outweighed the momentary disgust. And standing over the panting and moaning woman he had saw so poised just minutes before…

"What you want ya little shit? This sow lost yeah, but she has a lot more winning to do to get free of me. She's going to be my bargaining chip to get in good with the Swamp Witch! So even if you were going to swap me your woman for mine…what is that?" Dogura stopped his rant when he saw Shinji waggling both bottles of Holy Milk before him. Sniffing the air like a dog, his eyes went wide and his jaw dropped, "That can't be…not THAT much!?"

Opening both cask, Shinji really hoped he didn't need this stuff soon. While he could make it, it did take time and effort to save. Once the curse shifted he'd have to actively try to make it again…never a good thing. Losing such a windfall of healing potential, giving it to a creature that wanted to aid his most bitter of enemies made it even worse. But to save a life that could go out and save countless others? "It is, and its all real. Just don't ask where I got it," Shinji left one cask in the monster's hands.

"So…so much….and she DID lose, means people won't trust her to win anymore," Dogura slipped a fingernail into the jar and dribbled it on one of Branwen's cuts. When the wound healed he squealed happily. "With this much the Swamp Witch can keep her forces going for…she'll accept this for sure! You have a deal! Give me your hand!" Dogura pulled a dagger out and his slick hand wrapped around Shinji's wrist. "This is going to hurt," he stabbed the dagger into the palm of Shinji's hand, then his own, and finally Branwen's.

Listening to the bugger chant in odd words that literally hurt his head. Feeling the we palm of Dogura on his hand, and then the soft curve of Branwen's hip, Shinji didn't realize what was happening until it was to late. When his palm was pulled away…it wasn't the tiny image of Dogura on Branwen's bum it was his own! "Wait what happened?" Shinji yelped and pulled his hand back, and willed himself to not heal the wound. Showing this bastard his powers would be terrible.

Grabbing the other jar, rubbing his cheek against them, Dogura flinched his head at the sleeping woman. "I transferred the spell. What did you expect me to refill all the links too? Sorry you'll have to deal with that. If she ever wins enough for all of them to vanish she'll be free, oh and here!" he tossed over a small gem and his controller, "Only reason she fought so hard was for that dragon of hers, with that you'll still have that leverage. OH and…she really does love it when you 'punish' her…enjoy that." He licked his lips and hustled off with his prize in tow.

Listening to the sleeping Branwen mutter, Shinji just felt chilled, "I didn't ask for this…what do I tell them?" Shinji was now Branwen's owner? Great, how would this woman react to that fact, how would the others?

X-X

Looking back down the darkened corridor for the fifth time, Annelotte swallowed down her apprehension again. She couldn't let this distraction bother her, it was, she had to focus on the task at hand. Hiding in the castle and hunting for Yuit's friend was not some walk in the park or training drill. If they failed here it was the end of everything, a public execution was likely not on the docket. Hell she'd likely not even get to see the queen unless she turned Shinji in as some plea deal. But despite her hopes, her attention had diverged. Part of her was here on Vante's arm with Yuit and another was worrying what the situation was back with Shinji.

"According to the map we should be coming up on the sky garden, you ready for this onii-chan?" Yuit studiously kept her face on the map. As they rode though, Yui had been unnaturally quiet. Normally Yuit was a ball of questions and excitement. She was trying to make up for all the time they had lost, but right now she just focused on the map. Slowing Vante down, the pair got off…well Annelotte jumped down and Vante had to pick up and place Yuit down. Standing confidently behind Annelotte, the shield the tiny elf needed, she put the controller in combat mode, "So…w-what is happening between you and that guy?"

Was this really the time for this? Annelotte didn't think it was, but when did they really have? If Shinji was around they couldn't talk about it, and normally Yuit avoided talking about her other close friend. "He was entrusted to me by Annelotte, my sword master. I owe him my esteem for all the times he helped me on my quest. And…" Annelotte trailed off. This was going to be hard, but Annelotte didn't know why! Yuit and she were girls, and with only a few questionable moments Annelotte didn't suspect Yuit of wanting a romantic relationship.

Vante slowly crept up with them as they neared a large arched door, it opened to a wide expanse of rock cropping's and overlooked the ocean. It looked like it could be the sky garden they were looking for. "W-would it…what would you do if he had to go away? What if it was just us traveling for a while?" Yuit asked with a voice weak even for her. Clutching onto Annelotte's leg, she stopped them from entering the room. Gazing up with watery eyes, "Could…could we maybe…?"

"Would that solve anything or would it just mask the issue, Yuit," Annelotte knelt to be on the same level. Patting Yuit's head, her face stoic as ever, Annelotte had to steel herself for this. If Yuit got upset, it was just going to happen and they'd make due. Taking both of those tiny wrists in hers, careful to not disrupt the controller, "You are dear to me, never doubt that. Our friendship is long and unbreakable, even if you tricked me into eating grass." Normally that story got a smile, not this time. Undeterred she pressed on, "But I do care deeply for Shinji as well. Tis different than our affection, but I wish to keep both of you in my life right now. I need aid, both physically and mentally."

Sniffing hard, Yuit just nodded and tugged on Annelotte's grip, when they didn't slacken she bowed her head. Regretfully Yuit confessed, "I don't like him. He's closer to you than I am. You look at him differently than how you look at me, I hate that. But…!" Suddenly a renewed energy bubbled up and that confident yet snide smile wormed back onto her face. "I'll suffer him for you, you do need me to keep him off of you. I swear he makes eyes at every woman we come across, even Vante. I'll keep you safe!" Yuit said confidently.

"W-what?" Annelotte gaped and let go of Yuit. Didn't Yuit understand what she had meant? Was Yuit saying she was going to keep Shinji and her from…gods this was just terrible timing. Following quickly behind Yuit and Vante as they rushed into the garden, she tried to call out to them, clarify what she meant. After her little melding of hearts, Annelotte was hoping she'd get to sleep next to Shinji again, not keep her bedroll empty or occupied by Yuit! It…was different sleeping next to him! As they ran though, they saw somebody walking into the room from another entrance, and it was another short person. "She IS here," Annelotte pulled Grim Venus out and readied herself. Ymir was a fighter after all.

The room was a huge circular construct with smaller internal circles of rocks and jagged outcroppings. It was beautiful, the rocks were all various colors that captured the light from all the wide openings in the wall. At the center of the rock garden was a depressed arena that roped around the most glamorous of stones. Various entrances and exits dotted the hemisphere that was connected to the castle that didn't hang precariously over the ocean. And at the entrance furthest from them, Ymir stood happily looking about.

"Oh hey, what are you two doing here?" Ymir called out with a chipper tone. Lighter and more positive than Annelotte had ever heard the dwarf use, Ymir was not exuding the challenging tone she had used back when Ymir first met Yuit. Looking about the room, the sun was starting to crest the horizon and the light was reflected off the rocks lighting up the room. Pointing at Grim Venus, "OH! You're warriors? Did you come here to get some of my hand crafted weapons?"

Rushing to the lip of the central depression, but not to far away from Annelotte, Yuit activated Vante's attack mode. "We came here to get Mirim and my mother's crystal back! Give them to us and we won't have to hurt you!" Yuit wouldn't move to close though, she was physically the weakest of the group. Without Vante, Yuit's combat prowess as abysmal.

"Mirim? Who is that? I just got here from a trip back home," Ymir tilted her head in confusion.

Further discourse with the oddly clad dwarf was cut short by an overjoyed scream, "I found you! But where is my other knight?" Rushing up to Annelotte, Luna-Luna grabbed the woman's free hand and jumped up and down. Oh how her cloth vaulted with the trampoline affects her breasts were applying.

"Luna-Luna? What are you doing here? Ymir what are you…you…who are those behind you?" Annelotte's chest started to tighten. The sound of armored feet slapping on the concrete was evident and in large numbers! How had this tribal woman found her, better question was why was Luna-Luna here? Then she saw them, coming up the stairs behind Luna-Luna was a squad of no less than ten guards, likely more!

Giggling and wrapping her head with her knuckle, the odd tendrils moving out of the way, "I guess I was followed! But it's no matter, I've found one of my two promised ones! Nothing bad can happen now!" The white skinned Luna-Luna wrapped her tendrils around Annelotte's wrists and swung them about like a playing child!

"Yuit we have to go! There are far to many guards for us to deal with AND Ymir! We'll have to come back later with a better plan," Annelotte freed one hand and started to tug. Luna-Luna was all to happy to comply to Annelotte's wishes, woman was positively glowing right now. Did their party just increase by one again? And this one made it evident that she had plans for Shinji…would she have to share again like she had with Tiina? But with Yuit around, it meant Luna-Luna would get the lion's share! This wasn't fair, she finally started to appreciate and accept the feelings she had for her squire!

Ymir however, either didn't notice the guards or care about them, "Well nice to see you two, whoever you are. Exit is that way." She pointed at a door that ran perpendicular to their current path. Waving warmly at them as Annelotte gave Yuit a good sturdy tug to get moving.

"We'll be back Iron Strategist! I won't be stopped until I get Mirim back!" Yuit screamed out as they turned and fled. Following down the path that Ymir guided them too, appeared to be the best way out. All down the left side of the corridor was dotted with windows showing the ocean and the continent approaching them. Being tugged along by Annelotte, Luna-Luna was vaulting with her tendrils effortlessly, Yuit was panting already.

Bad, this was bad, Annelotte slowed down to let Yuit breath. "Don't worry right now, we'll come back in full strength later. We know she is here, we know where to find her, it'll be fine," Annelotte tried to embolden. But would it? They had a full squadron behind them now and with Yuit's smaller speed they were at a massive disadvantage. More yelling from down the hallway was echoing, their numbers had increased again! She couldn't win against that man, even if they all fought they'd get swarmed by the trained warriors. And then there was the Fang, if the Fang got involved it would get even worse! They had to move, or slow them down. "Luna-Luna, we need to slow them down, any…Yuit?"

"Vante, assault mode now! Onii-chan, put me on your shoulder and I can deal with this!" Yuit snapped her controller open wide. Already entering commands, the golem was altering itself accordingly. Vante's arm split open down the middle and a weapon formed and resealed around her wrists. Letting out a vicious, but strangely cute, war 'gao', Vante fired a volley of projectiles at the wall.

It would be heavy and hard to run with Yuit on her back, but after seeing the brick wall shatter, Annelotte listened. Hoisting the girl up on her dominant arm, the muscle strained but she fought through the pain. Pain was transitory, she knew pain, and this was just a simple pain. "Tell me if you need me to slow down," and with that simple order Annelotte took off at full steam. It was funny though, Vante stayed in front of her and danced about in inhuman motions.

Never speaking words, but letting out her peculiar grunts and shouts, Vante worked marvelously in destroying everything behind them. The rifle on her arm had countless rounds seemingly, and they hammered into rock walls as if they were cheese. Tearing into the sides, splintering brick, and causing the walls to collapse. The cries of the hurt and maybe killed guards lanced deeply into Annelotte's mind. These weren't bad people, these weren't murders and monsters, they were women doing their job hunting down a 'known threat'. And for their honor and duty they were being hurt…it wasn't a good feeling.

"Gate! They're closing the gate, can you do anything about that Yuit?" Annelotte grunted as the elf shifted. With the weight in the crook of her neck set Annelotte's center of gravity off and she started to wobble. Straining and sweating heavily, she pushed through the agonizing pain of her lungs and shoulder. The guards at the exit were sealing the entrance on them, and they were going to slow to catch it! This corridor would be their tomb if they couldn't escape it, so she pushed harder regardless of what her trained mind saw. They'd never make it out before the gate shut!

Twisting around Annelotte's shoulders, moving from right to left, they nearly toppled over thanks to the temporary blindness. Though Annelotte did notice that Yuit wore leaves in place of panty apparently. Facing forward now, Yuit changed Vante's attention. "We have this, just keep going onii-chan. Vante hit the structural points!" Yuit grinned sadistically as she rained destruction down around her.

Bursting through the steel gate, destroying all of the founding stones and the archway, Vante finally put her odd weapon away. It took all of Luna-Luna and Annelotte's dexterity to dodge the falling bricks and stonework that collapsed behind them. Sadly they didn't get through unscathed through all of it, that would have been impossible, but they did get through. Cuts and bruises from sharp falling stones decorated all over the escapees bodies. But for now they had a moment to catch their breath, the shouts of the guards could be heard frantically changing directions.

"Y-Yuit? Is that really you?" a voice called out from behind them. It wasn't on their elevated path, but a side cleft to the hill that lead up to it. Annelotte opened her mouth in shock, but she kept that silent! It was the girl in the odd armor again! Could they have been so fortuitous to find her outside the castle? Rushing closer to the small gap between the main path of egress and her own side branch, "What are you doing here?"

After setting Vante back in passive mode, Yuit rushed to the edge of the path with a massive smile on her face. Almost laughing, "We found you! Hurry and jump over here so we can escape!"

Annelotte saw something she hadn't expected and something she dreaded. First was Mirim drew back from Yuit's extended hand, a frown suddenly befalling her innocent features. The second was the squad of soldiers was already gaining ground on them again. "Yuit we don't have time for this, we must flee or I'll be strung up and you imprisoned!" Annelotte tugged on Yuit's shoulder. The small body refused to move, arm still extended to her friend across the gap.

"Come on Mirim! We have to hurry, don't dawdle!" Yuit cried, but to no avail. Mirim took several more steps back, resistance etched into every feature she showed. A yelp later, and Yuit was hoisted by the waist and stuck under Annelotte's arm, "Not yet! Don't leave her back there!"

Running away, thankfully Vante and the stunned Luna-Luna followed as they raced down the rocky outcropping and away from the arrows that started to rain down. "Later, talk later, flee now," Annelotte ordered harshly. They had a lot to think about, but that was the face of a woman that didn't want to leave. This Mirim girl wanted to stay, and Yuit's mission was a failure, which meant this whole trip had been for naught.

Once they reached the tree line and the safety of obscurity from the queen's guard, Annelotte let Yuit down. Luna-Luna's tendrils went back to their smaller size as the woman finally found a free moment to talk. "So…what was this all about? I come looking for my two knights, find you with this child again, and then we're hunted by those women in the red armor. This was quite the different reception than I expected. And where is my other knight?" Luna-Luna's pale skin had a sheen of sweat that captured the morning light.

"Who cares about that idiot?! Mirim is…she's…" Yuit stopped and just hung her head down. She looked ever the child people confused her as, a sad and petulant child. She didn't cry though, it was all internalized and contained, but it was a hairs breath away from happening.

Scooping Yuit up, Annelotte couldn't just do nothing as the near breakdown approached, "Come, your other knight is in a safe house we have nearby." At least Annelotte hoped so, if he wasn't…he was gone forever wasn't he. Captured in the queen's caste, they would take the king to his queen and then the rebellion would have a greater threat than ever. Through the woods, the worried rebel commander lead the way to the ramshackle hut that was their current hideout.

X-X

Sitting on a broken down bed, Branwen didn't know what to do or feel. She was under a new master now, and this one was traveling with that courageous woman she fought last evening. Asher was safe according to this new owner, and despite what history had taught her, she believed it. Something about this Shinji just felt to earnest for it to be a fib. Man was more a boy than not, slim and a little short, timid and bashful, and…well she wouldn't lie…he was attractive. She had always liked the 'Olives', something about their complexion was just pleasing to her.

"Do you want something to eat? Its nearly morning and hopefully the others will be here soon. I haven't seen you eat, you must be hungry," Shinji asked as he headed outside the hovel. Their current location was an abandoned house, walls creaking, roof had patches missing, and the furniture was broken or nearing that point. Making a ring of stones and gathering light burning material he unpacked odd gear. Uncomfortable with his current situation, "I don't have a lot of ingredients right now, just some cheese, tomato, and chicken. But I can try to find some fruit in the woods if you'd like."

Following close, but not to close as a slave needed to know its place, Branwen stood in the doorway. Her armor chaffed a little, but that was by design. Around her waist was something that Shinji would have called a choker, had her punishment wires loping from her back to her gauntlets. If she was truly free as he claimed, why was she still branded and confined? "You are a strange man, I am your servant now. You could just send me out to get it, feed me your scraps after you finish. You need not try to deceive me," she was not harsh in her words, just earnest.

"W-what?! No! Look…I know you still have that odd tattoo and all…its just I don't know how to remove it. As for your armor, I don't have clothing for you right now!" Shinji had dropped his pots and pans in stunned embarrassment. A believable story, but Branwen didn't know this man enough to know for sure if a fib or truth. Gasping aloud, this man smiled brightly and held out two eggs in his hands, "I forgot about these! I was saving them for a special occasion and your freedom is one. I'll make you an omelet!" Staring his fire, he dove into his task, relaxing once he had something to work on.

Slowly, oh so slowly, she moved closer to him and knelt opposite him, keeping the fire between them. "That magic he used on me was something I haven't encountered before either," Branwen did acknowledge. Goblin magic was often cruel and permanent, so it did go along with his words. Just, it had been so long of getting close to freedom only for it to be stolen from her, it was hard to hope. Only her pride and honor kept her going at times, when Dogura did what he had done. Sitting on a fallen log, she smelled the marvelous aroma that started to fill the air. Probing the boy's honesty, "Those you travel with, will you tell me about them?" If he spoke, he trusted her, if he kept silent…

"Annelotte, Yuit, and Vante are the ones with me yesterday. Annelotte was the one you fought, had me worried as you did a number on her. Oh speaking of that, are you hurt anywhere?" Shinji asked as he looked up from his sizzling pan. Adding a few sliced tomatoes to the congealing mass of hens eggs, his features softened from nervousness to concern.

Hurt? Of course she was hurt, she always hurt somewhere. "It is of no issue, I am used to…to…what are you doing?" Branwen gasped as the boy stood up. He set the nearly finished food off to the side and slowly approached her and sat on her log at an arm's length. Was this it then? He had purchased her for her body? It would have shocked her, though she didn't truly know what he 'paid' for her, or if this was just another of Dorura's painful tricks.

"C-could you let me hold your hand for a moment. If what that monster said about your tattoo is accurate, you'll be stuck with us until we can get it off of you. So you're bound to learn this eventually," Shinji held his hand out to her palm face up. The conviction there was something Branwen felt oddly moved by, it was different than before. When she first woke, he was skittish and finicky, now he was confident and bold, she could like that. With her hand taking his, it was warm and firm, the golden light of Shinji's powers washed over both of them.

Not adverse to actual pleasure, just not allowed it, Branwen wretched her hand free as her body was awash with it. "Y-you're a male healer?! But those are to be killed or captured according to legends!" she gasped aloud. She did not know the reason for such legends, but her studies had been clear about that. The bliss she felt now was different than the pain-pleasure she shamefully enjoyed from Dogura's torture device. Her tongue heavy and thick, "T-thank you the pain is gone…but why expose yourself like this to me? I could turn you in at the next city, and if you die the spell will likely fade." A lie, she'd never use such underhanded tactics for her freedom, she would earn it!

"You've heard that too huh? Seems everybody either wants to use me, kill me, or is terrified of me once they learn about this. Well all accept those I travel with, the accept me. As for showing you. I don't think you're the type to do something so dirty as that. I don't know why, but I feel you're better than that," Shinji went back to his cooking without looking back at Branwen. They just sat there as he made his odd dish, cut it into three portions, and served her one of them. Softly, he kicked his feet about making divots in the grass, "As for WHY I healed you, nobody should be left in pain if something can be done about it. I can't heal as many people as I want as I'd be exposed, but when I can I will."

Stunned to silence, Branwen just sat there with her plate of food. She couldn't refute the pain was gone, all of it. How long had it been since she hadn't known SOME pain, it was part of she adapted as she had and took joy from it. With it gone, she felt strange, odd. And this man at her side was the cause, an abomination according to ancient accords, yet she did not feel the need to take up her sword and end him. He trusted her with his secret, maybe she could trust him if only a little. Taking a nibble of his offered food, and her eyes popped open and she scarfed it all down, nearly chocking on it.

"Funny how so many people do that the first time they have an omelet, going to have to get back to To-home…get more spices to keep being able to make them," Shinji's little correction wasn't lost on Branwen, she didn't comment on it though. "So…if I tell you my story will you consider telling me yours? You don't have to, just offering," Shinji slowly went over a tale that sounded very odd.

Shaking her head slowly, she had far to much to think about right now without adding more. "Sorry, but at the moment my mind is already inundated with thoughts and to add more would be to much. Another time perhaps?" she saw him smile at her, and she liked it. A smile suited him, yet like herself he hardly did so. What reason did he have to keep his emotions so close to the chest? She would watch him, maybe this time it wasn't a lie, maybe she truly was free again.

Little over an hour later, a quartet of women snuck out through the woods, and they were just as stunned to see her as she them. Annelotte, that courageous woman she had fought and earned her respect was among them. A Tiny Elf that had a vicious tongue and animosity towards her new master, a golem that had the gentlest of smiles, and then there was the jungle woman that had dive tackled Shinji the moment she saw him. As Shinji cooked more food, Luna-Luna could really pack it away and Branwen found she had more appetite for the exquisite food, she listened to them talk.

They had found Ymir thanks to her information, but their mission was a failure and they were forced to flee. Now the goals were unknown, they were defeated but not to the point of fleeing. Upon learning of Shinji's new 'property', Annelotte questioned if she could be freed by just fighting Shinji over and over…winning link after link. Branwen did not agree to that, it would have been dishonorable. If this man was earnest with her, she owed him an honor debt, and fighting to aid him until her true freedom was found it would be a fair price.

This was going to be different, but Branwen felt something she was sorely lacking in her previous captivity, camaraderie and a budding sense of friendliness. These were good people, with a good cause, and she could back that. And her new, maybe temporary, master was not the monster her previous was…yes this was an improvement. Still, she had to watch and be weary, an elaborate trap was not outside the realm of possibility.

X-X

Notes

And just like that Branwen is officially part of the active cast. I was debating if I wanted to just leave her behind…but I like the character to much and she has a lot of potential to add some new elements to this story.

Sorry for the wait again but life is what it is, and we all have to make due at times.

Later

Mercaba