(Your name's) P.O.V
I was able to walk, to talk, to think, therefore I was deemed fine. I had some more scars, blood loss, and a slight concussion from the impact of which that monster threw me. But, with a day resting, I felt I needed to once again get back on my feet.
Staying in bed, contemplating the last events of our castle siege in which that monster was at was doing no good for my sanity. I could not waste time further contemplating on what truly exists and what doesn't in this world. All I needed to understand was that some monster of any sort exists, and I needed to train harder to overcome those things.
I cannot just simply wish it away, although that would be nice.
The weather nowadays was getting colder, long sleeved tunics were advised, pants, boots, and coats. Anything warm was worn, because once it would hit nightfall it had never been so cold ever, not like this.
All the tree's leaves were now dying. Brown decaying pieces of the leaflet were now flying all over as the wind blew. Yellow, gold, brown, mixed reds and some greens now painted the grounds of the grass and dirt, let alone covered the entire cobble-stone streets of the Midland Kingdom.
I walked, I had white wraps around the back of my right calf and lower back. My right upper arm was also stitched from a heavy looking cut, adorned by a few more battle scars.
But, overall, I was fine. Atleast, better than others. Some of Griffith's men broke bones, they're in their beds now laying down, resting as they should.
It made me feel better to know these men, including myself survived, but it still did my heart no good to think about the ones that didn't.
I guided myself up the steps of the Midland Kingdom. I knew Guts and everyone else like Judeau, Rickert, Pippin, Corkus (not that I cared for him much), and Casca were there. Edwin, my underling was resting as I last checked, and Gaston was back at base helping around.
The infamous group of Guts, Casca, Pippin, Judeau, Rickert, and Corkus were all purely at the Midland side castle for the sole purpose of seeing Griffith.
After the events of the castle siege, Griffith had been hospitalized under the complete care of a Midland Infirmary in the royal capital, Windham Castle.
I wanted to see him, to check just how well he was doing.
Before joining Griffith's band, or even during it, I had educated myself slightly upon medical care. I wanted to see how they were treating Griffith's wounds effectively.
I of course cared, I also wanted to see Guts.
(3rd Person) P.O.V
Two upperclassmen leaned against am idle balcony, looking down to the crowded streets of passer-byers with a light scoff.
"Did you hear about the Band of the Hawk?" The skinny one spoke, looking to the plump gentleman beside him.
"Yes, you mean about Griffith's grave injuries during their recent battle?"
The older male nodded, continuing his tale of gossip.
"The soldiers were saying that some giant beast appeared in a Chudar stronghold."
The other male rolled his eyes, his rank opposed no struggle for him to keep his nose high in speaking low about others.
"Tch, just a falsehood. It's to conceal their own blunder. A simple, but effective child's trick."
He hummed.
"Yes, but it seems there were not just one but two who witnessed it. Besides, they were eventually successful in subduing the stronghold. Even if he was injured, you cannot call that a blunder."
"This would just be another step in his successive rise of his merit."
"Ah, it's so vexing."
The two male's eyes turned down the vault pillars to see Guts, using one crutch to walk to where they first presumed was to see Sir Griffith.
The man grinned, seeing the Captain as an opportunity to ask about the truth.
"Ah, that is the Captain of the Hawk's raiders." The man whispered to the other as they saw the said man approach.
"Clear the way you churl!" The male spoke, trying to move his companion as Guts looked to them oddly. He then continued to walk, not saying a word.
"Ah Captain...the last battle was quite the calamity. Can you believe, a beast appearing on the battlefield, eh?" The male raised a brow as Guts just stared.
The man now placing his hand on Guts' shoulder, speaking mockingly.
"Did you receive these wounds at the hands of a said beast?"
Guts never moved, just continued to stare as the male turned back to his friend.
"Perhaps in the darkness, the Captain mistook some mutt for a monster."
Guts, now fed up, pushed the upper chuckling class male away, making him fall to his over weight friend and land upon the ground in the midst of his own laugh.
"How dare you!" The male noted, making Guts turn to them both.
"Sorry, the pain's making me a bit lightheaded." He stared, seeing the other male stand defiantly.
"You bastard! Face my sword!" He shouted, partly unsheathing the weapon only to meet Guts' stone cold glare.
The man stared, as Guts waited for him to make a move.
It took a couple of seconds to hit the upperclassmen to realize that he wasn't going to win this battle, not even seeing as how Guts had all those injuries as well.
"...Leave us." The male spoke lastly, feeling as if he let Guts go.
Guts didn't say anything, just continue to walk with his crutch as the male turned back to his friend.
"Absurd."
"Guts!" Rickert yelling, waving as Guts approached the building.
Judeau was to a tree, his blue-green eyes looking up to see the Captain of the Raiders walk up.
Casca, sitting against a small wall in the shade had her eyes set upon Guts. Watching the male approach as she studied his wounds. Corkus leaned upon the said walk next to Casca, arms crossed as he defiantly looked away.
Pippin, whom was standing by, smiled warmly at Guts' arrival.
"Should you be walking yet?" Judeau spoke, looking over Guts' bandages.
Guts' eyes travelled to the women, her gaze looking away vehemently as his mind raced back to that day.
"This is all your fault!"
Judeau stood, walking up to Guts as Rickert and Pippin did as well, watching the dazed male now speak.
"I'll be fine." He concluded, tearing his eyes away from Casca's form.
Judeau saw the tension in the air as anyone else could have spotted. Not wanting to make the situation more awkward, he stood silent, hopefully awaiting for Guts to crack the thick atmosphere instead of him.
"So...what's everyone doing" Guts spoke, looking to the building they were all outside of.
"Ah, we were here to pay Griffith a visit. But, as you can see-" Judeau looked to the entrance of the castle to see the doors slightly open, revealing the hustling about women and some men inside chatting away as they stood. "-there's a line."
Guts' face turned one of a sour expression.
"Who're they?"
"Mmm, bishops, officials, dignitaries from the royal court, some other upperclassmen."
Griffith, appalled in his injuries layed in bed as some five to seven women and men crowded his medical layout.
"The world's as kind as it is cruel, yes?" A bishop spoke, looking to Griffith apologetically as he in return smiled.
"Well, I suppose it is only natural." The white haired male replied, smiling to the fanning women by and men who looked up to him.
"You know Guts, there are statesmen who see Griffith as just an, 'annoying upstart commoner.' But, there are also some like them who think if they stake a claim on him now, it'll pay off down the road." Judeau crossed his arms as Guts stared to the crowd.
The blonde's eyes closed as he exhaled, speaking about what has and will hope to come of Griffith's new popularity.
"These days, Griffith's all win and no losses proves much in greater aspects that he is in command of one of the mightiest armed forces in all of Midland."
Casca and even Corkus was listening as well, looking to see the guards of the castle standing clear making sure no others trespass.
"Hm." Guts hummed, looking to the open doors as he exhaled now. "Alright."
As he said these words, the movement of his feet made way to come to the front steps of the castle where the guard was.
"What do you mean 'alright'? Weren't you listening?" Casca rose to walk to Guts, seeing the male approach the guard. Guts turned on accord to Casca's voice.
"I was listening. So what?"
"What do you mean 'so what'?" Her voice grew more agitated and louder with every word as she spoke. "I'm saying you need to wait here until the dignitaries have finished their audience!"
Guts just stared to the steaming women, seeing her eyes flare up as soon as Guts was fixing to speak.
"What difference does it make? I'm just dropping on a wounded man. Who gives a damn about social status?" As Guts tried to walk through, the guards immediately crossed their metallic spears, making Guts stop to look up to their stern faces.
(Your name), walking up to the scene, saw Guts being kept out, her brows creasing immediately as Judeau looked back to see her arrival.
"You shall not pass. Please wait until the dignitaries are finished." The strong guard spoke, looking to Guts sternly. (Your name) continued to walk, watching the scene before her display in confusion.
Guts, seeing as how the men wouldn't move, retaliated. Bringing his boot to sweep under a guard's feet, the said man fell, yelling as he went down the stairs to clash his head onto the pavement, knocking out.
Gasps were heard as the other guard immediately placed the tip of his spear against Guts' throat.
"By order of the-" before the guard could finish, Guts maneuvered his hand to grab the long neck of the spear, making the guard gasp in surprise as Guts now used the weapon to push him down next to tag along with his friend.
"Guts!" (Your name) yelped, her fright of what's to come only stirring her voice more as the said male ontop the stairs chuckled, throwing the spear down to the two unconscious guards.
"Heh, sorry." Guts laughed, looking back to everyone. Corkus clicked his tongue, looking up to him.
"What a dumbass."
Guts, ignoring Corkus' words looked down to Rickert who looked shock upon the scene.
"Want to come Rickert?"
"U-ugh..." Rickert stuttered, seeing as how his decision would be made for him as Casca approached up the stairs, her fists balled.
"Whatever." Guts spoke, turning around to make only one step before his body was whipped around by the said female.
"You want more?" Guts spoke, thinking it was one of the guards to grab his shoulder as Casca's fist flew right to lock on his jaw.
Guts, in response to the fierce hit, stumbled to land on the ground as Casca stood, towering above. Her eyes glistened salty tears, looking down to him as he touched his face in shock.
Everyone's face was one of shock at this point. (Your name's) glare to Casca didn't go unnoticed either as she absentmindedly took a step forward only to be halted by Judeau's soft grasp of her arm. She looked back to him as he shook his head.
"You crazy bitch." Guts muttered, looking up to the short haired women in the midst of breaking down. Her brown eyes were glistening with tears.
"Just why?...Why do you always have to be this way?" She grit her teeth, looking down to Guts in disgust. "Why...does Griffith bother with a guy like you so much?" Casca had a few stray tears cascade down her cheek that painted path of wetness. This drew attention to Guts' eyes.
Standing, Guts now touched his jaw, looking passed the girl as he spoke.
"Damn, what's that about? I'm the one who should be crying... That ain't no women's punch." Guts grabbing his crutch swiftly walked passed Casca to go back down the stairs where the presumed sleeping, unconscious guards were.
"Kh, I'm leaving." He spoke nonchalantly.
"Wait! Guts!" Rickert voiced as Guts walked passed them all.
"Forget it. I'll just come back." He waved his hand dismissively, all eyes of the mercenaries watching him leave, the slight breeze hitting everyone's skin making the atmosphere more discomforted to see him walk away.
It didn't rest well upon (your name's) stomach to see the scene unfold before her either, neverthless, she held her tongue.
Guts, now wielding his sword stood upon a balcony by the castle in which Griffith was in. Swinging left, then right, he practiced his stances. His hard light brown eyes were stern upon the his fake enemy, swinging towards the imaginative male as the wind surged around him.
He grit his teeth, his mind following back to the memory of Casca's tears and hate filled eyes aiming his way.
"This is all your fault!"
Steps guided up to snap his head in the pertaining direction as he slowly relaxed his grip on his sword. His eyes landed upon his long time friend, (your name). A worried look plastered on her face as she reached the last step, walking up to Guts. The wind blew around softly to create a relaxed atmosphere.
"Hey." She voiced, the sound coming out a bit cracked causing her to clear her throat.
Guts stared to the women, for the first time and in a long time truly seeing her for her beauty. Her (h/l) (h/c) hair was getting longer by the day, her striking (e/c) eyes staring to his own in curiosity. She had on regular tight black pants, her boots, but this time she had on a revealing tunic. The burgundy shirt revealed her shoulders a bit as a dress would, but he's guessing it's because it was a little baggy or big on her. She still looked beautiful.
He then looked away, a bit embarrassed for her to have seen him staring.
He lowered his sword, his muscles flexing with every curve as he replied.
"Hey..." Leaning his sword against the balcony wall, he walked to lean against it himself. (Your name) slowly walked up to him, going to his right side as she crossed her arms.
"I understand what you meant earlier. We all did. Griffith...he has been getting distant ever since he got his new rank. The gap will only grow wider for us you know." She spoke softly, bringing Guts back to reality.
He touched the back of his neck sheepishly, looking to her in thought.
He had his bandages mostly removed, his crutch gone as he stood on his two feet.
"Are you sure you're feeling better?" She raised a brow, looking over Guts' body.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Guts' eyes looked down to her arm that had a little visible bandage wrap-on beneath her sleeve. "It looks like you're still healing as well."
(Your name) looked down to her arm.
"Oh yeah, it's mostly on my back and my leg but I'll be fine." She smiled, looking up to him.
His eyes lingered on hers much longer than expected. Thoughts of their past relationship now filling his head as he relaxed his stance.
"Been a long time (your name)."
Her eyes looked to be in thought as she looked down to her boots.
"Yes... it has been Guts."
(Your name) and Guts, to the sudden sound of another's footsteps turned their heads to the staircase. The view of their Commander came into their sight, making (Your name) a bit silent in the matter and Guts more observant.
Griffith strided up, picking up a stray yellow cut leaf to observe it in between his fingers.
"You're certainly on edge."
He had one crutch as well, just as Guts had earlier. His blue eyes averted up to look to the two Captains.
"And to think, you were beaten more soundly than I. I swear...you're nothing if not tough, Guts." Dropping the yellow cut leaf, he looked to the said man to see him stare in thought.
Griffith's eyes lingered on Guts' sword to his side as he approached up, understanding well that Guts was practicing up here.
Guts exhaled, a sullen laugh to his words as he sheepishly sat upon the wall now. (Your name) sat a bit further to his right as Griffith moved to his left, leaning on the said balcony.
The view was beautiful for the three to watch overhead.
"Nosferatu Zodd. A monster like that shouldn't exist, atleast...not in this world."
Guts split the moment's tenderness faster than any sword could possibly swing to cut any thing out of it's way.
"Perhaps." Griffith retorted. "But, on the other hand, that's proof that there's something that goes beyond human understanding in this world."
"Huh." Guts hummed back.
Griffith's back was to the balcony, his stark light azure eyes looking to Guts to voice his thoughts once more.
"Something akin to...a god?"
"Kh, more like a devil, don't you think?"
Griffith now faced back forward, turning his head to look up to the clear blue sky with a few stray white lingering clouds to adorn it.
"Is there really a difference?"
(Your name) stood quiet, basking in the moment of them three being together. The sullen onset silence was something she was comfortable with, but the feeling of being intrusive to their private conversation still clouded the edge of her mind.
"That reminds me, it was because of that thing around your neck." Guts looked down to the white haired man as he sat perched on the balcony wall. He held the hilt of his sword, relaxed in his hand next to him.
"Hm?" Griffith, bringing his attention back down to reality took in Guts' words. Exhaling a bit in thought, he reached up to take out his crimson necklace from within his shirt.
Bringing it over his hair, he held it by the lace of the pendant, letting Guts take a look at it.
"Nosferatu Zodd took off as soon as he recognized that thing. So...what is it anyway?" Guts raised a brow.
(Your name), peeking her head around Guts' shoulder saw the red egg shaped pendant hang from within Griffith's fingers. Her facials features contorted slightly in the chilled view to see that object dangle.
"A behelit. Actually, I got it from an old fortune teller when I was...just a boy. She said, 'once you possess this, you are destined to rule the world.' In exchange for your flesh and blood that is." Guts took the pendant in his hands, holding the odd object between his thumb and first finger as he ran his eyes along it.
"Hm. Rule the world huh?"
Feeling the sudden recoil of Griffith's words, and stare of the closed eye pendant, (your name) stood straight abruptly as Guts continued to observe the pendant.
"I feel as if I am intruding. I will take my leave." (Your name) spoke softly, walking passed Griffith only to be stopped by his arm over her stomach.
"No-" Griffith halted her movement at once from leaving, and at the same moment a gasp was heard from Guts beside them.
"Gah-!"
Looking back to Guts, Griffith saw the crimson pendant being pelted into the air by pure surprise as Guts started to slowly fall back off of the balcony.
Quickly catching the pendant with his left hand whom was holding (your name's) waist still, did he now reach back with his right arm to catch Guts' body before he could fall off the balcony.
"Wooah-" Griffith voiced pulling Guts' body forward.
Pulling Guts up quickly, the brute male then reached forward before his sword could drop to the floor, catching the hilt quickly with an exhale now.
Griffith let go of both a shocked (your name) and struggled Guts. A laugh slowly erupted from the white haired male's lips as he started chuckle. The laugh making both (your name) and Guts turn to his direction to see Griffith's cheeky grin.
The man held his stomach and head in a pit of soft laughter as Guts and (your name) slowly smiled at the moment.
"You should be more careful with it. That thing is creepy." Guts spoke over Griffith's laughter as (your name) started to chuckle a bit as well from the contagious bit of chuckles.
Griffith slowly came to a stop with his laughter, looking to Guts and (your name) as he held the behelit between his fingers.
"Hahaha~ ahh~ Nice huh?" He cheekily smiled almost as a child would do.
Guts looked, a soft yet visible smile forming on his lips to see (your name) and Griffith happy.
"Damn it Griffith, you aren't ever going to change, are you?" Guts smiled, exhaling a bit of his breath.
Griffith now leaned against the wall, (your name) on his left side now as Guts was to his right.
"I will never change. Not ever." He voiced, the wind blowing slightly around them all to stir up the color full pigments of the leaves.
It was a comfortable silence between them all until (your name) spoke, taking the words right out of Guts' mouth.
"Tell me something..."
Griffith turned to look to her, the blue soft gaze of his stare causing her to turn away to think properly.
"If we're just two of your soldiers, why would you risk your life for us?"
"Yeah, I was going to ask the same thing. Griffith, you didn't need to rush out there that day. You really could have gotten yourself killed." Guts added making Griffith turn his body to now face the scene over the balcony.
It took a while for him to answer, Griffith searching for the right words to say as he looked out to the trees and giant beautifully carved fountain infront of his eyes of the field before the castle.
Bringing up his palm to rest his left cheek upon, both (your name) and Guts stared to the older male until he spoke.
"No reason in particular. Am I obliged to give you both a reason every time I put myself in harm's say for your sake?"
Griffith stunned them both, his words reaching to both of them to draw the sounds straight from their throats. Putting his arm down, Griffith looked to Guts for an answer to see the male hitch his throat in realization of his disappeared voice.
"Ah, no." Guts finally mustered up a reply, looking away. "It's just-"
The sudden display now resumed the sounds of booted footsteps making their way, making all three of them look up.
"-Seems your recovery is going well."
The King before them, travelling broad with all his subjects guided to the top of a staircase infront of them, looking down to the three.
"Your majesty." Griffith spoke, knealing down as (your name) then saw to do the same.
Her mouth was dry for words to see this man before her again, her father, standing tall besides the great General Julius, a fryer, four Midland Knights, another male dignitary and two small children tasked with holding the pillow which lay his mighty crown.
Guts stood defiantly, moving his great sword to have it scrape against the cemented ground, causing Griffith to open his blue eyes and look up to him.
"Guts, get down." He whispered, followed by a shout of another male.
"You! Show respect for your King! Kneel down!" General Julius hissed those words, pointing to Guts who in return sighed, looking down to (your name) and Griffith to see them kneeling.
Lowering his weapon so that it layed upon the floor, he kneeled for the King to now speak.
"Nevermind the formalities, up-up."
Both Guts and Griffith looked up, (your name) kept her head down and face away from the sight of that man. Her hair was to her left side from the winds push. Her sleek shoulders were shown off, making the King see her body a bit more to presume it was a female from the lack of her face's or even body's sight.
From her knealing of before did the King loom his eyes over (your name's) shoulder. His eyes, settling upon that moon and sun intertwined birth mark did his heart squeeze, almost if he could, freezing time within his thoughts.
A moment passed before the women and two men would look to the ground still, waiting for him to speak as he then cleared his throat, tearing his eyes away from the women's back to look to the reason he came here.
"Sir Griffith, I am always proud whenever you so capably lead the Hawks to another victory."
All three of them still kneeled, having Griffith reply.
"You are too kind."
"-Perhaps your majesty should not address someone so new to the peerage." Julius intervened, his hate filled eyes settling upon Griffith's form as the King retorted back.
"I sha'll address whom I like." Looking back to the blonde haired male in all serious natures. Turning once more back to Griffith, he spoke. "To be honest, many in the court are displeased by the effect men of common birth will have on the Midland's army prestige. However, neither prestige nor status brings us triumph on the battlefield, so I must depend on exceptional people rather than Generals chained by tradition."
Julius exhaled silently, looking away from his brother's supposed idiotic words.
"I am much obliged, your majesty. My sincerest gratitude." Looking up to the King, Griffith noticed in the back of the men which stood before him a lone girl, hiding behind a stray pillar adorned by leaves and on-growing roots.
His eyes settled upon her beautiful form, her white pearl dressed, her brown hair put up perfectly into two side buns which framed her small face. A small crown adorned the top of her head as a slight gasp emitted from her red small lips.
Griffith's blue eyes rested upon the girl's familiarity.
"Who is that lady over there?" He spoke, knowing full well he had met her some weeks, let alone months ago when he was first Knighted.
The King looked back, seeing the girl Sir Griffith appointed.
"Oh, why, that is my daughter Charlotte. She by her own account is frightened by haughty warriors and rarely leaves the palace. Ah, Charlotte-" the King then looked back to his shy daughter. "-join me, please."
The girl turned a bit red, seeing the familiar stare of Griffith's azure eyes. She breathed slightly, hiding more behind the pillar for the King to now turn back to his Knight.
"Because she is my only daughter, I fear that I may have spoiled her. Please excuse her, Count Griffith."
Griffith in return of Guts and (your name) stood, bowing as the King then decided to departure.
"All right, come along Charlotte, my dear."
As all the men passed the three, (Your name), Griffith, and Guts, took notice to keep their heads bowed and their vision directed to some place other than the dignitaries eyes. As General Julius passed, a scoff escaped his mouth at the sight of Griffith with his head bowed slightly.
"Tch."
The last of the lot included Princess Charlotte started to leave. Guiding herself quickly down the white steps, she was the last to past the three mercenaries.
Her colored bright eyes couldn't help but stay glued to Griffith's form, his head bowed respectfully as a blush swept her cheeks from her omniscient gaze.
Before she knew it, going down the second collage of steps with her mindless thoughts caused her to misstep upon her silken dress.
"Wahh- Ahhh~" her girlish shriek was soon silenced as she realized just who stopped her fall at once with a grip of her waist.
Griffith held her waist, holding her body firm in his hand as his crutch fell to the ground with a thud. (Your name) and Guts rushed forward, seeing the scene before them.
"Are you alright, my lady?" His soft voice rung in her eyes gently.
Charlotte looked up to his sight, the glow of this man's locks and subtleness of his smile made her completely speechless once more.
"Pardon me, but be careful, Princess Charlotte." He then lifted her up to stand straight.
"-uh...I-uh-"
The wind blew slightly, making the moment even more memorable in the young girl's eyes.
The sound of fast footsteps caused all to look to the man rushing back up the steps.
"What insolence, laying hands on the Princess!" Before General Julius could even finish his sentence, he had backhanded Griffith right before all eyes.
Guts and (Your name) immediately stepped forward, both as if on his sense, Griffith's arm shot out to halt his soldiers' movement.
"Hey old man-" Guts was halted by Griffiths hand, telling him to silence.
Griffith, now staring to the blonde haired male, spoke as a bit of blood adorned his lip and right cheek.
"Won't you please pardon my ill manners your Lordship General Julius."
The General scoffed, looking back and forth between (your name), Griffith, and Guts.
"Heh. Now that's more like it. Come, Princess. Let's not keep your father waiting any longer."
The stunned Princess shook her head, looking to her uncle.
"-uh, yes, I'm coming, uncle."
She guided quickly down the steps once more, afraid to look back to the three as they all watched.
"Why do we have to waste our time watching these nobel's screw around and play games, anyway? This is ridiculous." Guts sighed, frustration laced in his voice. He watched the insolent upper class dignitaries chase a damned fox throughout the green fields.
All of the men sat on their horses, watching on guard as they all stood quiet without a remark.
Hounds howled as the men hunted the creature.
"We got no choice. It's our duty now. Besides, this is easier than fighting on a battlefield...No stray arrows, no heads split open, it's not without it's perks." Judeau tried to reason, his blue-green eyes following the men chase the poor creature down.
Guts reached behind him to touch the hilt of his sword.
"Hm. I still rather be out on the battlefield swinging this around."
"Kh, you bloodthirsty loon." Corkus cursed, sitting behind his own horse behind Guts.
"Awe, come on Corkus..." Rickert whined, looking to the pissed off male.
"Shut up! Don't you know that serving as escorts for the fall hunt is an honor that is normally reserved for the most well-connected knights?"
"Yeah? Then why are you here?" (Your name) intervened, making Judeau, Rickert, and even a sly smile display upon Guts' lips.
Corkus stared to the women, clicking his tongue.
"Talk shit all you want. We've had to run around muddy battlefields for years to finally gain real status and get to this point!"
Casca stared to the five before her. Her eyes glistening within the slight rays of the sun as she watched Corkus rant about Guts.
"So yeah, how dare you talk that way!" Corkus pointed to Guts, making more men start to look their way.
Pippin guided up closer, sensing the tension.
"Corkus...stop." Rickert tried to reason, his voice cracking with the silence of the air as Corkus spoke again.
"Kh, you really enjoy risking your life that much, then fine, but do it alone. I want none of it." Now riding off, Corkus left the group to their blaketed thoughts, Guts looking out to the fields as Casca stared to his back.
"Well as they say, it takes all kinds~" The male chuckled as he slowly rode forward and away from the Princess. "Your grace." He dismissed himself as she falsely smiled, finally rid of another man's useless conversation.
With a sigh, the Princess looked away. Her beautful ruby red dress made her lips and lightly blushed cheeks stand out even more within the trees of yellow shade around them.
She gently tugged on the reins of her white steed, going closer to a subtle tree to get a plain view of the insolent men and hounds chasing a poor fox for sport.
She sighed once more, her eyes roaming the sky now instead of the ground as a voice spoke to cut her from her thoughts.
"Do you dislike hunting?"
The voice caught her off guard, making her body turn to see the Commander of the Band of the Hawk himself, guiding his own white steed up beside her own under a tree.
He was armored from his shoulders to his very feet in that sleek silver build.
The Princess, shy and bashful, turned away with her red stained cheeks.
"...Tell me something, my lord. Why are most men so preoccupied by bloodshed?...Hunting and war are both-"
Before she could even finish, a slight soft pitched noise emitted from besides her. Looking quickly, she saw the Commander the Hawks himself, blowing upon a small yellow leaf for play. His two fingers pressed against it tenderly as he blew to make the small noise of say a high pitched but soft whistle.
Intrigued, she looked up to the tree hanging overhead to grab a leaf quickly, trying to retort the same movement.
Griffith opened his eyes, the seemingly soft glow of those light blue orbs caused her to fail on learning to play the leaf, of course only because of the pure inattention.
"Hold it like this...then place it...softly." he spoke, showing her again.
A light tint of red sweeped across the Princess' face. Immediately copying Griffiths actions, she placed the yellow leaf upon her lips firmly to then blow.
The same noise emitted from her leaf just as Griffith's as she smiled, joy spreading across her features in an overwhelming rate.
Smiling to eachother, they both blew to make the soft noise reverbrate throughout their ears.
A little distance away, General Julius looked to see the distasteful sight of the two consolidating into light conversation.
"Hmph." He stared, watching Griffith with his keen eyes as a neighboring horse stepped up beside the General.
"Your grace?" The male spoke, raising a brow.
"Not yet. We must exercise patience." Julius spoke back to the man, his eyes never once leaving the sight of Griffith.
The Knights, now scattered in finding the fox in the bushes, poked their staffs into the leaves to find the creature.
"Drive it out of the bush!"
"Is it there?"
Men looked all around for the creature only to be greeted by a squeal of a hog. The hog sprinting out of the said bushes ran towards Griffith's and Charlotte's area, where they sat, enjoying their quaint conversation.
The Princess' horse, suddenly to be surprised, moved around quickly to see the hog race passed it's hooves.
"Ahhhh-!" Charlotte exclaimed as the said white stallion went frantic out of fright, galloping away quickly to have the Princess hang onto it's reins ever so tightly.
Her beautful red hat flew away in the quick winds as her crimson dressed flowed within the fast breeze as well. Charlotte's screech rung in all's ears to make everyone turn their head, seeing Griffith chase after the said girl on the stallion.
With a mischievous look, General Julius turned to his archer. With a nod, they both took off, along with the Knights to follow.
"Please! S-someone help!"
Griffith raced right behind the screaming girl, now going past the small area of trees to enter the top of a small running river. Averting his horse to ride next to her own, the Commander let go of his reins to stand upon the saddle, quickly jumping to the Princess' horse.
Setting himself down quickly, he leaned down, encasing his arms around her to grab the reins of her horse to give it a slight pull. The Princess' eyes averted to the side, seeing Griffith's calm smile as her chocolate hair flowed in the wind.
"You're safe now."
Her eyes never left the sight of his beautifully framed face within the sunlight, water droplets of the horse's patterning flew passed them to land against her soft skin.
"Woaah~ Shhh~ Easy now." Griffith spoke, calming the horse as he tugged gently.
The tall creature then after a small moment came to a stop in the middle of the river, the sparkling water reflecting the light blue sky above them as the Princess regained her nerves and breath. All at once, Princess Charlotte turned in her sitting position, wrapping her arms around the white haired man as she let small cries escape her soft lips.
He gently smiled, still holding onto the reins.
"Have you injured yourself, my lady?"
She couldn't answer.
The small cries still escaped her throat as her heart tried to rest from the exhilirating race and death defying action Griffith pulled. Her hands slowly came down from his neck, to his shoulders, then down to his armored chest as she leaned her head against his right arm.
"What's the matter, Princess?"
"I'm... I'm so terribly frightened." She exhaled, trying to regain her senses. "My heart has never beat so fast in my life." She let go of him, looking to the Knight as she gently spoke again.
"Never before have I-"
Before she could finish, Griffith decided it was best to get off the stallion seeing as his own trodded up next to them. As his armored boots hit the water, his practical glowing blue eyes looked up to the girl with a soft smile.
"But you no longer seem frightened, Princess~" he smiled a closed a smile making the girl lift her hand up to touch the place in which her heart would be. A blush once again adorned her cheeks in realization. "Sha'll we head back now, my lady? Everyone must be worried."
"Griffith!"
The sudden yell from Captain Guts caused Griffith to turn his head from the Princess' attention.
"Griffith!"
"Ah, over here." He spoke, seeing the hoard of his men followed by some Royal Knights riding fast to his direction.
As Griffith walked to their direction, he raised his arm, signalling his location as suddenly without a second to spare, a stray arrow pierced his upper chest.
His eyes followed down, his balance lost as he saw the arrow stick out of his chest.
"Griffith!" (Your name) yelled as her and Guts rode in first, jumping practically off their horses before they could even stop.
Griffith was sitting upon the river, looking down to the arrow in his chest as he felt no pain make it's way up his body. Was it induced shock?
(Your name) took out her bow and arrow, aiming it to the trees to see if she could find any stray man out there. Guts, looking in all directions made his way back to the Princess who was in complete shock.
"Damn it!" He grit his teeth, quickly making his way to the Princess as all the Knights now scouted the area.
"Griffith-!" Casca exclaimed, knealing behind him as Judeau accompanied her to Griffith's aid.
"Hey! Princess! What the hell just happened here?!" Reaching up to grab her arms, Guts shook the frail girl a bit to bring her back to her senses. "Where'd that arrow come from?! Tell me!"
"Y-you're hurting me-!" She exclaimed, closing her eyes as she scrunched you her body.
(Your name) searched the forest still with her eyes, aiming her arrow in all bushels of leaves to find the enemy.
Casca held Griffith's shoulders, her head bowing to his back as tears escaped her brown eyes.
"Griffith? Please, no-" she cried, shaking him a bit as the blue eyes man now opened his eyes, sensing no pain, no injury, no hurt upon his chest or body. Reaching up, he touched Casca's hand upon his shoulder, lifting his head.
"Casca...don't cry." He spoke, making her pick her head up as a short gasp escaped her lips.
"Griffith's alive?!"
"I don't believe it."
"What happened?"
Men all around crowded as Guts saw, looking back in relief to the said man.
"But, how have you not been wounded?" Judeau questioned, stepping back to give Griffith room to stand properly.
Reaching up to his chest, Griffith grabbed the arrow to pull it out quickly.
"Do not touch the tip, it's most likely poisoned."
Judeau and Casca's eyes roamed the arrow, seeing no blood taint the metal tip upon it.
"Does that mean you'll-"
"Hmph." Griffith smiled, reaching to his under armor to fish out his necklace that was hidden inside. "I'm fine. Thanks to this, the arrow never pierced my flesh."
Guts looked down to the crimson necklace, his eyes roaming the absurd thing as he spoke.
"It's the...Egg of the King." He recalled, Griffith's words.
"It's...like a miracle!" Corkus exclaimed, laughing away as Guts stood, contemplating all of the events in which played out.
"It's more like the luck of the devil." He muttered, now turning away from the scene to see (your name) on her horse with Edwin, ready to move out and search.
"Someone must be watching over you." A mercenary spoke to Griffith as Guts now walked away back to his stray horse awaiting him.
"I'm going to search the surrounding brush with my men. Gaston, let's go." Guts ordered, walking away as Guts' eyes followed.
(Your name) had her eyes set upon a man in the far distance of the forest.
"Is that...General Julius?" She whispered to herself, seeing the blonde haired man stand with another unrecognizable male.
"Griffith, perhaps you should remove your armor. If you have even a little scratch-" Casca's words were disregarded with the turn of Griffith's head. He looked, the corner of his eye seeing the infamous General Julius accompanied with a man in the far distance.
Julius looked to Griffith with a distastful frown, his eyes unblinking as Griffith watched the two now ride off on their brown horses.
"Ha...a high price to pay...for this poison." He whispered, watching them ride off in the distance. His eyes averted to see (your name's) dead gaze stare to see General Julius and the man ride off too. Griffith's eyes watched her watch them in thought.
A cry catching him out of his thoughts, made Griffith turn his direction back over to the Princess now standing upon the river, crying infront of him. Judeau placed his hand on Griffith's shoulder to console the man, but not a second later did he yank it away to see Princess Charlotte shove her face to Griffith's chest.
Casca's eyes widen, as well as Judeau's to see her in such a pained state for a commoner.
"What's the matter with her?" Corkus spoke to a mercenary, stepping back on accord.
The Princess cried and cried upon his chest, Griffith's eyes staring down to the top of her head as he dare not touch her infront of the Royal Knights.
(Your name) seeing this, turned away to ride off, following Guts and his men.
"Damn it." She muttered.