Chapter 32.
Natsuki: Oh, are we finally getting back to this story?
Me: What, you prefer this one to the others?
Natsuki: Yeah, I've rehashed the whole Festival thing a thousand times over, and while I'm not usually the vampire in the vampire stories, it's not entirely unheard of. This is something I've never quite done before, so…
"Nagi!" Natsuki called as she walked up to the wall under construction, "What are you doing?"
"You wish an audience with the King?" One of the guards blinked in confusion.
"No, I want to shout loud obscene words at the short man named Nagi on the other side of that wall," Natsuki said, "And while I'm at it, I want to know why you're building this wall!"
"It's a defensive measure," Nagi smiled, walking up, "And seriously, it's too early in the morning to be so loud. Such inconsiderate neighbors we have."
"Defensive measure?" Shizuru looked at him with a frown, "Do you expect anyone to take that seriously at all?"
"I absolutely do. There are hostile native tribes, and there are strange, dangerous creatures in the woods. Just the other day, one of our hunters was mauled by a huge creature bigger than a deer."
"A moose," Natsuki said.
"And you tell us there are other strange and dangerous creatures out there. So, Windbloom Castle will be built within the protective walls of a citadel."
"Your 'hostile tribes' are only hostile because you provoke them," Shizuru said.
Natsuki sighed, "This is pointless, but I am sure I will not change your mind."
"Well, I'm amiable enough," Nagi said, "We'll leave a gate so that we can engage in trade with your colony. After all, I'm sure that you can produce some high quality furs, especially with Baroness Natsuki in charge. Although, I guess that now that you're handling the administrative duties, you won't actually be leading the hunting parties."
Natsuki blinked, then frowned, "Whatever. Just make sure the wall is entirely on your side of the border. I won't tolerate encroachment."
She marched off. Most wouldn't have seen it, but Shizuru saw immediately. She raced to catch up to Natsuki.
"What Nagi said bothered you, didn't it? That you wouldn't lead the hunting parties, anymore."
Natsuki sighed, "I…I hadn't led the hunters since that time…"
Shizuru nodded, "Since the day Sokanon was killed, and those vile, wicked men planned to force themselves on you."
Natsuki sighed, "It isn't that I'm scared to go in the woods, anymore. But so many things have happened since then, and I find myself in a position of responsibility. But I miss it, Shizuru. I miss the feeling of the fresh air, of the scents of the forest, of running through the darkened woods, sun-dappled clearings, and spending time with Duran, just being free.
"But people rely on me, now, and I can't do the things I used to do."
Shizuru sighed, "The gilded cage of the aristocracy. But, Natsuki, this is your land. These are your people. You must pay taxes and fealty to Kaiser Herzog and the Kingdom of Germany. But the rules of this land are yours to make. So…if the Baroness of this land wishes to lead by example, tearing through the countryside on her horse with her faithful wolf at her side, then who's to say that she's wrong?"
Shizuru turned to smile at Natsuki, "And if the Baroness will allow it, I will join her in her adventures. Because I love her with all my heart. Because she's kind, and compassionate, but also because she's wild. And free. And I would not see her caged by anything."
Natsuki smiled, "Thank you, Shizuru. You're right. I should take Ducati for a ride. It would make Duran happy, too. He hasn't had a chance to run around, much."
They ran into Alyssa, "So, Nagi's sealing his people in so that they can't run off and join us?"
"He says it's a citadel to keep everyone safe. He's leaving a gate, for trade he says."
"I see our King is going to be a troublesome creature," Alyssa said, "Fiiiiinnnneeeee."
"Alyssa, Shizuru and I are going riding this afternoon. Would you like to join us? I'm sure Ducati would tolerate you as well," Natsuki smirked, "You weigh next to nothing, after all."
Alyssa gave her sister her own smirk, "Tearing around higglety-pigglety on the back of a horse without saddle or bridle, clinging for dear life to my sister's back? I think I would prefer to sit with the Countess de Fujino on her own mount."
"Ara, ara, well, I wouldn't mind. But as I already have saddle and bridle on Akrotiri, she may object to Alyssa's added weight, as the Baronesses little sister does have more heft than the Baroness gives her credit for."
Alyssa sighed, "You two are the most troublesome creatures I've ever known. It was simpler to fend off the drunken and lecherous noblemen who called upon Mama than it is to deal with the pair of you. If it's all the same to you, I believe I will tend to my dear Usagi, and then practice my choral performance for the upcoming festival.
"By the way, have you heard anything of Nina? That woman earlier said that there was a man who was claiming to be her father among the newly arrived citizens of Windbloom?"
"You shall have to ask Nina about it, I'm afraid," Shizuru said, "Our business only had us contend with 'His Majesty King Nagi'."
"I see. I'm concerned for her. She came here with the belief that her father was dead. If this man is her father…well, it's complicated, from what I've heard.
"But if he's not her father…if he's a pretender, it's possible trouble for all of us."
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The man waiting for Nina was, indeed, Sergay Wang. There was no doubt. But there was a major change since the last time that Nina had seen him.
"Father, that scar…"
"This," he rubbed the space between his eyes, "Yes, it's actually a large part of why I failed to return to you after that battle."
Nina embraced him, "I…They told me you'd been killed. They said it was a stray cannon shot, and that nothing was left. They gave me some tattered bits of uniform to put in your grave."
He wiped the tears from her eyes, "No. I fear that was my righthand man, Yamada. Poor sod was obliterated. I was caught in the head by a bit of shrapnel, and knocked unconscious. I was captured by those scoundrels and held in a dungeon cell for the last three years.
"But with Nagi becoming King of Windbloom, the Duchy of Zipang wanted to forge a new and favorable alliance, and so they released me from that dank, dark hell. When I learned that you'd come here, I boarded the first ship heading this way."
"I actually now live in the Barony of Garderobe," Nina said, fidgeted.
Sergay smiled at her, "Under the care of the Baroness of the Forest, The Wild and Untamable Natsuki Kuga?"
Nina sighed, putting a hand on her forehead, "Is that really how they speak of her in the Homeland?"
Sergay chuckled, "She's the talk of the town, as it were. Actually, the subject of conversation across the whole of the land. A noble woman who exudes nobility in its truest form. Who provides for her subjects. Who braves bandits and beasts. Fearless and kind. She's something of a folk hero among the peasants and serfs.
"But you and I know that the truth is seldom much like the legends. So, how is she, really?"
Nina smiled, "She's definitely kind. And brave. I wouldn't go so far as to say fearless. There are things that scare her. Like losing someone she cares about. Or having to leave this place she calls her home.
"But she saved my life, once, and…I am forever indebted to her."
Sergay smiled, "Does that mean that you will remain in Garderobe?"
"Do you mean to stay here in Windbloom, then, Father?" Nina asked, trying to hide the fear in her heart.
"I am a servant to the King of Windbloom, my former master of the Duchy of Artai. What I want is…irrelevant."
"Father, you more than paid for your servitude to him by your time imprisoned!" Nina protested, "I want you to join me! Please!
"I belong in that place, but to know now that you are alive, after all this time…"
"I think you should join her," Nagi entered the room, "Families belong together, after all, and Nina is already established here. You've just been released from an unjust imprisonment, Sergay. And I was certainly unaware of your survival. So, I already filled your position, here.
"I'll give you a generous backpay, and let you retire to Garderobe. Nina, why don't you gather Sergay's things and get him set up in your house? I'd like to catch up with your Father."
Nina nodded and left with a curtsey.
"You intend to use me as a spy," Sergay sighed at Nagi.
"Now, now. Just think of it as keeping tabs on a neighbor. The Baroness of Garderobe doesn't like me very much. She's so hopelessly standoffish."
"By which you mean you've managed to irritate her with your typical machinations?" Sergay gave him a knowing look.
"See, that's why you're perfect for the job. You understand me so very well. Honestly, I doubt anyone else could do the job as well as you. And it's not like I'm asking for military secrets or anything. And I won't ask you to perform acts of sabotage.
"But, if, say, they have a surplus of furs, I wouldn't mind being the first to hear about it. Or if they need to purchase extra crops for the new colonists, well, I can see fit to offer them a deal.
"It's all about having the information I need to make a profit before they know it themselves, you understand."
"You're surprisingly mercantile for a King," Sergay observed.
Nagi grinned, "Please. The days of Kings and Queens are coming to an end. The world moves on silver and gold, my old friend. I'm merely putting myself in a position to fill my coffers before the rest of the monarchy wakes up to the fact.
"People like myself, and, I hate to say it, like Baroness Kuga, we're the ones who will forge the new paths ahead. Unfortunately, our worldviews and philosophies are diametrically opposed, and so I cannot call her a friend or ally.
"But I cannot call her an enemy, either. Rather, the Baroness is a tool I will use as I see fit. Understand?"
"As duplicitous as ever, my liege."
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The Arcadia sailed on to Europe, leaving behind only the wreckage of a once formidable enemy. They were just a speck on the horizon when a figure in black rose from the waves, clinging to a piece of wreckage. Reito Kanzaki was bleeding, exhausted, and broken, but he was not yet dead. He watched with aching, salt-filled eyes as the tide carried him to a rocky shore…