I can handle anything and everything, as long as it isn't Cold Wolfhook Juice, yuck
That much was true. When Amber arrived at the Millelith checkpoint, the Millelith guards present insisted that Amber sit down with some of them and have something to drink and eat. After all, it wasn't everyday that the Knights and Millelith interacted with each other.
Still, I wish they had something to drink other than Wolfhook Juice, eww.
When they had all finally sat down, the Millelith Officer spoke first. "...Anyways, what brings you out here to our humble checkpoint Outrider? I assume there is a reason yes?"
With a nod, Amber replied. "Yes, I was wondering if you guys had seen or heard anything by that cliff over there…" Amber pointed towards the directions of the cliff she was on a little while ago. "There was a big fight involving Ruin Guards there and….."
After explaining everything she had found and what was told to her by Jean, the Millelith Officer spoke once again. "Hmmm those Ruin Guards are definitely concerning. Unfortunately we were rotated here just this morning, and we definitely haven't seen or heard anything. And no one so far has told us that they saw anyone passed out on the cliff. I'll go check the log books to see if any of the previous sections saw or heard anything." With that, the Officer began to make his way out of the tent.
Another Millelith Guard spoke up. "Yes those Ruin Guards are very worrying. Your right that they have never been spotted on the border before but why would they be there, let alone carry someone away….."
Just as the Millelith Officer made his way to the entranceway of the tent, a lady with purple hair walked into the tent through the flap. "AHH, Lady Keqing! Wh-what a pleasant surprise! What are you doing here on this fine day?" said the Officer, quickly snapping to attention. The two other Millelith Guards in the tent also quickly stood up and snapped to attention as well. One almost tripped over his chair, but just managed to keep himself and the chair he was just sitting on upright.
Bemused, Amber looked at the young lady who had just entered the tent. She looked no older than herself or Aether, but based on how the Millelith were treating her, it was clear that she was someone important.
"At ease. I've already said that there is no need for that type of stuff when I'm by myself. One of the other patrols brought in Aeth….. Ah-umm the Mysterious Traveler and their companion. He was apparently being carried away by a Ruin Guard and I'm just investigating….." It was at that moment that the lady in purple glanced over and noticed Amber sitting at the table looking at her with wide eyes.
This lady knows who Aether is? Aether did say that he got up to a lot in Liyue but he never said explicitly what. She's clearly very pretty and….
"Ahh, I apologize. I did not see you there. My name is Keqing, Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing. And you are…?" Keqing looked at Amber with a questioning look on her face, her head tilted slightly.
"Ohh, my bad! My name's Amber, Outrider of the Knights of Favonius. If I heard you correctly, I think we are both here and investigating the same thing actually…." Amber began to trail off as the look from Keqing intensified.
"Ahh I see. Well yes, one of the Millelith patrols came across a Ruin Guard carrying the Mysterious Traveler and their companion not too far away from here. They managed to disable the mech and they brought the two of them to the Wangshu Inn. Both are badly injured, and the Traveler has yet to wake up. His companion was awake briefly and described some of what happened before she passed out again."
Keqing looked at Amber with a thoughtful expression, crossing her arms into a thinking pose. "I was coming out here to have a look around and see if I can find the scene of the fight and better understand what happened. I assume you are doing the same from the other end?"
It was now Amber's turn to explain what happened, and now knowing that Aether was hurt, quickly explained what she knew from Jean, what she saw at the scene of the fight and that she had found Aether's diary Sorry Archive. She also explained that she had just arrived to ask if the Millelith knew anything about what had happened.
"Is Aether okay? How is he doing?" Now that Amber had explained herself to Keqing, she quickly moved on to Aether's wellbeing. "I can send word back to Mondstadt and have our best sisters from the church take a look at him. When I came out here we were expecting that someone would be hurt but never Aether. He fought off StormTerror for crying out loud! How did some Ruin Guards beat him that badly!? There is no way that…."
"Now now Amber, there is no need for panic." Keqing said, raising her arms to calm Amber down. "My understanding is that the Traveler is fine, but we would happily consent to have your best healer from Mondstadt take a look at him. The folks at the Bubu Pharmacy already have their hands full and have yet to dispatch someone to properly look over him."
With a look of determination, Amber replied. "Perfect! I'll quickly run back to Mondstadt and get Barbara and then….."
"Ah, actually Amber, I was wondering if you would accompany me back to the Wangshu Inn. One of the Millelith here can make the trip back to Mondstadt and update your fellow knights on the situation." Keqing paused for a second, thinking to herself. "You have already looked over the scene of the battle, so it's not necessary for me to go. Instead, I think it's best if we both made our way back to Aeth…. The Traveler and their companion. We should be present once one of them wakes up so we can try and better piece together what exactly happened."
Amber was about to protest this suggestion by Keqing, but stopped herself.
It would be nice to see Aether and make sure that he is okay. And she's right, one of the Millelith can go and get Barbara. Though, I really should be the one that goes back and…...:
Amber was lost in thought when Keqing interrupted them. "What do you think, Outrider? Does that work for you?"
On that note, Amber had made up her mind. "Yes, that sounds good to me. Send one of your fastest through. I want to make sure that Barbara can get here as quickly as possible…"
With Amber's comment, Keqing let out a small laugh and smiled at her. "Oh, don't worry my friend, the Millelith are more than capable of this task." Giving a nod towards the Officer standing beside her, he quickly stepped out of the tent to pass along the order to one of the guards outside.
"Come, let's make our way back to the Wangshu Inn. We can talk as we walk." And with that, Keqing stepped out of the tent. Amber stood up and began to make her way to the exit when one of the Millelith still inside the tent stopped her. "It's been a pleasure Outrider, but just a word of advice, be careful what you say to Lady Keqing about her and The Traveler. There are quite a few rumors going around that they had a lover's quarrel a while ago. Lady Keqing will not take kindly if you say anything about it to her face ..."
Lover's quarrel? With her? But what about me Aether? Is he a womanizer or something? That can't be, he is way too noble for that…..isn't he?
Quickly putting on a fake smile, Amber replied to the guard. "Haha, thanks for the heads up. By the looks of it I would not want to get on her bad side."
"That's for sure. She's one of the best fighters around, and is much better than any of us."
On that note, Amber stepped out of the tent and walked over to Keqing, who was looking on to the nearby lake. Upon hearing Amber approaching, Keqing turned around and greeted her.
"One of the Millelith patrols have already left to go to Mondstadt to inform them of our situation. They will escort the sisters from the church all the way back to the inn. Come on, let's start making our way to the inn."
And just like that, Keqing turned and began to make her way to the small stone bridge. Amber quickly caught up to her and they began to make the walk back to the Wangshu Inn.
AN /
Another Chapter done. :)
It was actually really hard to write Keqing. I tired my best to characterize Keqing as someone who has a sense of authority but at the same time is not too rude or mean. I'm okay with the way it turned out, but ehh could be better.
Next up, Wangshu Inn?