Chapter 10: The Humbling Tale of Shirong the Nobleman
Thump… thump… thump… thump. Sounded the heavy, flat feet of the great Captain Duizhang as he paced back and forth along the edge of the camp, and just as the recent night, it all was calm and peaceful. Besides the miniscule noises of bugs or the light breeze coursing through the tree branches, the camp's small clearing was almost totally silent. Throughout the night the royal soldiers kept vigilance in the dark hours as the Lord and his family rested. Although the life of a bodyguard seemed dangerous and frequent with attempts of murders or kidnappings, it can also be filled with long, drawn out nights filled with nothingness, especially on prolonged journeys across distant lengths. Night after night, day after day of quiet duty, with little to do but the assigned job. Seeing his men continue their positions, and the oxen continuing their slumber in the early morning, the captain took it upon himself to take a detour in his path, and check again on a few other travelers. Not that far from the camp, in a large field, three wolves sat and remained still, the large one, the young woman and the boy. From his distance, the captain deduced they were meditating in a circle, probably to prep themselves for the coming busy day. In his mind, the imperial officer couldn't fathom how his Lord would trust these canines so easily? Shirong may have already been acquainted with them in recent past, but the same can be said of people attempting to usurp, kidnap or assassinate the Emperor's brother. Despite the perception in his mind, the Duizhang was surprised to find the lupine pack not exhibiting suspicious behavior. All night each wolf stayed in his or her tent, slumbering the hours away. And they all stayed their distance from the Lord and his kin, being mindful of their place among royals. But for a species infamous for thievery, murder and war, they were gentle and mild mannered, at least compared to other wolf packs the captain's encountered in his many years of service to his majesty. A corner of his mind was beginning to take his master's words legitimately, while his common sense would remind him to keep alert. After checking on the three meditating wolves again, who had remained almost the same as a half an hour ago, the captain returned to the camp.
Inside the noble's tent, slowly and peacefully Shirong was taken out of his subconscious state and brought back to the realm of waking. His eyes opened tiredly as he rubbed the dreariness off his face. Looking to his left, lying on the cot, his wife laid with their youngest offspring in her arms. Yuing cuddled peacefully in the warmness of her mother without a worry in the world. It was one of the few times the baby wouldn't even mutter a sound, let alone cry or whine for her needs. The sight of his family was so precious in his heart that Shirong couldn't bring himself to interrupt them, and ruin the lovely slumber they shared. He leaned over to his wife and baby before gifting a tender, soft kiss on both their foreheads. Yuan moved slightly, but remained in her deep slumber. Shirong slowly and quietly got up from the large cot they shared and exited the royal tent. He was greeted by the warm light rays of morning sun, and the smell of country aromas greeting his nose. As he stretched his limbs out, he overlooked the camp, noticing that it was quiet busy already. The royal guards and burly oxen were either on watch duty or cooking the breakfast for the royal family and themselves. Renshu, Jiao, and Gen were preparing their own morning meals for the pack. And Yingyu was already up, taking some time to ease herself for the new day.
The captain of the guards approached Shirong, bearing a posture of vigilance and spoke with a tone of great respect. "Good morning Master."
"Good… morning… Captain" Shirong replied while yawning.
"Did you sleep well last night?" The armored officer asked, giving rightful concern for his master's health.
"Yes, we slept fine." The deer answered, still giving wide yawns.
"Very good" The captain replied. "My men have been at watch all night, and I can report that we've neither seen, nor encountered any dangers or threats."
"All very well" Shirong commented, giving an affirmative nod.
"My men will have your meals ready soon, I recommend that you and your wife prepare now." The captain suggested as he went towards the tent.
Shirong stopped him in his way, preventing the head soldier from opening the tent entrance. "Let my wife sleep for awhile, at least until breakfast is ready?"
"As you wish" The captain acknowledged before resuming his patrol.
The leader of the armored rhinos resumed his pacing around the camp while his master decided to greet the other campers. Jiao and Renshu cooked in a pot above their own fireplace as the royal father joined them.
"Good morning Jiao, good morning Renshu." Shirong greeted with a tired, yet friendly tone.
Jiao, realizing the sudden presence of a noble, answered in a nervous tone. "Oh, hello… L-Lord Shirong."
A slight chuckle escaped Shirong's vocals as he answered "Oh, there's no need for formalities."
"Really?" Jiao asked.
"Yes, I believe nobles shouldn't be treated any more superior than their people." Shirong answered in a sincere tone.
Before Jiao could reply, her husband checked the morning stew brewing in the pot. Upon inspecting, he interrupted his wife's conversation. "Jiao, the food is ready now."
"Ok" Jiao replied. "let's get everyone together then."
"May we all eat together this time?" Shirong asked.
"I don't see why not… but what about your guards?" Renshu asked.
"I'm sure they'll allow it, we'll have our own food and after a peaceful night, I'm willing to bet my men will now give you all the benefit of a doubt." The noble man explained.
The middle aged father wolf nodded before turning to his oldest son (by a few seconds) and asked "Gen, the food is all ready, go let Shu, Zhong and Erdan know and bring them back, I'll wake up your brothers."
"Yes father" Gen replied.
Shirong, deciding to let the wolf family handle their preparations, returned to his family tent to see his wife come out well awake, with Yuing in her arms. Approaching his love, Shirong kissed her, giving a gesture of love.
"How are you this morning dear?" He asked.
She gave a long yawn before replying "Just… fine Shirong. But where is…" She asked before their daughter joined them.
"Ah, good morning Yingyu, you're up early." Yuan greeted her daughter.
"Oh, uh yeah, I woke up an hour ago, so I'd thought I'd start the day early." Yingyu answered. As her parents made small talk with each other, their daughter spoke up. "Um… mother, may I… have a word with you?"
"Of course" Yuan replied.
A moment of silence came and went as a mixture of awkwardness and embarrassment subsided in the young girl's mental being. "… um… it's a… girl thing" Yingyu corrected, only for raised eyebrows of confusion from her parents. "A… private girl thing"
"Oh, I see" Yuan replied, realizing her firstborn's intent. "Here Shirong, take Yuing while we have our… girl talk." Her noble lady asked before her husband took their baby into his arms.
(Fire Emblem Warriors ost – "In High Spirits")
With the youngest member of the family in the loving care of her father, the mother and daughter moved to their family's traveling box for proper privacy. As they sat on the wooden benches inside the protective cube, nothing but morning light beamed through the windows covered by paper. Yuan sat comfortably, but noticed her daughter seemed uneasy. Her movements were somewhat fidgety, and she appeared quite nervous.
"Yingyu, are you alright?" Yuan asked with concern.
"Y-yeah… well… I, I'm not sure." Yingyu replied, trying her best to keep her cool.
"Have you been hurt? Are you not feeling well? Need medicine or tea?" Yuan asked with slight worry.
"No, I'm… I'm well and feel healthy." Yingyu braced herself for the purpose of her private meeting. "It's about Erdan."
"Did you two have a fight or something?" Yuan asked.
"OH NO, no it's nothing like that." Yingyu corrected. "it's… well…"
Yuan placed her hoofed paw on her daughter's shoulder. "It's ok, whatever it is, it can stay between you and me, I promise."
Yingyu nodded before proceeding. "Yesterday, when I met Erdan again, we were happy to see each other… until one of the guards attacked him."
"I'm guessing everything turned out ok, judging from his condition when I met him." Yuan guessed.
"Yeah, but… when he fought back that bodyguard… I… um" Yingyu gulped down spit as she braced herself. "I was… attracted… to… Erdan."
Yuan nodded calmly, keeping a posture of calm and a tone of understanding, while her daughter's voice was driven by embarrassment.
"And?" Her mother asked.
"And…" Yingyu replied. "I felt… something I didn't know before."
"Do you think you're… developing feelings for Erdan?" Yuan asked in a calculating tone.
"I'm not sure… when I saw him, fighting that guard, with his muscles and bravery… didn't know what to feel?" Yingyu reflected.
Yuan took a few minutes to ponder, and finally reached a hypothesis. She then moved to her daughter's side and sat with her. Mother laid her arm around daughter, an attempt to put her growing girl in a more focused and relaxed mindset. "I think I understand what you're going through."
"What?" Yingyu asked, eager to know any answer.
"In that moment, you had fallen for him." Yuan answered. Yingyu stayed quiet, letting her mother explain her theory in fullest. "There are some things that almost all girls and boys share; interests they enjoy or tastes they prefer. And for many girls, they like to imagine a strong hero to save them, like a handsome prince in a story."
"Well, he didn't really save me, rather it was self defense." Yingyu corrected.
"But it could have very well been something similar. When you saw Erdan, acting strong and courageous, that part of you, something you find appealing even attractive, triggered. And you felt smitten." Yuan explained.
"But I've never felt anything like that before, certainly not for Erdan." Yingyu questioned.
"Well… you are growing. Just a couple months ago you had a birthday, and you're becoming a young woman. Maturity doesn't just change your body, but also how you behave."
"How so?" Yingyu asked.
Yuan paused a moment, thinking of how to explain the otherwise sensitive topic.
"When you grow, you develop new emotional drives." Yuan begun, keeping her tone at ease. "You eat more or you sleep longer. You can also find yourself having drives that result in attraction for boys, especially if they're handsome or strong or generous."
"Is this a bad thing?" Yingyu asked.
"Well… not inherently, at least that's what I think. But it can become a vice if you allow it. Your emotions can be strong, and while they can be beneficial in many ways, they can be a detriment to yourself if taken too far, if you allow them to control you, instead of vice versa." The mother taught before seeing a face of understanding on her daughter.
Yingyu took a few moments to ponder and debate on herself about her parent's wisdom before asking one final question. "So, what should I do… around Erdan now?"
Yuan thought a moment, smiled and gave her answer. "Well, it may be a good time for you to give dating a try."
"You're sounding like father." Yingyu butted in.
"I know, I know. But creating and building a relationship with someone can be a very rewarding experience for both of you. And Erdan has already proven himself to me and your father, so I'd say… give it a try."
The thought of being in a romantic scenario with her lupine friend was almost strange to Yingyu, but it did seem, at least a little appealing in her mind.
"If I wanted to try this out, what should I do?" Yingyu asked.
"You ask him out on a date." Yuan advised. "The best choice I'd say is to share a nice meal together."
"Do we… kiss or…" Yingyu asked, almost embarrassed.
"It doesn't have to be THAT soon. Let your relationship progress naturally and take time to get to know each other more. That's how it went when I met your father."
"You accidently slapped him with a pan when you first-"
"Well that's just your father's side of the story." Yuan interrupted in an embarrassment.
"Just, be nice and ask him if he'd like to eat with you at breakfast." Yuan suggested.
"R-right now?" Yingyu questioned.
"You don't have to, but it may be something you'll enjoy."
"Hmm, ok… I think I'll try it." Yingyu concluded.
Yuan stared off, allowing her thoughts to dictate her speech for just a moment. "And who knows, maybe you and Erdan could be girlfriend and boyfri-"
"MOTHER!" Yingyu protested.
Yuan chuckled lightly before replying "Ok,ok… I won't tease anymore."
"I hope not, father already gives me enough to deal with." Yingyu responded.
A knock was heard on the door of the travel box as the shadowy silhouette was visible through the paper covered window. The sudden sound almost made the two women jump in response. "Are you two ok?" Shirong voice sounded.
"Yes, we'll be right with you." Yuan replied.
Shirong left, leaving his wife and girl to finish their private talk.
"We should get our breakfast before it gets cold, ok?" Yuan propssed.
("In High Spirits" ends)
Yingyu simply nodded before the two female deer left the travel box and entered back into the camp. While her mother joined her husband, Yingyu looked around and noticed Erdan, Shu and Zhong returning to camp. Thoughts of what her mother advised spiraled in her head. She debated on whether to ask Erdan on a date or not. Going back and forth, her mind finally decided on a course of action. Mustering her courage, she walked into the wolf family's path, intercepting them while on the way to breakfast.
"Oh, hello Yingyu." Shu greeted happily.
"Good morning Shu, good morning Zhong." Yingyu replied.
The third and youngest wolf in the family of three came appeared while giving a long yawn and scratching his shoulder.
"Good morning Erdan" Yingyu greeted a third time.
The lupine teen halted his scratching, realizing his friend who was nearly right in front of him, and with a still morning fatigued tone, replied "Good… morning Yingyu" Erdan said with another yawn in the middle.
For a minute the scene between the two was quiet, and an almost awkward air resided around them. Curious, Zhong asked "Yingyu, is everything ok?"
"Oh yes Mr. Yu, I just wanted to ask… um… to ask Erdan something." The deer girl answered.
The teen lupine's attention suddenly became more alert, though still slightly tired. "D-do you need help with something?"
"No… I'm fine… it's just… uh…" Yingyu said with hesitation.
Shu and Zhong, curious of the two teen's behavior, studied Yingyu. Her speech was delayed, her hooved hands shaky and her posture constantly correcting itself. It only took a minute of thinking to realize what was transpiring before them. And what this girl may be trying to achieve.
"Erdan…" Yingyu asked.
"Yeah… what is it?" Erdan replied, curiously.
"Um… Uh…" Finally, Yingyu worked up the courage. "Erdan, would… you l-like t-to…. go on a… a… d-date?"
Erdan's ears instantly perked up and his attention was now at its full. He wasn't sure of what to say. Seconds of silence flew by as his friend nervously awaited his answer. Taking a quick look to his parents, he could see his foster mother move her mouth to tell him (SAY YES!) without speaking it. Erdan looked back at Yingyu, who was worried if she's only humiliated both herself and her confidant. Taking a gulp, Erdan answered "Y-yes"
"R-really!?" Yingyu responded in surprise.
"Um… yeah." Erdan replied.
A small smile tugged on Yingyu's lips, showing a happier mood overcame her, along with some relief.
"Yingyu, come get your meal!" Shirong yelled from the other side of the camp.
"Ok father!" Yingyu yelled back before turning to Erdan. "So… I guess we'll meet back here for our… date?"
"Uh… sure" Erdan replied. Yingyu then walked her way to get her food, as her soon to be date consulted his foster parents. "What just happened?"
Zhong, with a smile, answered "You now have a date with a girl who likes you, son."
"Erdan this is great." Shu commented with a bright smile of her own.
"Uh, I've never been on a date, or all that stuff?" Erdan questioned. "What should I do? What should I say?"
Zhong, taking a knee and holding his son by the shoulders, advised his son on the does and don'ts of romance. "Listen, to me Erdan, alright?" his boy simply nodded and listened. "You need to relax, ok? Breath in, and out." Erdan did as he was told, inhaling before exhaling, putting his inner self in better condition and focus as his father continued. "If you're taking a girl on a date, you need to be polite and respectful all the time, be a gentleman."
"Be a gentleman, ok." Erdan replied.
"Don't be quiet either, talk with her. Explore each other's interest, more than you already have." Zhong advised. "Take it easy as well, again relax, and allow her to feel comfortable as well." Zhong then looked to Shu. "Can you get Erdan his food, Yingyu will be back in a minute."
Shu nodded before hurrying to get her son's portion of breakfast.
"So, do we eat at the campfire with everyone else?" Erdan asked.
"No no… a date has to be private." Zhong answered.
"P-private?" Erdan muttered.
"Why don't you take her to that field we were just at? Me and your mother were there last night, and it's a great spot." Zhong suggested.
Shu returned with her son's food in a bowl, and after receiving it, Erdan asked "So, do we like, kiss and… make out?"
Shu stepped up, deciding to lend a female's perspective on the scenario. "Not right away, and I recommend not on the first date. Let your love life live out naturally. Patience is what helps earn a girl's heart, that and good manners, along with an upbeat personality."
"Ok, ok, ok… ok" Erdan muttered to himself, mentally preparing for the next few minutes.
"You ok Erdan?" A young feminine voice asked.
Erdan turned to see Yingyu had returned. She featured a bright smile on her face as she held a bowl of breakfast in her paws. Erdan, mustering his courage, said "Oh, you're here."
"Y-yeah… I-I'm ready for… our date." Yingyu replied.
Erdan, making sure not to sound or act awkward, responded "Well… let me take you to… to this place I know, it… it's great."
"Ok… then… let's go." Yingyu replied.
The young wolf and deer then walked together side by side, on a stroll to the open and vast field. Shu and Zhong watched as their boy begun a new part of his growing life, his love life. Leaving the two young teens alone, the grown lovers joined the rest of their pack for their own meals. Both their minds spiraling with thoughts of how well Erdan can be, and how his first date will end. The camp was lively, Jiao and Renshu handed their sons and Fang shares of the morning stew, Shirong and his wife sat on stools from their own tent while keeping care of Yuing and everybody was overcome with a sense of fellowship in the morning hours. Zhong and Shu took their food and sat on a log along with Fang, Jiao and Renshu were seated on one of theirs and the same for the three wolf brothers. For the next few minutes everybody ate quietly while taking in the early country air.
Fang, noticing his best friend's absence, spoke up, asking "Hey, where's Erdan?"
Shu looked down at the rabbit boy, with a small smirk. "Oh, he's spending some time with Yingyu."
"Alone?" Fang questioned.
Shirong, upon hearing this revelation, perked up his face from his bowl. "Wait, are those two?" He then looked to his wife, who suspiciously kept her head facing away from her husband, keeping her sheepish expression away from his view, in an almost futile effort to hide the sudden truth.
"Yuan… is our girl… on… a date?" Shirong asked slowly.
She simply stayed quiet, keeping her face away from him.
"Honey… I know that you know something that I don't know… so what do you know?" Shirong asked with a humorous tone, purposefully trying to play her sense of humor against her.
Finally, the mother couldn't take the pressure any more. She turned a bit, only showing half of her face before looking at her bowl and gave a reply as she took her chopsticks for another piece of food. "I promised Yingyu I wouldn't tell."
The husband's face lit up and his jaw slightly dropped. "Oh my… this is quiet a nice revelation, isn't it?"
Shu, wanting to share her excitement, added her own opinion. "I know right?"
Zhong, after gulping down a mouthful of water, commented "It is quiet a milestone, isn't it?"
Jiao, feeling uneasy, ate her soup and after swallowing, gave her own view. "Well, it's not normal, that's for sure?"
Everybody's eyes were turned to the middle aged wolf woman, who felt many gazes bearing down on her, ranging from questioning to curious. She continued to eat her meal before being asked by her daughter "What's so bad about this? He's finally taking an interest in girls!"
"Yeah, it's about time for him I say." Zhong added.
Yuan, puzzled by Jiao's remark pondered out loud "What do think is so wrong ab-"
"BECAUSE HE'S A WOLF AND SHE'S A DEER! It's… its unnatural!" Gen shouted.
"Huh, someone finally said it." Gin commented out loud.
The camp went silent, eyebrows were raised, questions suddenly popped into minds and a sense of slight regret loomed into Jiao's inner being. Looking at almost all the other campers, with their baffled faces, Jiao took it upon herself to correct herself of her views on the two teens deciding to date. "It's a simple fact that can't be ignored or avoided; Erdan is a wolf and Yingyu is a deer. Having two species… together is just going against the natural order." Jiao explained with slight disgust.
Shu, feeling infuriated with her mother's outlooks, stood a stared at her face to face. "And what gives you the right to choose who MY SON wants to have a relationship with?!"
"Shu" Jiao argued back. "Life isn't like a those romance stories you read when you were young. A person can't have a relationship with just anybody. There are boundaries, both physical and social, that's just how the world is. And not to mention if two species try to have offspring, it would be an abomination to nature. And let's not forget; he's a commoner… while she's royalty. Even if they tried, society wouldn't allow it."
Anger swelled in Shu. The very sight of her own mother, trying to dictate someone else's life sickened the young she-wolf. Shu was so furious she felt about ready to march over and give that woman a hard slap on her face. Luckily Zhong grabbed his mate's shoulder and silently urged Shu to calm down. After a second of critical thinking, Shu sat back down and finished her meal. The recent drama that just unfolded left an uneasy taste in everyone's breakfast as they finished eating. Jiao ate her food, her mind set in stone with the principles and values her family cherished and preserved.
"You're wrong, so know." Yuan stated to Jiao.
The middle aged she-wolf looked up at this royal woman, who for some unknown, incomprehensible reason, disagreed with her views on relationships.
"Excuse me?" Jiao replied in mild shock. "Lady Yuan, surely you understand my point of view? The world is simply not a fairy tale."
"No, it can be, at least not how you perceive it." Yuan protested.
Jiao muttered a scoff, a natural reaction of hers. "Really, Yuan, you as a royal of noble birth understand?"
Yuan took her cup, filled with tea in her hooved paws. "No, I wasn't born a noble." She revealed before taking a nice long sip of her tea.
A solid moment of silence came as everybody froze with disbelief.
(Fire Emblem Fates ost – "Implore he Dawn")
"WWWHHHAAATTT!?" shouted almost all the adults at the campsite, while Fang just covered his ears from everybody being so loud all of a sudden.
"What!?" Renshu yelled, almost spitting his soup.
"How is this possible?" Jiao asked in great shock.
Yuan finished her tea and set the cup down on her lap before answering. "Before you ask, yes I was once a commoner, I worked at a store years ago. I lived like any other woman. I worked my life, for days and days."
"What happened?" Gen asked with intense curiosity.
"I met Shirong." Yuan answered as she turned to her love, who had having their infant on his lap.
"Shirong, you chose to marry a… a commoner!?" Jiao asked.
The noble father's attention was brought in full as he answered the lupine family's burning questions, telling of the events of years past between both him and his wife. Keeping his baby relaxed on his lap, Shirong told the tale of two unique lovers as nearly the whole camp listen with extreme intrigue
"It all started seventeen years ago. Back then, I acted and behaved no different than the self centered, egotistic and prideful image that many of noble birth have, the reputation you all probably think off when the topic of royals or people of high houses come to mind."
Shu listened and simply couldn't image the selfless, compassionate and humble Lord Shirong as a prideful and self centered ass like so many royals. Shirong continued.
"I made a trip to a small city in the northern lands, in an attempt to negotiate and possibly forge a new alliance for my brother, Great Emperor Huangdi. My efforts were successful, and my brother's empire had acquired a new ally. But before me and my company left the city, it was then that I saw… my love first time." He recounted before giving a loving smile to his wife.
"Yuan, what was it like for you?" Shu asked.
The royal lady slightly chuckled as she gave her side of her family history. "Well, I didn't make it easy for him, as I remember."
"But I won your heart, dear." Shirong protested.
"Yes you did… eventually." Yuan replied.
Puzzled, Jiao asked "Eventually? Wouldn't a commoner jump at the chance to marry a wealthy noble?"
Yuan answered calmly. "Well… truth is I didn't want much to do with him, at first."
"Oh, you wound me, my love." Shirong commented in a humorous tone.
Yuan smiled before continuing. "When he first approached me, I rejected him, thinking he just playing a sick trick, like another wealthy, 'respectable'-" Yuan said while making air quotes with her hooves. "man who treated my late mother terribly. So I avoided him and wasn't even willing to give him the time of day."
"So how did you win her heart?" Zhong asked the father deer.
"It was difficult-" Shirong answered. "It was the first time in my memory when what I desired wasn't given on a silver platter. I stayed for weeks in that town. My royal guards urged that I return to my palace repeatedly, but I was determined to win Yuan's affection. So I stayed. At first I approached her time and time again, but each attempt resulted in failure. She had a very anti-noble foundation in her mind. Eventually I chose to stay my distance, and watched her and the village people go about their everyday lives. I watched her leave for work and return home in the evening, and the same for her neighbors. Every night I stayed at the inn and as I laid on my temporary bedding, I stayed awake, thinking of how to win a chance with her, even if it was just a sliver of a moment. And then… I chose a course of action that would be seen as drastically extreme in the eyes of my fellow nobles."
"What? What did you do?" Renshu urged, eager to know more.
Shirong took a dramatic pause, to build tension for his reveal. "I performed an honest day's work. I decided to ask the owner of the tavern where Yuan worked in if I could help out? Needless to say, he was speechless, and my bodyguards were baffled beyond belief. But I worked as a waiter from sunrise to sunset."
"Unbelievable" Jiao muttered. "Yuan, what was it like for you?"
"It was… bizarre… to put it the best I could. He certainly didn't do a good job at first. He kept spilling the drinks on the floor, messing up orders and actual got into an argument with a drunken bum." Yuan giggled as she was handed back her baby, Yuing before continuing. "So, after seeing this high house man getting his hooves dirty, and living like us commoners for a day, I decided to help him. If somebody is going to do a job, it should at least be done right. So I taught him how to wait tables, and keep the serving trays balanced and how to resist insults or advances from drunkards."
Shirong moved the story forward. "Never before had I ever struggled like such. Being born into a royal lineage, your surrounded by people who worship the ground you walk on, servants who tent to your each and every need and all aspects and elements of life, be it a roof over your head or a warm meal, is given to you without delay. But there I was, for the first time in my many years of living, working a job I hated in the pursuit of something I wasn't even promised for in return. I dealt with crude customers and demanding orders to serve. I worked for hours and when the day finally ended, I was drained of any energy. I sat on a chair and rested on a table, exhausted and unsure about myself. Then, she approached me and brought some drinks and dinner for the both of us."
Yuan spoke up. "After seeing this man of great esteem and reputation slave away in the tavern like I did, I decided that maybe he's worth giving a chance after all. So, I took some food that came out of my pay and had dinner with him. We talked and ate. He mainly complained of how awful of a job it was, and the attitudes my boss and the customers gave me, even though I was doing my best. But we conversed and soon after we warmed up to each other."
Shirong took his turn to speak. "But it was then, at that moment when my life changed. Before then, all my life I was taught to see peasants as nothing more than lower people, workers whose only purpose was to serve us high men. But for that whole day, I lived like a commoner, and I saw all the struggle and hardship millions are subjected to… and that was simply just their way of life. I realized my citizens are real people, many of whom don't see nobles as grand or as glamorous as I was taught since boyhood. In a way, I'm actually envious of them. They must truly be a great people, to be willing to suffer so much for so little in return." The entire camp was speechless, especially Jiao while he continued. "I thought long and hard that following night, and it was in those dark, cold hours, that I decided to change my life. To help my people, and use my wealth and status in any way I can to fulfill that desire. That night… I chose to spend the rest of my life… serving my people… instead of them serving me."
Yuan finished their story. "When he told me about his new resolution the next day, I knew he couldn't do it alone. He needed someone who knows common people, someone who understands them fully." She then looked at her husband fondly. "So I joined him and soon after I accepted his proposal, married him and together, we set out to serve our citizens."
The entire camp was baffled and emotionally moved by the grand drama they just witnessed. Shu smiled while a tear escaped her eye, Jiao and Renshu smiled in satisfaction, Zhong hugged and kissed his girlfriend, Gen, Gin and Ru were amazed by the tale that was told and Fang sat on that same log, snoring for nearly the past half-an-hour.
Zhong looked down at the bunny boy, nudged him and asked "Fang, did you hear it all?"
Rubbing his eyes, the young rabbit replied "N-no."
"When did you doze off?" Shu asked.
"Um… the part about… Erdan and Yingyu?" Fang answered tiredly.
("Implore the Dawn" ends)
((()-()))
(Fire Emblem Fates ost – "Petals in the Wind")
As the gathering of campers shared dramas and memories of past, a little ways from them, two teens sat in the middle of the large, luscious field. Bright green grass beamed with light, rays of sun shined with warmth and cool open land air breezed across the beautiful plains. Erdan took Yingyu down to the spot Zhong told him about, the same small patch of low grass he and Shu enjoyed the previous night. The young wolf and deer strolled down the small hill as a royal guard followed behind while staying his distance, and understanding the young lady's friend better today. The teens were aware of him, always remaining vigilant and ready to protect his assigned noble, but as the hour went by, the idea of getting comfortable wasn't easy, knowing that a pair of eyes are always staring down at them. Regardless, Erdan and Yingyu enjoyed their date, the first for both of them. They sat and ate their breakfasts as they made small talk. However an almost awkward air loomed around them. From both of their parents encouraging sparks of young love, to feeling closer (both physically and emotionally) together, even just bit, the two teenagers were careful of what to say or do, nervous of accidentally speaking or behaving in a manner that potentially could be taboo in the realm of relationships. Yingyu couldn't help but divert her eyes at Erdan's form. Though he wore shorts and a vest over his torso, his fit figure was still partially visible. Knowing her stares only made the both of them uncomfortable, Yingyu tried her best to refrain from letting her drives rule her actions, just as her mother advised. Eventually Erdan came to find that sharing stories from recent past helped to ease both him and his date, and afterwards it wasn't long before he and her started laughing and enjoying their time together.
"Wait wait… so, you and your father were assaulted by your own relatives, and mistaken for wild savages?" Yingyu asked as laughter seemingly burst from her vocals.
Erdan, sharing in the humor himself, explained in further detail. "You see, first my dad went in and noticed everything was different, because my new grandmother changed everything in the store. Then my new grandpa tried to attack Zhong, but was pinned down when my dad noticed he wasn't alone."
"Oh I bet Jiao took that well." Yingyu commented.
"She rushed in holding a kitchen knife and called him a ruffian or a bandit or something like that." Erdan elaborated.
Yingyu could barely contain her laughter. "And let me guess; Your mother was angry?"
"Furious" Erdan replied simply.
"At who, you and your father or her relatives?" Yingyu pondered out loud.
Erdan paused for a moment before answering in a simple tone. "Yes"
Again the sounds of humorous joy was all that could be heard from the two as the wind gently breezed to the east.
"Your family gatherings certainly sound more exciting than mine." Yingyu said as she calmed down.
"But your royalty, you get to spend every Winter Feast with the Emperor at the capitol." Erdan replied.
"Yeah, but to tell the truth, it can get dull after a few trips." She explained with a hint of reflective boredom.
"Huh… I would've thought that having servants at your beck and call, eating fine foods and spending time with noble families would be a nice time?" Erdan thought out loud.
Yingyu rolled her eyes, the perceptions of high royal life baffled her at times. "It not all glamorous you know?"
"How so?" Erdan asked.
"Everybody expects you to wear your best all the time, to present yourself with proper posture and attitude, never speak unless spoken too and show gratitude of the upmost respect for your host-even if the food was… distasteful." Yingyu explained, shuttering at the memory of some of the cuisine she bared through at royal dinners and elegant banquets. How in the world people could enjoy such dishes was something the young lady may never fathom.
"Hmm" Erdan muttered, deep in thought. "But doesn't being a noble have its perks too?"
"Sure, but in a way, your entire life is predetermined for you. In a way… I'm kind of envious of the lifestyle you have."
"And how is that?" Erdan asked with a now curious mindset.
"Erdan, everything you've done in your life is by your own choice. You go to bed and wake up whenever you wish, you eat whatever food you crave, you pursue a life as a Kung Fu Master that was your own choosing, you even decided what clothes to wear – or what lack of wear."
"But didn't you choose to take up archery by yourself? I thought your dad was different then most nobles?" Erdan asked, curiously invested into his date's perspective.
Yingyu groaned before answering. "He is… but our personal guard on the other hand…"
"But aren't they just protecting you?" Erdan asked.
"Not to this extreme. Before recently they weren't as… intensely invested as before." Yingyu corrected.
"Why are they acting like this now?"
Yingyu pondered a moment as she got herself comfortable again on the soft dew grass. "You remember Liang, that guide that attempted to poison my father?"
"Yeah, I do… and he probably remembers what I did to him that night." Erdan said as he thought back on that mysterious and tense weekend, when he first met and befriend the girl whom is now his date.
"Ever since that failed assassination on my father, my Uncle, the Emperor, has been worried about more assassins lurking nearby, so he assigned us his best men all the way from the Imperial City. Ever since they've taken their jobs protecting our family, Captain Duizhang and his men influenced our retainers, and now everything in our daily lives is determined by someone else."
Erdan listened as she complained and ranted, which went on for almost twenty minutes. Yingyu talked and vented on and on about the frustrations of her current life. Finally, she let out the steam that desperately needed to be let out.
"You feel better now?" Erdan asked.
"Ye-yeah, kinda." Yingyu replied.
Erdan thought a moment, and remembered someone she mentioned just a little while ago.
"Hey, whatever happened to that Liang guy, and how is your dad doing with shutting down those slave mines?" Erdan asked.
"Not that good." Yingyu answered with a disappointed tone. "Shortly after we left the Jade Palace last year, my father had Liang the guide in custody and was planned to be interrogated. But after a few weeks of him saying nothing, we got a report from the prison he was being kept in; Apparently there was a riot, and then a mass breakout and by the time my father's men arrived, Jiang was gone. The only lead to shutting down those slave trades ran away in the night."
Yingyu sighed as she fiddled with a blade of grass that blew along with the wind.
"I'm sorry Yingyu." Erdan said softly as he placed his paw on her shoulder.
"It's ok… my father is taking it fine." She replied, though not in a reassuring mood.
"You sure?" Erdan questioned.
"Yeah…" She muttered.
A moment of silence came. The only sound heard was the wind blowing and whistling through the air. Erdan looked at his date, simply sitting and toying with a piece of flora. He remembered the various pieces of advice he was given about relationships, whether from his parents or his new relatives. Once he took a minute to think it over, Erdan concluded on his next course of action.
"Hey Yingyu?" Erdan spoke, gaining the deer girl's attention. "You want to… uh… t-try… something?"
"W-what?" Yingyu asked, her voice just a nervous as his.
Erdan didn't say anything, and decided to let his physical actions speak for him. He scooted right next to Yingyu, and after a second of mental preparation, slowly brought his face to hers. Yingyu blushed and soon became speechless, yet eager. She said nothing. The two teens slowly came close and looked into each other's eyes. Erdan came closer, Yingyu shut her eyes and soon they-
("Petals in the Wind" ends)
"LADY YINGYU!" The voice of Captain Duizhang shouted.
Quickly the two teens broke away from each other and looked behind them, and at the captain rhino who stood between their little spot and the camp.
"LADY YINGYU, WE'RE PREPARING TO LEAVE. I RECOMMEND YOU RETURN AT ONCE!" Duizhang yelled.
Yingyu groaned before shouted back "I'LL BE RIGHT THERE!"
She then stood up and picked up her bowl and chopsticks, then began to walk up the hill.
"Well… I had a-a nice time, Erdan." Yingyu complimented.
"Y-yeah, me…too." Erdan replied.
Getting up from her spot on the soft ground, Yingyu gathered her bowl and chopsticks before turning around to return to the camp. Erdan did the same and watched as his date took a few steps away, then turned around and looked back. She had a small smile, but a hint of disappointment could be detected on expression. Holding her bowl in her hooved hands, she mentally came to terms with the finale of her first outing with a boy. "I… I had a… a nice time, Erdan."
He paused for s second, still not entirely sure of what to do or say after the failed attempt just a couple minutes ago. For a brief moment he allowed his instincts to take over, only to have been ripped apart by an intruding outsider.
"Y-yeah… I had fun too…" Erdan replied, his voice shown with some regret.
Yingyu nodded and proceeded to return to her family. Strolling behind her, Erdan walked and became lost in his own small mental world, a self-made debate revolving around regret for the outcome of his first time alone with a girl. A small piece of his mind wanted desperately for another chance to revel in that sudden surge of passion, the slight sliver of young affection. Dwelling on this back and forth mentality within his head, Erdan remembered the advice Gin gave him from the aftermath of the feast Shu's family hosted recently. ('Kid, you got looks, you got muscles, now all you need is the charm. You gotta sweep her off of her feet and impress her right off the bat.') Erdan took a quick moment to think, and then decided to stop debating on what to do, choosing to act out with his instinct and gut feeling. Catching up to Yingyu, the teen lupine patted her shoulder with his finger.
"What is it, Erdan?" Yingyu asked, only to see him stay still and quiet. "Is there something wrong?"
("In High Spirits" returns)
Erdan breathed in and out, braced himself, and in a moment, grabbed the underside of his vest and pulled upwards, taking his torso attire entirely off. He dropped his vest and bowl on the soft grass and held his arms down, allowing his body to be shown. Ynigyu blushed instantly at the sight of young strength. Her control couldn't be contained as her eyes stared at her date's developing figure. Just as before, his arms were shown with biceps and growing shoulders, his stomach was slim and his chest featured rounded pecs that stood out the most. The young noble girl was speechless, breathless. The sensation she felt before returned, now greater than ever. Her breathing became a little intense, her heart pounding like a drum all while her mind could barely focus on anything else besides her date. Erdan slowly walked forward, the sunlight beamed and shined his bare upper body. Coming close to Yingyu, he held her in his arms and looked deep into her eyes. She dropped her bowl on the soft grass and latched her grip on his arms as he held her low. Her paws could feel the hard substance of his biceps. Taking her gaze from his face to his chest, Yingyu allowed her drives to overtake her for a brief second, when her other paw seemingly placed itself on his torso and felt the young warrior's pectorals. Though they were still developing, his chest muscles were a little hard and warm as well.
"Yingyu" Erdan spoke softly.
The deer girl's gaze diverted back to his face and in a second he came close. He brought his muzzle to hers, entering a kiss as she closed her eyes and lived in the moment. Erdan brought his muzzle back and released Yingyu. Her cheeks were still bright red and her mind going crazy with this newfound affection. Erdan then knelt down and picked up her bowl and chopsticks before presenting them to her. A few seconds passed before she even realized what he was offering, suddenly stunned by his display of manly charm. After mentally giving herself a slap, she took her bowl from his paws.
"Your family awaits, milady." Erdan said in the best confident tone her could muster.
Yingyu simply nodded and turned, but not before taking one last long glance at Erdan's body. As the young noble walked back to camp, her mind was flustering and her attitude giddy with delight. Looking at his date leaving, Erdan gave a sigh of relief. Now a sense of satisfaction settled within him. After putting his vest back on and picking up his own bowl, Erdan walked back to camp, now with a newfound feeling of what he assumed was romance. He didn't quite know how to describe it, but he suspected that now he gained a sliver of understanding of his adoptive parent's affectionate feelings towards each other.
("In High Spirits" ends)
After a full night and a peaceful morning, the campground was at last preparing to leave. Zhong and Shu's brothers took down and put away their tents, Captain Duizhang's men cleaned up the royal campgrounds and stored any and all supplies laid out back into packs royal guard carried. Jiao and Renshu loaded up their family rickshaw (Now stowaway free) and the royal carriers braced themselves for the next phase of the journey. The buff and half bare oxen readied themselves to transport and protect the royals any way they could. The Lord himself currently discussed a few last minutes matters with Shu before departing.
"You remember what to do once you arrive at the Valley, right?" Shu asked.
"Yes Shu I do, I will give the message you wrote out to Fang's parents, and notify them that he is fine and he will spend time with Erdan and you all for a week, correct?" Shirong replied.
"Um, yeah, that will do, thank you." Shu answered.
"Oh I'm glad to do a favor. Just remember what I told you, about your family… ok?" He asked.
Shu paused a moment before answering "Y-yes… I'll remember."
Shirong gave a formative nod as he saw his daughter return from the field with a rhino guard close by. The young lady went over to join her mother and baby sister, who were standing and waiting for their departure. Yuan noticed her daughter arrive with an almost baffled expression and blushed cheeks.
"So Yingyu, how did your first date go?" Yuan asked curiously.
The teenage noble stayed silent for a moment, her mind still within its own little world of new and exciting emotions.
"Yingyu?" Yuan asked.
The mother snapped her hooves, which brought her daughter back to reality.
"Oh, sorry mother its just… I had a great time." Yingyu answered happily.
"I can see that, I take it you and Erdan had a nice little moment?" Yuan asked further, beaming a smile of her own.
"Oh yeah, and I-" Yingyu spoke when the Captain interrupted.
"My ladies, we're about to leave, I suggest you return to the travel cart at once." The head rhino said.
Yuan held Yuing, her baby in her arms and got ready to continue their journey. She turned to Yingyu, informing that they will discuss the girl's first date later as they joined Shirong, who was with the family of wolves. Yingyu looked and saw Erdan and his pack had joined her family to see them set off. The pack of nobles and family of lupines were both set and ready. All that was left was to give their farewells… at least for now.
Shirong, stepping forward to shake Shu's paw spoke first. "Shu, Zhong, Erdan, it was an honor to have good time of fellowship while it lasted."
Shu smiled, replying "It was a nice time, we loved having you all with us for the night."
Yuan went to the young she-wolf's parents, whom were sitting in their family rickshaw. "It was nice to meet you all, and to have your pack's company for a change."
"the honor is ours." Renshu replied.
"It's not every day you meet a noble, not to mention share a meal with them." Jiao complimented. "You take good care of your family."
"Especially that husband of yours, he's a respectable man… if ya get what I mean?" Renshu said.
"Oh I know what you mean. Take care and enjoy your vacation." Yuan replied.
As the parents were saying their goodbyes, their first daughter was giving her temporary farewells also. She joined Erdan, the emotions from before still lingering a bit within the both of them.
"I really enjoyed our date, Erdan." Yingyu said with a smile.
Erdan, trying to be just a confident as before, spoke with as smooth a tone as he could make. "Well, If uh… you had a nice time… maybe we could… have another… some time?"
Yingyu chuckled a bit before replying "I think… I'd like that."
Suddenly Erdan felt something climb up him, and in a second Fang seated himself on the wolf's shoulder. "What's going on with you two?"
Both the wolf and deer smiled before Erdan answered "It's something you'll get later."
Fang raised his eyebrow in suspicion before turning to Yingyu. "Yeah well, don't forget, he was my friend first."
"Yes Fang, I'll remember." Yingyu replied. "Take care, and behave yourself, ok?"
"Yeah, yeah…" The bunny replied, causing to two teens to laugh a bit.
Suddenly, their humorous moment was broken by the sudden shout from Shirong. "Yingyu, come now, we're leaving!"
"Ok father!" the deer girl shouted back.
With the farewells finished, the royal family and the pack of lupines waved each other as Shirong, his wife and their daughters settled into their royal cart, the oxen held it up and they set out towards the Valley of Peace, escorted by Captain Duizhang and his men. Just minutes later, Shu's family resumed their own travels and as they slowly walked, Erdan thought about the new and exciting experience he shared with his first date. Shu noticed this, and joined her son's side while Zhong took the first turn carrying her parents in their rickshaw.
"I take it your first date went well?" Shu asked.
Erdan, brought out of his daze, replied "Hmm? Oh, mom it was… just… something else."
"I'd like to all hear about it, if you'd like?" his foster mother asked.
Fang popped his head out of Erdan's back pack, protesting "I don't!"
The mother and son lupines laughed at the bunny's reply, resulting in Fang shaking their humor off and resumed his napping in Erdan's pack, which was cleared of any nails or posters and stored on the rickshaw instead. Deciding to leave the talks of his first time with a girl for later, the family of wolves, now officially accompanied by a mischievous rabbit boy, continued their journey to Shu's childhood home and to their vacation.