Chapter 12: Distractions

We made it to the capital city after a week of travel, having spent the nights camped in tents by the side of the road, or in villages we passed through.

The night was settling in over Hoshido – a golden sunset filtered through pink cherry trees which lined the main road to the city. Two guards clad in a polished silver bowed low to Prince Ryoma as our party rode in.

Princess Corrin's hair glowed amber in the light as she twisted this way and that on her saddle, taking in all of the sights. At one point, she leaned over heavily to inspect a bar, which a pair of young adults had chanted their way inside. Jakob reached over from his own horse at this, to pull his liege upright and prevent her from falling. She apologised, and appeared to have been chastised enough from then on.

Before leaving the markets which made up the main street of the city, we finally dismounted the horses and continued on foot. A guard let us through a gate, and Princess Corrin marvelled again at the sprawling gardens of Castle Shirasagi. A few gardeners watched curiously, but soon returned to their work.

Finally, Captain Omozu called a halt, but Prince Ryoma beckoned Princess Corrin to continue. Jakob frowned, before moving beside Kaze, Saizo and Kagero, who were also following Prince Ryoma.

I stopped beside Eldegai, and listened to Captain Omozu's speech.

"I wish to say that it has been an honour serving alongside each of you. Our posting at Shadowgift Fort may not have been an ideal situation to begin, but without it, we would have remained strangers."

Captain Omozu moved down the line of soldiers, clasping their hands with his briefly, and exchanging private words. Before he got to my position, however, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

A guard stood, glaring up at me from her short height. She was ginger and stocky, and one hand rested readily on a lance hilt. "The high prince requests your presence in the throne room."

With a nod, I moved to follow her, but she instead gestured for me to lead the way. From the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of her grip around the weapon tightening as she trailed behind me.

...

Prince Ryoma frowned at me upon my entry, but it could never add to the tension already palpable in the throne room.

"King Garon is not your father, my child," Queen Mikoto shook her head sadly, holding Princess Corrin's hands gently.

"But why would he lie to me about that? I don't understand..."

"You don't?" Prince Takumi spoke up, his arms crossed off to the side of the room. "Do you really think a kidnapper would be so honest?"

"Takumi..." Princess Hinoka beside him, warned.

"No, I know that, but..." Princess Corrin tilted her head, then turned to her butler. "... Jakob?"

The Nohrian frowned briefly that all attention had been brought to him, but he shook his head, "I'm afraid I knew nothing of this, milady. When I came into your service those years ago, neither I nor any of your other staff knew your true origin. The King had mentioned you to his court as another child from one of his many concubines. Nobody thought to question it."

"And what about when Azura went missing as revenge?" Princess Hinoka asked crossly, "Did nobody ask questions of that?"

"Princess Azura?" Jakob asked, "The king had many children, and many died from the machinations of his even more numerous lovers. I regret most thought of her as another victim of that senseless conflict."

"I'm just not sure what to think..." Princess Corrin mused to herself. "It all sounds so unbelievable, and yet... There's part of my heart which says it must be true."

"S-sister... Please..." Princess Sakura pleaded, tears in her eyes. "M-mother and... And all of us... We've been so desperate to see you home and... N-now you are!"

Queen Mikoto swept over to the youngest Princess to envelop her in an embrace. Prince Ryoma cleared his throat.

"I'm sure you need time to process this, Corrin," he said. "As do we. We have all been waiting for our sister's safe return for many years. I, for one, would like to be sure I know how I want to spend every day from now making up for lost time with you."

His family murmured their assent, and he turned to his retainers. "Saizo and Kagero, would you please show Corrin and her retainer to the guest bedrooms for now?"

The two ninja nodded. At a silent cue from the queen, Prince Ryoma and his siblings also left the throne room. Princess Azura hesitated, but joined them when Prince Takumi looked back at her.

"Derek, come forward," the queen requested. "I need a full report of what happened. A letter can only say so much."

I nodded, and told her of what had happened to me since I left with Reina.

"We were at the fort for a week before the arrival. Omozu made an inventory of all the weapons and supplies, and... He accepted the plan to trade the fort.

"When Corrin arrived, we sent someone with terms. As expected, Hans was an issue. Our archers fired at him, so he hid," I was briefly reminded by a sight of Araksi wielding her first yumi in training...

"I can't believe him!" Araksi complained, afterwards. "I just asked him if he'd ever seen the Fujin Yumi in person and he actually hit me with his bow! He'd just gone over how an archer should never manhandle a yumi! What a hypocrite!"

"Had he seen the Fujin Yumi, though?" I teased her.

Araksi glared, setting down a plate with a slight clatter, "He didn't say." She paused, giving a thoughtful pout, "He was pretty cool, though."

Eldegai laughed.

I shook my head, "Uh... Omozu had the bridge cut to trap the princess, then managed to arrange the deal. She was being led across, but... Camilla had followed her. She... Tried to rescue Corrin, or something, but failed, and had to retreat. But Hans used the opportunity to attack again too.

"Ar... Five Hoshidan soldiers fell into the Bottomless Canyon," I reported, trying not to remember who one of those soldiers had been. "Gunter and Hans both also fell."

"Was Gunter an issue, as you had predicted?" Mikoto asked.

I paused, "He and Jakob were both against Princess Corrin surrendering herself. Kaze made a light knock out drug- uh, medicine."

"I see. Continue."

"Lilith saved Corrin, and... That's it, really. Ryoma arrived not long after to- Oh! Rinkah!"

Mikoto held up a hand, "I know. Her father has disowned her... Not long after you had left, in fact, there was an invitation," Mikoto scrunched up her face, very briefly. "He wished for me to send somebody to meet with him. His wording was... Oddly specific, in that he seemed to want to speak with one of my daughters in particular.

"I was almost tempted to send Hinoka, because she could easily defend herself from him. And Sakura could go with her, to show that I was not scared. Sakura has always wanted to visit the Flame Tribe, after all... But then I remembered your warning, and sent Lady Kahua instead. As the ambassador for their people, she was more familiar with the terrain."

"Ah..." I nodded, just finally glad to know the answer to an unanswered question I'd had from the game.

"Next, Derek, we must plan ahead. You have, for the most part, earned my trust. Any misgivings I have about your loyalty now are only due to my base nature, which I cannot change. Still, I shall not question your judgement. Your warning about the Flame Tribe, though uninformative, became incredibly useful. I would appreciate any other potential information you may have about our other allies.

"But before that... We must discuss my death."

Mikoto said that with such a casual air that she may have well have mentioned the weather. This was a conversation I had dreaded – it would only be now that my presence in the world would truly begin to change things.

Mikoto stared at me, before smiling warmly, "It may seem grim, but I have accepted that fate. So long as I may spend the last moments of my life knowing that my children and my people are safe, I shall go to the other side happy."

I frowned, "But... What about defeating... Or saving... Um..."

The Vallite queen of Hoshido raised a hand, "I do not wish to place that burden on anyone else, least of all my daughter. Corrin is blameless in this. She did not choose to be born into such circumstances. Taking on such a heavy responsibility shall remain her choice. I should be more than proud of her regardless of what she chooses."

"But... What about Azura?"

Mikoto looked down, "My sister, Arete, was always the more ambitious one. When we escaped that place, her plan had been for the both of us to seek the aid of the neighbouring kingdoms. For me, it was too difficult thinking of what we had lost. Arete, though... It was only when Azura came to me, telling me what had happened, that I realised there was a curse, and how close I'd come."

"But that's..." I clenched my fists, "Did... Did I ever tell you there were three versions of this story?"

"Three versions?"

"The pl- reader could choose the story they wanted. Should Corrin side with Hoshido, Nohr or neither? Choosing no side was the best choice, all around. It was only in that version of the story that Corrin united both kingdoms to... Save the world.

"Choosing either Hoshido or Nohr meant a temporary peace, but not without major deaths on both side. And the peace was broken by... That place. Azura managed to unite enough people to pull off a pyrrhic victory, but...

"My point is that going after An... That goal is the safest choice."

Mikoto simply nodded, "I see. Of course, I do think that should be the preferable choice, but... There is no 'reader' deciding for her. This remains Corrin's to make. If you are suggesting there will come a time for her to make this choice, then we may guide her, but never force her hand."

Reluctantly, I nodded.

Mikoto sighed, apparently seeing something that displeased her in my expression, "I understand your concerns, but you are not my only advisor. I have spoken at length about this with Yukimura, though of course with less specifics. Azura has also agreed to support Corrin in my absence."

"Your... Abse..." I repeated, suddenly coming to a realisation.

Mikoto smiled, "I take it you have had some sort of idea?"

"Yes..." I blinked. "I have... I have a plan. And you will not die."

...

"Derek, may I speak with you?"

I looked up, surprised to see that Princess Corrin had entered the library. My old escorts, Ju the pink haired mage and Azize, the short club woman, were now guarding her, but were currently in conversation with Jakob, who had demanded to remain with her at all times.

"Princess Corrin," I greeted. "What can I do for you?"

The princess glanced behind at her protectors, before turning back to me and wiping a silver lock from her face. "I've heard that you're not from Hoshido. And you don't seem particularly Nohrian, so... I was wondering where you were from."

Ah. That question again. "You're right... I'm from neither Hoshido nor Nohr. I'm from... Quite a long way away. A different continent, actually."

Her eyes widened with surprise, "You mean, you're from across the sea? That's amazing!"

I made a non-committal grunt. Perhaps I would tell her the truth some day, but for now, I had a mission.

"Telling you about all of the cultural differences between here and my home land would take too long, I'm afraid... But what about you, milady? How does what you've seen of Hoshido compare with Nohr?"

Princess Corrin's face fell, "I'm afraid I couldn't really say. I was locked in a tower for most of my time in Nohr. But... Hoshido does seem like such a beautiful place so far. I can't understand why our nations can't just get along."

"Do you know why Nohr is so dark and desolate compared to the bounties of Hoshido, milady?"

Princess Corrin shook her head, "I'm sure I was taught it, but I can't remember."

"Every few decades, the skies change," I began. "It's a big event, but there's no real way to tell when it will happen. When it does, though, Hoshido will become the kingdom of darkness."

Princess Corrin tilted her head, "If both countries know what the extremes of the changed skies are like, shouldn't they work together and help each other out?"

I pursed my lips, resting a hand on one of the books on my table, "Probably, yes. But King Garon and late King Sumeragi had their own methods of dealing with the problem. King Garon wanted to unite the kingdoms together, to make a big country under one ruler that could weather any storm. But King Sumeragi thought it was too dangerous to have one person in charge of so much land. The smaller countries would get worried, and instead he suggested trade deals."

"But father, I mean, Garon, turned down the trading suggestions?" Corrin peered interested at the history book I had touched.

"Yeah... Yes, milady. He said that it would give too much trading power to one side. In this case, Hoshido would be able to make ridiculous demands and sell to Nohrians for absurdly high prices."

Princess Corrin considered the arguments, then frowned at me again, "Are you a noble, Derek?"

"No, milady."

She smiled apologetically, "I was under the impression that literacy rates were low among lower classes... Forgive me."

I let loose a laugh, "Reading was one of the few things I was good at. It was taught to everyone back home, but I actually liked to read."

"I see," the Princess smiled again, "Still, you keep addressing me in a formal way... You don't have to, you know? I want to be friends! At the very least, we foreigners have to stick together!"

I hesitated before returning her smile. She was... Perhaps not naïve, but genuinely far too innocent and friendly for her own good. "Thanks... Corrin."

Her smile grew wider as she nodded approvingly. Then, she pulled the chair beside me out, so she could sit at the table. The books I'd placed there detailed both the governments and policies of Hoshido, and traditions associated with minor countries.

"Isn't Rinkah from there?" Corrin picked up a book about the Fire Tribe, glancing inside.

"Yeah," I closed the book I'd been reading regarding Hoshidan folk tales and selected another heavy tome from my unread pile.

"What are you doing here, anyway? Are you looking for something in particular?"

"Military tactics and strategies," I told her immediately, before pausing and looking at the astronomy book I'd apparently picked up. "And... A way back home."

There was a small, almost imperceptible "oh" from beside me, before Corrin suddenly jumped out of her seat.

Azura, stood right behind her, also jumped, and moved her hand away from Corrin's shoulder.

"I apologise," Azura said, after both princesses had regained their composures. "Sakura wanted to spend some time with you, Corrin."

"Oh!" Corrin sat up enthusiastically, "That sounds great! Thank you, Azura."

"It's not a problem," Azura responded, as Corrin rose to her feet.

She bowed low to me, "I'll see you later, Derek. Thank you for talking with me."

"No problem," I replied, and watched the silver-haired maiden leave the library. Her guards soon followed.

"They still do not trust you," Azura observed in their absence.

"What? Who?" I blinked, "The guards?"

"Yes," Azura replied, still looking at the doorway. "I heard their talking. Your... abilities frighten them."

Azura's face was as neutral as ever, giving nothing away. I bent awkwardly to scratch an itch in my ankle as I asked, "Do you?"

Azura turned to me, frowning, "Do I... Trust you?" she closed her eyes. "Mikoto assures me you have our best interests at heart. Your seeming resistance to damage, and your body's distaste for healing magic are both certainly unknowns. At the very least, I do not fear you like many of the guards do."

"Have you heard just how bad a fighter I was in training?" I scoffed, before smiling at her. "But still... Thank you."

My only response was a brief nod, followed by a brief pause then, "Mikoto wants to have the ceremony this Saturday."

I frowned, "The short notice plan?"

"Yes," Azura responded. "She was able to convince Yukimura that assassination was a legitimate fear. Damage with our council and allies will be mitigated by large cash sums."

"What about Mokushu?"

"Igasato, as you suggested, is dealing with them," Azura responded. "Kahua still has no word from the Fire Tribe, but Mikoto has given them special status."

"Oh," I stood, pursing my lips, "As long as it goes well."

"Yes..." she paused, then frowned. "You should see your friend."

It was true. I hadn't seen Eldegai since we had returned to the capital. Honestly, I had made an effort to avoid him, having avoided the kitchens and dining alone in my room. I told myself it was because people still viewed me as a monster... But shutting myself off wasn't helping the rumours.

"It's... Complicated," I told her instead.

"Not everyone deals with grief like you, by shutting yourself off with distractions," the princess said. "Some people need assistance, and your friend seems one of them."

The Hoshidan folk tale book seemed to be calling to me. "That's... Not it." I faltered. "I mean... What could I say to him?"

"Don't say anything. Simply be there for him in his time of grief."

"But he's not grieving," I began, and immediately regretted it. But I continued, "We don't know she's really dead."

Azura looked down, "Grief is for loss, not just death."

Of course I knew that. I'd had to learn. The shadow of a wave loomed over me, and I bowed my head, trying to make it go away.

"Derek," Azura said, forcefully. "Your answer will not be found in one of these books."

My eyes suddenly became very interested in the book directly within my line of sight. Without moving my head, I studied the cover fervently. How was the gold embellishment of the letters done, I wondered.

Still, I could hear Azura's words... And the cold eyes of the pegasus rider falling to her death. And Araksi's laughter. And my mother back home, who I had left behind. And all of my failures piling on top of me, until I couldn't breathe under the weight of it all. The wave was on top of me, but the water was freezing and taking me with it.

"Well, I'll leave the decision with you," Azura sighed.

My eyes snapped to the side, where I could just barely see where her dress met her legs. She was moving to leave, but I still could not lift a finger.

I remained like that for an hour before I regained proper control over my breathing.