Note : Sorry it took long again (but I don't think this interest people that much giving the number of review or message). I think it's safe to assume that I might take more or less one month per chapter. And I actually have no idea of how chapter two should be called. or basically any chapter.(expectmetochangechapternameatanytime)
Chapter 3 : The prince and the plot device
Summoned by the king, Gotoh reached the capital where he would be charged with an important task only to dump it on Bantu.
The trip had been long. At least he was spared of the usual goofiness of the guards, it would have tired him to explain to each that his presence had been requested by the king himself.
While he was waiting, his gaze wandered through the window on the city bathed in sunlight below the castle.
It was impressive to see how much the millenium court had changed since he leaved a hundred years ago under king Constantine.
The man really revendicated his Altean roots, the traditionnal classic style of Akaneia had been replaced by more generic functional Altean architecture.
Not far, on the hill, could be seen the new obnoxious palace, it bright white walls and blue roof of the main building barely visible behind the numerous towers that seemingly sprout randomly from the castle without any order or logic.
Gone was the majestic dome of the old palace, pride of the akaneian architect, missing were it gracefull towers, witness of their skill.
The old palace was now serving as an intermediate court, and as a gate in the wall that was being built to cut the city from the new palace.
(It is a shame, for the rulers to cut themselves from their people)
Finally, a page invited him into the king study, breaking his though.
It was a rather big room, with painting hanging on the wall, with curtains to hide them if the king felt like it, and a great detailed map of the continent of Archanea with the old frontiers and major cities was carved on the floor.
An ornated desk was placed facing the door and of course, a glass bay was behind so that it would blind any visitors. The shield of seal was hanging above it, completing the scene.
King Hadrian was in his full battle gear, looking at the city thoughtfully through the gap of the closed curtains, holding Falchion as if it would vanish were he to release it.
The chancelor, a man in his late 50 clothed in a rich green sage garb, was right beside him, watching the door, most likely waiting for Gotoh to enter.
He discretly notified the king of Gotoh arrival.
"Ah, Sir Gotoh, pardon my rudeness but I am expected somewhere soon, so I'd like to get straigh to the point."
The king was obviously tensed. It made sense considering his grandfather basically banned Gotoh from the holy kingdom of Akaneia. But Gotoh was willing to let the actions of a person speak more than their lineage.
"I understand, my lord, so tell me, why did you summoned me after all these years?"
The king played nervously with Falchion's hilt as he gestured toward the map on the floor. Red and blue token were set across the map, more accuratly on the west side of the continent. He proceed to explain.
"You see, last month, we finally were able to root off the valmeses outside the mainland. They have been withdrawing their troops to the sea and it is our best chance to put an end to this mad war. If we manage to cut off their retreat, we might be able to deal a final blow to their then undefended empire on their land. It's a risky move, but one I am willing to take."
"Do not forget it is a war that your grandfather king Constantine started in his delusion."
It was a test to judge the king's temper. Much to his pleasure, the king didn't got angry, but let out a big sigh. He was wiser than the previous one.
"I know, Sir, and this is why I cannot let it befall on yet another generation. I would have liked to negociate, but i am afraid the Saint King Konrad is too angered by the action of my predecessors, so the price for peace would be too high for the country to pay. Therefor this part of war is crucial, and as the king, I shall command the army directly to end the war. This is why I am leaving. Your role if you accept, is to ensure with my friend Marius that my son, the prince Ylisse, receive proper education, and were I to go missing during the campain, assist him in his duty for as long as you can."
As soon he said those word, a knight entered the room and informed the king that the army was ready to leave. He faced Gotoh one last time.
"Well Sir, this is farewell for now. I deeply apologize for the actions of that my grand father and father have taken, and I wish you to know that I have lift your exile and that I am ready to make public excuses on my return. I was hoping maybe you would accept to come back teach magic at the academy."
Hadrian then followed his knight out of the room. The meeting was brief but the king made an overall good impression on Gotoh. He was a noble man that knew what was at stake and strived for peace.
The chancelor then came to Gotoh, hand extended for him to shake. He took the offer and listen what he had to say.
"Sir Gotoh, it is a pleasure to meet you. I look forward working with you in the future."
"Sir Marius I presume."
Marius smiled and gave a short bow.
"Indeed. His majesty was in quite a hurry, so allow me to fill you with the details. I am currently chancelor and I will be regent of the kingdom until king Hadrian return. However, I fear that the situation of the continent is ... unstable, even if we take the valmeses out of the picture, so much to my regret, I may not be able to help the education of prince Ylisse with you during the campain, so i am trusting you with this task."
Well that was suprising. Why would a man give up such an easy chance to get further in the good grace of the royal family, and the royal successor over that ? Something was fishy, and Gotoh gave the chancelor a sever gaze.
"N-not that I am letting you take all responsibility, but the young man say he have nothing to learn from me ! Not much more from his teachers either. He's ... well, you'll see."
Gotoh stroke his beard. He would like to meet the prince, but if he did not need a teacher ...
"I understand. Maybe he should make a tour of his kingdom to catch a glimpse of the task that will await him as the king. After that, he may realize he still have much to learn, as we do all."
"I-I agree, but it might be dangerous for the prince life to go alone outside of the Akaneian region in this time of war. That's the reason he wasn't allowed to go outside of the capital until now."
"Hum ? Well, he must have some bodyguard to protect him and close friends that also train for battle does he not ? The war is currently shifting in your favor according to the king and Marth managed to survive in a far less forgiving time, with a far less favorable odds, did he not ?"
"I... I guess you are right. Very well, I shall allow him to go outside, just make sure he is constantly under cautious watch. You can find him by the court of the inner palace at this time of day, usually sparring with his friends."
"Thank you. But before I take my leave, can i ask you a few questions ?"
"Sure, I will try to answer with the best of my ability and knowledge on the matter."
"About the unstability of the kingdom you mentioned, does it relate in any way to the desertification of the altean region ?"
"I-I do not know how you are aware of that ! This is a state secret but yes it may have some hidden influence, but more specifically, the region has become agitated. The latest years of war had taken place in that region before they were repelled to Grust a month ago. The region is virtually ruined and starving, and the progressing desertification doesn't help with food shortages. With all that chaos, it was enough for a local lord to start reclaiming independance for Altea, under his rule of course, but a good part of the population support his cause actually. Those people are desesperates and cannot see that they will die of hunger if we really cut off everything, but from their perspective, without the war started by the kingdom, they wouldn't starve. Now how did you learn about that !?"
"Do not forget that while I have discarded my dracostone, I am still a manakete. Even something slow like desertification would never goes unoticed by my observing gaze."
"I-I see, please, forget my outburst, I am simply stressed..."
"I understand. Now I have a request, I wish to travel to the Marmothod desert, so would it be possible to gather an expedition team ?
"Huh ? You do not intend to travel with the prince ?"
"Helas, no Marius, I am afraid that if he won't listen to you or his teacher, he has no reason to listen to me. But I have recently met someone who is also eager to see the world and I believe it would be for benificial for both if they were to travel together. Meanwhile I need to investigate the ruin of Thabes."
Marius let out a sigh. He was probably upset at the idea that none of them chosen by the king to ward his son would actually do the job.
"I see. Well, with most valid men enrolled in the army, gathering a skilled expedition team for a place as dangerous as the desert will take some time. I will publish a bounty right away, but you may have to wait some month, even with the kingdom backing you up for fournitures, to have a full expedition into the desert."
Gotoh touched his beard, thoughtful. Time was the least of his worry.
"Do not worry, I have time. Thank you for answering me, I shall now talk with the prince."
They parted with a final handshake.
He found the prince in the garden, close to the wall. He was assisting to a sparring match between two knights -for a brief moment, the image of Abel and Cain overlapped their- while a blond girl was standing at his side.
While both were using wooden cavalry longsword, "Abel" was assuming a defensive stance and was carefully watching "Cain" movement, waiting for an opening in "Cain" furious assault. "Cain" was trying to break "Abel" balance, and was unsuccessful because the later was quick enough to parry all his blow, however "Abel" had to back off under the strengh of the hit so he had to make sure he never had an obstacle behind him to not be cornered. The fight was dragging on in circle and due to always be attacking with fierce blows, "Cain" knew he would hit his stamina limit before "Abel" did, so he decided to put all of his might into a vertical smash intending to take the recoil on "Abel" sword to keep his momentum and sweep behind his guard but "Abel" saw through this and instead of parrying the blow, he took a step to the side and swoop "Cain" legs while he was off balance.
"Greeting prince Ylisse."
"Cain" made a quick roll, passed under "Abel" horizontal sweep and gave him a strong kick in the chest. "Abel" found himself laying on the floor and a sword pointed on his neck.
While he protested, "Cain" offered a hand that he took before everyone turned to face the newcomer. The prince took initiative and talked first with a nonchalent sign of the hand.
"Greeting Sir. I take that you are a new teacher my father found and deemed usefull to send me."
That wasn't a good first impression. It looked like he inherit more of his great grandfather suffisance than his ancestor kindness or his father wisedom.
He understood why the chancelor had dumped the prince on him, and he was starting to feel guilty about now sending him to Bantu and his ward.
He bowed quickely before answering. He needed to get on his good side to convince him to travel with the dragon because he had the hunch that it would be better than just picking some bodyguard. Better for everyone.
"Well, my lord, not exactly. You may know that your father is currently leaving to the frontline of the war and I am supposed to educate you. However I am aware that you are very confident in your skills, so you will likely not even listen to my teaching."
"Indeed, Sir, I am proud to say I am as ready I can ever be, I know everything about the kingdom, from it's availible ressources, to geography politic situation, and my tactical talent is cunning according to the royal tactician that currently assist my father."
He said all of that with a complete confidance, right hand on his chest and the left behind his back, standing straight and with a perfectly even voice.
"He's also a skilled duelist, none of us managed to beat him during our sparring session."
It was the blond girl who spoke. With her straigh posture and elegant clothing, she looked like she belong to nobility. From her tone and slight blush looking at the prince, she was most likely in love with him.
"Aww, come on Lizzie, don't be modest ! You bested him once !"
"But it wasn't a duel Isaac ! It was a battle training and I had the weapon triangle advantage !"
(Ah, so she is not just a noble courting the prince, she also have some military training. Most likely as a pegasus knight.)
"But a victory is still a win, and history will retain nothing else."
"Not you too Eugen !
Isaac and Eugen high fived and laughed at the furious red "Lizzie". She apparently wasn't at ease with having beaten the prince in a battle. Then Ylisse spoke again.
"Hem. Please excuse my friends, sir, they are not the most serious people around."
"Well you certainly are the most stuck up person around. The old man is most likely more laid back than you !"
Smiling at Isaac comment, Gotoh straightened and faced the prince.
"I see you are quite a merry company. So as I was saying, my lord, I don't think I have much to teach you right now, but I caugh that you never made ot past the city, so with the chancelor approval, I propose you to go outside the city and see the country that you will one day rule."
The prince suddenlty was more interested in what the old manakete was saying.
"Really ? Can I really go outside !?"
"If I tell you."
The prince jumped in the air and his friends came to congratulate him, seemingly forgetting that Gotoh was still there.
"WOUHOU ! I finaly can make it outside, YEAH !"
"However."
That simple word stopped them in their joy. Everything seemed so close yet so far suddently. Whatever will come out, it would only be restriction to certain exciting areas, or even worst : a new limit to not trespass, maybe the original kingdom borders. They looked at Gotoh silently, awaiting the sentence.
"I humbly ask you, if you will, to start your journey with the ice dragon temple. There, you will meet with my friend Bantu and his ward, who is as excited as you are to see the world."
A huge relief gained them, they all relaxed and after agreeing to pack their equipment to leave tomorrow, the prince answered to Gotoh request.
"Of course we will. It would be an honor to accept your request, you, our benefactor. Thank you for bringing us such a good new, certainly you must not be a stranger to that decision."
After that he bowed shortly and took his leave to prepare for the upcoming journey.
End note : So I tried several things during this chapter such as :
-an action scene. It is certainly bad, but like everything, it should have good points (maybe?) and weak points, so if you will, please tell me what you liked and didn't.
-focus on characters actions during dialogue to try fleshing them (?).
If you were bothered by the info dumping, please say so (I will just try to figure out how to improve that so you don't feel bored)
Also sorry, the loli dragon will come back next chapter.