Don't Fall, part 23
FIC START!
Fabul Castle stood tall and proud even though it had been through various wars filled with monster attacks and explosions throughout the little Blue Planet's history. It was here that Sakinah found herself staring up, trying to take it all in. There were warrior monks posted at the front gate, atop the front gate, and many other places around the castle. And she could hear them inside the walls, training in groups. She had seen the lady knights of Troia practice their battle skills within the castle back home, but just hearing them from outside the walls now, she was overwhelmed. Every grunt they leashed with each blow they made sounded like a large roar. She wondered how they all could be so disciplined to do it all together like that.
Kain announced their presence. "I am Kain Highwind, commander of the Red Wings, and I bring with me the Skyreader of Troia, Sakinah Skylar," he said in a very loud, booming voice. Perhaps that was just Fabulian culture, and with Sakinah being raised in a matriarchal society, she simply was experiencing culture shock.
"You don't have to do that," the monk said with a half laugh. "We know who you are."
Kain shrugged. "I'm standing at the gate of Fabul. Even if I am not a manly presence normally, being here makes me want to try."
There you go, selling yourself short again, Sakinah thought as she watched the gate open for them. The couple walked through the gate together, and now the loudness of the monks in training within the courtyard hit her ears at full force. She turned to watch them, rows and rows of monks all wearing the same uniform of a karate gi, all making the same movements at the exact same time. A punch, a punch with the opposite hand, a kick, another kick, a jump kick, and then a shift in body position. Again, and again. It was mesmerizing to watch. She'd never seen anything quite this intense before. How much of the world had she really missed out on being cooped up in Troia all her life?
"What do you think?" Kain asked her. "It's something else, isn't it?"
"It sure is. Even the lady knights back in Troia weren't into it like this," Sakinah replied.
"The lady knights of Troia are respectable in their form, they just train much differently than we do," said a voice Kain recognized instantly. "Though I'll never understand the appeal of a thin rapier over the full force of a fist, but I believe that's a matter of my upbringing speaking."
"Yang," Kain bowed his head, and Sakinah hastily did the same. She'd remembered something about Kain mentioning Yang being a king. She didn't want to seem rude during her first visit to this country.
"Stop that, I get enough of it from the people who live here. I don't need it from a friend," Yang said, and both the travelers lifted their heads. "I received the letter from Damcyan… and I have sent word to Baron. You don't need to worry any longer. We can send you all home with a ship from our docks." He smiled. "But before you go, let us give you rest and fill your bellies."
"That sounds nice," Kain said, also smiling. "Forgive me." He placed his hand on Sakinah's shoulder, which caught her a bit off guard. "Allow me to introduce you to my companion, Sakinah."
Yang put both of his hands together and bowed respectfully to Sakinah. "I am pleased to meet you, Sakinah. Your efforts as the Skyreader back in Troia have saved my people several times over, and I am in debt to you," he said before standing more casually. "Come inside. You must be weary. The trek across Mount Hobbs is never easy."
"While I am exhausted, I would prefer to speak with the paladin in training," Kain said. "Where has Ceodore gone off to?"
"Ah, yes, the princeling has been accompanying my daughter every day since you made for Troia," Yang explained. "I haven't seen a young man that smitten with anyone since the days my darling Shelia and I crossed paths all those years ago, ha ha!"
"He was supposed to be here for endurance training with your men…" Kain grumbled.
"Yes, and you were supposed to be leading effort to help Troia rebuild after a terrible flood, but you come back with a lovely lady," Yang said with a shrug. "I suppose Ceodore emulates you far more than you would like to admit." Kain's face suddenly blushed scarlet red.
Sakinah wanted to keep in her laughter, as she was afraid she would irritate Kain, but she did agree with Yang. Kain's men were still back in Troia even now… and here he was on a much more personal quest, doing his own thing. "He aids me on a quest for the Epopts of Troia," she said, trying to cover for her beloved dragoon. "Do not misunderstand."
"This is not what the letter from Damcyan detailed," Yang said.
"Edward and Harley… they see love in everything…" Kain grunted.
"And what is wrong with that?" Yang asked. "It is love that motivates us to be our best selves, is it not?" He shrugged. "My love for my wife and my daughter are what keep me being the best man, the best king I can be. And what more do I need? Hell, Cecil, Edward, and I have always thought you needed something similar so you could enjoy life more."
"Do we have to discuss this so casually?" Kain asked.
"Love is casual, Kain. It can be formal, but it is best casual. I'm happy to see you have finally found someone to give your heart to. Now maybe she can give your future allies a frying pan to wake you if you are ever in an enchanted sleep by Sylphs." Yang laughed with every muscle in his body, as if he was the happiest man to be alive. "If you'd rather, I'll have Shelia take care of Sakinah, and we can go track down the wayward children."
"Wayward?" Kain asked.
"If Ceodore is following Ursula, then you can rest assured, those two are wayward."
