Keiji is given a gift by Camilla and settles into his new life in Nohr.
Gift
Sunrise. Time drags by at a snail's pace. You've turned the hourglass on the dinner table four times since waking up. You perch on the window's wide-open ledge and gaze out to the sprawling cityscape below to dull your boredom. To ease thoughts of Flora's departure, also. The latter sadly isn't working.
Throwing and catching a serrated dagger, you take in Windmire's splendor from your bird's eye view. A view of the world works wonders for widening one's horizons. Words imparted by your swordmaster sensei many years prior. Sage advice you took to heart.
Far below is Krakenburg Bridge, and further to the northeast is the nearest of the city's several slum districts. Those dwelling the grubby streets there are small and nondescript from where you sit. There must be hundreds of them though. Now, you're one of them. A Nohrian. One of Camilla's chosen.
The cold morning air bites at the surface of your skin. You hug your arms around your middle to stave it off and sigh thoughtfully.
A lone carriage sits at the foot of Krakenburg Bridge; the one thing you dwell on despite your best efforts. You wouldn't be giving it more than a passing glance if it weren't for a certain girl with icewater hair climbing inside. Her striking purple dress makes her easier to spot even from this height.
"Flora..." You sigh sadly. Your dear childhood friend. Your savior for having unknowingly sparked your rebellious flame and freed you from the trappings of Hoshidan service. A woman to whom you owe more than many.
A coach driver climbs aboard the carriage's front seat and gives the horses a stiff whack with the reins. Slowly, the carriage pulls away.
Your heart sinks, and you give an aching goodbye smile. "Farewell, my dear friend," you whisper. "And thank you for always being at my side." You choke out a small sob and avert your gaze from the carriage. "I'll miss you..."
For the longest time you remain at your window and watch the world; Watch the people. Anything to distract you.
This is your home now after all, at Camilla's shoulder. A life for a life.
The door's squeaking hinges get your attention. You glance over from your perch and narrow your eyes a touch. A young lassie with striking red pigtailed hair adorned in a gambeson coat walks toward you. Selena.
A woman you've little time for, either. Given what she did to Felicia.
"Need something?" you enquire coldly, eyes turned again to the open window out of disdain.
"Yeah, I do," answers the redhead snidely. "Lady Camilla's ready for you, so come with me. I'm not in the mood to wait."
Camilla expressed her desire to have you outfitted with Nohrian attire about a week or so prior. Two of her seamstresses arrived in the wee hours of Monday morning to take measurements for the task. Though you haven't been summoned before now, you've heard whispers out in the hall of a small band of well-paid artisans working through the night at her request. The piece they're working on is apparently a coat, and rumoured to be very expensive.
"The coat's done I take it?" you ask.
"Mmm-hmm. So stop sitting around and come with me already."
A request from this young lady you would refuse in a heartbeat. Camilla is a different story though.
"Very well," you comply with a displeased mumble. You swing your legs back over the ledge and hop down onto the floor. You then brush a hand through your windswept black hair and nod in agreement. "Lead the way. I'll keep pace."
"Whatever," Selena groans impolitely, rolling her eyes. "Just don't lag behind, you rogue."
You keep quiet and follow, discarding the insult levelled your way.
You notice something while walking beside Selena. She doesn't appear native to these lands. She looks more out of place than you do as a Hoshidan, in fact.
She has neither the sharp features nor dark eyes of a Hoshidan. Nor does she have the typical stocky build, a fair complexion or blonde hair befitting a Nohrian. Her snowy skin and bloody red hair make her stand out. The only woman you've seen with a similar shade of hair as of late is Miss Anna.
Though you're fairly sure of the response you'll get for asking Selena of her origins, you'll go ahead all the same.
"A question if I may, Miss Selena."
"Whatever," she huffs. "Just make it quick."
"I'll wager you're not from these parts, are you?"
Your prying earns a small but no less audible gasp from the girl.
"No... I'm not. And where I'm from is none of your damned business, either."
"As you wish," you utter under your breath.
Rounding the corner with Selena, you see Lady Camilla. She stands with arms behind her back, leaned patiently beside a statue depicting a bespectacled gent donning a noble cloak. She grins approvingly at the sight of you both. "I see you brought Keiji for me. Thank you, Selena darling."
The princess then ushers you and Selena to her sides and has you both walk at her sides. You are at her right and Selena is at her left.
You're led down a narrow and corridor lined with aged but well-polished suits of Nohrian-styled armor. Commoners and serving girls alike curtsey as Camilla passes them by, quick to step aside for her where they can despite the lack of space. Most are all too happy showering the noble lady with endless compliments. Though the expressions of a few sour somewhat quickly afterward, you notice from the corner of your eye.
"And here we are," Camilla announces, bringing you and Selena to heel outside a faded oaken door slaked with dust and cobwebs. She steps ahead of you and Selena and gives it a sturdy shove. The wood groans under pressure and the door swings wide. "Now, come along you two."
You and Selena follow Camilla inside.
Bugs skitter underfoot as you enter an old storage room of sorts. Decayed boxes and discarded weapon racks clutter the furthest left-hand corner. A musty queen-sized bed sits opposite, half-collapsed under the weight of a cobweb-laden storage chest with a broken lid. Thin strands of orange morning sunlight filter through a tiny plain glass window to the rear of the abode - the only source of illumination. Age-old dirt and filth encrusts most of the place. Not to mention the scent of mould hangs thickly in the air.
"This room will be yours, Keiji. Once I've had the servants clean it, of course," Camilla informs you. "Now, gaze upon the lovely clothing I have prepared for you. My finest seamstresses worked to the bone nearly every night this past week getting it just right. I want you looking dashing when you join me in battle."
At the room's centre stands an ornate mannequin brandishing a lengthy coat. It resembles the attire of a noble swordsman at a glance, but with striking differences in the color and design to those that you're accustomed. The main body of the garment is midnight-black with elegant white buttons and trim, and a solid, regal half collar. You take the item into your grasp and feel the inner lining, noting the vibrant crimson hue (and heavenly softness) of velvet. It's sublime to the touch. Stitched into the back of the piece in contrasting silky-white thread is the Nohrian insignia.
You shiver at the very notion of how much coin clothing like this cost.
"Try it on," Camilla encourages. "I am eager see how you look."
"Very well." You slide on the coat. It hugs your torso as welcomingly as a second skin. "Perfect. Absolutely perfect."
Almost too perfect, in fact.
"Wonderful!" Camilla applauds. "You'll not soon be forgotten by those we liberate while adorning such a piece."
Even Selena looks the slightest bit flushed at the sight of you.
You raise a brow, intent on teasing the girl. Subtle vengeance.
"Is something the matter, Miss Selena?"
"N-No! Everything's fine!" the lassie barks, folding her arms and huffing.
"My my," Camilla hums, patting Selena's head. "You do look awfully red."
"I-I said I'm fine, milady!" the girl flounders further.
You and Camilla share a mutual chuckle for what must be the first time since your arrival in Windmire. Poor Selena wilts like a flower.
You've spent the last few days since Camilla presented your new coat familiarizing yourself with Windmire.
Charlotte has kept you company for most of that time, too. Wherever you've gone she has usually followed - be it on your first patrol of Krakenburg's castle courtyard to your first outing to the city at large. She's stuck by your side diligently, drank with you; acted as a guide and otherwise guarded against those who sought to exploit your Hoshidan kindness for personal gain.
Tonight is no exception. Again, she is here in your room. Busy reading, she sprawls across your bed.
You watch the world from your window ledge, meanwhile. Glorious Nohrian landmarks span as far as the eye can see. You make out spires and towering churches amidst the seas of poor districts and barren farmland on the outskirts. The sun is setting, signalling a close to this nation's jarringly short daytime.
You smile graciously, and with just a touch of sadness. You'll miss this window when Camilla's servants finish preparing your new room down the hall.
"Windmire is certainly quite the place," you reflect.
Being here in Nohr's heartland is certainly hardening your viewpoint as well.
Musicians in Hoshido once called the years-old skirmish turned bloody conflict 'The Ballad of birthright and Love'. You don't agree - not after seeing Nohr for yourself. There's nothing romantic about this conflict for the commoners of this country. Not when so many are dirt poor and desperate.
How eager to are to help them. To use your power for the good of others. For Nohr's Light.
A hefty book bangs closed, claiming your attention. You glance over your shoulder. Charlotte (clad in a loose-fitting solid-black nightgown) sets the thick, aged tome atop your bedside table.
She brings a hand to her mouth for a moment and yawns loudly "I'm done for the day," she declares with irritation.
Just as she promised to help you with learning Nohrian, you in-turn promised to teach her some basic Hoshidan.
The latter is not going well.
"At your wits end, I take it?" you ask with a smirk.
"You're damn right... The larger phrases in this book are damn killers."
"No luck then. A shame. Shall I help?"
"If you want to," Charlotte answers, irritation cooling in her voice. Flopping upon the bedsheets, she massages her temples to ease the stress. "But just one more page. I ain't about to get myself worked up over this crap."
A fair enough compromise. She's had her nose to the books for an hour.
"One more page it is then," you agree. You drop down from the window and join the blonde on your bed, ready to help.
"How'd children learn this stuff?" Charlotte asks with a fair amount of displeasure, cuddling up next to you.
You shrug. You didn't think on it as a child. "They say a youthful mind takes easier to reading, I suppose."
"It's not reading I have a problem with, Keiji. You Hoshidans use these strange symbols. They're not even letters!"
While you understand Charlotte's complaints, it's not as though Nohrian lettering is any easier to understand. Instead of single symbols with precise meanings, you have to combine several letters to make whole words. It makes sentences too long. The very thought makes you wither. Worse, these Nohrians read left to right. Reading right to left is far more sensible.
"Exactly, and each of these symbols is a whole word," you explain to the frazzled blonde.
"And just who thought that was a good idea?!" Charlotte growls.
You pat her back supportively and chuckle. "Blame the scholars of old, not me."
"Blame them?!" She raises a hand and scrunches it into a fist. "I'll beat them senseless."
She brings open her tome again and thumbs to her previous page. "When I asked you to teach me Hoshidan, I didn't think it'd be this hard," she mumbles, narrowing her gaze and staring down the kanji with scathing intensity. "What's this one mean, the square with two lines through the middle?"
"It's the symbol for 'sky'. It reads like this: 'The maiden found peace in the midnight sky'"
"Forget it." Charlotte slams the book closed a second time with a deep groan. "No more, I just can't." She then scrunches her nose in disgust. "This is annoying." Rolling over, she flops face-first into the pillows and growls like an angry wolf. "Pour me another drink, would you?"
"Steady there, you're rosy-cheeked already," you smirk. "How many is it now? Four?"
"Five," Charlotte clarifies, lifting her face from the pillows. "But we're not on duty... so there's nothin' stopping me."
You reach for a fresh wine bottle and pop the cork, pouring two tall cups full to the brim with smooth ruby liquid. The sweet scent of grapes is pleasing on a cold night like this one. Nohr certainly has quite the variety when it comes to beverages; you'll praise where due. Passing Charlotte her cup, you scoff with amusement, "I suppose this means you're not returning to your room."
"Problem?" winks Charlotte. Throwing her head back, she chugs down the entire cupful of and lets out a refreshed sigh.
"Not at all," you answer shortly, taking a sip of your drink and savoring the flavor before swallowing. "It's only fair you stay here after I visited your room."
"You're damned right!"
You stare into your cup, swilling the red liquid before setting it aside - out of temptation's grasp.
A part of you hopes and prays the women you left behind in Hoshido are alright. You want nothing more than for Corrin to strive ahead without you, all while hoping Felicia is in your mother's protection and getting the care she needs.
"Still worried about the maid?" Charlotte asks surprisingly kindly, disarmingly. She crawls closer. Clasping her palms against your face, she brings your gaze in line with hers. With a teasing purr, she then inches nearer. Her breaths tickle your skin.
As for Flora, you hope Hoshido has given her a second chance.
"She's safe," you reply, letting the blonde to drape her arms around your shoulders. "Nothing else matters."
"If you say so. Sounds to me like you've got too much on your mind." Charlotte slides one of her hands over yours, guiding it to her bosom. There she keeps it, her lips rising into a heated smirk. "How 'bout we blow out the candles 'n relax? I'll let you slip off my gown..."
"Not tonight," you refuse politely, bringing your lips against Charlotte's forehead in a quick kiss. "I'd rather hold you like this for a time."
I ain't about romance," Charlotte says with a soft frown. "Thought you had me figured out."
"For a lady so uninterested in romance you certainly cling to me tightly," you tease with a raised brow.
Charlotte's face flushes a deep shade of pink. She brings her overwhelming strength to bare, shoving you against the sheets. There pins you, her wavy golden locks spilling over your chest like ribbons. Seconds fizzle out. The well-endowed fighter presses an ear to your chest and taps her fingers to your chest in the mirror of your heartbeat. At ease, she slinks one of her toned; curvy legs around your waist.
"Okay, you've got me," the blonde concedes affectionately. "But tell anyone I've a softer side and I'll kill you, Samurai," she adds with a mock frown.
"I'd never do such a thing, Miss Charlotte. I'd hate to ruin what we have here, after all," you say with fondness, brushing your fingertips through the lassie's luscious strands. "You're a good lass."
"Oh? How so?" Charlotte asks with a raised brow. "And tread carefully; you know I ain't one for shallow compliments."
"I've overheard the rumours people spin of you; the chattering of servants with too much time on their hands. None of it's fair."
Charlotte's breaths hitch. She keeps deadly quiet and hugs you tighter. "And just what are they saying?"
"I think you already know."
"I do. Not that I give a damn. But what about you, Keiji?"
"You're not a gold digger; nor the supposed bitch they claim you are."
"Good answer." Charlotte pecks your forehead in thanks.
"It doesn't bother you at all?"
She shakes her head. "Let 'em think what they want," she answers with bile, "I have you n' my parents. I don't need much else."
Your companion's words give way to a confession the likes of which you never thought you'd hear. "You need me..."
"You're good enough... for now, idiot." Charlotte brings her eyes closed and lays her head against your chest. "You'll do fine helpin' me out; least until we win this war 'n get my buddy Benny out of Hoshido's dungeon."
This is Charlotte's second time mentioning this 'Benny' fellow. She has a fondness to her voice when he's mentioned, too. You can't help but wonder how deeply their bond goes. It's not any of your business, true - but you've grown closer to her in recent days. "Benny? Is he a lover of yours?"
"Nah, he ain't nothin' so sweet," answers Charlotte contentedly. "But he'll be in the front row at my wedding - if I snag the right kinda man before gettin' too old. We got along great... 'till he surrendered when we lost the Border Wall."
"We'll get him back," you reassure her. "Hoshidans don't execute prisoners. And you'll find a worthwhile suitor, I'm sure."
"I ain't doing bad already," Charlotte utters quietly, kissing the nape of your neck.
Her praise makes your heart flutter. "I aim to please, milady."
Tired, you shut your heavy eyes. Days in Nohr pass swiftly while somehow feeling endless.
Much-needed sleep awaits.
Midnight sees you watching the world while Charlotte lays fast asleep in your bed, wrapped up snug in the sheets. She snores softly, muttering the occasional word here and there. Not even heaving the hefty window shutters ajar awoke her.
Or so you thought.
You hear the unmistakable patter of bare feet across the stone floor not long after climbing up onto the window's high ledge.
You look back. Charlotte walkw nearer sluggishly. Rubbing her droopy eyes, she yawns wearily. "Don't sleep well, do ya?"
"Not at all," you answer with a shake of the head. You offer the girl an outstretched hand. "Care to join me?"
Charlotte smirks droopily and grabs your hand. "Might as well, since you insist on being awake." She climbs up onto the writing desk, tactlessly knocking off books and parchment paper as she goes. With an additional gentle pull, you bring her onto the ledge.
"Move over," she says commandingly.
You shuffle aside and make space for the blonde. "Apologies. Sleep often evades me. You'll get used to it after sharing my quarters sometime longer."
"Not gonna happen," Charlotte counters with an evil grin. "A girl needs her beauty sleep. So, I'll just shag you tired next time."
As grateful as you are for the Nohrian's eagerness, you remain quiet.
"What's the matter?" the blonde taunts, "cat got your tongue?"
"Not at all. I just aren't falling for your games, Miss Charlotte."
"You're no fun..."
You look to the sky. Stars twinkle with innocence and splendour, an endless sea. The moon (with its mystical lunar light) sits high in the sky all the while. A silent protector of the countless thousands in the city below. Torches yet illuminate Windmire's sprawl even at this late hour, orange dots as though fireflies in their hundreds spread out far and wide across the urban expanse.
Charlotte snaps up your hand and squeezes your fingers compassionately. Her fair freckled features warmed by a smile, she's pretty beyond compare.
"Lovely view, ain't it?" she asks affectionately.
"It most certainly is. We don't have moonlit nights like these too often in Hoshido."
"Glad I'm sharing it with you," Charlotte confesses gently, laying against your shoulder with a tiny yawn. "Knew it'd be a waste killing you..."
"I'm thankful you didn't."
Raising your eyes to the sky again, you find it in your heart to smile. This precious instant fills you with determination to succeed.
"I'll get stronger," you proclaim with the stars as your witness. "I have to."
Until that day, here you will remain. A sword under Camilla's protection; freed and bound to service anew.
Not as a symbol of Hoshidan honor. Neither as a pillar of Nohrian strength.
You stand for the people. As a symbol of a brighter future.
As a follower of Nohr's Light.
End
You've reached the end of A Night with Corrin's revamped storyline. I hoped you liked it. As I said before, I'm still working on altering the first dozen Shadow of Nohr chapters to bring them in line with the changes. I'll post a status update on my DeviantArt page when it's done.
As ever, thanks for stopping in and I'll see you again very soon. Take care everyone!