To say Louise had butterflies in her stomach would be an understatement. At this point she had a whole silkworks there. Her family was arriving tomorrow. And the sheer weight of everything she had to explain to them was starting to become apparent. Where could she even start? Utsuho? Siesta? The void? Gensoukyo? It was an intertwined mess, and it would be a huge shock.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a clack as Siesta placed a cup of tea in front of her. "Something soothing," the maid said.
"Thank you Siesta." Louise sipped the tea. It was a little bitter, but it calmed her stomach.
Utsuho hopped on her shoulder and settled in. "I'm sure your family will understand. After all the princess will be helping to explain."
"I'm more worried about the explaining part," she replied. Eleanor's cheek pinches were something to be feared. And she had no idea how her mother would react to being challenged by a youkai from another world. "Still you're right. The princess being there will help. Now all I need to do is convince my subconscious to agree."
"I'd ask Koishi, but she's hard to find. And bad at helping," Utsuho said.
"Koishi? Who's that?" Louise asked.
Utsuho smoothed some feathers. "Satori's sister. She didn't like reading people's minds, so she did something to herself and went wandering. You've met her, but you probably can't remember since it was a casual meeting."
"Satori's sister?" Louise blinked. "And wait, I've met her but don't remember? Has Siesta met her too?"
Siesta looked worried. "Um, I don't think so."
"She did," Utsuho replied.
"You did," Louise echoed.
Louise and Siesta got to 'enjoy' a few moments being creeped out at that. Finally Siesta broke the silence. "Youkai are very unique."
"Yeah." Louise shook her head. "I need something to take my mind off this." Her eyes flickered over to the book Siesta had been reading. "Um... are you done with that?"
Siesta blinked and blushed. "Yes. It's... very good. For all her eccentricities it seems Satori is a good writer."
"I see." Louise hesitated for a moment before grabbing the book. "I'm curious so I guess I'll take a look."
"You'll have to tell me what you think after you finish," Siesta replied.
Louise flipped open the novel and started reading. Ninja huh? Something like an elite group of mages if she remembered right. So how did this setup lead to the story fragment she'd read?
She found herself reading deep into the night. And while the butterflies in her stomach were banished, she'd probably been blushing for an hour straight before she put the book away and got to sleep.
Louise struggled against the net, trying not to notice how close Siesta's body was to hers. Especially given their clothes were in tatters. She had to escape before-
A flicker of movement told her she was too late. The red haired ninja who'd been stalking them landed beside the net holding them. "My my. I was hoping for the Valliere princess, but it seems I've got a bonus."
"You'll never get the secrets out of us Kirche," Louise spat back.
"Oh, I'm after something far more interesting than secrets," Kirche said before moving to claim Louise's lips-
Louise's eyes flashed open and she backpedaled right out of Siesta's embrace onto the floor. Pain flashed through her elbow and she rolled around on the floor as her funny bone complained loudly about her treatment. She needed carpeting!
When she finished swearing she looked up to see Siesta looking down at her, her sheet held up like a barrier. "You slipped into my bed again Ms Louise."
Heat flushed through her cheeks. "Sorry. I was used to snuggling up to Cattayla when I was home." She wasn't going to explain the dream part. That was going to never come up again.
"You're worse than Orin with a kotatsu," Utsuho thought from her nest.
"I see." Siesta coughed. "Well... I suppose I'll get to meet your sisters today."
"That's right!" Her family was arriving today, sometime in the morning. "You'll need to wear your cape today." A proper cape was the sign of a noble after all. "That means you can eat in the Alvis dining hall as well!"
Siesta chewed on her lip. "I'd prefer to avoid causing a scene for as long as possible."
"Alright then. We'll meet up after." Louise still didn't understand Siesta's hesitancy, but she wasn't going to press the matter. She had her own problems to worry about.
The chattering of her classmates revealed Louise's imminent doom. She looked out over the courtyard yo see two large carriages driving up to the carriage house. Even from this distance the Valliere crest was visable.
"It'll be fine," Utsuho said, preening on her shoulder. "Really Siesta's gotta be way more worried."
Louise felt some of her worries fade away. That's was right. She had to maintain her composure to help Siesta. And it'd be much easier for Princess Henrietta to convince her family to let her go fight an army if she wasn't acting like a kid. She did her best to confidently walk out to meet her family.
There was a murmur from the other students as Siesta hurried out of the staff area. Her noble's cloak was a light cream, and she'd insisted on adding a hood to it. Louise had argued that it would damage her already tenuous standing to make the modifications, but she'd refused to give it up. Finally they'd compromised when Marisa told them about a cloak healing mages wore in the 'outside world'. Louise wasn't sure why fake cat ears on a hood indicated someone was a healer, but it did make it obvious Siesta wasn't just a commoner anymore.
It was also cute.
Louise stopped a respectful distance away to let her family disembark. First out was Cattleya and Louise smiled. She'd hoped her favorite sister would be able to make it. Cattleya shared her pink hair, like their mother, but unlike the rest of the family Cattleya was always cheerful and happy.
Someone leaned on her shoulder. Kirche gave an appreciative hum. "Huh. That's your sister Louise? Maybe you are a late bloomer. Interesting."
"What are you doing here, Zerbst?" Louise hissed.
"Just accompanying my fellow chevallier," Kirche replied with a grin.
"Louiiiiiiiiiiise!"
Further annoyance from her rival was cut off by Cattleya embracing her. Louise leaned into the hug. "Cattleya! It's been too long!"
"I know!" Her older sister smiled down at her. "It looks like you've grown a bit Louise."
"You're spoiling her." Louise froze as Eleanor's voice cut through her happy reunion. She looked over to see her other sister approaching. She'd inherited their father's blond hair, but her temperament made even their mother seem laid back. "Seriously Louise what are you doing meeting us with a Zerbst, and your maid dolled up like a noble! Think about our reputation." Louise's eyes widened in fear as her older sister's hands moved towards her cheeks.
Black wings intercepted Eleanor before the cheek pinching could begin. "Rude!" the raven squawked before resettling on her shoulder. Her beak clacked in disapproval. Louise's heart soared. She had the best familiar.
Eleanor stepped back in shock before turning her eyes down on Louise. "Why you-"
"Her familiar is correct." Her mother's voice cut through the argument, making everyone shiver. It wasn't yelling. Karin of the Heavy Wind didn't need to yell. She simply moved up and took control of the area. "Let Louise finish greeting us before questioning her."
"Sorry mother." Eleanor stepped back.
Louise gave her mother a curtsy. "I'm glad you could come."
"So are we," her mom replied.
"Now now, this is a happy occasion! We can show a little more emotion." Her father, Comet de Valliere stepped forward, smiling happily. "Give your father a hug would you Louise?"
Louise happily accepted her father's invitation. "Good to see you papa."
After a hearty back pat he stood up and looked over at where Kirche was standing. "And now could you introduce your friends?" Her father's tone was business now.
Louise nodded. She indicated her familiar first. "This is my familiar, Utsuho." The raven preened. "I imagine you've already guessed that this is Kirche von Zerbst. And this is my lady in waiting, Baronet Siesta Takeo." Siesta had decided to reclaim her grandfather's last name.
"Eh?!" Louise deeply regretted she couldn't turn and look at Kirche's shock. The expression on Eleanor's face made up for it. Even her parents seemed a little surprised, though they hid it well.
Cattleya of course didn't bother with ceremony. "Oh my, how wonderful! A pleasure to meet you!" Kirche stood transfixed as she was caught in one of Cattleya's hugs for a moment, before Siesta got engulfed in the woman's affection. Louise just grinned. It was always nice to see Catt bonding with new people.
Kirche recovered enough to bow. "Charmed. I hope our families' history can be set aside for this event."
"Of course," Comet replied. "In fact I want to thank you for helping my daughter catch that ruffian. However if you'll forgive us, I'd like to spend some family time with little Louise."
"Sure." Kirche waved and grinned. "I just wanted to see Louise's family after all. Have fun~!" Kirche gave a totally unnecessary wink before heading off.
"It seems we have a lot to talk about Louise," Karin said as Kirche walked off.
Louise gave a deep sigh. "A whole lot."
Fortunately the first part was easy to explain. Once they'd gotten a secure room Utusho had transformed and given her spiel. It was almost fun to see someone else on the other side of the confusion. Still she'd had to help answer a lot of questions.
"So," her dad said as he pulled his mustache. "If I understand you correctly, you're a magical being from another world. And you can transport freely between them, along with my daughter."
"Yep! God powers are awesome like that." Utsuho grinned from her seat. Cattleya had taken a seat behind her and was grooming the bird's wings, much to Utsuho's pleasure.
"And Louise, you decided to keep her a secret from the other students," her dad said.
Louise nodded. "Well from everyone. It seemed the smart thing to do at the time."
"For once I completely agree with you," Eleanor said with a tired glance at the bird. Louise had noticed her eldest sister grimacing repeatedly during Utsuho's spiel.
Karin folded her hands. "A wise precaution. Who knows other than us?"
"Princess Henrietta, Baronet Siesta, and someone who I swore not to reveal," Louise replied. "They share a similar secret." She wanted to tell her family about Tabitha, but she'd promised.
Her father pulled at his mustache some more. "I can't say I like that information being in someone else's hands. But I understand one must stand by their word."
Eleanor folded her arms. "So what about her?" She narrowed her eyes at Siesta. "Why did you take this... woman into your confidence? Even if she is a mage instead of a commoner, she hardly seems worthy of that trust."
Siesta flinched but responded before Louise could. "She hired me as a maid before she knew I could practice magic. I accidently walked in on them when Utsuho was in humanoid form. Louise hired me to protect the secret."
"And it worked," Louise added.
"Indeed. Now that I understand the matter better I have to say you make the correct choice." Karin nodded. "However we must speak later about your bargaining skills. While her rate is fair for a lady in waiting, it's hardly appropriate for a maid."
"To be fair," Siesta said, "she had to deal with a competing offer. Count Mott had offered me employment as well."
"That rogue?" Comet harrumphed. "No wonder he was so smug telling the story in court. Should have known he was in a snit over something. The princess really needs to reign him in!" Louise silently agreed.
Her father's muttering was interrupted by a heavy knock. Everyone spun to see the door open and Princess Henrietta walk in. Louise quickly stood and bowed, along with everyone else in the room. Except of course Utsuho, who just waved. Louise cringed at her mother's dirty look, but fortunately Princess Henrietta didn't draw attention to it. Instead the princess motioned them to return to their seats. "I apologize for my abrupt entrance. I hope I didn't interrupt any family matters?"
"No trouble at all your majesty," Louise's father replied. "Louise was simply telling us about her familiar, and lady in waiting."
"I see." Henrietta looked over to her. "I take it then you haven't had time to talk about your magic?"
Louise shook her head. That was going to be another big conversation, and she was glad the princess was here to support her. "Explaining Utsuho and the existence of other worlds took some time. As did dispelling some rumors." The worst part was it was still running around the school. Maybe she'd ask Henrietta to punish the headmaster in retaliation. Wouldn't be too hard to find a reason, given all the things he was guilty of.
Henrietta nodded. "Good. I wanted to be here for that part of the conversation. Especially given how it's going to affect our nation."
"Eh?" Cattleya looked up from Utsuho's wings. "Affect the nation?"
A glance from Henrietta told Louise the princess was letting her break the news. She took a deep breath and just said it. "I'm a void mage."
"What?!" Her entire family except her mother popped out of their seats in shock.
Her father was the first to get intelligible questions. "The void was lost! Are you certain? Perhaps your magic just reacts oddly with your emotions."
"No," Louise shook her head. "I'm certain I touched the void. It does mess up all my other spells, but I've managed to dispel magic." An explosion was still involved, but she didn't need to mention that.
Utsuho nodded. "I'm a void user too, so I can tell she's a void mage. She's learning all sorts of new ways to use the void as well."
"That's wonderful!" Cattleya said clapping. Louise smiled. Catt was always supportive.
"It is quite impressive," Her father said slowly. "But also dangerous. I can see why you haven't made a big deal about this." Comet heaved a great sigh. "Understand I'm proud of you little Louise, but I can't help but worry as well. Merely being able to use the void is likely to be a great burden."
Louise felt herself pouting. Why wasn't he jumping for joy? I mean sure she might have to fight a few people, but that was the duty of a noble right? He'd served in battle before. It didn't seem fair.
"Don't make that face Louise," her mother said. Louise's cheeks felt hot at the rebuke. "Your father worries about you. You're his youngest daughter after all."
Henrietta nodded solemnly. "And I'm afraid there's something else to worry about. You see, while Siesta is a mage, the magic she uses is from this Gensoukyo. Not the elemental magic of Brimir."
"Yep! It's gotta be her maid superpower," Utsuho said. Louise sighed and gave Cattleya a pleading glance. Her sister quickly caught on and started patting Utsuho's head, much to the raven's delight.
Her family considered that revelation. "Is it similar to the magic of the elves?" Eleanor asked hesitantly.
"I don't believe so." Siesta replied. "Of course no one understands the power of the elves, but my skills seem to lie in potion creation. That's why her majesty suggested I pretend to be a water specialist. The overlap is enough to keep people from noticing."
"However," Princess Henrietta said, "that question will come up in the halls of power when people learn about this new magic. Especially if other commoners can learn it."
Siesta rubbed her hands nervously. "Marisa, my teacher, said that it was likely two or three in ten commoners could use this magic. With one in ten reaching dot class power or greater. Nobles would be able to use it as well, but their elemental powers would usually be stronger."
"That's..." Everyone seemed shocked at that. Even Louise was having a hard time getting her mind around it. One in ten commoners becoming nobles? It would totally change the face of the nation. And that was if they just limited titles to those who were strong.
After a minute of silence Henrietta cleared her throat. "As you can see, this will create a great upheaval in Tristain. On the other hand, can we afford to throw away so many mages to protect the old system?"
"Hmph." Comet leaned back in his chair. "No need to pose it like a question. I already know your answer your majesty. And as worrisome as the changes are you're right. We can't throw away so many possible mages. You'll have the support of the Valliere family. However I hope you listen to my advice on the matter before making any big revelations, Highness. Especially given the royal wedding."
Henrietta gripped the table. "I am hoping Louise and Siesta can help make that wedding less of a political necessity."
Karin let her weighty glare fall on the princess. "How so?"
Louise moved to support her friend. "Utsuho and I are going to go to Albion, blast the rebel army to pieces, and get the royal family to put their country in order."
"Out of the question!" her father snapped. "Louise I know you have a great power, but war is no place for a young lady! Especially one who has yet to finish school." His gaze turned to Henrietta. "I know you want to keep the fighting away from our lands, but this plan is madness!"
"Nah, it's actually pretty easy," Utsuho said. "The hard part is not blowing up any cities we want to keep. I could do it myself! But Louise has a pretty good Explosion spell herself now so this is a great time to practice."
Comet's moustache quivered. "Are you claiming to be able to blow up cities?"
"Well I mean in parts. Villages I can do in one big boom, but whole cities it's better to blow up a block at a time so people don't interrupt your casting," Utsuho replied cheerfully.
"Have you done this before?" Karin asked quietly.
Utsuho shrugged. "Well I mean the shrine maiden stopped me before I could really get going, but I've tried it out on a few places after that." Utsuho blinked as everyone's eyes widened. "Empty places! Ms Satori won't let me blow up cities with people in them."
"Good," Louise muttered. Seriously Utsuho could be a real birdbrain.
Louise chewed her lip as her mother's eyes turned to her. "And how do you intend to use your familiar's power? I somehow doubt you've mastered tactics from the books in the study. I'm certain you have no understanding of war. You must know this is a fool's errand given your inexperience."
Hearing Satori's words echoed by her mother stung deeply. But it was all true. This time though she had a response. "I've found someone who's willing to tutor me in strategy." She flinched. "Um, with one condition."
"And who might this tutor be?" her father demanded. "I'd like to meet the man who thought this was a fine idea!"
Utsuho popped up. "Let me grab her! One second!" She stuck her tongue out and reached out a hand, then suddenly Momiji was in the room blinking.
The wolf woman shook her head. "That's disorientating."
Louise took some pride that her family was stunned again by Utsuho's unique talents. She took the opportunity for introductions. "This is Momiji Inubashiri. She's a wolf tengu tactician, and she's offered to teach me the ways of war." She took a deep breath and added, "That is if you face her in a duel, mother."
Several jaws dropped at that. It even stopped Cattleya from patting Momiji's ears, which was probably for the best. Louise wasn't sure how she felt about her mother fighting a youkai, but she had to admit she did want to see her mother at her best.
Karin was the first to recover. A hint of a smile was there on her face, but her tone was even. "Duel me? Why would you cross worlds just to challenge someone you know nothing about?"
"Two reasons. First the tengu only teach children of worthy warriors their best tactics. It's been over three hundred years since the last human learned our ways. Tradition must be upheld." Momiji gave an eager smile. "The second is I've heard from your daughter you're a master of wind and blade. Famed for facing armies on your own. What tengu wouldn't want to test a human who claims to be the greatest in the fields that are our birthright? When I told the Great Tengu there was quite an uproar. I had to defend my right to be the one to fight you."
A dangerous smile fully bloomed on Karin's face, but her father stood up and slammed his hands on the table. "What madness! You expect to fight my wife and then teach my daughter how to die on the front lines? Why should we allow this?!"
"I actually intend to teach your daughter to stay far far away from the front lines," Momiji replied calmly. "Having her among the infantry or even cavalry would be sheer stupidity. She should be with the artillery, or a small strike team with a number of skilled bodyguards. Utsuho is fairly mediocre at defending others after all."
Louise whirled to look at the wolf as her father sat down. Away from the battle? Bodyguards? That didn't sound heroic at all! She wasn't some princess to be protected.
However her father seemed calmer. "And what do you think about this mission to save Albion?"
Momiji's ears twitched. "I don't know the details, but assuming it's supporting another army, she'd need an advisor skilled in tactics, politics, and at fending off assassins. Even if she's a natural at my lessons, that won't stop a blade in the dark. And as the master of a dangerous familiar, that's inevitably what the opposing force will resort to."
Louise's stomach fell, and Princess Henrietta gasped next to her. She hadn't thought of that. But it was true. She had no idea how to catch assassins, and Utsuho... was Utsuho. For that matter she didn't really have any fast spells. Maybe she did need a bodyguard.
"I see I have made an error in planning," Princess Henrietta said quietly. "Perhaps you would feel better about things if Count Wardes accompanied Louise to add his skills to the endeavor."
Her father raised an eyebrow. "I would feel better about it, but I would still not be pleased. I would hope my daughter not have to fight as I did."
Her mother put a hand on Comet's arm. "I as well. But it seems war is coming for us no matter what." Karin turned to the two youkai. "However, I remain unconvinced this plan has any chance of success. It is easy to brag about power."
Momiji planted a hand on her sword. "Then perhaps I could demonstrate the power of youkai first hand."
Karin stood up. "If her Highness is willing to find a suitable spot, I will happily agree."
Karin looked around the battlefield. The cavern Utsuho had taken them to in this 'Gensoukyo' was huge, but strangely polished. Almost as if an earth mage had shaped the floor. That would weaken her attacks slightly. No large rocks to use with her wind powers.
Perhaps that was good though. There were plenty of people watching the battle, and she didn't want to injure one of them. Not just her family and the Princess, but several winged creatures calling themselves crow tengu, and a few horned people apparently called oni.
She had to admit, knowing warriors from another world wanted to see her fight had her blood pumping. But that was her old rash self thinking. She turned her attention to Louise while she checked her armor straps.
Her daughter was currently muttering something at one of the bolder crow tengu. Wondering why the battle was such a spectacle. A very good question. Karin listened in as this 'Hatate' explained.
"It's a duel between a wind mage and a tengu, duh. The last time that happened was like, five hundred years ago. And they were tengu trained. Everyone wants to see how you people match up. Sanae even let me borrow her video camera!"
Her husband overheard and shook his head. "Madness. Well at least it will be over quickly, along with this foolish plan. I hope this Momiji girl survives however." Ah Comet. Always overprotective.
"Hey! Don't look down on Momiji," Hatate replied. "Sure she's weak when it comes to magic, but she's one of the top ten tengu blademasters. The Great Tengu himself spars with her."
Now that was interesting. Karin turned back to her foe. Momiji was using sword and shield. An odd choice for a duel, even more so since the sword was a curved bastard sword. Still the wolf woman seemed to have no trouble wielding the blade one handed. Karin was obviously at a disadvantage when it came to strength.
And then there were Momiji's eyes. The woman's demeanor was not that of a knight, or even a duelist. Not an assassin either, though the cold nature was similar. No she seemed like an old mercenary. One who had seen death and gotten used to it.
Still Karin wasn't expecting a long fight. She'd have to be careful not to do any damage the princess couldn't heal.
Princess Henrietta stepped forwards. "The duel is to first blood. Are both of you prepared?"
"Yes," Karin replied at the same time as her opponent. She placed her hand on her sword wand, already preparing her first spell.
"Very well." The princess raised her hand and stepped back. "Begin!"
Karin drew her blade, calling forth the spell that she'd taken as her title. The Heavy Wind. A tornado formed on top of Momiji. But she wasn't going to stop there. "Air blade," she incanted as she waved her sword in a series of cuts. Gusts of wind as sharp as any blade flew out.
Momiji tensed, then jumped forwards, totally unimpaired. How? How had the wolf woman ignored the gale force winds? Karin threw out a few more strikes while watching the air around her foe.
As the air blades closed in, Momiji swung her own sword. Steel hit the magic attack, and the wind shattered. And then she was on to the next one. Faster than any normal human could move.
"Triple haste!" Karin let the speed of wind fill her, and not a second too soon. Momiji broke free of the tornado, and was upon her in a flash. Karin sidestepped, avoiding a shield rush, but the wolf tengu slashed down with her sword. Karin parried, her arm aching at the impact. So strong! Even when swinging at a bad angle, Momiji could overpower her.
For the first time in a long while Karin found herself facing someone who could match her.
It was getting interesting.
Momiji hopped back to recenter, and continued her attack. This time there was no rush, just a solid advance. Karin dashed away from the swings, probing with weak air missiles. But she was on the defensive. She needed to find an opening, but the wolf woman was giving none.
She was studying her foe's defenses when Momiji suddenly shifted a thrust into a slash. Karin tried to disengage, but their swords locked. Momiji leaned down and used her full power to press her bastard sword home. The weight was incredible. Karin was using both hands to push back and still her sword was digging into her armor. The pressure brought her to her knees.
But she wasn't out of tricks yet. "Downburst," she called out, and the wind between them exploded. Karin let herself tumble back out of range, while Momiji rocked back as the wind caught her shield.
Karin's eyes narrowed. There. That was the weakness. She summoned the wind to her blade and waited.
Momiji moved in again carefully, cautious of a sidestep. Karin held her ground, waiting, then flicked out her sword wand in a weak thrust at the woman's head.
The wolf tengu moved to block with her shield, and Karin seized the opportunity. With a flick of the wrist she turned her thrust into a slap. A slap that reached around Momiji's shield. Then she summoned the wind.
Karin's wind blast caught the inside of the woman's shield like a sail. As Momiji staggered, Karin used all her speed to drive her blade into the woman's shoulder.
The two stood there, panting. Now that she wasn't focused on the opportunity before her, she saw Momiji had been preparing a strike. It would have been a good cut across the stomach too. "It seems speed was the deciding factor," Karin said as she carefully pulled out her blade.
Momiji sheathed her sword before pulling out a bandage. Despite the injury she was smiling. "So it was. The stories about you were not exaggerated at all."
"Allow me," Karin said, summoning some of her water magic. The wound was clean so sealing it was easy. "I must admit, I am impressed as well. You've learned how to use a small amount of magic very effectively. I feel my daughter can learn a lot from you."
"A required skill in a world where everyone else has a large amount of magic," Momiji replied.
Karin raised an eyebrow. "Like my daughter's familiar?" She was quite curious to see if the hell raven's boasts were justified.
The grimace on Momiji's face was both a relief and a little concerning. "Utsuho Reiuji is possibly the strongest person I've ever met, and I've met two of the four oni devas. Question her skill and tactics. Never her power."
"I see." Karin nodded politely, and turned to face the crowd. Her family was properly impressed, as was the princess and the new baronet. That was good. Momiji's skill and words had convinced her there might be some merit to the princess's plan. But she was going to need to steer this farce into something resembling a military operation.
And convince her husband. Dear Comet really was overprotective of his daughters. Unfortunately that couldn't last. With the power of the void and a familiar like that, trouble was coming no matter what.
Notes : Another long chapter but I didn't want to break it up. I think I should be able to get another solid entry before November arrives and I have to start work on my novel. I promise to return in December though.
And since I've gotten a comment about it already, Baronet is much different then Baron. It's the title specifically for landless nobility who are not heirs of landed nobles and hold no official position.