Back across the strait in Occidentis, around the same time Squire Plisetsky's fever was about to break, Замок Дракона was already alive with a flurry of activity. Servants had been up all night gathering supplies for the voyage and preparing breakfast for the King as well all the other members of the expedition. Having already eaten their early morning meal, General Altin and Lancer Nekola waited at the main gate for King Nikiforov to appear. The King was thankfully always punctual, so they didn't have to wait for very long. The two members of the military went down on one knee as the King appeared. The King paused and waved to them.
"At ease, fair gentlemen. This is not a formal royal expedition, so there's no need for the standard levels of formality."
General Altin was the first to rise.
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
Lancer Nekola stood up next and gave an extra bow before thanking the King. The trio walked in silence to their awaiting ship; the Серебряная королева. Two horses, food and supplies were already stashed on board. The ship also contained the castle healer and six Lignum Magi to power the boat. Just as the ship pushed off from the harbor, Ciocco flew down from Princess Mila's room and landed on one of the masts. The King smiled happily at the sight.
"Ah, Ciocco! Good to see you rested and well. Worry not, we'll have you back with Sara in no time."
The hawk screamed its greetings back at the King before settling down on its perch. Soon, the sails were set and the boat began to pick up speed. As long as the wind held up, the Lignum Magi would not be required to contribute to its locomotion. If the wind died and the ship came to a standstill, then they would step in and use their magic to power it. The King and his guards stood on the deck and watched silently as the sun broke the horizon.
…
About five kilometers from the Серебряная королева's starboard side, Emperor Katsuki's ship sailed in the opposite direction, toward the castle. The two ships actually passed each other, beyond the sight of human eyes, but not of their avian occupants. Azami screeched enthusiastically down at Minami's quarters, but by the time he'd gotten out of bed, gotten semi-dressed and out on the deck, the distance between the two ships was too great. Minami looked and looked, but was unable to see anything through the telescope.
"Ah, sorry Azami…it appears that I missed whatever it was you wanted me to see."
Pointing the telescope toward the bow of the boat proved much more fruitful. Minami sighted land and spotted the castle off to their port side. The young servant marveled in awe at the vision of the imposing building. He had never seen a building like that before. He had heard that the castles of Occidentis were something to behold, but had not expected them to look so different compared to the castles of Orientalis. Okukawa San had often told him stories of her missions in Occidentis, and regaled him with vivid descriptions of what she had seen. He had always listened raptly to her tales, attempting to imagine the things she spoke of. His imagination had failed him completely, for nothing he had ever pictured in his mind came even close to the stunning reality. Fujimoto San walked up next to him and stared intently at the approaching shore.
"It's so strange and foreign, yet very beautiful, isn't it?"
Minami lowered the telescope and looked over at the Royal Guard with surprise.
"Is this also your first time in Occidentis, Fujimoto San?"
"It is. I've heard the stories all my life, but never imagined that it would be like this."
Minami nodded eagerly.
"I understand completely!"
As the ship drew nearer to the harbor, Minami whistled for Azami. The Imperial eagle flew down toward him and landed gracefully on the nearest ledge. It waited patiently while the young servant attached the Emperor's Message to his leg.
"Ah, sorry Azami...I don't know exactly where you need to go, but the message is for the King of that castle over there. The Imperial eagle turned its head and looked in the direction Minami was pointing. It opened its great wings and took flight. Minami shielded his eyes with his hands and he watched the great creature fly away.
"Be safe, Azami!"
Two hours after King Nikiforov had departed for Mumei No Shima, Emperor Katsuki's delegation made landfall in Occidentis.
...
About the same time that Azami had tried getting Minami's attention. Ciocco became suddenly very excited. She flew down in front of the King and screeched and screamed loudly at him as she circled above the ship. Sensing that something was amiss, the King asked for the telescope. He looked around in all directions before finally spotting a ship heading toward Occidentis. As he lowered the telescope, he called for General Altin.
"Do you we have any merchant ships scheduled to arrive today?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Two merchant ships are due to come in today."
The King breathed an audible sigh of relief.
"I see. Thank you, that'll be all."
General Altin bowed and turned on his heel, heading back to his previous sentry position on deck.
King Nikiforov relaxed and resigned himself to enjoying the boat ride.
...
As the King's party had left that castle that dawn, a very happily tired and slightly intoxicated elven princess had attempted to sneak back in. It had been quite a bit of a challenge making it back to her room undetected. The castle had been absolutely crawling with people at that ungodly hour, and she had momentarily forgotten why. She had cursed her mental lapse, for she would have left the pub quite a bit earlier had she remembered that there'd be so much activity so damn early. It had taken her every ounce of stealth and subterfuge to get back in without being spotted. Once back in her room, she had heaved a sigh of relief as she had stripped out of her disguise. She immediately drew a bath and sank gratefully into its hot waters. She reeked of alcohol and had to get rid of the smell before it gave her away. As a Princess, no one questioned the odd bathing habits she kept. So she never had to worry about raising suspicions. Once she was fully cleaned, she washed the clothes she had worn out the night before and hung them out to dry on her private terrace. With all the pressing matters taken care of, she flopped gratefully onto her bed and was soon fast asleep.
...
The Princess had only been sleeping for a couple of hours before Minami and Fujimoto San made it onto Occidentis soil. They stretched their legs and looked around in admiration as they waited for Azami to deliver the Emperor's message.
"Halt! Who goes there?"
Minami and Fujimoto were immediately on guard and had their weapons at the ready. Fujimoto stepped forward and called out.
"We are emissaries from Orientalis. We come with an important message from Emperor Katsuki."
Two guards stepped out of the woods and immediately stopped dead in their tracks at the sight of the two strange men. They took in the ship and their foreign armor and garb.
"We come in peace, we are not enemies. We do wish to bring any harm upon anyone. We simply wish to deliver an urgent message."
One guard turned to his partner and mumbled under his breath at him.
"What is it with all these urgent messages in the last twenty-four hours?! First the Princess and now these guys. What do you think?"
The other guard was at a loss.
"I don't know. I've heard of Orientalis...but I've no clue what they actually look like. These guys could be the real thing or they could be impostors. I was not notified of any incoming emissaries from a foreign kingdom. You?"
The first guard shook his head.
"No, I was not. Shall we take them in just to be on the safe side?"
"Yeah, we can deal with them once they've been secured."
The first guard turned to the foreign-looking men.
"Lower your weapons, you're coming with us."
Fujimoto stepped in front of Minami and placed his sword on the ground.
"You may take me, if you so wish."
The second guard took a firm stance and drew his sword.
"No, not just you. ALL of you."
Fujimoto quickly tossed up his sword with the top of his foot and gracefully took it back into his hand. He took a defensive stance as his face became a mask of steely determination.
"I'm sorry, I'm afraid that won't be possible."
He turned to look back at Minami and gave him a slight nod. Minami understood full well what that meant. He readied his spear as the tense stand-off between the four men began.
...
Message. Who takes messages? I have a message!
Mila sat up with a start a she heard the voice practically screaming inside her head.
The humans will fight. Message will stop the fight!
The Princess was quickly on her feet and stumbled, half-awake to the window. I take messages. Come to me, friend. A dark speck in the sky suddenly changed direction and headed right for her window. Mila reached for her glove, but as she returned to the window, she saw that it was not going to be able to accommodate her incoming guest. Holy virgin maidens of Kyaltaesi, it's huge! What the hell is it? She threw the glove to the ground and threw open the terrace doors. Here! Over here! The bird altered it's flight path once more and managed to land safely, albeit a bit awkwardly, on a wooden table. You made it! Wow, you're stunning! Oh my goodness...you're absolutely magnificent!
Thank you, non-human female. Your praise honors me. Please, take the message from my leg.
Mila nodded and reached for the message. He jaw nearly hit the ground and her eyes just about fell out of her skull. Seriously?! She had received two messages from no less than two different avian messengers about Squire Plisetsky in less than a day. Mila groaned as the news sunk in. That little bastard. He managed to get himself poisoned. Poisoned?! He's lucky to be alive!
Hurry, please. The humans will fight!
Mila used her hand to shield her eyes from the bright sunlight. As she looked down toward the harbor, she could just make out a ship and a small crowd of people on the shore. How many?
Two from my land, two from yours.
Mila ran back into her room and hastily threw on a hooded cloak. She went to the window and began crawling out.
People of your land do not use doors?
The Eleven red-head would have laughed just then had she not been fully preoccupied with thoughts of not falling to her death. Ah, yes...but time is of the essence and this is the fastest route.
Mila hit the ground running. She ran, as fast as her bare feet would carry her, toward the harbor. Please, let me make it before any blood is shed!
_terminology_
Замок Дракона (zamok drakona) - Castle Dragon
Серебряная королева (serebryanaya koroleva) - Silver Queen