In which Fred arrives at Budehuc after wandering the wilderness without his squire for weeks, hoping to find some familiar faces.
No one ever picked up Rico. But in a way I think it forced Fred to grow as a character. He is one of my favorites to write. Yun was written as not spending any time in canon at Budehuc.
The contents of this chapter are based on a post from April 14th, 2004.
"Sir Fred! Welcome back! It feels like forever since we last saw you! Master Thomas will be so excited to hear you're—Koroku, will you please leave poor Sir Fred's ankles alone?!"
The Maximillian Knight smiled and swept into a knightly bow, ignoring the shiba inu's persistent sniffing at his feet. "Lady Cecile, no worries. I'm certain Koroku is equally excited to see me as I am him—and you, of course."
Fred regarded the young captain of the guards with a smile. After all this time, her good cheer and excitable energy was just as he remembered. She stood at attention by the front gates of the manor, still donned in her father's hand-me-down armored breastplate and helmet paired with her familiar orange checkered skirt. Even during peacetime she was still fully armed with her spear and shield at the ready.
Cecile dragged the heel of her spear across the dirt in efforts to nudge Koroku away. "What a wonderful surprise! How many years has it been since we last saw you? I will make sure to have your old room readied for you immediately!"
How many years had it been? Four? Five? Time after the conclusion of the Second Firebringer War seemed to fly by. The Maximillian Knight had every intention of dropping in on his old comrades, but each time he made the effort, some new duty seemed to crop up…
No, that's not entirely true.
In all honesty, Fred simply couldn't recall how to actually find his way back to Budehuc on his own. The young knight ran a hand through his dark hair and sighed contentedly while looking across the castle grounds. The manor stood proudly in the background, every red brick and white-trimmed window just as he recalled. Despite Budehuc's decidedly unique appearance—more like a country mansion than a noble castle—it emanated a sort of homey warmth unlike the domineering stones of Brass Castle to the south. He found comfort in its enduring appearance and the sight of his old comrades after spending so much time traveling on the road.
"How many years? Far too long, I'm afraid. But Lady Cecile, I daresay...have you grown taller?"
"H-have I?!"
"Nah," a lazy drawl came from behind her. "You're just as short as always, little bean," the approaching young man playfully bopped the top of her helmet with his closed fist. Unlike Cecile's noticeable coming of age, the dojo master appeared mostly unchanged in his standard green garb, although the faintest hint of blonde stubble peppering his jawline did not escape Fred's observation. "Nice try at buttering her up though, Fred."
"Juan! Sir Fred says I've gotten taller!"
"Uh huh. Well, Fred also couldn't find his way out of a paper bag. So take it with a grain of salt, yeah?" he yawned.
"It's so nice to see you all again," Fred laughed and sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. "Truth be told, I was hoping I could stay here again for a while. Lady Rico has returned to visit family, and I...er…"
"C'mon, Fred. Did you get lost again?"
Urk.
The Maximillian Knight flinched. Despite his drowsy demeanor, Fred always suspected Juan was far sharper than he appeared. And unfortunately, the dojo master's guess was spot on. After wandering the wilderness without his squire for weeks, Fred hoped to maybe find some familiar faces at Budehuc. It was comforting to see his hopes were rewarded.
"That's irrelevant! Sir Fred has arrived safe and sound! It doesn't matter if he took a few detours," Cecile waved her arms. "So don't you go driving him off, Juan!"
"Yeah, yeah. You guys are making too much noise. I only came over because I was trying to get some sleep."
"It's only noon! What are you doing napping already?!"
"I think you mean it's already noon! I've usually squeezed in two whole naps by now. You're putting me behind schedule!"
A soft voice interrupted their bickering. "Hello…? Is this Budehuc Castle?"
That voice… but…
A young woman crossed the front gate. Hovering behind her stood a cloaked man with a rifle resting against his shoulder, his eyes scanning the castle grounds with purpose. The woman's dark hair barely reached past her chin, framing her soft face with just the slightest wave at the tips. Her woven clothes bore the unmistakable green and brown woven designs the Alma Kinan clan were famous for. A delicate fringe of snow-white fur adorned her collar and the cuffs of her sleeves.
Fred felt his blood run cold. There was only one woman of the Alma Kinan he knew who would be dressed in such finery. A woman he never expected to lay eyes on again. The honor of bearing witness to the sacred soul-sending ritual was one that remained burned deep within the young man's memory, and hers was a face he swore never to forget.
Goddess, how is this possible? Am I seeing things?
"L...Lady Yun? But…"
The woman smiled gently. "Hello, Sir Fred. It feels wonderful to see a familiar friend."
Fred glanced back at Cecile and Juan in a panic, then recalled that neither had the chance to meet Yun during the war. Of course they wouldn't recognize her—but he did, and his visit to the Alma Kinan clan was very much a defining moment in his journey as a knight. A defining moment that also very much defined Yun as very much dead.
Yet here she stands in front of me...alive and well. What is this?!
"Oh!" Cecile scampered up to the new arrivals and bowed. The red feather in her helmet comically flopped down in her face. "Welcome to Budehuc Castle! I'm Cecile, the commander of the guards! Are you friends of Sir Fred's?"
Yun continued to smile. "Yes, Sir Fred and I are acquainted. It's lovely to meet you, Cecile."
The gunman standing off to the side finally spoke. "So, this is Budehuc Castle? Looks like a big house."
"Yes, isn't it beautiful?" Cecile vigorously nodded. "Any friend of Sir Fred is welcome here!"
"Can't say I know Fred," the gunner raised an eyebrow at Fred and tilted back the hood of his cloak to reveal a far more youthful face than Fred anticipated given the man's standoffish demeanor, "but I recognize the Maximillian crest," he gave an acknowledging nod at the large emblem across Fred's indigo breastplate. "The name's Clive."
"Welcome to Budehuc Castle, Sir Clive! Do you like dogs?"
"I don't mind them."
Juan loudly yawned and scratched his backside. "Great. More people. Lovely. I'll let you get back to it, Cecile. Looks like you've got this covered," he waved and began to saunter off.
"Juan! Where are you going!? You should fetch Master Thomas! He would want to know Sir Fred is back!"
"Nah, you've got more than enough energy for that. I'll let you handle that honor all on your own."
Yun giggled, and Fred couldn't help but stare. She truly was alive. Despite the years that passed, somehow she looked older and more serene than he remembered. It was as though time continued to march forward, and she grew along with it. As if she naturally aged instead of...
Yun turned and met his eyes. He felt his face heat up with embarrassment as she caught him staring. "Sir Fred, did you arrive recently yourself?"
"Y-yes, that is correct, Lady Yun."
"Hm," she smiled dreamily. "Then perhaps the spirits have something planned after all."