Note : No I'm not dead yet. Sorry for the wait, there is no release schedule anymore if there ever was one in the first place. No i haven't been playing three houses yet. Did some edit on the previous chapter, principally extended on Shillt's look.
Chapter 6 : White Prelude in a Black Night
A glorious celebration was held to welcome the prince and his friends in Aurelis' capital. However, despite the luxurious reception in the royal palace, she choose to enjoy the festival organised by the citizens.
-???
"I'm sorry, I don't know how to do that."
With regret in Bantu's eyes, he turned away. Mawwi looked at herself in the nearby mirror. The dress she had to wear was oh so impractical and neither her nor Bantu could figure out how to put it on properly.
Her new friends were kind enough to invite her, and according to Bantu, this was a great way to get to know them and understand human society. What she understood right now was that they sure liked over complexe design, to what end, vanity she guessed.
"Stay here, I am going to search for help."
A few minutes later, Shillt knocked at the door and entered followed by Bantu.
"So, you need my help with your gown ? Oh, Indeed, what a mess."
"I am terribly sorry for bothering you, miss Shillt, it's the first time I have to help with this kind of cloth."
"Don't worry sir, it's only natural to not know how to proceed the first time you see it. Now let's see ... Ah it's this kind of cloth."
Shillt picked up the various pieces of the garb scatered across the floor before coming to help the Mawwi.
"I mean, look at me, there is a reason I've decided to wear my ceremonial uniform over a dress."
Indeed she wasn't wearing anything close to what have been gifted to Mawwi and it didn't seemed any less elegant to her, why couldn't she wear something similar ?
"Hey Shillt, have you been to a bal before ?"
"Yes, once, but my dress wasn't as elaborate as yours, as my family, coming from minor aristocracy, couldn't afford one like that."
"But then, how was she given that high quality dress ? I know you ordered some cloth for her, is that...?"
"Haha don't worry it's not on my paygrade like our commission. This is actually a gift from the prince Ylisse. You are going to travel with him so he want you two to make a good impression at the court."
"Oh, I see. This is very generous of him."
"And what about the others ? They'll be here too right ? What are they wearing ?"
"The prince, Eugen and Isaac all choose to wear ceremonial military outfit. I think Isaac said something along the line of : chicks loves soldiers. I don't know what lady Elisabeth will be wearing, but we'll have the surprise tonight. And you sir Bantu ?"
The old manakete smiled amused at the question.
"Hoho, I do not think I will change garb. In my long life, I never had to partake in a similar event, I have nothing special to wear."
"And what about Mars ?"
"He went AWOL. He was told to get out of her sight by lady Elisabeth and he happily obliged. Maybe he thought the event was going to be pretty boring."
"So he won't come ?"
"He wasn't invited in the first place. Elisabeth found his behaviour suspect and signaled him as a spy now."
"What is a spy ?"
"Well, you know that currenlty we're at war with the kingdom of Valm right ?"
"What ? I thought the Hero King Marth had unified the continent ?"
"He did, however, Valm is a kingdom oversea so it's not the same continent."
"Why are they at war if they are so far appart ?"
"I don't know, it's a war started at the time of the prince's great grandfather. The distance made it so the war progressed very slowly."
"So what do spy have to do inside that ?"
"Spy are people sent by a country to gather or steal important informations on their opponent."
"But then, anyone could be a spy, yes ?"
"Indeed. And it's even more problematic with the war having drag on for so long. Usually it takes years for a spy to setup a good cover and begin operations."
"But why are they still fighting if the war is so long ?"
"The initial strike of the valmese cavalry made them penetrate very deep inside the kingdom's territory. The following decades were our side trying to root them out of the Dohlr sub continent. Each time we seemed to weaken their position, they struck elsewhere and over that, more reinforcement came from their continent. But it's over now, their main army have been repelled, I guess that they won't be able to push back and that the war will end. sigh, and I'll never get to prove myself too."
By that time, Shillt had finished arranging the gown and took a step back to admire the puffy dress that made Mawwi look like a doll. She opened the door and prepared to step outside.
"Well I think you're ready to go. Bantu, have you told her about the basic etiquette ?"
"Stand straight, curt bow when someone engage conversation, don't eat when being talked to, don't eat with hand, don't eat too fast, don't eat only, am I forgeting something ?"
Mawwi executed a clumsy curt bow, right leg in front left behind, torso slightly inclined and slightly lifting the trail of her dress.
"No child, this is it, word for word."
"Not bad, this should be enough to carry you through the dinner. I will point out that unless you somehow know how to dance, you should politly refuse any invitation."
"But dancing don't looks so hard. I saw some people dance when we were in town, it looked rather fun and pleasant."
"Dance performed by the common folk is different from the one performed at the court. On top of that, reaction to clumsiness isn't the same at all, whereas common folks may laugh but will help you out, nobles are more likely to shame you for lacking in education. About that, if someone approaches you and isn't being polite, you should just make a curt bow and then walk away. They aren't worth your time."
"I see. What do they say exactly ?"
Shillt frowned, turned around and open the door.
"Oh, nothing really, these persons usually brag about themselves or try to humiliate you for being of a lesser nobility than them."
On these word filled with spite, she led the way to the reception hall.
There wasn't much men at the reception, and the few present were generally too young or too old to be allowed to go at war. But there were a few noble in age to engage, seizing their chance with the ladies without too much competition. Sure enough, Isaac was among them.
"Yes milady, I am close friend with the prince. In fact, if it wasn't to ensure his protection, I would be fighting those valmeses out to their capital. N-no I cannot present you to him right now, but may I offer you a dance ?"
They observed him gestured for a few minutes before he finally gave up and reluctantly escorted her to the prince, in the middle of a crowd.
"Come, it doesn't seems like we will be able to see the prince from here."
Mawwi followed the knight to the stage, where they had a higher view on the hall.
"Look, he's over here. Lady Elizabeth is at his side."
Indeed, every daughter accompanied by their mother had gathered around Ylisse, in a waiting line asking for a dance. Elizabeth, who was wearing an evening gown of seemingly equally intricated design to Mawwi's, didn't seemed too happy about the situation.
"Why are they all gathering around him ?"
"Because the prince haven't take a betrothed, making him the best party in the continent to marry at the moment. So, you know the trope of the ball sequence ? All of these nobles are getting in line for a chance to impress him in hope he will think of them when choosing a bride."
"How will a dance help them stand out if they all dance with him ? Won't he have trouble remembering them all ?"
Shillt looked at her amused.
"That's the point.Think of it as a competition and at least, the prince can't be oblivious of their intention, he grew up listening to that kind of tale."
"Is this another part of this dreaded etiquette ?"
"Hahaha. Yes it is."
At that moment, a man, maybe in his late 50's wearing a magenta coat lined with gold walked to the podium of the stage and spoke.
"My dear friends."
"Tonight we welcome the prince Ylisse on his first visit in our beautiful country. In the name of all its citizen, I wish him an agreable stay. I wish you all to enjoy tonight party as well."
"The prince will now come to the podium grace us with his words."
After some polite acclamation, the man stepped down and joined his wife while Ylisse took his place on the podium.
After his speech, the prince was drowned in the crowd, unreachable. While they waited him, they began to move toward Eugen who was enjoying the buffet.
"Just saying he was happy to be in their company tonight and thanking them for their hospitality shouldn't have take that long."
"Easy Mawwi, anything can be done quick if you boil it down like that. You have to understand that the fastest isn't always the best way."
"Well, the long way wasn't sounding genuine either."
"In my opinion, his words conveyed his feelings very well. Those were words of respect, gratefulness and-"
"About that, teach, I think once I overheard Ylisse training on a template in front of a mirror. A template speech with hole to fill that sounded very much like that one."
"Hm, well, at least he trained for the time he would have to make a public announcement. I think he had enough time alone, I'll go fetch him."
Shillt went and drowned into the sea of contender, lifting a thumb upward as the last thing they saw of her before she desappeared.
"sigh I should have known there wouldn't be anyone wanting a dance with poor old me compared to the prince."
Isaac had just joined them. It seemed the last girl had disappeared into the crowd surrounding Ylisse too.
"Hey Isaac, you should ea' with me, ... food tha' good we'll be hard to come by ... when we'll visit ... the Dolhr region."
"Why do you only think of food ?"
"Why are you always thinking about girls ?"
"Thinking about girl is normal, thinking about food is-"
"Also perfectly normal, life is no a zero sum game, one does not exclude the other."
"That's some deep stuff you're saying man."
"I know right ? So come eat with me, you'll always have girl, whereas food will get more scarce in the futur."
Eugen return to the table, however Isaac didn't followed.
"Hey Isaac. I've heard you'd like to dance, would you li-"
"It's just not the same Lizzie, we're childhood friend, so ..."
"So what ?"
She leaned forward menacingly, threatening to jump at his throat the moment he misplaced a word. Isaac took a step back.
"So we ... you know, it'd be awkward if we ..."
"sigh Each time I give you a possibility to redeem yourself, you manage to loose an esteem I didn't know I still had for you."
"Oh my, is that who I think you are ?"
The newcomer was a girl looking around their age, with long silky black hair dressed in a white gown and wearing silver jewelry.
"Well ye~s, it's my dear Elizabeth here ! Come girl, give me a hug !"
She cringed at the mention of her name, visibly recognizing the person the voice belonged to. After a second she put a strained smile on her face so she turned over and greet the noblewoman.
"Oh, hey, good evening Celia, long time no see. How have you been ?"
"Oh, I've fair well, but what about you ? You never wrote me in the last couple of month, I was beginning to think you'd forget about me !"
"Well, I was busy during that time, so-"
"Oh you have to tell me about all of this, come we have so much to catch up !"
The girl named Celia pulled Elizabeth away toward another group of young girl. Timidly and quietly to not attract her attention, Mawwi pulled Isaac cloth to ask a question."
"Hm ? what is it Mawwi ?"
"This girl, do you know her ?"
"Her ? She's Celia Belange, daughter of the duke of Orlean. She was educate with us when her father was minister. She's quite the beauty right ?"
From this moment, the look on her face was never the same when they spoke.
And just like that they were separated. Eugen focusing on food, Isaac loudly complaining, Shillt still trying to reach Ylisse and Elizabeth forced to submit to the clutch of Celia's group, Bantu watched as Mawwi got increasingly bored.
Swiftly, male partner being rare and heiress getting their dance with the prince granted, Isaac finally got to dance and Eugen was invited too.
Meanwhile Elisabeth should have finishing putting Celia up to date with their adventures but she seemed to still be bound to listen the greatly detailed and fascinating life of each and every of her friends.
Bantu got closer to the lone manakete sitting alone.
"This isn't quite what you pictured would happen, right ?"
"Yeah... I haven't got to meet anyone interesting here in the end... Actually, I was going to leave, maybe the town festival would be more interesting."
"It wouldn't be very polite now, would it ? You've been invited, you should at least tell them you're leaving, don't you think ?"
"Right..."
Mawwi got up, stretched a bit, and made her way toward Elizabeth. When she came in hearing range, she recognize Celia's voice. It seemed she was still not done recaping her life.
"...he went like that to my father's office and asked if we could hand over food to feed them ! Just like that, can you believe it ?"
"Excuse me..."
Mawwi poked her head inside the circle beside Elizabeth. After giving a nod to each girl she asked Elizabeth.
"Hey, Liz, I know lot of time and effort were spend to do this, but can I go out ? I want to see the festival."
"You're not going alone right ?"
"No, don't worry, Bantu will come with me !"
"Well I understand, we've been too busy to be with you. Actually I'd like to come along to the festival, but there is things I must attend. Stick close to Bantu and don't get lost. I'll tell the others about that."
"Yay, Thank you Liz !"
Mawwi returned to a nodding, smiling Bantu. She then happily exited the hall, eager to see what the festival had in store for her, followed by Bantu.
"Hmm ... Elizabeth, do you mind telling us who was this girl ?"
Walking down the main street from the palace, the atmosphere was already vastly different from inside. The booming light made the night sky look way darker than it really was and the delicious smell of food cooking filled the air, contrasting with the pearly white walls ornated with gold of the palace and the perfume filled air of the reception hall.
Mawwi also liked that the music played outside sounded happier and more expressive than the one played for the nobility.
Restaurant, farmer and hunter were giving free sample of their food for passerby to try, trinket vendor had organised a lottery and all tavern seemingly would be open until the morning.
While tasting a (in her opinion) delicious roast bit of boar, the hunter engaged a conversation.
"I never saw ya folks here, so what are you ?"
Etiquette mentioned that one shouldn't speak while eating so it was Bantu that answered.
"We're simply traveler."
"Traveler eh ? Ya came just at the right time, all this festival was organized specially for the prince visit ! Tonight's basically a free meal for anyone walking in the streets harharha !"
He then reported his attention on the manakete.
"So, little girl, whadya think of my prey ?"
"It's my favourite piece so far !"
"Harha ! Indeed, I'd say I have no equal in hunting nor roasting !"
The loud noise of a booth falling suddently caught their attention. Higher on the street a group of children could be seen and in front of it, one of the street cooker had attempt to take down his stand before they reach it for free food.
"Oh no, it's the kids ! They're gonna have some trouble !"
The hunter called his collegue to take over before going to see. The owner of the restaurant guy worked for showed out and was yelling on the adult seemingly leading the group of children for destroying the booth.
"Who are they ?"
The situation clearly escaped Mawwi's understanding, why would someone try to put down their stand at the sight of some children and why would someone blame them when they clearly weren't responsible ?
"Why does it matter, they are a group of starving children ! I'm gonna beat some sense into this moron !"
The hunter clenched his fists, enraged at the situation. Bantu's arm wrapped tightly around Mawwi as the man continued to yell at the person, who they could tell was a priest now that they were closer, currently bowing down in apology.
"Hey, isn't that Mars ? Yeah, he's wearing that blue shoulder cape."
The priest straightened up and finally answered to the barrage of insult.
"Sir, the children did nothing wrong. I understand it might looks suspicious, a group of children gazing at a distroyed stand, but look at them, I'd be surprise if they could see above the table."
"BULLSHIT, OF COURSE THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE, WHO WOULD WANT TO FEED STREET RATS !? THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY A MEAL, SO WHY SHOULD I WASTE MY MONEY ADVERTISING IT TO THEM !!? AND NOW WHO'S GOING TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE !!? AS IF YOU COULD, YOU STUPID SON OF A BITCH, I'M GOING TO TEACH YOU TO PLAY SMART !!!"
The boss then punched Mars in the stomach. They crumbled to the floor, their breath whistling.
"Oh no ... this is escalating quickly."
Bantu disappeared in the crowd. Mawwi rushed to assist Mars still trying to catch is breath on the floor.
"Oh my Naga ... wee good punch ... wee musn't ... vomit... You know ... if i were not a holy man ... I would beat you senseless... oh hi Mawwi how are you ?"
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT !? I'VE GOT PLENTY MORE WHERE IT CAME FROM YOU DOGPILE OF SHIT !"
As the priest braced himself for the second hit, the hunter punched the boss in the face. He fell violently on his already shattered booth.
"You should fight with someone that can defend itself, sucker."
"THAT'S IT, YOU'RE DEAD MEAT ! GET THEM BOYS !"
"Are we interrupting something ?"
A squad of soldier had suddently appeared and separates all parties. Bantu returned to Mawwi.
"Ah thanks Naga, you didn't commit a murder. I'm sorry I let you here alone, I went grab the guards."
They helped both Mars and the owner to get back on their feets. What Mawwi supposed was the leader of the guard came to them.
"Father, you should leave the place, you shouldn't bring those kids and trouble these merchants. We've receive quite a complain about you tonight."
"Captain, may I know what I'm being accused of ?"
"You are disrupting public order by bringing these unsightly children around and bothering every merchant for free food."
He stared at the guard for a few moment before finally taking the youngest child in his arms.
"I see. Come children, we're leaving, I'm sorry."
As they began to leave, the hunter rushed after Mars. Catching up to him, he offered a hand.
"Hey, are you okay pal ? It's a nasty hit you took."
"Oh you're the guy that came to help me."
Mars took the hand to shake.
"Thanks, hmm what's you're name ?"
"I'm Aban, hunter. I see what you tried to do, please come with me, I can give something to the kids."
"You are aware that came out incredibly weird, aren't you ?"
"..."
At that moment, Mawwi stepped in to break the awkward silence.
"Hey Mars, it's all right, he's one of the street cook. I already came to visit him, his meat taste good !"
She would remember the expression Aban made at that moment for a long time.
"So, you know each other ?"
Aban actually lived alone in an area a little remoted from the main street, he just happened to be the one in charge of the presentation out of his group of hunter. While the children ate to their heart content for the first time in a while, he decided it was a good time to get acquainted with this peculiar group.
"Yes, I met them a couple of weeks ago, while traveling. I decided to tag along until we entered the city. It's good that they found me, I was actually worried they'll leave without me."
"Oh right, Shillt told me you were a Valmese spy, is that true ?"
"Me ? hahaha, do you think I'd tell you if I was ?"
She took out her fire tome.
"I-I'm not, I swear on whatever you'll ask me to swear on !"
"How does this prove anything though ? You would say the same thing if you were, riiiight ? So tell me, why did you left so quickly ? Was it to inform the Valmeses that Ylisse was here ?"
"N-no ! I just wanted to help the children ! You know it, it was the only time they could get free quality food !"
"Ok I believe you. But why didn't you talked about them to Ylisse ? I'm sure he would've help."
Aban was taken aback.
"Y-Ylisse ? As, the PRINCE Ylisse !?"
"Yeah, I travel with him."
Now that he gave her a closer look, she wore very refined cloth, and looked clean and proper, like a doll.
"Well, it's more complicated than this. You see, even if he's prince, he still have to respond of his actions. Feeding a population of refugee isn't the best move he can do. Sure he will be adored by them, but the setback from nobility that own the grain and meat would be very heavy."
"Why would they be angry ? There is plenty of food, Aban here even shared !"
The man in question suddently realised what he had done.
"Yes, and that's very generous of him. But he's a hunter with a right to hunt and in return he must pay a tax per head on what he hunts. And I'm not sure lord Belange will be as understanding in regard to that situation."
"What makes you say that ?"
"The slums. He wants to get rid of them."
It was Aban that answered. His gaze was fix on his clenched fist.
"But why ?"
"It's a pretty disgusting place. But they live here, they don't have anywhere else."
"It's actually deeper than that, but for now..."
Mars stood up and called the children.
"Well, thank you for your welcome Aban. I must return them home now. Say "bye" to the nice hunter Aban children ! You should never forget how and why you got a free meal today."
"Can we tag along ?"
"Sure thing, but I wouldn't want to get your pretty dress dirty, do you have any other cloth ?"
As they left, he was left to wonder. He wanted to follow them and help the families too but he was reminded of the hefty price that came with the help and that he already needed to pay. Why was he so powerless to help those in need, why was he feeling so empty, so hopeless ?
The trio and the children were walking away from the busy agitation that filled the street, toward a calmer, miserable silence. Only Mawwi's question and Mars or Bantu answers brought life to the alley.
"So who are they ?"
"They're the descendants of the refugees that came from the west when Valm first striked."
"But didn't the war started over a hundred years ago ?"
"That's the point Mawwi, everyone was expecting a quick victory, buy week passed, then month, then years."
"But I've heard that they've been repelled now ? Can they go home ?"
"Mawwi."
Bantu's voice was low and sad.
"This is something you will learn eventually, but mankind don't live as long as the dragonkind. They aren't the original refugees, their grand parent that could have returned to their land are either dead or unable."
"This is the only home they know, even if it's miserable. And even if they were to go back, there is no telling of the state of these land after years of war, that's why duke Belange wants to make them even more miserable. So that what they found is better than what they leave."
Finally they arrived. What they saw was a great gathering of habitation hastly made from wood, fabric, stone, and everything else they could found. After Mars blessed all of the children, they returned to their parent who were profusingly thanking him.
"You know, it might be good that you joined me here, if it's you who tell the prince about this, maybe, just maybe their future will be brighter."
A thousand thought came to her mind. She was to be a god, maybe this was her purpose ? To provide salvation to humanity, to make things right ?
"So ... as long as they don't give up, they will have hope."
"Did you said something Mawwi ?"
At that moment, one after another, the bell of the city started to ring as toward the main gate, flames began to rage. In an instant, fire rained from the sky, turning the festival into a hellfire. From the distance, scream and sound of armor plating boots could be heard.
"Oh my, it looks like we totally got owned. hey who's that man over here ?"
End note : Valmese attack yay, because I sorely lack imagination on what to write. Seriously, I once again ask for your indulgeance should you find any mistake and eventually (should you find time and be in a very nice mindset) a pm to help me correct those, thank you.
Also, contrary to my opening statement, I have played a bit of three houses while writing it (when Mawwi go into town). Sorry for the delay, next chapter will be a dumb battle.