With the awkwardness of yesterday behind me, we resume our march towards Castle Krakenburg, to an undoubtedly impatient King Garon. It will be a week's trip, assuming there are no run-ins with bandits or a Hoshidan war party.
"We're at war now." Xander informs me. "This trip back will probably be the easiest thing we'll do, considering it has only just started."
Thankfully, fate seems to be on our side as there is not even a peep of trouble and as such, we make it back earlier than expected. The castle is as imposing as ever and it seems the way down the crater seems deeper than before. I have to keep in the center to avoid getting sick, the final bridge to our destination, however, offers a narrow walkway and I stop a few steps in.
"Sister?" Elise is the first to notice my hesitancy. "Are you okay?" The princess comes back to me, "We need to go."
"I-... dizziness, the drops are making me queasy." As if to prove my point, I stumble when I take another step, it is thanks to Elise that I do not fall over sideways, why are there no rail guards?
"I'll need to check up on you later… Camilla!" She calls the Malig Knight over while Xander and Leo wait.
"Yes darling?" She asks her but is looking at me.
"Give us your hands, big sister, we'll walk you." She winks and I feel a surge of heat. Complying with the healer's request, I hold out my hands and my two sisters each grab one. I still feel dizzy and while they kept me from stumbling, there is now the added problem of their touches… bothering me.
The doors open and we enter, the world does not feel so threatening anymore, my stomach does not like the instant change and I break off contact to answer the call of bile that is rising up. "Gods…" Tears follow.
"Sister!" All of my siblings say within a second of each other. Elise has her staff out and is looking me over, Camilla guides me to lean on her, Leo grabs a nearby chair, and Xander barks an order for clean-up at the nearest servant. "Easy…" Camilla gently lowers me to the chair.
"You have a fever…" Elise concludes as she feels my forehead. "We should have slowed down, then…"
"We're already pushing Father's patience, even her being sick won't allow us much leeway." Leo brings up. It is harsh but true.
"Well, we can't just bring her to Father with her retching." Another wave of healing is all Elise can offer, healing magic tends to apply to cuts, wounds, and gashes, while things like fevers, toxins, and infections require more natural remedies.
"If he wills it, we won't have a choice."
"I'll go report to Father, and I'll send a servant for whoever he wants to see." The Crown Prince leaves.
A few moments pass in relative silence, my labored breathing and a maid scrubbing the floor are the only sounds in the room. "Do you require any other services? Ice for Lady Yasei?"
"Isn't Felicia or Flora here?" I ask.
"I'm afraid they're still at the previous castle, yes for the ice." Leo says and the maid scurries off.
"Right, we're at Krakenburg…" My eyes scan the room. "Did I not bring Yato with me?"
"It's on your back, in its makeshift sheathe." Camilla says.
"Oh…" That explains the bump on the back of the chair.
"Lord Leo, Lady Camilla, King Garon requests your presence!" A different servant says as he bows, the maid returns shortly after and holds the ice to my forehead. Elise thanks the maid and assures her she can handle it from here, the maid leaves.
"Best wishes to you, my sweet sister." Camilla blows me a kiss before leaving with Leo.
"I hope Father understands…" The Troubadour says as she holds my hand. "...are you sure you won't do… that in front of Father?"
"...huh?" I am confused.
"You were talking again." Unlike last time, whatever I said does not leave a blush on her sister's face. "And I could tell you didn't notice because your eyes just… seemed empty, your pupils also narrow."
"Oh, I'm sorry for being such a mess. What did I…"
"Hey, we watch out for each other, that's why we're family!" Eagerness, I am still picking scents out, I cannot place an object to it yet. "Well, you shouldn't probably be talking much now, anyway. Don't want you getting a sore throat, too!"
I keep my mouth shut, Elise is too eager to change topics. My heart drops, what did I say? "King Garon requests your presence, Lady Yasei."
Of course it gets worse, Elise helps me up, "I-I can make the walk." The youngest princess holds the ice bag on her gloved hands and a worried expression on her face. I slowly make my way up the stairs, the nearly endless stairs. Were there this many steps last time? My right hand presses against the wall for support, the dizziness goes down and I can walk fine for now. The throne room doors seem more imposing than ever before, two servants open each side of the door and I walk in. Xander, Leo, and Camilla are all there, with the eldest sister using most of her willpower to not run and assist me. I feel horrible. I hold my head high and keep my back straight, then grit my teeth when the scar decides to act up again. "Father…" I bow.
"You've returned…" His words feel harsh and I cannot help but notice the lack of… well, any scent. "What took you so long?"
"Hans told us you fled towards Hoshido after seizing the fort." It is Iago talking, again no scent, maybe it is the fever causing it?
The 'adviser' is causing my blood to boil, I am not sure why, but seeing him dead feels really pleasing right now. 'Kill, feast.' My pupils narrow to slits in response. "Hans scurried away the second he took a strike, he's a coward." The room stills and it takes a moment for me to realize I have said that. "And I was brought there against my will."
King Garon stays silent, so Iago takes the opportunity to resume talking, "Just held you there? Hoshidans wouldn't waste a chance to take out a person of your importance. Unless of course, you were being manipulated during your 'stay'." 'Tear, maim.'
Takumi is the only questionable person I encountered, the rest are open, caring, and honest. I stop to pretend I am thinking of a response, but the dragon is very insistent on getting out. My Dragonstone glows faintly. 'Sever . ' He will not be so smug if his arms are on the floor. I internally smack myself, 'Focus!' "They have more honor than you do. At least they have the decency to stab you while facing you and being honest about it." I give a positive response on Hoshidans and it is not a good move on my part. Then again, I have done some pretty dumb things lately.
"Lady Yasei is stricken with a fever, she didn't…" Xander speaks up, he has a better grip on his patience than me.
"Or it's the after effects of a spell to sway her allegiance." Iago is still on his high horse. 'Death, consume.'
"She…"
"ENOUGH!" King Garon's voice booms throughout the throne room. Even time itself seems to stop for a minute. The man stands, "Yasei! You were to report immediately back after your mission." No one opens their mouth to protest, "...but not only did you capture the fort, but also killed the Hoshidan scum that littered the area." Wait, I did? I thought I had given them a chance to retreat. 'Hans . ' "Since your mission was only half completed, I will leave your fate for Anankos to decide."
Iago opens his mouth to protest, but he closes it, even he knows better than to interrupt King Garon when he is heading the Dusk Dragon's wisdom. The seconds that pass by feel like minutes, and those minutes feel like hours. I manage to get her breathing under control by the time Father finishes. "He favors you, Yasei." He says as he sits back down on the throne, "The great dragon deems you worthy of forgiveness."
"Truly?" I cannot believe it, a small smile graces my face.
"...If you complete a task."
It comes with strings attached, I should have saw that coming, "Whatever it takes." I want his approval.
"Hmph…" He pauses, "You are to suppress the Ice Tribe rebellion."
"What? Our darling Yasei isn't fit for combat yet!" Camilla finally speaks up, "She is more vulnerable than even sweet Elise right now!"
"She'll have our finest soldiers, sister. I'll make sure of it." Xander calms her worries.
"She won't." King Garon says, "Anankos decrees she must do this task… alone."
"T-that's suicide!" It is Leo.
"I can do it." My siblings looks at me like I just lost my mind. Maybe the dragon has a firmer grip on my thoughts than I had assumed. 'Blood, carnage.'
"Sister…"
"I can do this." I reassure them.
"Since the mission is now clearly understood, I will await your report, Yasei. Do. Not. Fail. Me." Death surely awaits me if I fail. If not by the Ice Tribe's hands, then by my own Father's.
We bow before leaving and once they are out of earshot, Camilla's composure breaks, "Sister! Are you crazy? That's several dozens worth of people who could kill you!" Her eyes glisten, but no tears actually fall.
My pupils narrow and anger begins to boil, though it is not at my siblings, "I won't fail him. I can't fail him, I'll rip the entire tribe apart if it pleases Father." They shift uncomfortably, "I know what I said this time."
Leo speaks up, "I have my faith in you. But I request that at least we send troops to make sure you get there in a healthiest state as possible."
"He's right, Anankos stated you suppress them yourself, nothing about getting there by yourself." They are trying to bend the rules, I know they will send people who will not leave my side.
"Just troops, no retainers, no Butlers, no Maids." They are startled, I assume it is because I have seen right through the hidden words.
"I-... of course." Xander concedes. "Just enough to get you there safely."
"Can I help you pack, at least?" Camilla asked.
"...Yea." My big sister took me by the hand and guides me while Leo and Xander are left behind. We do not stop until we reach a room.
"This is your room, it was all prepared for when Father would let you live here." She opens the door. It is well furnished, but then again, it is a room meant for a Royal, so of course it has a considerable amount of gold invested into it. My eyes quickly land on a mannequin, the wooden creation holds a suit of armor. "I had you measured when you were recovering after you returned to us."
I walk towards it, it is generally made like my old set, but darker colors dominate the armor. Black and gold are the colors of choice, a shoulder guard with the Nohrian royal insignia is attached to the left arm and a buckler lower down the same arm. The cloak extends to the upper thighs and is tattered intentionally. The materials are of much higher quality and sports the Dusk Dragon icon on the top right section slightly above the breast plate. It is scaled and I love it… then I remember what the high priestess said and my mood falls, "The scales… they'll irritate my scar."
"Nope!" She giggles and I turn with a raised eyebrow. "There is an extra cloth layer inside that has been enchanted, you will barely even notice it on you. The outside also has its fair share of protection enchants and it should adjust to your dragon form."
Should, I have a feeling that the enchant must be recently developed. "This must have costed a fortune, more than this room!" No, twice the price of this room.
"Only the best for my sweet, dear Yasei." A beat passes, "Well, I was going to wait a few days to gift it to you, but considering the circumstances…"
"A few days…?" I gasp, "I'm going to miss my birthday with you all!" 'Not fair!'
She goads me on, "Well, try it on!"
I do not need to be told twice, I undo the strap to my sheathe and remove it and Yato then… "Could you turn around?"
"It's nothing I haven't seen before, but sure." She giggles and I blush.
I nearly rip the dress off before snagging the armor from the mannequin like it will hold on to it if I do not move fast enough. I am able to quickly get it on, the straps and other buckles are in the same spots as my old set. "Done." I feel safe, a security that only my armor can give me. 'No man wants a body like yours . ' "I can barely feel it… thank you, Camilla!" I throw myself towards Camilla and into her embrace, giggling the whole way... But then the giggling stops, everything feels so serious, and why is it so hot in here? Why am I so hot? Then I realize what I am doing, Gods I slipped up! I am hugging my sister, sure, but I am also pulling her closer and I am… kissing her. Gods, and she is letting me! She lets me explore her. 'Wrong, it's wrong.' But I cannot resist the urge to stop. Why isn't she stopping me?
"Aah… Yasei," She breathes as my hands roam her body. My pupils narrow and I lost all sense to this lust that has been threatening to consume me for days now. 'She is letting me . ' I push her against the wall, my tongue exploring her mouth and hands are fumbling with the unfamiliar latches that the Malig Knight has. Camilla's hands reach for my head and she plays with my hair for a bit before lowering them to my new set of armor. She attempts to undo a latch and a growl escapes me. She gasps in surprise and slowly removes her hands. I tug on her armor, it is so confusing! I am about to rip it off when Camilla's hands glide around again and remove them herself.
It falls off and I am on her immediately, one hand moves a breast while the other heads down quickly. My body heats up. 'More, claim . ' My fingers claw into her skin, the armor covering them causing it to break through easily. She moans in pleasure. Some blood falls and my core burns hotter, ' Mine . ' My mouth travels lower and I bite hard on her neck, enough to taste blood. She does not push me back, she must be accustomed to the roughness I am giving her. "Haah… gods, Yasei, " The words do nothing to me, it is the scent of her arousal and the blood that drives me to go faster, harder. 'More . ' I easily manage to pick her up and she lets out a small shriek. "You have been training, haven't you?" More words that fall on deaf ears, I do not want to hear words, I want to hear moans, gasps. I place her on my bed and my mouth travels down south quickly, I go straight to her core. My tongue locates the entrance and begins licking immediately. 'My tongue… it's… forked?' Her legs grip around me and her hands travel to my hair again, it is not like she can really do anything else.
My mouth continues suckling on her vagina. Gods, it tastes so good, the scent alone is driving me wild! My tongue seems to extend further and she lets out a much louder and satisfied moan. "Y-Yasei, I…" She could not finish her sentence as she climaxes. "G-gods, Yasei..." I lap up the remaining juices and growl.
Then the haze lifts and reality comes crashing down. I pull away and my pupils are back to normal. I flick my tongue around in my mouth, 'it is still forked . ' Camilla is lying on my bed, panting. "C-Camilla?"
"Hmm?" She lazily answers.
"Why did you not stop me?"
"Because I am always here for you, my darling Yasei. I will make sure that you are well taken care of." She smiles and sits up. "Speaking of, are you feeling better now?" She casually strides and grabs her armor, like she just was not eaten out by someone who has been considered family for almost eighteen years.
"Much better." 'More . '
"As I said, I am here for you." Her armor is back on, "Now! I believe there is packing in order, yes?"
The minutes pass on in silence, I do not exactly have a lot to pack and I assume Camilla brought it up to show me the armor she has crafted for me. A few healing tonics is really it. My sister excuses herself to get the tonics to the Convoy. Divine Weapons never wear out and my Dragonstone recharges on its own, my armor should be fine to deflect several dozen weapon strikes… not that I am going to start intentionally getting hit.
"Thanks, Camilla." I say as she returns. We hug again, but I make sure to turn my face away from her and keep the embrace light. "I should get going, The sooner I finish the better." We break the embrace and leave the room, a bit down the hallway I see Xander waiting.
"I got a dozen unnamed men under your command, sister. They understand the orders. Be safe and by the gods come back alive." His voice cracks for a moment, a side of Xander I rarely see. No one likes the idea of me fighting alone… but no one has the gall to disobey Father, either. "I- uh, see Camilla gave her present to you." He awkwardly changes the subject,
"Mhm!" I spin in place, "Doesn't it look great!"
"I… apologize we won't be there for your birthday, sister." Leo appears and looks my armor over, "I'm pleased the enchants turned out so well and I pray that the transformation enchant works as intended." He sighs, "Spending a day with a room full of the brightest minds in magic was… taxing."
"Siiiiister!" Elise runs up to me, but stops short of throwing herself on me, opting instead for a hug. "I'm going to miss you sooo much!"
I feel tears go from my face and onto her, "Sh… I'll get this done, I promise." We separate, "I'll see you all later. Love you." A group of goodbyes are said, Camilla's and Elise's faces flush slightly. Gods, I am messed up. They are my siblings! 'Not by blood . ' I smile and leave, with the dozen soldiers lined up outside the castle doors, the one in the center has his weapons sheathed and is carrying a crate of sorts, the faint smell of food is the first thing that I notice. The dizziness returns and I take a breath. I do not need assistance. The soldiers follow silently behind.
Soon enough the small party makes it to the top and are off towards my goal, "Lady Corrin." The lead soldier breaks the silence, he has a roll of cloth in his hand and a bow strapped to his back, "Would you prefer having the map for yourself?"
So that is what he is holding, "Yes." It will give me something to focus on. He gives me the map, and I unroll it. It is highly detailed with a fine line dictating the best path, as well as a few alternate routes. The march starts, I am not sure how long this would take, since I have no sense of scale. This would be my first trip devoid of anyone I know, but that is on me.
I have to do it right this time.