"So, the closest place to get a ship is Dia?"
"Unfortunately so, milady. Most ports have closed up since the war spread down here. Especially for Hoshidans, on this side of the sea" sighed Gunter. "This means heading into Nohr. Not far, but it's still enemy territory."
Strange terminology, that. Technically, everyone was aiming swords at me. Then again, I did attack them first. Not one of our strategic masterworks, I'll admit. But I'll need to get Nohr on side eventually.
"So we'll march north and try and sneak in? What about getting the boat?"
"We could send someone ahead to secure the purchase, meaning we won't have to wait around too long there. We also have this fort as a means of hiding stealthily near the town."
The ability to hide from roaming armies was probably the best feature of this fort, behind the treehouse and bathhouse, in that order. Unfortunately, we couldn't just pop out unannounced, we could throw ourselves into an ambush. So we had someone on watch where we had entered, this time in Cyrkensia, we had Kaze and Rinkah on watch. Both were mostly unharmed from the fighting and were aiding the civilians.
Unfortunately, everyone had to march with us. If we didn't bring everyone out together, they'd leave the fort potentially miles away. I think the castle workers were denizens of the realm my fort is located in.
At least, I think so. I hope Lillith didn't kidnap a load of people, at any rate.
But since we need to march, we need to be in better shape. The last fight was gruelling, with most of us injured in some way. The worst off was me, Oboro, Mozu, Beruka and Kaden.
"Naturally, we can't march until you recover. May I suggest taking some time to sort your, ah, affairs. You have a lot of battles coming up and you need to be ready." Ever the old softy, Gunter. Heaven forbid you actually have a real daughter some day, you'd never know what to do. But now we've technically got some time off, I guess we could chat some more. Maybe even do some crochet together.
I must be an expert by now.
"I understand. Could you send Jakob over, if he's not busy with the other patients?" I ask. The herbs Sakura put me on were wearing out and like hell was I feeling my injuries anytime today. I had a large gash on the back of one of my legs, which had also cracked the bone, and across my back a deep tear that was slowly healing. Most of the time since we got back I'd been laid out in bed.
"Understood. Please rest, milady" said my guardian, leaving. A few minutes later, my butler entered without knocking.
"Lady Kamui. You wished to see me?"
"Ah, Jakob, just in time. Could you get some of those herbs from Sakura? I want to go hang out with Oboro." The servant rolls his eyes and opens a pocket on his waistcoat.
"She did say to use these sparingly, milady. We know what you're like under the influence." One time, and suddenly everyone's staging interventions. The butler rolls his eyes and sits down on the stool next to me. Time for A Talk. "Gunter must have been too gentle with you. I understand you are… excited, by your new paramour, but may I offer a warning?"
Not that you'd stop if I said no.
"You are acting like a child, Kamui."
You're 22, stop acting like an old man.
" Every second you spend thinking of Oboro, you are shirking the thoughts you should be having regarding this situation. What do you do when you see her in danger?"
I glare deeply at him, but his stern face is like an inpenetrable wall, honed by years of scolding junior servants and unruly princesses.
"I run in and save her."
"And throw yourself in front of swords. Dragon or not, you are not invincible and you are our leader. If you fall, all is lost. If she falls, we can continue."
The nerve of this man!
"Asshole! Are you saying she's expendable?"
"Not in the slightest. You need to understand that you are not just needed at her side. Everyone needs you, and you are of no use to anyone stuck in a bed with a chunk of your leg missing!"
Wow, he actually shouted.
"I-I apologise, milady. But still, please. Try to calm yourself of her and keep your mind balanced on the battlefield. Beruka is still unconscious. Would she have fared better if she had a commander covering her back? Maybe. Point is, the last fight was the most intense we've faced so far. We don't know what awaits us at Notre Sagresse, so we need you more than ever to keep your head clear."
Beruka's still unconscious?! I didn't even know. Granted, I have been drugged up and bedbound since the fight, but still. Ugh, I feel sick.
"I understand. Should I avoid her then?"
"Heavens, no, don't start with that, you'll give the girl a complex. Just maybe in battle, if you can't keep your mind from wandering."
So we're back to how we were when I was blushing and stammering over myself. Great.
"Go talk to her now. I'll give you a hand."
"You're a star." I won't be able to stop thinking about that quiet assassin though. "What about Beruka?"
"She'll be fine. She has both Camilla and Sakura doting over her. Now, let's get you dressed" said the butler, pulling a dress from my wardrobe.
The barracks accommodation of my fort was a fair bit nicer than the usual military bases I'd seen. At least, the girls dorm was. Four people to a room, with plenty of flowers brightening the rooms up. I hadn't dared venture into the boys dorm, imagine the scandal, but I imagine it didn't smell so nice.
Oboro's room was shared with Hana, Sakura and Mozu, of which the only one here was Mozu, laid out in bed. She'd taken a heavy whack from whatever the hell Siegfried's beam was , but it had really knocked the wind from her sails. I don't think she's really been well since that night in the tavern, but this probably outweighs any hangover. Oboro was laying down on her bed, sewing her battle dress. On the floor next to her was a pile of clothes that needed repairs. Jakob's shirt was notably absent.
"H-heya, Oboro, how is it going?" I ask, that annoying stammer rearing his head again. Come on, I was so close. Jakob had cleared off, presumably to stop any rumours of him lurking in the girls dorm from surfacing. The seamstress hadn't noticed my arrival and managed to stab herself in the finger, giving out a yelp.
"O-oh, Kamui! I didn't realise you were there. It's good to see that you are moving a bit better." The long dress Jakob had picked did a good job of covering all my bandages. I had a pair of crutches as well to help with moving around without a big pair of strong arms to carry me. "Do you want to sit on here?"
Oh my, invited onto her bed. I stiffly sit down, my leg sticking out straight thanks to the splints attached. She was sitting there in a flowery kimono, loosely tied up. "So, uh, thanks for having my back in that last fight." Got to try and keep this professional.
Oboro looked surprised, then smiled, releasing the anxiety in my chest. "Not a problem, chief, it's my job to be yours and Takumi's shield. Besides, I thought you'd be upset, considering I got in the way of your duel with Xander. Don't Nohrians have that chivalry thing or whatever that says no interfering in a clash between knights?"
It also generally has knights slaying dragons, which doesn't really bode well for me. Even then, there was nothing duel-like about that entire fight!
"O-oh no, that wasn't a duel, he was just upset. Still, I'm surprised you managed to go toe to toe with him. I think I've only ever managed to even hit him once or twice in all the years we've practised together."
It was probably more down to him being blindsided by the shrieking madwoman, but still, credit where it's due.
"Oh, tell me about it. Orochi's already been teasing me, saying that the Blue Demon of Hoshido is now famous for beating up the crown prince of Nohr."
Keep your filthy claws out of this pure one, witch.
"What did Sakura say about your injuries?"
"Nothing too major, just that I've got to rest. Usual stuff. But I'll be ready the next time we're moving out! You can count on me to protect you" she said, smacking a fist into her palm. I saw that wince, sweetheart. Time for big mean Commander to step in.
"I want you to heal fully. No running into swords when you're still recovering. And this is an order."
She scowls at me. Don't hate me, please. This is the only way we can make sure you don't bite off more than you can chew.
"Only if you're sitting it out as well. That leg of yours is only going to hold you back and you're already public enemy number 1 to our enemies."
"N-no way! The CO has to be on field to lead! Besides, I have everyone watching my back. The only people looking for yours is me, Hinata and Takumi. And I can't do that effectively like this. So please, until we're better, keep it calm. I promise I'll take a back seat."
Her face didn't brighten. Damn it, did I piss her off?
"I'm sure any of the others would cover me." She clicks her tongue loudly. "I guess you're right. Just don't get yourself killed or I'll stamp on your grave."
A success, finally.
"Anyway, business over with, what are you doing with the uniforms? Are you sure that's not too much to do when resting?"
Her demon face brightens the second her work is brought up. Good to note.
"Sakura only said bed rest, and I can do this from my bed! So, all the damaged uniforms I'm patching up keeps me busy. It makes up for all the mopping I'm going to miss, at least."
"You do know we do have servants to do the housework, at least." The mystery cleaners. Lillith wouldn't tell me where they came from. And none of them would speak of it, either. The most pointless joke in history, and it's being pulled on me.
"It helps get me ready to sleep" shrugs Oboro. People have done stranger things. We used to say Felicia couldn't sleep until she dropped something.
"I thought you might want to try crochet again. I've been practising a little." Looking around, I see my abomination sitting on her bedside counter.
"I… wasn't in the best of conditions back then." No you were not. "How about you show me again? We can properly sew together!"
She looks so cheerful, despite her injuries. I knew this was a brilliant idea! Grabbing my handy knitting bag, I pull out some wool and hooks. With her watchful stare, my hands move on their own.
"Oh, I think I've seen some of this stuff before" she says, having picked up needles herself and joined me. Naturally, she was tremendous at it. Mine was doing better than before, now actually looking like my Dragonstone. Simple, yet stylish. Hers was an effigy of me as a dragon.
"You've really caught my good side."
"It's a magnificent beast…" she said, still in thought. Damn right I am. Oboro notices my smirk and turns scarlet.
"I-I mean it's a great look! It's elegant in form!" Keep digging yourself deeper, sweetheart.
"Aren't I always?"
"Well…"
"Don't stop right there."
"To say the least, you're hardly a lady. You'd probably get into a fistfight in court or start wrestling in a fight!" I mean, that's all true. "B-but Lady Hinoka isn't much better!" The poor girl looks like she could just die.
"I kid, but still, wrestling is a vital fighting skill." Especially for someone who can turn their arm into a sword.
"Jeez, it's not ladylike to bully your friends, either!" At least she was giggling now. "Do you want me to call you Prince Kamui or something?"
We're both finally free of our nerves! Gods, wherever you are, thank you for blessing me with this strength! I'm so happy, I'm practically in the heavens with you!
"You'll call me queen, honey" I say, without thinking.
What.
I didn't just say that, did I? I slowly drag my eyes over to the lady I was with. She was stifling a laugh, whilst still bright red.
D-dammit! I was so close to having a successful date!
"Jus' get a room or sumthin'!" groaned Mozu from across the room. Whoops, guess she wasn't as asleep as we thought. "Don't you have that treehouse to yerself?"
"S-sorry, Mozu, we'll quieten it down" laughed Oboro, wiping a tear from her eye. "S-so, uh, Queen Kamui, huh?"
How could you forsake me like this, Gods? I take all that praise back.
"How about we go back to your throne room?" the seamstress said, with a wink and a grin