Kyuu Sogou Byou (One who is cornered will fight like a devil)
By Amaniblue
© Amaniblue, November 2006
AN: I apologize for the long pause between updates and the shortness of each post. As it seems, I can only write in spurts of inspiration. Alas sometimes, the inspiration is for another fic. So, luckily my muse for this fic has finally stepped up to the plate and ready to bat. So without further ado…
BTW, I'm intentionally keeping to the European, specifically Germanic naming conventions from the anime and manga novel.
Chapter 3
The two riders arrived at the well hidden campsite a little before midnight. The youthful soldier in the brown uniform from earlier on, greeted them anxiously. "Derik, Sir Josak, I bid thee welcome. Please, take a moment to refresh yourselves. I'll inform the captain of your arrival."
The spy and the scout both dismounted their tired horses and handed the youthful soldier their reins.
"There's no need Artur. We'll inform the captain ourselves. Just take care of them for us and make sure they receive a few extra sugar cubes, okay?" winked Josak to the youth with a grateful smile. Artur nodded his assurance and proceeded to guide the horses to the makeshift stable near the campsite.
As soon as the youth left, the smile that graced his lips disappeared. Josak turned solemn eyes towards Derik who then led the way towards the captain's tent.
The scout stopped short at the entrance and announced. "Sire, I have returned with Sir Josak."
"Come in."
The captain's voice sounded very raw. Sir Josak glanced over at Derik questioningly. The scout only shook his head in grim silence before he lifted the flap to the tent and both of them entered.
The room was dark except for a lone candle set atop a block of tree trunk used as a makeshift table. The dim light cast a somber orange glow within the small vicinity. There, at the middle of the tent knelt the captain beside the edge of a bedroll strewn atop a layer of straws.
Josak squinted at the little figure lying on the bedspread in front of them and confusion marred his brow until his eyes widened with alarm. No, this can't be! His thought's screamed. It can't be!
He swallowed hard before he asked, "Is she...?"
Josak couldn't finish. He could barely stand the thought of it.
Regardless, the captain replied to his unspoken question rather hoarsely. "The healer managed to close her wounds, but she had been bleeding internally since we found her…"
A stifled sob later, the captain continued his account, "One of her lungs had already collapsed. She…"
Another pause ensued.
Josak heard the captain visibly swallowed before he continued, "Greta gasped her last breath an hour ago."
Unbidden, Josak howled his latent anguish for all to hear and fell heavily to his knees. Both fists pounded at the dirt beneath him as he grieved for the little princess. The cherubic light that had failed to kill the king many moons before, but had instead, stolen his Majesty's and the kingdoms' heart, was gone.
With tears brimming at his eyes, Josak couldn't fathom why and thought who could have done such a thing!? Those monsters! Who!?
Steadily, Josak rose to his feet and padded towards the captain. He then crouched down beside the man and placed a comforting hand on the captain's shoulder before he pleaded hoarsely, "Conrart, you must tell me what happened. What do you know? Who could have done this to her!? Where is his Majesty now!? Where!?"
Josak couldn't help his actions, with every question he raised, his voice rose with it until the guards posted around the perimeter of the camp could hear the concern in his muffled voice. Despite their many years of training, each of them couldn't help but feel for what Sir Josak was going through at this moment. They themselves have learned of the little princess' demise the first time a howl of anguish quite similar to the one they heard just now came from the captain's tent. Princess Greta was a treat to watch as she cavorted with the commoners and aristocrats alike. She endeared herself to the people around her, especially within his Majesty's circle. It was a sad day for Shin Makoku indeed. Thus with baited breaths, all the guards waited for their captains' new orders as they listened on.
To be continued...
Review Responses:
Oruchuban Ebichu – Sorry for the confusion. I hope it'll be clearer in the future. I'm writing like a narrative of a comic book. So the characters are shrouded in mystery until they are revealed. I hope that makes sense.
Dranzen – Yes, your guess is correct. I had to kill her off for dramatic reasons. I apologize for the confusing beginning but I hope it'll all work out in the end. Please ignore the errors. As for combining the first three chapters, yeah, you're right on that one too. But then, there won't be much of an update would it?
Blissdreamer – Thank you. I'll try my best to update as soon as I can.