Disclaimer: I own nothing
'Thinking'
"Speaking"
SPELL/ABILITY
(********) = Scene/Location/Time Change
Chapter six: Let's get new digs.
The castle guard arrived and escorted the teenagers and the bar workers to the castle. Saito and Henrietta were being scolded by Agnes while Leon and Jessica looked around the throne room.
"They sure are nice for taking us in." Leon said to his friend.
"Yeah," Jessica replied putting on a smile, "I don't know what I'd have done had they not given us a place to stay."
At that moment the doors to the throne room opened allowing and elegant looking woman and a maid to enter. Saito bowed and Henrietta curtsied at the arrival of the woman. Leon and Jessica mimicked their actions receiving a smile from the woman. Suddenly, the maid ran over and gave Jessica a big hug.
"It's good to see you Jessica." Siesta said.
"How do you two know each other?" Saito asked Siesta.
"We're cousins. Her father took care of me in town until I was old enough to become a maid for the academy." Siesta informed the group.
"It's good to see you, but what are you doing here?" Jessica questioned her cousin.
"I came here with Saito and I have started working as a direct servant to the queen." Siesta replied motioning in the direction of the woman.
Jessica curtsied again and spoke, "Forgive me your highness; I have yet to thank you for taking us in."
"Oh, that's fine my dear." The queen replied with a smile, "I'm always willing to help friends of my daughter."
"Daughter?" Leon stated confused.
"It seems I have failed to introduce myself to you." Henrietta said, "I am Princess Henrietta de Tristain."
Leon looked at Saito raising an eyebrow and interrogating his friend, "You're living with a princess? In our world you could hardly speak to a girl without stuttering."
The entire group laughed as Henrietta looked at Saito and he examined, in great detail, the tile floor.
"I'm sure you're all tired after a long night," The queen said, "Why don't we continue this conversation in the morning. Siesta dear would you show the girls to their rooms? Saito can show Leon his room."
"It's the one right across the hall from me." Saito informed his friend.
As the group was starting to leave the queen spoke to her daughter, "Henrietta, I would like to speak with you shortly."
"Yes mother," Henrietta replied giving Saito a reassuring glance that all would be ok.
"Our situation has gotten worse." The queen of Tristain told her daughter.
"What has happened with Albion?" Henrietta asked her mother.
"Your cousin Wales has been forced into hiding," Henrietta's mother said, "A rogue group known as Reconquista has begun a coup d'état in his kingdom. In order to protect our country we must form a stronger bond with Germania."
Henrietta turned pale knowing where this was going and spoke, "Shall I have to marry?"
"I'm afraid so…" her mother responded sadly, "I wanted you to be able to choose your husband, but the people must come before our feelings."
"If that's the case then I must inform you of something that may trouble you." Henrietta said and continued to tell her mother of her relationship with her cousin.
"Is there any evidence?" the queen asked her daughter.
"Just a single letter I sent to him." Henrietta responded on the verge of tears.
"We must retrieve it…" the queen told her daughter, "but we are shorthanded as it is and I couldn't trust mercenaries with such a delicate matter."
"I know two people who could help us…" Henrietta told her mother reluctantly. She told her mother about the events that had unfolded at the bar in more detail.
"I thought those boys looked familiar…" the queen said with a sad laugh, "They look just like their parents."
"I'll tell them in the morning." Henrietta told her mother before the leaving.
The queen followed her daughter out. After the two had left, the form of a man emerged from the shadows. The man was tall and wore a wide-brimmed hat with a feather in it.
'What valuable information I just gained.' The man thought to himself.
(********)
Sienna, Aria, and Louise walked down the hall drawing bewildered gazes from their classmates. Louise smiled and laughed as the three girls talked about various subjects. The previous night Sienna had studied and mastered all the subjects the class had worked on up to that point.
"Did you really stay up all night studying?" Louise asked her friend.
"No," Sienna responded, "Most of the night I spent practicing alchemy."
"Why alchemy?" Louise questioned remembering her bad experiences with the magic.
"She wants to be able to make something to help her find her friends." Aria answered for her friend.
"Oh…" Louise responded, "You really want to find them don't you…"
"Of course," the fire haired genius replied, "Those two need supervision or they'll break this world."
"Are they that strong?" Louise asked remembering how weak Saito had seemed during their time together.
"Leon is the fighter of the two," Sienna admitted, "but Saito has his moments. Either way, if I let the run around unchecked they'll probably wind up doing something crazy."
"You should have more faith in your friends." Aria sighed as the three entered the classroom.
(********)
"So let me get this straight," Leon said in between bites of food, "You want us to infiltrate another country, find your cousin, receive a letter from, and then burn it without reading it?"
"That's the gist of it." Henrietta said. She had added that last condition in the hopes that she wouldn't need to get married and she could still lead some relationship.
"Sure." Saito said happily, "Anything for you princess."
"Hold up a second," Jessica interrupted, "You guys are under equipped and lack proper training."
"We have prepared our best equipment mages to outfit them." Henrietta replied.
"They still lack the proper training…" Jessica said not wanting to have to part from Leon's side.
"I'll be fine," Leon said, "Besides we'll have Derflinger and Vandal with us."
"No need to worry, little miss." Vandal said, "I'll keep master safe and return you your boyfriend."
This drew blush from the two. They suddenly found themselves unable to look at each other. Leon stood eager to get out of the awkward situation.
"We leave tomorrow morning so we should probably prepare." Leon said as he headed to leave the room.
"I think I'll try and find someone willing to repair the inn." Sienna said also standing to leave.
Saito and Henrietta found themselves alone at the table.
"What's so important about this letter?" Saito asked his friend.
"It's nothing special…" Henrietta replied unable to meet his gaze.
Saito reached out to put his hand on her shoulder. She looked up and almost fell to tears at the concerned look on his face.
"You can tell me anything," Saito said, "You know that right?"
"You'd think different of me." Henrietta said.
"You saved me." Saito reminded her, "There's nothing in this world that would make me think any less of you."
Henrietta knew he'd find out eventually so she decided to tell him, taking in a deep breath she began, "Several years ago Wales and I fell in love. We were young and found a strong bond due to our families and similar situations."
Saito was shocked, but he allowed motioned her to continue.
"We made a promise under the stars on one starry night to never stop loving each other. We haven't spoken in person since then, but I sent him one letter detailing our relationship. Knowing Wales he has held onto it." Henrietta told him.
"Why do you need the letter back?" Saito asked.
"A revolt has begun in Albion and Tristain needs strong ties to another country." Henrietta told the dark haired boy, "I am going to put into an arranged marriage with a Germanic prince."
The last bit hit Saito hard, though he didn't understand why, after a long pause he responded, "I'll get the letter for you and destroy it."
"Thank you." Henrietta began but she was cut off by Saito.
"I'll also make sure you don't have to marry anyone you don't want to." Saito said before standing up and leaving.
Before Henrietta could respond Saito had left shutting the door with a slight slam. The sound of the door closing echoed through the chambers as Saito's words echoed through Henrietta's mind.
'What did he mean by that…' the princess thought to herself, 'Does he actually care about me? Or is he just being his usual status-quo defying self?'
"I wonder how he intends to do that." The queen said to her daughter from behind, "I apologize; I did not mean to eavesdrop, though I don't regret it. I wonder if he intends to keep his word."
"Do you know what he intends to do?" Henrietta asked her mother.
"I have a hunch," the queen replied absently, "it will certainly be interesting if I'm right."
With that the queen left the room to attend to royal duties in her office. Henrietta sat at the table for a long while before finally deciding to get to the work she had put off to spend time with Saito.
(********)
"Would you please just hold still?" the royal tailor said to Leon as he squirmed around while she got his measurements.
"Sorry," Leon said sheepishly, "I'm not really good with people touching me."
"You sure it's not just me?" she said as she got up in his face.
The tailor was a tall brunette with long flowing hair. She looked about 18 and had beauty to rival Jessica and the queen. Before Leon was forced to answer Saito entered the room followed by Siesta who had apparently shown him the way.
"You work fast Senpai," Saito teased, "but won't Jessica be mad if she heard about this?"
"Jessica?" the tailor asked the newcomer.
"My cousin," Siesta answered eyeing Leon with daggers as she added, "one with a very fragile heart."
"Interesting," the girl said eyeing Leon, "alright I'm done. Here comes the fun part."
"Fun part?" Leon questioned the girl.
"Imagine yourself in the equipment you'd like to wear." The young tailor informed him, "The beauty of my magic is it can be anything and it will still protect you as much as a knight's armor would. Probably even better."
"Wow," Leon said stunned, "All that for us?"
"Of course in return you'll have to swear your loyalty to our queen," Siesta said still slightly mad at the boy, "By accepting this armor you'll become the soldiers of the queen."
"No problem," Leon said with a smile, "We something to do until we find our way home."
"Leon, we are home remember?" Saito said reminding the boy of the past nights events.
"I'm not sure what you two are talking about," the tailor interrupted, "but we should probably hurry while I still remember your numbers."
Leon nodded and imagined himself in a new set of clothes. He felt himself glow as his idea came to reality. Energy surrounded Leon wrapping him in a vortex of light. The boy felt almost weightless as his old clothes fell away like a memory and his new one's manifested. When Leon opened his eyes he turned himself to face the mirror in the room.
"Spiffy." Saito told his friend jokingly.
Leon found himself in full length black jeans with a white shirt and a black jacket on top. The jacket was lined with white fun and had a hood large enough for his sword spirit, Vandal, to fit inside. Wrapping diagonally around his torso was a strap with a magnetic attachment on the back to allow him to carry his gun-blade with ease. Along with Leon's black jeans he was equipped with a pair of combat boots.
"You have good taste," the tailor said, "A couple of your ideas were a little strange like the large hood, but if it's what you want then I won't complain."
"It's for Vandal." Leon said, since the other night Vandal hadn't left his side. The wolf pup was currently sleeping in the corner.
The girl shrugged and turned to Saito, "You're turn."
"Do I have to be measured?" Saito asked seeming nervous.
"Yes," the girl replied frankly, "I don't really like to do that part in front of people so if you could please follow me."
The two walked behind a collapsible wall and the girl began to measure Saito. Leon walked over and sat down in the seat across from Siesta who squirmed nervously whenever Saito made a sound.
"You like him don't you." Leon said eyeing the girl.
"What?!" Siesta exclaimed at the boy's straight forward attitude.
"So that's a yes?" Leon concluded with a tilt of his head.
"He's just a close friend…" Siesta responded trying to defend herself.
"Ok," Leon replied as Vandal woke up and came to join them, "if you say so."
"Morning master." The wolf said sitting down at the teenager's feet, "Nice new digs."
"Thank you and I told you to just call me Leon." The boy responded, "Now that you're awake, do you mind if I ask you some questions?"
"Here?" Vandal said eyeing Siesta.
"Saito trust her," Leon said drawing a surprised look from the girl, "so I do too."
"Ok then," the pup said happily, "ask away."
"Who exactly were my parents?" Leon asked.
"Your parents were blade masters," Vandal explained, "Your family, and Saito's family, were the last remaining families."
"What happened to the others?" Leon asked.
"They were wiped out in a bloody war." Siesta told Leon, "I always thought it was just a legend…"
"What would make you think that?" Leon inquired, "And what would make you think they were a legend?"
"A blade master was a human being with low affinity to use magic, but their bodies' contained high amounts of magic energy." Vandal explained to his friend.
"They were thought to be legendary because their power is said to have been great enough to trump royal magic." Siesta finished, "If you and Saito are blade masters then that could cause other countries to worry. Tristan's military strength would have essentially increased exponentially in the eyes of the other nations."
"Would it be enough to keep other countries from picking a fight with us?" Saito asked Siesta and Vandal as he appeared around the corner.
"I'd say so." Siesta responded as she looked the boy up and down.
He wore a floor length white cloak that zipped up at the start of his torso. He had jeans similar to Leon except for the fact that his were blue. The inside of the cloak was a blue similar to the shade of his last jacket and the cloak's hood was large enough to mask the boy's face in shadow. The dark haired boy wore a black shirt covered by a thin lair of chainmail.
"Now you two are official members of the Royal force." The tailor said cheerily.
The three teenagers and the wolf cub thanked the girl and left. They walked down the outer castle hall as light poured in through the stained glass windows of the castle.
"I think we should keep this blade master thing a secret for a little." Saito said.
"Why's that?" Siesta said curiously.
"We're going on a covert mission. If the enemy hears about us they'll be on edge." Leon responded answering for his friend.
The three entered the throne room to find Henrietta and the queen deep in conversation. When the two noticed that three had returned they quickly ceased their conversation. Saito and Leon walked up bowing to the queen. When they looked up Henrietta avoided Saito's eyes.
"I see you two have been properly fitted." The queen said elegantly.
"Yes," Saito replied, "thank you for your generosity."
"I think it would be proper to name our newest group of Royal soldier's a name wouldn't it." The queen suggested, "How about… the Forty Second Secret Royal Guard of Tristain?"
"It feels a bit wordy." Leon said dissatisfied with the name.
"I already know our name." Saito said shocking everybody, "We're nothing but fighters who were forced from their home. We don't need such a noble name."
"Then what would you like to be called?" the queen asked.
"I wish for us to be called as we are." Saito said looking at Leon who gave a nod, "From this point I'd like us to be known as The Strays."
The queen smiled and spoke, "You are your father's son. So be it, you are now known as The Strays. It seems you two have already spoken to each other about this subject."
"Last night." Saito replied thinking to the long conversation they had predicting that they would be sent out for some form of mission soon, after exhibiting their powers on a less than subtle scale.
"Which of you is to be the leader of your group?" The queen asked.
"That would be Saito." Leon said before Saito could speak.
"Very well," the queen said before the young boy could refuse, "I grant you the power and title equivalent to that of any other royal guard team."
"Take these to show your rank and position." Henrietta spoke at last handing the two boys each a black left hand glove with the royal crest of Tristain engraved into it in silver.
"The ranking system is determined by mission success. The more difficult missions you complete or the number of missions you complete will grant you more status. The ranking system goes silver, gold, gem, platinum, tristainite." Henrietta informed them.
"Got it," Saito answered pulling the glove on, "May I ask one more thing of you?"
"What is it that you would like?" The queen questioned.
"There were other kids like us," Saito explained, "With substantial proof I'd like to be able to add them to our team."
The queen laughed lightly, "I grant your request."
"Thank you your highness," Saito said, "We shall depart for our first mission in an a few hours."
"What happened to leaving tomorrow?" Henrietta blurted out.
"Last night Leon told me one of our friends from our world is here." Saito explained, "I'd like to check up on her."
"Very well." The queen said before her daughter could argue, "Do you believe her to be a Stray as well?"
"Yes," Leon answered, "She was with us and Lelah made sure to keep her close to us."
"Interesting," the queen said lost in the thought, "how do you intend to prove your assumptions though?"
Leon raised his right hand to show the word wolf engraved in his hand and spoke, "She should have a mark similar to this one."
"Then why doesn't Saito have one?" Siesta asked speaking up for the first time since they had entered the throne room.
"I think I can explain that," Vandal told the group while poking his head out of Leon's hood, "Saito, though now an ex-familiar, is still bound by the title Gandalfr. This is most likely due to the fact that he has yet to completely abandon that role. I believe I know of a way that would dispel the symbol, but it's not one that can be forced."
"I see," the queen responded, "then I have faith that you two will make the proper judgment. You are dismissed."
The boys bowed and left the room returning to their rooms. Saito shut the door walked over to his bed with a sigh.
"Lookin' good partner," Derf said, "How'd it go?"
Saito told his friend about the events that had unraveled that day. The blade listened intently to his friend. When Saito had finished the blade remained silent, thinking about what his friend had told him.
"You should explain yourself." The blade said at last.
"What?" Saito responded confused.
"You can't leave things like that with the princess." Derflinger told him sternly, "She went to the trouble of helping you when you needed it most. The least you could do is tell her about your secret."
"I didn't think about it like that…" Saito admitted.
"You didn't think at all." Derf said with a hint of a laugh.
"I think I'll take a walk…" Saito said grabbing his coat and leaving the room.
"You could also admit to her and yourself you like her." Derf said after his friend had shut the door.
(********)
The three girls entered the class and moved to their seats. Sienna had been sat next to Louise and Aria was given a special desk behind them. They got out their books and continued chatting about various things that Sienna had yet to learn about this world from her books. Mr. Colbert walked to the front of the class as the bell rang.
"Good morning everyone," the teacher said, "Before we begin class I'd like to introduce a special guest from the castle."
A man with long silver hair and a wide-brimmed silver hat walked to the front of the class bowing and introducing himself, "Nice to meet you all, my name is Viscount Wardes. I am the captain of the Royal Griffin Knights."
"Wardes-sama?" Louise exclaimed.
"Ah, hello my darling Louise," the man said, "I was sent by the queen to retrieve you for a mission."
(…)
Good evenin' ladies and gents. I'm going to apologize right off the bat and say sorry about the lack of humor in this chapter. I had originally intended this to be the comic relief chapter for the beginning, but until I get all of the Strays in (there's more than three and an honorary member) I won't be able to do as much comic relief as I had thought. The next matter I want to address is your opinions. I do this for fun and I enjoy hearing what you have to say. Even if it's a negative comment I'll take it because I honestly just want to make this as enjoyable for you guys as it is for me. Shout out to Dyton for always commenting. I'd love to hear any ideas you have for the story. Hope you enjoy. Sorry for the delay on this chapter. – Lion.
P.S.: I will try to keep to my usual daily upload, but school starts for me soon.