Interlude - Aurelis

Diana POV

The pirate interlude aside, the immediate days after retaking Aurelis Castle are rather calm and peaceful. It's almost eerie, considering how much fighting there had been over the past six months. I catch Sedgar twitching at every noise, even as he makes the best food we'd had in… gods, it feels like years. It's simple stuff, but it's better than the rations.

It's weird. It's so weird. Even back at Archanea Castle, things never felt this… peaceful. I don't know what to do when there's nothing to fight. Not anymore.

I hissed as I cleaned my wounds, grimacing at the burning pain. The free time had given the healers, mainly Nyna and Sister Lena, time to give me more extensive healing, but I still had many angry red lines scabbed over that needed to be cleaned regularly. At the least, though, I could go around with less bandages, meaning that we didn't have to use up entire rolls just for me. It made me feel a little better about things, and the lessened pain let me be a bit more useful. I still couldn't train regularly, or do any sort of heavy lifting, but I could carry messages and carry supplies for the healers in the infirmary. It was enough to soothe my aching pride.

"Are you alright?" Nyna asked as she looked over my shoulder. She had insisted on coming into my room and at least supervising my cleaning the injuries, just in case. "That sounded painful."

"Yes, I'm fine." I smiled at her as I carefully wiped down the wounds with a clean rag. "That bit of burning just meant some infection had seeped in, and it was getting it out."

"Oh, how did it get infected? We've been careful!"

"It's one of the worst wounds, pretty deep. That increases the chances, even when you're being careful." The one that hurt the most had been the one in my chest, where I'd ripped out the arrow. But some others had burned, and if I remembered correctly, they were also arrow wounds. Those were always prone to infection. "Still, if you can help me bandage up?"

"Of course." Nyna picked up the bandages and began helping me. "Still so many…"

"Well, I nearly died, and I reopened them twice." It was a testament to the healing staves that I wasn't crippled. "I'm healing, though. That's better than many."

"Yeah…" She leaned briefly into me before resuming bandaging me up. "We lost a few people earlier. There was a fight in the infirmary."

"I heard. Sedgar calmed it, right?"

"Yes, but not before some people reopened their injuries and bled out." Nyna sighed. "We should've moved the Macedonians to another room before this. It was silly and stupid to expect our own to just lie there and be treated side-by-side with their former enemies."

"Most would think that treating former enemies at all is unusual."

"I agree with Prince Marth, though. We must defeat Medeus and rebuild the continent. How can we do that, if we do not treat those we defeat with decency?" Nyna tied off one bandage and worked on bandaging another set of injuries. "It's not the Macedonians' fault that King Michalis sided with Medeus. You could even argue it wasn't his fault; his nation was going to be overrun and Archanea did nothing."

"I wouldn't be making too many excuses for Micky, Nyna." There were harsh rumors about him even before the war, though the people of Macedonia loved him dearly. "He may have good intentions, but if he goes about it the wrong way, it's still wrong."

"...I feel like if I condemn him, I condemn Camus, though…"

"He and Camus are two different people, who fight for the enemy for two separate reasons." I kept my voice firm. "Besides, even if they were similar, it's okay to be hypocritical so long as you're aware of it."

"If you say so." She might've said more, but a knock on the door interrupted her. "Hold on just a moment!" She quickly finished up with the bandages and I pulled back on my clothes.

Only then did I call, "come in!"

The door open to reveal Duke Hardin, who looked distinctly amused by something. "I'm sorry to bother you two," he began. His voice wobbled slightly, like he was just barely holding back laughter. "But we have an impromptu crowd outside."

"So, I need to fix up Nyna's appearance," I murmured, catching on instantly. Nyna gave me a look that screamed 'wwhhhyyyyy?' before adopting her calm mask. "Prince Marth as well… you. Yes, you." I glowered as he opened his mouth to protest. "Like hell you're going out like that. And… you know what? Let's bring Princess Caeda into this so that Nyna's not the only girl. It won't hurt for them to associate two pretty girls with the army." I laughed a bit, feeling almost invigorated. This was something I could easily do, even while wounded. "Okay, follow me you two. We'll make you look presentable if it's the last thing I do."

"That was the longest thing ever." Nyna groaned and sprawled out on her bed, moving only so that I could more easily undo the braids I'd put in her hair. "I can't believe I used to do that daily," she whined, giving me a weary look. "I have to get back my stamina."

"Yes, you do," I agreed, grinning as she whimpered. "Come now, Princess. Think of ways to make it fun."

"I'm dragging you into it next time." She sighed and sat up so that I could brush out her hair. "Marth looked rather confused by all of it. It was adorable. Caeda blushed."

"Few things are more obvious than the fact that Caeda and Marth are crushing on each other." I'd been around them for maybe half a mark and figured that out. "Maybe you and Caeda can girl-talk."

"Maybe…" Her expression saddened, and I knew she was thinking of Camus. "Loving someone is such a wonderful, yet sorrowful, thing."

"Yes, it is. Whether that love is romantic, familial, or platonic." I rested a hand on her shoulder and smiled slightly. "But even with the pain, it's rather worth it, isn't it?"

"Yes, I think so." She smiled back, a small smile but one nonetheless. "Thank you. I'd be far sadder if you weren't here."

"Well, that's part of the job of being a bodyguard. Protecting you from everything, even sadness." I grinned and she managed a weak laugh. "Mmm, not good enough!" I set the brush down and started tickling her, like how Charles would tickle me to startle more laughter.

It worked instantly, and she yelped even as she did laugh and batted my hands away. "Tickling isn't fair!" She pouted as I snickered. "I should tickle you b-!" A knock on the door cut her off and, within heartbeats, she had her calm mask back on and I was back to brushing her hair. "Come in."

"Sorry to bother!" Princess Caeda stepped inside the room and, surprisingly, was dressed in a very simple dress of very unflattering browns. "Wait, why are you frowning?" she asked, looking at me. Her hair was braided up into a little bun. "Is it because I got the makeup off?"

"Knowing Diana, either you removed it incorrectly or she's annoyed at your clothing," Nyna instantly reassured. She smiled politely, laughing a little. "She's quite picky."

"Properly removing makeup is important to make sure the skin doesn't get irritated, or clogged," I explained with great dignity, even as I continued to brush Nyna's hair. "Things are going to be stressful enough, and pimples are just plain annoying to deal with." I pointed to the dress. "And that looks hideous. Brown is not your color, or at least, that shade isn't."

"W-well, I'm planning on sneaking into the market!" Princess Caeda protested. She pouted a little. "I don't want to stand out."

"You'll definitely stand out like that. Even commoners try to wear colors that suit them, your highness." I smiled as she squirmed. "Now, what was that about the market?"

"Oh, right." She perked right back up. "I'm heading to the market. And I was wondering, Nyna, if you'd like to sneak in with me." She smiled brightly. "Ogma will be with me, of course, so Diana can even take a nap or something!"

"I…" I hesitated, but noticed that Nyna looked really intrigued by the idea. "Will you not go far?"

"We'll just head into the market. I promise."

"Well…" I looked at Nyna, and when she nodded, I sighed. "Oh, very well. But do not go far." I smiled wryly. "I promise that I know Ogma is very skilled; I am just paranoid."

"You're a bodyguard. It's your job." She smiled sweetly. "But you need a break too~"

"And promise to change your dress. Please." I quickly braided Nyna's hair, and nudged her up. Her eyes were already sparkling. "Get her a dress too. Softer colors. Not white, though." White was incredibly hard to keep pristine. Off-white or cream would be more 'common'. "And have fun."

"We will!" Princess Caeda seized Nyna by the hand and dragged her out of the room, happily chatting about… anything and everything.

I watched them leave and, for a brief moment, debated going to follow. But I pushed down that response, simply because… I thought it would do Nyna good, to spend some time with someone else. While I would always be there for her, it would be much healthier for her, and for me, for her to have more friends she could relax around. Princess Caeda certainly seemed eager to befriend Nyna, and seemed like a kind girl.

Still, I spend quite a few moments just pacing, fretting and tugging at my hair, before flopping down on Nyna's bed, deciding that I should just try to nap, especially since I was low on energy. Healing took a lot out of a person, and I was exhausted. The problem was, now that I was actively trying to sleep in such a splendid bed, I couldn't help but think of my childhood. Of my family. My bed back there had been this soft, with as many pillows and blankets. My room had actually been of soft colors, just like this.

We'd been a prominent noble family. I remembered that, though I didn't really remember the 'rank' or anything. Rich, titled, landed. All the 'important' things in a court. But there was a hard year that hurt our finances or something. I hadn't known or understood any of that. I'd been only twelve, focused far more on dresses and perfumes. My parents had been distant, focused on parties and social standing, but my siblings had been sweet. I'd loved them.

But my parents had spent outside their means, throwing elaborate parties and buying luxuries no one needed, and racked up a huge debt. Their solution was, instead of selling the things they didn't need, instead of cutting back on spending, was to sell me. A wealthy duke, relatively young, had expressed interest in me and wanted to marry me; my parents had jumped on the offer, and had arranged it so that he got me in exchange for paying off their debts.

I hadn't been told. I'd been dressed up, told that it was a 'party' just for me, and basically been marched right up to the altar, and married against my will or even knowledge. Perfectly legal in Grust, at least at the time. I'd been so confused, and so hurt, wondering why this strange man insisted I was 'his' now. I couldn't understand why my parents sacrificed me so that they could support their lifestyle. My eldest siblings, though… they'd saved me. They'd helped me escape during the reception, and I'd run. And now, through a series of strange events, I was in a room that looked so similar that I almost thought they were the same.

Groaning, I turned over onto my side, and tried to focus slowly on falling asleep. But when I finally did nod off, I was plagued by nightmares of that time, and of the fall of Archanea. It wasn't a very restful nap at all. This was why I didn't take breaks. I thought too much.

I finished my 'nap', cleaned Nyna's room, did some careful stretches, and then a number of other fussy things until Nyna returned. Some part of me thought about taking my own damn advice and talking to people, but there wasn't really… anyone I wanted to talk with. I could've talk with Duke Hardin, Wolf, Sedgar, or any of the Aurelis people. I could've talk with Sister Lena, or maybe Kris. I could've just introduced myself to people. But I didn't… want to. They were people I could work with, and talk with, but no one I would go out of my way to spend time with. It wasn't like with the Wolf Pack, where I'd seek people out. I just… we were all comrades. That was all.

So, I was a bit broody when Nyna finally returned, with a bright smile and brighter eyes. However, Nyna quickly whispered to me that she wanted to actually head back, and for one reason: she thought she'd heard a rumor about Camus. It was obvious why she hadn't wanted to keep Princess Caeda out just for that, so I changed into something a little less conspicuous, and the two of us headed out to the market. The story was that Nyna wanted to sneakily buy Princess Caeda a present, and that certainly made the people we actually had to tell smile.

"Sister, keep close to me," I urged, holding onto Nyna's hand. We were pretending to be sisters from a distant village, and when we actually conversed and shopped, Nyna pretended to be mute, traumatized by the horrors of war. That was mostly to hide her accent; I could fake an Aurelisi one fairly well thanks to spending time with Wolf and Sedgar. It was a useful trick for a mercenary. "I don't want you getting lost."

"I feel like a little girl playing pretend," Nyna whispered very, very softly, as she stepped closer to my side and smiled. Her eyes were sparkling. "I thought that earlier, when I was out with Caeda."

"Well, we are being a little silly." I reached up to check the hood of my cloak was up, and doubled checked that hers was as well. Hers was pinned, in fact, but I was a bit paranoid it would fall anyway. "Stay close, though. It's going to be crowded."

We passed out of the 'shopping' part of the market, and entered the unofficial 'rest' section of the area, where people would mingle and chatter while resting their feet or while snacking. The smell of food wafted over everything and my stomach grumbled slightly, but I kept focused on the task at hand. Nyna subtly navigated to where she thought she'd overheard Camus's name, using nods, nudges, and points to get us near a woman eating fried apple skins gossiped with another, older woman who was fixing a hole in her shoe.

We lingered near, and I waited, straining my ears. I squeezed Nyna's hand when I caught Camus's name in their conversation and, when the older woman left, I crept closer, letting go of Nyna's hand to wave and catch the apple-woman's attention.

"My pardon, but I couldn't help but overhear," I began cheerfully. I leaned forward slightly, smiling my best smile at the woman. She instantly smiled back, clearly a friendly sort. "I thought I heard something about sable? I do love that color."

"While it is a lovely color, that's Camus the Sable, my dear, not the color," she corrected. She passed a piece of a fried apple skin to Nyna and me, waving her hand as I started to protest. "Oh, think nothing of it. We're celebrating today!"

"That we are." I popped the piece in my mouth, smiling at the cinnamon. They really were going all out today. "So, what about Camus the Sable?" I glanced at Nyna, and she lingered nearby, nibbling on the apple skin. This would be all on me. "I heard he got in big trouble with Medeus."

"Yes, but apparently not so much that Medeus isn't willing to discard him." The woman's eyes glinted in disgust. "Word on the wind is that he's been released, though he's being kept on a tighter leash. There's nothing on what caused the trouble or anything."

"Knowing our enemy, I'm willing to bet he didn't kill someone he was supposed to." I felt the need to put that out. Another little… rumor, I supposed. One that pointed out that Camus was a good man, even if he did have something of a guilt complex. "You know? Logically, I mean."

"That's a good point." The woman's eyes softened slightly. Just slightly. But it was enough to make me smile. "Oh, that's not the only rumor dealing with our enemies."

"Really?" I made my eyes as wide and innocent as possible. "What is it?"

"Well, this one is a little more whispery, dear, but there's rumors that Gharnef actually has hostages to keep people in line." The woman leaned in to whisper in my ear. "They say that Gharnef has a 'personal' hostage, though, trapped in his strange castle far away from everything. A cleric princess."

"A cleric princess?" This was news to me. "Do any fit that description?"

"Well, there's the littlest princess of Macedon, but since Macedon fell in line with Medeus quickly, I doubt it's her." Her eyes shone now. "But there is supposed to be one other. The Princess of Altea."

"Wow, really?" I gasped appropriately, even as my mind spun. Princess Elice… there had been no rumors about her until now. I doubted this was a coincidence. Garf wanted to shake Prince Marth's resolve, or make him reckless. Or both. "Why?"

"No one knows, but it can't be good." The woman and I traded a few more pleasantries and gossips after that, pointless things that I didn't pay attention to. After that, I left, snagging Nyna's hand as we returned to the market proper.

"Well, Camus is freed, and we might have word on Marth's sister," I murmured. She nodded, leaning into my side. Her eyes were worried, but her smile was happy and sweet. News of Camus cheered her considerably. "We need to at least tell Marth of the latter."

"I'll do that," Nyna volunteered quietly. Her smile turned wry. "You might want to tell Duke Hardin about Camus. He… is on the opposing side, after all."

"I'll handle that." I smiled, though, and nudged her side, hoping to cheer her back up. "For now, though, let's find that present for Princess Caeda. Point the way. You're supposed to be mute."

We ended up buying presents not only for Princess Caeda, but for Prince Marth and Duke Hardin as well. Plus some things for the soldiers. It ended up being quite the fun little day.

Author's notes: Have some Diana backstory, and some mentions of Nyna-Caeda friendship bonding things. Also mentions of Camus and Elice, Marth's sister.

Next Chapter - Lefcandith Gauntlet