Chapter 3: In Town, Part 1
"So, what would you like to eat, Iniabi and Cynthia? Personally, I think I could go for meat and greens." Corrin asked as he led the group through the town.
Jakob sighed at his Master's naivety.
"Lord Corrin, I ask that you don't speak so loudly. Out outfits are suspicious enough, and we don't need to draw anymore attention to ourselves. Remember, we're currently in Hoshido, which has been at war with Nohr for many years. Asking for Nohrian dishes won't improve our situations, so you'll have to refrain from ordering your usual favorites. However, if you truly wish, I can search for the ingredients and prepare the food myself." Jakob said.
Corrin frowned.
"Sorry about that, Jakob. I never really thought about it, since everything just kind of came to me back in the castle. I never had to worry about all the Hoshidan-Nohrian conflicts." Corrin said.
"The castle? So, your a prince, huh?" Iniabi asked.
"And Azura's a princess, right?" Cynthia asked.
"How did you both know that?" Azura asked, since she, Corrin, Felicia, and Jakob had never mentioned it.
"Your general demeanor. If Corrin is a prince like you just confirmed and his description of living in a castle, then you likely are royalty as well. You also seem accustomed to Jakob's mannerisms and personality more then the average person is, so it just makes sense." Iniabi replied.
"And you just... have a royal air about you." Cynthia added.
Of course, Iniabi and Cynthia both knew from what they and the other Fates characters told about their lives when they had helped during the war, but the two could still tell by studying them. They also tried not to give away the fact that they weren't amnesiacs, and actually knew and were related to royalty.
"Hmph. If that's what you say." Jakob said, not believing a thing the two had said.
After Jakob ordered ingredients for the group, they started making their way to the inn. Currently, they were in the farmer's market section, with every inch of sidewalk being taken up by stands that had fresh fruits and vegetables. Some Iniabi and Cynthia recognized, some they didn't. But as they were in a new land, that wasn't unexpected. Squash wasn't grown in Ylisse, and Plegia prided their squash harvests even more then their royal family sometimes. But they were also reminded of Agrabah, as they had visited there a few times before, and made comparisons to the two places. Cynthia turned to Jakob.
"Is Corrin always so naive?" Cynthia asked.
"Not always. He can be a bit naive and innocent, but it's probably just because of the freedom, as this is only the second time he's ever been in a town. Before this, Lord Corrin had been raised in a secluded fortress in which he was not allowed to leave. He's likely just trying to take advantage of the chance to interact with other people and run around without threats on his person or life." Jakob replied.
"Only the second time?" Cynthia asked.
"I ask that you refrain from asking anymore questions about Lord Corrin for the time being. For all we know, you and your spouse could be pawns of King Garon sent out to assassinate Corrin for his recent actions. I recognize your clothing as one of a Dark Flier, which is Nohrian, though I don't recognize your husband's clothing." Jakob replied.
Cynthia decided to remain quiet, as she realized that conversing with the snappy butler was like talking to a wall. They soon reached the inn, and Corrin managed to get them a three room suite that included a room with a queen-sized bed, one with two couches, and one with a kitchen. Jakob saw to preparing everyone dinner, while Iniabi, Cynthia, Corrin, Azura, and Felicia sat around a small table that was in front of one of the couches.
"So, would one of you like to give me and Cynthia a rundown of the situation?" Iniabi asked.
"Of course. I am Azura, a Nohrian princess kidnapped by Hoshidian ninja in retaliation for the Nohrian kidnapping of the Hoshidan prince Corrin. A little over a decade ago, Nohr invaded Hoshido, killed the King, and kidnapped Corrin, after centuries of tension between the two countries. Until recently, Queen Mikoto of Hoshido kept a barrier over the land in order to prevent invasions by Faceless, undead monsters summoned by Nohrian necromancers. Without Faceless to attack with, Nohr hasn't risked any major attacks on Hoshido. However, Corrin was recently allowed out of the castle for the first time. On a mission, he was captured by the Hoshidans and returned to the Hoshidian castle, where he greeted his mother and siblings for the first time since childhood. Unfortunately, it was all a trap by Garon, and the sword held by Corrin exploded, killing Mikoto, who had moved to protect Corrin, and effectively dissolving the barrier. With nothing blocking the Faceless, Nohr moved to attack Hoshido, trying to reclaim Corrin in the process. Eventually, it came down to the crown princes of each family pleading for Corrin to side with them. However, Corrin could not choose between his birth family and the family that raised him, and decided not to choose a side. That leads us to our current situation, where we are likely marked traitors by both nations." Azura replied.
"Thanks. I do have to ask, what's with the sword and pendant? And since you left out the lovely butler currently residing in the kitchen, I'm going to assume Jakob is just a very loyal servant from Corrin's days in Nohr that showed up sometime after he was kidnapped and decided he would follow him no matter what. I'm guessing that since you were in the same predicament as Corrin, only reversed, that's why you sided with him." Cynthia said, a smile appearing on her face.
"Excuse me?" Azura asked, not surprised at the white haired woman's mentioning of Yato, but impressed and a little suspicious at her recognition of the pendant.
"Well, Corrin's sword is certainly more ornate then an average blade. It's different, but your pendant has something strange about it too, so I couldn't help but be curious." Cynthia replied.
Azura wasn't satisfied with her response, but Corrin decided to speak.
"My sword is called Yato, a divine blade that resided in Hoshido until recently. It can only be wielded by one singular person, or at least a single person that's alive at one time, and is one of five total divine weapons. Two of the others remain in Hoshido, while two stay with Nohr. As for Azura's pendant... I've never noticed. Although it was glowing and floating when you calmed me down back in the square." Corrin said.
"When she calmed you down?" Iniabi asked.
"After Queen Mikoto... after Mother was killed, I kind of freaked out and turned into a dragon. I went on a rampage until Azura started singing. Water around us started to float, as did her pendant, and everything just suddenly seemed to slow and calm down. Transforming became possible and I turned back before I could do anymore damage. Azura then gave me a Dragonstone, and things worked themselves out." Corrin replied.
"Dinner is ready, everyone!" Jakob called out.
He came out with several steaming plates of delicious looking food, some of which Iniabi and Cynthia both recognized, and some of which they didn't.
"Thank you, Jakob." Corrin said.
"Thank you!" Azura said.
"Thanks for the meal." Felicia said.
"Your welcome, Lord Corrin, Lady Azura, and Felicia." Jakob said.
"Jakob..." Iniabi started to say.
"And you and Cynthia too, Iniabi." Jakob said.
"Good." Iniabi said.
With the last thanks out of the way, the group of six started eating their food. As much as Iniabi and Cynthia both hated to admit, Jakob's cooking didn't disappoint, and they were surprised that he appeared to be a personal butler, as he would have easily qualified for a castle cook back in both Ylisse and Plegia. When they were finished with their meals, Jakob took the group's dishes back to the kitchen to wash, leaving the others alone. Iniabi turned to Cynthia.
"Come on, it's still daylight. Why don't we go for a walk around town or something?" Iniabi asked.
Cynthia agreed with the idea, and she and Iniabi said goodbye to the others before leaving the inn and heading towards the town. As they walked, they saw the same vendors from before in the farmer's market, so they decided to go around and try multiple dishes. Afterwards, Cynthia noticed a musician letting people play a koto he was carrying, so she walked over and got permission to play it for everyone. Iniabi stood among the crowd, listening to the melody being played by his wife, as she had a talent for musical instruments, which was something the crowd also agreed with, indicated by the number of people that stopped what they were doing to listen to her play, and by the loud claps they were giving after she was done. Once Cynthia finished shaking the hands of the people, she made her back way to Iniabi. The two exchanged a hug and continued strolling through the town, admiring the last twilight hours.
"Sorry that I got sidetracked like that. I saw the musician was letting anyone play his instrument, and I got excited." Cynthia said.
"It's alright. It was nice to see you playing the koto so happily. The smile on your face makes it worth it." Iniabi said.
She blushed and held his hand lightly. Together, they admired the scenery as they walked. Everything blended together perfectly in harmony.
"I'm glad we could do this. It's been so long since we got to walk around like this." Cynthia said.
Iniabi agreed with her. Back in their world, they had been kept very busy with having to rule both Ylisse and Plegia, so they hadn't been able to spend as much time together as both of them would have expected. While Iniabi was constantly occupied with the duties of a monarch, Cynthia had the task of cleaning various messes that occurred all over both kingdoms. At times, she felt more like a maid rather then a proper monarch, as she cleaned up messes, only for another to be made five minutes later. Even at night, going to sleep was a job. Her mind ran so fast from the events of the day, she had to force herself to slow down so she could get the rest her body needed to continue working. It was only in the mornings, while her mind and body was still in the warm-up phase, that she was actually able to rest. Most mornings, she would just lie in bed and look back on what led them there, wondering at what point any major changes occurred in her life. Meanwhile, Iniabi was worried that Cynthia was overworking herself. They stopped at the middle of a bridge, looking at the flowing river beneath. There were fish of all kinds flowing around, swimming lively. Cynthia couldn't help but smile.
"There's so much natural beauty in Hoshido. It isn't anything like what it is in Plegia, where there is barely any vegetation, only desert." Iniabi said.
Cynthia turned to Iniabi.
"Hey, Iniabi?" Cynthia asked.
"What is it, Cynthia?" Iniabi asked.
"Why do you think Corrin, Azura, Felicia, and Jakob don't recognize us? And what were they talking about with the Hoshido and Nohr conflicts? Didn't they already happen?" Cynthia asked.
Iniabi thought it over.
"Well... my guess is, the vortex the Outrealm gate spawned sent us into the past, during the Hoshido and Nohr conflict. If that's true, then based on what's going on now and from what Corrin, Azura, Jakob, and Felicia told us and the others during the war against Anthony, Azura will lead them to the Bottomless Canyon and into you know where." Iniabi replied.
Cynthia realized he was talking about Valla, but she knew that she couldn't talk about it because of the curse, which wouldn't dissipate until after Anankos's defeat. She then had a troubling thought.
"Do you think the vortex was a prelude to an explosion?" Cynthia asked.
"I don't think so. The vortex was powering down just as I got pulled in." Iniabi replied.
Cynthia gave a huge sign of relief.
"Has the Outrealm Gate ever done anything like that before?" Cynthia asked.
"No, not in our lifetimes. And nowhere in the Ylissean or Plegian records, either." Iniabi replied.
Cynthia nodded and looked further down into the river, obviously contemplating.
"So, what do we do now? If your right, we could be stuck here for awhile, considering we have no means of communication." Cynthia asked.
"I think we should stay with Corrin and his group. They appear very knowledgeable about this world and time, while we don't really know a lot about here. It also goes without saying that more then half of them are skilled warriors as well. But are you sure you want to help? I don't want you getting hurt and dying without the others knowing about what happened to you." Iniabi asked.
"Yeah, I do. I want to protect the ones I care about. And I want to protect you, the person I care about most." Cynthia replied.
Iniabin felt a rush of emotions. He was happy at her courage, worried for her safety, and admired for her resolve and fiery spirit.
"Cynthia..." Iniabi started to say.
"Please, allow me to fight beside you and the others. That way, I can help you more directly and protect the ones I care about." Cynthia said.
Iniabi remained silent for a few moments.
"Alright, Cynthia, it'll be an honor to fight alongside you. I'll protect you too." Iniabi said.
They shared a tender moment at that bridge, discussing strategies about how to help Corrin and his group, and eventually, their future allies. However, after awhile, the sun had fully set and it was night. They decided to walk back to the inn together, hand in hand.