Over the next few days of preparation before their next march, Ryoma truly had a spring in his step. His fortune had been great, and Orochi's prediction about their upcoming battle was manageable. He had spent many hours strategizing with Corrin, in preparation for their battles in Nohrian territory. Scouts had sent word that Fort Dragonfall was heavily guarded, and had high, dark walls that would stand in their way. Ryoma could imagine the amount of archers poised on it, guarding the closest fort to Hoshido.
"As I was saying, brother, let's go over this one more time…"
Ryoma sits back in his chair as they go over the plan once more, weary from all the talking. He's dressed in full armour, despite the room being on the warmer side. Present in their meeting is Jakob, who is more interested in serving the siblings more and more tea than potential battle strategies. The tea reminded Ryoma of his time with Orochi, and his mind wandered to her. He wondered what she was doing. The last time they had spoken had been directly after their fortune telling session in her room. She was full of stories. Despite it not raining, which she claimed she saved these for, she gushed over them, speaking of Ryoma's late mother and his loyal retainer Kagero. The memory brought a faint smile to his face. Chipmunk cheeks… a pang of longing hit him as he remembered his stepmother.
"...and then we send Subaki and Hinoka, our Sky Knights, towards the wall alongside Reina." Thankfully Corrin had her back to him as she drew a line on their quickly drawn map. He swallows, trying his best to listen again. Ryoma drinks from his tea. It had a hint of cherries and reminded him of home. "They should easily be able to take out any stragglers, and so long as Takumi is in the fray his group should easily be able to take out the archers."
"Yes, Sister, this plan sounds fine." Upon hearing Ryoma's voice, Corrin turns to smile at him. "We will have to scout the area again once we are closer to make sure it will all go to plan."
She nods, her white head bobbing. "Yes, I agree. Best to be safe than sorry."
Corrin's red eyes catch the window. The sun is setting, and Jakob had long left to check up on their dinner preparations. "Oh Gods, look at the time! We'd best wrap things up here."
She scrambles a little to take the map down from their cork board, and tucks it into a drawer. He chuckles, collecting their cups to place onto its tray. Jakob would be back later to clear it up, but it seemed rude to just leave it. Despite being royalty and being used to servants doting upon him and his siblings, it still felt unfair for him to not do something so minor. "Do not rush, Corrin. Care to give me a hand carrying this?"
She takes the teapot and the two leave the room, nearly walking straight into Hinoka in the doorway.
"I've just been sent to tell you guys that dinner is almost ready," the red-haired girl explains. She's unable to hold back her laughter at Corrin's suddenly shriek. His baby sister had almost dropped the teapot.
Accompanying his sisters, he smiles at how quickly the two pick up conversation. When Corrin had first been found again, she'd been almost shy, especially around someone as cool and determined as Hinoka. However, she'd quickly warmed up to her. Hinoka tells them of how she was training earlier today and had bumped into Subaki.
"Remember when Sakura went missing all those years ago, Ryoma? She'd been so little at the time…"
Sakura would always be little to Ryoma, Hinoka and Takumi deep down. She was fifteen, turning sixteen come April, which was only a few months away. Normally the capital of Hoshido would hold a big festival about cherry blossoms in celebration of their youngest princess, but given the war these preparations had yet to be made
"Yes," he rumbles, the mess hall approaching. "You were only fifteen, yet decided to jump on Rumble to look for her in the storm."
Corrin is wide-eyed in shock. "Fifteen?! You weren't even a Sky Knight then!"
Hinoka waves away her concerns, grinning at the memory. "Eh, I had experience riding him already, don't be concerned." Her smile drops a little at the memory. "He reminded me about that little mishap. Gods, had anything happened to Sakura…"
Hinoka had been gifted her pegasus, Rumble, on her seventh birthday at her request. However, she was anointed the captain of the Sky Knights on her seventeenth birthday, the earliest she could have been. Despite knowing Hinoka was very skilled, Ryoma still disapproved still of her rash decision. Thank the Gods for Subaki, who had run in on foot in search for their youngest princess.
Hinoka lifts the flap of the mess hall, allowing Ryoma and Corrin to carry in the tray and the pot, but are stopped by an interesting sight.
Hana, one of Sakura's retainers, is seated at one of the long tables but is surrounded by Felicia, Rinkah, Kagero and Mozu, who are all noticeably excited, even Rinkah and Kagero. Sakura is beaming, seated across from her, her cheeks pinker than her hair.
"Whoa, what the-?" Corrin and Hinoka are just as confused as he is, as it seems. Hana and the group look up at Corrin's voice, and her face breaks out into her signature smile.
"Lady Corrin! Lady Hinoka! Look, look!" She grins, waving her hand for his sisters to come closer, her other one extended and being overlooked by the fascinated group. This personality towards Corrin made Ryoma smile a little. He knew that during Corrin's first few weeks back with them she was incredibly untrusting, and angry from all of the tears Sakura had shed for her. The friendship was a good sign that their little army had grown closer.
Ryoma's smile quickly drops when he sees Corrin squint, then suddenly gasp and shove the teapot into his arms in his sudden excitement. "Is that a ring?!"
He nearly teeters the whole tray over. In a flash, Corrin and Hinoka are at Hana's side, in awe. It was definitely a ring. It was gold and slender, with four simple pink stones dotting it. With the money he earned from his army wages, he had saved up and purchased it while their group had passed through a small town.
"Yes! Hinata proposed to me!" Her voice is sing song, and she smiles wider looking at the piece of jewelry. Ryoma is slightly startled. Were the two in a relationship? He hadn't really paid attention to the pair as much as he should have, given they were the retainers for his siblings and not himself.
Juggling the porcelain, he almost drops it but two slender white hands grasps the tray. Azura smiles gently, coming into view. She'd been sitting a little away from the group, but had given Hana her congratulations. She takes the teapot and helps Ryoma bring it to the kitchen in order to finally put it down. He'd have to congratulate her later. A wedding at a time like this could be exactly what their army needed to lift their spirits, and to have their bonds grow stronger.
On kitchen duty tonight is Kaze, Silas and Hinata. The swordsman's chopping carrots, but has a smile on his face. Maybe it was from the heat of the kitchen, but a blush dusts his cheeks. The mood of the kitchen is very happy and chatty, probably from the good news.
Ryoma hadn't been expecting anyone in the army to marry, especially not to each other. Times were strained, and the strain and stress had always gotten under Ryoma's skin. Knowing a little about the future, thanks to Orochi, really took some of the weight off his shoulders.
He remembers Orochi's prediction, and swallows slightly, not looking at Silas who is slicing up potatoes next to Kaze. The two are chatting. Ryoma felt torn, knowing he needed to trust the ex-Nohrians on their side, but found an inkling of distrust after Orochi's words.
"Congratulations, Hinata," Ryoma says, placing the tea tray on one of the long counters. The brown haired smiles wider.
"Thanks, Lord Ryoma. I'm excited to tell Lord Takumi." Ryoma knew Hinata would want to tell his retainer as soon as possible, but that would have to wait until after his current duties were done. He scrapes the carrot into the big soup pot boiling on the stove.
Dinner that night consisted of a mixed vegetable soup, as well as bread and some meats and cheese. Takumi, despite still feeling weak from his sudden illness, joins the rest of the Hoshidan army for the meal. Upon hearing the news about the happy couple, he's extremely surprised initially but then warms up to it. Hinata is sitting with his fiancee, speaking rapidly about their marriage preparations. They planned to get married in the next town they marched through, so as soon as possible.
"Why not have Azama or Sakura as your wedding officiant?" Hinoka asks, hungrily digging into her food. "I'm sure Azama would happily do it, although I don't know how seriously he would take it-"
The monk in question is seated at a different table with Hayato and Orochi, poring over some scrolls the younger boy had picked up from the store today. He has his regular smile plastered to his face, but doesn't seem to hear Hinoka over the loud chatter of the mess tent.
"We did consider it," Hana says, tapping her chin. Hinata has his arm wrapped around her shoulders and has his mouth stuffed with bread. "But we would rather all of our friends watch and really be a part of it rather than do something so stuffy."
Ryoma is squished on the same table as them. He's surrounded by his family, Subaki and Oboro. Normally he would either sit by himself or with the ever silent Saizo and Kagero, but given the news he felt the need to be with Sakura and Takumi. It would be strange for them to know that their long-term friends would soon be getting married.
"Speaking of, w-when is next march?" Sakura asks, timidly drinking her soup. She is probably slightly uncomfortable by the crowd.
"We decided we would probably begin to march late tomorrow morning, given the slightly short notice." Corrin is looking over the last of her battle notes. "It's best we head to the village of the Ice Tribe as quickly as possible. Flora has confirmed they would ally with us, given that they are already rebelling against Nohr."
This news surprises Ryoma. "Ah, I didn't realize we would be passing through there so soon?" They had only spoke about what would happen when they reached the Nohrian fortresses, not about the travel plan on the way. The Ice Tribe were located a little north of the fortress they would be attacking, so to go there first would require back tracking.
Corrin nods. "Given the largeness of Fort Dragonfall, I thought it would be for the best. It's only a few hours out of our way, and we can rely on their support if we need it."
He nods. A good plan, if only it didn't require relying on Nohrians. "You'd best announce that we will definitely be marching tomorrow."
Preparations for marching never took long in the Astral Plane. Given it was a rift in space, it would follow them on their march so they could return to it whenever they needed. However, after a few battles where risen soldiers had found the small Outrealm portal, they tended to leave it behind at a camp with the members of their army that were left behind on missions. It made people, and zombies, finding it a lot less frequent.
Ryoma is up early that morning, like how he is every morning. After donning the red armour that he always wore, he packs a few belongings and places Rajinto into the sheath at his hip. Heading outside to make preparations for their travels, he bumps into Orochi of all people.
She smiles, and winks at him. "Excited for the march, milord?"
A few Astral Plane hours later the rest of their small army has rallied and is ready to go. Mozu had enough jerky to feed a second Hoshidan army on their march. Setsuna is lazily sharpening arrows, her bow hooked onto her shoulders. Ryoma, having spent the morning with a helpful Orochi double checking the horses were ready to go, joins the group with her behind Corrin. The white-haired princess gives the signal that it was time to go. They would reach the Ice Tribe village by late afternoon.
Notes:
It seemed a bit odd to have a break between Hinata and Hana getting married, given normally in Awakening and Fates they would immediately get married, so I hope the sudden proposal isn't too strange to some people! Also yes they are one of my favourite ships