Chapter 8
Even His Falling
The Eagle took then back to the other port, and Louise bought a horse, and they rode until they stopped at a inn, just long enough to eat and replace the horse. When night fell, they stopped again, and slept at another inn, Louise on the bed and him on the floor. All the day, he had thought about her face, how she had scrambled away for him in pure terror back at the chapel and thought about talking with her about it, but he was not brave enough to do it. He himself still had doubts about what happened. Yes, it was kill or be killed-there was no doubt about that. But he had done it so easily…
He dreamed that night. He heard what he had said at the chapel, resonating in the darkness-shut up, shut the fuck up. I fucking kill you- again and again has he stabbed Derflinger through Wardes chest, and his movements grew weaker and his eyes glazed over with a quiet look of pure desperation. But when Wardes went limp, and he looked at him again he saw Guiche´s face. He spoke. The words sounded less like words and more like dirt gridding together-dirt for a grave. He said:
"Murder." And that was all. He waked up, half standing up with his heart pounding so hard it hurt, grasping at nothing. It took him a few seconds to calm down, to realize that both of them were dead, so there was nothing to fear. Still, he didn´t go back to sleep that night. He closed his eyes, and tossed and turned on the bed, yes, but sleep never came again.
At dawn, they left the inn, mounted on the horse and rode towards the academy. After a few hours, they reached it, entered and Louise went to put the horse on the stables. They went to the headmaster´s office, and reported on their mission. Louise did most of the talking, and Paul had to flesh up a few details-about Wardes, most of all. After that, the headmaster allowed them go and Louise headed straight to her room. She closed the door behind them, and signed.
"Master?"
"I am just tired, familiar. I need to sleep." Paul nodded, and reached for the buttons of her shirt, but she pushed his hand away.
"Don´t touch me!" Paul froze, and just stared at her. "I-I mean, don´t take it the wrong way or anything, but I do it myself."
"W-why?" Louise looked away, and bit her lip.
"I can do it myself." She repeated. "Is nothing, familiar. Don´t be so… dramatic. Just give my nightgown, okay?"
"Understood, Master." He said, went to the closet, took of the nightgown and gave it to her.
"Turn around, familiar." And Paul turned around. Behind him, he heard the rustle of clothing. Something fell on the floor. He dimly wondered if it was her shirt or her skirt, while he fidgeted in place. More rustle. Then: "You can turn back now."
He did. Louise was on the bed, covered by the sheets up to her neck. No a single part of her body was visible. It was not like he wanted anything different, but such a timid behavior coming for the same girl who had stood topless in front of him the very same day they had meet was strange.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Ah, I am sorry."
"You better be." Her eyes narrowed.
Paul moved to his little corner, and sat on the hay pile. He wondered why she was acting like this. It didn´t make sense. A lot had happened, yes. She had nearly died, her fiancé had turned up to be a traitor and she had to watch how he killed him. But when he had killed Guiche, he still dressed and undressed her every day, and she had been close when he had killed him, closer that in the chapel. So why?
Could it be because of what I said?
That made sense. He had been different, back then or at least he had felt different. He could remember how he had screamed, the deep hatred that had boiled inside of it and the moment he had stabbed Wardes through the chest. Those glazed eyes, and the blood spilling for his mouth. He realized that she was afraid of him. Not sickened of what he had done, but afraid of him. He had been protecting her just as much as he had been protecting himself, yet she was afraid of him. Like the kitchen´s staff, and that nameless maid. He clenched his fits, laid down on the hay pile and tried to sleep.
Somehow, he fell asleep. He didn´t dream anything, thought, but that was just as well. It was not like he could have dreamed anything good. At dawn, he woke Louise up and got her clothes for her, but she changed into the uniform herself. Classes went by with him sitting on the ground, until there was a knock on the door. The Water Magic teacher stopped the lecture and opened the door. Colbert strode into the room, excusing himself and stopping just right in front of him. He asked Louise if he could lead him to him. Paul didn´t expect her to deny a professor, but she didn´t even ask for a reason-she just nodded, so he had to stand up and follow Colbert. He leaded him to the courtyard, were there was an inactive airplane.
"How… how did you get this?"
"For village called Tarbes, pretty close to the academy. There had been some rumors about it, and we thought that you would make it work. Do you recognize it?"
"Yes. It's an airplane, a war machine. Is quite common where I come from."
"From your world?" Paul stiffened.
"The headmaster told you, then."
"Yes." Colbert looked at the airplane, almost fondly. "Is weird, but when I am looking at it I can´t help but believe your story. The airplane is so out of this world... Anyway, would you try it?"
Paul stepped forward and touched the airplane. The runes shined brightly, and he suddenly knew this Zero Fighter, all about it. It was in condition to fly, but there was a problem, maybe an unsolvable problem. He went around the airplane with Colbert following him, and opened the fuel tank. There was some gasoline there, but very little.
"What is that? Oil?"
"No, Gasoline. Is what makes this thing work, but it doesn´t have enough for it to fly. We need more, enough to fill the fuel tank." Colbert took off a bottle, opened it and put it just under the fuel tank, making some of the gasoline drip down right inside. After a while, he separated the bottle for the fuel tank, and Paul closed it. "Why did you that?"
"Just a theory." Colbert signed. "We have never seen something like this before, but maybe… maybe I can replicate it. If I can do it, will you make it fly?"
"Why?"
"Uh?"
"Why do this? It doesn´t make sense. You just going and grabbing an artifact for a village, without reason…You expect me to believe that?"
Colbert looked and it in silence, look enough for Paul to think he was not budging, but then:
"The Princess wants you to use the airplane in the war with Albion."
"Do…" He clenched his fits. "Do I even have a choice?"
"You can just say no, and walk away. Even if I manage to replicate the gasoline, you are the only one who knows how to fly the airplane. But refusing a princess, even a princess as kind as Henrietta, is not wise."
"That is not a choice."
"I know." Paul looked away.
"Is there anything else?"
"No."
"Then, I am going."
Classes were over for the day, so Paul headed to Louise´s room. He knocked, and waited to be let him. Louise told him to come in, and entered the room. As he close the door behind him saw, for the corner of his eye, that Louise was holding a letter. She hurriedly put the letter back on an envelope, and hid in one of the drawers of her desk. Paul went to his corner, and sat on the hay pile.
"Familiar, what did Professor Colbert want?"
"He wanted to make use of my runes, to analyze an artifact he has taken an interest in."
"That weird thing in the courtyard?"
"Yes, master." Louise fell silent, and looked out of the window with misty eyes, a hand on her chin. Paul fidgeted on the hay pile.
"Is there something wrong, master?"
"No…" She sighed. "Ah, who I am kidding? Yes, there is something wrong. I am supposed to read an edict at the princess weeding, in which I give thanks to the four branches of magic poetically and in rhyme, but I can´t think of anything good. I am not a poet. But the weeding will be soon, and if I go without having writing something good enough it would be embarrassment to me and my family."
Paul fidgeted on the hay pile.
"Can I help you with it, master?"
"No." She said, sounding bitter and sighed. "But don´t worry. It will be… It will be…"
Then, she started crying and covered her face with her hands. Paul went to her side.
"Master, calm down, there is still plenty of time…"
"Is not about that, you stupid familiar." Louise said, between hiccups. "Is not about that, okay? So shut up."
"But..."
"Shut up!" Paul took a step back.
"I am sorry, Master." He said, looking down and went back to the hay pile. Paul looked at her for a moment, then turned away and stared in front of him, trying not to think about the reason she was like that, or that not only he could hear her crying but he could see her shaking for the corner of his eye. She eventually calmed down, thought he couldn´t say how much time had passed. After that, she took off a notebook and a plume for a drawer of her desk, and started on her homework like nothing had happened.
Next day, Colbert informed him that he had managed to replicate the gasoline. He filled up four bottles with it. They tested it, and the engine started. It couldn´t actually fly yet, it needed far more gasoline, but it was a good begin as any other. Several days later, Colbert asked him-in the middle of his class- to meet him in the courtyard at night. Louise had gone to the library to borrow some books for the next exam, so he sneaking away was easier that he thougth. He had to wait a bit before Colbert showed up. He gave him the directions to Tarbes, and Paul went into the cockpit as the professor filled the fuel tank. Paul released the brakes, and took off with the help of wind magic to propel it. It took him little more than half an hour to reach Tarbes, and beyond the windshield he saw the Tristain troops and fleet assembled. He saw Henrietta and the same old man that had be at her side during the familiar exhibition, and landed the Zero Fighter near then. Then, they waited.
"A fleet! From the left!" Paul looked to the left, and saw a massive ship in front, so large it nearly covered the ships behind it and the dragons floating at their side ridden by humans. Reconquista. They descended until they were on level with Tristain´s fleet.
"We thank you for your fleet's welcome. This is the captain of Albion's Lexington."
"We give you our warmest welcome. This is the commander in chief of the Tristain fleet."
And then, the Lexington fired its cannons. Paul flinched, and nearly made the airplane took off but he soon realized that the rounds had not gone towards them. It was a salute, not an offensive move.
"Fire eleven rounds in response." They fired the rounds, one by one, and they harmlessly exploded in the skies. "What? A fire? Was it an accident?"
Paul looked around, and saw that a small ship at the end of Albion´s fleet had started to burn. The flames extended, and the ship exploded right in front of their eyes. A flag was lifted for the Lexington, and there was something written on it that he could not see properly, much less read.
"The fire from my ship was a response to your salute. The salvo didn't contain any live shells."
"Your ship's attack used live ammunition." Paul stirred, and took off to the skies with the airplane. "We shall return your intent of war."
The Lexington bombarded the Tristanian troops, and Paul barely managed to slip out of the way of the rounds.
"Full speed ahead! Prepare the right cannons!" The dragons flew towards the Tristain army, and Paul headed towards then. When he came close enough, he filled a dragon and his rider with bullets. The next dragon breathed fire at him, but he dodged him a ripped his stomach with the rounds. It fell, and he could hear the rider scream as he advanced. Four more dragons stood in his way, but he just maneuvered behind the dragons and opened fire. They all spiraled down, their scream´s mixing with each other, and the cacophony of the gunfire.
"Unbelievable!" Paul turned around, startled and saw Louise´s head popping out from the gap between the seat and the rest of the plane. "These Albion dragons are reputed to be unrivaled yet they're dropping like flies!"
"What the hell are you doing?" Louise flinched. "Didn´t you say you were scared, that you hated all of this?"
"Don't take that tone with me. As my familiar, you are my responsibility. No matter how much I hate this, I can´t stand the thought that you would die."
"So what? What if you die here, needlessly?"
"You don´t understand. I…" He dodged the fire of another dragon, and hit it in its wings, to not waste ammunition. The dragon screamed, and spiraled down. That was the last of the dragons, so he turned the airplane towards the massive warship, Lexington. If he took it down, everything could end. No more deaths. No more villagers caught in the middle, their homes destroyed, their lives twisted. No more.
There was just one blind spot, one chance, so he took it. He flew above the ship, while dodging gunfire. He killed all the people on the deck in a flash; they didn´t even have time to move before they were mowed down. Paul opened fire on the warship, hoping to make the ship go down because of structural damage. Nothing.
"Paul, open the canopy and circle around the Lexington until I give you a signal, okay?"
"What?"
"Partner, listen to her." Derflinger said.
"…Fine." He opened it, and a strong wind blew across his face. It was hard to keep his eyes open. For the corner of his eye, he saw Louise stand up, a book opened on her left hand and her wand on the other. Then, she started chanting. It an odd rhythm to him that made his heart beat faster, but he still concentrated on avoiding the fire for the ships while circling around the Lexington. After a few minutes, Louise swung her wand down, just besides his head. Then, there was an explosion that blinded him for a moment, and when he could see again the fleet was on fire. It came crashing down, making the earth tremble, destroying trees and corps and tearing off grass. It started a fire. "What… What is this?"
"Void." Louise said, coldly. "That is what it is."
Paul landed the plane away for the battle, trying to hide the trembling of his hands.
The Tristain army took care of those who survived the explosion, and Louise and Paul went back to the academy on the Zero Fighter. Soon enough, Henrietta was hailed as a saint for leading her army into victory against a vastly superior force, and she got crowed Queen not long after. A week after the battle, she called them to her room on the palace. Henrietta led them a carriage, and they went to the capital. Paul followed Louise through the streets and the palace. A butler leaded them to her chamber´s, left and Louise knocked on the door. Henrietta let them inside.
"Ah, Louise, thank you for coming."
"Thank you for inviting me, your majesty." She responded.
"Oh, please… at least call me Henrietta."
"Uh, but…" Louise sighed. "Fine, Henrietta. What did you want to talk about?"
"About the battle of Tarbes, of course. I want to ask you something: were you there with your familiar? Did you make that explosion that won us the battle?"
"I… yes."
"Thank you, Louise."
"It was my duty."
"Thank you, anyway." Henrietta said, smiled and then faced Paul. He stiffened. "I know I imposed on you, and I am sorry. But you flew in that war machine; you killed the dragon corps of Albion singlehandedly and supported Louise. Your bravery and loyalty should be rewarded. I want to grant you the title of Chevalier, like you deserve, but I can´t do it, despite being the queen. But if there is anything you want, I will ensure you get it."
Paul wondered if it was a good idea or not, then realized that regardless of that it was his best chance by far and he was not going to let it go.
"There is something I want, your majesty."
"What is it?"
"I am not for this world." He saw the look on Henrietta´s face, and quickly said: "I am not crazy; Osmond and Colbert can confirm my history."
"They… didn´t tell me anything about that."
"That´s because I told them that after the defeat of Fouquet. Look, you don´t even have to believe, just humor me, okay?" Henrietta nodded. "I want you to help me go back to my world, your majesty."
"I will try, sir familiar." Paul saw Louise opening and closing her mouth, once. Maybe she wanted to ask what the hell that was about being for another world.
"Thank you." Henrietta turned back to Louise.
"As for you, Louise, I am sorry but I can´t reward you either. Do you understand why?"
"You know about the Void, right?"
"Yes. Headmaster Osmond told me about the runes of your familiar, and what do they mean. Gandálfr, the Left Hand of God. If I rewarded you, your services would be exposed. If anybody learned about your secret, they only want your power for themselves. Is too dangerous to reveal it; there are people like that even inside the palace."
"Don´t worry, Henrietta. I will dedicate my Void to you."
"I want to say no, that such a thing is not necessary. Believe me." She sighed. "But as things are, I can´t turn your offer away. Sorry. You are my dearest friend, but in the end I only cause you trouble."
"That´s not true"
"See?" Henrietta giggled, thought Paul could have sworn that it sounded bitter. "Anyways, thank you. I will leave the Founder´s Praying Book to you. Also, I have registered you as my court lady."
"What? Henrietta, but… but…"
"No, Louise. You deserve it." She took something a piece of parchment for her pocket, and gave it too Louise. "This is the authorization."
"Thank you." Louise said, blushing heavily. "Is there… anything else?"
"No. You can go now." Louise bowed to the queen, and they both left the room.
They went back to the academy on Henrietta's carriage, and resumed their normal lives. There was still some awkwardness between them, but besides that everything was good. At the end of the week, someone knocked at the door as Louise was doing her homework. She looked annoyed, but she went to open the door anyway. There were two men that he didn´t recognize.
"We are soldiers of her majesty, Queen Henrietta." The one of the left said. Louise looked at then for a moment.
"Come in." She said. They did, and Louise closed the door behind them. "What do you want here?"
They ignoring her, and approached him.
"You are her familiar?"
"Yes." Paul said, and then pushed himself to his feet. "What is going on?"
One of them grabbed him roughly by the shoulder and turned him around. He heard the click of handcuffs. Shit. He had believed them, just like that and now he was trapped. But he still could reach and draw Derflinger, and two thugs were not match against the power of the Gandálfr runes.
"Hey, hey, stop! What are you doing to my familiar?"
"Paul Davis, familiar of Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière, you are hereby arrested for the murder of Guiche de Gramont, son of General Gramont." Paul froze out. He was catching up to him; the dead always did. "You will be executed at noon."
The other soldier put a hand on his shoulder, and together they dragged him towards the door. Louise got in their way, arms extended to the sides.
"Wait, wait, this is too soon. I wasn´t even notified…"
"The trial finished just today; your family will fill you the rest of the details. Don´t worry. You can repeat the familiar summoning."
"That´s…" She cut herself off, looked down and stepped aside. The soldier dragged him out of the room, and through the academy. The student's didn´t say a thing, but he saw Montmorency smile as he went past. When they reached the courtyard, he thought about just killing them and escaping. Anything was better that putting his fate in the hands of Queen Henrietta; she could just bend over for the majority, no matter what he done for her. But what could that change? Even if managed to escape, what then? He would be a fugitive, always followed, with little to no chance of making it back home. It´s future was already over. But…
His head hurt suddenly, so much he nearly passed out and when he could think clearly again two more soldiers were grabbing him and he fell dizzy. He was trowed inside a carriage, and watched as one of the soldiers sat beside him, a sword on his hand. Paul tried to move, to draw Derflinger, but he passed out.
He stirred awake, and he saw the palace right in front of him. Paul tried to plead with the soldiers, but they didn´t even bother to reply to him. They dragged him inside the palace, and took him into a cell, the handcuffs still tight around his wrists. One of them closed the door, and they all left in there, pleading until he could not hear their footsteps. Then, he held himself against the wall, and waited. In an hour, he was already hungry but he didn´t brother to ask for food. They couldn´t listen, anyway. Several hours later-god knows how many-some others soldiers came, and dragged him away for the small and dusty cell to his death.
It was a hall, with rows of seats filled up by nobles and a throne at the far end in which Queen Henrietta sat, holding a staff that rested on her lap. He didn't miss the look of shame she gave him, but he ignored it anyway. That same old man he had seen with Henrietta at the familiar exhibition and the battle of Tarbes stepped forward.
"We are reunited here for the execution of Paul Davis, familiar of Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière, who has been found guilty of the murder of Guiche de Gramont, son of General Gramont." One soldier drew his sword, and the other soldiers forced Paul to his knees. He made sure to stare at his executioner eyes directly. "It happened during a duel this familiar instigated, and like our Founder Brimir taught us, the seeds of our actions shall bear fruit, whatever we like it or not. This… is justice."
The soldier stepped close to him, and raised the sword above his head.
"No!" Somebody screamed, and when Paul turned to look, he saw Louise running towards them and ascending the stairs. He clearly heard Karin telling her to back, but she ignored her. All of them didn´t seem to know how to react; they just froze. "Unhand the Gandálfr, now!"
Everybody went utterly still for a moment, and then the crowd went into a frenzy. They stood up for their seats and roared, their voices mixing so much that what they said was nearly pure gibberish. Henrietta stood up for her throne, staff in hand.
"Louise, please, please, calm down. I understand what you are going through, but don't make a scene…"
"Shut up! Shut up!" Henrietta took a step back, and Louise turned towards the crowd. "Listen to me! My name is Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière, and I am a Void Mage!"
Silence, again. Some of them even fell back into their seats. For the corner of his eye, he saw Henrietta´s staff slip out of her hands.
"This man here, the one you tried to execute, is my partner, the Gandálfr, the left hand of Founder Brimir himself. And I am the inheritor of his power, his will! I was the one that destroyed Albion´s fleet, not her! " Louise took a deep breath, and screamed: "Obey me!"