The sight that met me the next day when I went to the training grounds was…
Sigh.
Bad.
My platoon was there, as per usual. It was their morning routine to run through drills together, followed by running around the city. They were all there, like usual. What was unusual was the sight of them all fighting against Kadence. And losing.
Her hair had (somehow) managed to get long again. It was plaited down her back, swinging back and forth as she leapt and kicked. She was wearing practice attire; black clothing secured by belts. Rather than taking off the belts, as she had when we were children, she had kept them on. From the sidelines Anastasia and Metal were cheering, looking vastly amused as my platoon was beaten up.
"What do you think you're doing?" My deep voice startled them, making them just about fall off of the bench they had been sitting on.
Metal looked guilty, while Anastasia just started laughing, "She insisted that she come to training this morning. She said Jean would need her there for 'moral support'."
"We made sure she won't be recognized," Metal said quickly, looking embarrassed, "Anastasia got a wig for her."
"I meant what are you letting her do to my platoon?" I couldn't keep the exasperation out of my voice as I watched Ignal being thrown a metre away. He landed with a thud, looking winded.
"Aw, Come on," Anastasia rolled her eyes, "It's good for training. It's sad that your platoon is getting beaten by a girl."
"If you're worried about them you should join in," Metal offered, eyes excited.
He just wants to see Kadence beat me up. Urgh.
I remembered last night and shook my head quietly, resolving to sit back and watch.
"Wuss," Anastasia muttered, turning back to the fighting with a soft smile.
It continued for awhile more, and I watched with growing worry as my platoon was thrown away carelessly. She's not going to injure them to get back at me, right?
Ignal stood, panting slightly as he called out, "Yield!"
With that the fighting stopped, Kadence putting her hands on her hips and looking triumphant. Around her my platoon members looked relieved, some of them limping back to seats and others just collapsing onto the floor where they were.
"Ha! I told you I'd win!" Kadence boasted.
"You're definitely a necromancer," Ignal muttered, rubbing his back in a sore way and looking remorseful.
"Hey!" She pouted, looking wronged, "You're all just too weak! And here, could a Necromancer do this?" She glowed softly with Holy Light, instantly healing the small cuts and bruises she had.
"Not convinced," He said with a serious voice, but his face danced with laughter.
I couldn't get him to warm up to me in years, and it only took her a day.
I couldn't help feeling envious.
Live for the Church.
"Anastasia, Anastasia!" Kadence called excitedly, turning and running to us, "I told you it would-"
She froze halfway to us, looking at me in shock. She quickly turned her face away, looking angry. I sighed, despite myself.
"I'm going to go console my platoon," I said softly to a confused Metal. I walked to them quickly, avoiding looking at her as she stood still as a deer. When my back was to them I heard them talk, but ignored what they were saying.
I probably don't want to hear it.
"Captain!" Ignal stood and saluted, wincing slightly as he did so.
"Does anybody need a cleric?" I asked, looking around at my battered platoon members and still feeling a bit worried. Really, she needs to learn restraint.
"No, Sir," Ignal smiled, surprising me.
"You're all excused from the rest of this morning's training," I said, "You've worked hard."
"But we lost, Sir," Ignal protested, looking mortified.
I shook my head, unable to keep a little smile off of my face, "It's normal to lose against somebody like that."
"Sir?" Ignal looked confused, and opened his mouth to ask a question before his eyes widened to almost impossible lengths.
"Kadence, No!" Somebody shouted, but before I could turn around to see what the problem was something blunt hit the back of my head. Hard.
Ow! What the hell?!
I raised my hand to the back of my head subconsciously, feeling the lump with a small wince. When I turned I saw Kadence, fists clenched either side of herself and looking furious.
"Jackass!" She screamed before turning around and storming out of the training grounds, followed closely by a confused-looking Anastasia. Metal stayed behind, rooted in place and staring at the spot she had been standing with his mouth ajar. The whole training ground descended into silence.
I turned back to see Ignal, looking like he'd just seen a dragon. In a calm, unaffected voice I said, "As I was saying. Thank you for the hard work. If you'll excuse me…"
I turned and walked to Metal, grabbing him by the collar forcefully and dragging him with me out of the training grounds. The silence behind us remained.
"You're going to have to keep a closer eye on her," I growled, unable to keep the emotion out of my voice.
He held his hands up defensively, "I don't even know what that was about! We didn't even say anything!"
I sighed, nodding and letting go of his collar. I could feel a headache coming on, but ignored it, "Just try and keep her under control. I know it's hard work, but I'm counting on you."
"What happened between you two?" He asked cautiously, looking confused.
"She turned… back to Kadence during a fight," I said slowly, avoiding his stare, "I might have gone a little overboard…"
"Oh," He sounded surprised, "I was starting to think you didn't have emotions."
Ouch.
When I turned back to him he was smiling awkwardly. Wait… was he trying to make a joke?
"Uh," I could have been a poet. Is 'Uh' really the best I can come up with?!
"Joking," He clarified, laughing slightly, "I'm going to go back to babysitting. So uh… yeah. You should go see a cleric."
He left hurriedly, muttering something to himself.
I shouldn't have dismissed morning practice. Now I have a whole hour before I have something to do…
I bit my lip, looking around the empty corridor and wondering what I should do.
I haven't visited the Sunflowers since I left.
Feeling warm inside I walked out to where they were, shrouded by buildings. They stood almost as tall as me now, their petals open and smooth in the sun. Bending down I picked up the small watering can that sat to the side. Unlike Caelan I couldn't just will the water over the plants, instead having to do so manually. Still, it was one of the few tasks I enjoyed. As the sun rose it beat down on the area, making me feel comfortably warm.
The South is definitely the best.
I smiled to myself as I tipped the can, sending droplets of water showering down on the ground. It took five rounds, but eventually all of the flowers were watered. I leaned up against one of the walls, cracking my neck as I did so.
Urgh. She throws like a man.
I rubbed the sore spot on my head, sighing.
"You," A man clad in black said, looking intimidating as he stared down at me.
Don't take me away. Don't torture me. I didn't mean to be bad.
"Would you like to join the Church?" I was surprised, but the emotion didn't touch my face. Instead I nodded slowly, my stomach feeling empty. Which, in all seriousness, it probably was.
Live for the Church.
"Child," Teacher looked serious, "Your most important task is to protect the Sun Knight. Do you understand?"
I nodded, emotionless.
"If you understand," He gripped my shoulder painfully, bending down to look me in the eyes sadly, "Then why did you let him die?"
My eyes flew open and I leant forward. With a dim sense of realization I recognized that I was leaning against the same wall, near the Sunflower patch. I looked around, confused. It was more brightly lit, which meant…
Shi-! I fell asleep.
I stood, swaying blearily as I brushed off my uniform, glad that I was wearing black.
"Captain," As I entered the corridor Ignal called out, looking relieved. He approached with a salute, "The Platoon was just about to begin today's interrogations. We were wondering, what would you like done with the new recruit…?"
I almost forgot about Jean. He definitely can't watch the interrogations, especially in his first week… Damn it. Now what?
"Has he gotten his uniform yet?" I asked seriously, wondering idly if I had bed-head. Or rather, wall-head.
"Yes sir, Although it doesn't fit him well. He is still quite young…"
"I'll take him to a tailor-" Metal, "To get it re-fitted. Where is he at the moment?"
"The Princess and Knight-Captain Metal have him, Sir," He said.
"Ignal!" A young voice called out. I turned around to see Jean approaching, looking excited. He sobered slightly upon seeing me, saluting and trying to look serious. I resisted the urge to smile in amusement. Behind him stood Anastasia and Metal, looking oddly like parents. Beside them Kadence was still-faced, not looking at me as they approached.
"Jean," Ignal reprimanded, looking like a big brother, "You really should be calling me Vice-Captain…"
"You're getting a big head, Ignal," Kadence commented mildly, still not looking at me.
To my surprise Ignal didn't reply with a quip, instead glancing at her coldly before turning back to Jean, "Captain is going to accompany you to get your uniform re-fitted. Don't forget what we taught you, okay?"
Jean nodded seriously, standing like a rod of steel and looking determined. Behind him Metal was rubbing his eyes before asking in a low voice, "And by getting his uniform re-fitted, you mean making me do it. Right?"
"If you wouldn't mind," I said, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"I'll survive," He said, rolling his eyes and beginning to walk in the direction of his rooms, "Come on, kid."
I followed after them silently, contemplating the necessity of my presence. I could leave him with Metal and the others. But what else did I have to do?
I stepped into Metal's room, closing the door quietly and moving to one of the farthest seats. Metal threw Jean clothes to change into, directing him to the small door to the side.
Maybe I should just leave? I don't want to make them uncomfortable. I could go to the library? Or maybe offer to help Moon with some of his work.
"Hey, Judge," Metal interrupted my thoughts. He was lounging in one of the chairs, biting on an apple and looking curious, "Did you end up sending any of your platoon members to reinforce the festival?"
I shook my head, "I don't want to disrupt the event. The citizens tend to be afraid of my platoon."
"You could patrol," He suggested, looking amused, "I'm sure that'd fix the problem."
"I'd feel sorry for the citizens," Kadence commented scathingly. She had her eyes trained on the piece of bread in front of her as she ripped it apart.
"Kadence!" Anastasia exclaimed, looking shocked.
"What?" She snapped, looking irritated.
"That was uncalled for," Metal said seriously.
"It's okay," I said softly, standing to leave.
She snorted, "Just drop the act, will you?"
"What act?" Anastasia sounded confused.
"He acts all awkward and kind," She sounded angry, "But he's actually a downright bastard. He doesn't even have the nerve to look me in the eye, the coward."
I ignored it, hand on the doorknob and ready to leave. I couldn't help the embarrassed flush in my face, biting down on my lip hard to avoid retorting. In the end I didn't have to. A sharp slap reverberated through the room.
"What the hell?!" I turned around just as Kadence stood, sending her chair flying backward as she glared at Metal, "What was that for, bastard?!"
"Stop being such a brat," He said calmly, eyes cold, "I don't care if you don't remember, this is a bit much."
Kadence ground her teeth, looking ready to attack before Anastasia said quietly, "I agree. Apologize."
"Like hell," Kadence snapped, "He's just like Wendy said."
Yep. Wendy is definitely a pain in my ass.
"And how is that?" Metal asked, crossing his arms and looking serious.
"W-Well!" She looked taken aback before continuing, "He's like the J…"
She looked down, face confused, "Like somebody… The whole continent knows?"
"Kadence," I asked slowly, suspicious, "What is my position?"
"I-I," She looked even more confused.
"What's Metal's, then?"
"He's…" She looked at him, "I don't know?"
"Anastasia, then?" I took a step forward, realization creeping over me.
"The Princess," She answered surely.
"No way," Metal sounded pissed, "She didn't…"
I rubbed my eyes, sighing and sitting back down, "She did."
"What are you two talking about?!" Kadence snapped angrily.
"Go into the next room," Anastasia said blankly.
"No!" She sounded outraged and I heard her thump her hand onto the table, "Tell me! Hey, What are you- Let me go!"
I looked up to see Metal dragging her to the bathroom, pushing her in and locking the door securely. The sound of her fists hitting the door reverberated, making me even more pissed off. Metal turned back to us like a storm, his face dark as he threw himself into one of the chairs.
"So what does this mean?" Anastasia said quietly, looking like she didn't want to admit it.
"Probably…" My voice was angry, "That she didn't just go amnesiac. She chose to forget about us. The Twelve Holy Knights."
"Bastard," Metal commented mildly.
I was inclined to agree.