Around mid-afternoon the day after he left Kyukonais, Windie trekked over a hill and saw a battle unfolding in the valley below. I was too slow. The battle has already started, Windie thought, growling to himself. He exhaled some flames into his coffee mug to warm the liquid up, then took a gulp, sent power to his tired legs, and sped down to the battlefield.
As Windie got closer, he recognized which side of the battle was his troops from Denryushire, gritting his teeth as he realized he was on the losing side. Shouts, cries, and the sounds of moves exploding against each other filled Windie's ears. He took a deep breath, leaped into the air as high as he could, and bellowed out his mightiest Roar into the ears of all the pokémon on the battlefield.
The enemy forces slowed their attacks by varying degrees to cover their ears, the ones closest to Windie completely halting their attacks and retreating. Denryushire's peasants cringed at the intrusion for only a brief moment, not disturbed because they were accustomed to their captain's Roar. Many of them turned to see Windie and cheered over the ear-splitting sound.
"Captain Windie!" a Fletchinder tweeted. "The knights keep telling us to hold the line, but we're getting clobbered! Give us a better plan to follow!"
Windie glanced over the messy battlefield, but his head felt muddy. He had just run across multiple provinces overnight and all day to get here, and he had no idea of the flow of battle. He shook his head vigorously. "I'm sorry, I need to figure out what's going on. Just listen to the knights for now." Windie scanned the friendly side of the battlefield, spotted Duke Antonio, and raced over.
A Rapidash and a Girafarig stiffened their stances when they spotted an approaching pokémon but relaxed when they recognized the small Arcanine. "Windie? You are here?"
"Sir Raymond, Sir Griffin," Windie breathed out with a quick bow. He glanced past them, spotting Prince Ludwren and several of the Luxray's knights on the ground. A Lucario knelt beside one of the downed knights, using Heal Pulse. Duke Antonio looked like he was applying bandages. "What is going on?" Windie asked his knights.
"Duke Godric and his knights betrayed us," Sir Raymond hissed, stamping his hooves. "At the first clash of battle, he turned around and attacked Prince Ludwren mercilessly."
"We repelled Duke Godric's assault just in time, but now we must heal the prince and his knights before we can make an escape," Sir Griffin said. "We must hold the line."
"Duke Godric planned this attack just to betray us?!" Windie exclaimed.
The Lucario healer snapped his head up when he heard the new voice. "Windie! You have experience with first aid. Take my father's place," the Lucario urged.
"Okay, okay," Windie sighed, clearing his head. Windie marched over to Duke Antonio's side, then cringed at the poorly applied bandage.
"I tried following Lothario's instructions, but…" the Ampharos trailed off, fumbling with the sack of bandages.
"It's okay. I will take it from here, my lord," Windie promised. He readjusted the bandage on the knight, then reached for another one. From their smell, Windie recognized these bandages as the highest-grade bandages they had access to, infused with Sitrus and Lum extract; they were far more potent and expensive than the simple Oran-infused bandages Windie often gave his soldiers.
Windie moved to help Prince Ludwren next. "Why are you… back so soon?" Prince Ludwren groaned. "Where is… my wife?"
"In the safety of Rokon Palace, Your Highness," Windie assured. "After escorting her to Kyukonais, I ran through the night to make it here."
"Excellent… there is hope yet," Prince Ludwren said wearily.
Windie frowned, nearly scowled, at the prince. He finished applying a bandage and abruptly stood up to help someone else. "How could you all agree to Duke Godric's plan to immediately launch another attack?" Windie just about growled.
"His plan was sound," one of the prince's knights said. "He reasoned that our foes were low on food and camped at the site of the last battle, which is a valley with poor terrain. Our lower numbers meant we could keep our forces fed."
"An immediate surprise attack was our only chance of victory," Prince Ludwren growled. "Any longer, and my nephew's army would have the supplies to destroy us."
"The only problem was Duke Godric's betrayal," Lothario mentioned.
"And you did not once question his character or motives?" Windie complained.
"What is done cannot be repealed," Duke Antonio said. "Our best hope now is to retreat to Denryu Castle."
"We shall survive until my son can provide us aid, and then we shall crush Duke Godric into the ground," Prince Ludwren snarled. He tried to stand up tall, but one of his legs stumbled.
"Easy now, Your Highness," Lothario insisted. He rushed over and used Heal Pulse on Prince Ludwren's last major injured spot.
"Windie… I require you to secure my food supplies," Prince Ludwren instructed. "We will not last long in a siege without it."
"What about our retreat? Can't you designate someone else?" Windie protested.
"We will protect our soldiers," Sir Griffin spoke up.
"You are the best we have to retrieve the food cart," one of Prince Ludwren's knights insisted.
Windie tried to come up with arguments for why he should stay with his army, but his head was a muddled mess by now. He bowed his head. "Okay. Just tell me where it is."
Windie and Lothario spent the next precious few minutes properly healing and applying bandages until Prince Ludwren's knights were ready to retreat. Duke Antonio's knights withdrew the army towards Denryushire as Windie snuck around the flank towards the abandoned supply carts. He found the one with the food and started to secure the straps to himself. Feeling sluggish, he reached for his travel bag, pulled out the coffee, and downed some more. He was about to take off with the food cart when he saw that the enemy army pursuing Denryushire's forces had turned around. Windie realized they were on their way to surround another friendly army already engaged on one side. Golenshire's peasants, Windie realized. I can't bear to see them destroyed. He threw off the cart straps.
As Windie moved to delay the flanking army, a silver figure launched out of the friendly crowd and soared overhead. Scully sliced his wings through the air repeatedly, sending Air Slashes into the approaching army and unearthing the ground. From Scully's back, April fired Bubbles into the enemies to slow them down and turn the unearthed dirt into mud. When two enemy knights broke through, Scully tucked his wings and divebombed one knight with Brave Bird. April sprung off Scully's back in the last second, slamming into the other knight with Play Rough. A small group of soldiers helped April and Scully hold off the enemies while the rest hastily retreated. Windie wasted no time joining the fray, sending Flamethrowers to ward off the approaching enemies. Using Flare Blitz, he intercepted a Sceptile headed for April with a mighty explosion.
"Captain Windie!" April gasped. "You're back already!"
"Duke Godric and his knights abandoned their subjects without a word! That muck must pay!" Scully seethed. He took off into the air in an unsteady spiral and unleashed more Air Slashes.
Windie quickly surveyed the area, deciding that Scully had the area under enough control. "Help them retreat to safety!" Windie hollered before taking off.
"Where are you going?!" April called after him.
Windie activated Extreme Speed and charged back to the food cart, but to his dismay, a Rhydon and a Beartic had their hands on the goods. Windie was about to crash into them but realized a fiery explosion would destroy the food supplies. "Hey! That's mine!" he yelled instead, intentionally grabbing their attention. He whizzed past them, missing his attack on purpose.
"Finders keepers!" the Rhydon roared. He formed a Rock Blast between his hands and chucked it at the little Arcanine.
Windie quickly dashed away from the attack, then stuck out his tongue. "You'll have to do better than that!" he taunted.
The Beartic cloaked himself in water and launched himself towards Windie with Aqua Jet. Windie retaliated with a Flamethrower, but the Beartic swerved away and shot toward Windie from another direction. Windie spread flames all across his body, the precursor to Flare Blitz. He tried to hop over the Beartic's Aqua Jet but wasn't fast enough; the Aqua Jet nicked his legs, causing a loud hiss and steam to form as the water doused some flames. Windie landed on the ground on his side with a grunt but got back on his paws as fast as he could. He kicked off with his back legs, charging towards the Beartic with a fully reignited Flare Blitz and slamming into the ice type just as the water from the Aqua Jet subsided, causing an explosion. The Beartic went flying and thudded against the ground, fur smoking.
Windie exhaled a sigh of relief, aching from the recoil. His ear flicked as he picked up a very close stomp. The Rhydon emerged through the smoke, wielding long, sharp rocks in both hands formed with Stone Edge. Windie gasped, withdrawing his front just in time to avoid getting stabbed. He hopped several paces back as the Rhydon sliced the air with his other Stone Edge. Windie growled, and his body glowed brownish-orange, especially his forepaws. He kicked off with his hindlegs and dived at the Rhydon's position with High Horsepower, but the Rhydon sidestepped away with surprising agility. Windie's paws smashed into the ground instead, leaving two deep pawprints in the ground with wicked cracks emanating out.
The Rhydon lost his footing from the tremor, supporting himself with his tail and one hand. His free hand stabbed into Windie's side with Stone Edge. The Arcanine cried out, crumpling on the ground. Scrunching his eyes from the dirt, Windie brought dark energy to his muzzle for a last-ditch Crunch. The Rhydon's hand glowed white with a Hammer Arm in response. He was about to pound Windie's head into the ground when a perfectly precise Hydro Pump slammed into the Rhydon's chest. "Gah! Glugh-" the Rhydon gasped as the pressurized water shoved him away and sent him tumbling across the ground, leaving behind a trail of mud.
Windie, who had shielded his eyes from the splash, looked up to see the round form of an Azumarill. "April," he breathed. He squinted at some movement behind her, and his eyes widened. "Look out," he croaked.
April whirled around and shielded her face from an Icicle Crash from a staggering Beartic. She grunted from the hit, but the ice did not affect her much. Her body glowed pink, and she slammed into the Beartic with Play Rough, knocking him out.
Windie shakily stood up on his paws. "You're okay to stand?" April asked, offering an arm for support.
"Thank you," Windie sighed.
"What are you doing here, alone?" April asked.
Windie frantically surveyed the area, looking in every direction. He could see enemy soldiers, but none were immediately heading their way. "I have to get away with that food cart before others find it." He started marching towards the cart.
April narrowed her eyes. "Where are you going with it?"
"I have to bring it to Denryu Castle. My lord is sheltering the prince there. We need this food if we are to withstand a siege." He started securing the straps.
"Forget your lord!" April exclaimed. "There are many more soldiers who are much more in need of these food supplies."
Windie bit his lip, then shook his head. "Our enemies will all head to the castle now. The soldiers are safe. They're free to go home. The only ones in danger now are Duke Antonio and my knights. It's my duty to help them. Thank you, April." He activated Extreme Speed.
April sighed, her ears flopping as she watched Windie speed off with a white streak of energy in his wake, the precious food cart in tow. You don't understand. Some soldiers have never had a place to go…
Windie's side stung and his head ached with exhaustion as he charged his way towards Denryu Castle. With his strength waning, he eased his Extreme Speed and slowed to a stop, pressing his fluffy tail against the cart he was towing so that it wouldn't crash into him. He reached into his bag to pull out the coffee cup, the gift from that other-worldly paradise of Kyukonais. He brought his muzzle to the mug, exhaled some flames to heat it up, and lifted his head up so that the coffee would drip down into his waiting muzzle… but none came. His eyes widened, and he stared into the cup, only to find it empty. He shook his head several times, feeling drained.
These straps are feeling heavier already… wait… how could I forget what I was strapped to…? Windie rummaged through the food cart, salvaged some Sitrus berries, and scarfed them down. Then he jolted himself forward and forced out an Extreme Speed before he could change his mind and curl up for a nap.
Windie dragged his paws across the drawbridge of Denryu Castle, numb to the rocking of the cart behind him. As he entered the courtyard, he scanned the blur of colors, singling out a yellow and black blob. "Sir Griffin, please help me detach the cart," Windie said to what he hoped was the Girafarig knight.
"Windie, excellent," Sir Griffin voiced. He used Psychic to free Windie from his objective.
"I need to rest," Windie said. He walked into the castle building without another word. The couches in the foyer were appealing, but Windie yearned for a place where he wouldn't be disturbed. He climbed several stairs and was about to go to the guest rooms when he noticed the doors to his lord's quarters were unlocked. With a faint smirk, he came up with an idea that was either incredibly smart or incredibly foolish, but he didn't care to discern the two possibilities now.
He went through the double doors that sectioned off Duke Antonio's family's living space from the rest of the castle, then went into Alice's room. With its pink walls and magnificent four-poster bed with frilly curtains, the room was in pristine condition since no one had lived in it for years. No one will think to look in here. I can finally rest undisturbed, Windie sighed, gently closing the door behind him. He eased past the curtains and squeezed under the soft white covers of Alice's bed, then winced as the side that had gotten stabbed by Stone Edge endured his weight. He flipped onto his other side and sighed, nuzzling his muzzle into the soft pillow and curling his fluffy tail over his forepaws. He closed his eyes and was sound asleep in an instant.
Windie felt something nudging him, but he didn't want to move. He was too comfy. When the nudging didn't stop, he absentmindedly batted a forepaw in the offending direction. He took a sharp intake of breath when his paw pad came in contact with a spike. His eyes snapped open, receiving a blurb of blue, beige, and black. "Lothario?" Windie mumbled.
"Greetings, Windie. Care to inform me what you are doing in my sister's room?"
Windie took a long moment to gather his bearings. "I needed rest. Didn't want to be disturbed. Thought no one would find me here."
"Well, your aura is too distinct to evade my search," Lothario chuckled. "Your small stature is to your benefit this day. Any other Arcanine would never get a proper rest in this small bed."
"I wouldn't have come here if I knew I didn't fit," Windie remarked.
Lothario's eyes flashed blue. "You have slept with my sister?"
"N-No!" Windie cried. "She invited me to her room a few times in the past, that's all! I swear, this is the first time I have ever slumbered in this room!"
"At ease, friend," Lothario laughed. "I meant only in jest. Now, have you any wounds?"
Windie breathed a sigh of relief. "Yeah, I took a nasty Stone Edge to the side," he said. He threw the covers off of him, and Lothario used Heal Pulse on the spot. The Lucario then fished a bandage out of his bag.
"A Sitrus and Lum bandage? You flatter me," Windie chuckled, having never received one before. Those bandages were reserved for the nobility.
"There shall be no half-measures in what could be our final hour," Lothario sighed, applying the bandage to Windie's side.
"Don't sound so glum," Windie complained.
"It is true. Our enemies surround the castle. Our home is our prison." Lothario glared at nothing in particular, then slackened. "I am glad I could locate you, though. There was some chatter amongst the knights claiming you had abandoned us. Griffin was the only one who could even confirm your presence at the castle at some point in the day. It contents me to know you are here to stay and fight, my friend."
"Of course," said Windie. He struggled out of Alice's bed and brushed his fur with his tail. "I guess I should go down and make my presence known?"
"Yes, let us go," Lothario agreed.
As they descended the stairs, Windie asked, "Have you heard from Alice recently?"
"Yes, but it was the same old," Lothario said off-handedly. "She still seems quite unhappy in her marriage."
"Ugh," Windie sighed.
"She is better off in Haxony than here at this moment, do you not agree?"
"...I suppose."
Windie and Lothario exited the building and entered the courtyard. It was late at night, but one figure stood out distinctly in the darkness - Sir Raymond. Windie immediately spotted the Rapidash repeating some motion. Upon further inspection, he realized his knight was using quern stones to manually mill wheat into flour. A part of Windie thought it was mildly amusing seeing his knight performing the manual labor he once did, but Windie was mainly baffled. The wheat stalks at Sir Raymond's hooves weren't even fully matured; they would barely yield much flour.
"Father, I found Windie in one of the guest rooms," Lothario said.
Duke Antonio lit up the red bulb at the end of his tail to spot Windie. "Ah, thank you, Lothario. Windie, what have you been doing? Where have you been?"
"My apologies, my lord," Windie said with a bow. "I didn't sleep last night, so when I arrived here with the food cart I needed a long rest."
"You did not sleep the night before?" Lothario jolted. "An absolute detriment to your health…"
"I would not have made it to the battle otherwise," Windie said.
"I see. Thank you, Windie," said Duke Antonio. "One may complain that you skirted your share of the siege preparations, but I see your contributions as more than enough."
Windie couldn't keep his eyes on Duke Antonio. Instead, his view drifted towards the piles and piles of prematurely harvested wheat stalks littered across the courtyard; the Ampharos's tail illuminated it all. "My lord… what is all… this?" he breathed, waving his tail across the ground.
"If we are to withstand this siege, we needed to acquire as much food as possible," Duke Antonio said.
Windie sifted through the nearest pile with a forepaw. "These wheat stalks were not ready for harvesting. They'll barely give much flour. Some of these stalks have no grain at all!"
"Every little bit counts." Windie swiveled around to see a Luxray, Prince Ludwren. "We must last until my son can muster an army to relieve the siege."
Windie gritted his teeth. "What are the pokémon of Denryushire going to eat for the next three months?"
Duke Antonio hunched over, staying silent. He dimmed his tail light, as if making the baby wheat stalks disappear from sight would undo the deed.
"They will have to make do. Some sacrifices had to be made," Prince Ludwren answered.
Windie clenched his four paws against the stone floor. He made his way up the ramparts to avoid further talking to his lord. Looking beyond the castle walls, he could see campfires dotted across the landscape. He walked the entire perimeter of the castle, past the knights keeping watch, and saw the flames surrounding them in all directions. Lothario hadn't been joking. The siege of Denryushire had begun.
Helena and Chadwyck had just returned from Caenhaulais to Kyukonais and entered the palace when Herald Eugene intercepted them. "Princess Helena, King Ludwig has called an emergency meeting of the Universalis. I advise you to proceed to the throne room posthaste. The other dukes are already in attendance."
"Really?" Helena grimaced. "This isn't about me, is it?" she asked.
"No, I do not believe so," said the Exploud. "Your aunt, Princess Nina, is in attendance too. She bears news from Luneland that requires discussion."
"Okay. I will head there," said Helena. She quickly washed up and made her way to the throne room.
When she opened the grand double doors and walked in, Ludwig stood up. "Helena, at last," he said. "Please take your seat, we have much to discuss."
Helena raised a brow as she sat down. When has Ludwig ever been assertive like this? She noticed her aunt sitting beside Ludwig solemnly and offered a smile and wave. Aunt Nina gave only a slight nod in return.
"The Luneland civil war has taken a turn for the worst for my father," said Ludwig. "I beseech you and your knights to accompany me to fight for my father. According to the letter from my father, delivered by my mother, all of my uncle's former coffers and the coffers of all my father's enemies shall be awarded to you, the dukes of Solardie, should we achieve victory and install my father as king. That shall be your reward for your loyalty and service."
"A fine opportunity to expand all of our coffers," Duke Ulysses spoke first. "I have your back, Your Majesty."
"My knights are eager for another righteous fight," Duchess Madelyn declared. "With a proper payoff on offer now, I am confident in supporting His Majesty's request."
"It is better to direct our fighting spirits towards an outside force rather than continue to harbor jealousies towards our neighbors," Duke Qasimir stated. "Our combined efforts in Caenhaulais went well, and I shall agree to King Ludwig's request as long as we all contribute once again."
"Well, I still wish not to meddle in affairs beyond my province's borders," Duke Brennan objected.
"I see a good opportunity to expand our individual coffers and Solardie's collective power," Duke Percival said.
"All I see is a risk to my own lands should the war turn south for us," Duke Kendrick brought up. "Since my province borders Luneland, I have my reservations."
"My father's enemies have fought with my father for so long. They will never muster the strength to attack Solardie. It would be foolhardy for them to try, and even if they do, we will not let any enemy step foot in Waruvais," Ludwig declared. "You have my word."
"Noted," Duke Kendrick grunted.
"Helena, what is your opinion?" Ludwig pressed.
Well, the other dukes are already four in favor, two against. I don't see a point in objecting if the outcome is decided. I might as well use this opportunity to earn some more favor, Helena reasoned. "I will support you, Cousin."
"Make Princess Helena in charge of the army," Duke Kendrick said. "She did a good job containing the situation in Caenhaulais. I have less uncertainty of the safety of Waruvais if Princess Helena is at the helm."
Helena smiled. "Thank you, Duke Kendrick."
"However, I expect more than just your presence on the battlefield this time around, Princess Helena," Duchess Madelyn said. "We will all be attending the invasion, so we expect more from you."
"Do you have a reliable source of fighters, Princess Helena?" Duke Brennan questioned.
"I can certainly muster an appropriate amount of forces," Helena asserted.
"Might I suggest that Princess Helena cover the food supply for the army instead?" Duke Qasimir spoke up. "I would certainly appreciate some fine capital cuisine while on the front. Would you all agree?"
"I like this idea," Duke Kendrick agreed. "We will not have to organize and run separate supply lines from each of our provinces."
"I concur. Handling the food supply will be an adequate contribution over providing undisciplined soldiers," Duke Percival stated. "We shall provide the warriors, and Kyukonais shall support us."
Helena held back a grimace. Ugh, that proposal will put a massive dent in my bank account. Then again… now that my citizens have peace and wealth, I suppose they would rather donate some poké over leaving the safety of their farms, factories, and stores. She nodded and said, "Very well, I shall assume responsibility for our army's supply lines."
"Excellent," King Ludwig said. "Are these terms agreeable, Duke Brennan?" he asked with a downward glare.
The Breloom flinched in his seat, scanned the other dukes' stares, and bowed his head. "Yes, Your Majesty," Duke Brennan grumbled. "My knights and I will support you."
"Good, I deem we are all in agreement," Ludwig asserted. "Let us discuss our war preparations at once."
Helena walked out of the council room with a massive pile of work on her plate. She still had to check in on every aspect of her city after her "trip" to Caenhaulais and give out payments to several pokémon for things she commissioned before leaving. Now she would have to leave her city again for Ludwig's war, and who knew how long that would take until she could come back? She had to secure food supplies for the whole army, too. There was so much to do.
"Princess Helena!" a group of pokémon called out as soon as she left the palace gates.
Helena skidded to a stop. "Hello, everyone." Her subjects looked rather distressed instead of content. "Is something the matter?"
"Where have you been this whole time?" a Sandslash asked.
Helena's tails subconsciously clenched. "Uh..." she stammered, trying to form suitable words but coming up with none.
"When Count Ignatio came to collect taxes instead of you, he took much more than what we agreed upon was fair for so long," a Clefable complained. Several other pokémon nodded in agreement.
"Why did you trust that sniveling crook?" an Amoonguss instigated.
"Ah… please do not say such things," Helena urged. "Count Ignatio raised me to be the pokémon I am when my father would not."
The Amoonguss took a step back. "I-I'm sorry."
"We only trust you with our taxes, Helena," the Sandslash spoke up. "Now that you're back, can we please go back to how things were?"
Helena shook her head. "I'm sorry. I have to leave again soon. However, I promise I will appoint someone much more trustworthy to handle the taxes this time around. Everyone who has a problem, please meet me at the bank tonight and bring your sales and tax records. We will go through every item, and I will compensate you with what you rightfully deserve."
Terry and Lily browsed the bookstore looking for something new to read. A book with an Eevee, Yamper, Toxel, and Impidimp caught Lily's eye. "Reclamation," she read from the title.
The bookstore owner, a Musharna, floated over. "Ah, it's a hidden gem, that one," she said. "The characters are super interesting, especially those four," she said, pointing her small forearm at the book cover.
Terry read through the description on the back and smiled. "Looks interesting. I'll get a copy!"
"Excellent!" said the bookstore owner. "It's been out for a while, but not many have picked it up. If you like it a lot, maybe you can spread the word, Terry? You have a knack for that," the Musharna chuckled. "Although… part of the problem is just lower book sales in general recently. It must be the rising food prices leaving folks with less money to spend on nice things. But I digress. You'll love Reclamation, I'm sure!"
After they got their book, Terry and Lily headed to Rokon Palace's courtyard, where Helena wanted them. Helena, Max, Chadwyck, Max, Eric, Darrell, and Laura were all there. "Hey everyone!" Lily greeted.
"Hey, you two," Helena smiled. At least seeing Terry and Lily together raised her mood despite her recent and current ordeals. "Okay, let's get down to business." She took a deep breath. "At Ludwig's request, the dukes of Solardie have agreed to go to war against King Leinwig of Luneland."
"What?" Eric and Laura gasped.
"Haha! I'm ready to deliver some more damage!" Chadwyck grinned, pounding a fist into a palm and flapping his wings.
"So we're going on an adventure?" Lily perked up with a hop.
Max crossed his little arms. "I thought the dukes were opposed to fighting on King Ludwig's behalf. What changed?"
"My aunt said that our enemies' riches would be ours for the taking should we win," said Helena.
"And what are the prospects of victory?" Max asked.
"From the discussions at the Universalis, we should fare pretty well. The nobles of Luneland are divided and exhausted. They've picked up their peasants from the fields to fight for them out of desperation, even untrained pokémon. Victory for us could be likely, but at what cost, I'm not sure."
Eric shuddered. "You're not sending us to war, are you?"
"Oh no, absolutely not," Helena reassured. "The dukes themselves will be attending alongside their knights. I am obligated to attend too, but the only ones I want to accompany me are Chadwyck, Max, Terry, and Lily. Are you all okay with that?"
"You know my answer!" Chadwyck smirked.
"You bet!" Lily agreed.
"Yup, I'll have your back," Terry promised.
Max put a paw to his chin. "Well, I am always happy to be of assistance, but are there not responsibilities we should be attending to around Kyukonais instead of marching off to war?"
"Of course there are, but as the Duchess of Kyukonais, I have to serve Ludwig and follow through with the Universalis's agreed-upon plan," Helena sighed. "The dukes want to attack Luneland out of greed and because they cannot bully each other anymore and need a new target. Even Duke Brennan is complying after Ludwig demanded it. My cousin seems to have grown a spine."
"So… we are going to war?" Eric hesitantly asked.
"Just us five," Helena answered. "The dukes wanted me personally, but they wanted something else from Kyukonais besides soldiers. We will be responsible for the whole army's food supply instead." Her expression hardened. "It's not going to be cheap, but I'm sure the pokémon of Kyukonais would rather support the war effort from afar than be on the frontlines."
"That's right," said Eric. "I personally could help, since you trained me, but…" he scratched his head, looking down.
"There's nothing to worry about, Eric," Helena said. "We need our pokémon working to keep our province prosperous. Everyone's talents are far more suited on our farms and factories than on the battlefield."
"So we will use our province's riches to fund the army's hungry gullet rather than send our kin in harm's way," Max said.
"You're the best, Helena, always looking out for us commoners," Laura said in awe. "What can we do to help?"
Helena smiled at the Leavanny. "I'm glad you asked, Laura. You did an exceptional job helping me sort out the tax issues last evening, so I know you're the right pokémon for the job. I need you to run the bank while Max is gone and manage my account to pay for army food supplies."
"O-oh my," Laura stammered, fidgeting with her leaf arms, her antennae twitching lightly. "Are you sure?"
"You are the best pokémon to be Kyukonais's treasurer," Max smiled.
"Indeed. We can work out the details later. I'll make sure you have everything you need," Helena promised.
"Right. I won't let you two down," Laura determined.
"Good. Next order of business - I received multiple complaints about Count Ignatio as my tax collector, so Eric, I want you to take over instead. I have no doubts that you will do the job correctly and the pokémon of Kyukonais will trust you. Are you willing to step off your farm to do this for me until I am back?"
Eric thought for a few moments before nodding in agreement. "If you think I'm the best one for the job, I'll give it everything I've got. My farmers should be able to handle things."
"Excellent. You'll need to deposit the taxes into my bank account for Laura to use to buy food shipments for the army. I'll go over all the details with you later," Helena said to Eric. "Now, Darrell," she said, turning to the Darmanitan. "I have an important job for you and your company. I want you to be in charge of delivering the food supplies from the port of Miloa to the army. You and your construction workers are perfect for the job; your fighting types can haul shipments over long distances and your psychic types can handle rough terrain."
"I'm happy to serve you!" Darrell exclaimed. "When do we need to start?"
"Um..." Helena put on a sheepish smile. "Right now? We have to get moving as soon as possible. The dukes are gathering their knights at Waruvais as we speak."
"But what about the new stores and the new school we're currently building?" Darrell asked.
Helena sighed. "Unfortunately, I'm going to have to pause my investments in new construction to pay for the army's food supplies. I will make sure to pay you and your workers adequately for running the supply lines, though."
"Just a moment, Helena," Max spoke up. "I sense more problems with this ordeal as we speak. Food prices in Kyukonais have been steadily rising as more pokémon moved here. Mass food purchases for the army will make the prices shoot ever higher."
"We can write some letters to the guilds urging them to bring more food here to sell," Helena offered. "It would be nice if we could take a trip to Miloa to explain the situation, but I don't have the time."
"It could take weeks for them to increase supply," Max pointed out.
"Best we can do is explain to everyone here why the food prices are going up and ask them to prepare for it. I'll handle it," Helena promised.
Over the next few days, Helena and Max trained Eric and Laura to take over their duties. The team informed as many citizens as possible about the upcoming war and Kyukonais's role as the army's funding and supplier, urging everyone to spread the word. They devised plans for Darrell to run the supply chain and recruited pokémon to help. The morning after preparations were complete, Helena, Chadwyck, and Max met Lily outside her house.
"I'm ready to go!" Lily declared, her tail swishing from side to side. "Although Terry's being a slowpoke. He should've been here by now!"
Helena looked down the street but saw no Torracat in sight. "Ugh, maybe his father is holding him up to spite me," she groaned. "He was rather cross with me when I took away his tax collecting privileges."
"Then we shall fetch him," said Max.
"You gotta be kidding me," Chadwyck grumbled.
They hurried towards Terry's family's estate and luckily spotted Terry out in the distance; he appeared to be overseeing a field of farmers. "Terry!" Lily called out, dashing towards the Torracat with a gleeful smile. "You're late for our next adventure!"
A streak of fire cut off Lily's path. "Eep!" she squealed, leaping over the flames. She whipped around and then flinched at the cross-armed Incineroar.
"Do not holler or muddy my lands, peasant," Count Ignatio sneered.
"Count Ignatio!" Helena yelled, catching up to Lily and standing in front of the Leafeon. "Do not assault my retainer," she commanded with a glare.
Lily hid behind Helena with her ears and tail drooped, staring longingly towards Terry. Apparently, they weren't close enough for him to hear because the Torracat hadn't made any move or reaction.
"Can Theodore come with me to Luneland?" Helena asked.
"No," Count Ignatio answered. "I am in the process of converting more of my village's wheat fields into berry fields. Theodore must supervise my hired hands to ensure our family lands are treated properly. Besides, he needs some time away from peasants."
"But he's with, ahem, 'peasants' right this moment," Helena argued, thrusting two tails towards the budding berry field.
Count Ignatio narrowed his eyes. "You know what I purport, Princess."
Helena glanced at Lily's downtrodden, yearning gaze. She whipped back at Count Ignatio and extended her tails to broaden her stature. "As your liege, I order you to provide Theodore as feudal service to me for the duration of the war," Helena demanded.
Count Ignatio scoffed. "You broke any semblance of trust between liege and vassal the moment you assumed leadership of Kyukonais. Such words hold weight no longer." He held Helena's glare for a moment before snapping his fingers. "Even so, I shall not send you off empty-pawed. Theodore insisted I provide you some supplies in lieu of his absence." He pointed at a servant hauling a covered wagon from the estate.
Helena gave the wagon a good long stare.
"Do accept my gift and make haste to Waruvais," Count Ignatio urged.
"Alright," Helena sighed. The wagon glowed light blue as Helena took control with Psychic. "Tell Theodore I said thanks for the supplies and best of luck with the new farms. We'll get going."
"Excellent."
"Let's go, Lily," Helena said.
"But…" Lily quietly protested.
"Come on," Helena insisted, tugging Lily's ankle with a tail. Lily hung her head and trudged along on three paws.
Count Ignatio watched the princess drag that meddlesome peasant along with crossed arms, hiding a wicked smirk. Princess Helena has learned the importance of acting her class firsthand once I rejected her feudal decree. Excellent. Once they and the wagon were gone, Count Ignatio headed to the field where his son was obediently supervising the laborers with a spring in his step. He felt so much lighter with the peasant girl gone, perhaps even for good.
He surveyed the berry fields all around him gleefully. Those other counts were absolute fools to sell off their abandoned wheat fields to the princess's peasants, the Incineroar smirked to himself. With plans to convert his entire village to berry farms, he would wield more power than even a duke in no time. The only thing that still irked him was how much he had to compensate his laborers. The Count Ignatio of the past would have a migraine from how much of his land's wealth his laborers were siphoning off. Those foolish peasants who the princess gave land to for free… he grouched, squeezing his fist. Since other farm owners offered such high pay to their farmers, Count Ignatio was forced to do the same, lest he end up with more abandoned fields.
"Theodore," Count Ignatio said once he reached the field his son was watching. The Torracat turned and faced him. "Princess Helena accepted the supply wagon and is on her way to Waruvais. I must admit, I am proud of you, son. You chose the path of familial responsibility over frolicking for little gain."
The Torracat turned his shoulder to his father, resuming his unwavering gaze over the workers.
"Do not begrudge me. The princess will be fine. It is her responsibility to serve her liege at war. Now, please give me a report on the progress of this field."
To Count Ignatio's indignation, his son started marching away without a word.
"Theodore!" Count Ignatio snapped. When the Torracat didn't even react in the slightest, something clicked in the Incineroar's brain. He growled and leaped at the silent Torracat, spinning with both his arms empowered by dark energy as he used Darkest Lariat. He slammed into the Torracat, and as he woefully expected, the Substitute faded. "No!" Count Ignatio shouted.
Several farmers jolted and stared in Count Ignatio's direction. He glared at them all. "Which of you knew of my son's deceivery?!" he demanded.
"N-none of us!" the farmers hastily answered. "He looked like he was supervising us just as you expected, sir!"
Count Ignatio scanned the farmers' expressions when something in the distance caught his eye. He squinted with a hand at his forehead, spotting an orange and black figure running for the hills. He started sprinting towards his runaway son, his fire belt roaring with intensity.
Get back here, Theodore!" Count Ignatio screeched. The Torracat looked over his shoulder and then started running away faster. Count Ignatio fired several Flamethrowers from his belt, which the Torracat leaped and swiveled away from. When one finally hit, it slowed the Torracat down significantly. Count Ignatio's arms turned deep black as he activated Darkest Lariat, leaping forward and swinging at the Torracat… who faded away.
Count Ignatio's eyes bulged. He tripped and slammed into the ground shoulder first, eliciting a pained roar. Staring across the empty space around him, without a Torracat in sight, Count Ignatio's fire belt exploded once more. "Theodore, you incessant brat!" he howled, slamming his fists against the ground.
"Hey Chadwyck, mind taking over?" Helena requested after they left Count Ignatio's lands, moving the supply wagon towards Chadwyck with her Psychic.
"Already?" Chadwyck grunted. "Fine, I guess…" They stopped walking as Helena stopped the cart and Chadwyck fumbled with the reins.
Lily sighed. "I miss him already."
"Do not despair, my friend," Max said, patting Lily's shoulder with his little paw. "There is still a whole world out there to explore, is there not?"
"It's not the same world without Terry."
"I don't mind a little extra peace," Chadwyck snickered.
"Ooh, watch what you say, Chadwyck," Helena chided. She walked away from Chadwyck and the cart, moving to Lily's side. "Don't worry one bit, Lily," she soothed, placing two tails on the Leafeon's back. "You won't be hurting for long."
Lily stared at her paws as the team resumed their trek. "Why is Terry's dad such a jerk?" she mumbled. However, Helena didn't respond. Lily peeked to her side and saw that Helena, for some reason, had her ears folded down with two tails filling the gaps between her ears and cheeks. "Uh, Helena?" Lily voiced, batting her side with a paw. The Ninetales simply smirked her way.
*ROAR!*
"AGH! What the hell?!" Chadwyck howled, lurching forwards and slamming his claws over his ears. His tail smacked into the covered wagon, sending half its contents flying out the back.
Lily's ears perked up, not minding the ferocious battle cry one bit. Swiveling around towards the back of the wagon, her eyes met the shining yellow eyes of her favorite red-and-black-furred pokémon.
"Surprise~" Terry chimed.
"Terry!" Lily cheered, bounding to his side in one leap and tackling him with a hug.
Terry wrapped his forelegs around Lily and nuzzled her cheek. "I'm not one to skip the fun!"
"And I'm not one to skip the beating," Chadwyck growled, stomping over and raising his claw. However, Lily shot out a vine that twisted around his wrist.
"Hey man, I'm just trying to get you used to my Roar," Terry said with a wide grin. "We wouldn't want you to be disrupted by it on the battlefield, would we?"
Chadwyck clawed off Lily's vine with his other hand and shook it off. "Tch."
"Good to see you, my friend," Max chuckled, "but did you have to make such a mess? Let us clean up with haste before your father discovers the truth of your decoy in the field and catches up."
Terry was about to blame the mess on Chadwyck but held his teasing tongue for once. "Don't worry, I sent a second Substitute running in the opposite direction as us. My father has already lost," Terry smirked.
"As clever as ever," Helena laughed. She started picking up the wagon's scattered contents with Psychic, including medical supplies, blankets, books, and more. "You packed entertainment for the road, huh?"
"You know how boring a siege could get," Terry smiled.
"Ooh, perfect! You're the best, Terry," Lily complemented with a kiss on the cheek.
"Why thank you, my love," Terry said, holding her close. Lily giggled in response, blushing.
"You two lovebirds are taking the wagon," Chadwyck grunted, tossing them the reins with a huff of smoke from his nose.
Helena and Max stuffed everything back into the wagon while Terry and Lily attached the harnesses, and the team was off to meet the army at Waruvais and ready the attack on Luneland.
A/N 6/6/22: Now that we've seen some glimpses of Luneland, you can get the lay of the land by taking a peek at this handy map for reference! /a/QuyNhhe
Today's story recommendation is Reclamation by TetrisEffect! It's an adventure story with tons of deep, unique characters all with their own unique motivations. The story takes place in ancient Galar although there are no humans yet, just wild pokémon. Some pokémon live together in clans/packs/communities and not all pokémon are created equal. There are plenty of battles and a lot of well-thought-out world-building around wild pokémon, their communities, and species rivalries. The "main" character is a sheltered Eevee who chooses to leave the safety of her community to stop a territorial Hydreigon. Meanwhile, the two orphans and outcasts of Eevee's community are Morgrem, who is on a quest for power and respect, and Toxel, who must endure the hatred for her obnoxious species. Reclamation is a deep story with top-notch writing quality and style that has gotten far less recognition than it deserves! You can find a link to Reclamation on my profile page along with plenty of other story recommendations.
Get ready for a fight in the next chapter, "Rock Slides and Air Slashes!"