The boat rocked gently as it sailed through the wide sea between Inazuma and Liyue. The winds had been favourable on their journey so far. According to Beidou, they should reach the Harbor soon. After that, they'll have to take a carriage to cross the country to enter Fontaine. Depending on whether they go there by carriage or boat, reaching the capital after entering the nation would still take at least a day.
Despite knowing that they were going as fast as they could, Ayaka could still not help but feel that they weren't going fast enough. Inazuma was the furthest nation from Fontaine; they'd be the last to receive any news from there and the last to go there no matter how fast they'd go. Lost in thought, she reread the front page of the Steambird's latest issue— assuming that a new one hadn't been printed and released in the days they were on the water.
After days of rumours circulating the city of justice, we at the Steambird have confirmed that the famous Traveler— Aether — with a heroic reputation in four of the seven nations of Teyvat, has been arrested last weekend. As regular readers of our paper would know, this is the second time the Traveler has run afoul of Fontaine's authorities. However, the charges placed on him this time are more severe: the kidnapping of our reputable Hydro Archon.
Ayaka couldn't help but wonder why they used the word "reputable" to describe their Archon. It sounded too… neutral. She self-admittedly did not know much of the Hydro Archon; she was usually more focused on her duties in Inazuma to pay much attention to stories from the other nation… that didn't involve Aether. In any case, she finished reading the passage she's read a hundred times already.
According to our sources, the preliminary hearing will be held this coming week. Residents of Fontaine should keep an eye on their mail for summons. Your next jury duty may be for the Traveler's trial.
Less than a week before the hearing and then an unknown time before the actual court trial— that's how much time they had to travel. Surely that was enough yet Ayaka feared they'd reach the city only to learn Aether was already sentenced to a lifetime in prison or even the gallows. She didn't what she'd do if that happens…
…Oh right, there was the escape plan. They'd have to discuss more once they reach the city, regardless of whether Aether was imprisoned or not. It was a fallback plan according to her brother.
"I understand your concerns; you know I feel the same way." She recalled his words. "However, it's best we avoid an international incident. Having him flee to Inazuma should only be a last resort. We shall try going through the legal channels before attempting something like that."
Ayato was correct; it would look terrible for the Yashiro Commission and especially her if her first diplomatic mission outside the country led to a conflict— literal or not —between Inazuma and Fontaine. Despite being an outsider, he has proven to be a valuable asset to the nation as Ayato put it. It was a sentiment shared between the other two heads of the Tri-Commission and it took little effort to convince the Shogun to send someone to the Nation of Justice to help him in some way. To that end, Ayaka volunteered to be the one to carry out this important mission. She naturally was not going alone, Thoma and some members of the Shuumatsuban would be accompanying her.
Being too preoccupied in her thinking, she failed to notice the captain of the Crux Fleet approaching her. "Mora for your thoughts, lady Kamisato?" Beidou asked.
"Oh? It's nothing important, captain," Ayaka muttered just loud enough for her to say. "How long will it be before we reach Liyue?"
"If the winds remain favourable as they are, we should be in port by sundown. Once then, you and your little entourage of ninjas can be on your way," Beidou answered. "But I have to say, plotting to break our dear Aether out of jail? Didn't think you'd have it in you to do something like that, princess. I expected something like this from Sangonomiya."
"Breaking him out of prison will only be in the worst-case scenario, captain," Ayaka replied. "But… if it comes to that… will you—?"
"No need to say it, princess. You know I and everyone have your back. Besides, I have business in Fontaine. I should be in the port by the time his trial's over with. Let's just hope I don't need to get into trouble for helping some fugitives escape. Would be bad for business." Beidou let out a hearty laugh which while making her sigh, still put a relieved sigh on Ayaka's face. Having the ever reliable and legendary Beidou on their side lightened the load on the Kamisato heiress's shoulders. More so since Kazuha would be accompanying her too.
'Kazuha?' "Oh, I just remembered, I don't recall seeing Kaedahara-san onboard."
"If you're worried about him, there's no need. He's on the mainland dealing with some issues. I'll have a courier pass along a message to meet us in Fontaine. You know how reliable they are; Kazuha'll be there." Beidou promised… before quietly adding, "Well, his body will be anyway."
"Hmm? Did you say something, captain?" Ayaka asked, not quite catching what she said. Beidou only shook her head and hand, telling her to forget about it. "Come on, let's get something to eat."
"So this is Fontaine, huh?" Cyno mused mostly to himself as he looked out the window of their hotel room. He's never been to the City of Justice before but it looked very much as he thought it would be. He looked towards one of the two beds where his travel companion was resting without a care in the world. "Hey, Hat Guy, how long will you be reading that book? We should be out there doing reconnaissance."
"For a while. You go do that on your own. That's why she sent you with me, wasn't it?" the Vahumanan researcher callously replied. "If for some reason an assassin comes after me, I can protect myself."
"You know very well I can't be seen out there without you." As the bodyguard of a visiting researcher from the Akademiya, if someone were to see Cyno walking around without him, there'd be questions. The most he could do was within the buildings near the hotel under the ruse of scoping the area but it was highly unlikely for Aether to be held there.
'Why did it have to be him?' Cyno scowled whilst glaring at the so-called Hat Guy. There were other Akademiyan scholars like Kaveh, Layla or even Alhaitham who would be a better fit for this mission but the Dendro Archon chose him of all people? Why?!
"Questioning Kusanali's decisions, General Mahamatra?" The Wanderer snickered, unable to hide the smirk on his face. "Isn't that heretical? To think that you know more than the God of Wisdom? I wonder what she'll say if I tell her that."
"Hmph," scoffed Cyno."Just because you have an in with our Archon, do not think it'll give you leeway in our mission to rescue the Traveler."
"And do not think the Traveler is that pitiful. Even now, I don't doubt that he's waiting for us to come save him. No matter how long it takes, he'll survive till then."
"Then we don't have time to spare. For all we know, the Fontainians could be torturing him for attempting to kidnap the Hydro Archon." Cyno could only imagine what was being done to their friend. While he highly doubted Aether was guilty of the crime they read about—the crime that led to Cyno and the Wanderer being tasked by Kusanali herself to go to Fontaine and recover him—what was certain was that Aether was being held. When they arrived in the city and were making their way to the hotel, he was already paying attention to everything, even the smallest detail. The local authorities were completely lax in their patrols—if Aether somehow escaped on his own and was on the loose, they wouldn't be acting that way.
So that means he was locked up somewhere in the city. 'No, he might not even be in the city itself.' For someone suspected of kidnapping the Archon, it'd be smart to keep him far away from the city. Who knows whether Aether was working alone under the very very impossible assumption he did it— it was easy to come to that thought. But the next thought that came to Cyno's head was… would the authorities believe Aether if he said he was working alone? If they didn't—hypothetically thinking—what would they do to him to get the "truth"? What sort of torture would he be put through?
It was pure torture—not even the Ruin Guards in the Guyun Stone Forest compared. The only thing that was on the same level would be Cyno's "jokes". Having to deal with Furina's complaining after she gets back from the court trials about how "boring and straightforward" they are was part of his daily life now but that didn't mean he liked it.
It was little wonder Neuvillette requested—nay, begged in his usual authoritative voice and expression for him to borrow with her for a week last time. Aether knew that before he came along and whenever he was busy, the Chief Justice was the one that dealt with Furina's complaints. Now that he was under house arrest, the Archon would make a beeline home and dump everything on Aether.
'Well played, Neuvillette,' thought Aether. 'This is why you've yet to hold my trial. It's so that you can have a moment of peace.' While he knew that there was no way Neuvillette would further the trial or give him a guilty verdict when the time came, Aether at least commended the very unorthodox abuse of power. Sitting in his place made it so he could never blame him for pulling something like this.
"—fun for once!" It seemed Furina was finally done with her daily rambling. Her arms were still crossed and her cheeks were puffed but she's stopped talking.
"Got everything out?" Aether asked to which she gave a small now— "Hey…" —before laying down and resting her head on his lap.
"...Aether?" She muttered while avoiding making eye contact. She couldn't hide the small tinge of red on her face, however. "Why do you put up with me? All I do is talk your ears off and have you drag me along to places. Especially after everything, you still like to be around me?"
"Hmm… Now it's not like I have much choice but back then… who knows?" Aether honestly answered. He unconsciously started messing with her hair as he continued to say, "In any case, I can overlook your constant chattering if it means we can talk like this. Just the two of us together, alone."
"Hmph! You sound like a creep saying stuff like that, you know!" She scoffed at him but she still had the smallest hint of a smile. More quietly but still enough for Aether to hear. "I knew it… you're a really interesting case, Aether."
"I can't tell if that's supposed to be a compliment coming from you."
"What's that supposed to mean?!" And she was back to her boisterous attitude. It was impossible for Aether to not giggle at her reaction. "Stop laughing at me!" Naturally, he laughed again. "…Do you really want to be punished for laughing at a divinity? Don't tell me you're the type who liked that sort of thing?"
"Hmm? I'm pretty sure it was you who enjoyed it that ti—"
"Shut up!"
Knock knock
Curt knocking on the door interrupted the two before one of the guards' voices gave them a message: their guest has finally arrived.
A/N: I made a correction joke, please laugh. Also, as you may notice from Beidou's dialogue, this story may be related to another story of mine~