Two Sides of the Coin
Chapter 9
Causing Trouble
Joey raced through the open-air corridors of Castle Shirasagi. Large ferns and colorful flowers in tall vases and terracotta pots flew past him in a blur of color. His feet, light thanks to the sandals he now wore instead of his old boots, carried him swiftly towards a sharp turn. A way out he was not allowed to see. How come? He didn't know. But he did know that Chuck was not happy he was racing in this direction.
"Get back here!"
The stomp of heavy boots and the clank of metal rang in Joey's ears. Chuck was gaining. Good for him, but he wasn't going to catch up. Not to Joey. Not after all the conditioning and training he did for football season right before this crazy fiasco of a situation hit him.
He ducked his head, tucked his chin, and allowed a new burst of speed to pulse through him. Sweat finally beaded on his pale brow. His lungs were beginning to burn now. The sweet sensation of exertion filled his legs, making them throb. All the while, a massive grin spread across his lips as he hit the corner in the corridor, planted his foot, then cut to the right; a perfect out-route.
A loud curse followed by an enormous crash and the sound of pottery shattering filled his ears. Joey skidded to a stop and looked back. His bodyguard, or prison guard, he still was not sure which it could be, lay dazed on the ground atop a splintered table and shards of clay. A lovely yellow flower sat on his helmeted head.
Joey chuckled. Better luck next time, Chuck.
He continued away, slowing to an easy jog as he breathed deep the humid air. The sharp corridors angled against one another. No bends, just corners. He didn't follow any particular route. How could he? He didn't know this area of the palace. Chuck, for a couple of days, kept him penned in the residential quarters quite well. But, cabin fever can make a man do the impossible, and Joey managed to lose the armored killjoy.
Now, he wandered. Blissful freedom, at least for a short while.
Eventually, he heard the faint trickling of a stream against flat stones. Peaceful and soft. Comforting enough to make his jog slow to a walk. To his left, was another short hall leading out to an expansive garden. Curiosity overcame Joey. Instead of staying within the palace walls, as he was told to do when he arrived, he decided to take a look.
Exotic flowers the likes of which Joey had never seen before littered bushes and trees all around him. Ferns burst from the ground, their soft leaves brushing against his arms as the wide entry to the garden narrowed into a thin, mossy trail. Birds chirped above him in several tall banyan trees which had thick vines dangling to the ground. A small amount of temptation bloomed in Joey, which quickly turned into a tidal wave of impulsiveness.
One banyan tree hugged the side of a pond, and a vine was perfectly positioned to be a great swing. Joey laughed and strolled over, his head tilting back as he followed the vine's path up to a thick limb. It looked sturdy enough, but he still decided to check it anyway.
He reached for the vine, grabbed it tight, then gave it a sharp tug. Not an ounce of give. His giddy grin widened.
"It's been a minute since I've done this," he muttered, taking a few long steps back, the vine in hand.
"Done what?"
Joey blinked, glanced over his shoulder, and spotted a blue-haired girl in a white dress giving him a puzzled look.
"This," he replied, wagging the vine. "This uh…wait a minute. I'm not alone here?"
"Obviously not." The girl replied, one eyebrow raised. "Did you think I was a ghost?"
"After everything I've been through lately, it wouldn't surprise me miss- uh-"
The girl shook her head and didn't answer him. She kept walking toward the pond, her long, blue hair swaying with her steps. When she reached the edge, she allowed her toes to dip into the water, before she took a seat in the clay. Her golden eyes stared at the pristine water. Not a ripple broke the surface.
Joey stared at her for a moment, then shrugged. He got this far. Might as well keep going while he could. He tugged on the vine again. Still strong.
"You are the ocean's gray waves, destine to seek
Life beyond the shore just out of reach"
Joey froze. The girl…she was singing. It was soft. Barely audible to him from behind her, but his Aunt Shelly always said he had ears like a fox. Could hear a pin fall from across the trailer, or so his mother always said. He hadn't proved that yet. But, no doubt he heard the girl.
"Yet the waters ever change, flowing like tim
The path is yours to climb"
She sounded sad, and strangely so. The way she bowed her head a little as she sang the last verse made Joey's smile waver. He pursed his lips, looked up at the vine, then nodded.
Right as the girl's next verse began, Joey let out a loud whoop, startling her. The wind whooshed through his mullet and across his face as he raced full sprint toward the pond. When the vine went taut, he picked his feet up and let his momentum carry him forward. The vine swung him out over the water, and for a split second, he was flying.
His stomach dropped when he felt the strength in the vine evaporate. Joey's whoop turned to a sharp cry. Water rushed toward him and then swallowed him with a sharp crash. It was cold.
With a gasp. He burst to the surface, coughing up water and then wiping some of his blonde locks from his forehead as he treaded water. Slowly, he spun around toward the shore. The girl sat there; mouth open, pure confusion etched across her face.
"Hey," Joey nodded.
"What?"
"Wanna get in?"
It was as if he asked a fish to grow legs and walk on land. The girl drew back, befuddled. Joey grinned at her.
"It's nice and… well, it ain't warm, but it's refreshing, y'know?"
"You are swimming in what is considered a royal, sacred pond," The girl replied.
"Sacred?" Joey looked around. "Like holy water?"
"I have no idea if the water is considered holy, but what you did is most-"
"Fun?"
"Ignorant."
"Well," Joey swam closer to the shore, still smiling, "it ain't the first time I've been called that."
"That you recall," the girl rebutted, making him snicker.
When he got close enough to stand again, he reached out with a hand. "Joey Jensen."
Her golden eyes gave him a suspicious look. Joey snorted.
"Well, c'mon, it's just a handshake. Or do you not do that in this weird place?"
"Says the weird one," she replied before reaching out and taking his hand. "Azura."
Her grip was surprisingly firm. Joey nodded as his hand slipped from hers.
"Y'know, you look like it, but I get the feeling you ain't a princess, are you?"
Azura sat up a little taller. "And how would you know if I was or not?"
"Well, for one, ya don't exactly look like those other royal folks." Joey stepped out of the water, his feet digging into the clay before he spun around and flopped to a seat beside Azura, drenched. "For two… well, I thought I had a second point, but I guess I don't. So, what are ya? Helper around here? Family friend?"
Azura frowned.
"None of the above then," Joey nodded. "Two choices and got 'em both wrong. Nothing new there."
"You like to hear the sound of your own voice, don't you?"
Joey grinned. "Well, if it sounds good, might as well let it keep going." He leaned back on an elbow, lounging against the clay. "So, Azura, what's your story then?"
"My story?"
"Yeah, everyone's got one right. And, seeing the lack of any television, internet, four-wheelers, and sports I can actually play, I need entertainment from somewhere."
"So I am here simply to amuse you?"
Joey's lips thinned. "Well, when you put it that way…" he trailed off as he glanced past Azura.
Ryoma, the eldest of King Sumeragi's children, stood a few feet away from the pond. His arms were folded, the sleeves of his scarlet robes hanging loose over them, swallowing his hands. A small frown sat on his face as his sharp eyes narrowed on Joey. Azura twisted, and when she saw him, she grimaced and rose to her feet.
"I will be taking my leave now," she flicked her golden eyes back to Joey, "it was… interesting to meet you, again."
"Well, glad I was memorable?" Joey shrugged.
Azura did not reply. She strode away, her white dress sweeping across the grass. For a moment, she paused beside Ryoma. The Prince gave her a small nod as if allowing her to pass. That told Joey one thing: Ryoma was not looking for her.
Joey sighed as he rose. A shiver rushed through him when cool air brushed over his drenched clothes. A sheepish smile crossed his lips.
"Don't suppose these are easy to dry?"
"They're linen, so they will be simple enough," Ryoma replied. He remained where he stood, an immovable statue, with his arms folded. In that position, the Prince bore a striking resemblance to his father. A far cry from Takumi, Hinoka, and Sakura.
Are the others adopted or something?
Once out of the pond, Joey shook his head, spraying water from his hair. After slicking it back over his scalp again, he smiled at Ryoma.
"What? Getting a good look or something?"
Ryoma's brow furrowed. "I hear you have been giving Toki a hard time."
"Who?"
"Your guard."
Joey blinked. "Toki? Ya mean Chuck?" Joey snorted. He strolled a little closer to Ryoma but paused when he saw Ryoma's muscles stiffen. "Look, I ain't here to hurt anyone."
"Toki begs to differ."
"Chuck just ain't used to me yet," Joey argued, still grinning. "Then again, I ain't for everyone. My Mom always said: 'Joey, you got a way of making people love you and absolutely despise you at the same time. Never between'. She wasn't wrong on that I suppose." Ryoma's expression remained unreadable. "Although, I can't tell if you fall into either category yet."
The Prince closed his eyes and sighed. "A fool," he muttered. "That appears to be all you are."
"What'd ya call me?"
"Don't take offense," Ryoma replied as Joey's smile ran away. "Fools are harmless, and harmless will allow you some grace in these halls for now. That being said, I've been speaking to Saizo-"
"Oh yeah, him. How's the asshole doin'?"
Ryoma frowned. "He's recovering well. And, as I was saying, I have been speaking to him. Our conversations, interestingly enough, have revolved around you. Another Nohrian roaming Castle Shirasagi."
"Oh for the love of-" Joey massaged his eyes- "how many goddamn times do I need to say that I ain't that?"
"What you are matters not," Ryoma interrupted. "You are a foreigner, and you appear Nohrian, thus the assumption is made."
"You know what my Pop used to say about assuming?"
Ryoma's mouth closed.
"He used to say that to assume is to make an ass outta you and me," Joey said, hands resting on his hips. "Words of wisdom for ya."
Ryoma's lips thinned. "I will keep that in mind."
"Now," Joey sniffed, "I'm all for chatting. Ma calls me a chatterbox, y'know. My mouth just runs. Gets me into plenty of trouble that way too, or so she says."
"Oh, how could that ever be the case?"
The corner of Joey's mouth twitched. "Ya ain't such a stiff after all, eh, Prince?" He chuckled under his breath and then continued. "As I was saying, I like to talk, but when it comes to talks like this, I'd like to know the point."
"Ah, yes," Ryoma nodded. "The point is this: you are a foreigner. My father has welcomed you. Your actions, as witnessed by Saizo, my sisters, and their retainers, were honorable and have given you great leeway for a foreigner. So, when my father assigns someone to chaperone you, accept it, and treat them with respect. Leashes can be shortened quite easily."
Joey's mouth fell open. "That a threat?"
"It's a guarantee," Ryoma replied. "For what it is worth, I do not want to see that happen to you. Sakura and Hinoka have both vouched for you. I'd rather you not betray their trust by being too foolish."
With that, Ryoma spun on his heel and marched away, powerful strides carrying him out of the palace garden and back to the living quarters. Joey remained alone by the pond, hands on his hips, and a frown on his face. He blew out a long breath, tucked his chin, and shook his head.
"Well damn it, Joey, that's a warning there."
He walked to the palace. Chuck waited for him at the entry to the living quarters, standing stiff and at attention. The soldier didn't react when Joey paused in front of him.
"I'm guessing the Prince told ya to wait here?"
Chuck nodded. "He may have mentioned it after seeing me laying in a daze with a flower on my head."
Joey slowly nodded. "I made a gigantic ass of myself, huh?"
Chuck was quiet.
"Well go on," Joey gestured at him, "be honest."
"You're a fool, Joey Jensen. Fools do not last long within these walls."
Joey grinned. "See, now that doesn't sound like a threat comin' from you. That sounds like a challenge."
"Take it how you will but know that any more violations of your agreement with the King will result in swift judgment."
"Gotcha." Joey drew in a deep breath. "Say, Chuck, when ya mention violations, does swimming in a sacred pond count?"
Chuck gave Joey a puzzled look. "Do you mean the duck pond?"
"Yeah, the-" Joey's words ground to a halt. The gears in his mind churned, and he couldn't help but let out a sound of disbelief. "Well, I'll be damned." And he started back into the palace, shaking his head as he chuckled.
"What is damning you?" Chuck asked as he trailed after him.
"Myself apparently, cause I ain't just an ass; I'm a stupid ass, and a smartass girl made me one."
And yet, despite his realization, Joey couldn't help but feel amused. It wasn't often someone left him at a loss for words, and Azura managed to do so.
I'll get her back the next time I see her.
Joey never considered himself to be the most academically inclined in his family. At least, not when it came to bookwork, homework, classwork, or anything that involved paper. What was the point of it all anyway? He had no intentions of becoming some uptight doctor, and God forbid if he became a lawyer. Half his family wouldn't talk to him for fear of getting stuck in court then, and he wasn't interested in that.
Joey always liked working with his hands. While he was considered a bright but impossible student to work with in math, language arts, and social sciences, his teachers in the woodshop and machine shop always had high praise. For some reason, seeing a physical problem like a leaky fluid line in an engine, a dent in a bumper, or a broken fence post, triggered the part of his brain that enjoyed work.
So, when he wound up in Castle Shirasagi and found that no one expected him to do anything but read, draw, and stare at paper walls, he knew that would end badly. When bored, he'd find trouble. At least trouble made life interesting. But, after his chat with Prince Ryoma, he knew that would be a poor decision to make.
That led Joey back to the garden. Specifically, the tree that he swung from when he met Azura. He stared up at the limb high above him. It was thick and sturdy. Not a lot of sway in it, from what he could tell. It definitely didn't give out when he put his weight on a vine attached to it.
I'm gonna make a great swing right here.
Joey turned and marched back through the palace. Chuck followed him, as usual. The man didn't let Joey out of his sight. That was fine by Joey. It gave him someone to talk to, even if Chuck was more of the silent type.
As he walked through the palace, hunting for some sort of work area, he spotted Hinoka stepping out of her chambers. She didn't wear the strange formal wear Joey had seen the other royals wearing. Instead, she wore riding leathers. Like she was about to head out from the city. She tightened the bracers on her arms and then fell into step beside Joey.
"And where are you off to, Nohrian?"
"Off to find some wood, you, Hinny."
Hinoka blinked. "What did you call me?"
"It's easier to remember for me."
"H-Hinny?"
"Yeah."
"That sounds like an insult."
"Well, it ain't. Anyways, workshop, any idea where I can find one?"
Hinoka furrowed her brow as they drifted near the Palace Courtyard. "A workshop?"
"Yeah. Where can I find a woodshop, or a place to work on some machines?"
"There's the palace armory. I'm heading that way." Hinoka and Joey both heard a nervous cough come from Chuck. The Princess rolled her eyes. "Toki, I don't think I need to tell you that I'm more than capable of handling him if he tries anything."
"I have a mandate from his majesty to keep him-"
"And unless I get my hands on some actual work, I'm gonna go crazy and cause trouble, and we don't want that, right Chuck?" Joey interrupted.
A heavy breath came from the soldier. "No."
"Then it is settled." Hinoka took the lead. "Follow me."
She led Joey through the courtyard to the other wing of the palace. So far, Joey had been restricted to the residential wing, where guest suites resided. There was also the central palace which held the throne room and the royal quarters. He tried sneaking there once, but Chuck caught him before he could even get close.
The other wing of the palace was where the servants and guards lived. It was also where all the more practical aspects of palace living were located. Here, Joey smelled meat roasting over fires from the kitchen as cooks prepared dinner. A stable and small riding ring rested near the walls, where a pair of farriers were busy shodding a magnificent chestnut horse. Just a little way down the wall sat a squat, stone lean-to with a sturdy chimney connected to a massive fire pit. Three anvils sat within the awning of the lean-to. Several benches and grinding stones were nearby as well. Racks of tools and shelves chock full of raw metals rested against the walls. Joey grinned and rubbed his hands.
"This is the palace smith. The armory is across the path, attached to the wing," Hinoka pointed out. She hesitated before walking away. "Do you even know how to handle something like this?"
Joey bobbed his head back and forth. "I can figure it out."
"And weapons?" Hinoka continued. "The smith will be back from his lunch soon. If you're going to be over here, he is going to put you to work, and he is going to want to know if you have any experience handling weapons."
"Well…" Joey trailed off. He handled weapons, yes, but those were firearms. He knew his way around rifles, revolvers, pistols, and shotguns, even some knives. Swords and spears? That was another question entirely. But, he didn't want to let Hinoka think he couldn't handle it. Then he would just be cooped up in his room again. "I'll figure it out. I think your blacksmith will like me."
"And why is that?" Hinoka asked.
Joey moved into the lean-to, gripped a blacksmith's hammer, and hefted it. "Cause I ain't afraid to do the dirty work."
A ghost of a smile formed on Hinoka's face. "Good. Maybe by putting you to work all of that troublesome energy will be gone." She turned to leave.
"Where are ya off to?" Joey asked as he got a little more familiar with the workspace.
"There's trouble to the north. A village reported Faceless. I'm off to investigate with some Sky Knights."
Joey froze. Faceless, the monsters that almost killed him, Saizo, and the princesses when he wound up in this strange land. Seeing their lumbering gait and snarling faces in his mind again made a shiver run up his spine. He grimaced as he patted the head of the hammer in his palm.
"Well, be careful, ya hear?"
"Always am, Nohrian."
Princess Hinoka left, and the blacksmith returned. Needless to say, when Chuck finished explaining to him what was going on, the broad-shouldered man was left a little speechless. Yet, he accepted the Princess's judgment and pointed at Joey.
"You; shovel some coal into the furnace. I have iron to melt." he marched up to Joey and snatched the hammer from him. Then, he wagged it in his face. "You have to earn this. Shovel. Now!"
"Got it, boss."
Joey grabbed the closest shovel, shoved it into a mound of coal, then smiled when he heard the blacksmith bark at him to hurry up. The first bead of sweat dripped down his face when he tossed the coal into the furnace. Bellows puffed, a fire sparked, and heat blasted Joey. He smiled.
I think I'm going to like this.
"Shovel!"
"Yes, boss!"
And chapter! Man, I've been sitting on this one for a while now. If any of ya'll were curious about where I've been at, I've been working on other fanfic and original projects (An Unexpected Companion, An Unexpected Ring being cheif among them). Honestly, I needed to take a step back from this story, but I definitely wasn't expecting it to be that LONG of a step back. It's good to get a new chapter out though, and this one was a nice little breather compared to the tension of McKenzie's stuff and the action that orignally happened to Joey. Gets him ingrained into the world a little bit. We'll see where his story goes from here, but it should be fun!
Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter! As always, I hope you all enjoyed it. Have a nice day!