Maria went down to one knee as soon as she neared the king's desk at his office, right arm held out to the side palm up, left across her chest. "Your Majesty," she proclaimed. "How may I serve my liege?"
The king, for his part, took a moment to look up from his desk, seeming harried. Said desk, at least, seemed relatively clear, so he was probably looking for something rather than actively trying to complete something. "Ah, my knight. The same as ever, I see." The king actually smiled. "Arise, my knight. This shall hopefully be brief."
Maria rose smoothly, standing at rest: feet apart, one slightly ahead of the other, her arms at her sides and closed into fists to she she wasn't preparing to reach for her weapons.
"You probably haven't heard, but all of the representing dignitaries of the members countries of the International Assembly will be arriving soon," the king said briskly. "The only one left is the Lord Presider Donnar Horntuba, who shall be arriving in two days… even though he's the one from the country closest to us." The king's tone was annoyed but not surprised. "On the eve before the start of the assembly proper, it's customary that the representatives all dine together, as a way of setting the tone of the upcoming discussions and to begin feeling each other out as to positions. You will begin accompanying me, as we have discussed.."
Maria nodded. "I understand, my liege. Are there any specific duties for the occasion I must be aware of, beyond the protection of your person?"
"As I said when we last spoke, you will advise me, if necessary," the king said, picking up a sheet of paper, frowning at it and setting it aside before picking up another. "Though if you feel you have no useful advice, then say nothing. And of course, you might be called to participate in discussion by being addressed directly. "
Maria nodded. "What are the capabilities of those I am likely to face, your Majesty?"
"General Solcrista will brief you," King Artorias said. "You will be having dinner with him to discuss the matter." The king actually looked embarrassed. "It's not ideal, but it's the only time left he has free today, so I arranged it. And if he's talking with you, he might actually have the time to rest while he eats."
Ah. So the king was using her as a means of making sure the general took care of himself. She'd have to tell Rafael later so he didn't think she was being unfaithful. "I understand, my liege," Maria said. "I will do my best."
The king sighed. "I doubt it. Knowing him, he'll probably talk to you while walking between inspections of the guards stationed along the halls, while he ate a sandwich."
"How very Katatrina-like of him," Maria said blandly.
That actually made the king laugh. "Ah, I needed that! Well, get going, my knight. If you're lucky, you'll have time to have your own dinner."
Maria nodded, bowing to the king at the dismissal. "Please give my regards to the princes when you see them next, your Majesty. Have a good night. And you as well, Prime Minister, Lord Ascart."
There was a moan from behind the slightly ajar wall behind the king's desk, followed by a familiar hum.
"I'm sure Dan and his son appreciate the sentiment," the king said.
A Katarina Interlude
When Katarina stepped out of the trees, she saw that there was someone already in the courtyard she had planned to practice in.
"Oh, hello!" Katarina greeted, waving at them as Maria had taught. "Are you going to practice here too? I'm Katarina. What's your name?"
The woman looked about mother's age, and was wearing clothes similar to the training clothes Katarina herself was wearing. Her long, brown hair, a darker shade than Katarina's own, had been pulled back in a pony tail like the one Katarina had on, and in one hand the stranger held a hammer with a big, brick-like head and a long haft. She seemed surprised at Katarina's appearance. Well, that was understandable. It was so hard to get to this courtyard if you couldn't climb trees—and not many could, it seemed—that it was probably very private. Hardly the sort of place you'd expect to have someone else show up.
"Y-yes, I was," the woman said, shaking her head. "Pardon me. I was simply surprised by your appearance. You may call me Siegadme."
"Hi, Siegadme!" Katarina said cheerfully. "Are you new here? I don't think I've ever seen you in the castle before."
"T-that is to be expected. I am one of the knights of the my country's delegations, here for the International Assembly."
"Oh? Which country are you from, then?"
For some reason, Siegadme gave her a strange look. "The one from New Catarina," she explained helpfully.
Katarina straightened. "Oh, the ones with the really, really nice armor?" she said,
Siegadme raised an eyebrow. "Nice armor?" she said. "That's not usually how most foreigners describe it."
"Eh? But it's so cute and huggable!"
Siegadme stared at her for some reason. Then she started to chuckle. "Well, I've never heard the traditional Catarina set called huggable before," she said, still chuckling. Her laugh reminded Katarina of Mary. Very dignified and refined, the kind of laugh that had a fan in front of it, like a prim and proper oujo-sama would. The kind of oujo-sama that wasn't some violent yandere or overcompensating for something, anyway. Those usually went 'Ohohohohohoho'. "By your interest in armor and your attire, should I assume that you are of a martial capacity?"
"Eh… I guess?" 'Martial capacity'? What was that? It probably wasn't something you could eat, since Siegadme thought it was what she was, but… "I'm squire Katarina," she said, introducing herself with a bow. She was proud at how the wooden greatsword on her back didn't fall off. Yay! "I had some free time, so I came out here to practice."
"Oh? What is a squire doing here in the castle, I wonder? Especially with the International Assembly to commence."
"Ah, my knight got invited and she brought me along," Katarina said sheepishly. "She's really traditional when it comes to training."
"Ah, I see," Siegadme said, nodding.
A belated thought—it had gotten lost—occurred to Katarina. "Ah, I'm sorry. Am I getting in the way of your practice? Sorry, sorry. I'll go find somewhere else to do my drills…."
"Oh no, you are not interfering," Siegadme said. "In truth, I would not mind some company."
"Are you sure? I'm kind of… a little loud when I swing…"
Siegadme nodded. "Not at all, young squire," she said. "A little enthusiasm is no distraction at all."
Katarina sighed in relief. Yay, she wouldn't have to find a different place to practice! "Well… if you're sure…" she said, beginning to undo the rope holding her practice sword to her back.
Siegadme hummed thoughtfully as she saw the sword Katarina had with her. "If I am not mistaken, that is a replica of the Abysswalker's sword, is it not?"
"Yup!" Katarina said enthusiastically, putting the sword down and getting started on some stretches. Always make sure to stretch before and after exercising, or else you'll get a bad ache! Then Maria would give her the 'I'm not mad, I'm disappointed'-mom look and then lecture her about how important it was to stay fit and healthy…
Normally, Katarina just tuned out such mom lectures, but Maria played dirty by always mentioning how it would affect her ability to farm!
To her surprise, Siegadme joined her in the stretches. Eh? Hadn't she been about to start drilling? Ah, she was probably being nice and keeping Katarina company so she wouldn't feel awkward while she stretched. Siegadme was such a nice person!
Once she was finished with her stretches, Katarina picked up her replica greastword, rolling her shoulder and wrists to limber up some more. The sword was as big and heavy as usual, but she liked to think that every day, bit by bit, she slowly grew stronger and stronger. One day, she'd be able to swing it just as easily as she could her little practice sword and her actual sword.
Hmm, should she come up with a name for her sword? It was her own, special sword after all, so it should probably have a name fit for a villainess…
No, no, don't get distracted! It was practice time, and she needed to get some drills done before it was time for dinner or Dame Maria came back, whichever was first!
Holding her practice greatsword in both hands, the feel of the leather around the grip familiar and comforting, Katarina began her greatsword drills. "Heigh-ho! Heave-ho! Heigh-ho! Heave-ho!"
A little bit away, she was aware that Siegadme was moving, hammer swinging in wide, powerful arcs as she stepped forward with each blow. Despite the no doubt greater weight of the hammer she was wielding, she moved… she moved like Maria did. Light, graceful and completely confident.
So cool!
In the little hidden courtyard, the two of them practiced…