Maria didn't stay in her manor long. After all, she had a mission to lead. So as much as she would have liked to sleep in her own bed that night, she couldn't allow herself the luxury. While her disappearance was unlikely to be noted—she was only a lowly knight after all—several other more notable knights disappearing, as well as various foreign knights, would surely cause comment—

Oh! Now she remembered what she had forgotten!

Taking a brief moment at her writing desk, Maria took a quick moment to write a letter to Duchess Claes to explain Katarina's disappearance, and to assure her Grace that Maria would keep her squire safe. For the sake of secrecy, she did not reveal anything more specific than that, and could only hope that her Grace would understand when the matter was fully explained.

It was a brief bit of procrastination on her part, and she knew it. She was not eager to break her word, even if it was only the least part of it, but currently her duties demanded it. At the very least, she was not going to put anyone in danger, but asking for the details of the smuggling paths would surely be upsetting for those under her care. It had certainly been upsetting for Sadako when she had inquired. Her maid had needed to sit down for a moment and be comforted by Shana and Lasciel at whatever recollections the inquiry had unearthed.

In hindsight, simply asking, "Sadako, what can you tell me of the smuggling trails from La Sable" had probably been too blunt.

However, her maid had been able to recover, and once Maria had explained—more delicately—what she needed the knowledge for, Sadako had been willing to part with the information, even as she clarified that her knowledge was incomplete.

Which was part of the reason why they had returned to Maria's lands, the others being a need for a change of clothes, additional powder and ammunition in a more secure container, and to provide her squire more appropriate equipment. Where they were going, Katarina's formal armor would be insufficient.

Taking a deep breath, she went to break her word.

Asking Sadako and Katarina to explain to the women under her protection what she needed of them had not been cowardice on her part. For all her practice, she was still not very skilled in speaking Ashinago—Katarina visibly winced and twitched at her pronunciation—so it was only sensible to have those more fluent in the languages to explain matter. Shana would be the one explaining the matter in Gerudosa for those not from Ashina.

Maria knew that she would be lucky if even one other of those in her care was willing to volunteer to guide them, but even asking them to do so, to request the put themselves into this modicum of danger, grated upon her soul. She had promised these women—and some men, she amended as she saw Stolfo and Souji, both very pretty men—that they were under her protection. Even if it was phrased as being their choice, she felt like a liar asking them to use their memories of terrible times to help sneaking them into La Sable.

All those in her charge who were not children had been gathered together in the dining room. When she entered, all rose from where they were seated, whether that was on a chair or simply upon the floor. Dark-skinned Gerudo women, pale-skinned Ashina women, and the sole, tall Varangian woman who was actually younger than Maria all turned towards her as she entered. Maria glanced at Shana and Sadako, who both nodded to her.

Steeling herself, Maria turned towards her wards. Even if they were not legally so, they were under her protection. "You have all been informed of the situation," she said, as much question as statement, and waited until she saw people nod. "Sadako informs me that while she can help guide us through the smuggler paths, her knowledge is incomplete. I know it will be difficult for you all, but I must shamefully ask for volunteers to—"

That was as far as Maria got before all her wards raised their hands and started clamoring.

"They all want to come along," Katarin said cheerfully.

"Yes, my squire, I was able to gather that," Maria said.

After Maria was able to wrap her mind around the idea that everyone was volunteering—and doubly making sure they in fact understood what they were volunteering for—she had to narrow down who she would accept. First, she asked only for the volunteers who had been transported in the same group as Sadako, so that they were all familiar with the same route. That limited the number of volunteers to a third, and made Maria wonder how slavers could possibly smuggle so many people into Sorcier without being detected. Then she had to narrow it down even further to those would not be rendered too panicked at being in the presence of men, as there was no practical way to isolate them from the other knights.

In the end, she ended up with three volunteers. In addition to Sadako, who had been quietly determined to join her, there was also Kaede and Suzuka. Both of the women wore the arm bands of those who had sworn themselves to her. Chiharu had also volunteered, but Maria needed the woman at home to keep things organized. She had chosen the two on the strength of the fact there were able to maintain their composure in the face of men and the fact they were surprisingly skilled in violence. Suzuka had progressed greatly during the lessons the sword lessons Maria had conducted, making her suspect the woman had already known how to wield a blade. Kaede, for her part was at best average with the weapon longer weapon but had a reputation of being able to wield the knives all of Maria's wards carried very skillfully. And while Maria would never choose to wield only a knife against a beast, against another human it was an acceptable weapon, though one with dangerously short reach.

She'd have to see how capable the woman was with throwing knives.

Once the decision was made, she had gotten the three women and the others who had been smuggled with them, shown them a map of the broader of Sorcier and La Sable as well as the map of suspected smuggling routes—procured from the Prime Minister at the last minute—and asked her wards to retrace the route they had been brought along as best as they could. The discussion had the whole afternoon, as Maria had needed to talk them through the landmarks of the area—according to the map from the Prime Minister, which had included small sketches of various mountains, valleys, passes and other distinctive landmarks on both the Sorcier and La Sable sides of the border. It was thanks to the latter that they'd been able to chart a tentative smuggler's path across the border. The path was incomplete, but they had a starting point to cross over from, and her wards assured her that the path was well-concealed.

Now that they had a route prepared and provisions loaded into Maria's carriage, there was one last matter to take care of.

"My squire, we will be going into danger. I will not insult you by asking if you wish to stay one last time… but I also cannot allow you to go wearing what you have before," Maria said as she led her squire and Dame Matthew to a room she'd set aside. It was supposed to be a secret, so of course all the children in the manor knew about it, but once she had explained what it was for… well, the children only came to look at it and not actually play with it.

"Eh?" Katarina said, looking down at herself. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"Squire, that is your formal armor. It's meant for formal events, not day-to-day wear. You wouldn't wear a ball gown to farm, would you?" A horrible thought occurred to Maria. "Have you?"

"It only happened once!" her squire protested, pouting. "Mother was really mad…"

Duchess Claes, your life these past years must have been filled with pain and agony.

"Well, as I said, your formal armor is not appropriate for where we are going. So despite the fact you have barely begun your squireship, you will need to wear something better." They reach the room, and Maria pushed it open.

Meant to be a spare bedroom—most of the unused rooms in her house were configured as spare bedrooms—it contained a bed, a wardrobe, a table serving as both a writing desk and washstand, and an armor stand. The light coming in through the window gave everything a twilit gloom, but it was enough to illuminate the armor that the sand held. Functionally identical to Dame Matthews armor, it gleamed in blue and white from the titanite that had been alloyed to the steel of the plates.

"My squire… your armor," Maria said, waving her arm as she presented the set to the young woman. "Once she arrived, the Marchioness Leona collaborated with the armorers from which we commissioned your formal armor and sword to create this. May it protect you in what is to come."

Katarina stared at the armor with wide eyes, one finger pointing at herself. "For me?" she said incredulously.

Maria nodded. "It was commissioned the same day as your formal armor, and was completed last month. I was going to have you start practicing while wearing it after the Assembly, but where we will be going, you will need the protection. Shall we put it on? Dame Matthew and I will assist you."

Still wide-eyed, Katarina nodded. Still staring at the armor on the stand, she began to cast off the formal armor.

A Katarina Interlude

In the now-lit room, illuminated with candles and lamps, Katarina stared at herself in a mirror that had been hastily carried in by Sadako and Anne. She looked… well, she looked like something out of… not an anime. Most anime studios were usually cheap when it came to these kinds of highly detailed characters, and if Fortune Lover was lucky enough to get an anime, she didn't think they'd be lucky enough to rate a studio like Shaft or Trigger. No, it would probably be some cheap-ass studio like Xebec or Silver Link. And if it was Silver Link, it would be a one of the directors who didn't give damn.

No, she looked like a knight from a gacha game, the kind that got a lot of fanart, cosplays, polymer clay sculpts, and merchandising. It would even make sense despite her being a reprehensible villainess character. Gacha villainesses had to be cool and sexy so that people would drop money on them when they had a limited summon banner, even though they were a gritty edgelord palette swap of an established character.

And that was what she was. She looked like a palette swap of Mashu. Blue where her cousin was purple, white where she was black… unlike her cousin though, she had a helmet. Blue in color, it covered her whole head and was very knight-ly, covering up her villainous eyes so it would be a big twist when she took it off and players found out she was a villainess.

She swung her arms and walked back and forth. The armor moved smoothly, and it felt just like wearing her formal armor, just a little bit heavier. Still, the added weight was negligible, and when she rolled across the floor, it was with a smooth motion instead of a loud crash. The armor also didn't hinder her at all as she drew her sword from her waist, and her moves were smooth as she practiced her parries and swings. "Heigh-ho! Heave-ho!" Sheathing the sword was no problem either. The armor even had all the same secret snack pockets as her formal armor!

"I look so cool…!" she breathed.

"Yes, you look very impressive, my squire," Maria said.

"Just like a knight," Cousin Mashu agreed.

In the mirror, Maria frowned slightly, then nodded. "There is also one more thing," she said. Kneeling, she reached under the bed and drew out a long wooden case. It was the sort you carried weapons in.

Matthew moved to help her, and the two of them heaved the case onto the bed. "These," Maria said, "were meant for when you were much further along. I leave it you whether you will carry them to this battle." She hesitated slightly. "If nothing else, even if you cannot use them as you wish, they might be helpful to have a long weapon to give you reach."

Hesitantly, Katarina moved towards the bed. Her gauntlets were like perfectly fitted gloves as she undid the latch holding the case shut and flipped open the lid.

She stared.

A greatsword was nestled in one of the spaces in the case. Almost as tall as she was, it had a simple, curving crossbar and a wide blade. The edges of the blade were rounded, and there was no point, just like her sword. Beneath it was a back-scabbard to carry the greatsword, Hesitantly, she picked it up. It weighed exactly as she thought it would.

"I can't parry with this yet," she found herself saying.

"No, you can't," Maria agreed. "But you might find yourself in a situation where you need to swing, not parry. As I said, I leave the choice to you."

Katarina wasn't sure what to make of that. Why would she need to swing? She might hurt someone really badly! Gently, she laid the sword down on the bed and looked at the other thing in the case.

Rage filled her immediately, and she whirled to glare angrily at Maria. "What is this insult to farmers everywhere doing here?-!" she demanded. Cousin Mashu and Anne both looked shocked for some reason, but she only had eyes for Maria.

Worldlessly, Maria reached into the case and pulled out the twisted thing that might have been a scythe. Strangely, it actually had the haft of a proper scythe, curving in a subtle 'S'-shape and with two handles to grip. The blade…

Katarina frowned. It was dull, and looked more like a plank of metal than a proper tool for harvesting grain.

"I know your distaste for weapons such as this," Maria said, slotting the dull blade into place and beginning to secure it with screws. "How ever, I also know your skill and ferocity with this is unmatched. Despite your scorn, it would have been remiss of me not to prepare this." She laid the… the scythe on the bed. "This is yours. Whether you will use it as a farm implement, I leave to you, my squire. However, I ask of you: should a farmer be driven to anger in defense of others, what would she wield?"

An hour before sunset, Maria's carriage left her estate for the rendezvous point that had been arranged with the other knights.

Among the many things stowed on the roof of the carriage was a simple hoe.

Dangerous Beast Set, Katarina Variant
Greaves, gauntlets, armor and helm of Squire Katarina Claes. Surprisingly light and full of secret pockets.

A great and sturdy armor made with an aunt's love and a duchy's pride for their Lady, it is composed of very strong titanite alloys. Wielding a sword that will draw no blood and a heart that will not break, she has joined the fight to protect the kingdom. While a gallant knight, it is her deepest secret that her mind can be quite filthy.

"My name is Katarina Claes. And I hereby swear. To every living being, and every living soul. I will protect your smiles."

Lego Sword
A steel sword of peculiar make, it has no edge or point. Isn't it just a strange club?

Damage caused by this sword cannot cause death, but can easily allow for breaking an opponent's stance, leaving them open to a debilitating attack.

No one knows the meaning of the sword's name, nor the four strange symbols that adorn the blade without edge. The kindly one explained, but no one understood the explanation. That's simply how she is.

Weapon Art: Sword Parry
Use this skill in time with a foe's melee attack to deflect it and break that foe's stance. This is faster than a regular parry.

Wolf Knight's Greatsword, Katarina Variant
A replica of the greatsword of a legendary knight from the time of myth, walker of the abyss and slayer of one has been altered, and has no edge or point. Isn't it just a strange Great Club?

The kindly one became enamored of this style of sword, and vowed she would wield it as she had any other blade. One who meant only the best advised against such an effort, never contemplating that actions would have consequences.

Weapon Art: Imperfect Sword Parry
Use this skill in time with a foe's melee attack to deflect it and break that foe's stance. Only, it doesn't work very well right now. However, to be a knight it to never give up! You CAN parry with this sword!

Katarina's (Drangleic) Shield
A modern shield based on an old design. Made of geisteel, it is an orthodox metal shield. Made for Katarina Claes as a gift.

Medium shields are the most average of shields, providing a practical balance of damage absorption, stability and weight.

Skill: Parry
Repel an attack at the right time to follow up with a critical hit. Works while equipped in either hand.

Despite what some might believe, this skill is not a myth.

Katarina's Scythe (Knight Variant)
A scythe used to harvest grain, converted into a weapon. No longer a farming tool that prevents starvation, it is a twisted perversion of its true self.

Yet the blade is dull and will cut neither flesh not stalk, turning it into a strange staff. Damage caused by this…. thing… cannot cause death, but can easily allow for breaking an opponent's stance, leaving them open to a debilitating attack.

"This thing disgusts me…"

Farming Art: Reap The Harvest
A low, wide horizontal slash. Used to cut wheat and other similar grains at harvest time. Be careful when swinging, you could break someone's ankles with this, but a responsible farmer would never do such a thing. That would be wrong. And very mean.

Katarina's Hoe
This is a hoe! There are many like it, but this one is mine!

Before the dead gods, I swear this creed. My hoe and I are a farmer of my country. We are the foe of starvation. We are the saviors of lives.

My hoe and I spend our days together, getting hot and sweaty. I spend hours with my hands on my hoe's hard shaft, sowing our seed into the fertile fields!

Farming Art: Till the Land

A vertical overhand strike. Imposes the will of humanity upon the land, and is the first step to farming. Oh, and it would really hurt if someone were hit by this, but a responsible farmer would never do such a thing. That would be wrong. And very mean.