Rudder's Point Of View

Mike is a childhood friend. Both of our fathers were former squires that never got knighted and started up business instead. In an attempt to pass the gap between commoners and nobles they pressed both of us into this life.

Mike usually does fine, but he tends to hold things in for a while until he bursts out in a fiery rage... as he did with Darius.

I can't really scold him for losing his mind about Darius though. It's uncomfortable to know we count as being a man down and that Darius will be unable to defend himself in the mass battles. We will have to give our life to protect him because he insists on using weapons unsuited for the battlefield...

I want to return home alive... if I must, I will give my life for this cause. It is what I signed up for. However, I want to return to Erica as well and wrap my arms around her. My memories of her soft scent and her shimmering wheat golden hair flickers through my memories at night together with her giggle...

The thought of risking that on someone not facing his station is... bitter...

Marie would probably cry for days if Mike didn't return home... she's usually so lively and pranks Mike as much as he does her... she's a girl I cannot imagine cry, and yet I know she would sob uncontrollably. I already made my choice when it comes to Mike. He hasn't realized Marie's feelings yet, but those two belong together. She'll make sure he behaves, even when he gets drunk.

...but I'm not sure I would do the same for Darius right now.

Thoughts like that pass through my mind as I watch the two of them go through Felix's training. We've finished setting everything up for the night, and have a few of hours before it's time to call it a night.

Peony hasn't returned yet, I think. Peony just barely follows rules, but he doesn't seem to get the intention behind them. I don't really know if he doesn't understand, or he doesn't care, but I am not looking forward to fighting together with him. Mike and I both had to join in on the little rescue attempt when Peony jumped the snake, and my ribs still remember the result. I am not doing that again though since Peony doesn't care.

I don't think I can reconcile with Peony. He rubs me the wrong way. If he doesn't care then I won't either. He's one of those people you pour lots of positive energy into and then they leave without a word. Darius on the other hand I think I could get along with if he took his job seriously. He's usually fine to be around, he just doesn't really seem to belong here.

I'm sure both Mike and Darius could get along if the situation was different.

I glance up to see Felix approach with the village elder. She... looks more aware now, but still quite happy and pleased with watching Mike and Darius suffer through their punishment...

I glance to Asher and Vitis that are watching over the two hot blooded guys and then turn my attention back to the old woman that walks up to us and looks over the boys.

"Young man, do you perhaps know where that young woman went?"

I remind myself that her insight was unexpected. This old woman accepted that the Lady was a woman even before they were introduced, even though the lady is dressed like a man.

Still, Felix knows this...

Felix is looking away to the side awkwardly. In other words, he doesn't want to be a part of it? If the lady turns her bite at the old woman, then neither Felix or the old woman will return in a healthy state...

"Celeste-sama is resting."

The old woman raises both of her eyebrows.

"That is quite early. I would like to talk with her properly though," she says, as if she expects us to walk into the Lady's den and wake her up.

I glance to Asher and wave him over.

This woman has no sense of proper behavior, but I suppose we learned something about the lady because of her...

"Ma'am, you could see that 'lion' thing she talked of?" None actually explained what this 'lion' thing was during the chaotic event, and... asking the old woman appeared easier.

The old woman perks up a bit with a sweet smile and a glow of life in her eyes.

"Yes yes, quite an incredible creature," she replies and grabs a stick before drawing into the ground. She starts off with what seems to be the appearance of a feline head, though the ears are kind of small and round... a mixture between a cat and a bear?

Then down to the shoulders... those shoulders look wrong though... I suspect I overestimated the old lady's drawing skills... until the back of the beast goes down instead of back...

It's a bi-pedal creature.

It has the slender body of a cat, but with the ears and size of a bear, with a weird brush like tail...

I glance up from the drawing to see a circle of curious eyes having gathered to see the result.

"...isn't that a magic beast?"

A few moments of silence spread as all of us go through the situation yesterday.

The village elder saw the Lady's soul and thought she was a camouflaged enemy... that part made sense... but... she said 'oh it is just the soul'... so the soul of a magic beast went into the body of a young girl.........

What happened to the soul of the girl?

"...but she is human, right?"

Mayard, one of the other soldiers ask somewhat cautiously. The Elder smile.

"Yes yes. The venerable snake said she was stolen from beyond the veil of our world's magic to play a role."

The Elder nods slowly and then looks up at the sky.

"I suppose we all have a role to play, and you have yours. Now, off you pop. It is just about time for dinner. Tell me when the young woman wakes." She waves her staff at some of them and hints towards the scent of fried meat.

Along with the scent of food... another beast awakes.

—-*—-

Lily's Point Of View

I... am not comfortable... I woke to the smell of food and expected a somewhat brighter mood in the camp... instead none of them meet my eyes as they keep staring at me intensely when they think I'm not looking... not just that, but apparently a fight happened while I was sleeping.

Honestly I expected a fight, but not with those two specific participants. I was expecting a fight between Peony and Vitis, or a small one between Arven and Darius. I didn't expect Mike to get involved.

I'm not sure whether or not I am happy with the result... but watching them toil away at the training puts me in a slightly better mood.

Asher watches me quietly, more curious than usual as well.

I am not an exhibition piece. What kind of odd rumors have you guys been spreading while I was asleep?

"Is there a problem, Asher?" I ask directly instead of dodging the matter any further.

He hesitates.

"The village elder drew a Lion."

I consider his words for a moment and nod slowly.

"So?"

He hesitates again.

"It would likely be easier to show than tell," he concludes and pulls me towards where the two young brawlers are being punished and shows me a pitifully made drawing in the ground of an ancient lion beast.

"She said your soul is like that..." he explains as I look over it.

"I see. I am honored. If my soul takes the shape of such wonderful beings, then I am blessed beyond what I deserve." A lion walks on four legs though.

I find it interesting that the way they look at souls can make them take a shape different than from their most recent life. I had expected my soul to take the shape of my body as Lily or Rei.

I start heading towards the food while clearly hearing our conversation contemplated by a few nearby groups of soldiers and villagers.

"Asher, why did Mike and Darius start fighting?" I change the subject.

Asher gets out of a little trance of thought he was in and then reports clearly:

"Mike asked Darius why Darius kept sneaking about. Darius expressed his desire to be a 'shadow guard'. Mike began provoking Darius and said he wouldn't be his brother in arms with a coward. Darius was provoked after a while, and thus the fight started."

I cease to mention that both of them looked a bit too touched up. Some people need to talk with their fists, and if anything I am relieved Darius went along with it... but still... a shadowguard... that is... I suppose that would explain why he has made no progress in getting rid of his habit. He does it intentionally.

I glance around me again and stop halfway towards the food.

"I will talk with Darius. Once I am done I will answer questions until I am done eating. Formulate your questions before that."

You can sense it. The feeling of curiosity in the air and eyes all over you like they're trying to unveil you. Furthermore, some of them seem uncomfortable. It's better to deal with it directly and cut down any silly misunderstandings that way.

—-*—-

Darius stares at me quietly as I slide down into seiza in front of him and motion him to sit down as well.

He looks down at the mat and then sits down a bit awkwardly. Asher is at the tent door. Other than that, there is only Darius and I. I have no business with Mike. His punishment is enough.

"I hear you got in a fight with Mike," I start out softly. First, let's draw his side of the story out of him.

"I told him what I wanted to do in life, and he mocked it. He even called me a coward... so we fought."

It was a nice and simple answer, but also shows he wasn't repenting. He didn't see himself as in the wrong.

"Why do you want to be a shadow-guard?" I proceeded calmly onto the next question while pondering what in the world he found so fascinating.

"I want to protect someone, and I believe my skills physically and magically is better suited for this kind of work," he responds with ease. He has actually properly considered it... maybe...

"I see. Then, let me ask the following question: why do you believe people will hire a shadow-guard rather than a normal bodyguard."

Surprisingly many do not consider why someone would make these choices, but merely stop at 'that would be cool'... at least in this life... I figure it is native to Ristaze at this point. Damn poisons.

Darius thinks it over for a few moments.

"Because they want to appear less threatening?"

I nod softly.

"A guard is much like a weapon. By choosing a concealable weapon you can indeed appear less threatening, however, a peace knot would do the trick."

Darius perks up a bit.

"But then you would not be able to defend yourself."

I nod again.

"That is the purpose of a peace knot. To show that I am strong, but that I hold back said strength for peace. By choosing a concealed knife I show distrust, and I hide strength. Why do you suppose one would hide strength to one's enemies?"

He pauses for a long while as he sums up my question. Why would you hide that you have a guard?

"To defend when they attack and think you are weak."

I stare at him quietly.

"You indeed do so to make the enemy think you are weak and then stab them in the back when they fall for your temptation," I speak out coldly.

He contemplates it for a little while.

"When you hire a shadow-guard, you hire someone to both gather information, to skulk about and to stab people in the back if they try to get rid of you. When you hire a guard, you hire them to look big and scary so that none will try to hurt you."

I point out the difference a bit more clearly.

He thinks for a little while and nods.

"The former is the most effective."

That is the conclusion he reaches... and it shows clearly that he is trying to advocate the shadow guard thing despite my hopefully clear bias.

I let it come down to a single question, which makes or breaks his comparability with me.

"Which would you rather: Shameful victory or Honorable defeat?"