(This is a Joint post starring: TheLoneGentleman, Cinia Pacifica, and Katsucha.)
Inside the castle was full of guards making sure everything was secure. A few enemies had made it in, but all were killed before they got too deep. “Take her to my room. It is just up ahead on the left,” ordered Leona III. Arkasia nodded and walked to the door suggested, holding Louise in her arms.
“Sir, let me check first, we don’t know if there are enemies waiting inside,” Ari said as she hurried up to the front. Arkasia looked on as Ari went through with her check. There were piles of ash on the floor, but no more than that. “They were here…” said Arkasia as she looked around carefully. Drawers were opened and papers were strewn about the room. “They were looking for something,” said Leona frantically entering the room. Looking to the wall she ran to it and slid her finger into a hidden button. The wall jerked a bit and then opened to reveal a scroll. She breathed a sigh of relief. “I will have to hide it again, but it is not in enemy hands. Thank the spirits,” she said as she pressed the button again to hide the scroll. Arkarsia knew better than to ask what it was. She simply walked over to the bed, and placed Louise on it gently.
“I need to see about my men, and if those women are still in the city… they will need help,” said Araksia. “Ari, I need you here watching over these two. Especially Leona,” the last part was quiet enough for only Ari to hear. Leona was hiding something, and Arkasia wasn’t so sure of her trust anymore.
“Understood, sir,” Ari responded, she then walked near the door, then placed her hand on her heart from one wall in the hall a golem around the size of Ari emerged, “Alright Gaia, make sure no enemies get by this door.” Ari said as she then closed the door. To think I’ll get in a situation like this so quickly, Ari thought to herself, now wondering what would happen next.
Sitting on the bed next to Louise, Leona placed on hand on her friend’s abdomen.“Knight, would you turn for a moment?” asked Leona III, “I need to get her for injuries. I don’t wish to show her off to the world now.”
“Understood ma’am,” Ari said as she turned around Though, why do I need to look the other way? Not like I’m a man!” Ari wondered, but didn’t utter a word to protest.
Once Ari was turned around Leona undid a few buttons from Louise’s blouse she placed a hand on the center of her chest. muttering a few words of a strange language there was a slight glow under her hand. Louise’s breathing became fast and erratic for a moment, but soon settled down to a normal pace. Soon after the Louise’s eyes fluttered open.
“Glad to see you have returned to us, Louise,” said the queen with a smile.
”Ugh, my head feels heavy, what happened to the battle, and where am I no-” as Louise asked, she noticed the basic interior of the room, and realized, ”Oh, it’s your room.”
“Yes, Arkasia was nice enough to carry you here, and Sir Ari is our guard for the day,” said Leona with a finger on her lips. This was an attempt to warn Louise that the were being watched. “Do not worry about the battle, we were victorious. Though it seems that the three women were able to escape. Arkasia will have her hands full with discovering the hole in her shield I’m sure.”
Noticing Leona III putting the index finger on her own lips, it signified that she had to be careful about her own words. Racking her mind, she thought about what to say, ”Well, uhh, what should I say, I apologize for passing out, I forgot how hard it was to use that spell.”
“No need to apologize. I doubt we would have been able to defeat that bug otherwise, and no one was injured. That thing didn’t stand a chance,” she responded. “But do be careful not to strain yourself in the future. I may not be there next time. Your body seems to be under heavy stress,” said Leona.
”I doubt you have to be. I’ll be fine in the near future,” said Louise, putting her palm forward to express that she doesn’t require herself excessive amount of help, ”You are wrong about one thing though. I was a victor of that battle, because I took down most major enemy,” Louise claimed, proud of the feat, smiling and boasting.
Bet you wouldn’t have done so well without us watching out for you, thought Ari. In an effort to keep herself out of trouble she kept these words to herself. Still she didn’t find herself caring much for this woman.
“As true as it is that you were a major part, our royal guard did a splendid job as well,” she commented. “Now, I believe you should rest.” Covering her to the neck in the heavy warm blanket. “Until the castle is clear I must ask that you watch over my guest. I must speak to my daughter when she returns,” said Leona III to Ari as she stood up.
”Hmph, I wouldn’t need help if not for the cur-” Louise abruptly stopped, putting the hand over her mouth, ”Nevermind,” she hid her lips with the blanket, and muttered, ”Is it even fine to rest here, in your room?”
“It’s quite alright. When I return perhaps we can take a nap together,” she said playfully. “Don’t worry about the details. Just get all the rest you can, Louise. If you need anything I will not be far away.”
“No!” said Ari, flustered. “I mean, it isn’t safe for you to go yet, ma’am.”
“Oh?” she said narrowing her eyes at Ari. “Then why don’t you simply have one of your golems escort me?”
Ari thought for a moment. She wasn’t in the position to stand in the way of the former queen, and Arkasia had told her only to watch her. Restraining her to the room might be going a bit far.
“That would be fine ma’am,” she answered opening the door for the former queen.
“Then if you will excuse me.” she said walking out of the room closing the door behind her.
”So, if I may ask, who might you be, introduce yourself would you?” Louise asked from under the provided blanket, her voice barely audible. She hid her smile. Trying to start a conversation, albeit not having the intention of continuing for long, she did wanted to get to know her so-called guard who could seemingly summon golems without her powers.
“My name is Ari Fay, may I know your name too, ma’am?” Ari asked in a respectful tone of voice, restraining her rude behavior from her earlier thought regarding Louise’s words.
”I see, a pleasure to meet you, Dame Ari Fay, I am Louise Marguerite,” Louise said, in a respectful tone likewise. There was no harm of providing a minimal amount of respect is regards to courtesy, after all. She did read Ari’s expression earlier, so she had to know her name for future conversations with a certain someone. Louise intentionally didn’t mention the rest of her name, the name of Augusta was quite well-known, after all.
As the queen walked out the golem turned to her, and proceeded to escort her down the hallway. †˜I do not like being watched, Arkasia,’’ she thought as she continued on her way to her daughter’s quarters to wait for her to return. The golem upon reaching the room stood watch outside.