Guiche's shoulder slammed into the chest of the older Knght and knocked him back. Before the man had even hit the ground the young man had spun and swung his sword at the two behind him that were duelling with his Valkyries. The blade sliced through the ground effortlessly and dragged a thick chunk of dirt out with it as the Earth spell was channelled through it. Both constructs dodged out of the way with practiced ease as the ball began to animate mid-flight.
It struck the leftmost Knght's shield as he tried to ward it off and practically exploded over him; the earth forming into coils that bound and pulled tight. With two valkyries backing him up it was the work of a moment to disarm the final fighter; even without using his superior equipment. He could have just sliced through the other man's armour if he had to but Kenneth said it was bad to rely on that.
"Good work, lad. Ye can take a rest for now." Said dwarf stepped into the courtyard and tossed a wet towel to his charge. Guiche took it, wiping his face as he moved away. His familiar started to unbind the Knghts while issuing the usual apologies. The young Gramont kept walking.
They'd been at the estate for almost a week now. A squad of Griffon Knights had been stationed here at the request of Viscount Wardes; who had resumed command of the group temporarily given the unfortunate demise of his successor turned predecessor. He'd been one of the unlucky ones.
He'd made great strides in these few days. Kenneth had admitted as much; albeit usually followed quickly by a sharp but and some sort of reprimand. It was starting to grow wearisome. Practice was important, and Wardes had said it was fine for the Knghts to assist him. He hadn't hurt any of them. Even if he had, there was a healer on the premises. It wasn't like she was doing anything use-...
Guiche frowned, and reined in the sharp thoughts. Healer Dumas was doing her best. He knew that. It's just that there was little to be done. His father's condition wasn't worsening, much, but nor was it improving. The same went for Francisque. They were disturbingly similar, in fact.
His brother just sat in the room they'd secured him in. At first he'd been locked in one of the cellars but that had quickly proved unnecessary. Since… what had happened he hadn't said a word. Barely even moved. The servants had to feed him. He just stared into space and trembled whenever Guiche tried to speak to him.
Father was worse. Armand had been losing weight quickly these past few days. They had to change his sheets every few hours due to the sweats and give him water almost constantly. The smell was ghastly. Miss Dumas said it was his body trying to fight off whatever poison had been on the knife; the sweat stank due to the impurities in his body being pushed out. Guiche wasn't sure if he believed that.
Kenneth had tried what he could but there wasn't much to be done. Toxins were hard no matter where you were, it seemed. The healing magic of Kelicho was almost miraculously powerful when it came to damage to flesh but, much like its Halkegenian counterpart, more or less useless with regards to unknown poisons.
He'd barely slept. When he wasn't fighting he was in the family's library pouring through the books. Guiche doubted he could identify the poison so simply as that but it felt better than doing… nothing. Kenneth kept carrying him back to bed whenever he passed out, and was always badgering him to eat as well. He knew it was just the dwarf's way of tryng to help him, but even so…
By the fifth day he'd had enough.
"Kenneth. Collect my things; we're leaving. There's nothing I can do for my father here." The dwarf frowned but, for
once, didn't question him. What few belongings he had were divided between the Knights' griffons and then he himself saddled up behind one. Healer Dumas was left with instructions to send for anything she needed; money was, clearly, no object.
Kenneth himself would travel overland. He wouldn't give up his tombstone and it was too heavy for a griffon to manage. With his endurance they'd arrive at much the same time regardless. The first step was the Undine Knights' Chapter House and, from there, the Capitol. There was work to be done.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Karin Désirée de la Vallière née Maillart… was dying. Two of her daughters weren't in much of a better state. Éléonore had been catatonic since the attack and Cattelya had suffered a fit from the stress of it all. The various apothecaries and healers had all said that if it weren't for her father's quick thinking then her mother would certainly be dead.
Unfortunately, Louse's father wasn't a properly trained healer himself. He was a Water Mage, yes, but affairs of state had left him far less practiced than his wife when it came to magic. Even now he remained somewhere between inconsolable and an emotional rock. When she'd arrived he'd pulled her into his arms and told her everything was going to be alright. That mother had survived worse than this.
He'd been shaking as he said it, though; and his eyes were very red. It didn't help that there was precious little for them to do. Mother's friends had materialised in droves; strange angry people with harsh expressions that seemed to get on very well with Saito. He'd taken to organising those without some sort of medical talent and they'd filled the grounds to the point where there was someone watching every window and door and corridor.
Then, much to her surprise, someone far more prestigious had arrived; Princess Henrietta, with the Royal Physician in two. Her childhood friend had held her close and they'd stayed together for a time. Louise had dared to let herself hope in those few, familiar moments. Apparently the Queen had ordered her to attend to the Duchess directly.
News was grim. Karin had been shot from point-blank range with a pistol that had been loaded rather haphazardly. Rather than a proper musket ball it had been filled with a handful of random metallic detritus of varying kinds; while this
would ruin the weapon it had the effect of reducing Karin's lower body to something more closely resembling mince than flesh. It had been a wonder that her father had been able to keep her alive at all.
Louise forced herself to listen to the explanation; no matter how awful it might be. Saito stood silently behind her, to one side, and the Princess hugged her arm and hid her face; unable to bear the brutality of what was being described to them. She didn't blame her old friend. If it hadn't been for her father's ashen expression she didn't know if she could have found the strength to listen herself.
Of course, it got worse from there. The scrap had been poisoned, or perhaps simply unclean, and thus the wound was now badly infected. Water magic enhanced the body's natural rhythms and improved its ability to heal; things like disease and toxins were far more difficult to deal with. The best that they could do right now was to treat the symptoms and keep her as strong as possible; all the while hoping that she could fight off the ailment herself.
Henrietta couldn't stay. She'd have to take part in meetings and such soon. When she left it had been with teary eyes and a heavy heart. As she went she'd left behind her ring; pushing it into Louise's hands and urging her to use it if she ever needed to visit. She'd promised her old friend she would, but her words felt hollow even to her.
Days passed in monotony. When no further attacks came mother's friends began to slip away. Perhaps to whatever they were doing before. Perhaps seeking justice for their comrade. She couldn't say, and Saito certainly wasn't talking. He stayed close to her at all times; attending to her every need even more diligently than usual. She'd scarcely think of something before he was already presenting it; be it a chair, a drink or an extra pillow.
Louise slept beside her mother's bed.
It was the fifth day when he visited; though it felt like an eternity. Jean-Jacques, the Viscount Wardes. Her fiancé. Her father ought to have met him, but he refused to leave his wife's side. She didn't want to either but somebody had to. Tragedy did not mean one couldn't act with dignity. Her mother would have wanted that.
"Viscount. To what do we owe this honour?"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Are ye sure this is a good idea, lad?" It was the first time that Kenneth had spoken to him since their arrival in the Capitol. The little man had been uncharacteristically withdrawn, as of late. Guiche frowned as he straightened his cape and buffed his armour. In the mirror he could see his familiar's worried face beneath the mass of ginger hair that adorned it.
"No. But I refuse to be left out of this, Kenneth. I have my father's name and your experience to stand upon. That will have to do." The breastplate was actually only half-finished; it merely covered his front, not his back. Guiche had settled for wearing his mail shirt underneath; after all, they were both plenty light enough. With his mother's sword on his hip he looked like a proper knight.
The hat was Wardes', of course, but the cloak was his own this time; though the style may be similar he'd had it emblazoned with the insignia of the Undine Knights. In his mind he'd intended to wear it upon his graduation and, so, had commissioned it not long after joining the Knightly Order. That seemed so long ago no.
He couldn't help but turn the hat over in his hands. Thinking about the first time he'd ever really fought. Now he was walking straight into a far different, yet strangely similar, battle. Guiche put the hat on and surveyed himself in the silvered surface once more. The rose insignia on his chest glinted back at him.
"... ye look like a prop'r hero, lad." Kenneth smiled; in spite of himself, perhaps. Guiche didn't say anything. He just walked out of the room and left his familiar scrambling to catch up again. What did it matter if he looked like a hero? That wouldn't help him here.
They marched side-by-side through the streets of the city. This time their lodgings were of a far higher quality and, thus, were reasonably close to the palace. His status as a Knight Novitiate was enough to get him through the gates with minimal fuss and he soon found himself within the palace.
He was willing to wait for an hour. Two, even. But his patience soon wore thin after that and he barged his way past the guards. He could hear Kenneth making more apologies for him behind him and that only redoubled his resolve. Suddenly; two guards levelled muskets at him from the end of a corridor.
"Please return to the waiting room, sir. You aren't allowed in he-" The door behind them swung open and an old man in ill-fitting armour stepped out. His facial hair was unkempt and he looked rather haggard. Guiche vaguely recognised him; the soldiers certainly did given their quick salutes. "General Tréville, sir. This-" He waved a hand to cut them off, then looked to Guiche. The young man nodded his head.
"Hm. I know you. Armand's youngest, yes?" Guiche nodded, and the General stroked his ragged moustache. From his memories the young noble recalled the man before him had retired from duty some ten years ago. Not that his presence here was unusual. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, boy, but we've matters well in ha-" Before he could finish Guiche cut him off; perhaps it was rude but it was necessary.
"I've memorised all of my father's notes, and read all his journals. And my familiar-" At this, he gestured towards Kenneth where he stood beside him. The dwarf looked to be on the verge of charging the guards; which wasn't the best look, but still. "Is some three hundred years old, sir, and has seen harsh fighting in his time. Please. We can help." Tréville scratched at his chin with a frown. Then the door opened wider as a familiar figure appeared.
"Let him in, General." The Count de Mott spoke with authority and confidence, eyeing boy and dwarf with an appraising air. "I will vouch personally for his tactical prowess. Young Guiche bested me in duel over a… minor personal matter some weeks ago. I've no doubt he will have useful insights." Thusly presented with a politically expedient 'out', as it were, the General smiled and nodded.
"Very good. Well then, lad, if the Count is willing to vouch for you then I guess we'll give you a chance.
Founder knows we're short on brainpower in here…" He couldn't help but feel that last part ought to have been said a bit more quietly but as it stood Guiche wasn't going to complain. Instead, he followed the General into the room.
In the room beyond there was already nearly six hundred years worth of military experience. It would have perhaps been a bit better if it wasn't spread out between nearly twenty people. Apart from the Princess and the Queen there were a dozen people in varying ranks of military uniform, another half dozen in Knight's equipment, a handful of mere nobles, the Count de Mott and a Cardinal whose name Guiche didn't know. Currently the last of that listing was apparently arguing with half of the room.
"The Church cannot commit forces without
evidence of wrongdoing! There is a
delicate balance of power, and with preparations for the next Crusade already underwa-" The Cardinal was cut off by a stout man with thick sideburns. Guiche didn't quite recall his name but he vaguely knew of him from his father's parties as a child, and from the slew of interesting new words he and his brothers had learned while listening at the study door.
"Baldurdash! This is an
attack on our sovereignty, plain and simple! Who else could be responsible for this
but Germania, I ask you?" It took all of Guiche's strength not to collapse onto the table in shock. The next speaker didn't help matters; a young man with a weak chin and a nervous disposition.
"I say, Lord Dampierre is right. The rebels in Albion are still consolidating; there's no way they'd
dare to seek war with a foreign power as of yet." To Guiche's growing horror there seemed to be a modicum of support for this idiocy; as demonstrated by a variety of nods and cries of 'Hear hear' from one half of the table. Mott sidled up beside him and sighed heavily.
"I realise we are… not on kindly terms, young master Gramont. However, the situation is dire. These imbeciles will have us embroiled in entirely the wrong war if they have their way." Although he shot a reflexive scowl at the Count there wasn't much heart in it. In truth, he'd long since stopped caring about the man. Not that he intended to do anything so forward as
forgive him any time soon, of course.
"... quite." What else was there to say? Half the room, mostly consisting of the more elderly military officials and the Knights, seemed to be arguing for war against Germania at once. The Princess was sitting quietly as the Queen rested her face in her hand with what Guiche had to admit was certainly the utmost of grace and elegance. To her other side the remaining officials seemed to be split between wanting to declare war on Albion, Gallia and one lone, wild-eyed old coot who seemed to think they should be marching on the elves by next light.
Guiche clenched his fist. Beside him, Kenneth reached out for him and then pulled back with a pained expression. It was all just too much. While his father was writhing in agony the safety of Tristain fell to these… these… clowns! He wouldn't let them sully this nation any further!
Just as he stepped forward to slam his fist on the table there was an immensely loud 'bang'. Kenneth had slung his tombstone off his back and onto the floor; its wrappings swinging loose to reveal the inscriptions on its surface. Those assembled couldn't read them, not well at least, and yet the monument seemed to almost radiate a hallowed sensation.
"... 'pologies, Yer Majesty an' Highness. Ah just couldnae listen to another second of that tripe." Guiche's familiar stepped forward and bowed smartly to the Queen, who had looked up with a perplexed expression. "Kenneth Manson, Son of Man; back home they also call me Flamecutter, Mountain Rider, Dragon Drinker an' Tomb-Bearer. Ah also have the honour, an' the privilege, of bein' the Familiar of Guiche de Gramont, youngest son of General Armand de Gramont." Here, he gestured to his young charge and stepped to one side. All eyes were on Guiche; until the figure in the throne delicately cleared her throat.
"Do you wish to address us, Master Gramont?" The Queen's bearing and speech were both without flaw. She was regal and timeless, yet touched by just a hint of grief. Her black clothing was indicative of her ongoing mourning for her regrettably deceased husband. Some nobles would always whisper that she was unstable, erratic, or worse. In this moment she seemed nothing less than a true monarch.
"Yes, Your Majesty. With your permission?" She inclined her head ever so slightly. Once more, all gazes swung to Guiche. He stepped forward and bowed, as was right and proper, before beginning. "Gentiles all; I know many of those assembled here, by reputation at the very least. Although my honoured father is regrettably indisposed I stand before as an unworthy replacement."
A faint snort of derision indicated that someone agreed with his assessment. He ignored it, and soldiered on. "I have little experience in the art of war. However; what I do have is knowledge. My father's knowledge. These past few days I have spent memorising his personal notes and reading his journals, familiarising myself with his thoughts on our military and what might be done to defend our nation. With that in mind, there is something I must share with you that I feel he would say." Guiche took a moment to clear his throat and took a deep breath.
"Were my father here today he would undoubtedly speak louder than I. He would deride each and every one of you for your lollygagging and openly question when last any of you saw combat." Faces were turning red with outrage but he didn't give them the chance to interject. "I dare say that I have seen more fighting these past few months than many of you have in the past decade. As such, you have let your experiences, or lack thereof, blind you."
One portly mouth opened to provide a counterpoint only to be silenced by Guiche slamming a gauntleted fist down on the table. "Our enemy is
irrelevant. It matters not
who has attacked us at this point; we merely need know we are under attack. Stores must be set in, musters arranged for, militias organised! Yet you sit here arguing about who we ought to declare upon?"
As he spoke, part of him sincerely hoped he wasn't overstepping the mark here. By the looks of embarrassment upon many faces, though, it seemed like they hadn't yet gotten to such matters. That was… not good, but at least not immediately detrimental to him. "You may not be the finest military minds of our Kingdom, but I know for a fact that some of the greatest logisticians my father has ever worked with are sitting at this table. No matter whom is responsible there are things that
must be done!"
There was a cavernous silence in the room. He was, of course, correct. However; there was much pride gathered in this room. The Queen stared at her military advisors but nobody seemed to be willing to take the first step. Until, that is, the Count de Mott stepped forward.
"If the good sirs can begin drafting the conscription plans and have Her Majesty approve them then I can begin deliveries within the hour?" Seeing a relatively senior noble act seemed to break the spell that had fallen over the others. General Tréville leaned forward.
"A central muster ought to do. Rapid response, that's the thing. Wide open space to run drills for the conscripts. Any ideas, Montbelliard?" The portly man he spoke to looked pensive now instead of outraged. Yet more people leaned over the map laid out on the table and idea it.
"Plains of Tarbes, perhaps? Can land the fleet nearby, load up the better quality troops and be ready to respond in all directions. Set out the Aerial Corps along the border for some early warning?" This came from Dampierre, and his contribution shortly got the ball rolling. As logistical concerns were quickly raised and just as quickly solved the Count began to take notes and dispatch missives. Guiche stood there in shock at what he'd just done. It didn't feel real.
Suddenly silence fell. The Queen had cleared her throat, and was eyeing Guiche with a strange look. There was a sinking feeling growing in the pit of his stomach, and he wasn't sure where it came from.
"It seems to me…" She began almost innocuously, with a faint smile on her face. "That we remain short on senior staff. Perhaps we require a more… personable face. Someone our new conscripts can trust, no?" Confusion was writ large on the faces of the assembled men; followed quickly by consternation as they realised what she was getting at. A dainty hand raised itself and forestalled any complaints.
"Of course, you gentlemen would be remain
in charge, as it were. I wouldn't dream of appointing anyone over the heads of my own high command. However… a Knight-Captain of one of our Orders can be considered of equal rank to a General, can he not?" The Queen looked to the assembled officers for confirmation which they reluctantly gave.
"It is an
equivalent rank only, Your Majesty." Said Dampierre, tentatively. "Traditionally, the Chivalric Orders do not give orders to the Army…?" She nodded, still with a faint smile on her face. "Besides which, all of the Orders already have a Knight-Captain appointed to them as of two days ago, with the return of Viscount Wardes to his old position…" The Queen's expression of amusement didn't fade, however.
"I think you will find, Louis, that there is one as of yet unaccounted for." The old man flushed when Her Majesty used his given name, and frowned slightly. Then the Queen stood and Guiche automatically dropped to one knee.
"Guiche de Gramont… I hereby appoint you to the position of Knight-Captain of the Chivalric Order of the Undine. Henceforth you shall act pursuant to the rights and obligations of your station." Guiche trembled slightly, but didn't dare to raise his head. The Queen continued regardless. "Furthermore, I charge you to travel to the plains of Tarbes to meet with our conscripted forces as they muster. Your task shall be to ensure good order and high morale amongst the troops, as well as overseeing the organisation and training of our conscripts. Do you accept this duty?"
It was entirely symbolic. He understood that; as did all those assembled. Whatever theoretical authority this granted him existed only so long as he didn't try to exercise it and would end with the state of war. His sole purpose was to be the charismatic face of the Army; someone that the common person would respond to better than the dried up old men or chinless buffoons that filled the room. Even so…
"I accept, Your Majesty." He looked up to see the Queen smiling down at him. She nodded thoughtfully.
"Very good. Then rise, Sir Gramont. You have much to do yet."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Louise stared at Wardes where he knelt before her, hand outstretched. Daintily; she reached out and took the thing. It sparkled under the light in a way that made her chest ache. All of this felt… so wrong. And yet…
"Louise… please. We are to go to war soon. With all that has happened… both our lines may end with us. Can we not seek some measure of happiness? Of continuity?" She looked into his earnest face, staring up at her below, and could only think of the ashen face of her father as he listened to the doctors. Could only think of the blank face of her sister, and the writhing of her mother in her bed. Louise swallowed hard.
"... very well, Jean-Jacques. I will marry you."
