- Day 14 -

Games

The sun is setting as I arrive outside Katharine's front door. I decided to knock, as I'm sure I wouldn't get away with just walking into her house nonchalantly like she did with me this morning. Regardless of how close we've become and especially since it's her father's house, not hers.

After a minute or so, Helen answers the door and allows me into the entrance way where Alexander looks to already be waiting.

"Ah, you came! Katharine said you would be dining with us tonight."

"Indeed, I thank you for the invitation, but I feel I must apologise, I didn't have the chance to pick something up--"

"Oh please! We have plenty of wine, and besides Aburi, if I receive another of your gifts, I may die of shock! Now come--"

He gestures me towards the study as I spot Katharine coming down the stairs wearing a short flowing pale-yellow dress and loose white cardigan. Her hair is tied back in a looped braid, and she appears to have a very light red lipstick on. It's more a casual look than formal but needless to say I can't take my eyes off her.

"Evening Lady Katharine."

"Good evening Aburi."

She curtseys as I bow slightly. With her father here, it seems we're both acutely aware of the necessity of etiquette once more.

"Aburi, we have much to discuss if you would."

Alexander gestures again towards his study. His tone suggests an urgency which intrigues me. Katharine follows slightly behind us but stops at the doors.

"I'll leave you in my Fathers care and rejoin you both at dinner."

"Thank you Lady Katharine."

She smiles at me mischievously while pulling the doors closed. I assume it's about the etiquette unless she knows something I don't?

"So Aburi--"

He takes a seat and gestures for me to do the same.

"--I've heard from my daughter that you and your party slew 300 goblins in quite the battle?"

Word gets around fast huh.

"It's indeed true. The goblins lacked intellect though and basically defeated themselves, not that it would have been possible if everyone had not been there."

"Yes, well, at first I thought it just an exaggerated tale, but I've since seen the bounty of stones you left to Graham... It's quite the feat Aburi, I don't know why I even doubted it. It's nothing short of extraordinary."

"You're too kind Alexander but again, it was a team effort, and it would not have been possible if everyone did not contribute equally. I include your daughter in that of course, her skills are fast improving. She's already faster than either Risk or Bella. With more experience, she'll be the fiercest fighter I've ever seen."

I've never nodded so much in a conversation in my entire two lives.

"Indeed... I've seen glimpses of that myself. I don't know what kind of special training you've all been doing, but she's giving me a seriously hard time recently... Not that I'll admit that in front of her mind you."

...I get the feeling you want something Alexander.

"It's nothing special, we've just been solidifying the basics and prioritising teamwork over individual strengths. It has a natural trickle-down effect on battle tactics and skills for each individual. Of course, nothing works better than actual combat, and we've been getting as much of that as possible recently."

"I see. Well, it's working Aburi, and it's most impressive... Hm..."

Oh, I think the real conversation is about to start.

"Graham tells me you have a barrier spell. Could I ask you to raise it for me?"

[Vacuum Barrier]

"The spell is in full effect. We may speak privately."

"Good. Then I'll get straight to the point Aburi--"

There he is, the real Alexander. Hot tempered, bold posture, fierce, commanding tone... Although it's only cute when Katharine does it.

"--You told Graham that William is not to be trusted and he's taken your warning to heart. He himself has had concerns about the man but Aburi, William's been in my inner circle for years and I trust him implicitly, so you better have a damn good reason--"

Graham has a big month.. but it's acceptable I guess. I trust these two enough that as long as it's in the cities best interest, they'll follow my lead.

"Alex, William met with General Syvian in the ruins just outside the city the very day after your dinner party. I have no idea what the conversation was about but what possible valid reason could William have for meeting General Syvian without telling us? Especially when he knows you've been trying to locate the General."

"That's hardly damning evidence--"

"I never said he was in league with the General, Alex. I merely told Graham not to trust him. Surely you agree that it's better we don't give William any information we don't want the General to know nor accept any real help from William until we understand his true intentions. He's a merchant after all, he may just be looking to find the more profitable horse to bet on. Either way, we keep him at an arm's length and observe. If I'm wrong, no harm was done, but if I'm right, well, we've obtained a valuable source to manipulate."

Alexander shakes his head with apparent frustration. Even if he understands my point, he's not happy about being suspicious of a friend.

"Fine. We'll do this your way Aburi, but I can't say that I like it... If you're right though, freezing William out is the best course of action..."

"Thank you Alex. The most important thing is William not become aware that we are potentially onto him. We need to keep up appearances--"

"Hmph, I don't like this at all, but I understand... What do you plan to do?"

"Plant some false information, lay a trap, see who I catch. Nothing too bold. I'll keep Graham and yourself informed of my plans."

Mostly informed anyway.

"See that you do. I don't mind telling you that I don't like your methods at all. William is an honourable man and doesn't deserve such suspicion! If Graham hadn't told me to leave this to you, I'd just have bought him in and asked him man to man."

Oh boy, my opinion of you is dropping by the second. I honestly thought you had more tactical sense than that.

"I understand Alex and thank you for the discretion... If I may, while the barriers up, can I ask how the preparations are going for the expedition?"

The previous anger Alexander was displaying a moment ago, just falls from him in a sudden mood change that I'm more used to seeing from his daughter, as he lets out a sigh, slumping back into his chair.

"Terribly... I assume you've heard about Babel?"

"Only this morning and only from Katharine."

"Hmph. Well, how much do you know about what's going on in the castle?"

"Nothing at all. I leave the politics to you and Graham, I'm a simple Merchant after all."

He bellows out.

"Simple... Well. The Kingdom's currently split, and it's all thanks to Victor. We now have three factions warring against one another within the castle. Simply put Aburi, Lady Babel was in our faction and now, isn't, taking with her all ten-thousand veteran Knights I had amassed as she's been appointed First Hand."

First Hand... I remember seeing that title on the portraits lining the stairs at the magistrates' buildings.

"Isn't that an Assault General's position second only to your own? I thought Lady Babel was a sorceress?"

Alexander laughs out catching me off guard.

"Indeed it is, but she's a combat mage and a Knight Aburi, nothing stopping that promotion, especially when it's endorsed by all four princes..."

I see. I'm starting to smell a rat with that ambush, not that it didn't seem odd to me to begin with.

"So where does that leave us?"

"Where? With four-thousand recruits that have barely reached manhood, that's where. ...David's having his own share of troubles too with getting the craftsmen on board. None of them will risk their lives on something they believe guaranteed to fail."

Disappointing but honestly expected.

"...What about the supplies?"

"Well, despite your concerns about William and what with the highway being unsafe for travel, he's still the only one pulling through. At this rate, we'll have more supplies than men... Honestly Aburi, if you hadn't come back with all those stones when you did, I think we would be planning evacuations."

You'd think with the very existence of the Kingdom being at stake, everyone would pool together to try and solve the problem... Well, it's human nature I guess.

"...The stones change nothing Alex. The timeline for the expedition remains as is, in fact, we should expedite it further--"

He slams his hand down on the armrest of his chair while showing a face of confused disbelief at my words.

"Don't be unreasonable Aburi, we--"

"Alex, we must. If it's not clear to you, it's very clear to me. You have enemies in every corner and they're throwing out plans left and right against you. The longer we delay, the further they'll whittle us down. If we have to leave with only four-thousand men, then that's what we do. We'll have to adapt to a rolling support team rather than an encamped one."

He takes a moment before nodding with a slight stressed laugh and brooding expression.

Since the beginning, all I planned to use the support team for was to give us somewhere to repair our gear, get some downtime and food in relative safety. Four-thousand men should be more than enough for that, and as I can warp my assault team around, it doesn't matter if the camp has to move every night.

I decide to end the spell so we can return to a more casual conversation.

"...Have you had a chance to read that book?"

I notice the book I gave him that's sitting on his desk.

"Helon – Battle of Gods; I did... Quite the tale of military might in pressing circumstances. I pray I'm never battle tested like Ralgum."

I did briefly skim my eyes over it before I gave it to Alexander.

It's a book about three gods and a human that stood against them. It read like a myth, so I gave it as a gift. Ralgum was the human, and he had it pretty tough before ultimately failing and dying off. It ended in a battle-royale between the three gods with no ultimate winner.

I only skimmed it so that's all I really remember, not that I'll admit that to Alexander but if there's secret meaning to it, I couldn't see it at the time. With everything I've learned since though, I may want to borrow it for a closer read.

"I see. It's always good to have a reminder that we're all mortal once in a while. Keeps us grounded."

"Hmm, quite right... Ah yes, my daughter tells me you’re quite the war game enthusiast--"

Just how much do you people talk about me?

"--Would you care for a game of chess?"

Chess? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad it's a game I recognise but it's still surprising to find it exists in this world. One game wouldn't hurt.

…This may have been a mistake, accepting the challenge I mean. Not that I'm finding it difficult, quite the opposite actually. I've won all ten games so far.

"Checkmate."

Make that eleven.

"Hmm, I see... That was well played indeed... Hmm, yes. One more game?"

This is the problem. Alexander just won't give up. It's not that I begrudge his competitive nature, I too suffer from it but at what point is enough, enough?

I wouldn't mind if there was some challenge here but he puts too much faith in well-established moves that he fails to see the whole picture on the board. I set the board up, throw a few tempting sacrifices his way and mop up with the knight and bishop as he's pressed into reaction over strategy... I've not even changed my tactics from the very start, yet he's still failing to grasp this... This is the prized General of the Sinki Kingdom? I am truly worried about it's future...

Katharine knocks the door once before entering.

"Dinner is ready Father."

Yes, saved by food! I'll remember to not accept invitations for competitive games from Alexander in the future!

"Ah, then we'll be right along."

Katherine nods and leaves the room, closing the doors again behind her. I turn to face Alexander only to find him staring at me…

"..."

Did my face betray me?

"Let us eat and then finish our game."

Oh for heaven's sake…

Diner with the Armstrong's was...interesting. Alexander sat expectedly at the head of the table, while Katharine sat opposite me.

I couldn't help but notice that Amelia, Alexander's wife, was still not present. I haven't seen the vile woman since before she tried to have Alexander killed. I really do want to know what happened to her but it would be considered in bad taste to just outright ask right?

Instead, I make small talk and comment about how excellent the food is, though my words betray my thoughts. It's not that the food is disgusting or anything, it isn't... It's just a testament to how spoilt I am to have Millie cooking all my meals.

After eating, Alexander attempts to accost me into another game, and for a moment, I honestly thought I didn't have a choice. Thankfully, Katharine acts like a true heroine and blocks the request for me by saying it's getting rather late. She's not lying either, I would say it's around nine. This was a rather late dinner.

I say my goodbyes to Alexander and make my promises for a rematch another time... Another time at an unspecified date in the very far off future!

Katharine walks me to the door, giving us some time to talk.

"I didn't get the chance to say so earlier, but you look lovely this evening Katharine."

That must have caught her off-guard as she stumbles.

"T-thank you Aburi, but it's just my evening wear..."

Her charming wide smile causes me to pause a moment.

"...So how did the garrison go? Did you get into the judicial enforce--"

She chuckles a little before interrupting me.

"Just call it JED and yes, seems my application has been approved despite Father’s objections."

"Your Father was against your posting?"

She nods thoughtfully after seeing my confusion.

"I understand he has his reasons, but I'm not some hapless girl needing his protection. I made a promise to myself so I will find those who killed my friends and deal with them in likened manner."

Oh boy, a revenge plot. I take it she's never heard the saying of digging two graves? ...Truthfully though, I have my own promise to keep with regards to that as well…

"...It's your path Katharine, and you're free to walk it, just be careful. As blunt as this is, your friends are dead and I doubt they would want you joining them any time soon. Just be careful and don't do anything rash, if any of us can help--"

"Don't worry Aburi, I won't act without thinking. I can promise you that."

"Good... I guess I should get going before I end up in another chess game."

She giggles.

"Yes, you should--"

Her earlier mischievously smile comes to mind.

"You knew that was going to happen didn't you?"

"Maybe. Father can be rather competitive, but I honestly didn't expect you to beat him so completely."

"Well... What can I say, I've had a lot of practice."

"...Goodnight Aburi"

"Goodnight."

*Zip*