Daybreak:Alpha Chapter

Chapter 12 - Better Late Than Never

[pre-alpha testing...]

Kaede jolted upright in her cold and squishy seat, the shivering aftereffects of a light shock still coursing through her body. Her eyes snapped open, and the two blurry figures before her soon solidified into appearances she knew and could trust.

"That's what a Rejuvenate spell actually feels like," the crouching Parzifal gave her a gentle smile, his eyes still closed as the soothing warmth from his glove coursed through her right shoulder. "Heal plus shock; bit contradictory, but effective."

Pascal, on the other hand, wasn't smiling at all. His frowning expression was halfway between worried and stern:

"How long did that arrow stay in you?"

"I don't know; maybe five minutes?" She almost shrugged but caught herself in time. "Counting time isn't the best way of trying to stay conscious while pretending to be the opposite."

Examining her situation, Kaede found herself laying on Parzifal's giant tofu, its top in the form of a memory-foam lounge chair. Her shoulder was no longer hurting. Instead, it felt submerged in hot springs, muscles relaxing and tension fading away.

"Well, I guess passing off as dead was your safest option at the time. Just try not to jump off any buildings again," Pascal shook his head.

"Hey, it was my second time using your buff set, give me a break already...!"

"--And thank you," Pascal headed off her retort, his head nodding with gratitude. "Because if you did not lure them in, there was no way our enforcers could have caught an Imperial Mantis Blade squad. Sooner or later, they would have succeeded on a plan to catch me off guard, instead of finding themselves baited into a trap."

Kaede felt that something felt off about Pascal. It lay in his expression, it intoned his firm voice. It was still him, yet different... or perhaps unusual was a better term. But her still-fuzzy mind could neither identify or explain her intuitive sense. So she turned towards the other puzzling topic: I thought they were from Rhin-Lotharingie, before she realized that Marina had no reason to tell her the truth.

She really needed to stop underestimating that un-spy-like maid's tears.

"Well, you're all set now," Parzifal patted her shoulder before standing back up, leaving a lingering warmth on the smooth skin where her wound used to be. "I left an Invigorate spell that should tie up any loose ends over the course of the night."

"Thank you so much," Kaede bowed from her seat before grinning back. "For this and for saving my life back there," she patted the giant tofu before standing up from it.

"Don't mention it," he waved it off. "I'm just glad Putty got there in time."

At least it's a fitting name...

Kaede sent the white pudding familiar a smile as well, and could have sworn it bounced with joy. Her eyes then passed beyond the giant tofu, and she bowed at the tired but otherwise healed Ariadne and Reynald. The flame-colored leather armor reinforced by steel plates -- cuirass, spaulders, bracers, and greaves -- that they wore during battle had already vanished without a trace. The two of them nodded back in their Knight Phantom uniforms, smiling. Meanwhile the pegasus Edelweiss, still nursing a bandaged wing, looked up from behind them.

"And I must thank you all as well," Pascal nodded towards Parzifal, Ariadne, and Reynald. The two males' change in attitude was nearly instantaneous as their smiles flipped upside down, but Pascal nevertheless pressed on: "I know none of you three wish to hear it from me, or did it for my sake. But that only makes it more important that I must convey my utmost gratitude. You were all willing to overlook our past... differences, for the sake of the country, putting your lives in danger against the best assassins in Hyperion. You have chosen to save my life for the noblest of reasons, and I swear now that House von Moltewitz will not forget this debt, nor fail to honor and repay it."

Pascal bowed, an emissary's courtesy to match perfection, before turning around without any expectations. "Let's go Kaede," he said as his legs took the first steps of departure.

His words were lonely and spoken in melancholy. His tone gave a regretful air that reminded Kaede of a conversation on her first day in this world, during their first meal, when he begrudgingly admitted his past faults against the admirable Ariadne. It was clear that he now held a great deal of respect for all three of them, even if he did not before tonight. It was apparent he wished things had turned out differently, before it became too late.

Glancing around the three of them, Kaede found the trio just as taken back. They may not be astounded to the point of dropping jaws, but it was clear that not one of them had expected such words from the prodigious and prideful Runelord.

She turned to Pascal's departing back -- just another step away from the stairwell doors -- and shouted after him:

"How long are you going to keep regretting the past instead of facing the present!?"

Pascal turned around to glare at her, but Kaede had no intention of keeping this conversation private.

"I stand by what I told you two weeks ago: it's not always enough, but it's never too late!"

His legs stood stiff and his body still. But his eyes wavered, caught amid hesitation and resentment, uncertain between a chance to seek the unpleasant light, or returning to the familiar yet cold shadows.

But Kaede knew that Pascal would not Pascal without his will to follow rational judgment in his own way. After a silent minute and a profound sigh, his feet turned themselves around, striding back towards Kaede as her lips unwittingly lit up a welcoming smile.

"You said you will not fail to honor and repay the debt. Then why not start now with everything you have?" Kaede's hands propped against her waist as she goaded Pascal with the one line he could not possibly ignore: "or would you only half-ass it and stain your word as a coward?"

"I will show you how this should be properly done." His irritated thoughts silently met her challenge.

Pascal soon stood before the trio, meeting them eye to eye. After taking a deep breath, he began in a deep and sincere voice:

"Kaede is correct. I know that you have no reason to grant me any favors, but I ask for only a moment of your time. I realized all too late that in my foolish immaturity of years past, I have committed inexcusable acts of rudeness against the two of you, Parzifal and Ariadne, and that I owe each of you a most sincere apology."

Even Kaede stood stunned at the depth of Pascal's remorse, which felt even more genuine than she expected. But what followed completely eclipsed even her impression of just how long and deeply Pascal must have considered his past mistakes.

"Parzifal," spoke Pascal, turning towards the lean healer with crossed arms and meeting his aquamarine gaze. "I only wish I could take back the childish words I used that day to stab your most painful spot. I knew, even back then, that you hated your magical affinity and held a crisis of confidence. It was dirty and despicable of me, and probably done because even then, I knew your generosity towards a girl you barely knew made my rudeness look more intolerable by comparison. I am glad that you received the gratitude and the beautiful girl you deserved, and that Ariadne helped build your confidence to the capable man you are today..."

Whether it was because they were completely unprepared for it or due to the fact this seemed thoroughly uncharacteristic of Pascal's prior behavior, Parzifal and his two friends were stunned flat by the prodigy's admission of guilt. Their poker faces -- or Ariadne's serene smile -- were left agape, their eyes blinking in disbelief amidst the flames of residue anger.

It wasn't exactly very encouraging for the person actually trying to apologize.

"You can do this, Pascal," Kaede encouraged him, noting that his eyes had slid back down to stare upon a faraway piece of floor. His shoulders were slumping more by the second, his will wavering on the precipice of yet another plunge from pride. So she decided to inject some real motivation again: "you've told me that you didn't want to owe Ariadne anything else, but what about your debts now...? You know this is the right thing to do."

Pascal sent her another glare, and a reassured -- also slightly amused -- Kaede returned another smile.

"And Ariadne," he took a deep breath before he focused onto the lady's meadow-green eyes. "When I discovered our differences in approach to life, I tried to break up with you by pressing all the blame onto you. It was low, and immoral, and cowardly of me, all the more so when I humiliated you by doing it in public instead of at least having a basic sense of decency. I cannot apologize enough for my past actions, and if I do not get the chance again, I wish you happiness with Parzifal, for he is a far better man than I was."

And that took almost every ounce of will, every strand of self-discipline that Pascal had.

His gaze lingered for but a second before he turned and strode straight towards the rooftop door. He had just shredded his pride and thrown them out with a chamber pot of filth before the presence of four others. His soul lay bared naked to the critiquing eyes of his peers, and he could not withstand it for another moment longer.

"I am so going to kill you for that," the prodigy's ego lashed out in an attempt to regain itself, to rebuild its protective shell.

"You're welcome," Kaede simply smiled back, having never felt true pride before now for the man who called her into their alien world. She then turned towards the three still hanging onto their stunned faces, bowed as graciously as she could, before rushing off after Pascal.

----- * * * -----

Pascal had told Kaede that while she was still unconscious, Professor Sir von Kirchner flew to the roof and questioned the four before leaving to assess the situation around the castle.

They saw no reason to wake her up for that unpleasant session.

Kaede was grateful, but it also didn't leave her much time to wrap up loose ends.

"Why do you even care about this? Just let the guards and enforcers, maybe even the King's Black Eagles, deal with that maid," Pascal asked as he followed Kaede down the dining hall, where servants and mages alike were cleaning up the mess left by collateral damage from the battle.

"Because she offered me a life option, in her own way. I intend to return the favor," Kaede answered.

"Let me restate: you are trying to help a maid that worked with assassins who just tried to kill you."

"Yes, because the best assassins of your world are so incompetent their slaying arrow struck just above my lungs from a flat trajectory shot."

"Well fine, they tried to kill me," Pascal relented, but only slightly. "This is a terrible idea."

"I know it's a terrible idea..." Kaede spun her heels around, her face filled by a painful expression as she gazed back at Pascal: "look, I really, really wanted her to be my friend. I thought she was the first friend I made in this world. Okay? So please, just let me extend her this one help to get it off my conscience... please?" she begged.

Pascal stared back, met and tested her with turquoise eyes, before he sighed audibly.

"Fine, I will lend you one favor this time. According to Reynald, the seven members we killed was a full Imperial Mantis Blade operation squad. Any helpers they managed to get along the way will not yield us any useful information anyway. If I had to guess, she is a spy for some Imperial Governor in the north who the Mantis Blades tapped into; any executive intelligence organization certainly has the jurisdiction."

"How many favors do you owe me for saving your life?"

"None. You are my familiar.

Kaede sighed. She was starting to recognize the tone that signaled one of Pascal's off-putting and inappropriately-timed jokes.

They soon arrived at the servant's room Marina lived in, its door flanked by two armored guards.

"I am Sir Pascal Kay Lennart von Moltewitz," he moved up to introduce himself. "We wish to speak with the prisoner."

"Sir von Moltewitz, this case is currently pending investigations by Professor Sir..." The soldier replied before Pascal cut him off with a glare:

"May I remind you that I am a Captain in His Majesty's service and a feudal lord by right of succession, who happens to be the target of this attack. I also have no doubt that my father, Field Marshal von Moltewitz, will be maddened by this unprovoked treachery. Now, do you seriously intend to keep me from getting the answers that I rightfully and lawfully deserve, soldier?"

"No Sir!" The guard raised his head up high, eyes glancing at the other side's walls before stepping aside.

So many privileges it's not even fair, Kaede suppressed a snicker as Pascal opened the door and lead her inside.

The room was exactly as she last remembered it -- two bunk beds and a table with clothes hanging everywhere. The only difference was that a screen of shimmering violet magic laid over the window, sealing it completely. If Kaede had to guess, there were probably also guards on the other side.

The brown-haired petite maid was lying in her bed, her hands behind her back and her wet eyes uncaring to the new guests.

"C-congratulations, Kaede," Marina sniffed. "I guess you deserve the faithful familiar award after all."

Pascal finished twirling his hand about in mostly the same motions as Ariadne's Sanctum Veil spell earlier today. He then presented a 'your turn' gesture before leaning back against the other bunk bed.

"I didn't come here to be spiteful or interrogate you, Marina," Kaede spoke dryly. "I don't want things to end this way between us, but there wasn't much of a choice before now."

"Of course... you have y-your master, and I have mine."

"You owe him for your upbringing and your life. I respect that, I really do. But he's also using you, and ordering you to throw your life away for him in these missions... isn't once enough to repay that? How many..."

"I-if... if you think I'm going to talk just because my fate is already sealed, then you can leave now." The maid retorted.

Pascal gave off an almost snort-like sound before answering:

"If we really think you had anything of value, there are ways to rip it out of your mind. It is below proper nobility to use such hideous enchantment magic, but there are matters of national importance that outweighs the honor of nobles... for me, at least, and I am certain the Black Eagles would agree. Not that there would be anything left of your psyche afterwards to speak of what happened, you understand."

Marina began to sob again, and Kaede sent an exasperated look towards Pascal: "you're not helping."

"I said we are not interrogating you, and I meant it," Kaede continued. "Obviously, I can't speak for the other involved parties, but that's why I'm here. If I can offer you a chance out of this -- and I'm not promising, because I honestly don't know, then will you take it?"

The maid whimpered once more. "W-why?"

"Because if you didn't actually ask the assassins to keep me alive, I'm certain I'd be dead by now regardless of how successful Pascal and the rest were."

"E-except I asked you to help kill him..." Marina nodded towards Pascal. "W-what's the catch now?"

"If I can get them to agree, it will be to release you into my jurisdiction," Pascal cut back in. "You can work on my estate as an indentured servant, but it will be under the condition that you accept a binding magical contract to never willingly send any information or contribute to any action that you believe may harm any state of my sworn allegiances."

"You're asking her to be a slave!?" Kaede glared at him. "Shouldn't that be illegal or something!?"

"Why? It is a perfectly practical form of punishment. Not like we are bartering them as trade goods as the Holy Imperium does," Pascal answered stiffly. "And she did help them in trying to kill me. Fair is fair."

"But...!"

"There is also no way the higher ups will accept handing her over if I did not give her at least this much punishment. At least six people died in this attack Kaede, including one professor, and I am not willing to indulge your sense of ethics so much to lose my own, understand?"

Kaede didn't say another word. His accusation that she was pushing her cultural morals onto him had stung. She knew perfectly well that it was one of the biggest don't dos in cross-cultural relations.

"What is your response," Pascal intoned, sternly.

"Like I have any real choice," Marina looked towards Kaede, who shrugged with her 'sorry, best I can do' expression.

Pascal looked contemplative for a moment as though still trying to decide something. Then, nearly a minute later:

"Good, then it is settled. Pack your essentials. We will establish the contracts and you will leave tonight, before any unpleasant circumstances change things."

"Wait... what?" Kaede blurted out. "You don't know..."

The door then swung open, and in walked Pascal's advisor, Professor Albert.

"I believe your familiar think me a fool, that you can just sneak in under my nose so easily," the balding professor scathed, his eyes glancing over Kaede with disdain before locked eyes with Pascal.

"Not a chance of it, Professor Sir," Pascal replied as he stood upright, his hands now behind his back.

"See to it then, and do NOT make me regret this foolishness," the man tugged on his well-trimmed mustache once before leaving the room, his striding steps now echoing up the hallway.

It took a moment before Kaede recovered and figured out what just happened. Being an old-styled frame with a cheap lock, the door had a see-through keyhole, which was just in line to cast a Telepathy spell on Pascal's position.

"How long had he been there?" she asked.

"Around when I first spoke," Pascal shrugged, his eyes still examining Marina. "Using Detect spells from that ring of yours would be a little obvious, so I did think to add it. But since you are a familiar, we really should work on your magic sensitivity. The hallway was stuffed full of Professor Albert's Alarm wards."

Without waiting for a response, Pascal took Kaede's wrist and dragged her back down the hallway.

"Wait a minute...", she called as she scurried along, trying to keep up with his stride.

"You two can talk later when she is one, no longer at the scene of her crime, and two, had some time to cool her head and rethink what happened. I doubt any conversation now will be to your advantage. And for the rest of tonight, I want you back in bed and resting. Two brushes with death is enough for one day when you are clearly running low on beginner's luck."

Back to Chapter 10

Return to Main Page

Forward to Chapter 12