Chapter Text
“Egads, but this wind has t-teeth! Are we absolutely sure Lord K-Kamui was up this way?” Odin stuttered out, holding his hands across his chest.
“Haa... yes, Odin. Lord Leon was very clear about them heading for the Ice Village. You can see the footprints leading there, surely?”
“W-wha... oh. Hah! Yes, of c-course I can! My eyes have the strength of a p-phoenix!”
Zero merely shook his head and continued on, his gaze fixed on the wavering footprints in front of him. He felt like making a sly comment about the dark mage's clothing choices, but he was only slightly better equipped with his hooded cloak.
Prince Leon had sent them to follow after his second eldest brother, Kamui, who apparently had been sent on a mission to 'suppress the rebellion' in the far-off Frost Clan settlement. Alone, which was a suicidal mission if there ever was one. Lady Elise and her retainers had already set off to join him against her father's wishes, and should be with him now – indeed, there were numerous tracks that they were following, including a set belonging to a horse.
While Zero would do anything his lord requested, he had to admit he was curious as to what he would find. He'd heard only little about the mysterious middle sibling, who until recently had not been allowed outside the castle walls. In fact, it would seem the first time he had done so recently he went missing and ended up being taken behind Hoshido lines. Zero had never seen Leon as agitated as when they were all preparing to set off and retrieve the wayward prince. He might never admit it, but Zero suspected that Leon admired Kamui almost as much as he did the Crown Prince, Marx. The occasional times he had spoken of him Leon would use an unimpressed voice, but his expression would betray warmer feelings. The few things he knew had come from his lord's mouth; small things such as his habit of being physically demonstrative with those around him, and seeing good in everything and everyone. In other words, someone Zero would find extremely entertaining.
He had gotten but a brief glimpse of Kamui on the field where he was surrounded by both the Nohr and Hoshido royals. His hair had whipped wildly around his head, and crimson eyes flashed between the two groups. If pressed, Zero would say he didn't look much like the other Nohr siblings, although he couldn't put much stock to the rumour he'd heard that Kamui was originally from Hoshido – not much resemblance there either. Hair colour was neither here nor there, but those eyes... they were wild.
Hearing Odin sneeze behind him, he let his musings slip away and took a closer look at the tracks in front of him. It looked like one person had come from the village to meet the group, and there was an area of greater disturbance – perhaps someone had collapsed.
“Odin, pick up the pace – we're close now.”
- - - - -
- - - -
When they reached the village, a battle was already in full swing. Zero spied Elfie pushing away some fighters that got too close to Lady Elise while she was healing her other retainer, the legendarily luckless Harold. A Nohrian cavalier he did not recognise was charging further ahead, and he thought he could make out the maid outfit of Felicia pleading with her fellow villagers to stop their attacks. As he and Odin moved closer, he finally caught sight of Kamui, bathed in light as he manipulated the frozen lake ahead to thaw out. He had seen Leon and the other royals doing similar stunts – a blessing of their blue blood – but he had never noticed them looking quite so ethereal while doing so.
Once close enough to be heard, Odin called out, “The darkness whispers to me... those who we must protect are in danger! It can't be helped... we shall use the rapid torrent of the oncoming night, and we will show you the brilliance known as Victory...!”
“Haa... don't lump me in with you.” Zero smirked, lifting his bow from his back, “I can send these bastards to heaven on my own.”
The prince turned to face them. “... What's was that? Are you newcomers?”
“I'm glad you asked!” Odin ran up, ensuring his cape caught the wind heroically. “I am Odin of the Shadows! The one chosen by the Nohrian Prince Leon, the Imperial Guard of Darkness...!”
“Prince Leon...” Kamui stepped forward, a hopeful look on his face. “Then, Leon sent you here?”
“That's right.” Zero bowed, keeping eye contact. “My name is Zero. By orders from my lord, I have come to pleasure you.”
“Pleasure...?” The prince looked confused, causing Zero's smirk to grow wider.
“Aaah, uh... please don't mind him, he's always like that! A-anyway,” Odin cleared his throat and struck his favourite pose, his hand reaching out. “Fear not, Kamui – from here onwards my inner strength will exterminate those who have wronged you.... ack, my blood is stirring...! Hurry, I must fight them now, or else this curse will--”
“Uh, just... just wait a minute!” Kamui interrupted, a strained look upon his face. Seeing the two of them look back in question, he continued, “I'm glad that you have come, but could you stop acting so... oddly? If you could possibly not inspire a sense of distrust, that would suit the situation here.”
“Heeeh...” Zero drawled, enjoying himself, “So in other words, you want us to take this seriously? Even though I came here looking forward to having my fun with all these people?”
“And even though I especially prepared my one hundred special techniques?” Odin added, looking a little rejected.
“Y-yeah... if you could, sorry...”
Zero decided to tease him one last time before getting down to business. “... if it's an order, then we can only obey. I will submit to you in this, and if something should happen, I won't complain.”
“Fiiine,” Odin sighed, and put away his black book for a more standard tome. 'I shall also do as you have asked. It's a shame that I can't unleash my true power, but you'll still be able to depend on me!”
Kamui thanked them warmly, and quickly turned back to the fight, trusting them to follow. Watching the prince fight was a sight to behold. Smooth, sleek movements with the sword, using his body as it bended and twisted to maximise the reach and use no more energy than was needed. The way his cape moved with him and over his fitted silver armour reminded Zero of flowing water. That dancing flirt Lazward could learn a few things from his technique. But what still stood out were those wild eyes. Their expression wasn't particularly frenzied or enraged, but they seemed almost lit from the inside.
But as well as he was handling himself, it seemed he wasn't quite used to proper battle, and unaware that enemies could come from the side as well as the front. Seeing an axe fighter draw close to the side of Kamui, Zero quickly took aim and shot true, the arrow flying by close enough to draw the prince's attention and see it strike into the enemy's shoulder. Spinning around to where it had come from, he started slightly seeing Zero nearby, but quickly gave a smile. “Thanks for the cover, Zero.”
“It was nothing, milord.” It seemed that Kamui wasn't going to be too troubled over what he'd said earlier. No matter, he would have many more opportunities to play around later.
- - - - -
- - - -
The battle had ended with no casualties, and a surprisingly cordial parting between Lord Kamui and the Village head. Zero wasn't aware of the details, but he and Odin followed the entourage as they left the village without much more issue and made their way to a hidden barracks. If pressed, he wouldn't be able to say where it was, but when he left the walls later on, he merely thought about where he wanted to go... and somehow found himself on the right path. He didn't like thinking about it too much. It wasn't like the place wasn't part of the world, as a travelling merchant came by to drop off a weapons and staff cache, and no one else seemed too bothered with it.
The barracks held numerous buildings within its walls, some small and in disrepair, others being built, and a couple being improved on. There was a tall tree near the back that held something like a treehouse within it, and he had learnt from the Nohrian cavalier and self-appointed guide, Cyrus, that it was Kamui's quarters. To oversee the entire area, or something to that effect. There were some impressive quarters nearby it, where Princess Elise seemed to have made a home out of one area, and further along there were clean but simpler quarters, with more being added to them. Clearly for the common folk.
He subsequently fought over which room he got with Odin, and was not disappointed to get one on the end of one block; less chance of being disturbed on either side. He had been impressed at how comfortable the room had been made with furnishings and a small fireplace, but the fact that it was near others made him unsure how much peace he would find there.
As the next day was free from any obligations – Cyrus was writing up rosters, of all things, but had given the newcomers some time to adjust – he spent it looking around. Amongst the various buildings there was a cafeteria of sorts, a weapons forge, and what looked like a bathing hall which was currently being extended. A small shrine sat near the centre of the area, and not far from that was a rather large building with nothing visible to mark what it was. Curious, Zero stepped inside and found a dark hall with various arched doorways. Looking into them revealed a library; rows of shelves containing books and scrolls lined the walls, the scent of dust and dry mould hung in the air, and in the first room he went into he found some of the oldest looking books he had seen. He moved towards them, and found his eye being dragged to one particular book with a crimson cover. Carefully drawing it out, he turned it over in his hands.
The front of the book had a stylised drawing of what appeared to be Inishie, the Dragon God. The table of contents listed chapters detailing subjects such as the origins of the legend, the differences of the versions held by Hoshido and Nohr, and the link both royal families held with the legend. The last chapter brought to mind the memory of Kamui manipulating the lake, and the times Leon had done similar stunts. Possibly heavy reading, but something that might pass time and answer some questions, so he tucked it under his arm and continued on.
After finishing his tour of the library, he took a seat at the table found in the furthest room and placed the book in front of him. It seemed like the kind of place Leon would like; sitting in the dark hunched over tomes. He was no huge lover of books himself, not having much chance to learn how to read well as a child, but it seemed like a spot few people would come in. Certainly not to look for himself; he would keep it in mind in case he rubbed some feathers the wrong way. Certainly to be an issue at some point, staying in a camp with different people with varying levels of sensitivity. Some people were no fun at all.
“Zero, what are you doing in a place like this?” Carefully holding back his startled reaction, Zero looked over his shoulder and saw Kamui standing by the arched doorway, holding several books to his chest.
“Oh, Lord Kamui... Heh, what do you think I'm doing?” He leaned back in his chair, grinning.
Kamui had obviously heard the slight sarcastic tone in his voice, as he looked a little sheepish. “Uh... well, from over here I can't really tell.”
“Well then, you should come closer. Don't worry, I won't suddenly bite you or anything.” He drawled, turning back to face forward.
“Okay... well, excuse me...” Kamui was actually coming closer! Oh, how could he resist this? He waited until his arm came to rest on the table as he drew the other chair back and...
“Uwah! Z-Zero?!” The prince leapt back, eyes wide and holding his arm where Zero had grazed him with his teeth.
“Sorry, just messing around. Relax, come closer.” Zero made his expression look more inviting and pushed the chair out for him more. “Now, you wanted to know what I'm doing here, correct?”
Kamui hadn't moved from where he had jumped away. “Y-yeah... but...”
“What is it? Are you scared?” Zero laughed lightly. “Well, that makes sense. After all, you don't trust me.”
“T-that's not it!” The prince suddenly said, taking a step forward. “I do trust you!”
“That's weird.” Zero looked up at him. “Considering the fact that I don't trust you yet, Lord Kamui.”
“Huh? Why's that?” He moved close enough to lean against the table, although he still avoided the seat.
“We don't have that kind of deep bond yet. I believe that trust is born out of violent clashes... Well,” Zero smirked as he saw the surprised look on the prince's face. “Maybe it's a difference of upbringing. Still, it's nice of you to say that.”
Kamui just looked at him with a slight frown on his face. Not wanting to push too far with his lord's brother, Zero bowed his head slightly. “Ah, apologies. I might have said too much just now. However, I haven't led a life that makes trusting people easy.”
“I understand...” Kamui reached out and touched his shoulder lightly, surprising him. “But, still... I still would like to talk more with you.”
“... you have odd hobbies, milord. Well, do as you like.” He stood up, picking up his book and pushing his chair back in. “But you came to this library with a purpose, and you could use this desk much more than I. I shall leave it to you.”
The prince put his own books down and turned to face Zero fully. “If you insist, but you can sit here and read alongside me.”
Obviously Kamui was just trying to be polite; there was no reason why he would want a man who just bit him and thrown his words about trust into his face to remain in his company. It would be best if he left now, and hope that he didn't hold too much of a grudge later on. Zero simply smiled and replied, “I think you would do better in solitude. Have a good day, Lord Kamui.”
“... you too, Zero.”