On the Battlefield (1x1 with SC & Akio)

[sleeplessCartoonist]

That morning started like every other one. Ada was awoken by one of her servants knocking on her door, and she was dressed in one of regular, long dresses. The castle was quiet and peaceful as she made her way downstairs to the dining hall, and she had almost entirely forgot about the looming threat of war with a neighbouring country. She sat down at the table quietly, looking up at her parents and siblings for a few moments and giving a small, polite smile. She listened quietly as they spoke, eating her breakfast quietly -- sweet tea, fruits, pastries, meat and bread, enough to feed a family much bigger than theirs.


Her father and older brothers seemed to be speaking of the neighbouring country, although as she listened, she slowly lost her appetite. They seemed to be discussing battle plans quietly -- they had declared war already. When her mother scolded her husband for discussing such things at the table, Ada quickly bowed her head again, frowning slightly.


Breakfast had passed slowly, and she soon excused herself, slipping out of the dining hall. She never spoke much with her family, and instead typically found company in other people who worked in the castle. Her eyes darted around every so often as she walked, searching for someone she would often spend time with -- someone she would suspect was going to be sent off to war.

 

[Akio]

(well apparently this thread did not get watched so well then)


Meanwhile on the training fields two apprentices were panting at the man who was beating them without seemingly any effort. Iseley, one of the strongest knights in the kingdom was giving a demonstration of how to fight many opponents at once. "The trick to fighting multiple is to exterminate them quickly while keeping them in your sight. Good opponents will try and circle around you in order to have one out of your sight. If they do this then you can expect once the first one charges the other will be coming from behind you so." He motioned for them to attack and both warriors ran at him swinging their blades. "Target the weakest one. Sometimes use the opposite arm in order to surprise them from a angle and step to them to give you a few seconds from the others." He stepped at the younger knight at slammed his shield into him, stunning him for a moment before he stabbed him in the neck with the wooden sword. The knight began to fall while Iseley turned in a instant and turned and sliced at the other one who hastily blocked only to get kicked in the shins as he turned and slammed the flat of his sword into his face as he flinched in pain and took him down. "And that ends the demonstration, now go practice with the guides." He said pointing at a group of other experienced knights before turning and going into the castle. He'd be going to war within a few days, and he knew she'd tried to find him, Ada... He waited for her at the castle entrance to the training filed knowing she'd come eventually, one of the servants let it loose that the king had been talking about the war at dinner.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

Ada had wandered around the castle, peering out of the window down at the training grounds from the second floor. It wasn't much of a surprise when she spotted him, and she sighed, watching him quietly for a little, before starting downstairs. When she arrived at the entrance, he was already waiting for her, and she quickly tried to fix her hair as she approached. She was silent for a few long moments, unable to speak, though quickly found her voice.


"...couldn't go any easier on those trainees, could you?" she asked with a raised eyebrow, tilting her head a little and smirking as she looked out at the training field. She couldn't make herself ask about the war, not yet, so she'd do what she could to stall until she was ready.

 

[Akio]

"The enemy wont go easy on them and nethier will i, besides i got a name to live up too." Hes quiet for a few moments as well. "Besides we just got orders, 3 days we move out and some of these boys arent ready." He said once again falling into silence. He looked at her a bit sadly and said. "I know you know Ada, one of the servants told me your father was talking about it at dinner." He said knowing what her hesitation was about already, he knew her to well.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

Ada remained silent for a few long moments after he spoke, before nodding. "He did. My mother made sure to scold him, though." she sighed, leaning against the wall as she thought. "Three days, huh? They're certainly raring to head into battle, aren't they?" she tilted her head a little, staring at him. "...it's a shame. But you'll be fine, won't you? I've seen the way you fight, and they won't have a chance." she said, folding her arms. "Still, there's only three days... how long do you think this war will last? How long might you be out? A few months? A year? Surely they wouldn't keep you there for much more than a year..."

 

[Akio]

"It will be longer." he said sighing. "It seems like they are serious this time, this will be no small skirmish. This will be a full on war and i wont be the only veteran. In this war, there is a chance even i will die too." He said looking at the sky. "Even if i dont then i will be gone for at least 3 years at minimum." He looks at her sadly. "I wont see you for a long time." He said.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

She frowned, in thought for a few long moments. "They can't keep you there for three years -- what about leave? This is nonsense, you're all going to go insane out there." she said, shaking her head. "What about soldiers with families? I have to speak to my father about this. Is there a shortage of troops or something?" Ada asked, her eyes wide. Though she didn't notice it, she had began to pace, and the barely noticeable look of worry she had had become obvious.

 

[Akio]

"Leave? This is war, we dont exactly have a term of service. We are knights, were pledged our loyalty to king and country and thats all there is to it. They can extend our service as long as they wish and their nothing we can do about it. And honestly very few people are asking the questions you are now, the soldiers with familys are so full of propaganda that they are more worried about the enemys coming here then them never being able to come home." He said a bit exasperated. Ada always believed in fairness, however all notions of fairness left in war. "Your father wont change is mind, im one of his generals and best fighters. Im needed on the front and you know it."

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

She sighed, defeated, leaning against the wall again. "Alright. So there's no way out of this, then? You're stuck, and you're going off to war for a few years, and might never return." Ada bit her lip, silent for a bit. "...it's so unfair. What's the point of this war, anyways? Did their king spit at my father's shoes or something? I wouldn't doubt it being over something petty like that." she scowled, brushing a few stray strands of hair out of her face. "This is ridiculous. I--" Ada sighed again, glancing away as she thought.

 

[Akio]

"Sounds about right." He said with a sigh and he too leaned against the wall as he looked at her. He wanted to remember he face, her hair, and everything about her. He would not have many chances to see her in the nest 3 years. "I dont know how the war started but the fact is im going." Hes silent for a moment. "Im gonna miss you."

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

Ada sighed, her eyes falling to the skirt of her dress for a few long moments. "...yeah. I'll miss you, too." she admitted quietly, frowning. "But that's what you signed up for, isn't it? You'll do fine. You're a wonderful soldier, you know. You'll be okay, and in three years or so- hell, maybe even before then -you'll come back." she nodded, looking up again. At the sound of someone calling her, she flinched. It was the nurse of her and her siblings, quickly approaching them.


"Ada, sweetheart, your mother's calling you." she said, pausing to look at Iseley. "Good day to you, sir. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."


"Mother." Ada sighed. "What might she want, then? Did it sound urgent?"


The nurse shook her head. "No, it didn't sound terribly urgent. Still, I suggest you don't keep her majesty waiting for very long, dearie."

 

[Akio]

"Go your highness ill be fine, we may talk later." He said switching back into his in court mode, most would not approve a soldier and a princess hanging out on a regular instances. As she would start walking away he'd say. "Ada i...." He then hesitated and looked at the others. "Never mind." He said drawing back and giving a bow before turning the corner. After he did he hit the wall full strength. "Damn it you coward you still couldnt tell her..." He walked away disgusted with himself.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

As the nurse led her away, Ada looked back at her, the look of concern still present, though it was more subtle. She frowned, turning away again and continuing to walk.


"I don't suggest you keep your hopes up, dearie." the nurse said as they walked upstairs.


She hesitated, looking at her. "What do you mean?"


"I mean your friend is going off to war for god knows how long." the nurse sighed. "I don't know if you'll be seeing him again, is what I'm saying."


Ada scowled, glancing down at her feet. "You don't know that. Sir Iseley is a good fighter. If anyone can make it through the war, he can."

 

[Akio]

Meanwhile Iseley was walking off to go see his friend and comrade in arms general Cedric. Cedric was a different sort of commander then Iseley. While he was a powerful soldier he did not lead from the front like Iseley did and actually rarely got to use his blade. Instead he preferred to sue his intellect to make up strategy's to decimate his opponents and often watched from the side lines, Iseley respected him and to him Cedric was possibly the most dangerous general of the nation. He found him planning with several of his vice generals in a command tent, more then any of the other generals he was preparing for war. He looked up at him and said. "Ah Iseley." He looked at vice generals and said, "Leave us." With a salute they left and he looked at Iseley. "The king says we are to attend a banquet within a days time, we are to sit at his table and celebrate our impending victory." He said with a grim smile, the king made it seem far to easy. "We may not win this war, our enemys are strong." Cedric nods and for a moment both of them stand in silence.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

The nurse frowned, seemingly about to speak up, though stopped when she saw the queen approaching. She bowed slightly instead, stepping back and watching the two royals for a few moments.


"You called for me, madam?" Ada asked, staring up at her mother warily.


She nodded, gesturing for her to follow her. "Yes, your father had some plans." she said, looking back at her daughter briefly as she followed.


"Plans, mother?"


"Plans for a banquet tomorrow. Old fool thinks we're going to win and is celebrating in advance. I for one think he just wants to spend time with some of his men. Before they die, you know." she sighed, quiet for a few moments. "...anyways, the king wanted us to attend. Sit there and look pretty while my sons bragged, I take it. But we don't have much of a choice, so you'll be properly cleaned up for it."


Ada frowned slightly, before nodded. "Yes, alright. I don't mind." she said quietly.


"You are to act proper, Ada. Don't insult any of the soldiers, or I'll have to deal with you accordingly. Speak properly and very little -- or, even better, just... don't speak."


"Yes, madam." she said with a nod, looking down at her feet for a few moments.


The queen tilted her head a little, peering down at her. "Now, chin up. Wouldn't want to seem upset at a banquet, even if it's one taking place right before the guests are sent off to their presumed death."

 

[Akio]

The rest of the day passed mostly uneventful as the castle prepared for the banquet and most of the warriors prepared for war. Iseley knew as well did many of the other generals that most people hadent steel'd themselves for combat. They didn't know the feeling of the battlefield or what it meant to take a life even if it was someone you never knew. While the kingdom did have a professional army their had been a rush of recruits as the news of war leaked out, these recruits were untrained boys looking for glory and honor and most of them would die without doing a single thing.


Meanwhile on the afternoon before the banquet there was another gathering of epic proportions in the kingdom, the gathering of the six high generals. Cedric the grand tactician, Iseley the silver swordsman, Lucian the giant, Riful the west wind, Mobu the brute, Suga the icy cold. These men and woman were the strongest fighters and generals within the entire the kingdom, the pressure they gave off seems to crush the other guards in the room. Lucian spoke first, "So... we go to war tomorrow." Cedric nodded and they all seemed solemn. While the 6 generals werent all friends they all respected each other and knew the horror of war, this may be the last time any of them met. Cedric was the next to speak. "While i know its a little out of your way i only called you all here for a small thing." Wine was poured into the cups for all 6 generals and Cedric raised his glass. "And that is to wish you good fortune." All 6 generals nodded and picked up their own glasses. "For good fortune." With that they all drank and talked for sometime, enjoying a last moment of peace. They would already be half drunk on wine before getting to the kings party.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

Ada couldn't sleep that night, and spent most of it tossing and turning in her bed. That time she spent mulling over her situation, and by the time the sun had risen and her nurse came to wake her up, she had formed a plan. The nurse and a couple of maids spent the morning prettying her up, applying powder, fixing up her hair, stuffing her into a corset that was slightly tighter than normal and one of her usual lavish dresses. By then, she was used to it and didn't mind very much, managing to block out the pain. By the end of it, it was time for breakfast, and she quietly made her way down with her servants. She didn't eat much, partially due to the corset but partially due to the swelling sense of anxiety and dread.


As the hour of the start of the banquet drew near, Ada quietly wandered around the few rooms where it would take place. She could recall her mother's instructions, and could already feel her glare heavy on her. Thankfully, she wasn't in the mood for talking or putting up a fight, anyways. Ada was still in thought, and her anxiety and restlessness only grew as time went on.

 

[Akio]

Finally it was the time of the banquet. The main room was load and noisy and soldiers sat and mingled, the generals hadent arrived yet, they were slanted to arrive later in ceremony. The king bolstered and drunk with his guards, some who would be leaving with the army. There were many toast and praises sung. Girls came and spent possibly the last night with men who may die and never see home again. The kings table still had 6 chairs open, reserved for the heros of the kingdom.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

Ada simply sat quietly, watching as soldiers drank and ate. She sipped at a glass of wine quietly, unwilling to speak to anyone who attempted to strike up a conversation with her. After a few minutes of her sitting in silence, her mother approached her, frowning.


"Why don't you share their festive mood, Ada? Surely you can spare a few words for men who are about to be sent off to their death." the queen said, staring down at her.


Ada didn't respond, simply raising an eyebrow at her.


She sighed, taking another sip of her wine. "You have permission to speak, Ada. Stop trying to be clever."


"I don't see why I'd be feeling very joyful, madam. Most of the men here will be dead soon."

 

[Akio]

Then one of the guards spoke up, he knew Ada a little bit as he used to be a guard for Iseley and actually planned to serve with him in the current war. "Your majesty these men know the risks and know many will die but from the beginning this party wasent for them." He looked out at the crowds. "Its for the their family and friends so they can have one happy memory before their sent off, its also something for the men to remember in their final hours if it were to come. If you can not praise their deaths then praise the lives they live now." He said with a understanding smile. On his second campaign Iseley had said the exact same thing to him.


Then trumpets sounded and everyone looked at the doors as they opened. There were the 6 generals in full regalia. She had never seen Iseley while he was preparing for war and he almost looked frightening. His armor was the same as usual but he seemed larger then life as his aura dwarfed everyone's around him but the other 5 generals beside him. The 6 generals split and walked in between the tables to the main one, letting all the men stare at them in awe. Their auras crushed everyone around them and even riful who was a smaller warrior seemed like a giant. They got to the foot of the main table and in one movement bowed. "My king." They said with their heads lowered.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

Ada eyed the guard, an eyebrow raised, before sighing. "Well, fair enough. I suppose you're not wrong." she said, sitting back. As the trumpets began to play, she raised an eyebrow, watching as her mother hurried back to the side of the king. She watched quietly as the generals walked in, though she couldn't help but roll her eyes. She remained quiet for a few moments longer, before smirking.


"I didn't know they could look even more pompous then usual." she muttered, shifting in her seat. "Well, I suppose I was wrong." Ada sighed, standing and looking over at the guard for a moment. "Well, I'm off to find my sister. Go continue... drinking, or whatever it was that you were doing." she said, before turning and walking off. Her older sister was sitting fairly close to the large table at which their father sat, and she quietly approached her.


"Evelyn." she whispered, stopping right by her chair. "Do they look ridiculous or what?" she asked, smiling down at her sister.


Evelyn raised an eyebrow, looking over at the generals again. "I think they look quite charming. You shouldn't be speaking of them like that, sister. You know they might die out there."


"They might. They might not, though." Ada said, sitting as well.


She shrugged, smoothing out a few wrinkles in her skirt. "Still, it's best to respect them. Father would give you a good smack if he heard you speaking of his favourite soldiers like that, sister."


Ada tilted her head. "Favourite people, rather. I can't say I'm surprised his little girls didn't get good spots at his table."


"Oh, you know him. Probably wants to talk of battle while he eats. And our big brothers are going away, too... well, Aldrich is. Wouldn't want the heir to die in battle, you know. Poor Claiborne is going to miss half the action."


"Tactician from hundreds of acres away." Ada smirked, eying her brothers. "Not quite what brother wanted, is it? Poor boy. I'd pity him if I didn't hate him."


"Would you hate me, then?" Evelyn asked with a small smile, eying her.


Ada shrugged. "If you were heir. I wouldn't quite try to murder you, though."


"Reassuring."

 

[Akio]

Meanwhile while Evelyn and her Ada talked the generals sat down and immediately blended into the crowd. Lucian and the king were talking quickly about something, Riful and Cedric were talking to each other and a few soldiers around them. Rumors about a relationship between those two had circled for years. Mobu and Suga both talked to the troops mostly, drinking and laughing with them while Iseley sat in one of the chairs next to yous, the soldier who had been sitting there had cleared out pretty quick for the legendary general. The party was actually going pretty well with the arrival of the generals which sent into the party into high gear. The king and lucian seemed to be having a drinking campition at the moment as the evelyn's and ada's conversation finished.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

The sisters spoke quietly for a few minutes, exchanging a few jokes here and there. After a bit, their attention turned to their father and one of the generals, Ada raising an eyebrow.


"Are they trying to out-drink each other?" she asked, sitting back a bit.


"Looks like it." Evelyn said, sighing and brushing a couple stray strands of hair out of her face. "I think that describes men quite well, don't you? Isn't this supposed to be formal? The last thing we need is the king piss drunk."


Ada smirked, tilting her head a bit. "It's supposed to be fun. But, true, it is silly how we're supposed to look and talk like proper ladies while the gentlemen get smashed."


"Smashed, off-smelling and even more unlikable than normal. Dear sister, the day I happily marry a man is the day hell freezes over."


She sighed, folding her arms and glancing around the court room again. "Indeed. I think I share those sentiments."


"But, you seem to have your eye on more men than I. Why don't you go dance with someone? Chat up a man about to be sent to his death?" Evelyn grinned, sitting up. "Go on. I'll continue scaring off any men who approach me, but you go enjoy the night."


"As if." Ada said, but stood anyways. She glanced around the room for a few moments, before quietly approaching Iseley.


"Enjoying the party?" she asked as she sat down by him, eying him warily. "I'm hardly in the mood, myself. Though a talk with my sister certainly didn't hurt." Ada sighed, adjusting her dress for a moment. "I never liked parties. The dress is stiff, the corset's too tight, the men smell of alcohol and are constantly asking for dances... and I'm not even hungry. What a shame." she frowned, sitting back a bit. "But enough about me, how are you tonight?"

 

[Akio]

Iseley looked up as ada as she approached with a small easy smile. When she asked him if he was enjoying the party he sort of made a dismissing gesture. "I already had drink with my comrades and that was enough for me." He watched more then a bit amused as she rambled off her idea of the party. "You are the princess of the realm and a beautiful woman and this is the first time many them of ever or will ever see you, its not surprising. As for myself ive long been prepared for this war and any outcome." He is silent for awhile looking around at the party before grinning at something. "Looks like Suga is going to talk to your sister." Suga The Icy Cold was a general known for his cool headed decisions, rarely emotional and not easily daunted. He was also a prodigy at warfare. ((http://s62.photobucket.com/user/Fair_One_Of_The_Last_Dusk/media/Male Anime/Anime42.jpg.html))


He walked up to Evelyn ethier completely sober or holding his alcohol extremely well. "Are you not enjoying the party lady Evelyn?" He said in a soft spoken tone with next to no emotion.

 

[sleeplessCartoonist]

Ada sighed, brushing a few stray strands of hair out of her face. "Well, good luck to him." she scoffed, watching the general and her sister for a few moments. "I know we're not allowed to be rude at the party, but I wouldn't doubt he'll get a drink in his face in a minute." she smiled, sitting back and sighing.


Evelyn raised an eyebrow as Suga approached, sitting up a little and eying him. "The party is fine, sir. I'm just watching everyone else enjoy the party." she said, staring at him for a few moments. "I don't suppose you're enjoying, either, from the looks of it." she said, shifting in her seat.