The War Room

Sato

"The Undien are an unstoppable force of diseased peasants looking to take what they perceive as their farms and food," Earl, the birdman, passionately projected. He was dressed in royal red robes made of soft silks. His blue and white feathers contrasted it nicely. Sato had heard this all before. He grew tired of talk. The Birdmen never tired of his squawkings.

Sato had just finished sparring with Leo, with Kintsugi and Wyrm instead of bokken, when the Prince had dragged him to the meeting. Neither had time to change, so they both wore their training outfits. They matched, down to their boots. Now that they used live blades, Sensei insisted that Leo and Saito spar with armour on. It closely resembled a kendo or fencing armor from his world. Leo was pristine, spotless white, flaunting the fact that Sato had been unsuccessful in bringing his partner to the ground even once. 

Sato's armor and robes underneath were dark enough grey to be called black. They were covered in dirt stains and even a bit of blood from one close call. He had sealed it up fine, but the suit still wore his blood. Leo had apologized profusely for not aiming at Sato's armor, but Sato had been grateful for the practice. He was much better with Kintsugi as a sword than a scalpel. He had a lesson with Gran later that day, after he cleaned up. 

They were gathered in the Duke's war room, within the castle. Sato, Daniel, Leo, Bruno, this Frenchie that Daniel now worked for, and the pink-haired Luci all listened intently. Sato noted Rebe's absence. Knights and other advisors littered the room.

The Queen was dressed in a brilliant blue gown with white lacey layers. It had no sleeves, exposing her stickily pale arms. She had a tiny icicle-like tiara atop her long, dark head of hair. She looked something like a beautiful snowman. She would likely prefer to be compared to a snow angel instead. Her eyes were Icy blue, cold, and careless. They were locked on Earl, who didn't seem to mind. The Queen was sitting on the Duke's throne. The war room had no throne for the Queen.

The Duke was nowhere to be seen. Off in the kennels, no doubt. He was there more oft than not. He loved spending time with his hunting hounds much more than his family, save his Princess Jo. Still, it was rare for him to miss a war council.  

"We must send out the full might of our royal forces to expunge this revolt before it grows." Earl squawked on. 

"That would leave the Castle defenseless. They target villages with lots of farmland. Chaffield is their biggest target, not Doubling. They know we are here as well, which will incentivize them to strike," Leo interrupted. The Birdman feathers stood up.

"The Prince is right, we cannot leave the castle undefended. Yet if we do nothing, they march right here all the same. I will lead a small contingent of men to face Grimm's forces head-on, which will slow their advance, giving you time to prepare my queen, and you time to train." Bruno looked directly at Sato. Sato said nothing.

"My intelligence says zat ze army has once again gone underground, save for zose holding zeir current territory. It is difficult to track zeir movements, yet I have found ze way. Ze army needs food. Zat is why I tracked ze zeft of food, and I zink I know where zey are. Luci, if you please." Frenchie interjected in his thick accent. He was wearing the same black suit he always seemed to be wearing. It looks far too modern to be from this place. Luci unrolled the tunnel maps that Daniel had told Sato they had been inspecting. Sato made note of the inconsistency as to whether or not these "Undien" ate. Last time he had been here, he had heard that they did not. That story seemed to have changed. 

"Actually, sir, it was Daniel who found the tunnels in question." Luci looked to Daniel, signaling him to speak. He was dressed in the same uniform as Luci. It looked like an early attempt at Frenchie's suit. Something much more period-appropriate.

"Yes, um... your majesty, like the tunnel systems under this very castle, the Undien travel mostly underground to hide their number and movements; however, as Frenchie noted, they must eat. By tracking these robberies, we have found two likely locations. They are either outside Greengrove or, as well think is more likely, Westfield." Daniel tried to catch his breath. He looked terrified. Luci smiled at him as she rolled up the maps.

"Thank you, my Lords, for your wise counsel. I will consider what I have heard and make a decision on the morrow." The Queen rose, and everyone bowed. Sato and Daniel followed suit. She quickly made her way from the throne, passed Leo, planting a kiss on his forehead, and then continued on and out of the room, the blue tails of her dazzling dress dragging behind her. The temperature in the room seemed to rise. Like all the tension had just exited it. Earl followed closely after her, squawking about something or other. Most of the knights and counselors were not far behind. It was like a procession chasing after her coat tails. 

"We need to act now," Leo muttered mostly to himself.

"So let's act... now." Leo had a terrifying gleam in his eye. Sato suspected the same sight could be seen in his own. Leo smiled slightly. Bruno sighed.