Light on the Rocks, Shadows in the Cracks

-Aurelia-

“Where did that fool go?” I whispered under my breath, crossing my arms. I was eternally grateful for my helmet hiding my scowl from the world around me.

And yet, Fulgora saw right through me, walking alongside me, hands behind her back, and that insufferable grin on her face. “You like him~”

I stopped to face her. “And what is that supposed to mean, Fulgora? Speak clearly, for I am not in the mood for more childish taunts.”

She leaned forward, hands moving to her hips. “It’s not childish. You care about Gray.”

What an asinine question. “Of course I care about him. He’s my friend.” Frankly, I just did not understand what point Fulgora was trying to make. “And I’ve already lost too many of my knights, I’d hate to see a kind soul like Gray wind up dead because of my weakness.” I lowered my head, and grabbed my staff from my back, pressing my helmet against it as I said a quiet prayer for those lost.

Fulgora leaned back, waving off my concerns. “You appointed him as your knight, so have some trust in him. He’s more capable than you know.”

“He’s still a mortal-”

“Yeah, he’s mortal, and he’s got freaky magic powers from a world beyond our understanding. He’d still be the first person I’d trust my back to in a fight.” The demihuman looked me dead in the eye, her smile gone. “So why don’t you trust him?”

“I do trust him. He was able to single-handedly fight off invasions of many of our farming villages, while I handled the real threats.” I stood up straighter, feeling pride at his accomplishments.

She didn’t seem as impressed, just raising an eyebrow. “Uh huh. And how injured was he after every battle?”

The image of the first time I met him flashed in my head. Pelted with countless rocks, legs useless, blood everywhere, and a grin on his face that rivaled any child, as if the injuries didn’t matter.

Then there was the first village we protected together.

Afterwards, he told me that battling a horde was completely unlike anything he ever experienced. He spoke like he was a child, gushing about their day to their parents.

I would never forget how his eyes twinkled, even as his jaw hung by a thread.

How he bounced in place, even as a few of his ribs were sticking out of his chest.

The thumbs up he gave, even as the flesh on his arm had all but melted off from flames.

I could never understand how he could smile like that. I wanted to preserve that smile. He seemed fit to break it apart at any time.

“You know, he’d be less injured if he had someone to watch his back. And if you don’t want to do it, then I’ll gladly jump into any fight he winds up in.” This time, it was Fulgora who was puffing her chest out.

I frowned, before turning back towards the palace in the distance. “Enough of that, we still have a task to do. And if you’re unable to locate Gray by scent-”

“Ugh! I’m not some bloodhound, you know?! I can’t exactly sniff out someone like you think I can!” She tossed her arms up.

Perhaps that was rather rude of me. I’ll have to apologize.

“Ful-” My apology was interrupted by a dozen guards running towards us from the palace.

My demihuman friend seemed to find this as suspicious as I did. She stretched her arms in a discrete manner, clearly intending on violence first.

Normally, I would work to curtail such behaviors. Dialogue is always preferable to aggression, after all.

But I always found this kingdom under the mountain taxing. No sunlight to bathe the citizens in golden rays. Despite the goodness of the people, it was still wrong on a fundamental level.

So my hand tightened around my staff, even as my free hand came up in a peaceful greeting as the guards surrounded us in the circle.

“Princesses.” The head guardsman, wearing thick steel armor with an ornamental design of gemstones on his helmet, stated in a clipped tone. “Come with us.”

Though none of the guards had drawn their weapons, their hands were clearly a single action away from doing so. The energy in the air promised conflict, though neither side was eager to start.

I held my free hand out in front of Fulgora to prevent her doing anything rash, as her grin began to show its fangs. “For what purpose? We have important business that can not be delayed.”

“You have been requested to be brought to the palace.” That was all that was said, as the guards began to move forward, with or without our acceptance.

“Hey! Hey! You don’t need to corral us!” Fulgora snapped at a guard that pushed against her back. “We were heading there anyway!”

“I would advise you not to resist.” The leader said, not even looking back as he kept walking.

“Fulgora, control yourself.” I chided her, understanding her irritation, but conflict here in the streets would only endanger lives.

She looked at me for a second, before lowering her fists with a huff, walking forward just a little faster so she wouldn’t get pushed around again.

“Have you even met the rulers here before?” She whispered to me after a bit.

“The king, a few times, the prince, only once. And you’ve met them too.”

“Did not!” Fulgora’s voice got a little louder.

“Yes you did, quit lying.” I snapped. “It was at the same gala we first met. Both of them were there.”

“I don’t remember that.”

“Because you were too busy hiding in the corner to socialize as was your duty.”

“I was crowned a princess just a few days before that! You can’t blame me for feeling like a fish out of water!”

“Ugh, nevermind. All you need to know is that the king is a kind person.”

“A kind person who is creating golems for the enemy.”

“There must be an explanation for this.”

“Quiet, you two!” The head guardsman snapped, turning around for a brief moment to look at us with barely restrained anger.

Our voices were likely getting a bit too loud. I responded with a polite apology, but Fulgora just elbowed me in the ribs for some reason.

I decided to ignore her for the moment.