Carriage Ride

After leaving the Geraltavin workshop, Shiro once again found himself in another quiet, awkward horse-drawn carriage ride with Azura.

This time, however, he figured he should at least try to start a conversation.

"So, um... today was productive."

Azura didn't respond. Instead, she simply held his gaze, glaring at him in complete silence.

Really? Not even a cold comment or dismissive remark.

Shiro sighed and turned to the carriage window, breaking Azura's relentless eye contact.

"The sun should be setting soon. Do we want to stop and grab food?"

Silence.

"Well, if you're just going to try to kill me with that look, I guess I'll have to carry the conversation myself. I do enjoy the sound of my own voice."

He pulled out his notebook and resumed sketching, filling the pages with designs as the carriage rode along.

"Three days is a long wait just to begin prototyping. Still... what can you do?"

"."

"Ideally, we'll build artillery installations along the city walls. Since the city's built on the mountainside, we'll get excellent range."

Shiro flipped to another page.

"We'll also need to start construction on a tower now to serve as an airship dock... or, I guess we could use the flat plateau to build an airport instead, but it would be outside of the city's walls. What do you think?"

".."

"Fair point. I'll ask Geraltavin and Johnaquil. Out of everyone on the king's council, those two seem to be on my side."

"..."

"Though I don't know if I trust Johnaquil. He's always smiling, eyes and lips together. All while talking about nothing but money. It feels like a play."

"...."

"Geraltavin, on the other hand, is grumpy and complains about everything, but he's the sort of man whose hands always need to be busy. I trust him and you the most so far. As for the rest of the council..."

"You trust a half-demon, but not a human."

"Really? Now you do talk."

Shiro looked over. Azura's golden, serpentine eyes were locked onto him like a predator, the anger burning in them as she started him down.

"You're upset that I trust you? Please. You're the Master General of a kingdom that's at war with the demons. You've passed more scrutiny, and political games, and more loyalty tests than I could ever be bothered to think up."

He gave a small shrug.

"So yes. You have my trust."

For the first time since they'd met, Azura eyes genuinely softened. Only to return to her usual icy glare movements later.

"Now then. Tower inside the city, or an airport on the plateau?"

"'Payload delivery using chemical propulsion generated by an exothermic reaction.' Explain it."

"... That's not an answer to my question."

"Explain it!"

"I'd rather not."

"Why?"

"Because those are the weapons Revorgress wanted me to build. I'd rather the idea never be spoken aloud."

"Because they would wipe out the demons."

"That's only if you believe that abomination. I don't know how much of what he told me was true. Some of it I know was real. But it's not like I can tell where the truth ended and the lies began."

"Then how do you know you're not playing into his hands by fighting against him?"

"I don't. It comes down to Fate versus Destiny. The age old question of if a man can change his stars."

"Those stories never end well."

"Huh. Same in your world too? Well I think he can."

Shiro let out a quiet laugh.

"Otherwise, I would've accepted Revorgress's offer and let him reincarnate me as a demon. Instead I chose to fight against him like a dog on a leash."

Shiro flicked the metal collar around his neck.

Azura opened her mouth as if she were about to say something but then chose to remain silent.

It was then the carriage made a turn that was different then the ride Shiro took from the castle to Geraltavin workshop.

"Where are we going?"

"...Grand Chancellor Alamak Hollowbrook has requested a meal with you tonight."

"Just me and him? I guess he's going to take stock of me and decide which side he's on."

Azura said nothing.

"Really? Back to the silent stare?"

"..."

"Alright. Guess it's my turn for scrutiny and political games."

"...I'd still rather see you killed."

"It would guarantee Revorgress's plan fails, though Vermelionne and many other nations would fall to the demons."

Shiro closed his note book as the carriage came to a stop

"If I ever get captured and you can't save me, I'd be fine with you killing me if it meant stopping Revorgress."

The carriage grew quiet.

"...No. That last part was a lie. I want my revenge on that monstrosity with my own hands."