Chapter 3: Full Stop

Point of View-Feldwebel Arthur Schmidt, Gandalfr

"Ugh..." Arthur groaned, as he opened his eyes. An intake of breath was heard and he looked up to see he was laying on a cot, with his 'master', Ms. Valliere looking over him anxiously.

"Herr Schmidt, you're awake?" she asked cautiously, as if concerned but also worried she might disturb his rest too much.

"I-I yes. It seems falling asleep at inopportune times is becoming a habit of mine," he joked with a smile, though he felt sore and restless physically. It was as if his limbs had become heavy and strained painfully against gravity.

"You were only asleep for but a few minutes this time, which is good. As my familiar, and someone in the service of the Valliere's it wouldn't do to have you show any weakness or hesitation," she said stoically, and any anxiety she'd felt over his predicament disappeared.

"Glad to know you were worried about me," Arthur spoke dryly. "So, what now?"

"Well, I'll call for a maid to get you some water, and tonight we can head out by carriage to Tristainia. I spoke with the Headmaster and he said we could leave and come back tomorrow evening since it is the eve of the Day of the Void," she spoke cleanly.

"Really? What's this day of void thing?"

"I-I, you really don't know?" she sighed, "Well, it's a day's off from schooling and most shops are closed in the early hours but are open in the evenings because it is the day we worship our founder," she spoke informatively. Arthur personally considered it a bit strange to worship their founder though...that would be like the Franch praying to Napoleon, or Yankees praying to George Washington, or even Germans going to the church of Otto von Bismarck.

"So, you plan to attend a religious ceremony?"

"At least you can understand that, though I have no idea how you don't know about the Day of the Void. That said, no we don't need to. While the Valliere's have always considered themselves religiously guided and we follow the teachings of our Founder Brimir closely, we don't need to go every Void Day to mass. Besides, we have much to discuss anyway concerning our short-term plans as well as long-term,"

"Is that so..." he had a bad feeling about that, but hid it well, "Perhaps I could get a meal first before we head off then?" She paused before nodding.

"That is fair, you haven't eaten in quite awhile except for medical supplements from the healer. I'll have the maid bring you some soup and we can head out in an hour's passing," she spoke briefly, standing to leave.

"You have my thanks,"

"Nonsense, it's my duty. Don't think you're off the hook though, you should have informed me earlier you can speak French," her glare said a lot, and his earlier suspicious were confirmed by her words. "It will be useful of course in Tristain, but also should we ever find ourselves in Gallia. However, hiding useful information from your master is disobedience which I will not tolerate. Be ready to leave in an hour," her sudden flare of temper and harsh words were accompanied by a slamming of the door, as if she was afraid to say something nice to him without showing discipline as well.

She'd make a good officer.

Point of View-Gefreiter Frederic Kohler

"Ha! You certainly tell a good tale. It must be rough having to cook for all these noble brats all day, especially since you have to cook with such quality and in such volume," Frederic spoke, then waited as the boy between him and Chef Marteau translated for him.

The chef burst into laughter, and spoke back, and Frederic laughed heartily at his response.

"Yes, occasionally though if they act extra snotty we spit in the food a little. You know how it is! Besides, my wife loves my cooking and I get loads of practice here. I swear, sometimes I feel she married me for the meals!"

"Married for the meals, well it's a good thing you're such a good cook lest you have competition," Frederic joked back, and after a speedy translation they were both chuckling, while the younger server doing the translating looked quite amused as well.

"I'll have you know that cooking isn't the only thing I can do with these hands. I make her very happy when she's in the mood too!" he laughed, and Frederic laughed encouragingly too despite not relating to having a wife or girl at home. He was glad to have found a few friends here too, soldiers made for tense company, but this made him feel like he was back at home after a hard day's work at the factory.

"You shouldn't say such scandalous things!" a servant girl came out and said, addressing Marteau with a scolding look. While he didn't understand her, he recognized her as Siesta of Tarbes. She was young, only perhaps in her early twenties but was diligent in her work and was friendly to everyone.

Chef laughed, before telling the boy between them to translate, and Frederic got an abridged version.

"Nonsense, if I don't tell men what my wife likes, they might think she's interested in them!" Marteau joked to Siesta, and Frederic laughed at his antics.

"If your wife heard what you said, she'd have you sleeping in the pigsty whenever you return home!" Siesta spoke with mock-condescension.

"Then I'd have to find a new wife! I haven't seen any suitors for you Siesta, would you care for an old gentleman like myself?!" he laughed heartily, and she laughed too. Both the boy and Frederic found this teasing conversation fun as well, and he couldn't help but think that the servants led a much more fulfilling life then those noble children ever would.

"As if! I might just have to send a letter to Madame Marteau and inform her of your brutish advances," she spoke, her threat clear as day.

"Now now, no need to that! I'm sure we can work something out!"

"Shame on you, ruining an old man's fun Siesta," Frederic spoke jokingly, and when she got the translation from the labored boy she laughed lightly.

"Oh, but I just wanted to make sure you didn't have any competition. To be swept off of one's feet by the hard-working, honest Germanian man with broad shoulders and eyes like the cool sea," she spoke, almost sauntering up to him before sitting down with a smile.

"Oh? I'd be honored, but isn't life a little more fun when you have to fight for your prize?" he teased, and she snorted softly in amusement.

"You'll never have me, you brute!" she swiped playfully at his arm and when he heard the boy translate he chuckled lightly. Truly, enjoying good company and good food could make any situation better.

It almost made him forget that his country was at war.

Point of View-Dragon Knight Saito Hiraga, Vindalfr

The atmosphere was oppressive, in the small town in which Saito Hiraga found himself lodging.

A small collection of shacks and homes built in the center of poorly managed fields, a reminder that Gallia had fallen so far past its once glorious prime. The Lord of this land clearly didn't even take the time to show the people proper farming, but it was more than that.

He felt it through the runes on his hand, the mount he'd had for the past few months —"Zero" was it's name, a reference to one of his own country's newer flight technologies — had found shelter to the east in some more rugged terrain.

"You...you be a priest, wouldn' ya?" a voice called out. Saito's steady gait slowed as he looked to the source. "You've a sword on ya, sir! My...my Pa will want to speak with ya when he's back from workin' the fields."

"You're a farmer's son? Should you not be helping him with his work?" Saito didn't truly think the boy, who looked no older than eight, should be. He was uneducated, probably illiterate, and definitely malnourished. Such was the life of peasants in certain areas though.

Commoners especially had their children doing hard labor at an early age. They never knew if the next winter would claim them or if the child would be lost to sickness. Best to have them contributing while they could, and learning in the hopes they'd be able to continue the work once their parents died.

"I would'a been, honest father! 'Cept Pa doesn' want me out in the fields what with the reaper," he spoke quickly, as if explaining this defined his life. Perhaps it did, in many ways.

"Reaper?"

"Aye, thats what me Pa will want to ask you 'bout. If you can help drive away the Reaper," he spoke passionately, and then stopped before nodding to himself. Saito got the impression that he'd listened to his words in his head, as if to make sure he conveyed the right meaning. While both of them were speaking french, his accent was surely different than this farm boy in southern Gallia.

"Hm, I see," Saito contemplated his next words, "You've an Inn somewhere near? A place I can rest my feet and warm my belly?" he tried to speak in a familiar way, endear himself to try and sympathize with the boy.

"Yessir, it's only jus' down there, a short walk. But sir, my Pa-" the boy tried to get in, his instincts telling him to be courteous to the priest but his emotions telling him to plea.

"Tell your Pa that he can find me in the Inn, and that we'll speak on this Reaper," Saito nodded, resting a hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist in a way the boy can see. He wondered what words would have the best effect, comfort the child the most. "The Founder is not blind to his people, if you are in need I will do my best to help, and if I am not the one for this task, than I shall send for someone who can help."

"Thank ye sir, Founder bless you!" the boy cried. Saito grunted in acknowledgement before turning away. It was hard to remember that he was only nineteen years old, in many ways still a child.

A few people could be seen wandering around; a woman chasing her child about, an older man complaining about a storm coming(He could feel it in his bones), and a teenage girl and boy were fighting about whether they should visit their cousin who had the pox.

Pushing open the wooden door to what was likely the Inn, he was greeted with a few wary looks, which sized him up before going back to their business. A few local men were playing cards, laughing jauntily at every bluff. A family sat near the back, speaking quietly with one another. Two men who seemed to be merchants were describing a city in Germania.

He walked to the proprietor, an older woman who was pouring alcohol into a couple of mugs.

"You've a bed, miss? Perhaps some broth?"

"Hm? Yeah, course...oh, father!" she jumped a bit, looking at his collar and recognizing him by his 'chosen' profession. "I'm sorry, I'll prepare a-"

"Nothing fancy, please. I'm on my way to Tristain and am only stopping for the night, bar any unexpected business," he tried to sound prompt, but words tumbled out of his mouth in youthful enthusiasm which he was able to at least disguise in a professional manner.

"Ah, you're young aren't you? Perhaps raised in the church?" he nodded in the affirmative, sifting through coins by feel before grabbing her hand and lacing a few in her grasp.

"For your trouble," she looked at him, before opening her palm and widening her eyes just a bit. She seemed reluctant and about to question his generosity, before nodding and mumbling an 'of course, father'.

Saito wondered why he couldn't shake his bleeding heart, and couldn't come up with a real reason. He wasn't even a real priest, though many in the inquisition weren't.

Sitting down, he opened his journal from his pouch and started to write in his native language, Japanese.

Traveling was easy today, and I made good distance...

Point of View-Feldwebel Arthur Schmidt, Gandalfr

After informing Erich, Frederic, and Maximilian of his departure Louise and Arthur had set out, with her pridefully explaining the world around him in an incredibly condescending way for a girl so young.

Evening came quickly, but life in Tristania was still quite alive. While he wondered if it was the same in the countryside, what looked like lamps lit every street and many taverns were open. The homeless looked away from their carriage, whilst men and women bustled about merrily, busily, or drunkenly.

Being let off where Louise directed, she was led out with him trailing on the cobblestone streets to a rather large building of nice make, as opposed to some of the others.

"Yes, we're only staying the night. I'd like a suite," Louise spoke impatiently, the man at the concierge struggling to keep up. "Two beds." He nodded, and fumbled before handing her two sets of keys. As he pulled along their bags, he didn't miss her hand the other set back. Looks like she was keeping him on a tight leash.

After placing the bags in the room, which looked incredibly extravagant even by his standards, she led him back outside. It was clear this was a place the wealthy stayed. She walked without pause, looking a bit lost but too prideful to ask for directions and too stuck up to even address him, though picking over it seemed useless.

"Viola! Herr Schmidt, I believe you need to get some clothes, as do your fellow, though theirs can be bought cheaply. As my familiar however you will need something more fitting," she looked to him for a response, and he had none, but saw the storefront read 'open' in a sign that he guessed was french, as while he understood it it looked a bit funny in his eyes. The place itself had no name he could see, and appeared relatively small. "This is a place me mother brought me to before, and we will get a few outfits for you."

"I suppose there's use in that." he responded, this time trying to respond in the way she'd addressed him. There was no question, it was not german. As they walked inside, they saw another woman talked hurriedly with the tailor, rapidly speaking and gesturing to a cloak and blouse which the woman held. When she heard the bell hanging from the door ring, she quickly shoved something into a knapsack before her eyes widened upon seeing Louise.

The girl's eyes similarly widened on seeing the woman, a young blonde of a fit stature, widened her eyes and then gestured to the tailor, who jumped, then nodded and turned to walk to the back. Arthur didn't know what was going on, but he kept his hand near where his pistol was holstered.

"What is the captain of her majesty's personal guard doing in a shop in lower Tristania?" Louise's voice sounded suspicious if anything, and once he worked through her question he decided such a situation might warrant that attitude.

"Lady Valliere, I'm afraid that business is personal. You need not worry, the princess is guarded by the very best." as she said this, the buttoned her sack closed, and threw on the cloak. Louise didn't respond well, and she put her hand on her wand.

"I believe that, I'm more worried that you may be up to something that isn't very charitable...explain yourself!" she finished her statement loudly and brusquely, causing the other woman to glare.

"Quiet! If you want me to explain myself, don't shout! The princess has...the utmost faith in your loyalty, so I would not be opposed, but you must be discreet, surely you know the meaning of that?" Her last statement held a bit of bite, but Louise smirked in a mixture of satisfaction and pride. Arthur was surprised, apparently Louise had quite a bit of influence.

"Explain quickly then." Louise demanded, trying to sound angry and intimidated. The woman gestured for them to follow and led them out,Louise tentatively nodding for him to do so alongside her. Only a block away, possibly afraid Louise would snap and call her out in the middle of the street, she turned into an alley and gestured for them.

"Miss Valliere, I urge you to secrecy, I am on a mission from the princess herself," the woman said after looking carefully for eavesdroppers. "My identity must remain secret!" Louise jumped back, immediately stuttering a bit.

"I see, I h-had no idea!" She nodded her head in apology. "I-is there anything I can do to help?" the woman narrowed her eyes, before looking to Arthur and Louise.

"You trust your...retainer?" Louise pursed her lips in deep though, and Arthur didn't dare move, suddenly feeling the presence of what might be a delicate situation.

"Yes!" She said suddenly, and the woman seemed doubtful before nodding.

"Your family has always been a close friend of the royal family, and you are the second cousin of Princess Henrietta, so I must have faith," she turned to Arthur and bowed slightly. "I am royal Guard Captain Agnes de Milan, leader of Princess Henrietta's personal guard."

"Arthur Schmidt." he replied, trying not to sound to much like a german, or a 'germanian' as Louise called it. No need to make the situation worse. For this reason he didn't include his military standing. Her eyes narrowed upon hearing his surname, distrust on the tip of her tongue, but she held it.

"I have been sent to discreetly investigate the possibility of a...group here in the city, possibly selling supplies to the armies of Reconquista in Albion," she pulled her hand into her bag and pulled out a pistol, a flintlock or similarly old firearm which Arthur couldn't recognize but knew had to be loaded with gunpowder manually. "To eliminate them if need be. Tristain as you know has always held close relationship to Albion, and while you may not know the Royalist forces in Albion are being pressed every day."

Louise seemed to take a few seconds to comprehend this, before nodding. Arthur went over the information himself, there was a group overthrowing the current royal family in 'Albion', which he remembered was like England. Tristain had good foreign relations with the country which were now at stake. He probably didn't fully comprehend the situation, but he understood the basics.

"Is there any way we could assist with your investigation?" Louise asked hurriedly, suddenly in hushed tones. Agnes looked quick to retort but bit down and looked them over again, eyes widening upon seeing Arthur's own pistol before she smirked.

"Yes, I believe there is. The crown is of the feeling that we need to clean house, and we are just the ones to do it."

A/N: There are so many reasons this didn't come out sooner, or why it's not my usual length-but I wanted this out by Christmas(Failed that) and then decided I needed this out on New Years. Shame on me, yes. I hate to end on a Cliffhanger, but it's not much of one as it swerves into canon territory quite a bit if all goes as planned, with a few major changes.

I'll try my best to get the next out sometime soon, but life is catching up to me. Thanks for reading, all.

P.S. Please Private Message me with ANY and ALL grammatical errors, which I will fix post-haste. Any criticisms or compliments, thoughts, poetry or anything else can be sent via review or private message, and feedback is appreciated. I will try to put less scene/point-of-view changes as well, or separate them into separate chapters.

Until Next time,

ArcAnge1 I4