Innocent Until Stolen

5. Young Days

The days were still young, the war had not taken the effort to the people in the Kou. Still, it was only planning before the real battles. Prince Hakuren and Hakuyuu were training Kouen, as Royo and Nova watched. Royo had now become Hakuyuu maid, and Aki Hakuren. But they never saw much of Aki anymore

Nova and Royo were given food, to serve to the princes "Prince Kouen'' "Prince Hakuyuu and Hakuren. We have brought food'' They smiled walking to the table, under a white umbrella. Hakuren peered over Nova's shoulder as she placed it down

"What do we have?'' "Fruits, breeds and cheese'' She muttered trying to move out of his shadow "A light lunch?'' He asked after she finished placing the food "Yes. The chefs have cut done all food, to storage and preserve for the war. The servant were the first to have it cut down to, one meal'' Royo answered

Nova's stomach growled thinking about the last big roast she ate to herself "Royo can you take this to General Seiryuu Ri'' Hakuyuu slipped her a note "I'll be joining you, Royo'' Kouen didn't touch his food, before leaving with Royo

"Do you need anything else before I leave?'' Hakuren pulled out Kouen's chair "Sit'' "I do not think, that is wise. I am a maid--'' ''I heard you're stomach growl just before'' Hakuren picked Nova up from under her arms, placing her in the chair

Like an older brother, he served up her plate "Nova, do you remember anything from the dark continent?'' Hakuyuu asked "I wasn't born in the dark continent, but Mudads he will remember'' Blue and red eye meet, something steering deep in their mind. Something in them is correct. Not a lovers connection, nor a brother and sister love. Something old. But as soon as it was there, it was gone

"Do you wish to go back?'' Hakuren asked chewing on a piece of fruit. Nova took a moment to answer, with a sad face "I was told, that all the Fanalis from that land have been taken. So I don't really see the point of going there''

"It's your homeland. Where you'll born'' Hakuren questioned. If he was away from his homeland, of course, he'll go lay eyes on it, even if no one was there "I wasn't born there... I was born in Parthevia, with my brother''

"You have family?'' "Yes... Just a brother. We weak I couldn't let him suffer in the world of slaves, so I escaped. Getting him out. Placed him in hands of someone safe. But that was years ago, I'm unsure if he even lived'' Hakuren nodded sadly ''I'm sorry, you'll be separate from your bother''

Nova gathered herself to leave the table when Hakuyuu spoke ''Where did you say, you took him'' ''A Company in Reim. Small, seemed like a good home for him'' Standing Nova left her half eaten food ''Have a good day, princess. I think the chefs need me in the kitchen. I hear them screaming at each other''

''Nova always to the recuse'' ''You know it'' She chuckled running off to see what was the fuss now. After the lunch rush, and dinner cue. Nova was let free ''Finally'' She muttered about ready to go to sleep when a guard walked closer making hard eye contact with her. There was no running

''Nova, maid of Prince Kouen?'' ''That's me'' ''Follow me'' The guard turned on his heels. If he was any taller he might just be crumbled over by the way he was swaging by each step ''Where are we going?'' ''To the armoury''

Reaching the wooden door, the guard held it open for Nova ''Thank you...'' Inside stood Prince's Kouen, Hakuyuu and Hakuren ''Prince's'' Mudads came in after Nova, cleaning up his sleeve. Royo slowly comes in after ''I have an idea of what this is about'' Mud's muttered standing next to Nova. Hakuyuu nodded

''We've brought you here tonight, to get your amour feted. You will be serving as are guards, in the war'' ''Will we fight?'' Nova asked grabbing Mudad's pants ''Yes. But we'll try to keep you, Nova, out of most of the battles'' Hakuren explained

Hakuyuu clears his throat ''Nova you'll serve Kouen. Royo with Hakuren and me and Mudads'' Mudads nodded improve ''I have only one thing to say. I have no arms'' Hakuyuu chuckled ''We have already thought of that'' Walking over to the table, everyone followed. Pulling the red cloth off the lump on the table. Under it sat, a pair of metal arms ''They are controlled by your Rukh. Crafted and created just for you''

Mudad's picked one up ''Got a bit of weight'' Nova reached up to grab it, but Mudad's moved away to stick it on Royo's nub ''Try them out'' Hakuyuu subjected clipped the other arm on. Royo wiggled her metal fingers before pulling a knife out of her back pocket. No one would've thought it was there, beforehand

Throwing it up there times, she throws it. Flying throws the air with such speed, and force, that it hit the armour. A ding ringing in their ears, when it priced all the way through the layer of metal ''I like it'' ''Good''

''You can come in now'' Hakuren let six maids in, each one of them holding different kinds of tools. The princes put on their heavy blue and silver armour. Each maid went to a person, measuring. The princess got adjustments down if any

''Remember that Fantails use their legs more. Thicker metals on their shines, while light ones on their arms'' Nova maid got on her knees to measure her waist ''Such a young girl to go to war'' ''I've seen battle before'' Nova muttered

''What kind'' The maid scuffed under her breath not believing Nova ''I used to be a gladiator fighting in the collapsed of the Reim Emperor'' The maid's face sunk ''No girl would fight--'' ''She's a Fanails. No matter what age they fight in Reim. Nova leave the ones who don't believe, to mutter things of no use'' Mudad's snapped and swatted down so the maid could reach his arm

''Right'' After an hour or so, the measuring was done ''When do we leave?'' Royo asked pushing her hair behind her ear ''Two days'' Nova looked down at her feet ''What on your mind Nova'' Kouen asked while the others talked about the war growing

''I don't like fighting... I was finally getting somewhere without blood on my hands. This, I didn't want this'' Kouen kept his face calm ''You can't leave without blood on your hand Nova'' ''And that's the sad thing...''