Chapter Text
“It’s going to be cold,” Riku reminded him and Kishi pouted.
“I thought Naminé was fixing that.”
“She’s changing the weather not the seasons.”
Kishi pouted again and Riku pointed back at the closet until Kishi stomped back inside to find another layer to put on under his armor. Heavy metal clattered around the closet as it was dropped in the arduous process of packing the right equipment.
“That far north, there’s only so much Naminé can do,” Riku was saying from Kishi’s bed. He paused to toss a grape up into the air to catch in his mouth. “The mountain passes normally seal up with snow by this time of the year. Magic can hold it back but not stop it.”
“Why even go this time of year at all?” Kishi grumbled. He stumbled out of the closet with his hands full trying to tighten the straps of his armor over the extra wool layer.
Riku rolled off the bed and stepped up to help. Kishi had only worn this armor for formal events and training. It was practical but light compared to the armor they provided the Imperial infantry. The Immortal Princes of Daybreak didn’t need armor after all. They wore the ensemble for the psychological edge to strike a stunning image of power and wealth. Gold and silver inlay created designs in the shape of winter storms and warring fae, shiny and intimidating, spread across both pauldrons, the half cape, and chest plate in a tale of celestial conquest.
“Because the Kingdom you’re going to conquer is a warring state that fights all Summer and rests in the Winter. We’re meeting with them while they’re tired and spent from fighting all season.”
“…that doesn’t seem very fair.”
“War isn’t supposed to be fair. This was smart of our Father to make a move now. They’re more likely to surrender without a fight at all if we offer peace when they’re tired. They know they can’t win, and a smart country will take the opportunity to negotiate. You’ll see when you get there.”
“Why do we want them at all?” Kishi grumbled as he was jostled about, annoyed by the rough handling.
“Because,” Riku grunted as he tugged on another strap, “they have mineral resources that we need to continue the campaign in the West. Even if we didn’t, why not? Terminus Kingdom is a poor country behind the times, constantly at war with the winter fae that challenge their borders. We’re bringing them technology, food, wealth, and security that they desperately need, even if they don’t realize it yet. They’ll learn we’re there to save them just as much as we are looking after our own interests.”
Riku tucked the extra leather under the plates and gave his younger brother a firm smack on the chest. The slap made a whap sound as it connected and Kishi met his brother’s wide grin with mild annoyance.
“Oh, lighten up,” Riku scolded.
Kishi smacked his hand away and fussed over his helmet.
“Nervous?”
Kishi shook his head.
“It’s okay to be. You haven’t left the estate in a long time.”
“You should be going instead.”
Riku laughed. “Oh, if only we had a say. Even if His Excellency had left it up to us, I would’ve chosen you to go, Kishi.”
“Why?” he asked, turning towards the mirror to check that he looked okay.
“Because it’s an opportunity, and I have a good feeling about this one.” Riku slipped past Kishi into his brother’s closet and dug around to find Kishi’s sword. He drew it a few inches to check the blade and then offered it by the scabbard.
“What if I mess it up?” Kishi took the weapon and buckled it around his waist.
“Xigbar is going because Father is worried Ansem will mess it up. You are the least of anyone’s worries.”
There was a knock on the door to Kishi’s room and Aqua let herself in. “Are you ready to go? …really that belt with that armor?”
Kishi made another whining sound and Riku shrugged. Aqua tucked her clipboard under her arm and walked past them to his closet to dig around in his drawers until she found a belt that was only a couple shades darker than the belt he was already wearing. It seemed a little nitpicky, but he put it on anyway, leaving the discarded belt on his bed to be dealt with by his servants later.
“The Regent is waiting for you,” she told them, “he said not to rush.”
Riku whistled. “Not even on the road yet and the tests are already starting.”
“Don’t let him intimidate you, Kishi,” Aqua reassured him, “even an unproven Prince is a Prince of Daybreak, you are always on time.”
Riku coughed under his breath and mumbled something, but Kishi didn’t catch it. The nervous pit in his stomach felt heavier. There was always another angle with the Regent, always another angle with the Emperor, on and on in a never ending series of tests and training with the dull promise of his birthright at the end of the tunnel.
Aqua put a hand on Kishi’s shoulder and smiled at him until the anxiety melted away into a wary confidence. “We’ve already sent some comforts from home to the front for you and if all goes well, you won’t be gone for very long. The Emperor is not expecting any fighting.”
No chance to prove himself in real combat just yet.
“If nothing else, take this chance to explore. There’s so much more beyond the estate and this is an important and valuable step for you, Kishi. Let yourself be curious. It’s a big and wonderful world out there, and I’m sure, if you’re looking, you’ll find something truly amazing in the Kingdom of Terminus.”