A few days later, Kiyoshi arrived at Ferndale, the closest city to Fort Zuka. Beaconing is by far the fastest way to travel between kingdoms, and as an official on public business, it is also the most recognized way. First on his list was to visit Hasan, the leader of Cydonia, the kingdom with the largest army that is still in the alliance. Hence, he set the course and a whirlwind later, emerged in Meridian.
With no time to delay, he headed straight for the chancellor's office. He found Hasan behind his desk, not at all happy by this hastily scheduled visit.
"With every defeat, the Necromancers grow in strength. We have to raise an army of our own before it's too late." Kiyoshi finished his plea and stood looking at the stony face across him.
"Cydonia requires our forces to remain vithin ze kingdom." Hasan began in a very official and politic-fake voice. "Every day ve are threatened by ze possibility of a K'arthen attack. Es tut mir leid, but ve kann nicht help you."
Kiyoshi exited the building and headed for city center. From there, he beaconed to Oakendale, since Conchord has the next powerful army. An hour later, he stood before a board of the ministers.
"If the Necromancers defeat us at Ferndale," Kiyoshi laid out the possibilities, "they will have a straight route to the capital of Felden."
"Sould oui be wowwied?" asked the chairperson. "Concord es thousands of keelometers avey fwom Felden."
"They could use the beacons to travel." Kiyoshi argued.
The council looked concerned, and finally, the chairperson said,
"Oui will send a supply de food to assist ze vor effort."
Kiyoshi sighed. Only Hydraphel left, since Northwind was neutral and had no real army. He almost dragged himself to the beacon and set the course for Hyperia, the capital.
An hour later, he walked out the city hall. Three kingdoms, three refusals. He came to the delta dam, which overlooked the vast port of Mayender Bay. He leaned on the side walls and looked out at the ocean. If he can't get help from any of the kingdoms, he can only…
"The kingdomi aren't united like they once were." Came a woman's voice.
"Fancy seeing you here, Yujuki." Kiyoshi said without turning around. He knew that voice well enough. How could he forget? That mission they had together could have tied the knot had they not given it up for their duties to different kingdoms. But somehow, they always met because of those duties. He was Captain of the Guard for Felden, and she was Captain of the Guard for Hydraphel.
"Listen, Kiyoshi." Yujuki turned him around so they looked face to face. Her breath blew on his face. They hadn't been this close for so many years. "The council cani sayo what they want, but the militaryo is still under my control."
Kiyoshi sensed a glimmer of hope. "Is there anything you can do to help?" He ventured.
"Perhaps." Yujuki was moving closer now. She continued, her words touching Kiyoshi's torn ear, "I've heard that the old Ardoni clani, the Voltari, are making a returni. What threat do you think these Necromancers pose compared to the Voltari?"
"I've heard the same rumors, but they're nothing more." Kiyoshi felt her soft hands around his waist, and he resisted the urge to embrace her as well. "The Necromancers are attacking now and killing our people. If they continue to advance they will amass an army of undead and overpower all of the kingdoms combined. The Voltaris, K'arthen, they're just distractions." Her dark, brown eyes mesmerized him.
"I cani send a few of my elite troops in secret." Yujuki said. "I'll be waiting for your good news, Captain. No one else has to know. Make sure Felden doesn't fall," She planted a kiss on Kiyoshi's cheek and walked away.
Kiyoshi stood there, savoring their encounter. The damp ocean air breezed past where Yujuki had touched him, making all this seem unreal. Then, composing himself, he headed back to the beacon.
Kiyoshi beaconed back to Ferndale and set off non-stop with Yujuki's guards to Fort Zuka. As they entered the fort, a pink-haired Felina girl also approached the gate. She teetered a pile of books in her arms and carried a huge sack of writing tools.
"Excuse moi, monsieur." she said to the guard at the gate. "Where might I find Capitaine Kiyoshi?"
The soldier nodded at the horse, which was settling into the stable beside the kitchen.
"Merci." The girl bowed slightly and a book slipped off her stack. "Whoops! Sowwy!" she bent over to pick it up and wobbled her way through the grounds.
"Bonjour, monsieur." She called to the man. "Are tu Capitaine Kiyoshi?"
The chef turned around. "This is the kitchen." He said with a blank face, wrinkled by fumes. "Try the barracks." He pointed to the opposite building.
"Right… barracks. Lequel serait-ce…?" The girl started across the grounds towards the stables and bumped right into Kiyoshi. "Oh, sowwy!" She cried as all her collection toppled onto the ground.
"It's okay, I'll help you." Kiyoshi bent down as well. "You must be the Chronicler. I'm Kiyoshi, Captain of the Guard."
"Oh! Enchante to meet tu." The girl attempted to shake his hand, but the books she picked up immediately tumbled out again. "I'm Nitsuke, Chronicler of Northwind."
"It looks like you came prepared." Kiyoshi remarked. "Do you normally use this many books?"
"Aktually," Nitsuke replied, "I wasn't quite sewer what to bring, so I bwought evewything. This is my first mission after all."
Kiyoshi tried to hide his disappointment. Why is Northwind sending a rookie Chronicler to this war zone? "Well I hope you and Lucan are getting along at least." He said brightly.
"Who?" Nitsuke looked puzzled.
"Lucan, your escort while you are here. You haven…" He whirled on Alec. "He's run off again, hasn't he?"