“We’re making history. Your reign might yet have a redeeming quality, Queen Gin-Kaiba.”
Kyoumi knew and acknowledged that, but still a majority of her thoughts went to her sons. Rei was doing better than expected; sooner or later, though, would it wear on him? To say nothing about Taiyo—she could spend hours fretting about him alone.
Still, she had a duty that—according to nearly everyone but herself and those she was closest to—came first. She leaned back in her chair and let Hiroki continue.
“We already gained a lot by overwhelming them at the bridge,” Hiroki said. “And we’ve taken the first fort across from it.”
“How many soldiers did we lose?” Sorai asked.
“Only a dozen Gin men were killed,” Roken reported. “Another three or four dozen were injured, but they’ll bounce back by the time we’re ready to move on. None of my men are worse for wear, either.”
“A record,” Kyoumi murmured. “We lose soldiers fairly consistently in battles.”
Sorai sighed. “I hate to be a pessimist, but I’m afraid it isn’t skill on our side or complacency on theirs—Kuro’s too proud for mercy. Do you know what conditions led to their defeat?”
“They lost their general—the army’s only weak point,” Hiroki said. “Those men and women are as strong as they come; they’re descendants of Kuro’s royal line or arranged to join it. None of our soldiers would be able to take one out with the structure of our attack.”
“So it’s a mystery?” Sorai asked. “He just…dropped dead?”
“The only people close enough to see were either Kuro’s soldiers or our deceased,” Hiroki replied. “And before you ask, I personally saw to it that the man was located, blessed, and buried—he’s not coming back.”
Kyoumi closed her eyes for a second to piece it together. She could only think of one real possibility.
“...Maybe they’re saving their forces for a final confrontation,” she murmured. “Making us think they’re an easy target, or hoping that I would give some foolish order and get half my men killed for no reason.”
“It’s a risky strategy, yet sound,” Roken said, leaning forward onto the table. “I’ve only spoken with the kitsune-advisor once, but Miya told me a few stories. Sólstaeur isn’t an easy opponent—we don’t fight fair and we have more experience in different kinds of weapons—and I’d imagine she would acknowledge that. Lady Yanami would likely prefer to minimize casualties until a full confrontation.”
“It’s a sound theory,” Hiroki agreed. “Especially considering they only left behind meager rations and no extra weapons. It also extends the war so she has more time to come up with plans.”If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
Kyoumi nodded and moved on to her next point of concern, frowning a bit.
“Has anyone seen the ‘monster’ Kuro has?” she asked.
“It’s run into the same issue as the general,” Hiroki said, shaking his head. “No one’s lived to see him clearly, but a few have reported seeing a teenaged boy on the field that matches the appearance. He retreated alongside the rest of the army, however.”
She sighed. “All right. Thank you for the report.”
Finding that boy was, admittedly, more of a priority than actually winning the war. In the next year or so, all the fighting will end and they can go back to their normal lives; but the worrying part of her—the mother in her—wanted to make sure that boy was safe. Almost like a little voice in the back of her mind wanted to make sure she didn’t forget about him; that only made the desire to find him stronger.
“Regardless,” Hiroki carried on after a few seconds, “We’ll move into the recently-gained fort and proceed to the next early in the next month. If we’re quick, we can wrap this up before winter sets in.”
“With a bit of luck, we’ll be in another waiting period this time next month,” Kyoumi agreed.
Hiroki and Roken understood it at face value—should Lady Aimiki see it fit, they’ll have the second fort taken before the last two weeks of next month. Sorai’s expression shifted into a regretful look, meaning he alone actually understood it.
The boys’ birthday was on the twentieth. She didn’t want it to be overshadowed by fighting and the possibility of death.
…
Kyoumi wandered until she found Rei laying on the grass outside one of the tents, reading a letter with a faint smile. He glanced over once he saw her approaching, letting the letter rest on his chest.
“Something from Nesshin?” Kyoumi asked nicely. She carefully lowered herself nearby, trying to smile back.
“Mhm. Apparently Snowbell made a new cat friend. He’s taken a shine to Maeko, but she’s trying to rehome him—a mother and daughter duo can’t really take care of two cats. I could help if I was there, but…”
He trailed off and his happiness faded. Kyoumi did her best not to do the same.
“She’s free to take whatever she needs from the palace,” Kyoumi offered. “There should be plenty of food still.”
Rei perked up a bit. “That’d be alright?”
“Of course. I can write something for her to give the remaining guards so they know to let her in; I’m happy to help.”
Rei smiled again. “Thank you. It’ll be nice to meet the new cat in person, once I can get back.”
Kyoumi finally relaxed. Maybe the mundane things would distract him for long enough that he didn’t fully consider the war—wishful thinking, considering her own experience, but she couldn’t help falling into it. If nothing else, it would give him something to look forward to.
While he had her there, it seemed, Rei entertained a little bit of conversation. Not much, but enough to assure her he was doing fine for now; most of it still involved anecdotes Nesshin had compiled for him in the letter, and his responses. Sorai even joined after a few minutes, coming out of the meeting a little later to work out specifics regarding the supply routes.
A part of her hoped to dare that maybe—just maybe—Rei could even live a normal life after this. It mainly depended on Taiyo and whether or not he was still safe, however; Rei could survive the war fine, but he couldn’t get out of his brother’s death unscathed. She knew that for sure.