Who will go?

Ivy could hardly believe three weeks had passed since Katine had arrived. A week after her arrival, Ivy had gone home to work, but two days ago she had returned to join them for the farewell dinner and final activities. Apparently Katine had enjoyed herself greatly and she had been highly impressed with the progress the Friendship Lands had made the past few years. They had briefly visited Ivy’s castle, and Katine had liked the changes.

And now, tomorrow, Katine would leave again to go back home. While she had been here, Hikary and her new assistant Yuuro had made a shocking realization- the other two stones may be in the west. Thinking about it, it made a lot of sense, and Ivy wondered why Hikary, who was usually so quick in realizing things, had not thought of this before.

The snow had built up outside the castle, Ivy noticed as she looked through her bedroom window. Winter was truly here now. Katine and her servant would not have a pleasant journey back. Ivy was sure that it would be even colder in Kin. Well, Katine would not have to sleep outside as she had done on her previous journeys. The queen of Kin was too well respected, and she would have made sure she had some nice places to sleep.

“Well, time to go.” Ivy mumbled to herself.
 She looked into the mirror once more, and when she was satisfied with how she looked she stepped out of the guest bedroom where she had slept the past few days. At the dinner, it would be decided who would go to the west to meet the High King and ask for his help. After Hikary and her new assistant Yuuro had completed their research, it had been decided that this was the best thing they could do. They knew too little of the west to go look for the stones themselves, and in the end, it concerned the High King, too.

Ivy had already decided she wouldn’t come. She wanted to stay at home, and take care of things here. After her previous journey with Hikary… well, she just wanted to stay home. She knew that if their mother decided she had to go, there might be little she could do about it… but she hoped they would respect her opinion.

“Well, all that is left to decide is who will journey towards Zoroaster, then.” Katine said.
Dinner had just finished, and only the dessert was left. The dinner had been lovely, and Ivy had to agree it had been fun talking with Katine and Yuuro. The fear she had as a kid for being near the stiff queen had all but disappeared. Stiff she may be, but Katine had learned to relax, too, and was actually a nice person.

“Yes. I do think not only ponies from our family should go. Even though the High King will show more respect if we reveal our bloodline runs back to the High Queens, I do think it is important to show that this request we are going to make is not coming from us alone, but from the entire east.” Regina stated, while the servants put the dessert on the table.

“You’re suggesting someone from outside the Friendship Lands should come?” Hikary asked.
“Yes, I do.” Instantly, all heads turned to Katine. She would be the obvious choice, Ivy realized. She was a queen from a long line of queens, and Kin was not completely unknown to the west, probably. Even they must know about the beautifully carved stone statues that came out of Kin.

“Hmmm… Well, I personally think you should take Yuuro along. It would be a wonderful opportunity for him, to see the west.” Katine said, to everyone’s surprise.
“Really, Katine? I mean, you do not wish to come yourself?” Hikary asked.
“No, Hikary. Even though I have to admit it would be quite an adventure to see the west for myself… I will have to return to my home. After all, Togli is pregnant with her second child, and I have lots to do myself. And I have faith in my son… That he will represent the rest of our country.”

Ivy looked at Yuuro, and saw that he beamed with pride. Well, he probably hadn’t heard his mother utter words like these before. She depended on him… That alone must have been enough for him.
“Are you going to ask other queens?” Katine asked.
Hikary pondered over this for a moment. “I don’t think so. I don’t want to arrive there with a big group. I don’t want to overwhelm the High King.”

“So… all that’s left to decide now is who of our family will go, right?” Hikary said, after everyone was done enjoying their delicious vanilla-pudding dessert.
“Yes, I guess so.” Ivy agreed, silently hoping they wouldn’t ask her.
“I would like to go.” Taira immediately said.
“Yes, Taira, I agree, you should go. You are, after all, the future queen and thus rightful heir to the High Queens. I think your presence will make our request seem more significant to the High King.” Regina said to her oldest daughter.

“Aren’t you coming, mother?” Hikary said, a little surprised.
Ivy felt the same surprise, too. With her baby daughter, Ivy had not thought Taira would go. Of course, Taira’s attitude towards the little girl hadn’t greatly improved or anything, but Ivy had thought Taira would stay and work on this more. Surely, the journey to Zoroaster would take a couple of months. Could Taira afford to be away from her girl for so long?

“No, Hikary. First, I had planned to do so… but I will stay here. The journey will simply be too far for me, and it will take too long. I am not the youngest anymore, Hikary, and I need to govern my country. I will not go.” Regina explained.
“I see… well, I will moss you, mother. I will make sure to remember all my impressions and tell them to you once we get back.” Hikary said.
Regina smiled. “That would be nice.”

“So… we have Taira, Yuuro and me… who else?” Hikary asked.
“I would like to come.” Stelline said. Ivy almost dropped her spoon, surprised by her sister’s words. Stelline hardly ever left the castle, and only occupied herself with the care of her children. To hear her say that she would like to come, was a big surprise, to say the least.
“That is fine, Stelline. Well, I guess four is a nice number, what do you say?” Hikary asked.

All the others agreed. Ivy was relieved that she wasn’t asked. She could stay home, and take care of the little things that had lost their relevance ever since their last journey to the mountains of the old Friendship Lands. It was already decided earlier that day that the delegation would leave after the worst of winter was gone, which would be in two months. Ivy had agreed that was plenty of time to prepare. And even though she was relieved she wouldn’t have to go, she was still curious at what the High King would have to say.

Ruki went over her things spread out on the bed, making sure she hadn’t missed anything. She had her cloak, a normal and an extra thick blanket, water bottles, a bowl, bags with dried spices… It didn’t seem like she had missed anything. Satisfied, she began to put all her things in her back, apart from her cloak, which she would wear. Tomorrow morning Takato and Ruki would leave, to go to the breach. Why exactly, Takato had not yet explained. She would find out when they got there… or not. Maybe it was only an excuse, after all.

When she heard someone knocking on her door, she thought it was Takato, but when she opened the door she saw Sakurako.
“Oh, hey, Saku.” She greeted her friend. She let Sakurako into her small room, and she saw her friend observing her packing.
“So… you’re really going, uh. Tomorrow.” Sakurako said, disappointment sounding in her voice.
Well, Ruki was aware of her friend’s opinion. Sakurako was of the opinion it would be way better for Ruki if she stayed here, and wouldn’t go with Takato on those journeys. Well, Ruki was sure her friend was right… but that was not something that would stop her from going.

“Yea, I am. I know how you feel about it Saku, but…” Ruki started, but her friend interrupted her.
“I know you do. I’m not going to stop you, Ruki. I remember what we talked about the other day, what you said. If this is what you need, then… it is fine with me. I was just wondering if you were coming with me to the party? I know I asked you yesterday, but…”

Ruki gasped. Of course! She had completely forgotten all about the party! Gurain, one of Takato’s advisors, son of old nobility, and one of his best friends since childhood who had joined the Asano Bond a year ago, had his birthday today. To celebrate it Flora, Takato’s wife, had organized a party in the common room of the wooden house. Too busy with thinking about her upcoming journey, Ruki had not thought about it much, but she remembered her friend asking her to come the day before. Well, it wouldn’t hurt… probably.

“Sure, I’ll come. Will you help me finish packing?” Ruki asked her friend, and Sakurako agreed.
“Of course.”
They quickly put Ruki’s belongings in her pack and left her room. On their way to the common room, Ruki could hear that it was already quite crowded there. Still. When they entered, she was surprised to see everyone of the Asano Bond which was not away on a journey was there already.

There was plenty of food spread out over several tables, and ponies were enjoying themselves eating and talking with each other. Scanning the room, Ruki spotted Takato, Gurain and Flora at the other side of the room, talking. Ruki instantly hated herself when she realized her heart skipped a beat when Takato looked at her and smiled. Flora and Gurain saw her, too, and Flora’s innocent smile and gesture for Ruki to join them tore her heart apart.

She wanted to apologize to Sakurako, but her friend was already talking with others, so Ruki crossed the room and joined the three.
“Good evening, Ruki.” Flora greeted her.
“Good evening, Flora, Takato. Happy birthday, Gurain.” Ruki greeted them, as normal as she could while her heart beat rapidly.
“Thank you, Ruki.” Gurain smiled.

“Are you completely prepared for your trip tomorrow, Ruki?” Flora asked with a smile.
“Eh, yes… I’ve got everything. We’ll… be fine, like always.” Ruki stammered, not daring to look at the beautiful woman that was Takato’s fiancée.

“I’m really thankful to you, Ruki… you’re such a great help to Takato. You’re always accompanying him on his hard journeys without complaining. As it is not something I can do, I am really grateful that you can,” Flora said, and Ruki did not know where to look.
“T…thank you… I guess.” Ruki stammered.
Overcome with guilt, Ruki wished she hadn’t come to the party. She usually tried to avoid Flora, but now she hadn’t had a choice, and look where it got her.

“No need to be shy, Ruki. You’re a great help to all of us. Now, Flora, isn’t it about time?” Takato said with his usual kind but commanding voice.
“Ah, yes…” Flora said as if she was realizing something. Both Gurain and Ruki had no idea what was going on when Flora walked away from them.

“May I have your attention, please.” They heard Flora’s voice coming from another corner of the room. The room fell silent as everyone’s attention turned towards Flora.
“In celebration of our friend Gurain’s birthday, I have prepared a song on the violin. It is an old song, and in the past it was used as a melody that played while ponies told each other myths and fairy tales.”

Ruki was surprised, she had no idea Flora was able to play the violin. A gorgeous dark wooden violin appeared from the case that stood next to Flora. She sat down, and began to play.

The soft tunes of the song filled the room, and Ruki was completely absorbed in the image of Flora. She looked so… feminine, much more so than she could ever do. While everyone else had their eyes closed to absorb the beautiful music as much as they could, Ruki found herself unable to even blink. Flora, playing her violin, was so incredibly beautiful, that Ruki did not want to miss one moment of it.