Kitsune of the Blue Sun

Chapter 104- Introducing Ortlinde to the others.

[Keeno POV]

After leaving the manor, we found a bewildering sight. Rows upon rows of soldiers from this city all lined up on their knees, looking like they were waiting for their execution.  Beside me, Emma falters a little while looking at all these people.

“Ugh.” (Emma)

“Overwhelming at first, isn’t it?” (Keeno)

“You see like this all the time?” (Emma)

“Since I was 10. Though I got brief glimpses before then.” (Keeno)

“…” (Emma)

“Like I said, you get used to it.” (Keeno)

While we were looking at all of this, Ortlinde was hiding behind me, clutching onto one of my tails.  Feeling this, I wrapped her arm in one and we started to walk, Emma on her other side so she could stay somewhat hidden from view.

After leaving the courtyard full of prisoners, we stopped at the gate.

“Huginn, find your sibling.” (Keeno)

Huginn emerged from my free tail and flapped up to my shoulder. Looking at it, I saw the mischievous look in its eye.

“No, ba-” (Keeno)

“CAW!!!!” (Huginn)

“You dumb bird!  That hurt!” (Keeno)

I tried to grab Huginn by it flapped into the air just out of my reach.

“Cawawawawawawaw!” (Huginn)

“Don’t celebrate, you’ll have to come down eventually.” (Keeno)

“…Cawawawawawawawawawawawawaw!” (Huginn)

“Pfft.” (Ortlinde)

“That was quite funny, my Lady.” (Emma)

I was about to reply when I heard a caw come from a bit away from us. Looking up, Huginn started to fly in that direction and we followed. Several minutes later, we found Pram, Freya, and Muninn surrounded by people laying on the ground, most in good condition while others were still injured and waiting to be healed.  Muninn flew down and landed on Freya’s shoulder.

“I have several questions, but they can wait, why do you look so pissed?” (Freya)

“My damn bird nearly ruined my hearing.” (Keeno)

“So that’s why it’s flying around up there still.” (Freya)

“More importantly, how did things go on your end?  We heard a little from Sigurd, but not all the details.” (Pram)

“Lord of the city is dead. Preferred that to surrendering peacefully. Going to leave some people here to watch the place while we go back to base.” (Keeno)

“Alright. As long as we don’t set out now. I need to finish up here.” (Pram)

“My guess is we’ll leave in a few days, tomorrow at the soonest.” (Keeno)

“Give me two, I’ll be done by then.” (Pram)

“You’ll have more than that, Pram. The way Sigurd handles these things is we take a week to rest before moving back to base. The border forts were an exception.” (Emma)

“Perfect.” (Pram)

Pram continued to heal people while we stood watch over her until she was nearly out of mana.  We then helped her up and brought her over to where we would be resting for the time being.  Thankfully, Sigurd had us set up in a place where we could be alone and go unheard by the rest of the rebels and citizens of the city.

“Now, it’s time for introductions.  Pram, Freya, Muninn, this is Ortlinde, the newest member to our little family.” (Keeno)

“H-hello.” (Ortlinde)

“It’s nice to meet you, Ortlinde.  I’m Pram, Okami’s best friend.” (Pram)

“Freya, Pram’s lover.” (Freya)

“Caw!” (Muninn)

“Um…are you going to let the other pretty bird inside?” (Ortlinde)

“That’s Huginn, and not at the moment, no.  If I do that, it won’t be a punishment.” (Keeno)

Huginn tapped on the window with its beak, wanting to come in, but I just ignored it.

“Bird aside, what question do you want to ask, Freya?” (Keeno)

“What happened to Emma, what’s Ortlinde’s story, and how much does she know?” (Freya)

“In reverse order, she doesn’t know much, though she is going to learn in a moment. We found her in the lord’s chambers, waiting for that disgusting pig to have his way with her, I don’t know the full story, but from the small bits she’s said, she needs a real family, and we’re going to be it. And Emma met the requirements, so she’s now a Valkyrie.” (Keeno)

“I for one like the changes.  I’ve never felt so light and strong. Though I kind of wish I could turn this soul sight thing off.  By the way Pram, you’re so shiny and bright, it’s a bit blinding.” (Emma)

“Focusing on it less helps.” (Keeno)

“I’ll do my best.” (Emma)

“Um…what am I supposed to be learning?” (Ortlinde)

“Since you’re a part of the family now, you’re going to learn several things, some of which will take a while for you to process, mostly about the world at large.  First things first though, my full name is Keeno Okami. I’d like you to call me Okami in public, but privately, like now, Keeno is fine.” (Keeno)

After explaining my circumstances to Ortlinde, we moved onto telling her about the world outside of Falheim.  She absorbed the first part reasonably well, though after explaining about the world, it was like her brain started to overheat and she fell asleep with an exhausted look.

“Alright, now that Ortlinde is asleep, Ama, what happened on your end?” (Keeno)

{Right.  A part of my home here has changed.  I think that means that that specific part is a piece of your claim, Keeno.  It didn’t change much, and I can still change that place to whatever like usual, but there are parts that stay there, regardless of what I want.  That being a large round table with eleven chairs around it.  I have a feeling I know what it’s for, but I need to test it, so will you do me a favor and ask Red to come here?}

“Got it, give me a second.” (Keeno)

I closed my eyes and focused on my connection with Red.

“Hey Red.” (Keeno)

‘Big sis…Keeno!’ (Red)

“How are you?” (Keeno)

‘Red is…good!  Mother has been…pampering Red…a lot…and Vanir things…are calming down…some.’ (Red)

“That’s good, and I’m happy you’re being taken care of so well.  Now, there is something I need you to do.” (Keeno)

‘Anything for you…big sis Keeno.’ (Red)

“Ama said there was a change in her place and has a theory about it, but you are the only one at the moment who knows how to get there, so can you go and check it out?” (Keeno)

‘Nn…Red can do it…Oh…did Red get…another sister?  Red felt…a strange feeling…earlier.’ (Red)

“Two actually, though one isn’t another Valkyrie.” (Keeno)

‘Yay…Red’s family…continues to get…bigger.’ (Red)

With that, my conversation with Red stopped for a second as I felt it get fuzzy.

“Eh?  This isn’t…Red’s normal spot.” (Red)

{Hello Red.}

“Big sis…Rasu!” (Red)

{Yes, yes, come here you cute little thing.}

“Uheeeee~” (Red)

{It’s as I suspected Keeno; this place is for your Apostles to come.  Emma, I’ll teach you how to come here later and you can meet Red.  We should continue with our findings from today.}

“Pat and hug Red lots for us too, Ama.” (Keeno)

{That was the plan.}

I nodded and then Pram asked a question.

“What else is there to talk about?” (Pram)

“This.” (Keeno)

I pulled out the dragon scale from my ring and put it on the table between us.  Just looking at it made me upset, but I pushed those feelings down so we could continue.

“Apparently, the king of this country has divvied up Fafnir’s scales to the nobles of this country as proof of nobility.  The mongrel is using my ancestor as petty trinkets that decorate the walls of more mongrels.  I can’t stand this…this…this desecration.  He, and the Prince that is collecting them as either trophies or whatever have gone past where I am willing to let go.  I’m sure Fafnir will also agree once I figure out a way to meet with her again, but I’m telling all of you this because I need you all to help hold me back before I do something I will regret.” (Keeno)

“What do you mean?” (Freya)

“I plan on disposing of the Prince and king, but I can’t get rid of the Prince too early.  We need his rebel army just as much as they need us, but I don’t trust myself to be able to reliably hold myself back when we add all the extra influences on me while we’re here in Falheim as well as my own personality.” (Keeno)

“So basically, you want at least one of us with you at all times when we’re anywhere near the Prince?” (Pram)

“Pretty much.” (Keeno)

“Got it.  We can do that, though if he ever, for some reason, wants to speak with you alone and you are in a position you can’t refuse, what do we do?” (Pram)

{Just be nearby.  I’ll tell you if you need to intervene and you can do so in any way you deem necessary at that time.}

“Sounds good then.” (Pram)

Over the next hour or so, we hammered out more concrete details over the plan of keeping me in check until we had something solid.  It was then that we decided to call it a day and moved to go to sleep.

Chaos Realm:

Keeno: Ok, so that’s the Paladin Plan in full?

Luna: Yep.  Have Sigurd and Ortlinde a part of it as well as any other people you decide to pull into your family.  They may not all be Apostles, but they’ll be close enough.

Amaterasu: Hmm.  If we combine my Blessing of Life and Keeno’s eventual Blessing of Death, they can be effectively immortal as well, though once that get’s out we’ll have to have a very thorough screening process to find people who genuinely want to join and those who only want the immortality.

Luna: That’s where you two come in.  You’ve said yourself that Keeno will get the ability to see through lies and stuff, so that includes seeing people’s intentions as well.  Just use that since it’s ultimately up to the two of you who gets to be a part of the Order.

Keeno: Then it’s settled.  Now, Payto, I need to ask you something.

Hmm?

Keeno: Are you allowed to tell me how to meet with Fafnir again, or does that count as interfering with my life to much?

…I don’t think so, and I know Amaterasu doesn’t know.

Amaterasu: Yep, not a clue.  I’ve never dealt with Spirit Realms too much since they aren’t under any of my Authorities.

They are, actually, since they have something to do with souls, but never mind that for now.  Keeno, it’s actually extremely simple, you just need to find the connection you have with Fafnir and latch onto it.  Then you should be able to go to her Spirit Realm and back whenever you want until the Spirit Realm no longer exists.

Keeno: I see, thanks.  I’m gonna go do that, so see y’all again at some point.

Luna: See ya.

Adios.

Amaterasu: See you next Solar Convergence.

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