Innocent Until Stolen

7. Seishuu

Sitting on the horse behind Seishuu, Nova yawned into her hand. It was early in the morning when the war crumbs sounded. The army slowly formed, into large groups in rows. Seishuu one of Kouen's other guards came to get Nova from the maid's room an hour ago. They had meat once or twice

Nova was felted with a low bow, and a small dagger at her right hip, Seishuu held a long spear and sword at his left hip. Next to their legs on the horse, sat the other two draggers, just in case worse came to worse

Seishuu's long blue tickles her nose each time he moved around ''Nova'' Royo called coming closer, feeling her new armour. The light hair she always had out over her shoulders, was tried back into a tight bun. The green in her eyes popped more with the sun hitting them

Mudads was just after her, his large frame, looking bigger with his own armour on. Seishuu, Royo, Nova, and Mudads matches. Like silver armour, with blue details. It would've taken hours to get one price done

''Who is this?'' ''Seishuu Ri, mama'' ''Please were all long borns here, no need for the titles. You're the son of Seiryuu Ri aren't you?'' ''No, I'm his grandson'' Royo hummed, getting handed her horse by a little stable boy

''Take care of her on that horse'' ''I will'' Mudads grabbed Nova's knee, muttering something of their language in her ear. Her eyes widen, head snapping around. Their nose hit, low growls leaving their throat, hissing words at each other. Seishuu sat still on his horse, trying to not listen in, but each time Kou was brought up he couldn't help but try to understand

When they'll arguing, they didn't notice or listen to the speech the Emperor gave to the people until the soldiers around them started to move ''I will not betray Kou'' ''It will be the death of you'' ''The death of you, if you betray us''

Mudads scoffed moving to the side. Seishuu tapped the side of the horse with his foot, leading just behind the prince's ''What was that about?'' Seishuu whispered making sure Mudads wasn't around anywhere

''Nothing...'' The ride into the large camp was long, hard. A soldier grabbed the reins off Seishuu ''I'll help you down, stay there'' Seishuu uncocked his legs before slipping off the horse. Nova undid her legs, before leaning downwards. Seishuu grabbed her waist. Nova held his shoulders. Being pulled off the horse, she hit the floor lightly

It took the two a bit to walk without their legs shaking, to catch up with the princes. The Emperor walked into a large tent ''Stay here'' Hakuren hissed to the four outside the tent ''Mudad's'' ''Got it'' Royo and Mudad's moved to the back of the tent, Seishuu and Nova staying at the front of the tent

''Nova!'' Nova nearly jumped out of her skin when the Emperor rose his voice. Poping her head into the tent she bowed before looking the Emperor in the eyes ''Come in child'' Stepping fully in, she walked forward only a little bit 

''How old are you?'' Nova thought of her age long and hard ''11-12 sir?'' The Emporer looked at his sons ''She old enough for them to take pity on her'' ''The guards know Nova's face, father'' Hakuern pointed out for the second time

''She can defend herself more than, any of the maids or soldiers. She's perfect for the job'' Kouen muttered mostly to himself ''We can always dye her hair'' In the fair corner sat Kouemi, muttering things as he read his scroll of battle plans

Eyes shot to Koumei than to Nova. Fielding with her fingers, she kept her eyes down. Away from the Emperor's deep blue ones. Seeing his shoes in her vision, she stiffened. He was the man to take her away from her old master. Buying her.

The Emporer placed a hand on Nova's shoulder ''Nova, come closer. You need to see this'' Bringer her closer to the board all became clear ''The last man we sent to map the enemy camp, was shot down and taken'' Hakuyuu muttered ''This is all we have'' He sighed

There were around seven tents on the board ''That's not a lot of information...'' The Emperor nodded rubbing her shoulder lightly. He was a kind man at heart, never wanting to fight unless nessory.  He didn't like to send children on such missions but hearing what Hakuren and Kouen had to say about her, he had to believe she would survive the army of Gou

''it isn't. WE need you to find the armoury, the main tent, and how many soldiers there are'' Nova gulped ''You want me to go into an enemy camp?!'' She tried to hide her shock, but everyone saw the fear weld in her eyes

''Yes. Can you do that for the Kou? This will win us the war, against Gou'' Nova shot her eyes around the Prince's. But they had read the same thing 'Say yes'

And so with a held in a sigh and shaking hands Nova nodded ''I will do it'' The Emporer patted her shoulder ''Kouen go find something to dye her hair'' ''Yes sir'' The Emporer moved around the large board of maps and camp maps 

''You need to be back in two days. If don't, we'll assume you are dead'' The Emporer broke the hard truth ''I understand...'' ''I was given these'' Kouen held a large bag of blackberries and coffee beans

Nova took the bag going through it quickly ''You leave in the morning'' Hakuyuu and the Emporer were fair more similar than Nova had originally thought. But when their stone faces filled with pain looked at her, it all clicked together. They both knew something everyone in the room did not and it was killing them not to say it

Was she going to die? Was this a suicide mission? Or was it something to do with the capital?

''Yes, Emporer'' Nova bowed before leaving ''What was that?'' ''I go into Gou camp tomorrow morning'' ''The enemy camp!?'' ''Shhh'' Nova hissed, standing back where she was before ''Why?'' ''To map it out. I will need help doing my hair'' ''Hair?'' Nova showed him the things she had ''I need to dye it'' 

✧

Early in the morning, she walked out of the ten she shared with Seishuy nad Royo, she played with her black hair ''different?'' ''Every'' Hakuren chuckled swatting down to her height. She wasn't that short against him, he just like to be around eye height with the young girl

''Here. Hide it under your dress'' Nova took the small dagger putting it under her dress ''Don't get killed Nova'' Nova placed a hand on her hip ''I'm unkillable. I won't d--'' ''Promise me'' Nova was taken off guard by his rude snap ''I promise''

Hakuren nodded ''Good luck'' ''Thank you'' Nova didn't waste any time and took off towards the camp, and super speed