𝒦𝑒𝑒𝓅𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒴𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒫𝓇𝑜𝓂𝒾𝓈𝑒 | Katsuki Bakugo x OC

Chapter 23 - Arriving at Camp

Ayane

I packed my belongings in the satchel I'd entered these lands in. I could not take any of the gifts Kou had given me. Not when he detests me as much as does.

And so I walk past these stone walls and wooden beams, taking a last sight of the skies from the fortress' perch. With every step I take, a part of my soul chips off, begging to stay. A part of it comes from my family's helm, to which I've decided must be returned to its proper owners. The other part comes from my newfound affections in these lands.

Surely I could have belonged here—amongst the king' guard, between the ladies of court, and right beside Kousuke himself—embracing nature's love and power for my peace. If only I did not take such drastic precautions.

As I venture down the steps and trudge through the bare citadel, I find myself with a new resolve. I've secured my kingdom's rescue and my title against the current monarch and his daughters. Now all that is left is to repay Kousuke's kindness.

In all frankness, the only thing I deem worthy enough to repay is my own life. As if the mighty dragon king would only take my measly, magicless, life.

The wind blows into my face, sending shivers down my spine and gooseflesh erupts along my arms. It is peculiar that I feel such a chill in the genesis of summer.

I glance up at the walls and the towers framing above the large gates open to the town. There were less soldiers protecting the castle it seems. A poor choice if the enemy decided to attack right this moment towards the heart of their country.

I shook my head, looking toward the lanterns twinkling across the canopies of markets and homes—all remnants of the dragon festival days ago. They dance in the summer breeze, the bells tinkling on the thread that held them together, and filling the silence of the barren streets. After all, who'd venture to town in the dead of night.

The marketplace ends where the dragon fountain made of brass and gold stands. The dragon coils around Kou's form and its head is above him with a crinkled snout and a snarl. Kou's expression remains a stagnant frown as I have seen it so many times when he was still learning to trust me.

All of that trust evaporated when he learned my truth from the call of war.

A man in a cloak comes to stand next to me, tossing a coin into the fountain and whispering something under his breath. I glance to my left, noticing the crest embedded on the clasp holding the cloak together.

It is my father's crest from ten winters ago.

"Who are you?" I demand under my breath, not moving in an obvious way so the sparse townsfolk near the pub won't notice.

He does not indulge my query. Instead, he turns to face me, his visor a bright blue I recognize.

"Tobio?" I exhale shakily. "How are you-"

"Not her, milady," He whispers, glancing to the pub and then meeting my gaze. "Follow me, discreetly yet with quick feet. We do not have time."

I nod once, turning away from him and observing the yodeling drunk man thrown out of the pub.

Then I glance back to where Tobio had retreated—into the colorful drapes hung low in an alley—and follow.

He is quick to weave between the thick cloth, flourishing the canvas as he passes each one.

Just as I thought I'd lost him, a hand grabs my arm and pulls me through a door into an abandoned workshop. The lock is clicked shut.

Tobio—Sir Iida in my lands—tips his hood back just enough so I can see his likeness.