Fantasizing a war - A Sanders Sides Trilogy

Missing Out

Roman couldn't stop the scowl on his face as he handed Patton a longbow. " 'cause you don't like getting up close..." He mumbled, dropping it in his friends' hands as he turned back to the armoury to find a quiver of arrows.

"Roman, we wish you could come," Logan tried, his eyes betraying how sincere his statement was.

"Yeah, well, I can't you said that yourself. You have your rapier?"

Logan nodded. He shouldn't have felt so attached to it, especially since it was just a sword. But it was the weapon he fought the Dark Knight with before his death. It was one of the first things he saw after his resurrection. It had sentimental value.

Roman grunted. "Good."

"We're sorry you're missing out, kiddo! I wish you could come too!" Patton said, taking the quiver from Roman as his king dumped a sharp bundle of arrows into it. "I bet Virgie would love to see you too!"

The King hesitated at the mention of Virgil. Logan had given up on theorising why they hadn't seen each other in four years, while still remaining in contact. He knew they had remained in contact - Roman had at least five letters opened on his bed at least two weeks ago.

 Roman shook off whatever thought was in his head with a shrug, as he turned back to Patton with a small dagger. "Well, I know you'll find him for me. The dagger's for emergencies. Please don't fire it from your longbow."

Patton giggled. "You know me so well, Ro!"

A sharp cough at the door and the three men turned to face a genderless knight. Joan cleared their throat. "Hey, guys."

"What is it, Joan?" Roman huffed, crossing his arms. He'd been in a foul mood since he had decided not to leave his city.

"I thought I could help," Joan said.

"With what?" Replied Roman.

"Getting Virgil back?"

Roman's' frown sharpened. "How?"

Joan stepped into the room nervously, placing their hand on the back of their neck to hide their awkwardness. "Well, I could help protect Patton and Logan. You don't know what they could be sending them into." They waited for the yes.

"No way."

That wasn't a yes. That wasn't a yes at all. Joan frowned. "Why?"

"Because Virgil hates you. If you find him, he might not want to go back with you.A-And you're the best guard we have!" Roman folded his arms, narrowing his eyes. It was such a Virgil thing to do, Joan almost flinched.

Joan shrugged. "Not any more. Maria arrived with her squadron half an hour ago - a squad of fairies trained to fight is better than one human guard."

Logan nodded, slowly. "Patton and I wouldn't be able to fight off more than two people at a time - Joan has trained to hold off at least five on their own, so that would benefit us and increase our chance of getting out alive."

"Logan, may I remind you that you retired as my advisor. You don't have a voice in my decisions now." Roman said curtly. 

Logan's' eyes narrowed. "If you're still sour about my suggestion, you need to move on."

"Logan, shut up." Snapped their King.

Patton turned his eyes into those found on a sad puppy or kitten. "Roman, that's mean... You know that's just how Logan is! And we'll need Joan. Please can they come with us?"

Roman opened his mouth to reply, before murmuring a reluctant, "Fine. But they already have their weapons. I'll see you guys later and I expect regular updates."

The three nodded at their king and turned to go only to find Philip in the doorway.

"Aw, no, Dad, don't tell me you wanna go too!" Roman groaned although it held more of a joking tone. Recently, Philip had managed to lift Roman's' spirits just by being there.

"Luckily for you, Roman, I'm not all too keen on trekking blindly away from warm beds and the life of getting all my food brought to me." Philip smiled. "I'm here to give your friends a certain someone."

A yellow imp flitted around the corner. Heather McNamara hovered there, injuries healed. "I'm supposed to help you find the others." She said with a small bow.

Patton beamed. "That's great news, Heather! You can rest in my quiver if you want! Don't want you flying everywhere!"

Heather smiled back, flapping over to Patton and perching on the edge of his quiver.

"Well, I guess you should go now..." Roman mumbled, face returning to its sour scowl. "Bring Virge back for me."