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The Crafted picture spread across Vaugarde near and far. It arrived at Jouvente the day after the King took Dormont a picture of a frowning, determined woman with big hair and a blaze in her eyes.
It was supposed to be a threat, the Defenders assumed, with the Kingsmen parading it around and pointing to it viciously. “If anyone houses this Housemaiden, we will find out, and they will be severely punished!” The Kingsmen bellowed down the streets before taking their horses and fleeing the streets.
Isabeau couldn’t wait until the orders were approved to track down the Kingsmen’s nearest encampment and take them down. It was taking longer than he thought it would, but he was a patient guy. He could wait!
His commanding officer kept telling him it was coming. These things just took time! In the meantime, keep doing what he was supposed to be doing. Stop robberies, save cats, help kids and old ladies cross the road.
Easy!
There was no itch bubbling up underneath Isabeau’s skin, no need to get out there and fight! He could totally keep the peace in Jouvente while a war was starting to boil into being.
It wasn’t frustrating at all.
Neither was on gate duty with orders to let the Kingsmen enter without issue. They had to pretend to be welcoming until they could properly take them out. They had to pretend, be the perfect hosts.
Just the idea of it made Isabeau frustrated, but, again. He could wait.
He was so good at waiting. It’d be worth it in the end, wouldn’t it? Just. Patience. So much patience. He was so good at patience.
Five days after the King took over the world, Isabeau was wrapping up his usual twelve hour shift at the gate, ready to finally kick rocks and go collapse on his nice, warm, inviting bed, when a familiar looking woman stumbled up to the gate.
Her fingers twisted into fists at her side, eyes blown wide but eyebrows furrowed, sticks in her hair and mud creeping up her petticoat, Isabeau recognized her in an instant.
“You’re the Saviour Housemaiden!” He realized in delight, taking a step towards her. She flinched, and he stepped back. “Sorry, sorry. I’m just. . . so glad to see you! You must’ve had a long journey!”
“I. Did.” She said hesitantly, frowning at him. “How do you know what I look like?”
“Your face is everywhere! The King sent out a crafted image of you everywhere, and the Kingsmen have been showing it to everyone.” Isabeau chuckled. “It’s kind of hard to not know you.”
“Oh.” The Housemaiden’s eyebrows furrowed, deep in thought. No doubt crafting a strategy now that she knew she was well-known and could no longer travel in secret. “The Kingsmen are already here?”
“Yeah. They’ve been threatening us a bunch, but they’re gone for the day!” Isabeau scoffed, and then grinned at her. “But now that you’re here, they won’t stand a chance! We’re going to win this.”
“Right.” She said slowly. “Of course.”
Isabeau looked at the empty road behind her. “You don’t have a party yet. . . ?”
“No.” She said, jutting up her chin. “Nobody in Dormont has the skills or courage that I need. I was hoping Jouvente’s Defenders would lend me a hand.”
Oh, crab yes!
There was definitely an itch now, a fire burning deep in his soul, excitement to finally get out there and do something! Too much time waiting, not enough action!
Isabeau was so glad that the Kingsmen had finished their business for the day, or else this would be awful and disastrous. “Yes! Yes! Housemaiden, I’ll take you right there, right now! Perret, you’ve got it from here?”
His relief bobbed their head, waving him away. “Yup. I’ve got it, Moineau. You’ll want to be quick. Who knows when the Kingsmen are going to get back.”
“They’re right,” Isabeau said, holding out a hand towards her again. “Come on, Housemaiden! We’ve got to go!”
She hesitated, staring at his hand, and Isabeau suddenly felt very foolish. She had already cowered away the first time he made a move, why would this time be any different? Besides, was he really treating her like she was some pedestrian he was helping across the cobblestone roads?
She was the Chosen One, the Saviour of Vaugarde, and he was offering her aid like some common folk?
And then the Housemaiden was grabbing his hand and wrapping her arms around his bicep, nodding firmly. “Right. There’s no time to waste, is there?”
Oh, thank Change she was taking it in stride. That would’ve been embarrassing.
Even more embarrassing was realizing that he was guiding her through the city without a scrap of precaution. Yes, the Kingsmen should be gone, but there could be stragglers, or they could have spies!
It was dangerous to be walking in plain sight. He could’ve at least disguised her!
Isabeau guided her to the first ally they came to.
“Wh-what?!” The Housemaiden squeaked. “What are you doing?! I know Craft–!”
“Sorry!” Isabeau responded, immediately realizing what it probably looked like to her. “I promise, it’s not anything bad! I just realized, you. Um. Should probably have a disguise.”
The Housemaiden’s bristle faded, and she stared at him, eyes roving over his face before nodding shortly. “Oh. I guess so? Wait, why? I thought you said they were gone.”
“Well,” Isabeau began, shrugging off his defender jacket and bundling it around the Housemaiden’s shoulders. “Like I said, your face is everywhere, and you’re even wearing the same clothes, and I know there’s probably some. . . pretty rotten people out there that would tell the Kingsmen you’re here.”
“Oh.” The Housemaiden swallowed, slipping through her arms through the sleeves and fumbling to zip it up. The size of the jacket enveloped her, but at least it hid most of her outfit from view. She grabbed the hood and flipped it up over her hair and ribbon, and frowned up at him. “Is this good?”
“Yeah.” Isabeau gave her a thumbs-up. “That should stop anyone from trying to rat on us! Good disguise, Housemaiden!”
“Thank you for looking out for me.” She said with a small smile. “I’m. . . Mirabelle.”
“I’m Isabeau.” He responded aptly, taking her offered hand and shaking it. “It’s good to meet you!”
Her grip was stronger than he imagined it would be, and when he looked, her smile had grown. “It’s good to meet you too, Isabeau.”
Isabeau released her hand to start leading her back through the city. Even though he had only just met her, he couldn’t help hoping that he would be part of the group that got sent to help her. Imagine how cool that would be, to be one of Madame Saviour’s Defenders, one of the heroes of Vaugarde!
That would look good on his list of accomplishments. He could get whatever deployment he wanted, after that!
It helped that she seemed kinder than he had imagined she would be. He had been imagining a tough Housemaiden, angry and brittle, but. . . Tough as she was, she seemed like she would be really nice in different circumstances.
Isabeau would happily swear himself over, not just to protecting Vaugarde, but to helping her.
(>)
They reached the Defender’s House in a matter of minutes. Mirabelle stayed in the lobby, bundled up and studying some Crafted pictures of the highest ranking divisions as Isabeau moved to the messenger at the front desk. “Can you get Chief Prevost for me? I’ve got the Housemaiden Saviour with me!”
The messenger, Gregoire, gave one quick nod, rapping their knuckles against Levasseur’s shoulder as they scampered off.
Isabeau returned to sit next to Mirabelle as she twisted the edges of the jacket between her fingers. When he came back, she managed to flash him a smile, and smoothed out the edges.
“You’ve probably had a long journey, huh?” Isabeau mused. He waited for her nod, and then continued, “When’s the last time you’ve eaten?”
“I’ve. . . been eating a lot of berries.” Mirabelle admitted. “I took a Wilderness Survival class at the House, so I knew what to look for to make sure they weren’t poisonous, and. . . That’s all.”
That wasn’t very balanced.
At Isabeau’s frown, she scrambled, waving her hands urgently. “I know! I know that’s not great! But I wasn’t staying in one place long enough to set traps! I tried visiting a few towns, but then I thought about it, and with the King freezing everything, I would feel bad about accepting food from people, especially since there’s no way they would know about me–”
“But everyone does.” Isabeau frowned.
“I know that now! Because the King sent. . .” Mirabelle looked away from him, shaking her head. “. . . I didn’t know that. And! And why would you all even still trust me? Just because I’m an escaped Housemaiden–!”
“The King’s picture also has a short description.” Isabeau told her. “I might be able to find a copy to show you later. But it says you can resist the King’s curse, you know? So you must be blessed by the Change God!”
“It says that?” Mirabelle blinked.
“Well, not the last bit, but everyone knows that’s what it must mean!”
“. . . Yes. . .” Mirabelle said softly, and then perked up, nodding firmly at him. “Yes! That’s it exactly! I– I didn’t know people would figure it out!”
Isabeau chuckled, relieved that she wasn’t upset by it. “I mean, it’s kind of obvious, isn’t it?”
“Well– yes! But I thought people would just think it’s a Crafted Blessing! Especially since the Change God is such a lazy deity!”
“Well, this was clearly important to it!” Isabeau shrugged, grinning at her. “It wants to protect its followers. I sure don’t find anything weird with that!”
Mirabelle’s returning smile was strained, and Isabeau understood. She thought she had an edge, and just found out that she didn’t. Since the King and his men already knew, that meant she had lost that surprise.
Well, the King wouldn’t see Mirabelle coming with a collection of Defenders, that was for sure! They just had to get through the meeting that would doubtlessly be summoned in her honor.
Easy!
(>)
Isabeau was allowed to sit in on the assembly, being who brought Mirabelle at all. He sat on one of the chairs near the door as Mirabelle stood in the center of the room, surrounded by the semicircle table, filled with the highest ranking Defenders. The chiefs of the division, the CMC, a few officers who decided to come. . .
It was quite the gathering.
Isabeau had such high hopes that it meant they were going to get a lot of help. Lots of decisions being made today!
“Speak, Housemaiden.” One of the Chiefs that Isabeau didn’t know the name of prompted.
“I am Mirabelle, Housemaiden of Change, from the House of Dormont.” Mirabelle announced, hands in tight fists at her side as she stared up at the Board of Defenders. “I. . . I am blessed by the Change God, given the power to defy the King’s curse and to defeat him!”
The Defenders began to shift among themselves, watching her intently.
“I have come a long way to ask for your aid.” Mirabelle continued. “While I have the power to defeat the King, I do not have the strength to reach him. I am asking you to lend your skills, to help me track down the five orbs, use them to reopen the House of Dormont, to take the House back, and to defeat the King!”
They didn’t say anything, still watching, still waiting.
“I might not be particularly strong.” She admitted, “but I have the power to protect us! I can make sure we stay safe, and we can take back our Country! We can make sure nothing else gets frozen!”
They shuffled.
Isabeau watched Chief Prevost lean over and mutter something into the Command Master Chief’s ear, the latter nodding thoughtfully and then withdrawing.
Mirabelle stood, still staring up at them. Even as far back as he was, Isabeau could see the determination oozing off of her.
“Housemaiden Mirabelle,” the CMC said, folding his hands in front of him. “I respect your courage. But. . . we cannot aid you in this.”
“What?” Mirabelle’s voice broke in sync with Isabeau’s heart.
“We are in a tight enough situation as it is.” The CMC admitted. “The Kingsmen are breathing down our neck. They’re watching us closely, and have told us that if we harbor you, if we aid you in your travels. . . they will destroy Jouvente. We are not strong enough to stop them.”
What?
What? That’s not what they told Isabeau at all.
They were biding their time! They had a plan to take down the Kingsmen!
How could they have no plan at all? They were the Defenders, not just of Jouvente, but of Vaugarde! They couldn’t just be giving up.
They were. . . letting the Kingsmen walk all over them? Terrorize Jouvente because they were too cowardly to do anything?
Isabeau was a coward himself. He knew how cowards thought, but at least he was brave enough to face that fear! They were rolling over like dogs, bellies up, ready to be stabbed.
How could they be so cruel?!
“If we can’t even fend off our own problem,” the CMC continued, “how are we supposed to help you defeat many more Kingsmen, and then the King himself? We are too weak, Housemaiden. I am sorry. I wish we could do more.”
Mirabelle's shoulders turned rigid. “No, you don’t! If you have a wish, there’s a way. You’d rather stay here in Jouvente and face the end as cowards! The curse will reach here, and what will you do then?! You’ll be frozen! You’ll be dead!”
“We have faith in you. If we’re frozen, you’ll bring us back.” The CMC told her, voice level like he hadn’t just said the most cowardly thing ever. “If we’re killed, there’s nothing anyone can do. Housemaiden Mirabelle, you can save us, but only if we do not help.”
Mirabelle hissed in a harsh breath, giving a jerking nod. “Fine, then. Thank you for listening.” And then she was pivoting on her heel and marching away.
What is wrong with you? Isabeau thought, glaring up at the Defenders. But, he was just as big of a coward as them. He couldn’t say anything like that.
Instead, he spun around and ran after her. He couldn’t just let her go alone! He had to help, he must help! He would do his part, do what the Defenders wouldn’t. He was not going to let the Saviour do this by herself.
. . . She didn’t even have a party yet.
“Wait!” He cried as he caught sight of her back, quickly retreating down the halls. “Wait, Housemaiden– Mirabelle!”
She slowed her step. Didn’t stop fully, but slowed down to a pace where he could keep up with her. She turned her face away from him when he reached her side, not looking up at him. “Oh. . . Isabeau.”
She sounded awful, like she had already started crying. Isabeau couldn’t blame her in the slightest.
Mirarbelle must’ve realized that her sobs were obvious, because she sniffled deeply and scrubbed at her face furiously, shaking her head. “S-sorry! I’m. . . I didn’t think they would. . . I’m fine! I’m okay!”
Oh.
Oh, her confidence this whole time. . . Isabeau could hear it in the way her voice shook.
“Hey, woah,” Isabeau scrambled, putting a clumsy hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay. I’m so sorry. The fact that they blew you off like that. . . what a bunch of cowards.”
“I can’t– I can’t be angry at them!” Mirabelle sniffled, shivering as she scrubbed her hands over her face. “If I– if I was in their position, I wouldn’t– I wouldn’t be helping, either! I would’ve run, I– I did run! But now I’m the Saviour, and everyone’s looking up to me be-because I’m blessed, I– I guess–!”
“You’re scared.” Isabeau realized. She had been faking it, trying to make it. But there was only so far she could bend before something broke, huh?
“I am!” Mirabelle sobbed. “And now I’m alone! I– I don’t have anything! I don’t have anyone! If even the– the Defenders of Jouvente won’t help me, how– how am I supposed to do– do anything?!”
“Woah, hey.” Isabeau tightened his grip on her shoulder. “I’m a Defender, and I’ll help.”
She blinked, wide, tear-filled eyes turning up to him. “Wh– r-really?!”
“Really! I’m not going to let you do this all by yourself!” Isabeau promised.
Mirabelle. . . crumpled. Shaking hands outstretched towards him, and Isabeau was there in an instant, holding her close. Maybe they weren’t really friends, not yet, but he was a Defender, and his job was to protect her! From anything and everything, including her own emotions.
Man, they were going to hate him forever for quitting without warning, but Isabeau couldn’t bring himself to care.
They deserved to be angry and hurt for not even trying to protect Vaugarde.
“I’m here for you!” Isabeau announced loudly to her. “And nobody can change that!”
“Thank you!” Mirabelle wept against his chest. “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Isabeau held her tightly. He was going to make sure she actually ate something before they set out. All his careful savings was going to be extracted from the bank to make sure they could eat while on the road.
They were going to get through this. They were going to save Vaugarde if he had anything to say about it.