Chapter 11: A Quick Spar? A Flying Country!

                                    

                                          
Tired from the long day, the group had decided to rest at the fanciest hotel in La Rochelle, the Goddess' Temple. It was fancy even for a noble. The tables and floor were made from marble so clean, one could see their own face.
Wardes had just come back from the pier. "The ship for Albion leaves the day after tomorrow."
With a worried expression, Louise looked down. "The mission is urgent..."
Kai and the rest let out a sigh of relief. They could relax tomorrow.
Wardes put some keys on the table. "Let's rest for now. Tabitha and Kirche take one room, and Guiche, Saito, and Kai take another."
The three boys stared at each other.
Wardes continued, "Louise and I will share a room."
Hearing that, a tight sensation built up inside Kai's chest.
"It's the obvious arrangement as Louise and I are engaged."
Louise looked at Wardes with shock. "But we can't! We're not even married yet!"
Wardes shook his head. "There is something important that I have to tell you."

Wardes and Louise stayed in the best room in the entire hotel. Wardes sat down at the table, opened a bottle of wine, and poured himself a cup. He gulped it all down at once and said, "Why don't you sit down and have a glass as well, Louise?"
Louise sat down as well. Wardes quickly poured one for her and refilled his own. He raised his cup and yelled, "Cheers!" Louise just held her cup in her hands and bowed her head.
"Did you keep the princess' letter safe?"
Louise patted her pocket, and sure enough, it was still there. I wonder why it's so important. What's in this letter? I think I know a little, but I'm not sure.
Louise nodded. "The letter is still safe. Are you worried that we might not be able to get the letter from the prince?"
"Yes, I am." Wardes sounded distant.
To change the topic, Louise asked, "Do you still remember the promise back then when we were at the lake?"
He nodded. "In the little boat? You would always go there after being scolded by your parents. You were like an abandoned kitten."
"Really? You remember the weirdest things."
Wardes replied happily, "Of course I do. You were always compared to your sisters."
Louise lowered her head in embarrassment.
"But I think that was wrong to do. You are worthless and a failure, but-"
"That's so mean!" Louise's anger started showing itself.
"You have an incredible power that nobody else has."
"You're lying..."
"I wouldn't. For example whenever you use your magic..."
With a red face, Louise continued for him, "I always mess up like when I summoned Kai and Saito..."
"Yes, when Kai picked up that sword the runes on his left hand began to glow. Those runes are legendary."
"Legendary?"
"Yes, those runes belong to the legendary familiar Gandalfr. The familiar that once belonged to Founder Brimir." Wardes' eyes were shining with admiration.
"Gandalfr?"
"But not just anyone can control Gandalfr. You have the magic to control him."
Thinking back on everything that had happened, not just with Kai, but Saito as well, Louise let out a dry laugh. "That's hard to believe."