Trust pt7~ SilverDown

 

       “Holy shit… Three more dead howlers, hm? There’s someone under…” Something is moved off of you and your eyes snap open, grabbing the man’s wrist. “AHHHH!” He falls back in alarm.
         “Helmeppo! What’s wrong?!” A pink haired knight runs over.
         “ZOMBIE!!!” The blond cries pointing at you as your eyes drift around unfocused.
         “Kid…” You murmur trying to get up but your body only moves slightly.
         “No way… General Smoker! We found a survivor!” The pinkette calls. Your eyes drift to him as more knights approach.  You recognize the insignia on their silver armor and relax.
         “SilverDown…” You whisper as the Silver haired general comes to your side and kneels down.
          “You’re safe now. We’ll take care of you.” He assures, scooping you up gently and standing.  You blink up at him tiredly.  
           “I have to…. Get back to… Them… Yellow rock….” You murmur looking over at one. He follows your gaze.
          “A path….” He mutters carrying you down it. Soon he reaches the field where the wagon had been. “Seems like your friends thought you were dead.”
          “Sir.” A woman’s voice makes him turn around as the knightess picks up two boutiques. You blink at them and let out a relieved breath, smiling slightly and letting your head rest against Smoker’s shoulder.
          “He’s alive.” You murmur before passing out again.

          When you woke again, you find yourself in an infirmary. Sitting up with a groan, you look around,  touching your shoulder.  “Easy,” A gruff voice hums and you look over at the general.  
         “Hello general Smoker.” You recall his name.
         “I’m surprised to see you awake again so soon. Doctor said you lost so much blood that you should’ve died.” He comments sitting back in a chair. “What’s your name?”
          “___.” You answer, looking yourself over, at least all the blood was gone, but you still smelt faintly of death.
          “I heard that name before, belongs to a mercenary over in Shadow Valley. Would that be you?” He inquires. You pause and chuckle lightly.
         “Nah, I’m a servant to the Prince of RedRun.” You tell him. He raises an eyebrow.  
          “And yet we found you under Howler corpses near the Bloody Meadows.” He states. You offer a tight smile in response.  
           “I need to return to the prince now.” You breathe, getting out of bed and pausing. “I need clothes.” You blush lightly wrapping a sheet around yourself.
          “She’ll be here soon, but you’re not going anywhere tonight, I’ll escort you back tomorrow.” Smoker informs you. A frown crosses your lips but you knew there was no arguing. Besides, your body screamed at you enough as it is. You sigh and sit down as the knightess from earlier comes in with new clothes.
          “You’re awake! Hi!” She smiles at you.
          “Hi…” You offer a smile.
          “Here, I brought you clothes, how do you feel?” She asks handing you clothes and blushing lightly as you start to dress. “W-Wait! The general is still present!” She gasps.
           “I don’t care.” You and Smoker both state together.  You finish dressing and look back at the general.  
          “We’re in SilverDown?” You guess. He gives a nod looking at you.
          “I’m not showing you around.  You need to lay down and relax.” He frowns.
          “I want new weapons before I go, SilverDown is supposed to have a great blacksmith.” You murmur.
         “Oh? What kind of weapons are you looking for?” The woman asks. You look over at the table where your weapons sat. Your bow was snapped in half, and your dagger chipped at the tip. She follows your gaze. “I could get those replaced tonight.” She offers.
        “I don’t know…” You start with a frown.
        “Let her, she’s a weapon fanatic, she’ll find you the best.” Smoker hums. You glance back at him before giving Smoker a nod.
        “I’d also like another dagger to give the prince as a gift, could you find something for him too?” You ask rubbing your cheek.
        “Sure thing!” She chimes before heading out. You yawn lightly, glancing at Smoker.
        “Going to sleep again?” He guesses.  
        “I might as well since you insist.” You grumble.  
        “It’s over a half day’s journey back to your kingdom. You’re going to need your rest now.” He responds.  “Sleep well ___.”
        “Thanks for saving me.” You yawn, laying down, wincing slightly.  
        “It was nothing…”

        “Here Little Howler,” Kid tosses it a strawberry.  
         “Kid, you should really be eating…” Killer frowns lightly.
         “Im not hungry.” Kid scoffs.
         “Your majesty, the princess of Narlum will be here tomorrow.” Another servant speaks up.
         “And?” Kid tosses her a glare, “Don’t stand there, get lost.” He growls. The servant straightens in surprise before hastily leaving. Killer frowns more now, he wasn’t sure what to say, he felt… Blank.
         “Kid… It’s late,” He murmurs. Kid frowns, giving the howler the rest of his food before getting up and heading to his room. Killer follows after him, sitting in front of the prince’s door after he goes in. The head guard he removes his helmet, looking at the rising moon that appears in the window across from him. He didn’t believe you were gone, in fact, he was angry that Law and Kid didn’t make sure. He didn’t say anything though, they both were so depressed when they returned.
          Kid opens the window, sitting on the window seal and looking out with a frown. He hated this feeling, things had to change here so something like this wouldn’t happen again. So he wouldn’t lose another loyal follower. His fists tighten and he grits his teeth. “Let the traitors come, I’ll cut them all down. I’ll be king, and make them all fear me.” He hisses.

          “These are great, I’ll definitely fight better with these.” You smile, looking over your new weapons “And I’m sure the Prince will like this.” You peer at the red jewelled golden dagger.
          “I’m glad you like them! I wish you’d stay, I don’t get to meet a great female fighter often.” Tashigi smiles.
          “But you see one in the mirror everyday.” You comment. She pauses before giggling sheepishly.  
          “Alright, come on, if we wait any longer we will have to stop for the night.” Smoker tells you going to the door.  
          “Right behind you.” You hum before saying goodbye to Tashigi and following the general out to the stables. He helps you up onto one of the rent horses and you both head out. “I feel kind of special, a General escorting me.”
          “Well, not many can survive a night in Howler territory. You’ve been through enough hell to be travelling alone.” He responds.  You peer at him and smile a bit.
           “Hell’s right… I kept having flashbacks when I was sleeping… I knew they’d be vicious but….” You touch your shoulder with a frown. “I wasn’t prepared in the least… I’m surprised that I’m alive.”
           “That’s some kind of godly luck.” He agrees. You share a look with him.
           “Can we speed up? I already wish to be there.” You tell him.  
          “That’s going to be painful.” He warns.
         “I’ll deal with it.” You breathe before urging the horse into a gallop. Smoker keeps up, making sure you didn’t fall off or anything.  
        As Smoker had predicted, the sun was beginning to sink down when you reach Kid’s kingdom.  He stops before the gates and you look back at him. “We’ll part ways here. It was nice to meet you.” He smiles slightly.  
        “It was an honor to meet you, have a safe journey home Smoker. And thank you for everything.” You smile back, getting off the horse and handing him the reigns before entering town and starting for the castle.
          The guards at the castle doors seemed taken aback as you come up the steps, out of breath. “ Let me enter.” You tell them. They swiftly nod, opening the doors. Upon entering, you smell food and smile a bit, going to the dining hall and stepping inside.  Kid’s back was on you, as well as Killer, Law’s gaze was on his plate but he wasn’t touching his food. On the other end sat the beautiful princess you just remembered them mentioning.  
           “What’s wrong my prince? Why aren't you eating?” The princess inquires.  
           “I’m not hungry.” Kid responds flatly. You blink and frown at that.
           “How can you not be hungry when everything smells so good?” You question making the people closest to you freeze. Killer spins about, before suddenly tackle hugging you. “Okay! Ow Killer!” You gasp.
           “I knew you were alive! Oh ___! My sweet friend…” He breathes not releasing you. You smile and hug him back.
           “It was really close this time.” You murmur, looking over as Law comes over, touching your cheek and looking you over in sheer amazement.
          “How…?” He breathes.  
          “I hid under a few bodies… Sorry for making you think I was dead.” You frown.  “I couldn’t really move until noon yesterday.” Guilt comes to his face.
         “I’m so sorry… I should’ve-“ He breaks off, looking down. Before you can move to comfort him, Kid catches your gaze. He offers a relieved smile, pulling your head into his chest.
         “You… Are something else ___.” He whispers.  
         “What’s the meaning of this?” The princess’s demand makes you all look over. “Who is this woman? You do realize you’re supposed to be asking me to marry you, right?” She stamps her foot.
         “Why the hell would I want to marry a brat? You can’t even feed yourself.” Kid huffs. You snicker at that and she glares at you while Kid blinks in surprise at you.
          “Who do you think you are laughing at me?!” She shouts.
          “I’m ___, the prince’s head servant. And I believe it’s time for you to leave before you lose anymore face.” You give a slight bow. Kid chuckles as the princess’s face turns red with rage and embarrassment that a servant was being cheeky with her.
           “Sounds right to me. Get the hell out of my kingdom.” Kid rumbles.
           “You’re taking some broken servant’s side?! Are you-“ She stops when Kid points his sword at her. Her royal guard jump up, moving to block the shocked princess.
           “I said. Get the fuck out.” The Prince snarls angrily,  surprising you. The princess pales slightly but scoffs and storms out with her men. Kid relaxes, sheathing his sword before looking at you. “Now that the headache is gone lets eat.” He hums.
           “Sounds good, I’m hungry.” You smile before sitting at his right hand. “Sanji! Can I have a drink please?” You call and cough slightly.
           “Are you okay?” Law asks in concern.
           “I’m alright, didn’t talk much on the way here.” You smile sheepishly.  
           “I think this is the most I’ve seen you smile.” Kid comments.
           “Well.. After the last time I saw you guys… Im just happy to be back. And away from there.” You breathe rubbing your cheek. He and Law pause and drop their gazes just before Sanji collides into you teary eyed.
            “They said you were dead ___!” He gasps hugging you.
            “Heh, trust me, I thought I was too, until I scared the hell out of a SilverDown Knight.” You chuckle patting his back.
            “SilverDown?” Kid raises an eyebrow.  
            “Yeah, they found me while scouting the meadow and took me to their kingdom to get patched up. Which reminds me…” You present the jeweled dagger to him. “For you.” He blinks and takes it gingerly.
            “You… Got me a gift?” He murmurs.  
            “Sorry for smacking you, twice before I went off. You rub your neck. He looks at you but doesn’t really say anything other than a thank you as he transfers it to his belt.
            After dinner,  you follow him to his door where he stops and turns to you. “Are… You going to sleep out here again?” He asks with a slight frown.
           “Yes,” You answer simply.  
           “Just come sleep next to the window, you’ll catch a cold sleeping on the floor.” He tells you, moving to the side. You blink at him before nodding.  
           “Alright,” You hum before going to the window seat and crawling onto it. “Goodnight your majesty.”
           “… You can call me Kid when it’s just us… And ___,” He breathes, pulling the sheet over you. You give a questioning hum. “Thank you.” You blink in surprise, watching his shape as he moves to his bed.
          “It’s no problem…. Kid.”