Life as a Chocobo Knight was a litter harder than I'd expected but having grown up around the large yellow birds, I felt right at home. Even though I was second in command of the unit it did take me a while to earn the respect of my subordinates. After two months they finally seemed to have accepted me among their ranks, thanks in no small part to the numerous times the captain had stood up for me. At first I couldn't understand why they would want to bring in an outsider for a position of leadership but as I watched them practice day after day I realized that they were a very tight knit group. To promote one out of their ranks and make them their superior officer would have been almost cruel.
Today was a fairly light day, as far as my duties went. The soldiers were on an independent training exercise. Captain Lucil was a brilliant commander but she didn't want her troops to depend on her too much, so she would occasionally send them off on training missions specifically without her, in case she were to fall in battle. Sometimes I would accompany them on these missions and some times I would remain behind as well. It was those few rare occasions when the captain and I had the camp all to ourselves that I had begun to treasure. There were times when I wondered if she didn't specifically set up that training exercise to give us time to ourselves.
Unfortunately, Lucil seemed to be in a very foul mood today and I'd forced myself to temper my excitement. I didn't want to get my hopes up too high, only the have to wait another full month's rotation to have her to myself. Also, an inspector was arriving today to check the condition of the Chocobo stalls while they were empty. Which meant that my chances of getting a bit of... quality time, were slim to none. It was already getting late and the inspector still wasn't here yet.
"Elma." A quiet voice caught my attention and I turned from my aimless wanderings of the camp to the HQ tent. Lucil stood in the entryway, one hand holding back the thick cloth that served as a doorway. "You know a courier came by the camp this morning." I nodded, even if it wasn't really necessary. "The inspector requested that the camp be completely empty in anticipation of this arrival." The edge of worry to her voice left no doubts that this strange message was the source of her foul mood. Why did he need the camp to be completely empty...? Well, it wasn't really my place to worry. Though, it was Lucil's place and I could tell that she had been worrying. "I'm going to reconnoiter the southern cliffs. Would you care to join me, lieutenant?"
I saluted, though mostly out of habit. Lucil was a stickler for maintaining protocol, with the exception of when the two of us were alone. She favored me with a faint, amused smile and disappeared into the headquarters to retrieve her sword and a few other supplies needed for a scouting mission. Realizing that I probably should do the same I made my way back to my own tent. Following Lucil's advise of two months ago I now carried a small stock of elemental spell items with me whenever entering a possibly dangerous situation, as well as several potions and cures for various status ailments. While the base here in the Calm Lands didn't have a Fiend Run for us to practice at, there were enough fiends roaming across the plains to give us plenty of exercise. I didn't really feel any need to hurry as I made my way to the Chocobo stables. We had set up camp in the gorge for the time being but the Chocobo Knights were a mobile group and we could be ordered to back up and move at any time. In fact, rumor had it that a large operation was in the works and the Knights were going to be asked to help out. I couldn't help but wonder if this mysterious inspector had something to do with that rumor.
Lucil still hadn't made it to the stables when I arrived so I began to saddle our mounts. Since joining the unit I had made a few changes in my armor to suit my new mounted battle style. One thing I had added to my armor was a wide brown leather headband to keep my hair out of my eyes. Also, I had gotten rid of my old full chest plate in favor of a half plate that only covered my upper body. I understood now why Lucil favored a more flexible leather jerkin over plate mail. Trying to lean down low over one's Chocobo in order to reach a full gallop could be almost painful with a full metal plate digging into your stomach and sides. The only knight who did still wear full mail was our newest recruit, Clasko. While he did have a good way with the animals he was a very inept warrior. He struck me as the type that would be happier raising Chocobos than fighting astride one.
I felt a light touch on my shoulder and then a hand trailed along my lower back. I turned to have my chin captured in one gentle hand and I felt warm lips pressed against mine. I closed my eyes, melting at this unexpected affection. A moment later she was gone, however and I opened my eyes to see her calmly leading her Chocobo out of the stables. I shook my head faintly, wondering if I'd simply imagined the brief contact. She stopped and looked over her shoulder at me, frowning slightly. I nearly jumped and realized I was supposed to be following her. I grabbed the reins of my own mount and lead it as well out of the stables.
She had already mounted her Chocobo by the time I made it out of the stables and I hurried to follow suit. As soon as I was situated on the back of my war bird, Lucil set off without a word. I followed quietly, by now I was used to these periods of pensive silence. I knew she cared deeply about her troops; that was part of what made her a great leader. However at times I couldn't help but wonder if maybe she didn't care too much. Each and every one was special to her, the loss of but one would hurt her gravely. If she had heard the same rumors I had, or perhaps some top secret official word...
We rode out of the gorge and out onto the plains. I had never been to this place before joining the Knights and I remember being over awed by the large rip in the ground. It was a sobering reminder of the massive power of Sin and the Aeons used to battle it. Ever since I was a small child I'd always respected the Summoners, and just as much so those who guarded them. I had actually considered becoming a guardian myself, but I simply didn't think I could undertake a Journey with a summoner. To go through all that... and know that ultimately you would fail to save them....
