Chapter 14: The Flower Garden

Daniel steps out of the prison carriage at Fort Peony, and he quickly understands where the name comes from. True, in his brain the name translates as 'Peony' because of the pretty pink flowers that he's pretty sure are this world's equivalent, and what they're called in this world's primary language. However, he understands why this fort was named after a flower.

Almost the entire fortress staff is women, wearing elegant armor that looks more like a videogame's ceremonial monster hunting armor, rather than military steel like the guards who escorted him.

A woman around twenty five approaches, and the guards snap to attention, saluting with their fists low in front of them. It looks almost like a preparation for a low gut punch, but it's actually a show of subordination. In ancient times, commanders could and would decide on the spot and chop hands off, and presenting the hand in such a way shows respect and acceptance of any praise or punishment. Unlike Earth, higher officers don't salute lower ranking soldiers at all. She comes to a stop, and the sergeant reports, "Sergeant Wolstran of the Kingdom of Mornistae, on orders of his Majesty, King Regent Rikuto of the Otherworld."

The woman studies the group for a moment, looking up at Daniel, since, as usual, he's the tallest one around. Though, he can see manning the upper walls of the fort one of the bovine women, who tend to be larger than humans in… all dimensions. She's probably one of the few who are taller than Daniel, even at his average height for Earth.

Daniel bows, and Wolstran hands over the scroll containing the letter from Rikuto, explaining, "The Kingdom of Bromlund is in chaos with an ensuing revolution, Lady Commander. We were originally destined for Fort Twilight, but it's inaccessible at this time. I made an executive decision for the transport to bring our escort here."

The woman states as she unrolls it, "Commander Leiwelles kos Morglodston, Commanding Officer of the Peony Battallion and Fort Peony." She reads the letter, which Daniel knows what it says. It BRIEFLY describes his banishment, but leaves a lot of details to the imagination. Since execution was ruled out, it's fair to assume what he did wasn't as bad as it sounds, especially since Rikuto threw in 'in the process of saving the Second Princess's life'. But, he was banished, so what they do with him is ultimately up to the Commander.

However, she doesn't ignore the part about Bromlund. "Bromlund is going through a revolution you say?"

"Yes. The Empire has locked down the borders, and Bromlunds cities are in chaos. We only know what we've seen and heard from merchants."

"I see. Lieutenant, make sure to prepare a speech for the Fort and request additional manning from our closest allies. We'll send those we can home to try to recover their families."

"Yes, Commander." One of the nearby officers jogs off.

Leiwelles asks as she gives a narrow gaze to Daniel, "You're Daniel of the Other World?"

"Yes, Lady Commander."

"Care to elaborate further?"

"The letter reads true, Lady Commander. I did what I did. I make no excuses or pleas."

She stares at him for a moment. After a moment, she calls out, "Scribe."

Another young woman, around the same age, jogs up, providing a writing board and a prepared pen. "Here you are, Commander."

The commander lays the scroll on it, signing the sheet. She blows on it briefly to dry the ink, and then rolls it back up. She binds it and uses a magic-powered stamp to seal it with a combination magic and wax-like seal, which can't be fooled or forged at all. She hands the scroll back to Wolstran. "I accept custody of Daniel of the Otherworld. From the context of this letter, he is simply banished from the kingdom, so his exact location, as long as it's safe, shouldn't matter. You made the right decision. If and when the situation in Bromlund stabilizes, we'll receive further instruction from King Regent Rikuto."

"As you wish, Lady Commander. We hereby cede custody of Daniel of the Otherworld to your ward and service."

She nods a little curtly, though her tone remains professional. "Rest your horses and men for the night. You may replenish supplies with the quartermaster, and dine with us in the dining hall tonight and tomorrow morning. Will that be sufficient?"

"Plenty, Lady Commander. I humbly thank you."

"Of course." She looks at Daniel. "As for you. Daniel. Rank?"

"I have none, Lady Commander."

"Very well. Skills?"

"I have skills that equate to a novice magic artificer, though I am devoid of magic."

The navigator scoffs, and the Commander's icy gaze falls to him. He tenses, but two things stuck out to her; the scoff and the last thing Daniel said. She asks the navigator first, "Was something funny about that?"

Sergeant Wolstran quickly answers, "Forgive the disruption, Lady Commander. He was likely caught off guard by Mister Daniel's humility."

"Oh? Tell me the truth, then."

Daniel replies honestly, "For the last half a year or so, I served as assistant to Lady Magic Artisan Wenlianna, during and after her retirement from the Royal Court."

Leiwelles cocks her head. "Assistant to a Court Artisan? And you claim a novice level of artificer?"

"Yes, well, many basic feats a true artificer or artisan could perform are beyond my reach, Lady Commander. I can repair magic devices, but I can't recharge or create magic crystals. Not without sufficient equipment and the assistance of an artisan."

She ponders for a moment. "Is this because you are 'devoid of magic'?"

Daniel nods respectfully in confirmation, and she asks, "What does that mean?"

"According to the analysis relic in our castle, it didn't respond at all. I have no affinities whatsoever, and no innate skills from the gods."

This surprises her, and she looks at Wolstran. The Sergeant states politely, "He speaks the truth, Lady Commander."

"You are… from another world, are you not, 'Daniel of the Otherworld'?"

"I am. I know not why I was sent here in this state. The world I come from has no magic, and as far as I can tell, I am virtually unchanged from my state of being in my home world."

One of the nearby officers murmurs, "No magic at all? How does that world function?"

"Why would heroes be summoned from there in the first place?" asks another.

Commander Leiwelles acknowledges them only by tilting her head, but she looks back at Daniel just as calmly. "If the stories are to be believed, it should be impossible to arrive from another world without a blessing from the gods."

"I don't profess to know their thinking."

"Did they not speak to you?"

"No. One minute, I was in my home. The next, I was in the castle."

Daniel decides not to emphasize that he's completely absent of magic. It's not really important, unless… He sighs. "Actually, I should make it clear, Lady Commander. When I say devoid of magic, I mean completely devoid. It has continued to be a mystery, but one of the effects of such a state is that no direct magic can take effect on me, including strengthening, protection, or healing magic. Should you determine I'm in need of such things, please don't waste them on me."

Once more, she looks at Wolstran, who confirms what Daniel said. "Attack magic can still hurt him, though; burns, shocks, drowning. But, nothing that directly utilizes the magic within a body to take action, it seems, Lady Commander."

"How odd… Very odd…" She sighs. "I suppose it does not matter. This fortress is about the safest one can be, relatively speaking. We see minimal attacks, and have always succeeded in driving them off within the week. As you may have noticed, our staff does not include any men who are not eunuchs. If you wish to stay intact yourself, I suggest you stay out of the way. No one here needs 'rescuing'. Do I make myself clear?"

Daniel bows his head as he replies, "Perfectly, Lady Commander. What would you have me do?"

"As I said. Stay out of the way. I'll inform responsible parties if any of our equipment breaks to have you look at it. If you can't prove useful in that regard, don't expect my hospitality to last long."

"Understood."

"Very well. Sergeant. You and your men should mind your own reputations as well. I have absolute authority over this base and everyone on it. I will not hesitate to defend it."

The sergeant agrees politely, "We'll do as you offered and leave in the morning. Thank you, Lady Commander."

"Then, I shall take my leave." She turns crisply and walks away, being joined by several of the other officers waiting on her. One of them murmurs, "No magic? How did they heal in their world?" "Can we really believe him?"

Daniel can't hear any more of the conversation, and he turns to Wolstran. "I'm going to be murdered."

Wolstran scoffs. "Why do you say that?"

"Are you serious? It's a fortress full of women. I barely know how to survive cultural etiquette in our kingdom, let alone on a military base full of women."

The youngest guard scoffs. "Yeah, must be real miserable. I feel for you."

The navigator adds warmly, "Isn't this the torture you asked for, Daniel? You're welcome."

The guards and Daniel chuckle, and Wolstran replies, "Best you can do is keep your head low. Don't know much about this place, or I'd have warned you. Sorry about that."

The navigator teases, "Just convince them they need… what was it? C-R-P?"

"CPR. And no, she specifically told me NOT to do that."

Though he says that, Daniel knows that if the situation arises, he'll still offer. He imagines he's getting benign neglect from the Commander solely because he saved a life, and he didn't try to improve his station or speak ill of royalty. That said, it's also clear she doesn't trust him.

"Here, Daniel." He faces the sergeant, and Wolstran gives Daniel a small pouch. Inside are a handful of coins. "Since it seems you're not formally a prisoner, take it. It's not much, and I'll get reimbursed later. But, I'm betting that'll make it a little easier for you here."

Daniel nods gratefully. "Thank you. I'll try not to get killed."

The Navigator teases one last time, "Try not to get trimmed, either." They all share a chuckle and shake hands, and Daniel makes his way into the base.

He decides he'll try to find the least hostile looks from those he'll be serving with, and try to introduce himself. He'll need to figure out where he'll be allowed to sleep, after all. He's not holding his breath for anything comfortable.

**************

Wenlianna cracks open the anvil of another set of small diamonds, finding the gems inside as expected; seven in total, based on the axes of pressure she was able to calculate for reliable growth, but ease of work. Without Daniel, it isn't as satisfying, but he would want their work to continue. The gems, once polished, make gloriously effective magic crystals, and for a fraction of the size. And, selling the uncharged gems alone as diamonds to other territories has brought in immense amounts of capital for the Grand Duchy -conveniently during a time when they need capital and the kingdom is unable to tax them-. Wenlianna is PRETTY sure her mother didn't scheme all of this just to make them rich, since there was no guarantee that Wenlianna alone could produce more diamonds, but these seven are the third of such a seven-gem batch, and the first fourteen have already brought in more than equal to what the estate already had. 

The diamonds, once cut, are crystal clear, almost scarily so, and they are the envy of noble ladies all over. Daniel also mentioned adding something he calls 'boron', which is found in a compound used in gold work. Just a drop, and the diamonds she's currently looking at are just as he promised; a deep shade of blue, like a deep ocean.

Wenlianna sinks to her knees at her desk, trying to suppress the ache she suddenly feels. Her greatest triumphs thus far have been at the side of her first and truest friend. She sniffles as she fights but loses the battle against her tears.

She doesn't know for how long, or when she showed up, but an all too familiar voice states softly, "Wenlie…"

Wenlianna sniffles, quickly wiping her face with her sleeve and climbing to her feet. She hides her face as she regains her composure. "M-Mother. P-Perfect timing. I just opened the latest diamonds. These ones are…" She presents the small diamonds, trying to hide her face from her mother as she faces the Grand Duchess.

Aramellianna hesitates for a moment, but she doesn't press the issue. Instead, she takes the crystal and inspects it. Her face shifts in surprise, and she whispers, "Blue?"

Wenlianna confirms with a nod, sniffling. She turns away, blowing her nose quickly on her handkerchief. "Apologies, Mother."

"Take your time…" murmurs the matron softly. 

Wenlianna recomposes herself, saying proudly, "Blue diamonds. According to… Daniel, they existed naturally on Earth, but were about ten thousand times more rare than normal diamonds. I have no specific need for aesthetic diamonds, so please set the price as you see fit. I'll begin the next batch once the machine is cooled." 

Aramellianna is silent for a long time. Wenlianna takes notice, and looks at her mother. She can't hide her pinkened cheeks or bloodshot eyes, but she knows Aramellianna isn't cruel enough to scold her for her unseemly appearance in her own lab, hidden away as was requested of her oh so long ago.

The Grand Duchess states softly, "Wenlianna, I had no idea what to do with the diamond you handed me that day, but… I feel I should reveal something to you."

Wenlianna murmurs, "I don't care about politics, Mother. Please do as you see fit. Thank you for supporting my work, as always."

"You're jumping to conclusions, child. Until he is back with you, I have intended to use every Valden these earn to conquer this entire continent, if I must."

"Mother… To say you'd go so far for…"

Aramellianna silences Wenlianna by placing her finger to the latter's lips. Wenlianna is surprised. The Grand Duchess generally considers it rude to physically interrupt someone, and she's not big on physical contact from any of her daughters. Small gestures are usually reserved for when they're most needed.

She whispers, "I could make us rich with this machine and your effort alone. That is so very obvious. However, something those foolish nobles and aristocrats are too blind to see is the greater gift Daniel was to this world. He claims his hobby was studying 'a little about a lot'. With what little he knows, how far has he accelerated us?"

Aramellianna gingerly strokes the diamond with her thumb. She suddenly looks into Wenlianna's eyes. "Do you remember when your father burned that book that was falling apart on you?"

Wenlianna scoffs, nodding. "Of course, Mother. It was the only time I'd ever seen either of you strike each other, and you, Father, no less."

Aramellianna says with a reverent smile. "Yes… He was quite shocked when I slapped him, wasn't he?" They both giggle together, and Aramellianna continues. "Do you know why I did it?" Wenlianna shakes her head. "I'll admit, it wasn't because you were crying, though that definitely played a part. It was because it's a terrible sin, burning a book. It doesn't matter that it was some common, easy to replace book. That was not something I ever wanted you to believe was okay. In that book was a history; information of the past, and subsequently a foundation for the future." She looks at Wenlianna again, saying seriously, "Daniel and Rikuto's past IS our future. To discard either of them is to waste advanced knowledge and wisdom we can scarcely imagine so that pathetic, ignorant aristocrats can wallow in contentment with their own shortsighted comfort, like insects happy with a drainage ditch. THAT is why I've never once tried to pressure you or use you for a political marriage. THAT is why I've always allowed you your curious and strange experiments, even when I could barely understand. THAT is why I'll go to war with the whole world, if it means bringing you back together with the one person that simultaneously inspires you and steals your breath away." Aramellianna smiles warmly as Wenlianna's cheeks begin to heat up, no doubt filling with color. And, tears return to her eyes once more. She whimpers, "Mother!" before throwing herself into a hug with the Grand Duchess.

Aramellianna pets Wenlianna's back, cooing gently, "I love you, my dearest Wenlianna."

"I-I love you too, Mother!" Wenlianna buries her face in her mother's chest, crying for a long time. She doesn't need to say it, since the Grand Duchess knew long before Wenlianna could ever admit it. "I-... I love him! Tell me how I can help get him back!"

The Grand Duchess pets her eldest daughter's head gently. "Keep making these and leave the rest to me. I'll handle it. If I need anything else, you'll be the first to know."

Wenlianna sobs, nodding against her mother's chest.

Aramellianna does take one last matronly jab, though. "I do have a condition. When we do bring him back, I expect not to wait too long for grandchildren."

"M-MOTHER! I… If he-..."

"If he knows what's good for him, he'll oblige. He'd be a fool to refuse my greatest treasure."

Wenlianna snaps her gaze up to match that of the Grand Duchess in disbelief. Aramellianna smiles tenderly, whispering, "I may not always understand you, and I know I never dote on you like your sisters, but… I'm thankful that I so rarely need to."

Wenlianna breaks down once more, hugging the Grand Duchess for a long time.

Eventually, her mother leaves her with the words, "Keep up the good work, Wenlianna. If you need anything to make anything more efficient, I shall see it to you at once."

Wenlianna returns to the diamond machine with a new sense of purpose. It has long periods of simply letting it run, so getting it back up and running as quickly as possible is an obvious goal. And from there, she'll go through Daniel's notes and his strange device once more, trying to make sense of what she can. His device, which he called a 'phone', is in his language, and she can use language comprehension for a time. Like Rikuto, though, it's temporary, and she'd have to cast it each time to continuously be able to understand. However, if she can find anything else useful, she'll try to see if she can figure out how to make it. Daniel indeed gave her a great many gifts. Returning him to his rightful place is the most important thing right now.

************

"Daniel. Need something?" The quartermaster asks bluntly as Daniel approaches. He hasn't introduced himself, but word spread quickly, so even those to whom he didn't get a chance to introduce himself seem to know him right away.

"Good evening, Quartermaster. Pleased to meet you. I'm Daniel. Can I buy a blanket?"

"A blanket? Did you buy one from the sergeant yesterday?"

Daniel sighs internally. He did. But, he's trying to lay low. Clearly, he hasn't figured out the best way to go about things.

"It seems I misplaced it. I have the one Valden."

The Quartermaster stares at him, and she sighs. She states, "Wait here." She heads into the back of the storehouse for a moment, returning with a blanket. They exchange, and Daniel says politely, "Thank you."

"Try not to let it 'get misplaced'."

Daniel holds his tongue as well as he can, resisting a sigh of defeat. He replies with his best forced smile, "Of course. Thank you for the advice." He walks back to his usual camping spot. Thankfully, it's been fairly dry the last few days since he arrived, and the weather's been warm. That said, he's not sure what he's supposed to do at the fortress. Naturally, word of his banishment spread as well, and the focal point is the why of the banishment, not the why he wasn't executed. So, most of the women at the fort glare at him at best. He's helped with menial labor a few times, which generally grants him just the silent treatment, which is fine. He can work in solitude if it means unloading cargo or stacking weapons.

In the morning, he folds the blanket and stores it in the storage cubby he was granted, which has his name on it. But, it's simply a small shelf space in a public access area, and it's his only storage space. As such, he only stores one thing there. And, he needs to make sure he makes it to the Quartermaster before they close for the night. 

When there's not much to do, he goes beyond the fortress -with permission- to gather whatever he can find, be it herbs, specific stones for minerals, and anything else that he might find useful. So far, no one's needed him for any magical equipment.

Beyond the fortress is actually nothing like what the words 'demon wildlands' would inspire. It's actually a fairly luscious forest, full of animals and plants, similar to a rainforest, but not as humid. 

He manages to find a tree oozing sap, and he pages through the small field guide he copied. As far as he can tell, it falls in the non-toxic category, and he doesn't have a hell of a lot to lose. So, he dabs his finger in the viscous fluid, and he tastes it. Sure enough, it's sweet. He collects some in a jar, putting it in his simple shoulder bag. While he's not expecting much, as far as he knows, scouting reports with successful finds of usable resources can be rewarded by the Quartermaster in the form of a small stipend, depending on what it is. 

And, as he scouts around, he finds a metallic glint. Upon investigation, he finds the rigging for a hidden trap; vines and wooden spikes placed to snare and/or wound anyone investigating the glint without caution, which appears to be a knife.

Daniel's somewhat far out, so it shouldn't be a hunting trap for the fort, but it could be. However, the fact that it's not baited with food, but with a weapon implies it might be for a scouting demon.

Or worse, for someone just like Daniel.

He makes a note of his location, taking as many notes about the spot as possible relative to other landmarks. He's not far from what could roughly be called a path. It could be a trap meant to catch scouts or a vanguard unit and sow disorder if the fortress sends an advance unit. However, he sees no signs of approach, so it's hard to say how long it has been armed. 

He's fairly confident he could disarm the trap, but he opts not to for now. He doubts the women at the fortress are foolish enough not to know about the traps, and it could easily be one of theirs. To disarm it without knowing could be a problem.

As Daniel is returning to the fort, the portcullis is still up, meaning he made it back in time for curfew.

However, as he approaches the gate, the watchstander opens the slot and asks, "Who goes there?"

Daniel replies politely, "Daniel of the Otherworld, returning from free scouting and collecting."

"Hmm…"

Daniel knows how it's going to go. It's not the first time now. On Earth, Daniel had a small philosophy when he was driving. He was terrible about looking at license plates on cars because he was always worried he might be tempted when someone cut him off in traffic if he paid any attention to their license plate and tried to escalate the issue for something so insignificant. Likewise, he doesn't make a point of learning the names of the women at the fort right now. If he's questioned, he has no interest in getting on anyone's bad side. He has no idea who knows who, who are sisters with whom, and whether or not camaraderie between soldiers outweighs the word of a complete outsider.

"I'm not seeing your name in the log, Daniel of the Otherworld. Did you have permission to go off base?" Her attitude is snarky and condescending.

Daniel replies, "I left shortly after first bell. Headed southwest, intent to return same day."

She reads the log, humming again. "Sorry. I can't read this log entry. I'll send for someone to check with the morning watch. Denied entry." She closes the slot, and Daniel sighs. He walks to a nearby stone and takes a seat. He sketches idly in the dirt with a stick to pass the time, but he knows what's going to happen.

As the twelfth bell chimes in the base, indicating the last hour of the 12 hour work day, Daniel approaches the gate, knocking before they close the portcullis. The slot pops open, and it's the night watchstander this time. "That was final bell. Curfew is a quarter hour before final bell."

Daniel sighs. "My apologies. Daniel from the otherworld returning. I won't…"

"I'm sorry. Curfew is curfew. Clear the gate."

Daniel hesitates for a moment, pondering refusing. But, either way, he's looking at either being attacked or killed. He backs away from the gate, and the slot closes. The orders are given to lower the portcullis, and it rumbles lower. A few of the guards above snicker, not as hidden by the portcullis noise as they might have thought.

Daniel sighs and finds a spot to sit against the wall of the fortress, getting comfortable for the night as the sun's last rays sink out of sight.

The noises around him are familiar to him. Birds, insect-like creatures, some kind of mammal or reptile crying its social or mating call. He's able to get used to the natural sounds and drift to sleep.

Sometime in the night, Daniel is awakened by a small stick hitting him. He looks, finding one of the guards at the man door that bypasses the gate and portcullis. She nods him over, "Come on."

Daniel shakes his head. "Thank you, but I can't."

"I'm saying it's fine. Just go, before I change my mind."

"Please do. I'm not breaking in. Thank you for your consideration." He puts his head back down on his knees and arms, keeping his profile small and warm. He can hear her sigh in disgust and walk back inside.

What he doesn't hear is the latch. He peeks, and the door is still cracked open.

Daniel's not an idiot. Violating procedure on a military base, especially during wartime, is a great way to get in trouble. This world takes it just as or more seriously as Earth. 

He climbs to his feet and walks towards the door. One of the guards up top challenges him, "Hey! Who goes there?"

"Daniel from the otherworld." He takes the handle of the door and pulls it closed, hearing the spring-loaded latch click into place, barring the door. He walks back to his spot and sits back down. The first bell of the morning is what awakens him again, and he listens to the portcullis rise. He approaches the gate and knocks, and the slot opens. "Who goes there?"

"Daniel of the otherworld. Returning from…"

"Were you out there all night?" The guard -the same morning guard that he passed on the way out- peeks to the side to try to see where he came from.

"I was."

"Missed curfew again? You can't keep doing that."

"Understood. May I return, please?"

She sighs a little. "Yeah, of course. Be more careful next time, alright?"

"I will." She opens the gate, allowing him to pass and logging his return. Daniel walks wearily by, murmuring, "Thank you."

She nods as she watches him walk slowly. She closes the door and shakes her head quietly, returning to her watchstanding duties.

Daniel turns in the tree sap and his notes to the Quartermaster, and she remarks, "You didn't come by last night. Manage to keep hold of your blanket, Daniel?"

"I don't know. I was distracted."

"Distracted? Didn't you sleep?"

"A little. I should go check in with the dining hall. Please excuse me."

"Alright. I'll be here."

Daniel finds a scolding for being missing all morning, which he couldn't help, but he doesn't make excuses. He admits he was stuck beyond the gate. It takes a few rounds of back and forth, but his supervisor finally gives up and tells him what to retrieve for the day. He follows the instructions to kill time. 

As he works, Daniel is always listening. Few of the women on base speak to him at all, and in the dining hall, they ignore him for the most part. But, he overhears things. Apparently, the hot water and the air conditioning magic units haven't been working for the barracks for a long time, long before he arrived. The base is too far out of the way to get an Artificer to come and repair them, and they've already tried replacing the crystals themselves.

He knows it won't earn him brownie points, but it is the job for which he's supposed to be useful. 

He'll just have to wait for night to fall once more.

**************