Brave Story - Miyuki Miyabe [173]
Everyone was quick to comply with the request. When the investigation began, the Knights removed not only their helms, but all their armor. This gave them a much more casual look, but they still maintained their stiff posture and spoke with utmost formality.
Wataru’s tent was right next to the tent set up by the Knights. But for some reason, he wasn’t summoned immediately. Those who were interviewed first said they hadn’t been asked anything really difficult. Yet, at the same time, they seemed relieved as they walked back to their own tents.
“Don’t see why Captain Ronmel has to come all the way out here over a darbaba cart flipping,” Kee Keema wondered aloud. Half of his mind was not on the Knights at all but on their team of darbabas. He looked like he was ready to drool as he talked about their fine manes, and wondered how far they could run or whether they were good on the rocks. He would have gone over to examine their hooves if he hadn’t thought it inappropriate.
While they waited, the night slowly passed. Meena was having trouble staying awake and started leaning against Wataru. She looked so comfortable that Wataru soon found himself drifting off too. Suddenly a voice called out, “You three! You’re next.”
It was Lieutenant Vais. Wataru leapt to his feet, but Meena actually leapt through the air, almost reaching the doorway. The lieutenant quickly stepped back, raising his hands.
“I’m so sorry, sir,” Meena hurriedly apologized, blushing. “I didn’t mean to startle you!”
The three obediently followed the lieutenant. They noticed his shoulders shaking slightly, as though he were trying with all his might to keep from laughing.
The Knights’ tent was a small affair, with a folding table set directly in the center. Captain Ronmel was patiently waiting for them. Next to him sat the shortest of the five Knights, holding a pen poised over a large booklet bound on one side. The open page was covered with writing.
“Having a laugh, Vais?” Captain Ronmel asked as the three sat across the table from him. “What sort of spell did you weave to achieve this?” he asked them. “It’s not anyone who can make old stoneheart here crack a smile.”
Meena blushed even deeper—maybe it was more than embarrassment from having overreacted back in the tent. Maybe it was because Captain Ronmel was a strikingly handsome man. His nose cut a sharp line in the center of his face. Even the wrinkles at the corner of his eyes were charming. Wataru guessed he was about the same age as Uncle Lou.
“So, you’re Highlanders.” The captain’s blue eyes hadn’t failed to miss the firewyrm armlet Wataru wore. “I heard that quite recently in Gasara there was a young boy who helped apprehend the criminals behind a string of killings. He was invited to join the Highlanders. Might that be you?”
Wataru faced the captain directly and nodded. “Yes.”
“Then you are a Traveler from the real world, then? Is this true?”
Wataru could see no reason to hide the truth from him. He responded yes again. The captain’s expression did not change, nor did the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes move. The Knight taking notes, on the other hand, seemed to hold his breath, even scooting back noticeably in his chair. A single drop of ink fell from the tip of his pen. Kee Keema was flustered so much by this—though there was really no reason for him to be worried at all—that his tongue whipped out and licked the top of his head.
“Excuse me,” the young Knight and Kee Keema said at the same time. The Knight’s face blushed deep crimson. Meena giggled and slapped a hand over her mouth, growing even redder. The young Knight began to fidget in his chair.
At last, Captain Ronmel laughed out loud. “You’ll have to excuse us. It’s been a long journey, and with all the serious investigations to be done, we haven’t had a break in a while. And it’s late, we’re all tired.”
I guess people get giddy when they stay up late here in Vision