The sun sat low in the sky, the wind flowing gently across the water’s surface.
“You ready?” Kronii stepped on their small fishing boat, carefully placing their fishing poles on the bottom of the boat.
Kaela looked at her from the dock with an exasperated expression. “Kronii…”
Kronii looked up at her, a grin spreading across her face. “Kaela…” she echoed. Kaela narrowed her eyes in response. Kronii laughed and helped Kaela as she made her way aboard. Kaela hummed as she quietly took her seat next to the engine, content on waiting on Kronii to bring on the last of the supplies.
“We have to fill the boat for the Summer Festival.” She continued. “Think of how much money we’ll get in the next three days if we don’t run out of fish by midafternoon like we always do.”
Kaela grumbled under her breath.
“Look,” Kronii said as she hefted a bag of bait into their boat. “With this money, we’re one step closer to getting that forge for you.”
Kaela sighed then moved to give Kronii a peck on the cheek. “We better find a green fish this time.”
Kronii laughed in response. “Yeah, yeah. We just need to wait for the twins and we then can go.”
+
The flies buzzed all around, the silence of midday broken by soft padding feet in the earth.
The field littered with the dead and decaying, a woman sat leaning against the remains of a tree, bits of wire, mud and blood clinging to the blue fabric of her uniform. She didn’t move as the visitor approached her, eyes cast downward, face shadowed under a wilted and frayed black stetson atop her head.
Her visitor greeted her. “Commander.”
“Sergeant.” she replied curtly.
“The war is over, you know.”
Kronii snorted humorlessly. “Yeah. I guess it is.” A beat. “Do you know something Sergeant?”
“What?”
Kronii looked up at the fields of bodies surrounding her. “There’s not much in the way of news over here. Explosions, rats and blood is our whole world out here. Lines kept getting cut, kept getting raided by Impors so command had us go back to basics: using human runners to carry information up and down the trench line.” A body burst not far from the pair, a shower of guts and visceral smearing the bloodsoaked ground. Neither flinched.
+
It was a quiet ride back from the fishing grounds, the sounds of the engine humming the only real source noise. The boat low in the water, Kaela was careful not to turn abruptly as she maneuvered into the harbor mouth. Red eyes darted around, scanning the water for danger in the moonlight.
Seeing nothing, she risked a glance down, a smile creeping on her face. Her passengers were all safely sound asleep, Kronii’s arms wrapped around Mococo who’d fallen asleep with their prized catch in her arms. Fuwawa, back flush against Kronii’s, was in a similar deep sleep.
Soon enough, the harbor came into view, a wave of relief rolled over her as the lights brightly illuminated the waters.
“See? We got a good haul today.” A sleepy voice said to her.
Kaela looked from the corner of her eye as Kronii slowly extracted herself from the twins. As soon as she freed herself, they immediately moved to cuddle each other, the fish Mococo held in between them.
Kronii plopped herself next to Kaela, yawning as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Kaela shot her a fond look, a smile played on her lips. “It was not so bad.” She conceded.
Kronii shot her an amused look. She watched as Kaela maneuvered their boat into the beach.
Cutting off the engine, Kaela jumped off the boat as it bumped the shore. Both feet landing securely on solid ground, she turned and gave Kronii a cheeky grin.
She watched as Kronii stretched before moving down and lifting Fuwawa up. Kaela moved next to the side and held her arms out. With one smooth motion, Kronii passed her Fuwawa and Kaela held her securely against her as Kronii took a few steps back to retrieve the remaining twin.
Bending back down, she nudged the green fish from Mococo’s arms much to the girl’s displeasure, a scowl settling on the girl’s face much to Kronii’s amusement. She picked her up, carefully maneuvered herself onto the bench and the pair made their way to the Advent house.
As they turned the corner, they found Bijou already poking her head out the open door. Wordlessly, she’d quietly held the door open for them as they made their way inside. Closing the front door, Bijou led the pair up the stairs and opened the door to the twin’s room.
Kronii and Kaela gently placed the girls on top of the covers, both quickly finding each other on the bed and falling back into a deep sleep much to their amusement.
With hushed whispers, they walked themselves out with promises of catching up in the afternoon.
As they walked back to the boat, Kaela noted the candlelight from one of the windows getting snuffed out, presumably Bijou finally heading to bed content that the fishing group had safely made it home.
“I’ll go get the horse.” Kaela said quietly. Kronii waved her off as she began hauling the heavy loaded dinghy more securely on the sandy beach.
With practiced ease, Kaela quickly walked towards the animal pen and slid the bridle on the horse’s head. Leading the animal out, she stopped briefly to throw over a leather blanket over the horse’s back, pouches littering up and down the sides. After tugging at the straps to make sure they were secure, she led the horse to their boat.
As soon as she handed the reins over to Kronii, she found herself getting waved off gently. “I know you want to go check on the crops. I can take care of this.” Ela gave her a small smile, moved to give her a peck on the cheek before leaving her to unload their catch.
It took several trips for Kronii to empty the boat. Carefully, she proudly laid Kaela’s green fish smack in the middle of the fish display case and then placed the more common fish around the remaining space around the edges. The remaining fish she neatly organised in crates in the cellar knowing most if not all will sell in the coming days as people start preparations for the Summer Festival.
Satisfied, she turned to the remaining shelves and ran her hands along the displays. A fresh coat of paint for the walls and displays, flower chains hung on the wall and festival decorations the other girls eagerly put up while they had spent the last day gone on their fishing trip.
She walked to the counter and put out the drawer. With a satisfied hum, she found the inventory list for the following day and started calculating inventory, pleased to confirm she had more than enough stock to cover the uptick in expected sales for the next three days of the celebrations
She drummed her fingers on the desk, a smile worming it way onto her face.
This will be a good, profitable couple of days.
+
“The Colonel would send runners telling us that we would not get reinforcements, that we still had to hold out no matter the cost.”
“Not too long ago, a runner came with an order. Everyone was to go over the wall, no exceptions.”
Kronii scoffed in anger. “It was suicidal, plain and simple. We had not been resupplied in days. Ammunition was low, food stocks were so bad we were at half rations.”
Kronii poked at the hole at the top of her boot. “Some of them had boots so worn, they could scarcely be called footwear. And the heat.” She let out a shaky breath. “We were melting everyday and nearly every night. The only relief coming from the rain that created godforsaken mud.”
“I sent the boy back to the Colonel, protesting the orders.” She snarled angrily. “All he sent back threats of execution to any who refused.”
+
“..and I told you to get the fuck out.” Kronii spat at the pompous woman in front of her.
“Your employees do not keep this establishment clean enough.” the woman hissed back.
Kronii scoffed. “If you can muster any thought in that miniscule brain of yours, you would look down at your own two feet and look at how much dirt you trekked all over my shop before throwing a fit.”
The woman gasped in shock. “Wha-”
“What nothing. You come into my shop, walk in with mud covered boots, yell at my employees who you can already see has a mop in her hand-” Kronii gestured over to Shiori who had a smirk on her face. “And come over to me and demand that you get free food for “compensation”?” Kronii said mockingly. “Yeah, get out.”
The woman looked at her stunned.
When the woman continued to stand there, Kronii gestured to the twins to escort the nuisance out. The girls bounced on their feet as they skipped over to the woman. With practiced ease, the girls roughly took one of the woman’s arms and forcibly dragged out the door, careful to avoid jostling other patrons.
“Oh and another thing,” the woman turned to Kronii. “You’re banned from my shop. Forever.” The woman’s jaw dropped. ”Happy Solstice.” Kronii smirked in response, knowing that her shop was the only one in the village able to ship in outside products with any degree of reliability.
She waved over Nerissa to take back the counter, Kronii apologizing to the line of customers restlessly waiting to pay for their items. “Damn lady even ignored the doormat.” Kronii mumbled under her breath.
+
“The predawn bombardment of the Impor trenchline made sure we got no sleep. We distributed ammunition as best we could. Orders were given and I did the best I could to raise morale. Then daylight came. The artillery stopped, shells needing to be conserved in case we failed and needed to retreat. I sounded the whistle and over the top we went. ”
“Looking back now, it was too easy crossing No Man’s Land. That should have tipped us off that something wasn’t quite right but, at the time, I was just happy I only lost a few to enemy fire.”
“We got into the Impor trenchline. I killed many then, stabbed by my bayonet, knifed a few, shot the rest. That’s when I started to think something was off though, just how lightly manned it had been compared to the other attempts.”
“And then I found it, a newspaper. The headline: TREATY SIGNED. THE WAR’S END IS NEAR.”
+
“You will do fine, Kronii. There is nothing to worry about.” Kaela told her, adjusting Kronii’s collar as she did.
Flamebearer, the one who will light the bonfire after the sun sets on the longest day of the year.
As a way to mark her 5th year in the village as well as a thanks for her contribution as a trader, she’d be asked by a representative of the village council if she’d wanted the honor for the year. Nerissa and Bijou - who’d been with her in the shop showing her plans for potential redecorating - immediately turned to her and urged her to accept. Kronii found herself reluctantly agreeing.
Kronii grumbled. Her military uniform was stifling in the heat but it was one of the nicer things she owned and it seemed fitting to use it for such an important part of the festival.
Nicely pressed, metals pinned according to regulation, boots shining in the setting sun, both women headed out and joined the rest of the townsfolk celebrating in the edge of town.
As soon as they entered the fairgrounds proper, a plate of food was shoved in their hands. From whom, she didn’t know. Kronii ate carefully, mindful of not dirtying her uniform as she walked around watching as children played, adults drank and her friends sneakily caused mischief with Kaela subtly trying to stop them.
She chuckled to herself. Quickly finishing her food, she joined the others in sowing chaos while everyone waited until the sun fully set.
Soon, it was time for the bonfire to be lit.
With much ceremony, Kronii was given a simple looking torch as she walked over to the 10 foot tall stack of logs and sticks.
She waited as one of the councilmen spoke to the crowd, speaking over the importance of the holiday, the community they all built and the struggles of the coming winter. As time dragged on, all Kronii could think about was how the heat of the torch was not helping how hot she was feeling already, sweat having already soaked through her clothes.
A few minutes later, it was finally time.
Kronii walked into position. She rolled her shoulders and gave a few false throws toward the pile of wood. The crowd waited silently in anticipation as Kronii took a deep breath, drew her arm back and finally threw the torch into the wood pile.
She heard the crowd erupt in cheers, the sound of music kicking up again.
Kronii stared at the fire. Orange red light against the dark sky, the heat radiating out, the crackling of the wood as it burned.
A hand touched her shoulder. She blinked as she turned and stared, sharp yellow eyes looking into hers. “Hey.” Shiori said warily, uncertainly.
“Oh.” Kronii muttered out, shaking her head clear. “Hi.”
“Kaela wanted to tell you we are going to start heading over to the shop to watch the fireworks.” Shiori paused. “If you want to come that is.”
Kronii blinked. “Oh yeah.” She shook her head. “Yes, let’s go.”
+
The Colonel came to inspect the captured trench after we sent an all clear.
And the second I saw him, I made my decision.
I walked over to him and gave him a salute. He returned it, a stupid pleased grin spread on his face. He turned his back to me, eager to see the pile of dirt that would earn him a commendation.
I took a shotgun from one of his guards, the man not offering much in the way of resistance. I called out to the Colonel. As soon as he turned to look at me, I raised the weapon level and I blew his head off.
+
The crew looked as the fireworks exploded overhead. Kronii could barely stop herself from flinching with each pop.
A red streak. ‘I need to go.’ she thought to herself. Her mind screamed, memories rushing in her head. ‘No, no. Need cover.’
More red and a mixing of white. Kronii could smell the smoke. Screams roared in her ears. The jubilant crowd wavered in her vision, morphing into a sea of blue clad soldiers.
She blinked.
She stepped back from the crowd. One foot, then another. Her back met the wooden walls of the home she shared with Kaela. She breathed shakily. Feeling her way to their door, she wasted no time in seeing herself inside once she found the doorknob, barely remembering to close the door behind her.
She walked stiffly past the parlor and up the stairs. Making her way past the guest rooms, she made a beeline to the master bedroom. A burst of panicked frenzy erupted within her as another cluster of fireworks roared in the sky.
Forcefully, she yanked the door open. She quickly made her way in.
She blinked, tugging at her collar.
Nothing felt right, everything was wrong. Safe? No, no, not safe. Need to be safe.
Flash of a memory.
Red. Red. Red.
She could hear it. Voices calling out. Full of pain, suffering.
She fell to her knees, her breath coming in short gasps. She folded into herself. She wanted it to stop. Stop. Stop. stop. stop.
“...me here.” A soft voice. A beautiful voice was calling out to her. “...ome back… me..” Words melted in her ears. She felt arms snake their way under her arms. Kronii didn’t resist when Kaela laid them both on the floor and held her tight against her chest. Kronii stiffed with every volley of fireworks, the joyous crowd shrieking in delight.
They laid there as the sounds outside faded. The celebration crowd dissipated back into their homes as the festivities ended.
“I’m sorry.” Kronii whispered.
Kaela ran her hands through her hair gently. “It’s fine. It’s fine.” she murmured. “Do not apologize.”
+
Everyone was splattered in blood, the air rang then fell into silence. I lowered my weapon and ejected the remaining slugs. I cleared the clamber, making sure it was empty and I handed the weapon back to the man I’ve taken it from.
One of the officers, a major, removed the brain matter off of her cheek with a mildly disgusted expression painted on her face and turned to the group. “No one’s seen Colonel right?’” She’d said to us.
One of the other officers crouched down next to the body and removed the Colonel’s identification tags, removed his rank pins and stuffed them into his pockets. “No ma’am.” He’d responded. The major hummed in acknowledgment.
“It seems like he decided to take a walk in the nearby forest by himself.” The officer mused in a dry tone. “Insisted on being left alone in fact. Wonder when he’ll come out.
Not long after, where the Colonel’s body had been left, a fire started.
And everyone just let it burn.
+
The brisk hazy of morning, a thin layer of fog settling on the harbor. The sky colored in the beginnings of a rising sun.
A large two masted ship anchored near the mouth of the harbor, a flag bearing the blue triangle proudly displayed. Kronii laughed under her breath. “Bae.” she mumbled. She watched the ship, waiting for its captain to make her way towards land.
In the end, she didn’t have to wait long. Just as the sun fully escaped the horizon, a small boat cast away from it larger counterpart, heading towards the small gangways crisscrossing the marina
Within a few minutes, she was reaching out a hand, offering a bit of help. “Bae.” She said fondly.
A razor sharp smile greeted her in response.
“You just missed the big festival.” She said
Bae chucked. “Well, couldn’t be helped.”
“It’s good to see you now at least.” Kronii motioned with her head towards the city. “Come on,” A smile spread on her face. “There’s some people I want you to meet.”
+
“I have no regrets.” Kronii paused. Her head lowered. “You can go ahead and go tell the MPs if you’d like. What I did.”
Bae shook her head then gently laid a hand on the other woman’s shoulder. “It’s over now.” Bae said. “It’s time to go home.”
“It’s over now…” Kronii echoed, voice soft. “I wish that was true.”