65: Dust Settles
Nidhogg bared his teeth – and Achiyo lunged forwards. “For Ishgard,” was all she said, and then she had stabbed forward right through Nidhogg’s teeth into the roof of his mouth. Her sword snapped.
The jaws clamped shut on her head.
Aymeric snapped awake. Not with a scream, or sitting up abruptly, or even opening his eyes, but his mind had recoiled from the vision so violently it had clawed its way out of unconsciousness to get away. He opened his eyes into the darkness of his tent.
He did sit up, with a tremulous sigh. It was a dream, and its origins quite obvious; there was no deeper meaning than that he had been under great stress and she had fought a dragon yesterday. That didn’t mean he was not shaken by it. It would be hard for him to sleep again, now, but if he got up and started trying to work, he’d never hear the end of it. What he wanted in that moment more than anything was to go check on her, to reassure himself that she was alive and safe, but it was impossible – the Lord Commander couldn’t just sneak off to the Silver Lady’s tent in the middle of the night, not even for the briefest of peeks.
He was parched. Water would calm him down. He got out of bed, poured and drank a glass, then found his locket and opened it. It was too dark to see the lock of hair within, but he could feel it. Her hair was so smooth. He inhaled, though there was hardly any scent on it – not compared to inhaling her living hair, but the very faint traces did seem to relax him a little.
Closing the locket, he lay down again, holding it loosely, trying to sleep again.
When it was decently light out, he rose and dressed, breakfasted, and emerged from his tent to face the day.
“Lady Achiyo?” Ser Syndael asked in response to his query, and pointed. “I saw her heading yonder with Dame Lucia a short while ago…”
“What!?” Oh no…
Achiyo followed Lucia north into the hills, wondering how this was going to go. Lucia had simply approached her and asked to speak privately. Her expression had been bland enough, but what else could there be to talk about now that the battle for Ala Mhigo was won?
The day before, Achiyo had fallen quite soundly asleep on Aymeric’s shoulder, and true to his word, she’d woken in her tent in the evening, out of armour and tucked in on her cot. Rinala was asleep on the other side. She could hear revelry from the centre of camp, but she had no interest in going out. The others would certainly cover for her. She knew that celebrating with the average soldier was important, but surely she was excused on the grounds that fighting a primal was tiring. There was food in the tent, so she ate, drank, and happily went back to sleep.
And now she was in an isolated, dusty canyon with a woman with whom she did not quite see eye to eye. Lucia had stopped walking, and had not turned around, and was not speaking.
“Is this about Aymeric?” Achiyo asked quietly after a minute.
“…Yes,” Lucia said, reluctantly. “I… I know ’tis none of my business… that there is naught I can or should do to change the way things stand… and yet…”
“I do not wish to hurt you,” Achiyo said. “I would that we could be friends.”
Finally Lucia turned, anger and frustration and something akin to despair in her eyes. “Of course you do! If I did not feel this way, we could be fast friends! But I do feel this way, I have felt this way for years, and bore the waiting with equanimity because it was not the right time – it was never the right time! We were at war! And then suddenly you come among us, with your honour, your compassion, your courage, your beauty, everything about you perfect, and despite all I might do or say, I know it is too late…”
Achiyo could feel her face becoming as a blank mask under the onslaught of these emotions. She had been bottling this up for a year, hadn’t she? Aymeric had said that Lucia refused to speak of her feelings to anyone. Lucia called her ‘perfect’, that other folk called Aymeric ‘perfect’, and neither was true. Perhaps Lucia was being sarcastic. She couldn’t tell. “What then will you do? What would you have me do?”
For a moment Lucia hesitated, then drew her sword. “Fight me.”
“For Aymeric?” Like animals over a mate? That was something men did, and foolish men at that. How ludicrous. Surely Lucia did not mean a serious fight, to the death or anything. Her entire body still ached; she had been pressed to her very limit the day before and confronted like this, she suddenly felt tired again. “Have I not proven myself in fighting Zenos and Shinryu?” To say nothing of everything else she’d ever fought. For Ishgard and Aymeric, no less.
“I know what you must think,” Lucia said. “This will change nothing. It is pointless, and it is wrong to draw steel pointlessly. Yet I- I will not be satisfied else!”
“Why?” Achiyo asked coldly. “Do you wish me to defeat you, to make you think you are somehow inferior to me? I am tired, Lucia, but I will not lose. Nor will I allow you to use me to punish yourself for something that is not your fault.” And she was rather certain that if Lucia did win, or harmed her, then even in her pain she would feel awful about it.
“Yes!” Lucia cried. “Show me once more why you are a Warrior of Light. I cannot accept anyone at his side who cannot best me.”
That hurt. “No.” This was a stupid game.
Lucia was going to cry. “Fight me, you damned Scion! You cannot even be trusted not to abandon him for your own whims!”
Achiyo’s sword was in her hand and Lucia was staggering back suddenly. She could not hold back, now that she had committed; Lucia would consider it an insult. “I go where I am needed! If I had my way, I would live quietly in Ishgard and see him as often as he could spare!” Her sword flickered in the sun as she pressed harder. Lucia was on the defensive already – well, this was what she wanted, wasn’t it? “I would be content with far less – I would be content if he loved you and I were but a friend – but I also love him, and wherefore should I deny him in choosing me? It is not fair to me to take it out on me. What do you want this to accomplish!?”
“I- don’t- know!” Lucia shouted, fighting back. This was not good – they were fighting emotionally with real steel. There was as little margin for error as in a true fight to the death.
Achiyo whacked her with her shield, slamming into the taller woman hard enough to send her tumbling to the ground. “What do you want to happen? Do you want me to leave Ishgard and never return?”
“No…” Lucia gasped, lying where she had fallen, the very picture of defeat.
She didn’t know what Lucia needed. But she needed something. All Achiyo could do was gamble with conviction. “On your feet, Lucia Junius,” she said sternly. “This is hardly enough to break you.”
And Lucia obeyed. “I will not be pitied!”
“I do not pity you,” Achiyo said. “We are friends, despite this! If this is my duty as a friend, I shall do it!” Lucia was like to her fallen sister Livia – in love with her commanding officer, fiercely protective of him, and ready to fight anyone who would come between them in any way. But Livia had been poisoned by the evil of Garlemald, fallen into madness and cruelty. Lucia was sane and honourable… only grieving.
For a moment, she let Lucia strike back, giving vent to her raging emotions, then thrust hard to the centre of her breastplate. Lucia went staggering back once more.
Lucia struck the cliff… and relaxed, closing her eyes. “You are right.”
Achiyo stopped and blinked at her. “Truly?” So suddenly? So easily?
“I… have many regrets,” Lucia said. “I regret not saying more sooner, even if he might have rejected me. I regret allowing my disappointment to drive me away from both of you over the past year. But you are right. I am stronger than this.” She sheathed her sword and plonked herself down on a rock ledge. “You are… truly a good friend. I apologize, though I know that is not enough. I… I only…”
It had not been a rational challenge. But actions from strong emotion rarely were. Achiyo was still upset that Lucia had done it, but… it would pass. It was not like she would do it again. At least they were speaking now, not fighting. “You, too, are right about some things.” Lucia looked up. “I cannot be at his side nearly enough. I feel it is my duty to remain with the Warriors of Light, with the Scions, at least for now. And in my absence… I would wish for you to continue to stand by him, if it did not cause you pain. I know how much he needs you.”
Lucia smiled a little. “He… cannot accomplish everything alone.”
That was certainly true. She sat down next to her. “I know you defected for love of him…”
Lucia looked at her sharply. “But I didn’t. I defected for honour. Love came later.”
Achiyo blinked and saw-
A tall female figure in chain mail and pointy-eared bucket helm knelt in a dark corridor, lit only by one distant torch, fiddling with a set of lock-picks at a door with a pointed arch. Around her were other tools, not easily identified in the shadows.
A drawn sword suddenly shone at her shoulder. “So,” a man’s voice said, with profound disappointment, “you are naught but a common thief.”
The woman stopped her motions immediately, but said nothing.
The man sighed. “Get up. Remove your helmet.”
The woman stood, turning to face the knight, and slowly took off her helm to reveal chin-length blonde hair, hard green eyes, round ears, and… a third eye in the centre of her forehead. His face was invisible behind his own bucket helmet, but his sword did not waver. “Who are you in truth, ‘Sybille Rouzet’?”
“Lucia goe Junius, VIth Imperial Legion,” Lucia said crisply and with no emotion. She looked so young, barely into adulthood. Was this her first mission?
“And what do you do here, Lucia goe Junius? What do you seek within this vault?”
“I am not at liberty to say,” she answered.
“No, mayhap you are not,” the knight said slowly, looking around at the tools she had on the floor. “Not a thief, but a spy. You were well prepared. You infiltrated our defences very well. I myself let you in. A few moments more and you would have succeeded, and we none the wiser.”
Lucia did not answer. Silence stretched between them.
The knight suddenly sheathed his sword. “Gather your things. Restore the doorwards and come with me.”
For the first time, uncertainty crossed Lucia’s face. “I… I do not know how. These tools were only given to me for the breaking of wards.”
He paused, then nodded. “Very well. Gather your tools anyway, and come with me.”
Lucia did so, her face carefully blank but with a sick resignation behind it. She probably thought she was going to her death.
But the knight did not lead her to custody, to authorities; he led her out to the lower back garden of the Vault, to a parapet that overlooked the Sea of Clouds. He did not draw his sword again on her, and the resignation in her face turned to confusion. Once they stood together upon the battlements, he reached up and pulled off his own helmet.
Pale skin, dark hair that he shook loose from the constriction of the helm, and light blue eyes that suddenly seemed to lance into her very soul. He also looked terribly young, though he was of full height. “Well then, Lucia goe Junius, I am Aymeric de Borel. I will spare your life – I will protect the truth of your presence here – if you pledge your service to me.”
Now she was completely confused. And maybe a little insulted. “You would toy with your prisoner so? I may live, so long as I lick your boots? So much for Ishgardian honour.”
He shook his head. “Not at all. I am minded to reform the Temple Knights, and I cannot take on such a monumental task alone – as one who is but newly knighted myself. I require allies.”
“And a Garlean spy is your idea of an ally,” she retorted.
“A Garlean spy has no connection to the politics of the High Houses,” he rejoined. “There are few here whom I trust, and fewer still who are not connected in one way or another to someone who would try to gainsay me. In that sense, you are ideal. So I ask again: will you serve me, if I spare you?”
Lucia took a minute to think about it, calculating carefully. “Very well,” she said eventually. “I will serve you.”
But that was all she said. Aymeric glanced at her skeptically. “Have you no interest in what I will ask of you?”
“Does it matter?” Lucia said. “I must do it regardless.”
“Or you have not truly given your word, only seeking to retain your life and liberty in this moment. Well,” and suddenly he smiled, “mayhap I can win you over by explaining.”
The Echo shifted and blurred. Apparently Aymeric had made his case to her over several days, perhaps even sennights, and Lucia could not… quite… tear herself away.
They were in what looked like the mess of the Congregation; Lucia was wearing her helmet to hide her ears and obscure her third eye, though she had the faceplate up so she could eat. Aymeric was in the middle of some earnest proclamation. “…by which means, then, the folk of the Brume would see the Temple Knights are their protectors, rather than high-handed bullies… Is aught amiss?”
Lucia was rather still and silent. “You are an idealistic man, Ser Aymeric.”
“I am,” he said, smiling a little self-consciously. “I try to maintain a pragmatic outlook, but I cannot help believing that a better world is possible.”
“It is… not so easy for me to believe likewise,” Lucia said slowly. “It is not something I have seen. But listening to you… I nearly believe it.” She looked him dead in the eyes with all her intensity. “And so I will swear to you – properly. Not because you hold power over me, but because… you believe in what you say. And somehow I believe in you. I swear to serve and follow you, upon my life, if you have any chance of making Ishgard a better place than Garlemald.”
He nodded solemnly. “I accept your oath, and likewise swear that I shall strive my utmost to bring us to a better world.”
Achiyo came out of the Echo and looked at Lucia. “I understand. Thank you for telling me.”
“From the looks of it, I was not the one to tell you,” Lucia said dryly. “But it is what it is. I do not mind if you know.”
There was the sound of hurried footsteps, and Aymeric came into the valley, alone. He looked so relieved to see them sitting and talking. “There you are. I was worried.”
“What could you be worried about?” Lucia said, slightly mocking.
“There is nothing to fear,” Achiyo said. “It is all sorted.”
He looked back and forth between them. “Ah… well… good.”
Lucia began to get up. “Are we needed? How are the operations-”
Aymeric waved her back down and approached them. “Everything is fine without us for the moment. Forgive me for interrupting you.”
“Where are your guards?” Lucia asked.
“I left them at camp. You two were out here alone, why should I fear for my safety?”
“You are welcome to join us,” Achiyo said, indicating the rock ledge between them. “If you like.”
He smiled, and came and sat there. “I would like. May I ask what you were speaking on?”
There was a brief hesitation, then Lucia shifted off her seat to kneel on one knee to him, as a knight to her lord. “I apologize for my behaviour over the past year. It was unbecoming of the station of First Commander… and unbecoming of your friend. I wish to reaffirm my loyalty to you, and to assure you that I will continue to do my duty to the utmost. It is an honour to be at your side in any capacity.”
Aymeric stared, completely touched, and seized her hand. “You have no need to apologize, Lucia. You should not bear your struggles alone, though I acknowledge I must bear the blame for them – if I could do aught within reason to ease them, name it of me. It is an honour to have you at my side, and I appreciate you with all my heart. Now please- please stop kneeling to me.”
Lucia gave him a little smirk as she went back to where she had been sitting. “And who else would look after you, since Lady Achiyo can’t always be around to do it?” She leaned around him to grin at Achiyo. “Lady Achiyo, ever since you came into the picture, it’s been a toss-up as to whether he will actually bother to take care of himself – for your sake – or if he’ll work himself even harder – for your sake.”
Aymeric blushed to the tips of his ears as Achiyo laughed. “That is not wholly-”
“Aymeric, you have twin responsibilities that ought both to require your full attention,” Achiyo reminded him. Was this what R’nyath called a ‘roast’? “Whether for me or not, you work hard enough, O Lord Speaker of the House of Lords. What do you do for yourself?” She knew he liked books, and dancing, which were certainly good answers.
He hesitated and stammered. She had never seen him like this before, and was enjoying it. “W-well… as mayhap Lucia can attest…”
“He enjoys being in the kitchen,” Lucia said for him. “A few moons ago, while I was on a mission to Tailfeather, I met a young dragon. Said youngster was most insistent that I make him an omelette, after I had told him it was a favourite food of mine. Suffice it to say, it did not agree with his palate. Hardly surprising, I suppose. I have no interest in the culinary arts. The only reason I thought to oblige him was because the Lord Commander had taught me the recipe – or tried to.”
“You did not tell me of this,” Aymeric said. “Dodo omelettes are not that difficult…”
“To one who has practised, perhaps,” Lucia retorted. “But alas, I do not. I leave that to those with cause to engage in it, and am content to enjoy the fruits of their labour. But yes… that was while I was still upset, and had no bearing on my report, so I left it out. Anyway, that is the extent of my knowledge of his hobby.”
Aymeric opened his mouth and closed it again. Then turned to Achiyo. “Well, there you have it. Do you have any interest in cooking, Achiyo?”
“I had not in particular,” Achiyo said. “Percival was not above burning his food ‘to give it more flavour’, and I became accustomed to it. As for the food in Doma Castle… that was all beyond me.”
“Er… would you like to try cooking with me?” he asked, a little awkwardly. “Perhaps Ishgardian dishes would catch your interest?”
“Um… I don’t see why not,” she said, nearly as awkward.
“Oh, I see how it is,” Lucia said, obviously teasing. “So this is why you love her.”
“Because I will allow him to drag me into a kitchen?” Achiyo asked, joking back, as Aymeric blushed again.
“Precisely,” Lucia said. “Well, I wish you the best of luck with such an endeavour. It certainly did me little good.” She stood and stretched. “The melodrama of my request aside, I did not intend that we should be gone overlong. While I am certain that the captains will have things under control, at least one of us should be on hand.”
Aymeric stood too. “Lucia… As I said, if you need aught of me, additional subordinates, a leave of absence…”
Lucia raised an eyebrow. “What, and leave you to your own devices?”
Aymeric looked a bit confused. “Between Handeloup in the Congregation, and Lord Artoirel’s support in the House of Lords, surely I can be left to my own devices for a while.”
Lucia gave him such a side-long glance that Achiyo burst into hearty laughter. “If you send me on holiday I must insist that you take one as well. Or else I don’t know what I will come back to.”
Aymeric put up his hands in surrender. “As you wish, as you wish… But the offer stands.”
Lucia nodded. “Thank you. I will remember it. And…” She hesitated. “Do not worry for me any longer. I will get over it. I promise you. I do wish you both very happy.”
Aymeric put his hand on her shoulder. “Thank you.”
Lucia smiled suddenly. “I do feel better about it already. Perhaps I just needed Lady Achiyo’s reassurance.” She was trying very hard, Achiyo could tell, and she felt for her – sympathy and gratitude.
Achiyo came forward to her. “I have something to offer you as well, but it is wholly unrelated to any of these matters and is only a result of my returning to Hingashi briefly.” She brought out a small bag of ochre silk. “I saw this and thought of you, though I do not know if it is truly your style…”
Lucia accepted the bag and pulled out the hairpin, the emerald hummingbird among the scarlet silk flowers, and her eyes grew round in wonder. “Ah… It is indeed not something I would normally wear. But it is exquisite, and I… ought to make occasion to wear it. ‘Tis too beautiful to hide away collecting dust. Thank you most kindly for thinking of me.”
Achiyo smiled at her. “I am glad you find it pleasing.”
“The green goes well with your eyes,” Aymeric said. “How does it look?”
Lucia held it up next to her bangs, as if it were pinned in place. It did look very pretty against her blonde hair, near her green eyes. Achiyo clapped a little. “It looks well on you.”
“Thank you,” Lucia said, and put it away again. “I will take good care of it.” She gestured to the canyon trail. “I really should be off to supervise the knights. If you take a few minutes longer, I am sure none will notice. If that concerns you.”
“By your leave, then,” Aymeric said, and Lucia saluted and headed off. He looked down at Achiyo and her heart beat faster.
“I am glad to see you well,” he said. After the nightmare he’d had, that had been the only thing he could think of.
She smiled at him in bemusement. “Surely you would not believe she would actually harm me.”
“Nay, nay, ’twas not that.” He reached out to stroke her cheek. He decided not to elaborate. “How fare you today?”
She leaned into his hand. “I am not wholly recovered. But I am much better.”
“I should be very surprised if even you could shrug off such a battle,” he said.
“By the way, I also have a gift for you,” she said. “But it is a bit large. May I give it to you in Ishgard?”
“Certainly,” he said. “I shall look forward to it.” She was looking at him curiously. “…What is it?”
“I… Would you mind if I… took a liberty…?” she asked slowly.
“Name it,” he said.
She reached up for his face; he bent down obligingly, and she stroked his ears. He hadn’t been expecting that, and felt them twitch at the sensation.
She smiled, giggled again. “Kawaii-!” Blushed, coughed, looked away. “You can move them?”
“A little,” he said, smiling at her reaction, wiggling his ears on purpose to elicit an even greater response. “May I ask… where are your ears?”
She tapped her horns. “Right here. I cannot move them at all.”
“Ah.” He, too, blushed, embarrassed by his ignorance. “Forgive me, I… apparently do not know the first thing about Au Ra.”
“Why should you?” she asked. “You hardly knew we existed before you met me. I don’t mind.”
“If I say anything… foolish… or offensive…”
“I know you would not mean it,” she said. “I will forgive you without question.”
“I am grateful,” he murmured, capturing her hand to kiss it. “Though for now I will try to contain my curiosity…”
She blinked at him, then blushed suddenly, violently – what had she imagined-!?
“Ah- I did not mean-” Stammering was certainly not going to help, not when whatever she had imagined, now he was imagining it too. “Only that such questions are better saved for when we have leisure-”
She was still overtaken by a fit of giggles, and his heart soared at the sight and sound. “I understand. And perhaps then you could answer some questions of mine in turn. We still do not know each other that well, do we?”
He began to put his arms around her again. He knew how she moved, how she spoke, how she might react to any given situation, the story of her past, yet she was utterly correct. He did not know the important things about her, her likes and dislikes beyond the few he’d guessed at or that she’d admitted to, how her mind worked, what she might be thinking about behind her ever-present, carefully-cultivated calm façade. Or more childishly, he wanted to know how much she felt through her scales, and what exactly it felt like to have a tail. “I eagerly await the time when that is rectified.” He could not find a graceful way to segue into what he really wanted to say, so he just said it. “I love you.”
She pressed her hand to her armoured heart. “I love you too.”
It would be an absolute waste of the opportunity Lucia had handed them not to kiss at all, so he bent down again – but she stopped him, looked around, and found a stone to step on so he did not have to lean down so far. Even better, she was now against the wall of the canyon, so he could lean into her a bit. Her arms went around his neck, and for a brief, blissful minute, all he could think about was her sweet, solemn little mouth. If he was not careful to kiss her at the correct angle, her horns – her ears would scratch his face, and wouldn’t that be embarrassing. And if she ever wanted him not to kiss her, she could certainly stop him easily.
Someday soon, he’d kiss her again when they were not both wearing armour… but he’d take this for now.
There was another matter to consider… “Should I be investing in a number of step-stools around my house?” he murmured, teasing, when they parted. “One in each room, mayhap?”
She giggled. “Your guests might find it odd.”
“Aye – I think we must also learn to kiss when we cannot mitigate our height difference.” Or when it would be inappropriate to pick her up, that could also be an option elsewise.
“Well, not now,” she said, and kissed him again.
They came back to camp as the memorial service for the fallen was coming together. Hundreds dead, on both sides, of all nationalities – except the Domans, they had only lost three of their number, but they were so few to begin with. The bodies had been gathered the day previous, and carried to the graveyard northwest of the city. Zenos’s body was still out of sight, wherever it was, naturally, but for the others… yes, they could respect even the fallen Garleans.
So together a number of the army, especially leadership, processed from Porta Praetoria to the graveyard. There was not time to craft traditional Ala Mhigan stone coffins for each one of the fallen, but at least they’d be laid to rest before they began to rot.
Seeing the numbers of the dead was sobering. One of Achiyo’s most horribly vivid memories from the battle was that of attacking the entrenched Imperial position, and how soldiers had fallen around her by the dozens. The more it played in her mind, the more sick it made her feel. All those lives, gone in instants, never to return home…
She could not protect everyone, she told herself, though it did not help. She had not known them personally… in fact, she could not think of anyone she knew who had fallen, thank the kami, but she saw the bodies and knew that each one would have a grieving circle of friends and family.
So as the various priests and priestesses stood forth to give rites according to each people’s customs, she bowed her head and prayed to the kami that each of these souls found rest in their hereafters.
She was quiet on the way back. But as they approached Porta Praetoria again, with its bustle of packing and stowing, and the first airships arriving to take people back to their homelands, she felt revived again. Most people had lived. They had won the victory. The camp’s mood was still celebratory, and soldiers went about with a spring in their step. Aymeric caught her eye, and indicated Lyse with a subtle gesture of his head, and she nodded, agreeing. It might give some folk mood whiplash, but it was time.
Lunch was being set up, and as all present gathered to get food, Aymeric and Achiyo approached Lyse. Lyse heard their request and lit up like a spotlight, turning to the assembled soldiers of all nationalities. “A moment of your time, everyone! Ser Aymeric and Achiyo have something to say!”
“A brief announcement,” Aymeric said, grinning like his face would split, holding Achiyo’s hand firmly despite her profuse blushes. “Lady Achiyo Kensaki has consented to marry me. We are betrothed. That is all!”
The army present cheered boisterously; the Grand Company leaders, the soldiers, the Scions she could see. Achiyo attempted to overcome her fluster, but there was no etiquette manual in East or West that explained exactly what to do in this situation! So she stood there, looking up at Aymeric rather than the people, and he looked down at her adoringly.
“You don’t have to look quite so pleased with yourself,” she managed to not-stammer out, though she spoke low so only he would hear.
He grinned even wider and answered the same. “Why should I not? Achiyo Kensaki’s heart is mine, all mine, and none other’s – and I am her faithful servant all my days.” He kissed her hand and the noise got louder as her blush got deeper.
To be sure, he was even more beautiful the happier he was. She restrained a sigh and kissed his hand in return. Now he was blushing, and she loved it. The crowd was chanting “kiss kiss kiss“, even Lyse next to them, and Aymeric looked like he wanted to oblige them. “Must we?” she asked.
“Do you not wish to?”
It was just a little public for affection – when she was still hardly used to giving or receiving such affection at all. She was grateful he had asked, at least. “Very well.” She raised her chin, and he leaned down and gave her a gentle little kiss on the mouth. The onlookers went wild. She didn’t want to think about how they would be like at the actual wedding.
“Congratulations! -On finally being able to announce it!” Lyse said to them, with twinkling eyes.
“Aye, my congratulations to the two of you,” Merlwyb said. “May your seas ever be calm and your winds fair.”
“My congratulations as well,” Kan-E-Senna said. “May the Twelve bless your union and bring you every happiness.”
“And my congratulations too,” Raubahn said, Pipin nodding along. “And my thanks, for reminding all us war-weary souls that there’s more to life than what we just went through.”
“Yes, congratulations, and blessings on this most auspicious occasion!” Hien said.
As they waited in line for food like the other soldiers, having congratulations continuously thrown at them from every direction, he would not let go of her hand. “Achiyo, do you miss Ishgard?”
“I miss Ishgard very much,” she said. “Why?”
“The wounded must go back first, and the cannons. But you are welcome to join any of the troop transports this afternoon, and be there by dinner.”
She felt her eyes brighten. “Oh… that would be lovely.” To see the Fortemps family, to breathe that cold, crisp air once more, and not even have to Teleport to be there so quickly!
“Then that’s settled,” he said. “Lucia and I must remain to supervise, and be available for Alliance discussion, but you may go on the first transport – or whichever one pleases you. I’ll send Syndael with you.”
She would have protested at that, she did not need an escort, there was no one in Ishgard who wished ill on her now and if there was she could take care of herself… but she looked at Syndael, eager to be of service, and Aymeric, who wanted to lift every care from her, and acquiesced. “Very well. I thank you very much.”
“‘Tis naught to trifle over,” he said, squeezing her hand. “It will still be a couple bells; I hope that grants you the time to conclude your own business here.”
“I’m sure it shall,” she said. “Then I shall see you next in Ishgard.” At home.
They were given their food and went to find a place to eat it; several Scions were eating together and waved them over. “So now we don’t have to keep pretending that your engagement is some terrible secret, correct,” Vivienne said.
“Yes,” Achiyo said. “You may speak on it as you please.”
“Finally,” Chuchupa said. “I got pranks I need to pull.”
“I’d really rather you didn’t,” Achiyo said calmly; Aymeric was trying not to look alarmed. “Teasing I will accept within reason.”
Chuchupa pouted. “Ye’re too stiff.”
“Don’t tell me I can tease you,” R’nyath said. “I’m an expert!”
“I’m exceedingly happy for you,” Alphinaud said. “And so would Alisaie be if she were here. We have already all congratulated Achiyo when she first told us, but allow me to offer my congratulations to you, Ser Aymeric.”
“Thank you,” Aymeric said. “If there were an occasion that the entire world could be gathered together, I would have announced it then. But circumstances are rarely ideal, and so I must live with the – very minor – disappointment of not being able to tell all our friends simultaneously.”
“Well, it’s not going to be a surprise to anyone with eyes,” Vivienne said. “Two of the most attractive people in Eorzea, who liberated Ishgard together? Most folk will be wondering why you hadn’t announced it after Nidhogg’s demise.”
“The news will be all over Ishgard within a bell, I’m certain,” Achiyo said. “Aymeric, I shall tell the Fortemps family straight away.”
“Of course,” he said. “Ah, but what of the rest of you? What are your plans now?”
Alphinaud turned to Kekeniro. “You, for one, must be glad to be released from our mission.”
“Oh yes,” Kekeniro said, with a mouth full of food. “I know Lilidi won’t have gotten too far along, but I’m still anxious to be with her.”
“If you wish, you may also avail yourself of Ishgardian transport,” Aymeric said. “Ishgard is much closer to Mor Dhona.”
“Oh, that’s a generous offer,” Kekeniro said, and thought. “I think I’ll take you up on that. I was thinking of stopping in on my parents on the way, but Lilidi comes first.”
“As you wish,” Aymeric said. “And truly, if anyone else wishes to go to Ishgard…”
“You just wanna have another party with all of us,” Chuchupa said.
Aymeric grinned. “I shall not deny it.”
Achiyo was thinking of something else. “Where is Rinala?”
“I think she’s still in your tent,” Vivienne said. “Quieter.”
“She must needs go somewhere. If the Flames could be prevailed upon to take her home…”
“She said she was talking to her conjury teacher in Gridania, too,” R’nyath said. “In which case the Adders would be a better bet. I’m actually not sure what my plans are, but I can get my sisters to take her there even if I don’t.”
“She should go to Limsa!” Chuchupa put in. “Th’ Moonfire Faire’s still on at Costa del Sol. Betcha that would perk her right up.”
“Hmm, that’s tempting to me too, for sure,” R’nyath said. “We missed it last year, of course. Hey, you guys should go too.”
“I have never been,” Aymeric said. “I do not think I will have the time, but someday…”
“Aye ye should go, and wear the Summer Evenin’ fashion,” Chuchupa said wickedly.
Aymeric blinked at her, then at Achiyo. “I know not what that is, but if it makes Achiyo blush like that-”
Scandalous!! That fashion line was the barest scraps of fabric over only the most vital bits. Achiyo waved her arms in front of her in denial. “No no no no no! The world could not withstand it.” Nor could she.
Aymeric was still confused, and he could remain that way. “Ah, well… for future festivals, Achiyo, would you consider attending Valentione’s Day with me in Gridania next spring?”
“I would indeed,” she answered. She had better not chance to be in the East for over a year again!
“And you are all of course invited to Ishgard for Starlight or Heavensturn,” he said. “Although if my schedule permits, we might also go to Gridania for Starlight.”
“That’s a question I’ve had since I was a kid,” R’nyath said. “How come most of Gridania’s big festivals come from Ishgard? I mean, I’m very fond of Lisette and Astrid, but I think our only really native celebration is Hatching-tide. And that was only started recently by Jihli.”
“And Hatching-tide is not exactly for the sound of mind,” Vivienne muttered.
“All Saints’ Wake,” Kekeniro said, lifting a finger.
“Oh yeah,” R’nyath said.
“What matters is the joy a festival brings, not where it is from,” Alphinaud said. “If I’m not mistaken, some of Limsa’s Heavensturn festivities are put on by natives of the Far East sharing their customs…”
Lyse walked past and stopped by them. “If you’ve got a moment this afternoon, I’d like to call all the Scions together. I’ll explain when we meet.”
“Urianger and Krile as well?” Alphinaud asked.
Lyse nodded. “I’ve sent word to Y’shtola and Alisaie, even, and Thancred’s already gone to Rhalgr’s – he should be there by the time we meet up. Will that be all right?”
“Yes, of course,” Achiyo said. Hopefully this didn’t delay her – well, if it did, then she would just have to Teleport as she had originally thought. “Call us when you are ready.”
Arenvald hurried up as Lyse nodded and walked off. “Ah, there you are! I was wondering if any of you would be interested in a spot of adventure?”
“More adventure?” Aentfryn rumbled. “I’m good, thanks.”
“I’m in!” Chuchupa said.
“I didn’t have plans, so sure, I can stick around,” R’nyath said.
“Hm…” Alphinaud seemed to be considering it more seriously than Achiyo would have thought.
“Yeah, you should come, Alphinaud!” R’nyath said. “You spend so much time worrying about the fate of nations, why not use our skills to have some fun?”
Arenvald nodded. “We were ‘adventurers’ before we were Scions, were we not? That said, this might not be the best place to talk. Can we meet later?”
“Certainly,” Alphinaud said. “Though I may not be available until… oh, after dinner. If you can wait that long?”
“Oh, all right,” Chuchupa said. “I s’ppose there’s a few important things goin’ on still.”
“I wish you all the best,” Aymeric said. “But now I must be back to my duties. I shall see all of you later, I am certain.”
“Little brother!” came the exclamation, and R’nyath, sitting on the battlements and playing his guitar idly, froze out of instinct. “No, no, you’re not in trouble. This time.”
“This time,” said R’selhah said, walking up with his other older sister R’sahza. “I heard you fought the dragon. Did you really?”
“Yeah I did,” he said, with a mix of pride, indignation, and defensiveness. “He nearly got me, too. So there.”
“And good riddance it would have been,” R’sahza said, which was how they normally joked, but since he really had died for the second time, he wasn’t interested in that kind of joke. She saw and backtracked. “Sorry, it was that rough? Sorry. I… can’t imagine fighting that myself.”
R’selhah elbowed her. “Sure you can, just not very well. We’d totally die and then he’d be laughing at us. But where have you been?? Nyath, we’ve not seen hide nor hair nor note from you since… last summer, at least!”
“I sent a note when I got home!” he said, still defensive. They were kind of backing him into a wall, and two older sisters combined was always scary.
“Yeah, you said that you’d been in the Far East for a year, and you helped liberate a whole country from Garlemald – and if you meant you by yourself, I think there’s a pretty fat chance! But since it was all of you…”
“C’mon, we helped save Eorzea from the Garleans, so we did it again!” R’nyath said. “Look, I wanna come home and tell you all about it, but we really needed to liberate Ala Mhigo first. When do you guys get leave next?”
R’sahza and R’selhah looked at each other. “Umm… like three sennights, we’ll have a sennight off.”
“That sounds good,” he said. “Although I’ll probably stop by before then, parents will want to see me and I miss home cooking.”
“Oh, all right,” R’selhah said. “But we want the whole story too.”
“And no embellishing just because you already told it two or three times by that point,” R’sahza said. “No singing.”
“No singing!?” R’nyath pretended to choke and die. “That’s like saying ‘don’t breathe’!”
“I’m sure you’ll live,” she said heartlessly. “Anyway, I guess you didn’t hear about Lhifre.”
“No, what?”
“She finally got accepted into the God’s Quiver,” R’sahza said. “I don’t know if she suddenly started practising out of boredom or the fact that she got dumped-”
“She got dumped!?” He hadn’t even known his baby sister was dating.
“Yes, but we already got our revenge, so it’s okay,” R’selhah said. “We put fish in his boots.”
“She’s not old enough to date!”
“She’s eighteen,” R’selhah said reasonably. “How long were you away again?”
“But she’s our baby!” R’nyath wailed. “That means I’m really getting old!”
“How do you think I feel?” R’selhah said under her breath.
“And you didn’t find a single person to smooch on your exotic adventure?” R’sahza said skeptically.
“I found… a bunch, but a lot of them liked each other, and the others… uhhhhh… um…”
“Wow, haven’t seen him blush like that in a while!” R’selhah said, cackling. “Oh we better get the whole story out of you later, bucko!”
R’sahza checked the angle of the sun. “Yes, later. I think we have to go and be responsible again. Unlike some folk who quit the army.”
“Toodles,” R’nyath said, waving his sisters off. He was very happy to have quit the army.
Achiyo found herself in charge of Hien as the camp rapidly shrank around them. He was there with three dozen ninja and about forty yol, and the birds had gone to roost in the Alabathia’s Skull until they were needed again. She hoped nothing bad happened to them… but then again, what would bother a yol? Perhaps she should hope they didn’t do anything bad themselves. “So how in the world did you come here?” she asked him. “Where did all these yol come from?”
He laughed heartily. “Well, I did not have a lot of options at my disposal. You were gone by ship, and that would take two moons at least, so I had no time to lose. Even though I did not have Yugiri’s help, nor Gosetsu at my side, I managed to find enough Doman ninja to form a unit. A woman named Tsubame was most helpful…”
“I think Rinala knows Tsubame,” Achiyo said, marvelling at how small the world seemed.
“Hm, she may have mentioned that. But of course, how would I get to Eorzea in time to be of help? So I took them to the mountains of the Steppe, and sent them all into Bardam’s Mettle and the surrounds. And I brought Gosetsu’s bird along, as well. That was the one Yugiri rode into battle.”
“You must have cleaned out the mountains,” Achiyo said, astonished. “I hope the Xaela are not cross with you.”
Hien laughed again. “I hope so too! But after that the only thing standing between us was a long and dangerous flight across the southern edge of the ocean. We stopped in Radz-at-Han to resupply, as one does, but those creatures can fly for days without pause. I’ve come to know mine quite intimately; we are good partners now, Otori and me.”
“We are extremely fortunate that you came when you did,” Achiyo said, thinking of the chaos on the wall when the Garlean flying armours had strafed them all. There had been so many casualties so quickly… “You saved many lives, and you have my thanks. And how long will you stay in Eorzea? Surely there is much to do in Doma.”
He ducked his head, a little embarrassed. “I know, I know! I am not shirking my duties to spend all my time fighting, I swear it! But I wish to form a meaningful relationship with the Alliance leaders, to make Doma a signatory Alliance member though we are halfway across the world. Your fiancé for one is exceedingly courteous and exceedingly competent; I can see why he is your match.”
Achiyo laughed. “I thought you should like each other. I am no Alliance leader, but I can say on behalf of the Scions that you are welcome to stay as long as you wish.”
“Thank you! And fear not – I shall return home ere they believe me to have abandoned them. I think in a sennight.”
“If it’s not too much trouble, please tell Tori-chan that all is well, and I will come and visit her when I can,” Achiyo said.
“Tori-chan…” Hien thought for a moment. “Oh! Yes, the lady in logistics. Certainly! She was a bit upset when you left without saying goodbye.”
Achiyo winced. “And she has good reason to be. She also trained in Doma Castle at the same time as I.”
“Ahaha, well, I suppose you’ll be in for it when you return,” Hien said. She thought he found that much too funny. “Rest assured, I will tell her of your triumphs. I’m sure that will partly assuage her wrath.”
“Thank you.” She put a hand to her linkpearl. “Ah, Lyse is gathering the Scions. Good day to you.”
The Scions – at least, Alphinaud and the Warriors of Light, except for Tam, who had already disappeared – Teleported to Rhalgr’s Reach to meet. It was much quieter there at the moment, and Alisaie and Krile then did not have to Teleport at all. It was not too far; Achiyo and Kekeniro would be able to return to Porta Praetoria within the appointed time.
Others were there waiting for them at the edge of the lake: Alisaie and Krile, Urianger, and Y’shtola. And Thancred, who had set out by chocobo earlier in the morning on other errands.
“Y’shtola!” R’nyath cried. “How are you doing?”
“I am quite well,” Y’shtola said. “Though your greeting makes me think you expected me to still be suffering a major chest wound.”
“O’ course not,” Chuchupa said. “It’s been a soddin’ year. But that’s for sure how we last saw ye. It’s nice to see ye on yer feet again. Even if ye’ve been there a while yerself.”
Y’shtola acknowledged the sentiment with a slight bow.
“And it’s great to see you too,” Kekeniro said to Alisaie and Krile. “You’ll both be right as rain soon enough too.”
“The sooner the better,” Alisaie said. “I’m glad you all won, by the way.”
“Yes, I will be most pleased to be recovered,” Krile said, with a grin. “If only so I don’t have to watch over Alisaie.” Alisaie rolled her eyes as Urianger sighed.
Lyse walked up before their conversation could disintegrate fully into catching-up. “Good, you’re all here,” she said. “Good, good…” She still sounded a bit uncertain, and they all quieted to pay her close attention. “There’s something I need to say to you all. We’ve been through a lot together, haven’t we? I can’t thank you enough. ‘Thank you’ doesn’t really suffice, does it? I’m grateful… truly grateful, from the bottom of my heart. But I know you didn’t fight so hard just to hear me or anyone else say that. You fought because you wanted to help – because you believed it was right. Because you’re Scions.”
“Damn right,” Vivienne said. “I still don’t know what Scions are supposed to do, but we godsdamn well do it.”
Lyse shuffled awkwardly. “Now, I’m obviously a Scion, but as Conrad left me in charge of things here, I also have responsibilities to Ala Mhigo… When I put it like that, though… I realized I couldn’t even pretend to be impartial anymore. So it seemed best to make it official. As long as I serve Ala Mhigo, I can’t be a Scion. It might be selfish and shortsighted… but that’s my decision.”
“Am I to understand that you summoned us all – some of us still nursing wounds – to hear this?” Y’shtola said disapprovingly, gesturing to Alisaie and Krile.
Lyse flinched. “Oh! I-I… I didn- Um…”
Y’shtola laughed freely, dispelling the tension. “Forgive me, Lyse! ‘Twas but a jest. But this I say with the utmost sincerity: Scion or no, we are comrades. Now and ever after. Is that not so?”
There was a universal chorus of affirmation. Chuchupa said ‘no’ very loudly to be different, and Achiyo tapped her on the head in reproof.
Y’shtola turned back to Lyse with a smug smile. “There you have it. Come what may, you may count on us in your hour of need. We shall never refuse you.”
“Y’shtola…” Lyse reached up to wipe her eyes. “Oh gods, I swore I wouldn’t cry…”
“I’ll miss you!” Rinala cried, throwing herself into Lyse’s arms, and making sniffly noises herself. “You’ve always been so kind to me, and you helped me find my place when I was a new Scion, and I don’t know when I’ll be back, and…”
“Shh, it’s okay,” Lyse said, hugging her tightly. “Our paths will certainly cross again! You don’t think we’d stop being friends, right? I don’t know if I’ll have time to visit, with everything there is to do here, but I will try and write as often as I can!”
That seemed the cue for the Scions who liked hugging to dogpile her, affirming Y’shtola’s pledge with great affection. Achiyo did not, but she did fervently clasp Lyse’s hand afterwards. Lyse had given up trying not to cry and was simply smiling through it.
Rinala dismounted from her chocobo just inside the gate to the Silver Bazaar and stared. The village was… subtly… different. Less shabby? In better repair? Maybe… Yes, that was certainly part of it. The fences were new and sturdy, the awnings and banners fresh and vibrant. Aentfryn also got down from his chocobo, but he hadn’t been to the Silver Bazaar before, he wouldn’t know if it was different.
Then she saw her father and ran to meet him. “Dad!”
“Rinala!” His joyful cry brought her mother outside from their house, and they both embraced her warmly. “You’ve been gone so long. Oh dear, have you lost weight?”
“You’ve certainly lost weight,” her mother said. “Has it been difficult out there?”
She let her head flop down, letting her ears and tail droop. “I’ve… not been well. They’re sending me home to get better and not think about adventuring for a while.”
Aentfryn came up behind, and her parents turned to him for explanation. “The Scions of the Seventh Dawn been through some very stressful circumstances and events in the last year,” he said in response to their questioning looks. “In Rinala’s case, it’s been compounded by some personal things that are not for me to disclose. She needs rest and a complete change of pace. Some of us will visit periodically, if that is not unwelcome. But you should know: she quite literally saved the world single-handed a few days ago.”
“I mean… probably not the world…” Rinala said, and cringed under Aentfryn’s stern look. The looks of incredulous awe on her parents’ faces were a bit much to bear right now. They’d ask about it and then she would have to explain that the only reason it had been single-handed was because she’d done such a poor job of healing before that moment.
“If you had not done what you did, the world would not be saved; ergo, you saved the world,” Aentfryn said firmly. “Anyway, if you need anything, send word to the Scions and we will provide it. Actual medicine, tomes to stave off boredom, additional food…”
“The Alliance gave me a big reward for helping liberate Ala Mhigo,” Rinala said, more to her parents than Aentfryn, who already knew and had his own reward. “So I’ll be okay. But thanks.” She just wanted to go and sleep in her own bed again.
Aentfryn nodded. Her dad stayed a bit to ask him follow-up questions, and her mom took her inside. “What do you think of the village, Rinala? Every time you send money home, we try and help out as folk need things. Like, Galfridus needed a new sail a couple moons ago, but since we helped him buy a new one with your money, he and Danyell have been bringing up twice the fish they used to – they’re finding it easier to get to better waters. Things have really been looking up for us all since you became a great hero.”
“That’s good,” Rinala said. For the moment, she felt excited – to be home, to see her parents, to see how the village had changed, as it apparently had for the better and with her indirect help. She wondered when her energy would all drain away again.
But first she was going to eat some home-cooked fish.
In the dusk, Marinterre leaned slowly over from his post at the end of the bridge marking the entrance to the Sylphlands. There was a strange sound coming deep out of the woods, perhaps as deep as Larkscall. Definitely as deep as Larkscall. A deep tremour, so subtle it was impossible to tell if it was in the air or the ground or both. Maybe a Hyur wouldn’t hear it. But he heard it.
There were no sylphs around. No sign of their little glows, neither of the mischievous aubergine variety nor the friendly cabbage variety. And suddenly it struck him that Little Solace was quiet tonight too. Where had they all gone?
He shivered. There was an unsettling feeling in the air, compounded by the tremour – a wildness, a madness, an unspoken invitation. He wanted to dance. He wanted to sing. And if there were sylphs around, he would have – it lit up their cute little faces so. But he was alone and this mood coming upon him from some outside influence seemed… well, the forest did mysterious things, but it had never done this before.
And then he heard it, a distant flute, so faint he almost thought he imagined it, and suddenly it all made sense. There was a rhythm in the tremour, that somehow reminded him of tap-dancing. But what could make tap-dancing sound like that? And the flute sounded utterly alien, a tune he’d never heard before, lawless and enticing. It was so joyful he wanted to laugh and cheer, and so yearning he wanted to break down weeping on the spot, and somehow it was neither – just pure sprightly movement. And with it, scattered, confused high-pitched sounds that were neither laughter nor sobs.
He was on duty. He must not go into the forest. He had to resist this mysterious call. In fact, he should probably inform the Seedseers immediately. He whispered a prayer to the Matron and hurried away to do just that.
The strange sounds petered out three nights later. The sylphs returned home in a dazed state, and they didn’t seem able to speak of what they had been doing. The interesting part was the consumption of milkroot dropped to nearly nothing for several sennights afterwards. The Seedseers were very confused.
“I’m back!” Kekeniro cried as he ran into the Rising Stones, looking for his wife. Other Scions – Clemence, Hoary Boulder – froze so as not to step on him, and he appreciated it; normally he’d be more considerate, but he wanted to see Lilidi!
There she was, sitting at the bar with F’lhaminn. She looked… a little rounder than she had previously? That sounded like something he shouldn’t say out loud. She hopped off her seat and ran towards him, and they threw themselves into each other’s arms. “You made it!”
“How have you been?” he asked. “Anything you need? Anything I can get for you?”
She chuckled. “No, no, I’ve been well taken care of. Y’shtola was a big help. I’m quite comfortable – if a little bit tired of being ‘taken care of’. How was the liberation?”
He grinned. “I got to use Bahamut! Multiple times! Also Zenos did some really weird things with the Echo so I need to do some research into our Allagan library.” He decided not to tell her he’d died again. Painfully. He’d been feeling claustrophobic whenever he was under things. But she would just yell and cry if she knew, and that would be bad for the baby, and so on.
She raised an eyebrow. “Zenos did weird things with the Echo? Isn’t he Garlean? Can they even get the Echo?”
“Yeah, that’s the first weird thing. He is dead now, but from what I understand the Empire isn’t in a position to immediately come and steamroll us in revenge so I am free to stay here with you… indefinitely?” Hopefully responsibilities didn’t call him away too soon. He at least wanted to stay until the baby was born, and preferably until the baby was a few moons old, and Achiyo had promised that he should. In fact, he didn’t want to miss a minute of their child experiencing the world for the first time, but… he was realistic enough to realize he’d have to go fight with the Scions eventually.
Maybe he could babysit and Lilidi could go fight, if it wasn’t a primal.
She kissed him. “That makes me so happy. We need to talk about names again. I’m kind of second-guessing the choices we came up with on the voyage back.”
He hugged her. “Whatever you like! Have you eaten yet? I’m a little hungry…”
“I can have dinner for you in just a moment,” F’lhaminn called to him over the bar. “Lilidi, would you like a bit more?”
“I would love a bit more,” Lilidi said. “Come sit and tell us everything properly! You’re the first person here to have been through the final liberation and we want details.”
R’nyath blinked up at Vivienne, tail flicking with curiosity. “You’re still here.”
“Yes, I am,” she said.
Well that told him everything. Not. “You’re actually going to stick around for Arenvald’s Adventure? Not gonna go visit your brother?”
“You’re not going to visit your massive family?” she rejoined. “And you’re closer to your family than I am to mine.”
“Well… true. I guess both our families are pretty close by.”
“Just don’t be takin’ too much treasure from me, and that’ll be fine,” Chuchupa said.
“What makes you believe there will be treasure?” Alphinaud asked. Arenvald had not yet appeared to explain his plan.
“Adventures always have treasure! It’s a universal law, ‘specially if ye’re a pirate. Ye get to loot it from yer enemies.”
“Hm.” Alphinaud thought about that. “I suppose we will have to see. That does sound exciting.”
Arenvald appeared around the bend in the canyon. “Sorry I’m late! Are you ready to hear my plan?”
Achiyo stepped off the airship and breathed deeply. It was not Doma’s warm, humid, pine-scented air. The air of Ishgard was thin, and cold, and didn’t really smell like much, at least here in the Pillars. A little smoky, perhaps. This was home for her now, and regardless of its inherent aesthetic qualities or lack thereof, made her happy because it meant soon she would be safe with people she loved.
Syndael beside her was craning his neck as the Temple Knights ahead of them disembarked from the airship. “I think – yes, the Fortemps family has come to meet you. Ah, even Lord Emmanellain is here!”
He had the height to see as she did not, but she was not in a rush now that she was here. “Thank you, Syndael. Please give our greetings to your wife.”
“Thank you kindly, Lady Achiyo. Shall we?” He offered her his arm, slightly awkwardly – he hadn’t had proper etiquette training, but the gesture was charming – even though she was perfectly capable of walking off the airship independently. The other knights gave her respectful space, after all. But she accepted it, and he led her to where the Fortemps family stood waiting, bowed to them all, and then hurried off to go to his own family.
What a pleasure it was to see their smiling faces again! Lord Edmont, and Artoirel, and Emmanellain, and Honoroit was there of course as well. “Lady Achiyo,” Lord Edmont said, then corrected himself. “Achiyo. Welcome home. It has been far too long.” He clasped her hand warmly. His fierce elderly face was transformed by the delighted twinkle in his eyes.
“I missed you all dreadfully,” she said. “I am so glad to be back.”
“Aye, and what’s this about Ser Aymeric?” Artoirel demanded.
She smiled brightly. “I have accepted his proposal of marriage, that’s all.”
“About time, old girl!” Emmanellain cried. “How long did you keep the poor fellow waiting?”
She blinked at him in confusion. “For my answer? He did not wait at all. He asked the same evening that I departed, and I answered him at once. The fact that I had to go to Doma and free her from oppression immediately afterwards was a necessary but unrelated quest. But now I am returned, and we may acknowledge it freely.”
“It brings joy to all our hearts, I assure you; we could not be happier for you,” Edmont said. “Come, let us return home, and you can tell us your tales. Is there aught we may do for you to make you comfortable?”
She hesitated. “May I have a bath? I was on the battlefield but yesterday, and the fighting was severe.”
“At once,” Edmont said, and the manservant with them immediately hurried off. “You must also be hungry and weary, but we shall do all in our power to set all to rights.” He set her hand in the crook of his arm and they set off for Fortemps Manor.
“I am most grateful,” she said. She was hungry and weary, and getting very cold after the heat of Gyr Abania only a few bells ago. The sweat she had not had an opportunity to rid herself of since the day before was clammy on her skin, not to mention still some salt residue from the day before that. “In return, I shall tell you of everything I have seen and done. You will be the first to hear of it – I have not even had time to tell Aymeric yet.”
“We can invite him,” Artoirel said.
She shook her head. “I believe he will be busy with the Alliance for some time yet. He will forgive me if I tell you all now. When he returns I shall certainly wish to see him, and I shall tell him then.”
“After all, you did announce your engagement without us, so ’tis only fair play to hear your adventures without him!” Emmanellain said, his hands nonchalantly in his pockets.
“No one can be in all places at once,” Edmont said calmly. “We are eager to hear you, but do not let it come before your comfort. We are all simply glad to have you safely returned.”
She looked up at the grey and gold spires, the blue banners, the silver sky. “So am I.”
Chapter 66: Raubahn’s Return
And now I must take another break to plot out how all the many questlines of 4.x fit together. More class quests! 24-mans! The Four Lords fights! Omega! Hildibrand!? Will Rinala actually deal with her depression? Will R’nyath ever get a significant other? Is Achiyo done with her backstory yet? How many times can I shoehorn Aymeric into scenes he doesn’t belong in? Find out next time ig idk :3
Started playing some NG+ with a friend (beginning at 4.1) and they put pants on Godbert????? In the scene where Nanamo goes to consult with him about the refugees, I’d swear he used to be ‘normal, shirt-on pants-off Godbert’. I am amused but I do actually approve.
In the next few days I will be posting Achiyo’s full backstory: The Echoes of Achiyo Kensaki! Enjoy!