Fire Emblem: Tremors of Dracolius
Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem, this is just a Fanfiction.
Chapter 1: Begin the Begin
Disturbance in Aselia Arc
Featured Music: "Opening; History Unveiled" – Fire Emblem 7: The Blazing Sword OST. Chapter Briefing.
"Prologue: Birth of The Holy Knights" – Fire Emblem 4: Genealogy of the Holy War OST. Scene 2 (First & Second Halves).
"Mighty Obstacle" – YS VI: The Ark of Napishtim OST. Scene 4 (First Half).
"Victory United" – Fire Emblem 9: Path of Radiance OST. Scene 4 (Second Half).
Thousands of years past, the land of Dracolius was broken into two by a ferocious war between a clan of dragons and the people that inhabited it. A small group of humans, jealous and greedy for the knowledge and power the dragons contained, opted to revolt against them even recruiting some dragons to their cause. The final dragons blessed their remaining allied, defending humans with Holy Blood, Aegir and Divine Weapons to enhance their abilities exponentially; this war was deemed The Continental Divide. The defence force succeeded and a lasting measure of peace was granted to the continent for their heroics. The dragons, their labours completed and fearful of the future, left their allied humans in charge of defence of their Sacred Realm leaving with them their blessings of Holy Blood and Divine Weapons as part of their inheritance.
Many, many years have passed since this horrifying war.
Scene 1
"...ris!"
It sounded far off and he was too tired to care.
"Selthris!" The voice exclaimed this time, much louder. A slam on the table he slept on made the boy gasp and jump upright. Silver eyes widened, they darted across the small classroom before finally resting on his glaring faced tutor, standing over him with a hard-eyed expression on her face. "That's the second time this week!" The old woman snapped again as she turned on her heel, grasping her cane with both hands as she did so. "You'll never succeed your father if all you do is sleep!"
Selthris sighed quietly, more to himself than to anything else visibly tired. "I'm sorry miss," the young Lord apologised, raising his morose expression to face her as he did so. "My father's been pushing me a little-"
"He's been preparing you is what he's been doing!" The teacher screeched suddenly, interrupting him with another hard-eyed glare. Selthris flinched and shrank in his seat as he listened to the woman speak. "If you weren't so lax with everything you do and input some effort perhaps fate would be kinder to you!" She continued to criticise angrily, clearly having done this before. Selthris' silver eyes wandered back down to his small table, cringing as he did so. The old woman seemed to sigh however and opened her mouth to speak again, almost as if to apologise. "Look, Lord Selthris-"
"Selthris." A voice suddenly interrupted, low and commanding. The two turned their gazes toward the open door to find the narrow-eyed, hard frowning Sathryon Vikeruce, King of Aselia.
"Your Majesty." The lecturer addressed properly, even bowing in respect to the intimidating man in the hallway. He simply nodded at her in greeting and turned his silver-eyed gaze towards his son, Selthris.
"F-Father." Selthris managed out, a ghost of a small smile creeping onto his face. Normally he wasn't fond of his father's company but he couldn't have come at a better time right now.
"I'd like to have my son's company if possible; is he free Evelyn?" Sathryon questioned, turning his frown on the woman in the room. Evelyn gave the king a smile before turning on the flinching prince with her usual hard frown she reserved for him.
"Almost, your majesty; we're just finishing up. In fact, this is a fantastic opportunity for you to see how far your son's progressed!" She spoke, her voice raised with her smirk almost as if to suggest her mirth at making the boy look like a fool. Selthris winced but tried not to show his concern. Sathryon gave a tired expression on his face, as if unamused and willing to get the ordeal over with; he strode on into the small classroom, his left hand resting on the sheath at his side as always.
This is gonna hurt, Selthris thought to himself with agonising dread.
"In what year did The Continental Divide take place?" Evelyn demanded, her smile turning to her usual solid frown.
"U-Um…," Selthris began, licking the insides of his lips as he turned his silver eyes downward as if in thought. "I-It was before pre-recorded history but we estimate at sometime between… a thousand or a thousand and-a-half years ago?"
"Correct," Evelyn admitted, a disappointed frown atop her expression. Selthris couldn't help but let out a lightly relieved smile, watching the bored and tired stare of his father. "What is Aegir?"
The silver haired young man widened his similarly coloured eyes as she prodded once more. "A-Aegir…," he repeated, his eyes darting as if in search for an explanation. His eyes widened again as if in recognition and memory, opening his mouth to give form to his thoughts. "Aegir is widely theorised to be the defining life force that every living being this world has," he began, his eyes half-narrowing in his explanation. Evelyn raised her eyebrow as she listened as if expecting more. "It is, and can be used, for many things. Some people use it for meditation to become stronger, some use it in the military and others research it, scholars and scientists." He continued with an unsure light smile across his face. His eyes widened once more in remembrance. "Ah! And it is also called Quintessence."
"Yes… very good," Evelyn huffed, turning her eyes to watch the satisfied look on Sathryon's face. She bowed respectfully as he turned his head to her temporarily before re-facing his son and nodding down at him. "He may leave."
"Excellent," he spoke with a satisfied smile, though light it lit up even Selthris' own mood to see it. "Come son, we have much to discuss."
Selthris gladly got up and left.
2
"I'm impressed," Sathryon opened with as the two walked alongside each other down one of Aselia Castle's many halls. Selthris' eyebrows raised and he turned his eyes upward as if to face him, trying not to reveal too much. "You've certainly kept on top of your theory studies."
"T-Thank you father…" Selthris managed out with a rare, hopeful smile, nodding shakily as he did so.
"I'm curious how your battle prowess has also gone," the patriarch started again, eliciting a wide-eyed frown from the boy, perhaps in surprise. "But that has some reason to do with why I'm here."
"W-What do you mean father?"
"The nearby town of Fernsworth is being attacked by local bandits," Sathryon established, his hard eyes narrowing forward as he shook his head. "How there are still mountain bandits round about these parts in Aselia goddess only knows," he sighed as he turned to face his son with his hard frown. "As the royal family, it's our duty to go protect our people."
"R-Right." Selthris murmured out, blinking up at his tall father.
"Selthris… I'm taking you with me," Sathryon began firmly, his eyes boring into his son's. Selthris' eyes twitched as he listened, fear seemingly seeping into them. "It's to be your first real assignment out on the field."
Selthris attempted to salute as he was previously taught, forcing a hard frown on his face. "Y-Yes father! I swear I'll do all I can to help!" He exclaimed dutifully. Sathryon's hard frown softened up into a tiny smile and he nodded, seemingly satisfied.
"Good, now come; let's get you suited up."
Selthris' heart didn't fail to threaten to burst from his chest even as he set the sheath for his iron sword on right hip, trying to steady his breathing.
For goddess' sake he thought, you're not even on the field yet calm down.
"Lord Selthris," a voice interrupted his thoughts. The silver haired youth turned to find one of his vassals, the ever business-like and frowning George Garcelle. He bowed respectfully as he always seemed to, dressed in full battle wear, his short dirty-blonde coloured hair swept into a side-shed. "Are you ready? Your father is anxious to leave." He asked, ever frowning. Selthris smiled wanly back at the Social Knight before simply nodding in response, allowing the older man to further elaborate. "You must be feeling quite apprehensive about this battle."
"You could say that," Selthris chuckled nervously as he turned to walk alongside him, rubbing the back of his head as he did so. "I'm so nervous; I don't want to disappoint my father."
"I'm sure you won't Lord Selthris," George responded, as quickly as his vassal had. Selthris blinked and turned his silver eyes up to look at the older knight, surprised. "Just fight, to the best of your ability but remember; you can, and should, rely on us." George spoke, his words flowing as easily from his mouth as Selthris listened to them. Selthris couldn't help but smile listening to the young man, emboldened by his words.
"You always know the right thing to say don't you Sir George." He said in response, as more of a fact than a question, his smile still on his face. The Social Knight in question simply smiled back lightly as they left the barracks, suddenly met by three other people. One of them Selthris quickly recognised as his father, Sathryon doled out in his full battle-wear. Next to him stood an older male dressed out in similarly sky blue coloured armour; his simple brown hair was short, neat and tidy perhaps a testament to the man's performance and professionalism. He sported a well-kept moustache and beard that worked well together, resting on his face to complete his look.
"You know Knight Ulric, don't you?" Sathryon began as he turned to face his son, a hard frown ever on his face. Ulric, the older man next to him, turned also to face the standing Selthris and bowed respectfully as his student did before.
"Lord Selthris, good morning," Ulric greeted, the picture perfect of professionalism. "I trust you are confident for today's assignment?" He asked. Almost as if caught by the Paladin's words, Sathryon's eyes flitted over to rest on his son's, awaiting his response. Selthris couldn't help but wince even a little before putting on his smile as he usually did, nodding.
"Yes, Sir Ulric," he commenced in response. "Your teaching has not gone to waste." The little Lord claimed with an appreciative smile. Ulric put on a smaller smile of his own in response.
"Better make sure your Aegir is up and runnin' kid," a voice interrupted; they turned to find the young blonde Kay Garcelle grinning down at him, in her usual show of careless exuberance. "Don't want it tapped out before you go through those reserves, know what I'm sayin'?" The young woman laughed good naturedly as she leant on her mentor Ulric's shoulder. Selthris couldn't help but chuckle lowly and smile in response whereas Sathryon and Ulric both turned to her with a hard-edged frown on their faces.
"Kay how many times do I have to tell you…," Ulric started with a sigh, using one of his free hands to pinch the skin between his eyes in a show of exhaustion. "He is addressed 'Lord Selthris'. Please try to be more respectful."
"Sorry sensei," Kay chuckled joining her hands together in an apologetic gesture, bowing as her colleagues before her. She gave the smiling Selthris a wink before turning her grin on everyone else. "So, is everyone ready or what? I'm getting' aches just standin' here!" She exclaimed excitedly.
"Kay…," George began in a sigh, much like his mentor's. "You really should learn to settle-"
"All right; that's enough, all of you," Sathryon interrupted rudely but with a firm voice and hard frown on his face. Everyone knew immediately to adorn a serious composure when the family head spoke. "You've all already been filled in more or less about the situation; Fernsworth has become surrounded by a clan of mountain bandits. They shouldn't have much more than savages and brutes to fight with so we should be fine but just as always, stay true to your teachings and be careful regardless. Any questions?" The Lord Knight asked, his eyes flitting over each member. When they simply stared back at him, awaiting his next orders he simply frowned. "No? Then let's move out!"
3
"So, this is it…" Selthris began, talking more to himself than to anyone else. He couldn't help the butterflies poking around in his stomach, almost as if mercilessly teasing him. He thought he was completely ready for this but even after all his theory and practical practice he still found himself extremely nervous and wanting. Kay seemed to notice him worrying and smiled in his direction as they all approached the small town.
"Don't worry so much; we're all here for you," she began with a chuckle, trying to set the young boy at ease. He raised his head and smiled back up at her wanly however when George and Ulric both shot her a sudden glare she winced before grinning and looking back down at the young Lord. "Lord Selthris." She added, eliciting an approving nod from the watching two.
"All right… that's them," Sathryon began as they approached, sitting atop his horse as he glared at the scruffy, beefy figures dotted around the vandalised town. His eyes flitted over between each one, seemingly examining them. "They don't look too tough… however…" He began again as he narrowed his eyes at the number of figures.
"We must exercise caution," Ulric spoke up from his own horse, turning with a hard frown. "Yes, Lord?" He asked, almost as if for confirmation. Sathryon opted only to glare at the many bandits as he nodded in acceptance.
"Remember Lord Selthris," George said as he tore his eyes away from the looming threat of the bandits. "Rely on us; we are your vassals." The Social Knight expressed firmly, eyes boring into the young Lord. Selthris blinked up at him before smiling in defeat, nodding. "Do you need a refresher?"
"R-Refresher?" Selthris blinked, curious.
"Come on, you know!" Kay interrupted with one of her usual happy-go-lucky grins. "The weapon triangle!"
"Oh!" Selthris exclaimed, surprised. He smiled lightly in recognition. "Axes beat lances, lances beat swords and swords beat axes… right?"
"That's about the gist of it." George smiled back, nodding in acceptance.
"All right, Ulric, you and I will begin the charge and mop up the bandits at the front, targeting the homes." Sathryon commenced, his voice deep and commanding. Ulric nodded, a hard frown on his face.
"Yes, Lord Sathryon."
"Kay, George, I want you both to support Selthris," Sathryon began again as he turned to face the two Social Knights. "Make sure he is well supported."
"Yes milord." George agreed in his usual calm and collected manner, frowning as he did so.
"You got it boss!" Kay exclaimed excitedly, saluting the frowning Lord Knight with a grin on her face.
"Hrm…," Sathryon murmured once, shutting his eyes temporarily before turning his head back to the enemies in front of him. "Vikeruce Militia, move out!"
Sathryon and Ulric both began by taking on two axe brandishing bandits at a time; easily avoiding their swings by manoeuvring their horses together and coming down on the bandits with critical strike attacks, easily felling them. Selthris gasped as he watched them; mesmerised by their power and experience.
He couldn't imagine being anywhere near that strong.
"Lord Selthris!" George's urgent call exclaimed, forcing Selthris out of his own little world. Thanks to that he caught it just in time; one of the gangsters rushed at him and leapt, bringing his looming axe downward. Selthris gasped again and back stepped clumsily, almost tripping behind himself. George and Kay both supported the young Lord as they promised and brought their swords down to counter the glowering and growling bandit.
"Damn…," the Brigand muttered once before licking his lips as he laid eyes on the wide eyed Selthris. "Was fresh meat that; why'd you idiots have to go spoil that?" He demanded angrily and quietly.
"Dog…," George muttered in response, eyes glaring down at the reprobate. "We wouldn't let you within two seconds of our Lord."
"Must be nice havin' blueblood huh…," the Brigand chuckled humourlessly as he swiped his axe at the two Social Knights; they easily defended against him, allowing him to skid backwards in recovery. "How about I show him what it's like to be a regular guy?" He questioned as he licked his lips hungrily, a hard and disturbing frown adorned on his dark expression.
"If you can get through us… maybe." Kay couldn't help but grin as she watched the Brigand, confidence flowing through her words.
Selthris' heart pounded like a machine, his adrenaline through the roof; all he could think about was how lucky he was that Kay and George had just saved his life. He couldn't help but remember the words of his best friend for some reason as he had locked eyes with the bandit.
"Remember to stay alert when you're out there! And don't go relyin' on yourself too heavily!"
He couldn't help but smile as he thought of Leo; he wished he were here.
As if to mock his very thoughts however, a second Brigand had seemingly slipped through Sathryon and Ulric's cracks; he rushed toward the thoughtful Selthris. The Lord only just noticed at the corner of his eye and, thankful for whatever luck was still on his side, he back stepped once more and put on a hard, toothy frown as he unsheathed his iron sword to block the bandit's own weapon, his iron axe.
Selthris grunted under the effort of defence as he stood just below the intimidating form of the grinning bandit. "What's wrong, little man?" He exclaimed above the din of the swords and axes clashing in the background. "Little lord like you ain't suited for this! Why don'tcha go run for mommy?" He laughed down at the young boy. Although initially intimidated by the imposing man, a part of what he was belligerently saying affected something in him; Selthris growled as he pushed the surprised bandit back with a swipe of his sword, sending him skidding backward.
"I am not about to run away now!" The young silver haired Lord exclaimed in response, a hard frown to his face as he affixed himself into a battle stance, taught by his father. "I will…," he began, perhaps uncertainly; his silver eyes narrowed with contrasting defiance however as he twirled the iron sword in his hands. "I will give you a sound thrashing!" He exclaimed finally. The Brigand stared incredulously at the youth, perhaps shocked at the words he used before finally bursting out laughing.
"Pathetic!" The man laughed derisively at the boy, eliciting a hard-eyed glare from him in response. "Where is the challenge?!" He exclaimed with another laugh, pointing at the Lord insultingly.
"Yo, little boss!"
Selthris blinked, quickly turning his eyes to find the approaching Kay, her eyes widened as she watched between the pair. The Brigand seemed to notice Selthris' worried expression and grinned before turning to rush for the unprepared Social Knight. Selthris' silver eyes shot wide open and he gasped before charging forward, seemingly in an attempt to stop the man. He clumsily wedged his iron sword in between the two; although he stretched to achieve it the Brigand let out an annoyed yell of effort as he crashed his iron axe against Selthris' sword, sending it spinning across the ground from the sudden jarring.
"Fuck you, kid!" The bandit yelled angrily, his eyes snapping over to the gasping and tired Selthris. "You're next!" He proclaimed before rising up his iron axe; Selthris' silver eyes were instantly drawn up to the imposing shadow of his incoming end, unable to stop it of his own accord. Thankfully, however, Kay's own iron sword easily defended and parried the incoming clumsy swing. George followed up his sibling's defence with a counterattack, rushing in and stabbing the yelling bandit in his lower torso. The dying Brigand backed away a few painful steps before widening his eyes as he coughed up blood, dropping his axe and gripping at his wound. He collapsed in his growing pain and dropped face up with a final, lingering growl.
"Lord Selthris… thank Holares…" George whispered as he sighed aloud. "I am to blame for this."
Selthris tore his shock eyed gaze away from the death he had just witnessed to raise his eyes up to face his vassal, shaking his head and smiling. "N-No, you saved my-"
"Dammit little boss!" Kay exclaimed, clearly irked by the Lord's behaviour. "Why'd you have to go and do that for?! We're supposed to be protecting you, remember?" The disgruntled Social Knight claimed, her long blonde fringe falling across her eyes as she looked down at the little Lord disapprovingly. Selthris rubbed the back of his head embarrassedly, avoiding her eyesight as he did so.
"I know, I'm so-"
"Kay," George spoke up and turned to his older sister with a frown. She turned to face him with her own curious frown and he opened his mouth to continue. "While I agree with you largely, you still put Lord Selthris into a bad position." He claimed. Kay's eyes widened as she realised what he was referring to.
"But that's-"
"If you hadn't been so reckless in your pursuit then perhaps Lord Selthris wouldn't have felt the need to help defend you," he explained briefly, narrowing his eyes at the older Social Knight. She rolled her own eyes at him before adorning a miffed expression and turning away, opting to say nothing in response. Selthris couldn't help but smile at the pair. "And Lord Selthris," the young man continued as he turned his frown on the surprised expressed Selthris. "Again, I shouldn't have to remind you; we exist to serve you not the other way around. Please do not needlessly put yourself in danger to protect us." He pleaded, clearly unable to truly lecture the boy; just advice. Regardless however it was said, Selthris understood and frowned sadly, nodding.
"I'm sorry." He apologised.
"Aw don't be," Kay grinned, ever the cheerful one, seemingly already forgetting the chewing out she received earlier. "Hey, it was sweet of you; I appreciate it." She grinned down at him, eliciting a hesitant smile in response from the silver haired youth.
"It looks as if Lord Sathryon and Sir Ulric have cleared out the town," George spoke up as he turned his frown on the town next to him. Kay and Selthris both turned also to face it and found the two mounted knights in question approaching the main building, seemingly inhabited by a lone bandit. When the two knights ahead of them turned to face their allies Selthris, Kay and George took it as a sign to meet up at the top. "Come; it seems Lord Vikeruce would like us to join him." George only spoke, narrowing his eyes forward. Selthris' eyes darted between the two forms of his father and Ulric as well as the cornered bandit, a hard glare on his face.
A scared feeling crept up in his stomach as he approached.
"Selthris," Sathryon began as he spied his frowning son approaching, iron sword in hand. "I trust it went well?"
"As well as could be boss!" Kay grinned, saluting the man off as she usually done. Sathryon gave her a hard glare and turned his attention back down to his son. Selthris couldn't help but force a light smile, rubbing the back of his head.
"Thanks to George and Kay it did, father." He admitted, a kind of apologetic smile to his expression. Sathryon looked unsatisfied and seemed to sigh through his nose before gesturing towards the cornered Brigand. Selthris' silver eyes widened before he traced the man's meaning and quickly worked it out.
No, he couldn't.
"Lord Selthris, your father would like to see how far your training has come," Ulric requested, his eyes narrowing forward at the silver haired boy in question. Selthris' panicked eyes darted between the veteran Paladin and his glaring father, fear quickly overtaking his mind. "He would like for you to engage in single combat with the last remaining brigand."
I knew it, he thought. Selthris gulped a load of saliva nervously and simply nodded, sweat beginning to trickle from his forehead purely from the stress.
He was hoping to avoid this but whatever his father said goes.
Have to make father proud.
As Selthris approached the glaring, cornered, axe wielding bandit he could barely stop the siren of his heart pounding from his chest. Kay and George offered words of support but they sounded far off, like they were in the distance somehow.
Right now, it was him, his father and the bandit.
"Y'honestly think I'm finished? Well, do ya?!" The angry bandit screamed forward, perhaps the stress getting to him; Selthris understood it all too well. "Come on kid; you'll be my first!" The man exclaimed, using his free hand to pull forward with a scowl adorned on his face.
Selthris tried to still the harsh beating of his heart and affixed himself into a battle stance.
4
Attempting to use his speed to his advantage, Selthris gasped as he back stepped once more to avoid the yelling bandit's leaping diagonal swing of his steel axe. Knowing he was unable to continue simply evading the wild man's attacks, Selthris raised up his iron sword to block against the screaming Brigand's vertical slash. With both hands on their blades, they pushed against each other and Selthris cringed under the strength his opponent possessed.
It wasn't looking good.
"This the best… you guys from Aselia… got…?!" The bandit chuckled with a low grin on his face as he stood imposingly over the little Lord. "I seen better kids!" He continued to laugh derisively at the youth. Selthris wanted to feel angry at the man's words but he couldn't really disprove his words either. As if adding to his concern, the brigand tore through his defence, sending his iron sword clattering to the ground. Selthris grunted and gasped, eyes widened to find the laughing bandit smashing a roundhouse kick into his upper torso, sending him tumbling to the ground. Almost immediately Selthris felt the judging, hard-eyed glower of his father watching him from above; instinctively his eyes rose to meet his and he quickly tore them away as he forced himself back up to his feet.
I'm sorry father, I swear I'll do better he thought.
Just don't look at me like that.
Please.
With a renewed resolve in his heart, Selthris reached into his second scabbard to pull a rapier eyes narrowed at his opponent. The Brigand merely chuckled at him, head held lowly as he twirled his steel axe around his right hand.
"If everyone else in yer army is as weak as you are I might even live today." The bandit ventured to say with a laughing smirk adorned on his expression. Selthris put on a hard expression of his own in some attempt to counteract the man's words regardless of the overwhelming fear that threatened to damage his position.
Don't let it overtake you.
Use your Aegir, he thought.
Selthris pressed forward and let out an effort filled yell as he stretched his arm out, stabbing the blade forward. The Brigand grinned and slammed his steel axe down hard on the rapier, sending the grunting Selthris stumbling forward. The bandit laughed once again as he swung his body around in an imposing horizontal slash attack, threatening to overtake his opponent with a decapitation technique. With speed and agility Selthris did not know he had, he ducked the dull swing before spinning around in place and slamming the hilt of his rapier into the wide-eyed Brigand's lower torso, sending him spinning and yelling backwards against the ground. Urged on by his own technique, Selthris growled under his breath as he gave pursuit, quickly noticing his opponent scrambling to his feet.
He focused the Aegir at the point of his feet to leap up and come down on the shock expressed bandit, transferring his art to his sword and arms as he came down on the man. The bandit yelled, seemingly in pure anger as he exchanged his glare with the descending Selthris. Eventually however he landed and stabbed his rapier forward; the larger man blocked the strike holding his steel axe diagonally. Selthris followed up his attack as he landed by spinning around with a roundhouse kick, catching the bandit's right arm as he did so, sending him staggering backward with an angry curse; the Brigand raised up his sore right arm and shook it, presumably to rid himself of the pain. Selthris' silver eyes widened as he leapt forward in pursuit, his speed increased with use of his Quintessence.
"Aegir Art…," Selthris first thought to himself, eyes shutting temporarily as his energy focused in his left arm and foot. His eyes suddenly shot open as he crashed his fist into the bewildered bandit's lower torso. "Lightning Style!" He continued, a hard scowl of effort on his face before spinning around and roundhouse kicking the man across his centre, coated in light electricity. "Distortion Kick!" Selthris yelled, sending the Brigand tumbling and skidding across the ground. With a gasp of effort, Selthris narrowed his eyes forward at his opponent ahead of him, dropping to one knee from the expulsion of his own strength.
"Good!" Sathryon's deep voice boomed from behind, forcing the narrow eyed Selthris out of his own world. The Lord quickly snapped his head 'round to find the Lord Knight smiling down lightly at him, a prideful look in his silver eye.
Somehow Selthris felt worse after this than the look he was given earlier.
He almost felt like he didn't deserve this praise.
"Now finish him."
"W-Wha-?" Selthris gasped, eyes blinking at the Lord Knight's words. Sathryon lost his warm smile and regained his old hard frown.
"You must finish him Selthris," the Lord Knight spoke, his words hanging heavy on the wide-eyed Selthris. "He is clearly not willing to reform; death is the only answer."
"B-But I-"
Sathryon's silver eyes slowly shut as he sighed in a long, drawn out expression, seemingly as if to carry even more weight than it normally would. Selthris couldn't help but lower his head, ashamed as his father rode on by and stuck the tired Brigand with his steel sword, ending the axe brandishing bandit's life.
"Huzzah!" Kay exclaimed, cutting through the silence like a hot knife through butter. The group turned to face her and she cringed lightly, almost taking a step back with her horse as they did so. "What?" She asked, shrugging. "I thought it'd be nice to celebrate after a win."
"For once, I agree," Ulric spoke up in reply, a rare smile atop his expression. "Well done everyone. Milord you performed exceptionally as always," the veteran Paladin claimed as he bowed respectfully to the hard frowning Sathryon; the Lord Knight seemed to not be paying any attention and pulled his steel sword from the bandit's breast with an effort filled grunt. "Kay, George I am proud of you both today; as far as I saw I have no complaints," he continued as he turned to smile and nod his head in respect to the two Social Knights he taught. Kay grinned and saluted her commanding officer off whereas her modest brother instead nodded in response, a grateful smile to his expression. "Lord Selthris," he began again, catching the wide-eyed Lord's attention from the ground. "You did well today for your first assignment; well done." He complimented with a smile on his face. Selthris couldn't help but smile lightly despite his earlier shame.
"It could have been better," Sathryon interrupted, an annoyed tone to his voice as he turned his horse to clop towards them. As his silver eyes towered down over his frowning son's he narrowed them disappointingly. "You must grow stronger Selthris."
"Y-Yes father." Selthris murmured, lowering his head in his previous sadness.
"Come now Lord Sathryon," Ulric dared to disagree with, eliciting a surprised and angry frown from the Lord Knight in question. "It was his first mission after all and he performed exceptionally well considering."
"Yeah, he did great!" Kay agreed with her mentor, grinning as she leapt off her horse and stuck her hands on the embarrassed boy's shoulders.
"I also think Lord Selthris showed some surprising potential today," George offered with a smile as he turned to face the blinking boy in question. "It was uplifting to witness." He claimed and Selthris couldn't help but lower his head in an embarrassed fashion, smiling again as he did so.
They were much too kind.
"Hrm," Sathryon began, his stern expression softening a little as he turned to face the similarly frowning Selthris. "Yes I… suppose so," he continued softly, his eyes watching the boy quietly eliciting a shocked blink from the young Lord. "Well done Selthris." The Lord Knight finally complimented.
"F-Father…" The silver haired youth gasped, unable to believe the praise coming from his father's lips.
"That's great, well done little guy; you got praise from the boss!" Kay exclaimed, shattering Selthris' surprise and shock, bringing him back down to earth.
"Y-Yes…" He merely gasped out in a light laugh, still unsure as to how to react.
"What now Lord Vikeruce?" George spoke up, his eyes narrowing with his usual business-like frown. The Lord Knight turned to face him with a hard frown of his own before opening his mouth to speak.
"Now we return to Aselia's capital; the deed is done," Sathryon responded as he passed the Social Knight with a shut eyed frown before re-opening his eyes. "Stay alert as we do however; never know when we may be attacked."
"Of course, milord." Ulric agreed, bowing his head in respect.
As Selthris followed the retreating militia he couldn't help but remember how it felt receiving praise for the very first time from his father. It felt unnatural, strange and unreal. He chuckled, his eyes shutting as he followed. All that time looking for it and now he didn't know how to respond.
Figures.