Chapter 8) Disturbance in Augustria

Life takes on a sort of… strange peacefulness in the weeks following Sigurd and Deirdre's wedding. However, each day, it becomes increasingly clear that such peace will simply not last. Grannvale's subjugation of Verdane, despite Verdane's initial assault, has caused discontent among the other countries, likely because Grannvale continues fighting, and subjugating, Isaach as well.

Augustria, in particular, is… troubled by it, likely because Evans is on their border as well. Most lords have expressed worries, and anti-Grannvale sentiments. Then, shockingly, King Imka, known for his peaceful ways and firm control, dies suddenly, not from illness as Lord Eldigan had implied, but by assassin. Rumors already spread that it was a Grannvale assassin, though of course, there is no proof. Just as many rumors indicate Crown Prince Chagall, the king's only child, killed his father. No one knows.

All we know is that the only reason why Augustria does not try to take advantage of Grannvale's weakened military is Lord Eldigan and his Cross Knights, and that is too much of a burden for one person to bear. This peace will not last. The only question becomes… how will it break?

"Here, hold the sword like this." Chulainn reached over to adjust Prince Shanan's grip, moving slowly to not frighten Prince Shanan. It amazed me how gentle he was, really. "This makes your grip more secure," he explained. "Makes it less likely you'll be disarmed."

"But my hands want to move there," Prince Shanan complained. He sulked a bit, and I couldn't blame him. This was the third time. "They want to!"

"And your stomach wants sweets, but you don't give it that, right?"

"...I want sweets now."

"I'm sure Alicia will give you candy once you're done."

"I have some cookies waiting for both of you," I called, laughing a little as I looked up from my mending. "Cookies and milk."

"Which you can get when you get your grip secure," Chulainn easily added. Prince Shanan's eyes sparkled. "Now, let's try again."

I returned to my mending as the two went back to their sword lessons. This was a compromise Chulainn and I came up with, so that I could still work. He even set me up with a little table and chair before working with Prince Shanan, insisting on it, even. After all, the main reason I was here was because Chulainn had been worried that Prince Shanan would be uneasy around him alone, but at the same time, Chulainn had wanted to teach Prince Shanan some different sword tricks, things that were more… pragmatic than what Lady Ayra and Sigurd taught. Prince Shanan, of course, had been absolutely delighted to have more lessons, and delighted to just… have attention. Most of the people he liked among the army were often busy helping to run it, sadly, so there were times where he was left alone to do whatever. He often came to the infirmary to help me out, or did extra studying with Sir Finn and Lord Oifeye, outside of lessons. But he liked having the personal attentions of someone, just as any other child would.

"There, that's it," Chulainn praised, leaning down to help Prince Shanan fix his stance. Prince Shanan beamed up at him and he smiled slightly. "Good. Now, this block is good against lances. It'll help you push it away and dodge."

"Lances have an advantage against swords because of their reach, right?" Prince Shanan asked. He looked confused suddenly. "Or… maybe that was axes?"

"Axes have an advantage against lances, due to their heavier weights allowing them to knock aside, or even break, lances. Just as the heavier weights of the axes put them at a disadvantage to swords." Chulainn gave him a studying look. "Why think the other way?"

"Oh, something Lex said." Prince Shanan relaxed and looked up at Chulainn. "He was teasing Auntie Ayra like normal, and there was something about him having 'reach' and this girl he sparred with having 'flexibility'?"

"..." Chulainn cracked a smile, and actually started laughing quietly, shoulders shaking. I had to put down my mending as I put the pieces together, struggling not to laugh. "He wasn't talking about weapons. Or he was, but he was implying otherwise."

"Wait, what would he be talking about?" Prince Shanan reached up and tugged Chulainn's shirt. "Auntie Ayra went really red and Lex laughed and teased her more, but I don't get it."

"Older. When you're older."

"I'm almost nine! Just a couple more months!"

"Maybe when you're sixteen."

"That's way too long!"

"Okay, since you two have clearly stopped for a break, come over here for sweets!" I called, setting my mending to the side and waving at them. Prince Shanan instantly bolted for me, and I laughed. "No longer curious?"

"You can't be curious on an empty stomach!" Prince Shanan declared with a bright smile. He reached for the plate and squeaked as Chulainn came up from behind to pick him up. "Whoa!"

"Sit first." I watched as Chulainn set Prince Shanan in a chair, and passed him some milk. "Then try to mimic a chipmunk by stuffing your face."

"I will not!" Prince Shanan pouted, but it was spoiled by how he already had cookie crumbs on his face. "These are good!"

"Deirdre made them, actually." I'd told Deirdre on the way outside what I was planning, and she instantly went to bake cookies. "Because you're such a good helper."

"Yay~!" Prince Shanan grinned and started eating again, albeit a little more slowly. "Cu, can we do this again?"

"Whenever there's a break," Chulainn replied, not even reacting to the nickname. He shrugged when I gave him a curious look. "A name is just a name. So long as I know it refers to me, I've no quarrel, and it's better than…" He trailed off, glancing at Prince Shanan again. "Dastard."

"People called you 'Dastard' as a name?" I asked, curious. Then I figured out why he looked at Prince Shanan first. He'd been swallowing 'bastard'. "Why?"

"People are people. You have the good and bad." He shrugged again. "Gladiators tend to be around the bad for a long while, especially when they first start."

"When was that?" I waited for an answer, even just a 'I do not want to talk about it'. Instead, he tensed slightly and glanced at Prince Shanan. I had no idea if that was him saying 'I do not want him to hear' or 'I was his age'. "Ah, sorry to be so intrusive."

"It's fine." He smiled slightly. "Nothing to worry about, though that might change soon."

"Huh?"

"You guys might want to get inside." Lex walked up and, for once, he didn't look playful, or like he was plotting a way to tease Lady Ayra. Instead, he looked deadly serious. "Messenger from Noldion just rode in," he explained. "Don't know the message, but the messenger nearly fell off the horse from sheer exhaustion, and the horse itself is near death from the strain apparently."

"Then, definitely not a social call," Chulainn whispered. He glanced to me. "I'll clean up here, and watch Prince Shanan."

"...Thank you, Chulainn," I murmured. I hesitated a bit, especially since Prince Shanan looked so confused, but if this was bad… if nothing else, I needed to check messenger over. "We'll head inside then."

This… was going to be bad.

It was. Noldion was surrounded by other Augustrian lords, with Lord Eldigan imprisoned in Augusty, and the Cross Knights that made up most of their defenses stationed at a fort to the far north. Lady Lachesis sent a messenger out, desperate for some sort of help, out of fear of what would happen to Ares if captured.

Sigurd wanted to go immediately, but reason prevailed for one clear reason: we'd have to cross the border. We needed permission for that. While we had no doubts that we'd get it, we did need it. So preparations began, but we all waited for the messenger to return, hoping that Noldion could hold out until we could make it.

"By the time we make it there, it's quite likely the fighting will be over," I whispered, going through my lists. There were medicines I'd need, and I simply could not make everything, especially for an army this side. "If it continues, then we have the issues that come with…"

"I wish I could be more helpful," Deirdre murmured. She sighed heavily as she set a mug of tea next to me. "But I really can only attack, and the only 'offensive' staff we have is Silence, so unless we're fighting mages…"

"You're delivering these lists to Sigurd for me so that I don't have to deal with it." I smiled up at her and sat back in my chair. I wished I'd taken more notes in Velthomer about how to run an army infirmary. "But they're definitely going for speed. The mounted fighters will be going at a gallop, and will likely carry nothing extra…"

"Then they'll need medicines, right? Only Ethlyn will be able to keep up with them…"

"That's true." I took a blank sheet of paper and began jotting down basic medicine kits that all of them would need. "Deirdre, can you check those books for medicines good for horses?"

"Yes!" Deirdre smiled brightly and went right to work. "I think Sigurd is a bit mad, though…"

"You won the argument to fight alongside everyone fair and square." Though, it had been a bit of an argument. Sigurd had wanted her to stay here, both to be safe and to reassure the people. But Deirdre had wanted to come with him, fearful still of the 'catastrophe'. Lord Quan had weighed in with Deirdre, as had Lady Ethlyn. "Besides, I doubt he can stay mad at anyone long, much less you."

"He seemed so distracted and curt earlier…"

"His best friend is imprisoned, his best friend's sister is under assault, and he's stuck waiting." I gave her a look and smiled slightly as she squirmed. "Try to remember to take those things into account, Deirdre. But also pout and scold him for lashing. He's an idiot."

"He's wonderful!"

"He's a wonderful idiot."

"You two sound like you're having fun." Lady Ethlyn knocked on the door frame of my side-room study and walked inside. Little Lady Altenna gurgled in her arms, and looked about with wide eyes. "Mind if I listen in?" she asked, shifting Lady Altenna a little higher, so that she was resting more of her chest. "Altenna refuses to nap."

"Is she hungry?" I asked, already standing to get Lady Ethlyn a little blanket. Unlike many noblewomen, Lady Ethlyn breastfed her children herself.

"No, I fed her earlier. Now, she's just being fussy. I think she knows something is wrong."

"Children are more intuitive than people give credit, or so I've frequently heard." I slowly sat back down, gesturing for her to take the free chair. "What shall we do with her?"

"Quan doesn't want to leave while Eldigan is in danger, and neither Finn nor I really want to leave either. If it's to be another campaign, you'll need every healer, and it's Lachesis. We've been friends for years. Finn doesn't want to go back alone." She shrugged. "So, we're sending a messenger to come and pick up Altenna, but it's… quite likely we'll march before…"

"I'll keep her safe." I said the words without thinking, but her bright smile told me how much she appreciated it. "Besides, having a little one to tend to will likely help keep Prince Shanan out of trouble. He takes such duties very seriously." There had once again been a debate as to where Prince Shanan would go, and it was decided that he'd be in the last group that would come to Noldion, the ones that would leave even after I left. "So, he'll take care of her, nice and sweetly, and with luck, by the time he'd leave, you'll be sending people to come get her anyway because it's peaceful."

"That does sound… hopeful." She smiled a bit, and laughed as Lady Altenna squirmed more. "Do you mind if I set her on the floor or table?"

"Go ahead with the floor. I baby-proofed my study after her last little visit." I grimaced as I remembered that. She'd nearly poisoned herself because I'd left a vial of sleeping potion where she could get it, though in my defense, I hadn't known she was even in the infirmary, much less my study. "But… keep an eye anyway."

"Of course." She set Lady Altenna on the floor, and Lady Altenna immediately started crawling about, giggling as she touched everything she could. "I fear for the day she learns to walk."

"She's… actually, she's within the normal age bracket for that, isn't she?" I'd done a little research when it became clear Lady Altenna was staying with us for a bit longer. "A year old, right?"

"Yes, her first birthday is soon. Ares's was about a month after Deirdre and Sigurd's wedding." She laughed, clearly having a fun time remembering. We'd held a little party here for him, before Lord Eldigan, Lady Lachesis, and Lady Grahnye took him home. It was a few weeks after that when we heard King Imka had died. "Three months married, though." Lady Ethlyn turned her smile towards Deirdre, who blushed. "You know… have you and Sigurd talked about kids?"

"E-eh?" Deirdre squeaked, blush going even darker. "That's not… um…" She tried to hide her face behind a book. "A-Alicia, look! Here's some… um…"

"You're so cute~" Lady Ethlyn giggled, clearly delighted by her reaction. I simply took Deirdre's notes to add to my own, and kept one eye on Lady Altenna as she continued to explore. "Do you need tips, by the way? For the sex, I mean."

"N-no, I do not!"

"You sure? You better not be faking anything either."

"I-I'm not!" Deirdre's face went even redder. "U-um… er…"

"Good~" Lady Ethlyn laughed, smiling broadly. "But seriously, if you want tips. I mean; Sigurd and Quan are different people and have different pleasure points, but I've heard that some things tend to be a little-"

"You're mean, Ethlyn! Mean!"

"How rude! I'm simply looking out for my Lady Sister~"

"Just for that, I'm not giving you the gift I had made for you." Deirdre sulked and Lady Ethlyn looked confused. "Your birthday is coming up. I got you a present for it, but you're being mean."

"What?!" Lady Ethlyn instantly jumped out of her chair and went to Deirdre, hugging her tightly. "Aw, but I love you so much!"

"Yes, yes, show repentance when a gift is involved." Still, Deirdre softened and leaned into the hug. "I'll give it to you tomorrow, since I think it'll be helpful in the… coming battles."

"Really?" Lady Ethlyn looked curious. "What is it? Come on; tell me~!" She went back to cuddling Deirdre. "Tell me; tell me!"

"Oh, goodness!" Deirdre laughed, and smiled brightly, even if she still looked a little nervous. Slowly but surely, she was getting used to people actually hugging her, and wanting to be around her. "It's a light sword."

"A light sword?!" Lady Ethlyn squealed and tightened her hug on Deirdre. "You're the best!"

"W-well, I thought you might find it useful, and… um…" Deirdre blushed again, this time from sheer… happiness. 'The best' was something never said to her before. "Oh, shoot, Alicia, I'm supposed to be helping you!"

"Thanks to your notes, I'm actually just about done," I answered, continuing to make my lists. I, after all, had continued working while they bantered. "Though, if you could keep Lady Altenna from trying to climb the shelf?"

Both of them squeaked, and went to Lady Altenna, cooing over her. I continued to work until Lady Ethlyn dropped Lady Altenna into my lap and stole my lists, leaving Deirdre and me to keep Lady Altenna occupied while she double-checked my lists for me. This… ended up with Lady Altenna curling up to finally fall asleep in my lap, and then me being stuck with her for the rest of the night since no one wanted to move and risk waking her up again.

It was… very, very strange, but there wasn't much I could do about it.

It took two weeks before we finally got confirmation to leave. Azel actually brought it, along with some official money and supplies from the king, and unofficial ones from Arvis. Of course, Arvis didn't just send supplies.

"He seriously sent you a letter warning you that I'd better not get hurt again?" I groaned, sighing heavily. Sigurd, of course, was just amused, even as he dangled the letter in my face. "I'm going to have a few words for him."

"No, no, it's just an older brother's protectiveness," Sigurd laughed. He set the letter down and shrugged. "He loves you both dearly, and he's simply asking me, awkwardly, to keep an eye on both of your."

"I suppose you would be the authority on 'Older Brother' speech."

"Very!" He laughed again and pulled out a box from under his desk. "Also, this is yours."

"He sent gifts?!" I groaned again, finally understanding just why Sigurd had requested I'd come to his office. I'd assumed there was an issue with the first aid packs I'd assigned. "Are all older brothers idiots?"

"We're all very doting, yes." He grinned. "Particularly when a birthday is coming up?"

"Mine is in three months. Three." I sighed, and set about opening the box. Then I blinked slowly as I looked at the contents. "Huh." I pulled out the first thing, a beautiful hair ornament in the shape of a blue and gold flower. "He spent too much money again." I then pulled out the second thing, a small medicinal pack made of worn leather, one that came with a belt. "Yes, he definitely spent too much."

"They're practical." Sigurd smiled. "Your hair is getting longer again, after all, so you need to pin it back to work, and the pack is self-explanatory."

"I suppose…" I peeked inside the pack and sighed. This was a specialized one, which often costed far too much. I could tell by how many compartments it had. "I tell him not to spend too much, though."

"Nothing is too much for a little sister~!" Sigurd pouted suddenly. "But darn. I'd planned on a hair ornament for your birthday. I'll have to think of something else."

"...You're getting me presents?"

"Yes?" Now he looked confused. "Why wouldn't I? You're a dear friend and you're Deirdre's best friend. She's already got lots of plotting going on."

"Everyone is ridiculous." I was saved from my intense embarrassment by some knocking on the door. "Come in?" I paused, remembering at the last moment that this wasn't my study. "Um…"

"And now you prove yourself ridiculous!" Sigurd laughed, even as the door opened. "Aideen, Midir! I didn't expect to see you two!"

"Now why would you think that we'd stay behind?" Lady Aideen asked, sulking slightly. Sir Midir simply bowed politely, and I noticed he was holding a rather bulky, cloth-covered thing. "You saved my life, and Midir's, and Jungy, in case you forgot. You're also my dear friend, and we're leaving to save Lachesis. You need all the healers you can get."

"Well, true," Sigurd conceded. He stood up and came over to hug her. "I just thought you'd have a lot to deal with, since… well…"

"Oh, that's what stewards are for. I was barely doing anything anyway." She shrugged, giggling. "So, here I am, with Midir-"

"As always."

"Hush, you." She pouted and Sigurd laughed. Sir Midir just set the package over against the wall, completely ignoring everyone. "We're here with what fighters Jungby can spare. It's not a lot, but…"

"Aideen, considering what you pulled off, I'm grateful for just the Ullur luck!" Sigurd grinned before pointing to package. "Is that Yewfelle?"

"Yes." She glanced at it, sighing softly. "Asleep, just as it has been since Briggid disappeared."

"Your father isn't wielding it?" I asked, a little startled. I waved as Lady Aideen squeaked. "Yes, hello, I'm here too. Don't mind me; I'm just curious."

"Ah, yes," Lady Aideen murmured. She pouted a bit, for some reason, and this time, Sir Midir chuckled. "The reason is simple. Father has refused to wield it ever since Briggid disappeared, and now I just… have a feeling that I'll see her before long. So, I want it near, just in case." She shrugged, smiling slightly. "After all, we lost her during a storm while sailing in the waters north of Augustria. I'm certain it will call her to it, and she will call it to her. That is how the Holy Weapons are. They dislike being away from their Majors." She shook her head and came over to hug me. "It's so wonderful to see you again."

"You haven't been away that long." It had been a month, at most. "How are things?"

"Your village is just fine, and all those you healed are making full recoveries." She stepped back with a smile before turning to Sigurd. "Oh, before I forget, you wouldn't believe who we passed on the way to your study, Sigurd."

"...That feels like far too good of timing." Prince… no, King Jamke leaned into the room, to Sigurd's yelp and my stare. "Hello, I just got here," he explained, bowing slightly. "With a good portion of Verdane's army to bolster your forces."

"You… what?" Sigurd asked, still staring. "How? Why?"

"You need the help, yes? I've already heard what's going on. Word spreads fast." King Jamke shrugged. "There's still many domestic affairs to be solved, but if Augustria takes Evans, they have a foothold into Verdane as well, and all my efforts to repair my country will go to waste. Plus, helping you should, I hope, reinforce my words that I wish to repair the strained relationship between Verdane and Grannvale." He shrugged. "So, I announced that I was coming to help you, and asked for volunteers, and was nearly drowned in all the people eager to join up."

"Drowned?!"

"In case you've forgotten, you're quite well liked in Verdane, since you saved my people, tended to their hurts, and married a Verdanite." King Jamke gave Sigurd an amused look. "Anyway, I'm here. You're stuck with me. Mind if we talk some logistics, though?"

"Yeah, sure, that's fine."

"In that case, I think I'll be better off packing up the infirmary," I murmured. I couldn't quite help but feel uncomfortable. Yes, King Jamke had saved my life, but I… could not so easily forget the number of our allies he'd killed. I could not easily forget their injuries. I could not forget how close Lady Aideen, Prince Shanan, Lord Oifeye, and Sir Finn had been to death. I could not thank him. I could not be comfortable around him. "I'm assuming the first group will leave at first light?"

"Yes, if not before," Sigurd confirmed. He nodded to Sir Midir. "It's all of our mounted, since we need speed above anything, so please, stay. It'll help you catch up on everything." There was some bits of polite conversation, and I escaped as soon as possible, ignoring King Jamke as 'politely' as I could. It wasn't how a healer should act, but I couldn't help it. I really couldn't.

Sighing heavily, and hating how I couldn't quite keep my healer-calm anymore, I stepped into the infirmary, intending on spending the rest of the day packing. Instead, I found myself looking at a bunch of carefully set up boxes, filled with things, and the slow realization that the infirmary… was actually mostly packed already.

"I thought you might need help." The culprit of this unexpected bit of help was Chulainn and, somehow, I wasn't surprised. "When you weren't here, I decided to get started on it," he explained, casually moving things. I noticed how the more fragile things, he left next to boxes, tucked in cloths and blankets.

"I… see…" I replied slowly, feeling a little off balanced. I really wasn't used to having this sort of help, especially unprompted. "How are you even…?"

"It's pretty simple. You keep everything organized anyway." He glanced at me. "You marching with the others, right?"

"Yes, though I will be in the second group. I believe you're in it as well?"

"I am, yes." He continued setting things to the side, and I went to look at how he was grouping things. I discovered pretty quickly that he was keeping everything pretty much as I organized them in the infirmary. There were a few boxes that could probably be combined, but that was one of the very few 'complaints' I had. "Look okay?"

"Yes, more or less." I started packing up the more fragile things, wrapping them in the provides cloths to lessen the chances of them breaking. I also noticed pretty quickly that the boxes he had were treated with fire resistant coating. That was something I hadn't even requested, since I wasn't sure if it could be done on such short notice. "Thank you."

"It's nothing. Just helping." He pointed to the table suddenly, and I noticed it actually had quite a few vials and jars I didn't recognize. "When I went into town, I asked the locals if they knew medicines particularly good for wounded or ill children, and for elderly. You might know these things, and they might be silly old wives' tales that don't actually work. But I thought you might want to take a look. I made notes."

"When did you even have the time to do that?" I abandoned my packing to look through the notes, and saw very quickly how meticulous they were. "...I have a feeling this wasn't simple chatting."

"Oh, I paid for the information. I'm told I made a very lovely spool or whatever the term is." He glanced up and smiled slightly. "I helped some old ladies spin their thread, mostly by just sitting there and letting them use my hand."

"When did you have the time?"

"Mercenaries don't have a lot of things to do when there's no fighting, and gladiators less so." He shrugged. "I also don't have many things to pack."

"...I owe you." I glanced at the medicines and notes again before looking back at him. "I owe you a lot."

"You owe me nothing. It might be a bit before we see combat, but when we do, I know I'll get injured and you'll either be healing me, or be directing someone to tend to the wound." He shook his head. "No one owes a healer anything, in my opinion. You do so much for everyone anyway, and that's just your normal duties, not the extra things like babysitting Prince Shanan or teaching Finn and Oifeye how to sew and mix up medicines."

"I'm simply doing my job as a healer."

"Well, yes, but who tends to the healer when she's overworked?" He paused what he was doing to look right at me. I just stared back, a little startled. The ready answer of 'no one' bubbled to my lips, but the look in his eyes kept me silent. "I thought so." He returned to what he was doing, and I could only keep staring, feeling almost disoriented. "Where does this one go? I can't figure out what it is."

"That's… that one should be with this pile." Slowly, I started directing him on where things went. I sat down at the table to look over the medicines and notes there, and he continued to help me pack up everything. By the time Sir Finn and Lord Oifeye finished their own preparations and came to help, Chulainn and I were almost done, and I was actually brewing some tea for us. We quickly invited them to join up, and I reassured them there was still more to be done besides packing, which cheered them up. They both… really wanted to help me.

'Who heals the healer?' was a question I knew well, and I knew the answer was always 'no one'. But Chulainn… had a different answer. His eyes had told me what his answer was: 'those who she healed, giving back what she gave.'

I had no idea how to react to that. I'd never, ever, heard that 'answer' before.

Records on Sir Finn:

Lance Knight, 16 years old

Squire to Lord Quan, chosen for his keen observation skills, grasp of tactics, and great potential in weaponry. Not that, of course, he'd believe any of it. He's humble to a fault.

Kind and polite, he watches over Lord Oifeye and Prince Shanan almost like an older brother, and often spends his free time playing and discussing things with them. He also spends quite a bit of time helping in the infirmary.

Is quite popular with girls, but seems completely unaware of that fact, despite many girls giving him gifts and the like.

Author's Notes: And thus we start Game-Chapter 2, Disturbance in Augustria (also the title of this chapter). Though, this is more of 'setting up to march out', instead of any actual battles. If Deirdre talks with Ethlyn during this chapter, Ethlyn gains the Light Sword, one of the magic swords of the game (which goes off strength versus defense in close range, and magic versus resistance in long range), though the conversation in game is much different. Altenna is not here during the game; this is more to give her a little bit of screentime. And foreshadow a really stupid decision Ethlyn and Quan make much later in the game (more Ethlyn than Quan).

The whole 'reach' and 'flexibility' thing comes from Mass Effect, specifically Mass Effect 2.

Next Chapter - Hound