Chapter 29) Consume
I honestly think Martin fell for Alice because of how accepting she was. No matter what we did, or how we did it, she was there with open arms and a smile. He'd never admit it, of course. He's the type to answer 'what do you love about me?' with 'everything', said in the most absent manner, like saying the sky was blue.
I remember their first kiss, though. I think it was an accident, a spur of the moment thing on her part. But I remember thinking it was just going to end in heartbreak.
The forge was quiet. That was eerie, even as I hated the smell of smoke and the clanging on hammers on metal. This was not a place that should be quiet. But I knew why it was. Martin had chased everyone out, stating that the forge needed an in-depth cleaning for the health of all the smiths. To be fair, the place did. I felt sooty just walking through it, heading to the back corner where Martin secluded himself as he worked.
Some part of me was mad about all the secrecy. Some part of me was mad at just how… arrogant Martin was. Whatever project he had, he thought he was the only one who could do it, as the 'genius'. At the same time, I knew he only thought that way because that had been impressed on him by everyone around him. I also wondered, many days, if he thought it was his only talent, his only 'worthwhile' trait. He was a genius at the forge. Take him away from that, and what did he become? To me, he would simply be my big brother, as he always was. But what would he become to himself?
Shaking my head, I made my way to Martin's corner, footsteps echoing eerily through the darkness. No matter how quietly I tried to move, the silence was too great.
Noise filtered through as I reached the corner. Martin and Aenir were already there, of course, tinkering with something. It looked to be a staff. A gold staff with a blue gem on top, ringed with gold, as if it were eclipsing, capturing, the sun itself. Or maybe they were to represent wings. I wasn't certain. In truth, it looked like a fancier version of the 'Recover' staff he invented a few days ago.
"Oh, Hilda," Aenir greeted, turning to face me. She looked tired and sad, but she made sure to smile for me. "You're here a bit earlier than expected."
"Azure helped me organize things to move faster," I answered. I crossed my arms to hide how my hands wanted to shake when I focused on Martin. He was almost as thin as Roland, and Roland had fucking consumption. There were bags under his eyes, and I swore he wore more clothes than bandages. "So, what's up?" It took everything I had to keep my voice light. I wanted to scream. I wanted to throw Martin out of here, demand that he went to Alice. "What's that?"
Geniuses were such selfish people, believing they alone were the ones who could do a certain task and then force those who cared about them to watch them fall apart as their work consumed them. But, the worst part? I couldn't say he was wrong about being the only one who could do… whatever it is that he was doing.
"Well, this is a staff that hopefully Ely can use in a few days," Martin explained, smiling slightly as he held it up. It was made with that special mineral, I could tell, but there was something about it that glowed. "With her permission, I used Fiona's blood to help make it. So, in theory, it has the power of a divine dragon, devoted solely to healing." …If that worked, we would have a staff that pulled miracles. "Of course, this is assuming it works, and that Ely can even use it." Yes, that was true… "This isn't what I called you in for, though."
"What it is…" Aenir began, taking over for a bit. She seemed to hesitate on how to explain. "Essentially, we're recreating the forging techniques used for the Sol Katti and the Sword of Seals." I… somehow was unsurprised. "We can't, of course, use divine dragon claws and fangs. Helios and other full-blooded dragons can regrow them, but Fiona can't as a half-dragon." Right, and there was no way we could hunt one down and ask to steal their teeth and nails. "So, we're using the same material used to make the Regal Blade and Rienfleche."
"All right," I whispered. I had to fight to grind my teeth. I didn't like this. I didn't like this at all. I didn't want more power. I didn't want more weapons. I just wanted Martin to live, and be happy. "So, why did you two call me here?" But there was no way I could stop this. There really wasn't. So, I had to sacrifice my wants, and his life, for his goal. "Normally, you just forge ahead."
"Yes, well…"
"Aenir, please," Martin interrupted. Aenir looked conflicted, but he shook his head. "It was your idea, but this is my project." Okay, what was going on? "Take a look at this, Hilda." He reached over to some cloth-covered object on a nearby table and pulled it out.
Black hilt capped with red with a silver center. Long, strong blade glinting silver in the little light the forge had. A sword. A beautiful sword, similar yet different from the Regal blade.
"What is that?" I asked softly. I stepped a little closer, peering at it. "It looks…" I hovered my hand over it, noticing Martin was careful to not let me touch it. "Is this…?"
"This is the first. Made from the mineral of fallen stars, quenched in Aenir's blood." The first of Martin's dragonslaying weapons. "But this is just the base. As it is, it's just a dragonslaying version of the Regal Blade, not something like the Sol Katti."
"What else is there?"
"Aenir calls the process 'etching'." He glanced at her, to confirm, and she nodded. "It's like the runes used to make tomes. It's what will call the power of spirits into the blade to make them stronger." Just like the Sol Katti and Sword of Seals. "And this brings me to why I asked you here?"
"Yes?"
He set the blade down and then looked at me, right at me. "Hilda, do you mind if I use your blood for the etching?" …Um… "It can be used with 'any' blood, but I won't have many chances to make this. This isn't something I can forge again and again. I only have a handful, and thus, I want to use something that I know works. The blood of a draconic descendant."
"And not Aenir?"
"I want them to be blades that can be used by more than one person. I don't want a single person to bear the burden." So, that was the 'gamble' in this. Using the blood of a half-dragon, someone who was of two worlds by blood, to hopefully make it a blade that did not have a 'chosen one'. Just a wielder who could handle the strength.
"How strong will this blade be?"
"In theory? Somewhere between the Sol Katti and Sword of Seals in might." He shrugged. "I doubt I could ever create something like that, but I have the advantage of an advisor who actually knows what she's doing."
I wished I could cry. I wanted to. After all, I knew I could not stop him. I knew I was watching him slowly kill himself. "Just answer one question," I whispered. He simply nodded. "Why?" I knew Aenir was confused. I saw her frown.
But Martin wasn't. He knew what I was really asking. "I'm tired." Tired of war. Tired of fighting. Tired of the death. Tired of everything. Perhaps even tired of being alive, but still continuing on for the sake of those he still had left. "And I don't want my children to see anymore bloodshed." 'I want my unborn child to be born in peace.'
I closed my eyes, and made a choice I was certain I would always, always regret. "How much you need?"
I watched Martin make the etchings, mostly because since this was the first time he'd done this, he had no idea how much blood he would need. So, I sat next to him, palm sliced and cupped so that blood would pool in it, and watched him mark the etchings. The 'most important' according to Aenir was the 'name', as that would draw the power into it. Names were power. That was why the Sol Katti and Sword of Seals even had names. Power did not flow into things without names. Not a concentrated power. It didn't linger.
Martin and I picked the name 'Durandal', the name of a legendary hero who held off an entire army with one single blade. Whether or not the process would work remained a question. It would take a few days for the power to 'take', if it took at all.
I convinced him to go take a nap afterwards. Durban said he'd watch out for him. I worried about taking up his time, but he assured me that anything he needed to do could be done from his room, and if worse came to worse, he could just carry Martin. So, I went to work myself. Which meant I was chatting with Jasmine while Azure took care of us both.
"I'm sorry to do this to you," Jasmine sighed. Her aides took sick, so she'd moved to my office to steal Azure's organizational talents. "But, also, I can see why Barigan suddenly has more trouble with his paper if he had Azure for so long and now doesn't." She snickered. "I have never been so organized."
"I am honored by your praised, Lady Jasmine," Azure demurred, as he set down mugs of tea for us to drink. "Though, that does make me fret over Lord Barigan."
"Hey, he asked you to be Hilda's aide precisely because of your skills." Jasmine hummed as she sipped the tea. "Oh, this is delicious~" It really was. "Where's Crimson?"
"He is currently gathering reports for Lady Hilda." Normally, Azure would be collecting them, but since Jasmine was here, Crimson dubbed me 'safe enough' for him to go. "Do you miss your former aide?"
"Well, he never got sick on me!" She laughed, though, so it was clear the words were teasing. "But, hey, Hilda needs him more at moment." She made a face, though. "Have things calmed down?" Calmed down?
"There are no more snide remarks made about aides, and it seems those of us who remain have regained whatever trust we might have lost." Oh, that… made some sense. It was Marius's aide who had been the traitor. Of course others would have been viewed with suspicion. "Crimson had it worse than me."
"Well, out of the aides, he does have the least number of years." She sighed, shaking her head. "Ridiculous, though. No one knows why he joined, but the same can be said of Durban." She suddenly nudged my side, scowling when I barely twitched. "Look up from the paper and drink your tea, missy."
"I'm waiting for it to cool a little," I replied easily. I was in the middle of organizing training schedules. Important for a war. We fought everyday, and trained even more. …Well, that was how things normally were. This silence from the dragons was just plain eerie. "Azure, can you tell Bramimond that he needs to work with Athos for rescheduling training sessions? There's a conflict."
"Of course, my lady," Azure answered easily. He poured some milk in my tea to help it cool down a little faster. Plus, milk tea was amazing. "But you should take a break."
"Fine, fine." I sighed, leaning back in my chair. My head hurt, and I swore I was getting a permanent squint. "I no longer wonder why Delrin always knocked over papers." I did wonder how he stayed in any way sane. "Ugh, I hate everything."
"Then let's talk about something you like," Jasmine replied. Her grin was decidedly wicked. "Like… Hartmut!" Hellsfires. "Come now, talk to me. Let the married one listen to any woes you might have."
"The married one that turns into a tomato when Barigan kisses her hand." I laughed at her scowl. "It's true!"
"I like my private life private, thank you very much." She somehow turned drinking tea into the most dignified motion. "But we are in private."
"Azure."
"Oh, please, do not mind me, my ladies!" Azure immediately replied, wearing the biggest grin. "I am simply going to be in my own world, organizing papers." He then went about noisily doing just that. Suspicious…
"See, he isn't paying attention," Jasmine teased. She was having far too much fun with this. "Come on! Tell me! Is he a good kisser? Probably a little clumsy, I don't think he's had time for a lover before, but-"
"Haven't kissed," I mumbled, trying to hide in my teacup. Somehow. "Hugged, used each other as pillows, held hands."
"So cute~" She was giggling now. Wasn't she supposed to be cynical? "Ah, I remember those days. The newness made everything so awkward yet warm…" Her grin shifted to a smirk. "And then there's sleeping together." …WHA?! "Now, now, what are you thinking? I'm simply talking about sharing a room."
"You're horrible." My face was so red now. Teasing was a lot more fun when I wasn't the victim. "Absolutely horrible."
"Yes, yes." She, on the other hand, was clearly having a lot of fun. "Really, though, being able to wake up and see Barigan first thing is the most wonderful feeling." I wouldn't know. "When are you two going to share a room?"
"I barely have time to sleep in the room I share with Hanon!" I saw Hanon twice a day: the early, early hours of the morning when we both all-but-fainted, and whatever too early hour we woke up at to go back to work. "I feel like I'm going to go mad."
"It's not helped by the preparations to head for the front." Yes, the dragons weren't coming to us, so Delrin had decided to make the push, just as Marius wanted. "But that's neither here nor there." She leaned forward, grinning. "But that's depressing, and we're done being depressing for the day."
"You're going to curse us."
"Hush. You're just trying to get out of telling me about how your relationship with Hartmut is." Um… well… "I don't even know which one of you confessed first."
"Wait, that didn't spread?"
"Nope! And Bramimond and Elimine won't say anything about it and-"
Frantic yelps and footsteps caught my attention, and Jasmine and I barely had time to look to the door before it crashed open, revealing a very frantic Hanon.
"It's Roland," she gasped out. Everything froze. I knew what she was going to say. "He collapsed, vomiting blood." Everyone knew what that meant. "We're meeting now." There was no time left.
Apparently, it was even worse than I thought. Roland had been with his soldiers when the coughing fit started. Meaning they got to see their beloved general spew blood everywhere and drop into a dead faint.
"This is probably the second-worst-case-scenario," Delrin sighed. We were in his office. And by 'we', I meant almost everyone. Durban, Josephine, Hartmut, Hanon, Jasmine, Elimine, Sacae, Barigan, Elijah… of course, Elijah was one the edge of a mental breakdown, and I think he was really only at this meeting because Barigan had dragged him with him when they arrived.
Athos, Genevieve, and Bramimond weren't here, but I knew why. Athos and Genevieve were keeping things calm while we talking, and Bramimond took over Ely's infirmary duties for right now, since she had to be here.
Azure carefully passed out some water and tea as we all just sort of… sat there. Delrin was right. This was the second-worst-case-scenario. The only thing worse would have been Roland dropping dead.
"The hall is loud," Crimson informed us, breaking the silence and starting our thoughts again. He was by the door, guarding it. "Should I tell them to move?"
"Just keep them from bursting in," Durban suggested. Crimson glanced at me and waited for my nod before nodding himself. "All right. We're in a bad situation, and Roland is in a worse one. On that, I think we're all clear." Yes.
"Meaning we need to determine a plan," Hartmut added. He'd made sure to give me a smile when I had walked in, but he hadn't moved from standing by Josephine. I didn't blame him. Josephine looked on the edge of tears herself. I was fine here between Jasmine and Hanon. "So, Sacae? Elimine?" All eyes focused on the two healers, and I winced at just how… Ely looked like the world was collapsing, and Sacae looked ready to pass out. They had clearly been doing everything they could, but it was just falling apart in their fingertips. "Anything?"
"Well, if it wasn't obvious, Roland's anywhere from a week to a month from dying," Sacae informed everyone bluntly. His tone was tired, and it was clear he couldn't even begin to think of being tactful. Even if some part of me wished he could as Elijah gasped and Barigan hugged him. This had to be all the worse for him; Roland never did get around to telling him about his illness. "I would guess the former, based on stress."
"Though, I would guess the latter based on actual damage," Ely countered. Her words were soft, and it was almost like she had to fight to say them. She wouldn't look at anything but the floor as she talked. "However, he is dangerously underweight, and it will simply get worse. Getting him nutrition will be difficult."
"In terms of healing, though, the recent Recover staff Martin made actually gave us some progress." The mood of the room just… paused then. Hopeful, but scared to hope. "The thing with consumption, we've discovered, is that it acts like a ebrove poison." Like a what?
"Ebrove is a certain type of poisonous plant," Hanon explained when she saw our confused looks. I think she was glad to be able to do something, even if it was small like that. "It's like the dreamflower in that it does have medicinal uses in lower doses, but in higher ones, it is very dangerous. In this case, it prevents healing magic from taking."
"In smaller doses, it's used to assist in the creation of the 'pure water' used to temporarily boost resistance to magic," Sacae added, though I think that was mostly to get his thoughts organized. "So, a theory Elimine and I had was that if we use the antidote to ebrove poisoning, we might, might, be able to push it down enough for the staff to take." He sighed. "Though, there are problems there too."
"Consumption is the destruction of the lungs," Elimine whispered. She looked so despondent. "Meaning that healing will require piecing together a very delicate part of the body. So, it's possible even if this works, I still won't be able to do much. He's coughing up bits of his lung with the blood." That was such a wonderful mental image. "But, if we don't try, he's definitely going to die. That is a fact. There is too much damage for him to recover on his own."
"Meaning we have to try," I declared. My voice was far firmer than I felt, but I refused to let it shake. I would not… I would not give up on a friend until I exhausted every last option. "What do you need, Sacae? For that antidote."
"Honestly, I have most of everything," he answered. The mood of the room tilted to more hopeful. "The problem is that I don't have the most critical." It went back to fear. "Caphredil." I actually knew that flower. It was also called the Fire Dragon's Rose. "I don't know where any grow in this area." The deafening silence that followed told me no one else did. "We could look up possible locations, and go from there, but we don't have time to search blindly…" So, we only have one shot. One arrow to fire. If we missed, Roland was dead.
"Then, might I speak?" All eyes turned to Crimson. I had almost forgotten he and Azure were here. "I know of a location where they grow," he told us. The mood instantly went back to hopeful. "It's near the Hanover lands." Hanover? Where did I…? Oh! That's right. That was…
"Hanover?"
"It used to be the name of a Fire Dragon tribe, one ruled by the dragon 'Wuotan'." You only really heard it during the Fire Dragon Festival, though, when things were formal. Even the dragons of it rarely said it. "It's derived from some dead language, meaning 'Might of the Sun'. They had two cities they held important: Aquelia and… well, one that's not too far over the mountains. You probably passed it on the way here."
"And there are Caphredil there?"
"There were when I last saw the place last year." It was our best shot. "I can lead a small group there."
"You'll need fliers," Josephine immediately observed. She was almost tense enough to shake. "I'll go with you."
"You'll need at least two, just in case," Jasmine immediately added. "I'm going too." And her eyes left no room for protests."
"Please allow me to go," Elijah whispered. All eyes turned to him, and he looked ready to cry. "Please, let me help my best friend. I'll be useless here."
"I will go as well," Barigan added. He patted Elijah on the shoulder reassuringly. "Some 'on-the-ground' view might be good."
"I'm going too," I declared firmly. I could immediately see the protests. "You don't want me around here when a friend is dying and there's nothing I can do. You really don't. Besides, does anyone in the proposed group know what this flower looks like besides Crimson?" Only sheepish squirming was the reply. "Well, I know it. And if we drag Azure along, then I can get work done while I'm out."
"Oh, all right," Delrin sighed, interrupting the talking. "I'm stopping it there, for my own sanity." A quick glance around the room all but confirmed he was right. All of us were ready to volunteer. "That group may go-"
"The group will need a healer. Ely, I'm assuming, is staying here."
"Then take Athos." Oh, this will be interesting. "But that's it. No more. This would be a perfect time for an ambush, while we're all panicking over a general." He shook his head. "For now, go and calm the soldiers, as best as you can. Act fully confident. The soldiers might be afraid of your skills, but they believe in you all." That… that was not a comfortable thought. "Dismissed, everyone."
The camp was in an uproar. Roland was a well-liked figure in the army, even if people kept their distance due to their awe. He was a general, meaning people were once again worried about leadership. Plus there was some… suspicion now. People were wondering why this was withheld from them. There was a panic about who else might have been infected.
We… might have messed up, keeping this all as quiet as we did. There wasn't anything that could be done about it, of course, but we still might have messed up. It took a long while to get people calmed down enough that we were risking a revolt or whatever the proper term for it was.
As a result, it was far into the evening when I finally got a chance to even check in on Roland. And hellsfires, he looked bad.
"You're not… going to scream, are you?" he half-joked. I had no idea how he even could. I had no idea how he could smile. Shouldn't he be afraid? "Elijah did."
"Good, you deserve it," I retorted, having no sympathy on that front. I sat by him, ignoring the chair to just sit on the bed. He was thin enough that I had plenty of room. "You never told him."
"I know… I always got too scared…" He sighed, shaking his head. "Whoa, dizzy…"
"It's because you haven't eaten anything." Consumption destroyed the appetite as it destroyed the body. "Josephine is making you some soup for tonight. Try to eat it."
"I'll try." His breath was labored. He was so pale and thin… I almost thought I was talking to a skeleton, not a person. "There was a lot of noise."
"Your dramatic revelation of illness caused an uproar." We should have said something sooner. We really should have. "It's fine. It's under control."
"Ah." He might have said more, but he started coughing violently, almost jerking up from the force. Blood splattered over his hands and over the blanket. It also got my leg, but I ignored it, simply getting up to fetch him a new blanket. "Sorry…"
"It's fine." I tugged one out from a pile in the corner. Whoever had carried him here had anticipated a lot of changes, it looked like. "You know the plan?"
"To get that flower." His voice was soft as I returned and changed his blanket. "Hey…"
"Yes?"
"Don't… Don't feel bad…" The blood speckling his mouth looked eerie, especially with how pale he was. "If it doesn't work… don't feel bad…" He somehow managed to smile, and I saw in his eyes how he was unafraid. He had long accepted this, and had just decided to keep going anyway. Eyes staring forward, resolved no matter what. "What they learned with me… I'm sure will saved the next person…" But we wanted it to work on him. "Please…"
"Don't give up yet." I took his hand, unafraid. "We're not giving up yet, and neither should you."
"I have… such great friends…" His eyes closed and for one brief, heartstopping moment, I thought he died right then and there. But there was still a pulse, and he was still breathing. We were fine. Everything was still fine.
I hesitated, still clinging to his hand, before closing my eyes and doing something I had not done for eight years. Pray. "Gods, if you exist, if you listen, if you have any desire to help anything, then please… please, let him live. Let us get back in time." Because this just wasn't fair!
Hesitating a bit, I checked to make sure he was tucked in before leaving, closing the door behind me.
Hartmut was waiting for me, leaning against the door. "How is he?" he asked softly. I could only close my eyes and shake my head. "I figured." He winced, expression pained, and I knew he desperately wanted to head inside. But he also didn't, because he couldn't stand seeing Roland so close to death. "You all are heading out tomorrow?"
"Yeah, it's a little late to head out tonight," I murmured. Hesitantly, I walked over to him and hugged him tightly. He returned it quickly, clinging slightly. "We'll be fine."
"I know."
"And there's a healer!"
"I know."
"So, just focus on keeping everything calm here."
"I'll try." He sighed heavily, letting go of me. "I just hate waiting. I can't do anything."
"Well, they say laughter is the best medicine." Of course 'they' also said a lot of things that were bullshit, but that was neither here nor there. "If you can find the courage, go and make him laugh."
"Well now you had to challenge me." He sighed so mournfully that I had to laugh. "Fine, fine." He hesitated a moment before he leaned down, kissing my cheek. I felt my whole face heat up. "For good luck."
"You're ridiculous." But I could help but smile. "You'll be seeing us off, won't you?"
"Well, yes, but I doubt I'd have the courage to do that around our friends." Hahaha! "Here, let me walk you to your room. I think Hanon is packing for you."
"Somehow, I'm unsurprised." Hesitantly, I took his hand, squeezing tightly. "…I'm scared."
"We all are." Yes, we were. "But we're going to keep going." Yes, yes, we were.
I would not just give up on a friend.
People
· **Hilda/Hildegard, Dread Fighter, High General and Tactician (me)
o Half dragon (fire). Brown hair, blue eyed, 19 years old.
o Weapons (and ranks): Daggers (S), Swords (A), Axes (C); Wields the Chakram
o A survivor of Aquelia, daughter of Wuotan and his lady, Alyssa. Raised by Mira and Gabriel of Aquelia. Thief, no matter what fancy title people give me. Lover of Hartmut.
o Heading out to try and save Roland
· **Ely/Elimine, Sister, Head Healer
o My best friend. Blonde hair, blue eyed, 18 years old.
o Weapons (and ranks): Light magic (S), Staves (S)
o A survivor of Aquelia, the first healer, and only current user of light magic. Wields Luce, a tome Martin made.
o Scared of not being able to save Roland.
· **Martin, Blacksmith, Head Craftsman
o My big brother. Red hair, green eyed, 20 years old.
o Weapons (and ranks): Axes (C), Swords (D)
o A survivor of Aquelia, master craftsman. Creator of healing staves, dragonslaying weapons, light magic, and what are being dubbed the 'super weapons'. Husband of Alice, father of Emma and Lori.
o Has created a staff using Fiona's blood, and a sword using the same method made to forge the Sol Katti, using my blood. We'll see what happens.
· Alice, Unknown Class (yes, I know she's not in the army, but I'm writing her down anyway. I'm scared of forgetting…)
o My big sister, the mom of the group. Black hair, red eyed, 19 years old.
o Wielded Tomes and Lances.
o A survivor of Aquelia, wife to Martin, mother of Emma and Lori. I think she's three months pregnant, but I'm not too sure. Skilled painter.
o Stayed behind due to pregnancy, and to care for the orphan kids we had taken in. We only communicate through letters now.
· Mika, Swordfighter, Deceased
o My big little brother. Green hair, brown eyed, 19 years old.
o A survivor of Aquelia. Talented swordsman taught by his mother. Though he did not believe much in their protection, he still prayed to Father Sky and Mother Earth in the end, to protect us.
o His nephew, Vash, stays with Alice.
· Maron, Sniper
o My little sister. Blonde hair, grey eyed, 17 years old.
o Weapons (and ranks): Bows (S)
o A survivor of Aquelia. Talented seamstress. Involved with Athos.
o She and Martin argue often, and all of us are definitely feeling the losses to our friends. Desperately begged that I not die before her.
· Sheryl, Mage, Deceased
o My baby sister. Blonde hair, gold eyed, 16 years old.
o A survivor of Aquelia. Specialized in thunder magic. Forgot everything but birthdays. Always ready with a smile and a laugh. Dearly wanted us to be happy.
o Her niece, Kim, stays with Alice.
· **Roland, Hero, Blade General
o From the south originally. Blue hair, blue eyed, 18 years old.
o Weapons (and ranks): Swords (S), Axes (B); Wields the Regal Blade.
o The best liar of the group. Has consumption, and has reached the final stages. I only hope he lives long enough for us to try this last method
o In love with Josephine, and utterly convinced it's unrequited. But I think some encouragement might help him realize it's not
· Hartmut, Great Lord
o Half-dragon (divine). Former prince of the Eastern Kingdom. Blonde hair, amber eyed, 19 years old.
o Weapons (and ranks): Swords (S), Axes (E); Wields the Sword of Seals.
o Has two living sisters: Genevieve and Josephine. Had two brothers who died with his father and Lady Mother: Al and Rainard. Best friends with Bramimond. Half-brother to Idenn, a divine dragon. My lover.
o His greatest dream is seeing Genevieve, Josephine, and Bramimond all gain their happiness, as well as all his friends.
· **Hanon, Huntress, Leader of the Nomad Fighters
o Plainswoman of the Kutolah tribe. Green hair, green eyed, 17 years old.
o Weapons (and ranks): Bows (A), Swords (A)
o Sister to Sacae. Kind smile, and kinder laugh. Used to prefer the bow, but now is ambivalent since she has been reliant on swords thanks to the wyrmslayer use.
o Packed my bag for me, so that I could focus on resting.
· **Sacae, Blade Lord
o Plainsman forced to give up his tribe. Green hair, green eyed, 17 years old.
o Weapons (and ranks): Swords (S), Bows (S); Wields the Sol Katti and Rienfleche
o Brother to Hanon. Uncaring of his potential death, viewing it as inevitable. Talented herbalist.
o Came up with one final plan for curing Roland
· **Barigan, Paladin, Cavalry General
o From Edessa, to the north. Purple hair, green eyed, 19 years old.
o Weapons (and ranks): Lances (S), Swords (A), Axes (D); Wields Rex Hasta
o Husband to Jasmine. A teasing person, but encouraging, and keeps to his word no matter what.
o Coming to save Roland
· **Durban, Berserker, Axe General
o From the Western Isles. Brown hair, brown eyed, 20 years old.
o Weapons (and ranks): Axes (S); Wields Basilikos
o Still don't know how he joined, and beginning to wonder if I ever will. Brutal fighter, but a kind person. Strong enough to hurt dragons through their scales even with an ordinary axe.
o Promised to look after Martin while I'm away
· **Jasmine, Dark Flier, Pegasus General
o From the north, and maybe from Edessa. Brown hair, purple eyed, 18 years old.
o Weapons (and ranks): Tomes (S) with a specialty in wind magic, Lances (C); Wields Excalibur
o Wife to Barigan. A cynical, but ultimately kind woman. First to tame and ride a pegasus into battle. Doesn't do well with public displays of affection.
o Coming with us to save Roland
· **Josephine, Revenant Knight, Wyvern General
o Former princess of the Eastern Kingdom. Blonde hair, purple eyed, 21 years old.
o Weapons (and ranks): Tomes (S) with a specialty in thunder magic, Axes (B)
o Sister to Hartmut and Genevieve. A trained wyvern knight and few can match her ferocity on the field. Surprisingly frail looking and tiny, especially compared to her siblings.
o In love with Roland, and coming to save him
· Delrin, Bow Knight, Commander of the Army
o Former Dragon Commander of the East. Green hair, blue eyed, 27 years old.
o Weapons (and ranks): Bow (S), Swords (S)
o A kind, if awkward man, who is not dealing well with the lost of his dear friend. Determined to see things through.
o That's assuming he isn't going to lose important paperwork. Luckily, Bramimond and Athos are his assistants, as otherwise, we're doomed.
· Marius, Armored Knight, Deceased
o From the city near Aquelia, former Dragon Knight. Brown hair, brown eyed, 31 years old.
o Gave a bad first impression, but kind underneath it all. Unfailing fair to his soldiers. Gave me his Dragon Pendant in a silent plea for me to help lead the army to victory and peace.
o Lost his wife and daughter in Aquelia, and is survived by his daughter. I wrote her, but haven't received a reply yet. Not that I'm really expecting one.
· Genevieve, Sage, Mage Lieutenant
o Former princess of the Eastern Kingdom. Blonde hair, amber eyed, 16 years old
o Weapons (and ranks): Tomes (S) with a specialty in fire, Staves (C)
o Sister to Hartmut and Josephine, prefers long-range magic especially now. Her leg is crippled. In love with Bramimond, and the two have promised to talk more when the war ends.
o Has a kind smile, but she's not quite as energetic as she used to be. I think the war is getting to her. But she perked up right away while chatting with Josephine and me, so maybe she's just feeling lonely.
· **Athos, Sage, Mage General
o From a nameless oasis city in the desert. Silver hair, blue eyed, 18 years old.
o Weapons (and ranks): Tomes (S) with a specialty in fire, Staves (B)
o Involved with Maron. Was abandoned. A gentle person ultimately who keeps many secrets.
o Coming with us to save Roland; for some reason, he even had his bag already packed prior to us telling him?
· Bramimond, Druid, Shaman General
o From the east, son of the former High Priest of the Shrine of Shields. Blonde hair, green eyed, 19 years old.
o Weapons (and ranks): Elder magic (S); Staves (A); Wields Gespenst
o Best friends with Hartmut. Logical and inquisitive, and a huge worrier. He hides it with pragmatism, mostly because he's not 'big on belief'. Frets over martin, but might put too much blame on the people around Martin.
o Has two promises he is determined to keep no matter what: to confess his feelings properly to Genevieve, and to never leave Hartmut.
· Fiona, Dancer
o Half dragon (divine), Princess of the Divine Dragons. Pink hair, green eyed, 1500 years old (dragon equivalent of 18).
o Unlike Hartmut and me, she is capable of transforming into a dragon, but does not because she cannot keep sanity long. Has the Dancer's Gift.
o Has a half-sister named Fae. Dear friends with Aenir. Looking for her other dear friend, Idenn.
o Works as my 'messenger'/'page', which is an excuse to help make sure I don't work myself into the ground. Drags me out on breaks when necessary.
· **Elijah, Paladin, Cavalry Lieutenant
o From the south. Red hair, blue eyed, 17 years old.
o Weapons (and ranks): Sword (S), Lances (B), Axes (E)
o Best friends with Roland. Serves as Barigan's right hand. A kind man, very fond of pointing out how insane the people around him are.
o Very aware Roland is dying now, and is coming with us to save him
· **Aenir, Bard
o Queen of the Ice Dragons. Ice-blue hair, red eyes. Very old.
o Has the Bardic Gift, and the ability to manipulate ice.
o Married to a human (I think she said the name was Nergal?) and the mother of two children (Ninian and Nils). Dear friends with Fiona, Idenn, and Wuotan. Determined to find the latter two, along with her husband, and then leave through the Gate. She reminds me of Mother, which makes it easy to relax around her. Due to a promise she made Wuotan, she keeps close to me to keep me safe. She shares what information she knows, but is careful to not tell us too much at once.
o Working with Martin on creating powerful dragonslaying weapons. There's something ironic about this.
· **Azure, War Monk, one of my aides
o From the east, serving in a sanctuary before joining the army. Green hair, green eyed, 16 years old.
o Weapons (and ranks): Axes (B), Staves (D)
o A kind and gentle person who is always encouraging and makes the best teas. Was originally assigned to Barigan, but was transferred to help me. Has been serving for about six years, and spent two of those years serving Barigan.
o Encourages me to take breaks, though he does bring up a troubling thought. The dragons must be planning something… regardless, though, he's coming with us to save Roland, and to make sure I don't miss too much work
· **Crimson, Mage Fighter, one of my aides
o From a city near Aquelia. Black hair, blue eyed, 20 years old.
o Weapons (and ranks): Tomes (S) specializing in fire magic, Swords (A)
o A calm, encouraging person who serves as my bodyguard when I'm not asleep or out in the field. Was originally assigned to Jasmine, but was transferred to help me. Has been serving for about three years, but very well respected.
o Is leading us to a place that might have caphredil. Here's hoping…
Author's Note: Something to note: dreamflower, ebrove, and caphredil, as I am using the terms, are all fictional plants, btw. If they are real plants, with similar properties, I assure you, this is entirely coincidental. Same for the 'meaning' of Hanover in this universe. But yeah, Roland is in trouble. If you read Tactician's Testimony, then Roland is at about the same point Katri was during chapter 31.
Next Chapter – Suns and Roses
