Thank you Varupikusu and Presea for your reviews.
After an unfortunate decline in readership for the past few chapters; Chapter 35 pulled back some much higher numbers, including a new daily record for most visitors on Wednesday! Hopefully this is will be a continued upswing! Thank you everyone for you continued patronage.
With this chapter New Path is now also twice as long as the second-longest fic in the Xillia section. Something to be proud of? Ashamed of?
So many new Xillia fics! Good to see the section getting some attention.
Tales of Xillia and the Tales of Series are the copyright of Namco Bandai and whoever else owns the rights. I own nothing except for OCs that have unfortunately appeared.
Chapter 36: Night in the City of Night
The plan had gone off without a hitch. Jude's team had rescued Cline, Gaius' team had drawn the battleship away, Milla's team took the battleship, and Mister Eldin's team had taken the city. Casualties were minimal amongst both the Rieze Maxians and Elympions. The return of the battleship under the command of Rieze Maxia had convinced the occupying forces to surrender. Following that, the seaship carrying the Auj Oule and Rashugal soldiers docked back in Fennmont under the watch of everyone. Auj Oule landing peacefully in Fennmont would have seemed like a dream just days ago... but so did ships that sailed the sky. The plan had gone off so well...
...too well. And that just meant the attack on the Exodus Headquarters would be a complete disaster.
Once the troops were brought ashore, everyone relevant to the situation at hand was brought to a war room inside Orda Palace. It was almost exactly what one would picture a war room to look like; racks of weapons, several giant tables covered in notes and documents, bookshelves and desks packed with strategy guides dominated the room.
Then came the small problem. For all the cooperation between nations today, Cline and Gaius were still both granted right to head the meeting. Gaius was the more experienced, in kingship and war, but the city and country was Cline's, even if he was not king just yet.
The two rulers looked at each other... what thoughts went through their minds beneath their stern visages? Each other? Peace? War? Hate? Curiosity?
Peace. Cline held his hand forward, offering a handshake. The king of Auj Oule took the offered hand, and a firm shake was had. Cline Sharil stepped aside, taking a seat to the right of King Gaius. Rowen sat next to him, and on the left side sat the Chimeriad. Everyone else just fell into place without any other care after that.
The situation at hand and the actions taken so far were relayed and repeated for everyone present. What happened in Fezebel Marsh, the schism, Elympios, Alvin, Muzét's introduction, the retaking of Kanbalar, the failure to capture the sky ship. Cline's march through to Fennmont, the arrival of the skyships shouting about promoting peace and maintaining order, Cline's orders to disarm and blend amongst the populace, his incarceration, and the success of the plan in Fennmont. Last, came talk of the assault on Exodus HQ.
"It's an action we have to take," Cline spoke about it. "But if there's any place all those other sky ships you spoke of will be..."
"They'll be guarding the Lance of Kresnik," Gaius finished the sentence. "Nevertheless, it is the only course of action remaining for us."
"I agree, however," the Lord of Sharil rubbed his chin in thought. "There have no reports of any of these wide-scale mana drains reported in Fennmont, or anyone in Rashugal period. If Gilland's plan is to harvest our mana, why is he holding back?"
Wingul had an insight into that. "The Lance of Kresnik needs to be positioned correctly. If the Exodus Headquarters is on the ocean, it may simply not have the reach for Fennmont, or Kanbalar."
Alvin grunted at the news. "He has an entire fleet of ships at his command, what's he waiting for?"
Rowen had an idea. "It may be he intends to lure us all into a trap at the Exodus base."
Wingul nodded at the Rashugal tactician's answer. "Ilbert is correct. The only one with any information on the subject is untrustworthy himself."
"I'm wounded you still think of me such," Alvin joked in the sour mood.
Presa had no patience for his attitude. "We'll always think of you like that now." Alvin laughed at the distrust aimed at him, but said nothing in return.
"Alvin's loyalties aside," Cline attempted to steer the conversation back. "What should we prepare for during the assault?"
Rowen, sensing the intent behind those words, disagreed with them. "Lord Cline, I cannot in good conscious let you accompany us on our mission."
But the Lord of Sharil shook his head at his servant's objections. "No, I must go as well. If this fails, then Rieze Maxia won't survive. Every able hand will be necessary for this." He looked over at Elize with some sadness evident on his face.
"Don't worry Cline!" the girl herself beamed with confidence. Even Teepo roared happily as he spoke, "Elly and I will protect you again!"
The soon King of Rashugal let out a relieved laugh at the girl's pure intent. "Thank you Elize."
Agria groaned at the tender scene however. "Yeah, a man hiding behind a girl half his age. We sure need that kind of help." She finished her insult with a sneer.
Wingul agreed with his fellow Chimeriad member. "Agria is correct. We should not waste space with someone who cannot fight when there are plenty of soldiers willing and able."
Rowen had a counter to his point. "And what of morale?"
"Excuse me?"
"If the soldiers of both Auj Oule and Rashugal saw their kings hand-in-hand willing to fight this threat from beyond the skies, it may rekindle a difference in hope beyond just one more soldier."
Cline had to remind him though. "I am not the king Rowen. But, your point is fair."
Wingul had another counter to their wishes however. "Such a speech or claim of misaligned friendship can be given before departure. It is not necessary to act upon this on way to our destination."
But Rowen wouldn't let it rest at that. "You once chided me for abandoning my duty and leading from the rear. Now you task the same of Lord Cline."
If the man in black showed any annoyance with having his own words thrown back at him, he didn't show it. "We all have our place Ilbert. I would no sooner let a child unto the battlefield than let someone as unqualified as Sharil."
Teepo yelled at him. "Hey! Me and Elly have been helping for a while!" The puppet put on an angry little face at the Auj Oule tactician. "So don't go saying you haven't thought about us in your crazy jerk plans!"
"I have no words for a puppet. If you wish to speak Elize, do it yourself," Wingul declared back at the duo.
"Fine!" the girl herself agreed. "You wanted our help, and we've been through the battlefield and I, um, fighting and..." her response died out beneath the stare of everyone present... but the doll finished it for her. "Don't expect us to give up until we learn about Jiao!" From her puppet's words she drew strength. "That's right!" she clutched her little fists together. "Jiao died, so we could escape. I want to make it right, for him. I want the truth!"
Wingul slowly shook his head at her answer. "The truth is many different things. Do not ever expect to learn it from me." He looked over at the Lord of Sharil, and then everyone. "If any of you prove to be a liability, you will be left behind."
"Oh?" Milla put herself into the conversation for the first time. "If you could afford to place all those who defy you aside you wouldn't have needed us to take Fennmont."
"That's right!" Ivar slammed his hands on the table to support Milla in the most obnoxious way possible. "After all that talk in Kanbalar earlier about not needing us, you sure changed your mind overnight!"
Wingul set himself to speak, but his King shook no, and was the one to answer. "And, handmaid of Maxwell, why do you think that is?"
"Well obviously it's because Lady Milla's essential for any good plan and the skills and talents of yours truly shine eternal!" Ivar wasted no time in moving to bragging about himself.
"Why then, do we bring along these other three: Jude, Leia, Elize?"
"I dunno," Ivar shrugged at the idea. "Great stories need hapless sidekicks?"
"Hey!" Leia huffed at his detriment while Agria snickered at it.
"An amusing theory," Gaius replied. "But wrong. No, I wanted to see the strength in your convictions."
Milla, annoyed, said back. "This was all some sort of test to you?"
"A test for all of us," Gaius steered his declaration in another direction. "Could Rashugal and Auj Oule and any other come together in cooperation?"
Milla, a little less annoyed, replied again. "Then what is your conclusion?"
The King of Auj Oule did not answer, not immediately. The current events were not so simple to lend themselves to answer on a whim. But again, in another way, they were as simple as anything ever was. "Cline Sharil," Gaius looked at the man who would be his opposite. "If it is truly your desire to stand amongst us on the front when it is beyond your strength, then that is your choice."
"It is," Cline replied, simply, easily.
"Very well!" Gaius' voice roared in approval. "Auj Oule, Rashugal, Rieze Maxia moves as one against these invaders!" The Chimeriad made their unhappiness visible, but did not defy their king's words with their own. But his own announcement had another effect. He was the one who was leading here, not Cline.
"So glad I have your permission," Cline wryly stated. There was an... objectivity to his existence at the moment.
Gaius did not know, or care to his protests. "Wingul, Conductor, let us discuss strategy for this upcoming battle. Everyone else, should resupply and rest. The strain of Fezebel has not yet been eased."
"No," Milla interrupted Gaius' attempts to finish the conversation. "There is one last piece of business we must discuss first."
"The Lance of Kresnik," he immediately honed in on her intent.
"Yes," Milla added a nod. "Gaius, this will be the third and final time I ask this of you, abandon all plans to use the Lance. It will bring nothing but suffering to the world, even in your hands."
The King of Auj Oule shook his head in defiance of her final ultimatum. "In my hands it may yet prove the salvation of Rieze Maxia."
"Then we shall meet as enemies before the Lance again."
"How unfortunate."
The battle lines for the future had already been drawn so quickly once again. But for now, those not called by Gaius took their leave of the war room. Rest behooved them all now, from silent Jude to center-of-attention Cline to annoying Agria.
Jude, had not managed a word in the conversation. Elize was important several times, Leia spoke against Nadia's insults. Only Muzét had remained as silent as him, and even she had her introduction to Cline. Him, he'd done nothing. He had nothing to contribute that wasn't already covered by anyone else. It was...
Depressing.
But well, he'd helped plenty earlier with getting everyone to the dorm! So why did it feel so wrong now...?
Because it was about war. About war. He was a medical student, a doctor! He didn't know anything about war. Even Leia and Elize crossed a battlefield by fighting. Him? He'd just rode Nadia's skirt the whole way through.
He confronted a king, helped get Cline out, helped fight a soldier delaying another king... and here he thought depressed about not being helpful. He was! He was!
He abandoned Talim twice over. Thrice, including his return to Leronde.
All his thoughts were just... jumbled now. Why was he even getting annoyed he couldn't contribute to war talk? That's something good after all. Why was he even invited at all? Wingul made a point, there were plenty of soldiers more appropriate than him to go, more than Leia and Elize.
Why was he thinking about this now? Maybe he just need a good night's rest in his dorm bed again. The dorm, at Talim.
No, he needed to make amends for always running off. He'd work all double-night if he had to. Sleep on the ship—or not if he stayed.
But, he wanted some help. Since everyone else was filtering out of the war room except the handful who stayed, he walked over to Leia and Elize and asked. "Leia, Elize, could I ask something of you?"
"Sure, what do you need Jude?" Leia responded, and he had Elize's attention as well.
"I want to go back to Talim and help with all the injured," he told them his plan. "I'd like it if you'd come help me."
"Sure!" Leia immediately replied and gave a big wave. "What about you Elize?"
"Alright," the girl also gave her approval.
"Thanks you two," Jude gave a full smile at the wonderful duo. "The medical staff and patients are gonna be plenty grateful too." Nadia laughed at that as she passed by but Jude just ignored her attempts to provoke him. "Let's head over right away."
"Ah, wait a sec," Leia stopped him before he rushed off. "Gaius said we should all resupply and rest right? I mean, we should help, obviously, but we can't burn ourselves out."
"We can sleep on the ship flying over," Jude gave her the plan he'd concocted already.
"Right, but what if we get a fever or something beforehand?"
"That probably won't happen..." but he scratched his head because he knew it was a possibility. "But yeah, I see your point." He hated to just let all the other doctors and nurses fall back to overworking because they'd just be heading out again. But once this was over, they could just come back and make everything right... if all the overworked doctors weren't new patients anyway. "I think I'm gonna go check the stores first, see if I can get my hands on any gels to give to the doctors."
Leia nodded at his idea. "Yeah, good idea, we can get some for our fight tomorrow too."
Tomorrow, the fight. They were coming along. He knew... but... the gravity of it just hit him. Why were the three of them going? It seemed all so, mad! He'd done so much, and only now did it seem like the weight of it was hitting him. What was going on now? He longed for that simple life back at Talim, before any of this. But, this was the reality now. "Um, no, I can handle it myself," he'd rather not let his foul thoughts seep unto them if he could help it.
"Are you sure?" Leia put her hand on his shoulder out of concern.
"Y-yeah," he kept to his word. "I mean, I can run faster so I'll have it done in no time."
She slowly withdrew her offer of concern. "Well, if you're sure..." she paused to give him time for a refusal. One that never came. "Well, alright, we can at least walk together for a while, right?"
"Huh? Yeah," Jude replied. That should be fine.
"Good," a little smirk slipped unto Leia's lips, one he knew always preceded trouble. "Because I have some words for you mister."
"Huh? What'd I do?" he asked genuinely confused.
"You'll learn," Leia said and took the lead out of Orda Palace. Jude, almost desperate to hear what she wanted, quickly followed after her, and Elize came along as well. With a flash of the lotus rings they were back down to Fennmont's basic level and walking outside. "Alright Jude, what's the job of a nurse?"
What did that have to do with anything? "What do you mean?" he asked, so very confused.
"Wrong answer." Leia gave him a flat look of disappointment.
"To help a doctor," he gave the obvious answer. Why did she want him to say it.
"Correct," she gave an overly large smile at the simple answer. "And that's what I'm doing right now. Helping you."
He still had no idea what she meant, or wanted by this. "Err thanks?" he gave the only thing he could think of.
"Your welcome, but I haven't gotten to my point yet," she looked down and pointed to the iron gauntlets hanging off his hips. "How long have you been using those?"
Was this really about his weapon? "Since I came to Fennmont." He pulled up the iron braces and examined them. They were pretty beat up yeah, plenty of nicks, dents and ruptures in the metal. Guess he hadn't noticed it before with everything going on. "Is, is that all?" He kind of expected a bigger reason with the way she'd been acting.
"Nope!" and there wasn't one apparently. "But if those things break during the fighting you'll be in for a world of hurt so you should get some new ones."
"Yeah, good idea," he agreed with her suggestion. It might be a bit pricy, but he was sort of acquaintances with two kings now. Maybe he could swing a discount? He laughed at the idea. They were in the trade district now, so it was time to part. "Alright, there's the Samsara Trading Post." Jude pointed out the large building up two flights of stairs. "I'll be in there if you need to come get me for an emergency or something."
"Okay," Leia replied back. "Come on Elize, wanna race to Talim?"
"Ah, sure!" the girl took the contest in stride.
"On your mark, get set, go!" Leia started almost immediately, giving her competitor almost no time to get ready.
"That's so unfair!" Teepo shouted as the puppet and his girl chased after the running nurse.
Jude laughed at the light-hearted little scene. Leia would probably slow down once they were out of sight and let Elize win. More confidence boosting, before what they needed to do tomorrow. Jude looked back at the trading post, and resigned himself to heading up the stairs and inside the building.
Samsara was the largest trading post in Fennmont, possibly in the world; though Sharilton certainly might have a rival he overlooked during his visit. People aplenty were busy shopping; attempting to forget the stress of the occupation under an affluence of spending. The store had everything they, and Jude, needed. Incorporated within the one building were weapon shops, armor shops, item shops, food shops, accessory shops, gift shops, supply shops, every type of shop ever. Up another flight of stairs, the shops were all aligned against the wall, as a center attraction desk dominated the middle. In the store's back, sets of elevators would rise to bring patrons to other floors of other services, but for Jude his business was on the first floor.
The weapon shop was first, and Jude got into a little debate with the grouchy shopkeep over the weapons, and prices and quality of the goods. But eventually, after exhausting far too much of his gald savings, he fitted on a new pair of "grand gauntlets". Unlike his iron set, the grands weren't symmetrical, the right hand was significantly larger, guaranteeing a much larger force behind the attack. The left was smaller, but curved forward a bit more to cover his knuckles better. Both were the same color, primarily black with gold trim and an underlay of orange visible through some set holes, and for the right gauntlet extending past the black and becoming the primary striking point. They'd be a welcome addition to smacking around those Elympions soon enough.
With his weapon shopping finished, Jude minded the thought to investigate the armors. But the protections offered were both too pricy and not in sync with his combat doctrine. His snap pivots required exceedingly precise footing, and even unburdened by armor he wasn't perfect at them. No, he'd work on getting them down better before attempting them with a handicap.
Next, and most importantly was the item shop. He quickly packed in all the gels he could muster, apple, lemon, orange, pineapple and even life bottles. Those going to attack the Exodus HQ were probably just going to be given more supplies on the way there, and Talim would probably get new supplies now that the whole city wasn't occupied, but Jude wanted to get what he could over. He didn't know if it'd already been transported or what, but there was no talk of it at the meeting so he was wagering on no.
His packs swollen with a delivery for Talim, Jude turned around to leave the busy store... only to see Cline and an escort of guards in the path out.
What was he doing here? Shouldn't he be at the meeting? Or... maybe he was here for almost the same reason Jude was. He walked up to the Lord of Sharil, the noble waving away the anxiety of the guards. "Hi Cline," Jude casually opened the conversation. Should he be more respectful? "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the very same question," Cline responded.
"Haha, sorry," he scratched the back of his head in embarrassment for his lack of manners. "I came to pick up some additional supplies for Talim and Leia kind of convinced me to pick up a weapon upgrade too." Jude flexed his new gauntlets for the other man.
"It seems we had much the same idea," Cline said. "Since I'm little use in the war room I came here to acquire a supply of gels to Talim and for the assault tomorrow."
"Great," Jude was relieved to hear that. It would go a long way to alleviating all the injured at the school. Even if the attack would inevitably send some of the soldiers right back over. "Yeah, I don't know if you saw Talim, but it's almost completely packed with injuries."
"I know," Cline grimaced at the thought. "The Elympions informed me of such; a way of taunting me I suppose." The Lord of Sharil closed his eyes at the cruel idea. "But, now I can make a difference again, thanks to you, to all of you."
Jude had to look away from the praise, it was just... too much! Cline was probably going to be the King and he could only be here because of Jude. Even if it was true, it seemed so... distant. "That's too much, really," Jude sheepishly responded. "I didn't do that much. I mean, if Nadia hadn't told us about that passageway we might not have ever made it."
"Nadia did?" Cline dipped his head in thought at the news. "Interesting, she did not seem particularly happy to see me."
"She's never happy," Jude said on reflex. He knew her well enough to know her only moods were crazy and angry. Sometimes crazy angry. But mostly one of the other. But, well, he kind of had to ask Cline this now, since he brought it up! "Hey Cline, you um... know Nadia right?"
The Lord of Sharil nodded at the question. "Yes, I met her during a meeting of the Six Ruling Houses. The host for the meetings would change from time to time, sometimes House Sharil would lead, other times House Travis. During one such Travis responsibility is when I first met her acquaintance."
"Was she as surly back then as she is now?" Jude asked the question with a wry look on his face.
Cline shook his head at his question. "No, she was perhaps the sweetest girl I'd ever met." He gave a small smile at the pleasant memories. "But there was always this look of..." he frowned as he looked for the word he wanted. "Resignation? Behind her eyes? Like she was hiding something."
If Prinn was right, it was probably the abuse she suffered from her family. "Did you know what it was?" He should ascertain if Cline knew first before revealing anything about that.
"Not at the time no," Cline sighed after delivering his answer. "But I knew that look, it was the same one my parents or sister gave when they knew an unfortunate truth, but didn't wish to reveal it to me." The future king of Rashugal held his right hand open and stared into his palm. "I learned, eventually, the circumstances of her birth. The Travis put on an exceptional display of affluence; so I have no doubt she was mistreated by her family for circumstances beyond her control."
"Yeah..." Jude absentmindedly agreed with his assessment...
"You knew?"
Ah dang-it, he shouldn't have said that! "Y-yeah," he resigned himself to the truth. "A friend of hers told me." He chose to go with friend over servant to hide at least some of her identity.
"I'm surprised she still has friends," Cline was taken aback by the news. "But, she must surely work for Gaius for such a reason." All the bitter remembrance of the situation slowly turned into a slight smile. "I'm happy for her, in a way."
"Really?"
"Yes, really," Cline gave a slight laugh at the idea. "I initially believed she perished in the blaze that claimed the rest of her family. But it is good to know she's alive. I hope to make restitution for the crimes committed against her one day. For all the crimes committed during Nachtigal's tyrannic regime."
It was a wonderful thing to say... and Jude fully believed he could do it. There was a quiet confidence about him. It wasn't the sheer presence of Nachtigal or Gaius... but it was still a leader's authority. "I hope, I hope you succeed Cline," he earnestly wished.
"Thank you, such concerns are a levity these days," Cline took the gratitude in stride. "Once I finish a small matter first I'll get those medical supplies delivered to Talim."
"Small matter?" What was more important than getting the gels over as quick as possible?
"Ah, yes, I believe I mentioned my sister?" Jude nodded at the question. "Yes, well I am often away on business. When I return I bear a gift of her favorite set of sweets. Something of an appeasement for troubling her." Cline gave a light chuckle once he finished.
Sweets? His mind drifted over to Nadia at the word, considering what Cline called her shortly ago. Then his thoughts slid over to Kanbalar... and Leia and Prinn and Elize and everything. He looked over at the candy store, and checked his own gald pouch. Maybe, maybe he should get some for everyone? An apology for being burdened with him. For Elize: his disaster with Teepo; for Prinn for helping him, and the difficulties of Nadia. For Leia for always helping him even now. And for Nadia because it would probably annoy her. Cruel and childish, but maybe he just wanted a little revenge on her for being such a brat. Even if her life was hard... she could get over it!
Like he was over Professor Haus?
Everything inside just became cold at the thought... he had no idea what to think anymore. Just... Elympios... they had to be stopped. Nadia could wait until later.
"Cline, do you know what Nadia and Elize's favorite candies are?" Should that be sweets? Ugh, whatever the question was out. He knew Leia's of course, and Prinn's, but the other two he had no clue on.
"Yes, actually," he added a nod of approval. He seemed to hone in on exactly what Jude was doing. "Come, I'll help you pick them out."
"Thanks," Jude replied as Cline, his guards, and the medical student went over to the sweets shop. Hopefully, this would be some repayment of the debts he owed everyone else.
Leia kept her lead until they were out of Fennmont's Trade District and well out of Jude's sight. She slowed down significantly upon realizing that, entirely on purpose to give Elize a chance. She faked panting and let the other girl and her puppet catch up on her in no time. Once Elize was back out in front, she put more effort into running, dragging it closer into an actual match... even if she let Elize win in the end.
"Good job Elize!" Leia cheered and jumped for joy for the other girl's victory.
"You don't have to patronize me," Elize coldly said back.
Ahhh no did she figure it out? "What do you mean?" Leia tried to play dumb.
"You could have won easy!" Teepo shouted and her and threw on a glare for good measure. "You even cheated at the start too!"
"Oh, come on, it's just a little game, no need to get mad about it." Leia tried to move the conversation back to a less aggressive track.
"Do you really want to beat up girls younger than you Leia? That's sad."
Jeez! Where was all this coming from? Teepo was kind of a jerk! "Hey, I just wanted to do something fun. There's really not a lot of that going around these days." Leia glanced over at the Talim doors. Inside was the exact opposite of fun. "So, sorry if I came off like a jerk. Forgive me, please?" Leia clasped her hands in front of her to emulate begging for forgiveness.
The girl took less than a second to answer. "Okay!" she cheerfully let Leia off the hook. "But only if you promise me one thing."
"Sure, what is it?"
"You'll take me out for pudding some day."
"Oh, that'll be easy!"
But, wait, she kind of worked through it a little too fast. Sure it wasn't the biggest deal ever but... Was, was she just playing? Oh boy, it was hard to tell with Teepo always spouting things off sometimes. Well, either way, she didn't mind it much. "Okay, let's head over to Talim! Those people aren't gonna heal themselves!" Well, okay they were since that's just how bodies worked and there were other doctors. But it'd be faster with them yeah!
"Umm, Leia?" Elize said as the two of them resumed walking.
"Yeah Elize?" she responded.
"Why are you here?"
"Because I walked here?" That was a silly question.
"No, I mean..." she looked over at Teepo, and the purple puppet finished her question. "Leia, why did you leave Leronde and help us and everything?"
For Jude. "Well, because it's the right thing to do of course!" She laughed as she gave the other reason for coming. "I mean, my home was attacked by the big jerk king so I had to give him a whack and a pow myself!" Leia gave a triumphant pose between steps before walking normally again. "And I'd say I sure did that."
Elize giggled at her explanation and little bit of boasting, so Leia was glad to get that! But the girl herself continued with her question. "I was thinking about why I was here. Jiao died for me... I don't know why he did it. I wanted to help everyone who helped me, but everyone kept leaving or turning against us..."
"Like Alvin that big fat jerk!" Teepo roared.
"I see," Leia acknowledged Elize's words. Sadly, she couldn't relate to all that. Things were pretty clear to her right now. But she could reassure the girl! "Well, Jude was pretty miserable when he got back to Leronde, but he eventually managed to perk himself right back up!" Leia told her. "So, give it some time, I'm sure you'll find an answer of your own too, just like Jude and me."
"Really Leia?"
"I promise!"
"Thank you Leia!" Elize beamed with happiness and took the older girl's hand.
"That's what friends are for!" Leia squeezed Elize's little hand back. She was happy Elize was confiding in her like this. They hadn't been together long, but the girl and her puppet had a fun charm about them. It was a bit weird they were talking so easily, but they were also the closest in age, so that was probably it. Well, Agria might be close to their ages? But she was pretty annoying and rude.
They arrived at Talim itself now, and Leia broke their hand contact to push the doors opened, but took it back once they were back inside the warmer interior of the medical school. Jude and her efforts had reduced the number of waiting patients, but plenty still littered the school. "This is what we're fighting to stop," Leia said with conviction, and held Elize's hand just a bit tighter.
Milla was just one of many who left the confines of Orda Palace following the talk of tomorrow's battle. Her revelation wore heavily upon her, and she'd left to find some peace and quiet to contemplate what she'd realized.
But Ivar and Muzét insistence on accompanying her ruined those plans. Her handmaid and sister blathered on about "Lady Milla" this and "Maxwell" that and were no concern of hers. For now. She insisted to the two of them she wanted to remain alone, but Ivar just took it as a sign he should lavish on another dozen "Lady Millas." It was growing increasingly obnoxious. She considered asking a detour to Nia Khera to drop him off, but for the moment Muzét was tethered with him and she'd prefer to keep an eye on her sister then sitting aside so far away. She'd proven herself somewhat useful in the attack on the flying ship at least.
But her existence continually brought forth the inconsistencies Milla noticed that grew more and more frequent. All the reassurances of "Maxwell" just watered the seed of doubt in her mind.
But... there was another voice. So what? Her life was Maxwell. She was Maxwell.
Yes, she was Maxwell. The one who would destroy the Lance of Kresnik and save Rieze Maxia. That was her path, her mission. Maxwell or not.
Still, the issue did merit consideration after. Deep consideration.
Alvin gave another swig of the Fennmont specialty glow-in-the-dark liquor Moonlight and raised his glass to cheer on the eternal night of the city. Well half of it might be his vision blurring, but the city was always dark so whatever. He'd lost count of which bottle he was on which was usually the time you'd stop but it was also the time telling you to press on most. The hangover next morning would usually be the reminder to not go drinking all night, but no mornings in Fennmont! Just drinking drinking drinking.
He'd forgotten why he was drinking when he forgot what bottle came after four. Or five. Seven? One of those. Or not. Which wasn't important. The third bottle in front of him was. Because someone just reached across and took it. Sure it was empty but it was his dammit!
"Whatcha taking my bottle for?" he spoke out drunk as all hell. He could hold well enough to not slur his words like some kid like Jude would. But he didn't have to be nice.
Wait, who took it? He looked to his side to see Presa grabbing the bottle and almost taunting him with it. "You know you're even more beautiful with a couple drinks in me."
"Shut up," she slapped him.
Things were suddenly a helluva lot clearer. She was still gorgeous though. "What was that for?"
"How do you expect me to drown you if the bottle beats me too it?" She crossed her arms at his not-at-all old proposal. "Or are you gonna betray another promise?"
"Probably," he didn't care about smooth-talking his way out of this. Also he couldn't.
She solemnly shook her head at the pathetic sight before her. "Really, what happened that pushed you here?"
"My impending demise," he grimly said. He'd forgotten and didn't care.
"Never gave you cause before."
"Never been this sure about it," he attempting to take another drink but she just snatched it away. "What's your problem? Isn't me being miserable a wondrous sight for your pretty, pretty eyes?"
"Only when I cause it," she swiped every single bottle from him.
"I'll just buy more."
"Not without this," she twirled a finger around and Alvin recognized his gald pouch spinning around it.
He gave a short bitter laugh. "Fine, I'll go sleep in a gutter or something," he unsteadily stood back up.
She grabbed him. "Huh?" he stammered out absolutely confused.
"You don't get to die until I say so, okay?" she pushed on his chest... and turned around and left.
"Dammit..." he remembered why he wanted to drink and she'd just left.
Cline Sharil and his set of bodyguards returned to Orda Palace, to Cline's new domicile. His domicile. He already knew if anyone would be King of Rashugal, it would be him. The rebellion had rallied around his name, Rowen had offered his support, and with Nachtigal dead he was the most likely candidate.
He did not want the throne. He never wanted it. But he had long acknowledged he would be the one to succeed it if Nachtigal was deposed. So when he received the news that the King was dead it was a welcome relief and a crippling pain.
But who else could take the throne now? Gaius? The King of Auj Oule was already a famous figure, but would he treat the people fair as he would say? True, he saved Rasugal troops in Fennmont. But those were for his own ends. Would the people of Rashugal accept him when Cline was still a candidate?
The other Ruling Houses were no better options. Nadia was the only Travis left, and she'd clearly abdicate in favor of Gaius. Rowen represented House Ilbert, but he would simply shake his head and tell him back he was the only one worthy of the throne. With Nachtigal dead, only a few distant, disowned members of Fenn remained, wholly unconcerned with anything else due to their semi-exile. House Banya had thrown their lot in during the civil war, but they took no steps to lead beyond sending soldiers and supplies. House Zumay was isolationist at the best of times and xenophobic at the worst. And House Cline... ha, foist it upon Driselle's shoulders? He laughed at the stupid joke. She had her hands full with new responsibilities inside Sharilton.
No, it had to be him. There was no other choice for the good of Rashugal.
Back outside the war room, Cline intended to return to the discussion inside. He left in order to settle matters in the city, but with those issues dealt with, he could contribute and learn whatever he could. Learn... yes, there was something else he intended to learn as well.
The door opened, from the inside, and Rowen stepped out. "Ah, Lord Cline," his butler bowed at the sight of him. "We were just finishing up here."
"So soon?" Cline replied back. He had not been gone so long to believe an entire battle plan could be fully formulated.
"Indeed," Rowen rubbed his beard as he often did when he considered a matter. "As much as the man wouldn't admit it, when Wingul and I work together we can piece together an entire battle plan in minutes. I rather enjoy the time we take together to be perfectly honest."
"I see..." Cline accepted the answer. There was a joy, a happiness Cline hadn't heard from the old man's mouth in years. The stories he used to tell about his time in the army, fighting alongside Nachtigal contained a rare joy that dissipated as more and more of Nachtigal's barbaric acts came to light. But now, he had found someone else to replicate that happiness he once felt.
It was a shame. Like Nachtigal, Rowen may point his sword at Wingul soon enough. Once these Elympions were dealt with, Rashugal and Auj Oule could be back at each others throats in no time. Cline held hope that maybe, just maybe peace could be established. The Nachtigal loyalists fell in line quickly enough against the threat of Auj Oule, and even now the two countries worked against a third. Was war to be the only common ground between the people of Rieze Maxia? Not if he could help it.
"Was there something you needed Lord Cline?" Rowen asked of his master.
"Yes, actually," Cline responded. Two things, actually. "My trip to the city was fortuitous, I've ordered the supplies for both our expedition and Talim."
"Excellent," Rowen nodded. "I am sure Jude is most appreciative of the latter."
Cline chuckled at the proxy-thanks. "Indeed, he told me himself on our chance meeting inside the store."
Rowen chuckled as well. "What good fortune."
"Yes..." Cline smiled... but couldn't hide the melancholy of how things came to be so dire. But he at least kept it back for his next words. "Rowen, I have some words I'd like to exchange in private."
"Of course Lord Cline," he quickly accepted the situation. "Where should we have this conversation?"
"The throne room," Cline told him.
"Very well."
The two nobles departed from the hallway back to the Lotus rings, taking the devices to the top floor of the palace. The bodyguards were ordered to stand guard outside as the two of them entered the chamber of the king.
"What was it you wished to discuss Lord Cline?" Rowen asked once the two had reached the throne itself. It had been scrubbed clean of all traces of Nachtigal's death.
But that wasn't why they were here... "Not here," he said. "The location the lotus rings behind the throne connect to is our goal. Forgive the deception. I... did not want to concern any other ears with this."
Rowen nodded, accepting the small lie. The two continued on, the lotus rings transporting them to another set of halls almost completely indistinguishable from any other set in Orda Palace. Only the lotus ring glyph on the ground marred the similarity between the rooms. Cline headed on, entering into another room, so similar to the war room they'd all left, but the tables here were clean, clear of any sort of war document. Instead, a simple rectangular brown wooden box sat on the table, it's only defining feature a familiar stamp on the surface.
That was their goal. Cline walked over to the box, taking its slight, but noticeable weight into his hands. "During my interment, I discovered this container," Cline hoisted it, showing the symbol to the man called Conductor, and his eyes narrowed in response as he recognized it. "When I discovered what was inside, it was taken and locked inside this room by the Elympions."
"And what pray tell, is inside that box?"
"Here," Cline put it back on the table, and undid the latches holding it closed. "I think it best if you open it yourself."
Rowen stepped forth to do as commanded, gripping the box and carefully pushing it open. A shine and a glint came from the contents as lumen light reflected off it. "This is..." Rowen didn't finish the sentence as he reached inside and withdrew a beautifully crafted silver rapier. "Soaring Eagle, the Patriot." Rowen's voice was twinged with a unique wonder. "In all my years I never believed I would lay eyes upon it again." Rowen almost seemed ready to cry in the glints of the blade.
"Seeing the symbol for House Ilbert on that case led me to believe it was yours," Cline informed him of his deductions. "It seems I was correct."
"Indeed," Rowen slowly began waving the weapon through the air. "King Milan Fenn himself gifted me Soaring Eagle after the Procella miracle. It was one of the proudest moments of my life." Rowen held the rapier horizontally, checking the weapon with his other hand. "Still as perfect as the day I received it."
Cline smiled at the unrestrained pride Rowen showed. "Consider it a gift from your new king," Cline's smile only widened.
Rowen took a long deep look at his new king, and took to a knee. "Lord—no, King Cline Sharil, I, Rowen Jade Ilbert, humbly accept this gift."
"You are most welcome Rowen," Cline answered. "Now stand, there is another matter I wish to discuss."
"Whatever you wish Lord—King Cline," Rowen corrected himself again. He returned to a standing position and began removing his old rapier to replace with Soaring Eagle.
"I want you to teach me."
"Teach you?" Rowen questioned before retrieving his new weapon's sheath and fastening it.
Cline nodded his head at the question back. "Yes, these recent events have shown me, no matter how despicable, violence may be necessary."
"Teach you to fight," Rowen frowned at the idea, as Cline knew he would.
"I realize my surrender may be the only reason we speak now," Cline would not let his message be blinded, "but during my rescue, if I had some strength, any strength, I could have helped my rescuers deal with the Elympions." Cline gripped the handle of his ceremonial rapier. Bermia Gorge, Fort Gandala, Fennmont. The memories of his failures haunted him. "If a child as young as Elize pleads to go to war, I have to stand store to ensure things like this never come again."
"My king..." Rowen solemnly closed his eyes at the request and determination before him. "I cannot talk you out of this, can I?"
"No." He had resolved himself to this action. Bermia Gorge, Sharilton, Fort Gandala, Fennmont. He lacked the strength of arms had was forced to rely on others.
Rowen dipped his thought at the sad scene they now lived. "Very well, my King," the Conductor declared as he turned to a serious tone. "Do not expect the tutelage of Rowen J. Ilbert to be easy!"
"I never did."
Jude wiped the sweat off his brow as he finished up with another patient. He'd lost track of how many that was when he broke triple digits... but the exhaustion creeping into him was good. It was healthy. This was the best was to spend his time.
Some of the doctors and staff shot him looks when he came back in. He couldn't blame them, he felt rotten about running off like that. But he was here now, doing everything he could do. Leia and Elize helped, pushing themselves just as hard as he was. With Cline's ordered medical supplies, they finally began to make a appreciative difference in the number of casualties. The oncoming were now less than the outgoing, and it only inspired everyone to work harder.
"Shift's up!" a doctor said, and all the standard medical personal began to shuffle out before the next set came in. But Jude, Leia and Elize weren't standard, so they kept on working through the change. When the second shift change came, that was when they took a break.
They were some of the few who went over to the break room instead of heading to the on-calls rooms. A few other students came with them... seemingly only to fall asleep on the couches instead of the cots in the on-call rooms. So the three of them kept quiet and tip-toed around as they grabbed what they could before leaving and just taking a seat outside the the hallway. The floors outside the break room weren't the mess that nearly the rest of Talim was, but they were still hard and uncomfortable. It could just be so much worse.
They just drank and ate in silence, the events of today and tomorrow too pushed aside by everything else in Talim to talk about. It was depressing... but Jude had a great conversation starter! He pulled out the gifts from the candy shop and handed them off to their recipients. "Here you two," Jude said.
The two of them flashed smiles of happiness at the gifts. "Wow, Jude giving gifts for no reason, now I know we're in trouble," Leia giggled at the idea. "Hope getting my favorites didn't trouble you too much."
"Mine too!" Elize added. "Wait, how'd you know?"
"I met Cline in the shop, he told me," Jude cleared up.
"Oh, okay!" Elize cheerfully began digging into her favorite brand of candy.
Leia began picking hers apart and eating it as well. "Want some?" she offered the two of them.
"No thanks," Jude declined. His tastes were different from Leia's.
But Elize took her up on the offer and took a quick. "Wow they're good!" the girl—and Teepo, beamed at the taste. She offered up a portion of her own back, which Leia gladly took and was just as happy about. Jude smiled at the scene, it was nice to have some sort of genuine happiness instead of the overarching burden of everything else.
But the weight of it all returned just as quickly, as Jude realized he had something else to deal with. He pushed himself up, stretching out to get rid of some of the soreness in his muscles. "I'm gonna take a walk," it was something of a truth... "I'll be back for the next shift change. Should be the last one we do, we've managed to lower the casualties pretty significantly now."
Leia nodded. "Okay, see you later then."
Jude walked off, somewhat perturbed it'd worked so easily... and glad it did anyway. He wanted to go find Prinn... and probably Nadia. She left Orda Palace with the rest of them, and this was the only place Jude knew about where she could have gone. If the schedules were even remotely being still adhered to, then Prinn was working in one of the private rooms in the hall.
He quickly picked up his pace to reach the door, and when he arrived he lightly knocked on the wood and said. "Nurse Prinn? Are you there? It's me, Jude."
The door jerked open—slightly, and Nadia's deranged face stuck out through the opening. "I think I'm gonna start calling you a stalker now not-a-doc," she immediately threw out an insult.
Jude sighed. "I'm not in the mood for your psychopathy right now," he averted his gaze from the door. "Is Prinn in there or not?"
"Yes I am, Doctor Jude," Prinn's voice came from the room. "Is there something you need?"
"Sort of," Jude dug out the two other gifts for them from his pouch. "Here, these are for you two."
"Are you kidding me?" Nadia looked at him with an uncharacteristic blank look on her face.
"Nope."
Her mouth opened... but whatever thousand threads of anger played in her mind didn't play on her face and she just grabbed the sweets and threw them inside the room. "I'm gonna throw these out just to spite you." And then she slammed the door in his face.
"Well this just feels exceedingly pointless..." he scratched the back of his head in the irritation of the situation. Whatever... he had patients to help.
Prinn watched Lady Nadia slam the door in Doctor Jude's face. Her Lady turned around and threw gifts Jude gave her on the table nearby.
"What did he bring?" she asked. Nadia, surely as ever, didn't reply, so Prinn looked for herself and it was... "Candy?" She checked both of the bags. They were her favorites... and Lady Nadia's. "They're your favorite type of candy," she told her Lady.
"What?" Nadia moved over and checked herself. "How the hell did the stalker know that?" She snapped and glared. "Did you tell him?" she barely contained any shouts.
"No," she quickly answered. "He must have figured it out on his own."
Nadia grumbled. "Cline..." Cline Sharil? Yes, they met before, it was possible. "Bah, so you didn't reveal that so what! You did worse!" She was shouting now.
"Lady Nadia please calm down," she pleaded with her Lady. "The other patients..."
"I don't care about the other patients, I care about you selling me out." But she quieted down all the same. "How could you do that to me, with a stalker like him."
"Doctor Jude's a fine young man," she said. "He won't tell anyone, I promise."
Nadia gave a stark, bitter laugh. "Maybe I should confide in him then huh?" she snickered back. "This is all just a waste of time." She grabbed her candy off the table and left.
Despite her words maybe... just maybe they were getting through to her?
AN: Six Houses meetings are another fic-fabrication but if Rowen could recognize Agria, why not Cline? So I came up with that as my justification.
Soaring Eagle doesn't have any history like that either, but I thought it was too neat a weapon to not have a history.
Also FIGHTING CLINE surely that will end well.