Every day Vexa remained unconscious I was by her side, my hands firmly holding hers.
A few hours into the conversion Vixen had come barrelling in, finding his sister screaming in agony and I the cause.
He tried to pull me away and was stopped by the lone guard in the room. How he stopped the brute was beyond me, but he did and managed to calm Vix down, explaining what was going on and why it was very dangerous to interrupt.
Reluctantly Vixen agreed to leave me be to conduct the rest of the conversion in peace. The condition being that he was to be informed immediately upon her waking.
Vexa only stopped screaming due to passing out, the silence wasn't making me feel better.
There was no telling how long she'd be under; even after I had finished she was unmoving, breathing very lightly.
I couldn't bring myself to eat or sleep. Vexa was the first one I'd ever seen take bad to the conversion, not even her brother reacted like that.
Even the carnage going on outside was of little concern, only Vexa.
"Come on honey, open your eyes for me," I ran my fingers through her hair, "I'll tell you I love you as much as you want and I'll do whatever you want, as many requests as you can think of."
The corners of her lips were pulled upwards and her eyes slowly opened, and I realised my mistake.
The redhead had been awake a good few minutes before my pleading had started.
Weakly she spoke, "No take backs, mister. Go on and say it?"
"I love you and damn it, you had me frightened!" I felt a tear go, "I didn't think you were going to wake up. Vixen was only out for a single day."
Three weeks.
Three very long weeks.
"But now I see you're more than alright, I retract the promises I made in the last ten minutes," I sniffed and wiped away the tear.
Vexa pouted, "Nu-uh, I said no take-backs. I want you to treat me like the princess I know I am."
Her nose wrinkled and she brought her free hand up to block it. She looked to me, my feet (Cheeky bitch), then to the fire and finally back to me.
"Why does everything stink?" Vexa sounded nasally, nose fully pinched.
"Because your nose has changed and you're not allowed to complain, I had to put up with your bloody bum," Whatever unhappy mood I had been in was gone and I began to tease, "Did you not ever wonder why I went to sleep next to you in a plague doctor's mask? I had thought of jamming a cork up there, but knowing you, you'd like it."
"Hey!" She protested, "Don't be mean. You're not allowed to be mean after putting me through that."
The redhead and I then started laughing.
"I can't treat you like a princess though," And before she could frown, I continued, "I can treat you like a queen however. Drangleic is without and I am in need. I think you might fit the role quite well."
Of course she accepted.
Yes we never married, but we were acting like we were.
Hell, she even took my last name. The whole thing she would take the piss out of me saying, even if I don't know why me saying 'Fexa fon Bayah' is funny.
I mean I could take the piss out of her accent and pronunciation, but I don't.
Anyway, for the rest of that day, the bed was our kingdom and no one was dislodging us. That was until I had drink brought to us. We were found absolutely plastered in one of the baths.
Vix was in a bit of a fettle, because I hadn't informed him that his little sister was finally awake and that the first thing we did was get drunk.
The following day was similar, except we were dying in each other's arm as opposed to drinking.
All was back to normal, even though the curse was still unvanquished and we hadn't a way home, and that Drangleic was now politically unstable etc. so on and so forth.
Work started in full with the repairing the castle and I waited for our guests from Majula. I wanted them to be present for the true monarch to sit the throne.
Most of the days waiting were spent in the throne room listening to various complaints from the nobles, and planning our next steps.
This was the part of being emperor I hated, thankfully I had Vexa to distract me. This was to an almost annoying degree.
She was sat on my knee and humming tunelessly in my ear, when Shanalotte and Shalquoir were brought in.
The emerald herald looked as happy as usual. The ball of fluff on the other hand was more than happy to see me and took her place on Vexa's lap, seeing as she was on mine.
"Good gods, both of you reek of alcohol!" The herald exclaimed.
"I needed it to get through these sessions," I tried to defend myself, "And she sort of joined in. Anyway, It's nice to see you well."
"Oh shove it, thanks to you I have even more undead to look after," Shanalotte scowled.
Yeah, so around 40% of all the people we killed during the war came back as undead, most of which ended up filtering into Majula.
I didn't really think it was my fault and it was her job anyway to look after them.
"Well then, we should rectify your little problem then. Your escort also ferried another, my guest who shall ascend the throne," I couldn't wait to see the fellow, "I do hope he put up a fight. Wish I could have been there to see it happen."
"I would call it barbaric," The herald spat, "I know what he did and I know how you feel, but this is cruel."
Luca's blood was on his hands and I would he suffer for it.
"It doesn't matter. Now, if you'll follow the corporal, he'll take you to your room," I looked to the soldier in the corner, "We'll convene at the throne of want in an hour, you may rest until then."
The herald grunted angrily and turned away.
With her out of the room I started to play with Shalquoir, trying to find out what was twisting Shanalotte's knickers.
"Leave her be, dear," The kitty purred, "She thought this would have all been over by now and it's frustrating her. She's under a lot of stress, with so many relying on her now."
I promised the ball of fluff something nice later on, then started trying to shift the big lump on my lap. Vexa put up a good struggle and won for once.
"You're not getting rid of me, mister," She chirped in a sing-song way, "Not in a million years."
No, it took considerably longer, though by that time we had already drifted considerably apart.
That was still many years off and then I had no want to be rid of her, not like that anyway.
A peck on the cheek later and she hopped up, taking Shalquoir with her.
"I'm going to go train for a little bit. I'll see you later," Vexa stuck out her tongue and walked away, swaying her hips.
I've been so very lucky in love when I think back on it, very lucky indeed.
I pretended to listen to the last of the nobles and headed off to see my guest. Vixen was already down in the dungeon with him.
There wasn't much left of the young knight, as to dissuade him from running away his arms and legs had been forcefully amputated.
"Today's your day, my good fellow," I threw a punch, the brute keeping the young knight upright, "I'm finally going to let you die. You do want to die, don't you or would you prefer to remain my guest for the foreseeable future?"
The young knight's lips were a quiver and with a quiet, raspy voice, pleaded for the pain to end.
"Oh, very soon my good fellow, but first I want to have some more time with you," I pulled the pendant from around my neck and handed it over to Vixen, "I'd rather her not see this and I think after I might pay the queen a visit."
Vixen bowed his head, "Sir."
I won't bore you with the details, it was a by the numbers beating and so into the next cell I went.
Nashandra hadn't spoken a single word since her defeat, weeping in her cell. She was naked except for a few scant rags and a mask not too dissimilar to the sinner's.
I brought in a stool from the outside and sat opposite her, lighting up a fag.
"Are you going to speak to me today?"
Bloodshot eyes studied me from behind the mask.
"I'll take that as a no," I started to roll the fag between my fingers, "I could start cutting if you wanted? Start with your naughty bits and work my way out. Found that pear of anguish in your collection, I wonder how many turns it would take to snap your jaw?"
The old queen exhaled through her nose and turned away. I wasn't getting anything out of her that day, there was always the day after.
I stamped out the cigarette.
"We'll try again tomorrow," I told her, walking over and pulling up the mask. Bits of torn skin hung from the inward pointing spikes and blood started to well from the puncture marks. Her once pretty face was terribly disfigured from the mask, not that I cared.
"And one last thing," I lowered the mask and hammered it back into place with the heel of my palm, small droplets of blood now running from her chin, "I'm about to make it so your age of dark never comes."
The woman would never be allowed the power she craved so much. If I could, I was going to keep her alive longer than the young knight.
I want to be disappointed in my younger self for being like this. I want to scream at him for his cruelty. I want to say I've changed in that regard, but my cracking red skulls during and after rallies/speeches says otherwise. I doubt I'll ever be able to atone for helping put that man into power.
My involvement as an SA Storm-Trooper is a discussion for another day however, I still don't like talking about it. That and it has nothing to do with Drangleic.
I took my pendant back.
"Could you try and find out why those damned crowns were so important, then bring him to the throne," I patted myself down, trying to find another cigarette and unfortunately I was out.
The brute nodded, "I'll do my best, sir."
He always did.
"Thank you, brother," Don't know what I'd do without Vix.
Now to find where the missus was training.
Up and down the castle I searched, finding my two favourite ladies on an elevated platform at the rear of the castle, overlooking the rear passage.
Katie was practically dancing around Vexa with her rapier, a wonderful display of swordsmanship if ever I saw one.
When it seemed as if Vexa would get a strike in, I called, "Vexy, love you! Give her hell!"
The distraction was enough to throw the redhead off, giving Katie the opening to give Vexa a whopping and I the cold shoulder...for a minute, because Vexa couldn't resist whining.
"I was winning."
No, she wasn't.
"And you made me lose."
She was going to lose regardless of me stepping in.
"You're so mean to me. I don't think you really, actually love me!" Her cute pout appeared, as it always did in times like these.
How was I ever to get out of this one?
The Reaper swagger up beside me, "Looks like someone has lost his access to his bed tonight."
"I've never had access," I proceeded to mimic a sleeping Vexa, sprawled out over the entire bed and snoring.
Luca would steal the blankets.
Vexa would sprawl herself over every inch of the bed.
Zoey does both, along with having physically kicked me out of the bed in her sleep.
Can't bathe in peace and I can't sleep with my partner in peace.
Katie shared a laugh with me, which only further annoyed Vexa.
"I hate you all," The redhead stropped, sitting cross-legged on the floor with her arms folded across her chest, facing away from us.
"Is that so?" I played along, "That is a shame. I suppose that I will have to invite Katie to the candle lit dinner I had planned, followed by a full body massage that was also included in that plan."
"Wha-what?" The Reaper spluttered.
"You heard me. Candle lit dinner, full body massage using certain magic fingers," I repeated, "If Vexa hates me now, I suppose I'll have to give you the princess treatment."
The cheeks of the Reaper flushed red and Vexa sprang up crying, "No."
The big child rushed over, latching onto me and wasn't letting go.
"No one else is allowed that, only me," Vexa thought she had some kind of monopoly over the massages. She was leaning heavily on me.
I warned her against pouting any harder, the wind could change you know and she could have been stuck with duck lips.
There was this feeling in my gut, she was going to make me suffer later on.
Before that though we needed to break the curse.
"Carry me," The redhead demanded.
"You haven't lost the use of your legs. It's not that far."
"It's part of your punishment for being mean to me."
I knelt down, allowing her to position herself properly. Almost immediately she started playing with my hair, which I hate.
She stopped when I stood, not wanting to risk me dropping her. She would find other ways to annoy me.
"Get you're boobs off my head."
She only leant in harder, tightening her legs around my middle.
"I'm using you for support, mister," Vexa joked.
"You're using me to be lazy," I replied, "Now get your boobs off my head or get off me entirely."
She straightened up with a huff and went back to playing with my hair.
"Don't untie my hair, Vex."
I felt the ribbon slacken and then saw the rose-pink strip dangled before my eyes, before they were covered by my fringe. Without an apology she started to for lack of a better word 'style' the old barnet.
The first indication that it was bad were Kat's sniggers, which were soon joined by Vexa's. The odd looks from the men were also increasing, more so than in the past few months.
I'd find a way to get my revenge. Sweet, sweet revenge.
The two then started to chat away, like I wasn't even there.
"Such pretty hair is wasted on him," Vexa commented, tightly pulling.
Katie agreed, "My older sisters have said very much the same."
Jealous is what I'd say.
Vexa finished messing about with a 'ta-da' and patted the top of my head. I didn't want to see her masterpiece.
I knew one redhead who was pushing her luck.
Unfortunately, we passed a mirror and I saw the extent of the damage.
"You've lost your massage tonight, lady von Bayer."
She tugged on one of the pig-tails hard, "I don't think so, not after putting so much effort into making you look pretty."
She and I had varying opinions on the definition of pretty; Katie was there to clarify Vexa's definition.
"You look pretty funny," The Reaper then looked to the redhead, "Why don't we put him in one of my formal dresses?"
From the way Vexa started to move, I assumed she was nodding.
Why oh why did I ever want them to be friends?
This was when I let go and she hit the floor with a thud.
I felt I could cry after running my hands over my head and it took a good amount of time to return my hair to normal.
Once the hair was back to normal I remembered that my love was on the floor and helped her back up.
She looked awfully upset.
"Hug?" I asked, opening my arms.
Vexa stood there frowning, rubbing her side that hit the floor.
With a slouch of her shoulders, Vexa mumbled, "Hug."
It was a nice hug, until I noticed she was playing with my hair again. The chase started after that, Vexa took off with a giggle and I hot on her heels. Katie was left in the dust.
I nearly lost her in a patrol of Dranglein rebels, but a quick threat of death if they didn't shift sorted them out.
Every time it seemed like I would catch the redhead, she would manage to steal ground on me and speed off round a corner.
Her downfall was turning into the corridor that led to the throne of want, it was a dead-end passage. I had her now.
Giggles echoed around the cavern, some loud, some soft.
"You're such a child," I shouted, prompting only more giggles.
My prey was cornered in the throne chamber, standing inside the opening. Getting the best grip I could on the slick stone pathway, I sprinted and tackled her to the floor.
We rolled around a bit, settling in a puddle of frigid winter stream water.
I hoped it would cool us down.
It did nothing of the sort.
"What did I do to fall in love with such a big child?" I asked, whilst looking into her big eyes. Each freckle had me captivated. Ruby lips full and glittering with whatever she put on them.
Not the most romantic of places, but myself and Vex have been in much stranger and have gotten much further.
Before the exciting stuff began we discovered a small crowd had formed around us.
Vixen cleared his throat.
I helped Vexa up and she smirked, "Probably for the best, I wouldn't want dinner spoiled this evening."
I smoothed out my doublet and breeches looking out to all there, a mixture of Erebayan officers, Dranglein rebels and other Dranglein dignitaries that had crawled out of the woodwork now that Nashandra was deposed.
"Gentlemen," I started, the hastily added 'ladies' seeing Kat and Shanalotte at the back, "Today we hopefully break the curse that has plagued the land and then we start about establishing proper rule, of course that being your introduction into the empire."
As to be expected the Dranglein natives didn't take well to this, not that it was a surprise. We did win the war.
I invited Shanalotte up front and she started to ramble.
Was there any point to it?
I tuned out most of it, Shanalotte was not amused.
"Get over here, you drunken lout."
I was offended, I wasn't drunk. Tipsy perhaps, but not drunk.
Very rude.
I took my place next to the herald.
"Hold your hand out to that rock," She ordered.
The giant's blessing jumped from my fingers with a spark and as with the entrance way, the rocks started to blow with an electric-blue spiderweb pattern, then started moving.
Golems awoke, walked a short distance and knitted together with each other, forming a bridge up to the throne.
"The kiln of the first flame is open, you can bring him forward now."
Vixen hoisted the torso of the young knight in the air and handed him over to me. Tears streamed from the swollen slits that were his eyes.
I would have the honour.
The young knight sobbed with every bump I dragged him over, he was going to suffer until the very end.
Ash blanketed the inner kiln. It was possible thousands had been sacrificed to keep the flame burning.
Remember how I told you that you shouldn't fight nature, I'm a hypocrite. Then again, mother nature is an absolute bitch and I don't care.
I roughly put the man down on the throne.
"I'm sorry," He barely managed.
"Yes, well that's not bringing her back."
I walked away, the doors of the kiln closing behind me.
Heat immediately flooded the room and the scent of burning flesh, it was unpleasant. But sometimes horrible things have to happen for things to get better.
Had it worked though?
"Gentlemen," I addressed the Dranglein natives, "If you would follow viscount von Strepp, he will take you to the throne room. I will follow you shortly."
They filed out of the cavern one by one.
I had a moment with Luca, her soul twinkling away inside the pendant.
Vexa came up behind me, drawing me into warm embrace and rocked me from side to side. My fingers were twitching, this spilled into my whole body.
"It's alright," She hushed, "It's all over now. You can relax."
I couldn't bring myself to believe that it was over.
We would have to wait and see.
The candle lit dinner I had with Vexa that evening helped a great deal, the two of us alone and without interruptions.
My people had spared the cooks, a wise decision and what a feast they had prepared. Several courses of the finest food left me feeling stuffed, something I don't feel often.
Once all the dishes had been taken away, we retired to our bedroom. After locking the door, Vexa started to strip, wiggling her body playfully.
I had found some scented oils in Nashandra's possession, Jugonese in origin. Probably brought in by the odd trader that braved Drangleic. Much better than the oil used by the cavalry.
The light from the fire was casting wonderful animated shadows over her milky white skin, every contour of her body sharply highlighted.
I applied a small amount of oil to her back and started; Her body was warm and I found myself tracing all her scars and stretch marks again, then started to put in effort.
Every tight, knotted muscle relaxed, as did she.
Down her body I worked my way, she moaned with every touch of my fingers. The moans soon stopped as I got to her lower back, the giggles started.
They only got worse the further I went down, with full on laughter developing when I got to her arse and legs.
"If you're not going to take this seriously, I'll stop," I slapped her hip.
"No, no. I'm sorry. I'm feeling really ticklish," Vexa looked back at me, "You're doing a really good job, please continue."
She rolled herself over, covering herself with her hands and trying her best to look coy.
"Alright, I'll start with the alternative neck massage."
"What's that?"
"I wrap my fingers around your throat and squeeze really tight," I caressed her neck with the back of my hand, "It'll have to wait though, I'm going to go get us some wine."
Vexa's hand shot out and grabbed mine, "Don't leave now, go later."
This would be our first night since she had woken up. We played about, yes, but this was the first time we make love since she became like me.
We were slow and deliberate in each and every move, a far cry from out usual style. I prefer this over wild and messy, so does she.
At the end we left the bed and curled up before the fire, covered in sweat and oil.
I never did go and get wine, turns out sex is far more enjoyable when sober and you don't wake up with the hangover.
Vexa left me the following day; reports had come in from around the castle that undead and hollow alike had crumbled in to nought but ash.
There was no cure and I realised that I could never have saved Luca.
It all left me in a bit of a depressed mood.
Now, Vexa hadn't left me for good, she was only going to see if her family home was still standing and to see if any of her other family were still alive.
Vixen, Kat and Don had left for the kingdom of the Gyrm, with an offering of peace and diplomatic friendship.
Shanalotte had left for Majula, to see if all the undead gathered there had indeed gone, taking Shalquoir with her.
The nobles had gone out into Drangleic to assess the land, do audits and what not.
I was on my own and the castle turned very lonely, even if I wasn't the only one inhabiting it. There was still a garrison, but they weren't my friends.
My time was spent trying to keep busy; Drangleic castle was home to some of the most beautiful musical instruments I had ever seen, some even that were completely alien to me. Along with them were books of music, written in a way that even I could read, still not having learned written Dranglein in full.
The harpsichord in the centre of the room took my attention straight away, as did the virginal and clavichord. Hell, there was even a pipe organ built into the far wall.
An odd feeling being depressed and in heaven at the same time, not something I can really recommend.
Anyway, as I was saying the harpsichord had stolen my attention. It was double stacked, the case made from oak and the keys bone. The underside of the lid was lavishly decorated with an image that seemed straight out of mythology, the fellow in the middle hurling lighting bolts at Dragons. No doubt Gwyn.
I took a seat and set up the sheet music. I could hear the piece long before I started playing it, one look at the sheet and my head was already awash with sound. My playing was a little poor though, it had been a long time since I'd last touched keys.
I've watched plenty grow frustrated at this, but not me. I feel I should, but I can never bring myself to be frustrated or angry at music.
Such a sweetness filled the air and I felt my heart lift, soon I was back in the swing of things. I played and I played.
Every note sent sparks up my spine and I was gripped by euphoria.
Hours melted into nothing, one day slipped into three.
I was working on one piece that had such a heavy weight to it. I stared at the strange lettering, as if that would suddenly allow me to read it.
From what I could tell it was made for both harpsichord and string, of which I had a violin, viol and three hurdy-gurdies with which to create different bass-drones.
Slowly I built up piece, adding the layers in small parts and adding to the overall richness. My wraiths playing as I wanted then to and most of all, I was having fun.
So enveloped in the music was I that I jumped out of my skin when someone put their hand on my shoulder.
The old man had sneaked up on me.
With a deep breath, I clutched at my heart.
"Damn it, man. I damn near had a heart attack," I studied him, 'old man' really did suit him now. Ornstein looked ill.
I sprung up and dragged in a chair, making him sit in it.
"I am perfectly fine, creature. Don't fuss about me, like I'm some doddering old fool," Ornstein grumbled, "I killed dragons, a slight cold isn't going to kill me."
Pneumonia isn't a slight cold and is far more likely to kill you that a dragon ever would, not that he listened to me tell him that.
I asked him why he was at Drangleic castle.
He sat with a sour face for a few minutes.
"I was bored," He final said, "I don't like sitting around all day, doing nothing, but time it seems has finally caught up with me."
The old man started coughing into his closed hand.
"Anyhow," He sighed, "You managed to light the fire once more and you didn't embarrass yourself, or so I have been informed. And tell me, they say the Kellantine girl is going by lady von Bayer, did you marry her behind everyone's back?"
I shook my head.
"Is the father taking it well."
"Who? Vixen? Of course not. She's still his sweet, baby sister and not the master deviant we both know her to be," A chuckle left my lips, "Vexa told him she was pregnant the other week. Vix burst into my room with a thunder lance in his hands. The gun wasn't loaded, but..."
I was sat in bed reading at the time, I reacted how you'd expect.
His overreaction to every little thing concerning Vexa were getting on my wick and I could see it ending in a fight.
The dragon slayer nodded his head slowly.
I changed the subject, "Is it true then that all the undead and hollows turned to ash?"
"Yes," He answered, "The fire keeper asked the same. She followed us back here."
I was aware of that, as she was at the door and with a smile on her face.
"I'm free. I'm finally free," The herald was giddy, "I'm free, free, free. No more having to look after all those wretched things. No more having to care for them. No more!"
True colours were shown and I was indifferent, couldn't blame her for feeling that way. I did however raise one point of my own, "I was in love with one of those 'wretched things', my dear Shanalotte."
The herald shrugged and said that Luca was different because she wasn't so needy.
"She also punched and slapped you a lot," She pointed to my face, "That put her in my good books. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to have myself a bath and then crawl into one of those soft feather beds, and not have to worry about anything any more."
With another cry of 'free', Shanalotte happily skipped off and vanished into the inner hallways of the castle.
I looked at the door she had been standing in and sucked on my teeth.
"Where were we? So, are you going to stay here or start looking for your friend again?"
The old man waved his hand, "Let's talk of that some other time, play something for me."
I started where I had left off, creating wraiths and having them pick up the other instruments. The old man's smile was a sight to behold.
He asked it's name and I had a wraith hand him the music, having already memorised it myself.
"Astrea."
The name of the piece finally given to me.
Ornstein went into detail about the saint turned demon, who only ever did good and was struck down mercilessly.
The only demon to keep her humanity.
She was part of the Boletaria fairytale that I had heard retold many a time, it was the old man's favourite after all and one he still believe to be true.
"Here's one of mine," Only a harpsichord piece then, but something I would continue to build upon. Your basic toccata really, until I started messing with it.
Ornstein applauded lightly, "You should give up with everything but your music, creature. A talent I wish I had."
At least one Ornstein would have that talent, and I think that if I gave my Ornstein a go at the keys it would sound like Wild Man's Dance than anything else.
"Anyone can play music, but can just anyone slay dragons?" I asked in reply.
The old man shook his head, "Two separate skills, creature. At which we both excel...I once excelled."
His brow furrowed, deep wrinkles forming.
"Ey, there are still more dragons out there for you to kill. You're not quite past your prime yet, Ornstein," I tried to cheer him up.
"I was past my prime centuries ago, creature," He shook his head, "John. I'm scared...about what comes next. What does happen next?"
At first I thought about what to say to him, what did we do next? For us it would be stabilise the country, the rebuild our forces and then continue to search for a way home.
I supposed he could join us like the Kellantine siblings, but that wasn't what he was saying at all.
My mind went back to the harpsichord; I wouldn't find an answer there, only a means of avoiding it.
"Kat's the one you need to talk to, she knows best," My mouth and throat were suddenly very dry, "I don't know what happens next. I guess you keep fighting, Ornstein."
When I turned back to him, he was looking to the floor in what looked like reflection. He looked back up with the ghost of a smile.
"I'm tired, creature. Could you show me to where I may get some rest?"
There weren't many of the nice rooms left, not after the utter carnage that had followed taking the castle. Still broken pieces of furniture littered the floor, alongside feather down from the torn sheets and pillows.
The nicest once had been nabbed by the herald, whose lump was well defined buried deep under the covers.
It was the servants quarters in which we found a suitable bed.
"If you want, you can have my room in the castle. With Vexa not here it's lonely in that bed and I'd rather be elsewhere," Back with all my new instruments came to mind.
Ornstein looked around the room, "This will be suitable. You can get that fire going for me however, warm this room. It looked like snow when I arrived."
And snow indeed it was, thick blankets of white covered everything as far as the eye could see. Blue skies, clear and crisp watched over us.
I stood above the gatehouse, watching the party coming in from Majula. Supplies mainly and one flustered doctor.
Zimmermann was pacing in the entrance hall.
"Take me to him," He demanded, "The stupid man shouldn't have left, he was in no condition to travel."
The old man got a good telling off and I listened from behind the closed door. The doctor's fleshy face was red.
Ornstein was not to leave the castle under any circumstance.
"He's a very ill man," Zimmermann said.
"He's also a very strong man," I crushed a fag against the wall, "Stronger than you or I, doctor."
"All the same, you majesty. I will continue to monitor him here, until the inevitable," Zimmermann bowed, "If you need me, I'm setting up with the surgeon's assistant."
Zimmerman walked off and I spent most of my morning with the old man. From the sidelines he watched me spar with one of the junior officers. It was sword and sword, and began with the schara and then I switched to the Loyce sidesword and my partner went with a Dranglein arming sword.
They were fighting me now not as emperor but as a genuine opponent, and it was good.
There was a chance I could even impress the dragon slayer.
"Sloppy," The old man tutted, "What kind of guard was that? It's a sword, not a club! I taught you better than that."
No such luck.
He followed us to the firing range outside of the castle. This was an everyday routine, go outside and fire 10 shots at a target.
Ornstein still wasn't impressed and started to lecture me, "Don't become over reliant on that weapon, I've told you before. It's fine when it works, but what happens the minute it doesn't fire?"
I held the gun differently, yelled at the top of my lungs and charged the static target. I was still hoping that I could introduce the plug-dagger to the wider army, it would eventually happen when we transitioned to doglocks. The socket bayonet was introduced shortly after that, thus my efforts were wasted.
So, after musket practice we parted ways. The old man went looking for food and I went for a run, followed by a cold bath before the urges set in.
Took a wrong corridor on the way back and ended up in part of the castle I had never stepped foot in before, nor anyone else for that matter, at least not since we'd taken it.
A lift, covered in a thick layer of dust, was before me.
No harm in seeing where it went, eh?
The pressure plate at it's centre activated the contraption like the others around Drangleic and started to slow climb upwards.
Metal creaked and chains scraped against stone, the lift body shaking as if battered by wind.
A windowless room is what I stepped into, pitch black and freezing. A cage filled most of it and housed the missing Milfanito, Singring.
Barely alive in her prison.
The door I couldn't open due to 'magical' lock, which looked horrific. It was a living creature and you would have to insert the key into it's gaping maw.
I didn't have the key, but gunpowder works in roughly the same way and so blasted the door open, with a little help from Whiplash. Zimmermann watching over to make sure we didn't hurt the girl in the process.
A small charge was enough to take the monsters head off and break the lock.
The girl was waif thin and grey, every bone could be seen stretching her skin. There was no weight to her, like carrying the air itself. She couldn't have been older than 6.
Pail hair was like straw and brown eyes were sunken deep into her head.
"Careful with her, careful," Zimmermann chided, as I carried her.
I left her in the care of the doctor and surgeon's assistant, and I ordered Whiplash to prepare to move her once she recovered her strength. She deserved to be back with her sisters.
I returned to my music and was again joined by Ornstein.
"Tell me when you're taking the Milfanito home and I will be ready to help," The old man scratched at his stubble.
"You're not going," I fixed the man down with a stare, "Doctor's orders and mine. You're staying in this castle, Ornstein!"
I hadn't meant to snap at him, it came from nowhere.
"You need to improve with giving orders, creature," He clicked his tongue, "Try again without shouting. Keep calm."
"With your health the way it is, I cannot allow you to leave the castle. You will say," I tried the second time. Results were more favourable this time.
Ornstein grunted, "Better, there is still a long way to go though."
I could always do what I watched a sergeant do and beat the order into him; I would probably come off for the worse however.
"I'll keep working on it."
"See that you do," Ornstein clenched his fist, "I've put in too much work for you to turn out an embarrassment."
I wonder what he'd think about me now?
Such lessons didn't come cheap, thankfully I was allowed to pay in music. It became the routine for the following days, until the girl had regained some strength.
She still wasn't on solid food, but she was better. Strangely, the day after that it seemed as if she was fine. It confounded Zimmermann, there was absolutely no way that it could be possible. If the girl was human I would have said yes. The girl was Milfanito, so I had no clue about her physiology.
She was safe enough to be moved, that was all that mattered.
The doctor protested, wanting to keep her for longer. He didn't feel comfortable letting her go after the state of malnourishment she had been in.
When he was telling me this, she was holding my arm, chattering away in whatever language was native to the Milfanito. Our attempts with Dranglein were met with a confused smile.
"All I'm asking for is a few more days," The doctor wanted to be sure, "A week at most."
"Fine," I waved my fingers a bit, "A week. Then she's going back to Amana."
Another little distraction.
Singring was the curious sort, slipping the doctor and finding general mischief. She was a child in the literal sense, rather than the case with Vexa.
I picked her up following Shanalotte around.
The girl chattered excitedly as I dragged her back to Zimmermann, who she slipped again not ten minutes later.
I held the girls shoulders and spoke firmly to her, she was not to leave my side. I might as well have been talking to a brick wall. I prayed that the gestures I made afterwards made more sense.
They must have been as she stuck to my heels.
The next thing was what to call her. Singring and the Glass Guitar wouldn't exist for a fairly long while you see, so I wasn't actually calling her Singring. Something close however.
"Siegnette," I pointed to her, to which she cocked her head. So I pointed to myself and said, "Johannes-Friedrich" and back to her, "Siegnette."
She looked on in wide-eyed wonderment. I assumed happy with the temporary name.
The girl fussed as I ruffled her hair, "Alright kiddo, don't leave my sight or it's straight back to Zimmermann."
And so I went about my day with Siegnette following me like a lost little puppy, the castle that had once held her prisoner was now a place to explore.
She watched on with joy as myself and Whiplash crossed swords, shielding her eyes whenever it seemed something gory would happen.
At the firing of the guns Siegnette would yelp and run behind the closest corner, hands pressed tightly to her ears. The noise eventually grew too much for her and she ran off.
My little ward was sat beside a statue, hugging her legs. Tears streaked her cheeks and when I got closer she shrunk, hugging herself tighter.
My words fell on deaf ears. The effect of gunfire on a child appeared magnified. My own stupid fault for not looking after her properly. It should have been obvious that the guns would frighten her.
"Let's go get some food," I helped her up.
My next problem was that she was a fussy eater. The cook had prepared a stunning winter vegetable soup, absolutely packed with carrot, potato, turnip, onion and the rest. A culinary artist that man and Siegnette turned her nose up at it.
A telling off later and she still refused to eat the soup.
"Just try a bite," I pleaded, it was getting to the stage where I was going to feed her myself. That soup wasn't going to waste, she would eat it.
"I'm getting mad, Siegnette. Eat your food."
With a defiant huff, the girl pushed the bowl away from her. I had had enough.
"Alright, young lady. Back to doctor Zimmermann," I snatched her arm and dragged her in the direction of the surgeon's quarter.
Siegnette freed her thin wrist and ran, running straight into Shanalotte and hiding behind her long skirt.
"What have you done to the poor girl?" The herald jabbed her finger at me.
The stubborn little brat was going back to the doctor and there was to be no argument. If she was going to be a naughty child, I'd treat her like one.
"I'll take her off your hands," She looped her arm around Siegnette, "I think you've done enough."
And that's who she stayed with.
It was later on that evening, I was giving Ornstein his daily listen of music. It was completely made up piece, there had been nothing that caught my eye in the books.
"Creature," The old man called to me.
Siegnette was standing next to the table with the portative organ on it. The nightdress she wore was several sizes too big for her, trailing behind on the floor.
Sheepish is how I'd describe her behaviour.
"Shouldn't you be in bed, young lady?" I beckoned her over.
"I don't know why you bother speaking, she doesn't understand you," Ornstein tapped ash into a pot and took a deep draw of what remained of the smoking leaf.
Because it would be rude otherwise.
"I'm sorry for getting annoyed with you earlier and for mishandling you," Her grey eyes widen when I ruffled her hair like I'd done before. Slight movement of her pupils told me she wanted to look at the harpsichord.
The Milfanito did sing for the dead after all and songs are much better with music. Siegnette wasn't old enough to have started that. This would be a good way to get her to sleep as well, a half hour of playing and she was under.
Watching this child made me hate Nashandra even more.
"Can you explain how she could do this? It's sickening," My heart was beating out an unsteady tattoo, rapidly speeding up with every breath, "Look at her, she's no more than a baby. Why would she drag a baby into this?"
Ornstein looked to Siegnette, "Don't question the motives of the mad. Be happy you found her when you did and that she has recovered so quickly. That little girl is safe now."
"I wish I could have found her earlier and gotten her out of all this. It might sound silly, but I feel responsible for her," There was a smile on Siegnette's lips, no doubt dreaming of something nice.
"You're not her father. You're not even related."
"What does that matter? Here and now, until Zimmermann is content, she is under our protection," If I continued the way I was, I was going to start shouting. It was in no manner a surprise I was acting this way, seeing as how I had reacted to the kidnapping of the children of the giants. There was a lot of restraint shown in me not going straight to Nashandra and cutting away until nothing remained. All that vile hatred burst out, tar thick and choking.
I bit my tongue hard and tasted the metallic tang, then chewed on my lip until it too bled. Getting worked up would get me nowhere.
"I should say, until we get her back to her sisters in Amana, Siegnette is our responsibility," I stood and picked up the girl, "I'm going to put her to bed. Don't drink my brandy when I'm gone. I will check it, when I get back."
The old man made no promises and was most definitely gone when I returned several minutes later. I was put in the most frightful states of upset I had ever been in. To steal another man's brandy or any other alcohol…
"You don't want to be drinking with a child in your care," He drank what was left of his and held the decanter close to him, eventually taking it with him.
The start of an interesting week for sure.
Siegnette spent her time between myself and Shanalotte, with the occasional trip to Zimmermann. It was a strange experience, especially for those returning to the castle.
One evening she escaped from the herald who was only trying to bathe her. Round and round we chased her; my running after Vexa had trained me for this.
In a last second decision we split, following the girl all the way to the castle's entrance hall. Shanalotte blocked her only escape route and I scooped Siegnette up.
"Alright you little monster, got you now," She fidgeted and laughed joyfully, "You must stop running away. You've got to be a good girl."
Siegnette chattered away, shaking her head.
It hadn't escaped my notice that Kat, Don and Vix were in the room, but we didn't really care about that.
With her supported in my arms, I turned to greet my friends.
"Were you successful with the Gyrm?" Ignoring the obvious, I went straight to business.
"Erm, Gavlan and the king of the Gyrm are behind us, sir and erm...I mean, they are following us in a few days...erm. We were successful in signing the treaty and…"
Katie rolled her eyes, "Who's the girl, Jonathan-Fredrick?"
"Yeah, pretty sure we haven't been away that long," Don chimed in.
"Amazing how quickly the storks work. Just the other day I was wondering what it would be like to have a daughter and there she was, nestled amongst the cabbage patch. They grow up so fast. Doesn't she look like her mother? You do recall what Vexa told you, brother?"
Vixen look like he was going to suffer an aneurysm, so I stopped and gave them the truth. All the while Siegnette started to wriggle about restlessly.
"As you can see, she's a handful. You can brief me later, this little lady has to take her bath and it won't do for her to run from Shanalotte again," My young ward showed off her wide, toothy grin to everyone. She even waved them goodbye and left them in a stupor.
Things got slightly worse the following day when Vexa returned. As I was giving most of my attention to Siegnette and not her, she was in a mood with me.
The girl didn't take to the redhead either, turning all shy and burying her face into whoever she was with when Vexa tried to engage with her.
This was an opportune time to tease Vexa mercilessly.
"Don't worry," I soothed the hiding Siegnette, stroking her head, "The mean old crone won't harm you, I won't let that happen."
Vex hammered on my arm with her fist, leaving a good sized welt.
"You see Siegnette, you see what she does to me," I stuck my tongue out at the redhead, which the little one mimicked. I found it adorable, Vexa less so.
It was in bed that evening when Vex voiced her opinion. I was embarrassed for her, competing with a child for my love.
Only Vexa.
All was forgiven though, after I had handed Siegnette back over to Shanalotte for sleep.
When I told the redhead the whole story, she understood.
"What does Siegnette even mean?" She asked and I professed no to know.
"When I saw her all bright-eyed and cheery, especially after what she'd been through, all I could think was that saving her was anther victory over Nashandra," I pressed my lips to Vexa's forehead and held her, "The nicest little victory I can think of."
Happy New Year and whatnot,
I do hope you all had a nice one. As for myself, I don't quite remember new year much and that is probably no doubt for the best.
Anyway, here's the next part of my beautiful mess. Hopefully the next one will be the final part in Drangleic, then who knows.
As always I hope you enjoy reading this rubbish.
Until next time.