Summary: The Warrior of Light makes the acquaintance of Ser Aymeric de Borel, Lord Commander of the Ishgardian Temple Knights and a lead is presented in the investigation into the heretics ambushing supplies - particularly crystals - bound for Mor Dhona. Ser Aymeric, however, is not the only person she ends up meeting...
As Rhea rode back into Revenant's Toll, she couldn't remember the last time she felt so rejuvenated. It wasn't just the wonderful night's sleep in a comfortable bed, nor the wine the evening before, but the whole experience with Haurchefant. It had revitalized her soul, invigorated her heart and gave her an energy to rival the Gods. She was happier than she'd ever been in her life and she couldn't wait to see her silver-haired Knight once more.
Stabling Tchu, she made her way into the Rising Stones and was met with news of Alphinaud needing her assistance. With a smile on her lips, and not a thing to dour her mood, she went straight to work. Further progress had been made in tracking down the spy within the Immortal Flames the Crystal Brave's had uncovered and for a few days, Rhea did all she could to help with the process.
Alas, ill news reached the Scions. The second caravan Haurchefant had sent to Revenant's Toll had, once again, been waylaid by heretics and the supplies stolen. On top of that, Ser Aymeric de Borel, Lord Commander of the Ishgardian Temple Knights, requested to meet with Alphinaud to discuss 'matters of import' and personally requested that Rhea attend as well.
Rhea had heard about the Lord Commander briefly before she'd left Ishgard. A bastard who had risen to prominence through hard work and the vaunted loyalty and admiration of his Knights. She was, honestly, surprised he had risen all the way to Lord Commander. He was someone she was certainly interested in making an acquaintance of.
So it was that Alphinaud and Rhea embarked for Camp Dragonhead once more. Deep within, Rhea tried to temper the excitement she felt at getting to see Haurchefant again so soon, despite that not being her purpose for the visit. She had to remind herself frequently along the journey to keep herself focused. After all, they were getting to entreat with the official representative of Ishgard. Such a thing had been unheard of since the Battle of Silvertear Skies and she needed to be at her best for this. Diplomacy was Alphinaud's forte, not hers. What came effortlessly to him was a concerted effort on her part.
When they arrived at the Camp, they made directly for Lord Haurchefant and she could't help the smile on her lips when she saw him. Nor he, with her, it seemed. "Ah, Rhea! Ever a welcomed sight!" he chimed as she stepped towards his desk, Alphinaud having been delayed behind her a few seconds. "Our hearths have been stoked to blazing in preparation for your arrival. It would not do for such a distinguished personage to catch cold whilst enjoying our hospitality." Once more their eyes met, and formal though his words are, Rhea could feel the depth and connection behind them.
"The gesture is much appreciated. I fear I shall ever struggle in the cold climes," Alphinaud said, coming up from behind and nodding to Haurchefant before Rhea could give him a response.
"...Ah, good Master Alphinaud. An honor, as always," Haurchefant said with a beaming smile to the young elezen. After a short conversation, the Knight looked between them. "But to the matter at hand: Ser Aymeric arrived in Camp Dragonhead earlier, and I am told he is eager to meet with you at your first convenience." Glancing to Rhea, he gave a nod, "You are doubtless weary from your journey and desirous to rest awhile by the warmth of our hearth..." he looked back to Alphinaud then, "...but if you are willing to forgo such comforts, pray inform the knight stationed outside the intercessory. He will grant you entrance and send word to the other attendees."
"As inviting as your hearth sounds, I think it best we proceed to the intercessory forthwith," Alphinaud said with a firm resolution. Rhea could not be in more agreement. Pleasant as seeing Haurchefant was, and as much as she enjoyed the thought of warming herself from the cold for a spell, she was eager to meet Ser Aymeric and find out if it was the heretic's attack on the shipments he was interested in speaking about or something more.
Making their way around to the intercessory, Haurchefant in tow, Alphinaud held back a moment to speak on his linkshell while the elezen went on ahead. Stepping from the cold into another warm room, she looked around then turned and smiled at Haurchefant. "I pray you'll forgive me for departing so abruptly the other morn. I did not wish to disturb you and thought it best I returned to Revenant's Toll as soon as possible, so as to not overstay my welcome," she said softly, taking advantage of this brief respite they had alone together.
Haurchefant shook his head gently, "Nonsense! There is nothing to forgive and you could never outstay your welcome. Full glad am I that you rested well enough to feel up to the journey! As well, please let me thank you for the gift you left," he said, giving her a respectful bow, his hand coming to rest high on his chest as if he were suggestion he wore it beneath his armor. "I..."
Footsteps could be heard approaching outside the intercessory, "Have faith, my friend. You need only state your case with confidence and clarity," he said to her as the door opened, a formality erecting between them once more for appearances. They were Ishgardian and public displays of affection, particularly among those unmarried, were considered crass. Especially for a lady of a noble house and a bastard of another. Alphinaud stepped in, shivering off the cold. She really needed to get him a coat worth having if they were going to be visiting Ishgard frequently.
Not a moment after he reached their side did the door open and a pair of Knights walked in. One was dressed in fine armor, donned with vibrant blue fabric and set upon a very regal and respectable elezen male. Beside him, a tall hyur woman in fine armor as well stood poised a step behind him with a severe expression.
"Commander Leveilleur. It is both an honor and a pleasure to meet you," the well-spoken elezen said, addressing the younger one. Rhea had little doubt that this man was Ser Aymeric, Lord Commander of the Temple Knights. Soon enough, her estimation was soon confirmed by his following words of introduction.
Pleasantries of dignitaries were exchanged and then striking sky blue eyes landed on Rhea. Though they were not the vibrant hues of the silver knight next to her, Rhea felt the way that gaze seemed to root her in place nonetheless. Here was a man who commanded and commanded well, needing only a look and some few words to make his intentions known. His gaze held weight, power and respect. It was then she understood how he rose to such prominence. "Speaking of reputations, yours towers over us all. Does it not?" Ser Aymeric said with a charming tone, addressing Rhea as he glanced at the female knight at his side.
"It does indeed, Lord Commander," the knight said respectfully in reply, after which his gaze returned to Rhea once more. Beside her, Rhea could feel Haurchefant stand up a bit straighter though she'd not the time to look to him as Aymeric spoke again, "I am not too proud to admit that I have followed your activities with an interest bordering on fascination," Aymeric confessed, a tone to his words that emphasized his announced interest, "Full glad was I to learn that you would be joining us." It seemed she had a fan in the Lord Commander, a note she filed away for later. Such a thing could be useful in diplomacy. She had learned some things while being tutored to rule her House with her twin.
A charming smile suited for flattering ladies and dignitaries alike was given then he gestured to the table, "Now then, shall we begin?" With a nod by all, everyone took their place with Ser Aymeric across the table from Alphinaud and Rhea and Haurchefant sitting to the side. His attending knight however, remained standing behind and to his left at attention.
Nigh on an hour, perhaps more passed, as Alphinaud and Ser Aymeric discussed Ishgardian policies and what the See was willing to do with the world outside itself. Though the Lord Commander spoke his words with conviction and determination about the Holy See's desires, Rhea knew Ishgardian politics well enough to know that Ser Aymeric did not, entirely, agree on every point he was proffering. He was not as unreadable as he seemed to think he was, though by Alphinaud's responses, perhaps she was the only one to see it. Perhaps it was the Echo that allowed her this insight?
With a glance and a smile to Haurchefant, shared by him, she returned her attention to the proceedings. It was then Aymeric's gaze fell to Rhea's and in that moment, she could see the shackles which bound him and he, in turn, could see that the wool of his own opinions had not been pulled over her eyes.
Sitting back, Aymeric folded his hands against his abdomen and closed his eyes, "It was not only as a representative of Ishgard that I came here. It is not within my power to change Ishgardian policy, regardless of my personal feelings," he stated, prompting Rhea to smile. At least he was regal enough to be honest about such things, particularly when called out as she had wordlessly done. He knew he could not hide and so the pretense was dropped. "There is, however, one area in which I may exert a measure of influence. Concerns have been raised over the supplies House Fortemps has offered to Revenant's Toll. These have led to calls for restrictions on the provision of aid to foreign powers." With his eyes closed, he laid out the pure truth of the matter, one which did not surprise Rhea. Slowly his eyes opened, and he set them upon Alphinaud with a smug look on his face, "I can ensure that the shipments continue unabated."
And there it was, the face of Ishgardian politics wrapped in a pretty blue package. Rhea had known going into this that Ishgard would give nothing freely and she could fair see the strings attached to this one.
"Ser Aymeric, we would be in your debt!" Haurchefant piped up in pleased surprise. Rhea looked to the man at her side, knowing the essence of the words next to come from the Lord Commander. Surely Haurchefant expected it too? Being as high up as he, himself, was, surely he'd dealt with these sorts of politics many a time. Once more, her attention returned to the man across the table.
"No, you would not, for I require something in exchange," Aymeric coolly replied to Haurchefant and by the exchange of glances, she could see that while Haurchefant had remained ever the hopeful optimist, he was not caught off guard by such things. He was also not happy about the response and it showed in the brief momentary furrow of his brow. It was endearing, really, how hopeful, optimistic and youthful Haurchefant remained and it only warmed her heart to him more. Such a quality was rare in this land where despair and a hardness as cold as the ice around them was abound. Ishgard was a land of realists and pragmatists. Optimism was in short supply.
Looking back to Aymeric, she readied herself for what he requested of them. He explained about the increase in Dravanian activity and the portents the astrologians of the Observatorium had perceived. The Ishgardians, it seemed, were fearful that Midgardsomr would rise again, despite having died during the Battle of Silvertear Skies. At last he had played his hand.
"So, you will intervene on our behalf if we agree to watch over the Keeper of the Lake," Alphinaud said, putting words to the implications and inferences swimming in the air.
Aymeric nodded to him, "Do you accept these terms?"
Alphinaud had barely accepted them and bestowed diplomatic words of cooperation when the door burst open and a House Fortemps Knight came rushing in. "What is the meaning of this!?" Haurchefant directed firmly to the Knight.
"The caravan, my lord! It's been attacked!" the Knight informed all present, "It was Iceheart, my lord!"
"What!?" Haurchefant cried, "By the Fury! All our precautions were for naught!?"
And so it was that the diplomatic summit was adjourned and Rhea departed once more to investigate the robbed caravan.
Gathering what information she could, she returned to find both Ser Aymeric and Alphinaud had called upon their respective militaries and were going to join her in searching Snowcloak for a way into the heretics hideout. Not only that, but it was revealed by the contents missing from the caravan's, and testimonial from a heretic knight Rhea had followed and caught in the act, that Iceheart meant to summon Saint Shiva, patron saint of heretics.
By the grace of the Fury, and a lot of hard work, an entrance was found to Snowcloak and Rhea volunteered to be the one to clear it, rout out the heretics and find Lady Iceheart before it was too late. Too long had passed searching for this entrance, time could not be wasted any longer. Venturing deep into the warren of ice, Rhea made her way through the secret encampment and upon defeating their rather large pet wolf at the end, found herself looking upon an aetheryte.
So that's how they get around, she thought to herself before turning her head at the footsteps behind her. Her muscles tensed in preparation for another fight as a woman's voice spoke throughout the cavern they found themselves in. Behind her stood a tall elezen woman, silvery white hair to her waist and white eyes staring out with a cold expression. Rhea could see how she got the name 'Iceheart' before a word was uttered.
"The tales do not do you justice, Warrior of Light. Yes, I know who you are. And you know who I am. I was given the name Ysayle, but I earned the name Iceheart," she said, slowly beginning to walk towards Rhea. Drawing her tome, she readied herself for a confrontation. "This endless cycle of hatred, of bloodshed, of sorrow - you would see it continue, O noble Warrior of Light? I would not. I will not. I will bring an end to this war between dragon and man - no matter the cost. In time, you will come to understand that what we do, we do for the greater good. For Eorzea. For Hydaelyn."
Rhea could not deny that she, too, wanted to bring an end to the war between dragon and man but she could not condone doing 'anything' to achieve it. As much as she might agree with Iceheart's sentiments, and while Rhea could not think of a right way to go about it, she knew the way Iceheart was going about it was wrong. Then suddenly, as soon as she was there, Iceheart was gone, nary a moment for Rhea to respond or even attempt to apprehend her as she teleported away via the aetheryte.
Returning to the Whitebrim Front, Rhea joined the Braves and Temple Knights in tracking down the heretics who attempted to ambush the allied forces during the hunt for the tunnels at Snowcloak. She was vexed that Iceheart had gotten away and she was resolved to do something that proved useful. Luckily, at the end of the trail, a heretic merchant was caught and taken into custody by the Crystal Braves before handing him over to the Temple Knights. It seemed the heretic also had ties with the Brave's investigation into the traitor amongst the Immortal Flames, giving more questions than there were answers to those involved, thus prompting the Braves' interrogations.
Rhea would have preferred to speak directly with both Ser Aymeric and Lord Haurchefant on the matters of the heretics and Iceheart but a sudden linkshell communique pulled her from her course. Alphinaud and herself were requested at an emergency meeting between the Alliance leaders regarding the Garlean War of Succession. Entrusting the message reached the Ishgardians to Ilberd, Rhea and Alphinaud departed immediately for Nophica's Altar in Gridania.