Summary: Ser Aymeric requests a debrief regarding Rhea's battle with the primal Shiva but first, Rhea needs to stop by to see Lord Haurchefant who had been, apparently, beyond beside himself when he learned where Rhea had gone off to.
"Ah, on an unrelated note...Rhea - might I trouble you to accompany me to Camp Dragonhead at your earliest convenience? 'Tis not for my benefit. A certain lord was most distressed when he learned of your intent to risk life and limb to stop Iceheart. It took half a dozen knights to restrain him, I am told," Aymeric informed her after she had finished giving a report on her battle with Shiva and her interaction with Iceheart after.
She was more than a little amused at such news. She tried to imagine the image in her mind and she was surprised Lord Haurchefant had reacted in such a passionate and publicly displayed way. It warmed her heart further that he cared so much. With a nod to Aymeric and a smile, they departed for Camp Dragonhead. When they arrived, Ser Aymeric took himself to the intercessory while Rhea and Alphinaud made for Lord Haurchefant. The door had scarcely closed behind them when Haurchefant's screeching could be heard across the hall pointed directly at her.
"What were you thinking, Rhea!? Wagering your very being on a dubious theory which might allow you to enter Iceheart's lair - knowing full well that she could have sufficient forewarning to complete her ritual to summon Shiva anyway...?" Haurchefant exclaimed, standing up from his desk and stalking around it and towards her. She'd never even imagined he'd speak to her in such a way publicly, especially with such zeal that betrayed his care for her. She'd had no doubt he was a passionate man but to let his feelings override his Ishgardian societal conditioning was something entirely unexpected. It sent quite the thrill through her as she watched him while her heart swelled.
"And then - and then - engaging the abomination in mortal combat! By the Fury, Rhea!" he exclaimed, getting ever closer until he stood before her. It was then she saw not anger, but passionate fervor in his gaze. Concern for her well-being, however, was stronger than anything within those fierce blue eyes. She saw his hands twitch as if to come up and take her by her shoulders but he kept himself restrained.
"'Tis the stuff of ballads! A battle for the ages! Would that I had been there to fight by your side! Yet..." he huffed at her, the real reason coming to light as he struggled to get his emotions reined in, "here I was forced to wait - condemned to wonder at the fate of a dear...friend...for a veritable eternity! I would not wish such torture on my most hated enemy..."
Haurchefant then let out a heavy sigh as he began to come down a bit, "But...you are here now, and that is what truly matters. Let us move on." He cleared his throat, standing up a bit straighter and looking more the knight and less the crazed man. Still, to have seen him in such a state left no question in her mind what she meant to him. A feeling she shared in kind. It both filled her with happiness, and yet a deep seed of despair in her stomach, but that was a thought for another time.
"Ser Aymeric wished to have words with you and Master Alphinaud in private. He awaits us in the intercessory."
With a nod to Haurchefant and a glance to Alphinaud, who had far too amused of a grin on his face for Rhea's taste, she turned and headed to see the Lord Commander. Alphinaud and Haurchefant followed her close behind. As soon as she was admitted entry, she saw the Lord Commander and his ever present knight. Greetings were made and all took their seats they'd had before, with Alphinaud in the middle with Aymeric across from him. Rhea and Haurchefant sat to the right of Alphinaud.
Formal thanks were given and formalities were observed. Ser Aymeric made mention of Ishgard's lack of preparedness in contending with primals. "Then the argument for preemptive action should be self-evident. Perchance now you will reconsider my proposal that Ishgard move against Natalan?" Alphinaud inquired.
"Ere we first met, a similar proposal was tabled ─ but the Holy See decreed that we were to observe, and that military action should be taken only in self-defense. All things considered, it was not an unreasonable decision. Since the Calamity, two vigils have fallen to the Horde, while Garuda has never shown any inclination to storm the Gates of Judgement...which is why this unprecedented crisis and its resolution may prompt a change in policy. You who have faced these primals know well the threat they pose. Ishgard did not - not until now. And there is naught like a brush with death to change a man's outlook."
Wise words, words that Rhea could certainly respect. In truth, even she could not entirely disagree with the defense-only policy her nation had held to. She also agreed that there was naught like a brush with death to change a mind. She'd certainly been changed by hers. Would this prompt Ishgard to change, though?
"At the very least, this should silence any lingering objections to our arrangement with Revenant's Toll," Haurchefant said enthusiastically. "The Holy See may even feel moved to grant us its formal endorsement!"
Aymeric then spoke of withdrawing his previous request for the Scions to watch the Keeper of the Lake, however Alphinaud informed him that everyone had a vested interest in keeping an eye on Dravania. An agreement was made.
"Ser Aymeric, if I may...do you truly believe that Midgardsormr could return?" Alphinaud asked as he considered the man across from him.
"The heavens are a window unto truth, but those who interpret their movements are not infallible. I requested your involvement as a precautionary measure."
"But of course..." Alphinaud said with bite to his tone, "You sought an excuse to compensate us from the first, mindful of what would happen if Revenant's Toll were taken by your enemies. Ishgard is not wont to aid its neighbors, but that does not preclude it from manipulating them to serve its own interests!"
The knight beside Ser Aymeric stepped forward menacingly. Already Rhea was rising to head her off, calling aether to her to defend Alphinaud. "Choose your next words carefully," the female knight said towards Alphinaud, not even sparing a look for Rhea.
Aymeric turned and looked to the woman at his side and upon a shared look between them, she backed down. Haurchefant stood on the sidelines, tension leaving his body. It would not have been a good place for him to have to interject into - the Lord Commander versus Rhea. Slowly, Rhea began to release the aether she'd called to her and stood down as well.
"Do you know what sort of man becomes Lord Commander of the Temple Knights?" Aymeric asked Alphinaud but his words were also for Rhea. As ever, he was calm and measured. "One who comes from good stock. I…did not, yet here I am. Now why do you suppose that is?" Suddenly, an intense emotion flashed across the remarkably reserved man's face, "Because I swiftly learned to tell the difference between words, deeds, and beliefs!"
A calm and unreadable expression returned to his face, "...You are correct, Master Leveilleur. Ishgard desires to see Revenant's Toll flourish, as it would present a troublesome obstacle to our enemies from the south."
Alphinaud sneered at him, "We are so glad to be of use to you."
"As we are to you. Ours is a mutually beneficial arrangement, lest we forget. One born of necessity," Aymeric continued, then sighed, "The dragons grow more restless by the day, and the heretics harry us nigh without cease. We have contended with such troubles for centuries, but there are…limits to even our endurance. Yet as a pauper is loath to part with his meager possessions, the leaders of Ishgard are not wont to render up their trust to outsiders. But with perseverance on our part, they may yet be made to see the light. Nevertheless, one must take care when walking the road less traveled."
"Wise words, Ser Aymeric. I shall make a point to remember them," Alphinaud said, quieting down considerably himself, "I must apologize for my earlier outburst. I hope it will not sour our good relations."
"Not at all. You but spoke from the heart," he said with a smile towards the young commander. Rhea kept her gaze on Ser Aymeric, a thoughtful expression on her face as she tried to understand and read him. He was an anomaly, a puzzle ball to unravel. There were so many layers of masks upon masks, she scarcely could make heads or tails of any of it. Yet somehow, even through the mess, she could almost glimpse the man beneath it all.
Coming back to the conversation, she could tell they were just wrapping up. With a smile, she made ready to depart. "Rhea, a moment if you will," Ser Aymeric said to her, his voice reaching out to stop her, "In private, if we may."
Rhea looked to the Lord Commander, then to Alphinaud, then to Haurchefant and lastly to Lucia, the knight at his side. Once her gaze landed back on Aymeric, she gave him a nod and the others departed. When they were all gone, Lucia included, she looked back to him.
"I have no small amount of admiration for you, Lady Rhea. It brings me untold joy to know that the Warrior of Light, the Savior of Eorzea, is one of our own. Pray, have you considered returning home? Putting your gift to our conflict with the Dravanians? You have accomplished much and more during your time away. Ishgard desires nothing more than to welcome its daughter home," Aymeric said to her, remaining seated where he was.
"I have considered it, in truth. I will not lie, there is much I miss about home. Yet, I won't. Not yet," she said softly. "I have a duty to this world to right the wrongs in it. There is more out there than you understand, Lord Commander, and the fate of an entire world - Ishgard, included - supersedes the needs of a single nation. Someday I will come home and I will give my all to find a way to end the war, whatever that path may be. That day, alas, is not today. I am sorry, Ser Aymeric."
Sky blue eyes held her silvery ones as he considered her words for a long moment. For the briefest of moments, Rhea thought she'd felt something flicker between them but it was gone before it came and left her wondering if it had been there at all. Finally, he gave a slow, measured nod, "In truth, I would have expected nothing else than that as an answer. However, it would have been remiss of me to not bright it up. As I said, I have the greatest admiration for you. Know you have earned an ally this day."
Standing up, he pushed back the chair then bowed to her, "It has been a true pleasure getting to know you, Lady Rhea. I pray the next time we meet, it is under better circumstances. May Halone guide and keep you." With a nod to him in return, he made his departure.
Rhea held back to take a few moments with her thoughts. Taking a deep breath, one she was ready, she headed out of the intercessory. Alphinaud was waiting for her outside alone. He spoke of what Ysayle becoming Shiva betokened and the complications it could bring. "Come, Rhea - it is better that we continue this conversation in Mor Dhona."
"I need to see to some things here in Coerthas before I return. Go on without me? I promise to return by morning," Rhea said with a warm smile. Alphinaud thought about it for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright. Stay safe, Rhea. I'll see you tomorrow." And with that, the young elezen made for the Aetheryte. Once he was out of sight, her gaze looked to the hall where Haurchefant resided. She'd been wanting to speak with him privately since he'd verbally lashed her with such passion and care.
Heading towards the doors, her thoughts turned once more back to her conversation with Aymeric. They lingered there only for a moment before she pushed them away. Those were thoughts for tomorrow. There were other things on her mind - or rather someone.