Destiny

When Lothric awoke the following morning, it was Emma who was at his side, water at hand as it always was. He reached for it and greedily drank it down, not caring about the excess that spilled down his chin. Each morning he awoke, parched and sweating, regardless of the temperature or whether or not he had had water the evening before. While the cause could truly be anything given the state of his health, Lothric enjoyed imagining it as fate's cruel mockery of his future to come: engulfed in flame perhaps indefinitely, parched and sweating.

"Good morning, Prince Lothric. Did you sleep well?" Emma asked, as she did every morning.

"As well as I always do," he replied. A truth, as he always slept terribly, never feeling more rested upon awakening.

"Mistress Kriemhild is awaiting your session this morning and Master Orbeck will arrive this afternoon. Where shall I send her to wait for you?" Emma asked as she assisted him out of his bed and towards the bathing chamber.

Lothric glanced outside, seeing the sun crawling its way up the horizon. It would be a lovely day, he mused before replying, "Send her to the gardens."

"Very well." He eased himself into the lukewarm water, sinking until his face was half submerged, and letting his hands dangle over the edge of the tub. From his periphery he watched Emma bow low, "I will escort Mistress Kriemhild and return shortly."

Lothric spent most of the time simply soaking, only spending a fraction of the time actually washing himself and his hair. By the time Emma returned the water had started to grow cold, and he was thankful to return to the uncomfortable prayer robes and what little warmth they provided. He would be in the sun soon enough as he allowed himself to be led by Emma to the gardens.

The space was well tended and looked after as it had been one of Oceiros's favorite places and had also quickly become one of Lothric's. At the edge there was a group of trees with a collection of blankets and pillows awaiting beneath. It had become one of Lothric's favorite spots to study as he could enjoy the outdoors in relative comfort. It was also in part due to the fact that there was a platform in the center where Knight General Godwyn insisted on having Lorian's training - distinctly away from the rest of the knights. It allowed for them to be close enough for them to each keep an eye on the other while still maintaining their seclusion - at least, when Lothric was well enough to study in the gardens.

Already seated beneath the trees was Mistress Kriemhild. She was a simple woman, dressed in charcoal robes that she claimed were those worn by a Fire Keeper. Though she was not herself a Fire Keeper, she had started down that path at one point. She had been with the kingdom for a very long time as a pupil to the Crystal Sages, following her mentors when they came to study in the Grand Archives. King Oceiros had invited her to become Lothric's tutor, to teach him everything he would need to know in preparation of becoming a Lord of Cinder.

When she saw Lothric approaching, she stood to greet him. "Good morning, Prince Lothric," she said with a slight bow before offering her arm to him to help ease him into the blankets. He graciously accepted her assistance and sat amongst the pillows. Emma bowed as well and left them alone.

Lothric couldn't help but let his gaze wander to the platform at the center of the garden, which was suspiciously empty. Beside him, Kriemhild spoke, "I was surprised to see Prince Lorian leaving the castle this morning by himself. I was under the impression that in the King's absence, you were both in charge."

Ah, so that was where he had gone. Lothric couldn't keep the smile from stretching over his lips. "My brother is wasted in this castle. He seeks his own destiny now."

"And what might that be?" A fair question. After all, Lorian was not given a birthright, responsibilities, or even a curse. He just simply, was. Free to exist in any way he saw fit. Free of any expectations, noble or otherwise. Truly, Lothric envied him.

And yet-

I will prove myself worthy to you.

Lothric smothered his grin and said, "I suppose we will have to wait for his return to find out." He turned back to his mentor. "What great secrets of my impending demise would you have me learn today?"

He watched as Kriemhild squirmed at his question, pleased that it still made her uncomfortable as it did so many others. Especially as a former Fire Keeper-expectant, she above all others had it ingrained that to link the flame was an immeasurable honor, and for one such as himself to outright slander the ritual was nothing short of heresy. But he also knew that none would challenge his words - except perhaps his father - as they each knew that they would never be the ones shouldering this burden, doomed to throw themselves to the flame so that it may cling to life for a few years more.

"As you know," she started, "Fire Keepers are linked to their respective Firelink Shrine, a place where time holds no jurisdiction and which is only revealed to both the Keeper and the Lord of Cinder upon the first tolling of the bells. Though King Oceiros guards and maintains the Firelink Shrine not far from where we sit, the one you encounter will likely not be thus. And remember, my Lord, the Fire Keeper's fate will rest entirely in your hands. After all, Keepers do not take their duties lightly as they are more weary than the rest of us, seeking for the rekindling of the First Flame so that they can be rid of the undead curse long enough to pass from this world."

"Do you wish for it?" Lothric asked, gaze turned skyward.

"My Lord?"

"Death," he said simply, "an escape from the curse that brings you closer to becoming hollow with every undying death you suffer."

She grew quiet beside him. "I thought I had - once. It was why I sought the guidance of the Keepers."

"What changed?"

"I suppose it's the same thing that urged Prince Lorian away. A desire to seek my own destiny, whatever that may be."

"Have you found it in your studies with the Sages?" He asked, shifting his gaze to her from the corner of his eye, watching as her fingers plucked at a loose thread on the blanket. Kriemhild said nothing. He opted to spare her from this conversation further. "How will I know when the first bell has rung?"

"You will know, my Lord. Legends say that the sound of the tolling bells is mystic in nature, with the sound carrying across the lands, able to reach even those lurking deep underground in places like the Profaned Capital where Yhorm the Giant presided over before becoming a Lord of Cinder. For the one destined to be a Lord of Cinder, it is said to resonate within you, your heartbeat in sync with the tolling of the bells: your life inextricably linked. The bell will toll three times. The first will be to you, and all those who have strength to kindle the flame, or are tied to the First Flame - a summons. The second will be to the previous Lords of Cinder, should you fail to rekindle the flame. The final bell summons the Unkindled, waking them from their eternal slumber and guiding them to reignite the flame."

"A death knell."

"For the First Flame, yes."

"And for me." Lothric stated, for that's all it could be. A statement. He had been born with this fact engraved into his very soul. The sky is blue, the grass is green, and he would die giving his life for the First Flame. Yes, these truths Lothric accepted long ago. "Tell me, Kriemhild, why are Fire Keepers blind?"

"Sight is forbidden. There has only been a single Fire Keeper to keep her sight, and that was the first Fire Keeper." Kriemhild lifted her hand to her eyes, though whether it was a conscious movement, Lothric could not say. "Rumors say the eyes corrupted her, leading her to try and betray her duties, and so they were removed from her. Gouged out and hidden away so none may be so tempted again. That is why all Fire Keepers are blinded the moment they take up the mantle."

"Were there any rumors as to the location of where the eyes have gone?"

"I'm afraid I could not say for certain my Lord, but perhaps I can inquire on your behalf, if it pleases you?"

Lothric nodded his head slightly. She smiled in return, still absent-mindedly plucking at the thread. "Very well, I will see if I can find any mentions in my old teachings."

She continued her lessons, speaking until the sun reached its peak in the sky. Lothric had begun losing interest as he reclined against the cushions and stared up into the sky. Briefly, he wondered how his brother was faring on his journey; what mighty enemy would he seek to kill in Lothric's name?

At the edge of the garden a new figure approached, with Emma standing not far behind, pointing in Lothric's direction. Master Orbeck, originally a student from the Vinheim Dragon School, was hired to be another one of Lothric's tutors by King Oceiros. Because the teachings of the Dragon School were said to be derived from that of Seath the Scaleless, Oceiros had permitted and even encouraged the man to come in exchange for access to some of the knowledge held within the Grand Archives - he was never allowed to enter himself of course, being an outsider, only given access to whatever Head Scholar Wulfred allowed.

At one point, however, Lothric knew sorcery did not hold the same reverement as it did now. A scholar, Sulyvahn, had worked for King Oceiros at one point and was renowned for the drastic leaps in knowledge to the point where after he had discovered the Profaned Flame; King Oceiros had a statue constructed in his honor. Then one day, Sulyvahn left, and with him the wealth of sorcery knowledge in the kingdom, only recently reappearing with a new title as Pontiff in Irithyll.

Noticing his gaze, Kriemhild stopped speaking and observed the man. "Forgive me for speaking out of turn, my Lord, but I find it curious that the King would hire an outsider to teach you sorcery when there are so many just as capable already in his service."

"Like yourself?"

"I, well, yes. If you find Master Orbeck's teaching lacking or seek a different perspective, I would be more than happy to share my knowledge of sorceries with you."

Lothric hummed, pretending to be deeply considering her offer; in reality he would happily accept her tutelage, a chance to understand the sorceries his father would have kept away from him. "Your offer intrigues me. Let us discuss it more in our next session."

"Until our next session then, my Prince. When I see you next I do hope to have news regarding the matter we discussed." Quickly, Kriemhild stood and left, keeping her distance from Orbeck as they crossed paths.

"Hello Orbeck," Lothric greeted with a lazy wave of his hand.

The other man bowed in greeting. "It is fortunate that you should want to meet in the gardens today. Since I have taught you the only Miracle I know, today I intend to teach you a handful of offensive sorceries, if you feel up to the task."

"Oh? What sorceries would you have me learn?" Lothric asked, sitting up and training his eyes on his tutor.

"A handful of ranged magic based sorceries that will hone in on your desired target, attacking them for you. As you are quite aware, you are in no condition to pursue close range combat, but these sorceries at least will give you options to attack from afar." Orbeck reached into his robes and pulled out two scrolls and passed them to Lothric.

"Let us begin then, Master Orbeck."

Perhaps with this Lothric will not be so helpless after all. He still would never be able to wield the magnificent platinum sword forged in his honor, but at least he would be able to fight in his own right. Perhaps someday he would be able to fight alongside Lorian, the two of them against the guardian of the First Flame. He hoped that day was still far, far away.