Family
While Lothric's condition had evened out, he was not improving. He now slept until late morning and retired in the early evening as he insisted on being seen carrying out his duties by those who usually saw him as much as possible. Lorian's own health was declining as well. The numbness in his legs which had temporarily subsided had begun creeping back and Lorian beginning to grow concerned should Lothric choose to move forward with linking the flame, and what condition they would be in to attempt a fight.
But their condition did not change their plans; Lorian was coordinating with Wynfrith and Eadric to pursue an expedited audience with those pulling the strings behind the scenes of the angelic faith. It had taken nearly two weeks to secure the meeting, and Eadric warned that they had seemed eager to invite him.
One thing Lorian couldn't shake from his mind was how Aelfric and Wulfred had alluded to his mother's condition. While she had been largely absent throughout his life - in large part due to Oceiros's interference - Lorian did still care for her and would never wish ill upon her. It was how he found himself standing at the entrance of the Grand Archives, hand pressed against the door, but hesitant to enter.
Steeling his resolve, Lorian pushed the doors open and entered. Silence reigned as scholars moved around with their heads bowed, none even glancing in his direction. Lorian turned his gaze upward taking in the sight of Gertrude, lying down in her cage; he could also see the hat of the Sage barely visible over the edge of a railing. Turning his gaze back ahead of him, Lorian saw the spot where they had forged the bond stronger; faded stains of his blood still lingered.
He could count the number of times he had been permitted to enter the Archives, or had sought entry on his own, on one hand. Even Lothric had barely been permitted to come and go as he pleased after Oceiros took up permanent residence in the space. Lorian was not certain where to begin looking for his mother.
The clatter of books hitting the floor far above followed by heavy footsteps drumming down the infinite staircases in the Archives drew Lorian from his thoughts; he turned to see Kriemhild sprinting down the stairs, face flushed and eyes wide. As she reached the ground floor and started running for the entrance, she finally noticed him and came to a stop.
"Prince Lorian? What are you doing here?" she asked with surprise.
"I came to see the Queen."
Her face contorted into a tight frown. "You've missed her I'm afraid. They escorted her in Lady Emma's care to the sick room last night - I just heard the news myself and was on my way to inform Prince Lothric. I fear neither Wulfred nor any of the others have thought to inform either of you."
"I will inform him. Thank you." Lorian didn't wait for her to reply before turning heel and exiting the Archives. Once the door shut behind him, Lorian broke into a run as he made his way through the Keep to Lothric's chambers, ignoring the sharp pain in his legs as well as the glances of servants and knights as he went.
Lorian opened the door to see Lothric sleeping and moved to his side to rouse him awake.
"Lorian?" His brother called out, his voice rough from sleep. "What happened?"
"The Queen, she has been taken to the sick room."
"The child?" Lothric asked, and while Lorian couldn't say for certain, it was the most likely answer. He nodded.
Lothric moved the sheets off of himself and slid out of his bed, his hand reaching for Lorian's arm. Lorian offered it to him, leading him out of the room only to soon find himself following Lothric instead. It would seem the news had managed to drum up a reserve of strength as they quickly walked across the Keep to where Aelfric worked.
Lady Emma was standing outside the door, leaning heavily against the wall with a hand pressed firmly over her mouth. From behind the door Lorian could hear the muffled shouting of Oceiros. When Emma finally noticed them she took a deep breath and stood straight.
"Prince Lothric, Prince Lorian," she greeted. Her voice was quiet and judging by the tear stains on her cheeks, she had been crying. "You should both leave. The sight… it is not something you should have to witness."
"I appreciate your concern, Emma, but this is our family," Lothric replied icily. "We should have been informed immediately."
"Forgive me," she whispered and stood aside. "If you must see it…"
Lothric pulled Lorian along as he opened the door and stepped inside.
Even with Emma's warning, Lorian could have never anticipated what he saw inside. Their mother was lying in the bed, fast asleep with a form cradled against her chest. She was pale, looking like a shade of her former self that had once been able to light up any room she entered. What cruelties had Oceiros forced her to endure?
He felt Lothric's grip tighten as they both took in the sight of the child in her arms. It was monstrous. Misshapen. Whatever Oceiros had sought to achieve, he had accomplished, but the consequences were grave. The half-breed, if it could even be described as such, remained motionless in the Queen's arm save for the weak rise and fall of its chest.
"Ocelotte," crooned Oceiros, "Ocelotte. My perfect, wonderful child. A true heir to dragons. My son." He moved towards the child, seemingly oblivious to the fact that his other sons had entered the room. With clumsy mutated claws, Oceiros pulled the child from the Queen's arms, tucking it in the crook of his elbow. The movement jostled the child awake and it let out a wet and terrible sounding cry. It was by far worse than Lothric's cries had been, and those had haunted Lorian's nightmares as a child for years.
"It will not survive the night," came Aelfric's hushed voice beside them. "I tried to inform the King… but he will not listen."
"What happened?" Lothric asked, not looking away from the sight.
"What didn't happen?" sighed Aelfric. "Forgive me, Prince Lothric The Queen has been in poor health for years now. I warned King Oceiros that she was not in any condition to bear another child, let alone in circumstances where the father had recently undergone a transformation in which we had no way of knowing the strain it would place on the Queen if she were to carry such a child to term. Whatever King Oceiros accomplished for his own person only caused complications."
They watched in horror as the child's shrieks continued echoing and it disappeared from view for a moment before reappearing.
"How is she?" Lorian asked, looking away from the sight and turning to Aelfric.
The man took a handkerchief out and dabbed at his brow before tucking it away again. "I fear she is not well. The pregnancy and the birth have taken a toll, I am not certain it will even be possible for her to make a full recovery. When she is awake she is delirious, she can hardly speak let alone recall where she is or what has happened."
They remained for several moments longer in the somber room, until the cries of the child became too much and Lothric pulled on Lorian's arm again and dragged him out of the room. Emma looked as though she was going to say something, but after seeing the expression on Lothric's face, stood back and let them pass by without a word.
It seemed Lothric had no aim as he blindly walked through the Keep with Lorian silently following him. He couldn't fault his brother's reaction; the sight had been deeply unnerving, especially in the context of knowing the child was likely not going to live to see the morning's light.
Eventually they ended up at the entrance to the Throne Room. Lorian didn't ask questions; he ordered the guards on duty to step aside as they entered.
The few times they had been here before it had always been for some ceremony. Now, to see the place empty as the fading sun stretched through the windows, was unnerving. At the end of the room, raised high above the main floor, was the balcony with what served as a throne.
Lothric released his arm and slowly walked to the center of the room where he sat in the middle of the floor, staring up at the throne. Silently, Lorian sat beside him, taking off his helmet and setting it beside him.
He waited for Lothric to speak as the sun slowly set.
"That was supposed to be my fate," Lothric eventually said. "That thing is what he always intended me to become. What my traitorous body is still attempting to become."
Lorian realized now that Lothric had not been silenced into shock because of what he witnessed, but because of what it reflected. A thread of fate, narrowly avoided because Oceiros had failed with him.
"Is it terrible of me, to feel grateful that I was deemed a failure?" Lothric turned to him. "Grateful that we both are failures in Oceiros's eyes?"
"No," Lorian replied. He reached out to place a hand on Lothric's shoulder. "I find I am more grateful each day, in spite of all we have been forced to endure."
Lothric closed his eyes, his words were whispers as he spoke, "I find I do not even feel sadness for that creature. Only pity."
"It is a cruel fate, to be doomed to death before even being born into the world. It is worthy of pity."
"Like us."
"No," Lorian squeezed Lothric's shoulder and his brother opened his eyes and looked up at him. "There is still a choice for us."
Lothric's gaze drifted back to the throne. "When Oceiros learns the fate of the child, I fear whatever madness he already suffers will consume him entirely."
"We will deal with him if that should come to pass. Even his closest advisors would not be able to abide by the orders of a King so out of touch with reality."
x
They were each roused in the early morning by Emma. There was to be a funeral for the child - a small gathering of only Oceiros, Wulfred, Emma, Aelfric, and a small contingent of the Royal Guard. The Queen was apparently still in no condition to attend.
The child was not to be given to the Flame as all others who died in the Kingdom were. The Queen had insisted it be put to rest in the mausoleum despite the fact that its usage had been phased out long ago. Lorian suspected it was because she believed the creature unfit to be returned to the Flame - she had always preached about the importance of maintaining the First Flame; more fanatical about the importance of their family duty to maintain it than even Oceiros.
Lorian had called upon Wynfrith and Eadric to stand as Lothric's representation from the Royal Guard. In spite of the circumstances, he was proud to see them each adorned in the deep blue uniform of the Royal Guard. They stood out of sight along with members of Oceiros's royal guard at the edge of the garden that led to the mausoleum.
Inside, Lorian stood beside Lothric as they kept their distance from the rest of the group. Oceiros was strangely silent and lucid as he stood beside Wulfred and observed Lady Emma go through the rites of putting a soul to rest. Despite how traumatized she had been the day before at the sight, she did well to hide any unease she might have felt as she took the body, carefully wrapped, and placed it into the niche in the wall. She allowed a moment's silence before carefully replacing the stone front which would be engraved after they left.
When Emma concluded her sermon, they each took turns paying their respects before leaving, but Lorian noticed that Oceiros had neither paid his respects nor made any motion to leave. Wulfred, it seemed, had noticed it as well but rather than stay had opted to leave alongside the others.
As they reached the entrance back into the gardens, a monstrous howl echoed through the mausoleum.
He turned to Oceiros's guards, "The King remains within - ensure he is not disturbed."
They each saluted in turn before taking up their posts, closer to the mausoleum's entrance.
From across the garden, Wynfrith and Eadric fell in-step, flanking Lothric as they separated from the others. Wynfrith spoke quietly to Lorian as they walked, "Knight General, we have news regarding last evening's patrol."
"Come," Lothric ordered, "we can speak of this in my study."
It was a short walk to Lothric's study and it seemed that Kamui wished his presence to be known as they entered, judging by the fact that any of them were able to catch sight of his presence. Inside, Lothric did not take his usual seat behind his desk, instead opting to sit in one of the chairs by the window, wearily sinking down.
Lorian stood near Lothric and turned to Wynfrith and Eadric. "You have information?"
"We do. But… is it safe to discuss this here?" Wynfrith warily glanced back at the entrance to Lothric's study.
"He can be trusted." Lothric said solemnly from where he sat. His gaze was cast away from them as he stared out the window down on the rest of the castle below.
It was news to Lorian that Kamui had been cleared. "Are you certain?"
Lothric glanced at Lorian from the corner of his eye before looking away again. "Yes. He was the one who informed me who the traitor was. You may speak freely on whatever matter Lorian has set you upon."
"Of course, Prince Lothric," Wynfrith said with a bow before turning to Lorian. "Prince Lorian, as you know, Eadric was set to meet with those leading the organization of the angelic faith."
"I wasn't the only one, it turns out," Eadric added. "I recognized other members of the knights there as well. Not just conscripts either, but others who have always been loyal to the kingdom in the past. Apparently part of the test to be granted such a meeting was proof that we have the strength to survive as hollows and keep our wits."
"Gertrude's sermons have never mentioned hollows directly." Lothric frowned. "She only ever called upon the fact that beyond the light of the First Flame was the light of the Angels. A call to an end."
"Yes, an end those of us who hollow never see. I don't know if they spread Lady Gertrude's word as she once preached before her capture, but those who lead them now focus largely on the future of hollows." Eadric fidgeted in nervousness before continuing, "The main figure who spoke was a woman dressed in black. She spoke of pilgrims who had seen the light of the angelic faith that were coming from lands far away to witness the future of Man."
"Londor?" Lorian speculated. He had not often studied their history, but Londor had been infamous as a solution to contain the hollows. It had been a failure in the end, something to be learned from and not repeated. "It is the only land where hollows were still permitted to roam freely."
"That we are aware of," countered Lothric. "We have not had contact with many regions beyond Irithyll in our lifetime. What did she offer those of you who arrived?"
"Those with potential were offered a placement in the Winged Knights, which required those who accepted to leave their role as a Lothric Knight," Eadric grimaced. "My role in the Royal Guard spared me from being chosen, but it drew the woman's notice. She wanted information."
"Regarding?" Lothric urged.
"You, Prince Lothric. She wanted to know where your loyalties lay - she thinks you may be sympathetic to their cause despite the fact that you're going to be a Lord of Cinder."
To Lothric's credit, he had perfected keeping a straight face regardless of the topic from years of dealing with internal politics and the occasional diplomat. "It is not so strange to believe. Gertrude did use her miracles to save my life after all. In their eyes, why should I not feel indebted to her and her angelic faith?"
"Do you?" asked Wynfrith.
"I believe that the world does not operate on a balance of debts. An action performed does not guarantee an action returned." Lothric turned to face her then, and Lorian had not expected to see his brother looking so grim. "But I also know now that there is no such thing as destiny - something I am sure you both understand well."
"Because we're Men?" Eadric asked.
"You both are from one of the villages not far from the castle, are you not?"
"We are," Wynfrith agreed.
"And yet, in spite of being born in a village where your parents and their parents before them worked the land, you both instead stand before me as members of my Royal Guard. Living proof that being born into a role does not guarantee the outcome."
"That's not an answer," rebuked Eadric, seeming to forget his place. Lorian fought back the instinct to chastise him for speaking out of line to a Prince as he understood the significance of the conversation. It was the first time two of the Knights he had entrusted with his brother's life were actually speaking in a private setting. It was a rare opportunity for them to understand exactly who they had sworn their service to - especially if one day there was a possibility they would be forced to defy Oceiros. A day that was likely not very far away.
Lothric smirked, seemingly amused. "Is it not?"
"We're not like you. In the end being part of the guard or being a farmer - it doesn't really matter now does it? But you - you're different. More important."
"Does my title deny me my free will?"
"Well… it does, doesn't it?"
"I could act against others' wishes, defy what they demand of me. It would cost me a great deal, but the choice is still mine."
Wynfrith stepped forward then, moving to rest on one knee so she was at eye-level with Lothric. "I understand. But, it seems no matter what you choose, there are too many who still deeply believe in the sanctity of the First Flame, and on the other side are the new followers of the angelic faith. When the time comes, how will you keep the peace?"
"Doubt and discontent have been allowed to fester too long. Regardless of what I choose, there will be those who do not agree and will likely seek to take my life." Lorian noted that Lothric did not take the blame for allowing the discontent to grow.
"We wouldn't let them," Wynfrith was serious as she folded her arm to her chest in a show of fealty. "You have our word."
He smiled. "I thank you both for working with my brother on these matters. Trust is in short supply these days - along with everything else."
Eadric moved to mimic Wynfrith's pose beside her, and Lorian felt a swell of pride at the sight. He had not trained them, but they reported to him and he had entrusted them with this information and this task. To have confirmation that his trust had been well-placed was a rewarding feeling.
"Was there anything else?" Lorian asked.
The two rose back to their feet and said in unison, "Nothing, Knight General."
Lorian nodded, satisfied with their report. "You may leave."
They saluted him and exited the room. While they had managed to get answers, it had only left Lorian with more questions. How long had these figures from Londor been involved in the angelic faith? What was their connection to Gertrude?
But what was bothering him the most was entirely unrelated to what they had reported.
"When did you speak with Kamui?" he asked.
Lothric pursed his lips. Apparently this was not a conversation he wanted to have, but it was too late. "It was while you were investigating with Kriemhild."
"You kept this from me for weeks?"
"I am working on the information. In this instance, the less you know, the better. Treat the hunters as you have been and they will not suspect anything."
"Who is the traitor?" Lorian demanded, moving so he was directly in front of Lothric with his arms folded across his chest.
Lothric held his gaze defiantly, not moving from where he sat. "Gotthard."
Lorian's mind fell back to the campaign - the unbearable months they had spent together in the tunnels with Wynfrith and Godwyn. How Gotthard had been the one to offer to take care of the body after Lorian had killed the man with his own hands. And still, after all of that- "Kamui must be mistaken."
"It is the truth, Lorian."
"What proof?" He demanded, even as he moved back, sitting on the edge of the desk.
Lothric frowned. "Gotthard has always been too clever to leave behind proof."
"What was his motive?" As much as Lorian wanted him to be wrong, he knew that denial would not help them now. If it was Gotthard, he needed to understand why.
"He believed I had lost my way," replied Lothric with a wry smile, "that I had become overly sympathetic to Gertrude's cause by refusing to act and that turning her in to Wulfred would return things to the way they once were."
The reasons fit the man, at least, and Lorian realized he believed it. Loyalty to a fault. "And what are you planning to do?"
"I have yet to decide. But you need not concern yourself, dear brother. I will handle Gotthard." Lothric slowly stood. "What I am going to do for the moment is retire back to bed."
It was still relatively early in the day, barely past morning. "Are you well?"
"No," replied Lothric as he walked out of his study. "But it is nothing I cannot handle. You should go - if Eadric's report was accurate, you are likely to be missing several knights if they accepted the offer."