Madness

While Lothric had told Lorian he was planning to handle Gotthard, in truth he had yet to figure out the best way - or any way for that matter - to deal with the man. While it was true that he had betrayed Lothric's orders and his trust, he had not actually committed treason. If anything, complying with Lothric's request to allow her to remain in hiding could have been considered treason since Gertrude was declared a heretic and a threat to the kingdom. He would never be able to dismiss Gotthard from his position as Black Hand and Pillar. And all of that was ignoring the fact that Gotthard was technically in Oceiros's service as Black Hand first and foremost and the rules regarding the members of the Black Hand and Lothric's authority over them in his role as acting-King were gray, to say the least.

It was made all the more complex by the fact that it seemed Oceiros had not gone back to his seclusion in the Archives. More and more sightings each day placed Oceiros ranting and raving throughout the Keep until he managed to find his way down to the gardens where he would scream for Ocelotte for hours on end. It was growing to be a disturbingly frequent occurrence and Lothric had already received several not-so-anonymous notes from various servants and others who worked in the Keep.

He pressed his fingers to his temples, rubbing rough circles into his skin as he tried to will away the throbbing headache that had been haunting him for days with no relief. A cup of tea prepared by Aelfric remained untouched on the desk in front of him; the man had promised it would help, but it tasted so foul Lothric would rather deal with the headache.

"Kamui," he called out. The fact that the sound of footsteps were actually audible was surprising enough that Lothric looked up where he saw Albert - not Kamui - in the doorway. "Where is Kamui?"

"It's his day off, Prince Lothric," said Albert with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. "I'm usually in charge of the counter-assassination of Prince Lorian when not on assignment while Kamui is assigned to you and Allric is assigned to King Oceiros."

Lothric raised his eyebrows in surprise. He had never noticed when the two traded shifts, though he supposed that was likely a good thing considering their positions. Though, Albert had never struck him as a hunter with a skill set for stealth and other characteristics he had come to expect from most of the hunters. He had always assumed Albert was simply one of the skilled warriors who reported to the hunters rather than the knights.

"I see." Kamui appeared to trust Albert, and considering he also knew of the eyes, Lothric supposed he would be able to trust him as well. "I require an audience with Gotthard - provided he is in the kingdom."

"He is - should I send him here?"

"Yes."

"As you command," Albert said with a quick salute and a friendly smile before exiting the room.

Lothric busied himself with catching up on his work while he waited, knowing it could take anywhere from a matter of minutes to hours to track down Gotthard. He grimaced as he thumbed through the most recent letters. All contact with the Cathedral and several of the outer villages had been lost entirely - Lorian had sent patrols to investigate and the report they delivered was discouraging. The Cathedral had seemingly shut their doors and the outer villages had been wiped out from a combination of hollows and their new neighbors.

The slaves they had conscripted to work the farmlands nearest to the castle had been reporting a surprising amount of progress and obedience, but it seemed the Evangelists had finally worked their way through the outer villages and were now more aggressively targeting the inner villages. Lothric made a note to request Lorian increase the knights on patrol in the area, even if it meant sending out the conscripts.

He was midway through writing the note when he heard Gotthard's familiar knock announcing his presence in the open doorway. Lothric set aside the note and set his clasped hands on the desk. "Gotthard, it is good to see you."

"And you, Prince Lothric, you are well I hope?" Gotthard asked with a genuine smile. Lothric had to remind himself that the man had done what he believed was the right thing to do.

"It is not my own health I am concerned with today. You have been in close contact with the King, I assume?"

Gotthard gave a shallow nod before removing his hat and taking a seat across from Lothric. "I'm guessing you are concerned about his outbursts in the gardens."

"And elsewhere throughout the Keep. It is causing distress amongst the people."

"He believes Ocelotte is still alive in his moments of madness."

"And when he is lucid?"

"He blames the Queen," grimaced Gotthard.

Lothric still had not been permitted to see her outside of a brief visit with Lorian. She had barely been awake, still taken with a fever. That had been over a week ago. "How is she?"

"Able to leave the sick room at the very least. Though she has insisted numerous times on being escorted to the gardens."

Lothric could see at once that Gotthard must share the same concerns. "Have they interacted since the child?"

"Not yet."

"I am sure you are already taking the necessary precautions, but I believe it may be in her best interest if she had additional eyes watching over her."

Gotthard nodded. "I assure you, adequate measures have already been arranged."

Lothric let out a deep sigh and slumped back into his chair. While Oceiros had already committed unforgivable acts against their family, he had never hurt the Queen physically to his knowledge - Lothric would prefer it remain that way. In his current state, Oceiros was unpredictable.

"What can be done if his madness persists?" Lothric asked cautiously.

He watched Gotthard's expression shift from sympathy to something more closed off and guarded. "He has already given provisional authority to you, but at the end of the day he is still King. You may be able to cordon him off into a section of the Keep if his behavior threatens to endanger the lives of others - but let us pray it does not come to that."

"That may not be enough."

"You have another proposal?"

Lothric hesitated before saying his proposal out loud. Even though Gotthard had betrayed him, his reasoning had been understandable. Gotthard was a purist, a loyalist, to the First Flame and the Queen, and if he came down to it, he would support the Queen who had always pushed its significance all her life - even more so than Oceiros. At the same time, Lothric tried to push the image of Gertrude and what she was enduring at the hands of the scholars out of his mind. "Should Oceiros put her in danger, take her somewhere beyond our borders where she will be safe."

"You're certain?"

"If I cannot ensure her safety here, I would seek it elsewhere."

Gotthard observed him silently - judging his sincerity perhaps - before speaking. "Where would you have me take her? The world has become a dangerous place in recent times."

"I leave that to your discretion. Anywhere outside of Lothric should suffice so long as it is safe."

"Such a task could take weeks; I will need to appoint one of the hunters to stand in during my absence."

"Of course, I would expect no less. Who will you appoint?" Lothric asked, carefully keeping his tone even.

"Allric is the most senior of the hunters, he will take charge in my absence, provided you do not object?"

"No. I trust your judgement." He must have let something slip into his tone, or perhaps it was a poorly chosen set of words, Lothric realized as Gotthard's eyes narrowed for a moment before he sighed and forced a smile.

"Let us hope it does not come to this, but if I'm required to relocate the Queen, I will send Allric to inform you."

"That is all I ask for. Thank you, Gotthard."

The man half-bowed his head in response. "Is there anything else you require from me?"

"No, that will be all."

Gotthard bowed again and turned to leave. Lothric barely caught sight of Albert at his post before the door closed.

While Lothric hoped his mother would not need to be removed from the kingdom, he would rather her be gone than suffer the wrath of whatever Oceiros had become. It would also simplify things should Lothric choose not to link the flame after all. His mother, more than any other, would oppose his betrayal if she had the strength to confront him.

He briefly thought about such a fight, amused by how pitiful such a thing would be. It would be an assured loss for him.

Beyond that, however, the people still revered her even in spite of her prolonged absence from the public's eye, and Lothric was certain there would be those swayed enough from her pleas to challenge him and try to either force him to kindle the flame or would throw themselves upon it to try and link it if he wouldn't. Lothric knew such a thing was inevitable in the end, there were too many who depended on the cycle remaining intact.

Glancing out the window, he could just barely see beyond the walls of Lothric. In truth, there were few places where the Queen could go and be safe. Lothric could not think of a single one. Perhaps once he may have suggested the Cathedral, but with their strange behavior recently he knew that was likely no longer an option. Should Gwyndolin and Yorshka still have remained in power he may have suggested Anor Londo, but they too had gone silent.

How had it all come to this?

x

He was going to die in this bed, of that Lothric grew more certain with each and every day that passed. Some days he considered giving in and going to link the flame, if only to either feel some semblance of strength again or end his suffering. The closest he came to what he was near Lorian, greedily leeching every ounce of his strength for his own, as he was now.

His brother had been endlessly busy dealing with the aftermath of the defections that Eadric and Wynfrith had warned them about. The total number that defected were just over a dozen but even that was a sharp blow to their forces since many were high ranking. Lothric had been forced to declare that only the closest villages would be able to receive protection moving forward, and even that was likely to be reduced further.

His brother sat in his room now, dozing in a chair in the corner of the room. Lothric had attempted to send him away hours ago, but his brother was as stubborn as Lothric.

"What has you so restless?" Lorian's voice cut through his thoughts, deep and rough from sleep.

"Nothing, go back to sleep," he murmured as he turned over, his back to Lorian.

But it was too late he realized as Lorian shifted in the chair so that he was sitting up a bit higher, "Tell me."

But Lothric didn't have an answer for him, after all it wasn't a single thing. The best he could manage was, "A general disquiet with existence. Exhaustion I can give no voice to."

Lorian said nothing; there were some things words could not accurately convey - Lorian understood this, and he did not pry or ask for clarification. He simply tried to understand in whatever way he was able. Just as he always had. "What can I do?"

"You do enough already," Lothric assured him, sighing as he sat up himself. "Your presence here is already enough."

Normally he would expect Lorian to say or do more, but exhaustion must have been weighing heavily on him as well by the way he settled back in the chair and his breathing began to even out once more. Lothric too tried to follow his lead, shutting his eyes, willing his body to stop aching long enough to sleep.

It had nearly worked, but soon he found himself at the edge of consciousness being roused by the heavy sounds of footsteps running by his door. Lorian must have been awoken by the same sound seeing as how he was already sitting up and moving out of the chair.

"Where is my child? What have you done with him?" Oceiros's deranged voice rang down the hallway, followed by the stomping of his feet as he moved closer to Lothric's room and Lothric felt his heart go cold.

Lorian was the first to leave the room, with Lothric following closely behind. They went unnoticed as the commotion at the end of the hall escalated with Oceiros in a rage surrounded by his royal guards and several hunters; Lothric recognized Allric among them. Oceiros was lashing out in a frenzy with none of the guards or hunters confident or brave enough to try and contain him as he continued to bellow, "Ocelotte! Ocelotte! Where has she taken you?"

As soon as Allric caught sight of Lothric, he moved away from Oceiros and over to his side, saluting as he approached and spared a glance to Lorian. "Prince Lothric. Prince Lorian. Apologies for the disturbance."

"How long has he been having this… episode?" Lothric asked.

"Nearly an hour. He caught sight of the Queen and suddenly went mad, lashing out - I alerted Gotthard at once and he began to enact the measure as you discussed."

"What measures?" Lorian asked, his eyes on Lothric - not Allric.

"To have the Queen removed from the kingdom for her own well being."

Lothric didn't need to see Lorian's face to know that he disapproved - maybe not of the action as a whole, but certainly of the fact that Lothric had neglected to tell him. Again. "Thank you, Allric. I will defer to you to handle the King this evening."

"Of course, Prince Lothric, I will see to it that he is escorted somewhere less distracting." Without waiting for Lothric or Lorian to say more, Allric saluted - Lothric now noticing the Pillar ring on his finger - and hurried back to where Oceiros was doubled over on the ground, howling.

They wouldn't be much assistance here, Lothric realized as he reached for Lorian's arm and began to pull him back towards his room, only pausing when he heard a cry from Oceiros. "Ah," he called out softly, "there - do you hear him? Ocelotte calls for me. Where are you, Ocelotte?"

But Lothric didn't hear anything. He almost felt pity for the man, because he had been brilliant once, only to be reduced to this pitiful creature before him now. But then, Lothric reminded himself, it had all been of his own making in search of power beyond his means.

"You disapprove?" Lothric asked as soon as he and Lorian had returned to his room, the door closing shut behind them.

"No. It was the correct decision."

Lothric moved to sit on the side of the bed. "I confess, I expected… anger, perhaps?"

"If you did not send her away, she would have left of her own accord."

"She did not leave after all these years."

"There had still remained a trace of sanity and humanity within him. And she needed to ensure the flame would be linked." Lorian sat back down in the chair. "Now, Oceiros is but a husk of the man he once was, and her name and title no longer carry the power they once did. Do you know where he is taking her?"

"I left it up to Gotthard."

"You trust him?" There was doubt in Lorian's voice, and Lothric could not fault him for it.

"He will not do wrong by her; I am certain he still believes he is acting in our best interest. All of ours, including Oceiros… though his actions grow harder to justify with each day that passes."

"What do you plan to do with him?" And Lothric could already hear the grips of sleep at the edge of Lorian's voice.

"Gotthard suggested confinement."

"In the Archives?"

"That is one option, but it may prove impossible to contain him there." Lothric sighed. "I fear I will lose the final bastion of tranquility in this castle."

Lorian hummed in understanding as he settled back down to sleep. Lothric gave sleep one final attempt himself before rising out of his bed with a different goal in mind. One that could only be accomplished now in the dead of night under these precise circumstances.

It was still late, but with the Queen and Gotthard gone, and with the vast majority of high ranking knights and hunters rallied around Oceiros in an attempt to contain him without using force, Lothric realized this may be his only opportunity.

On his shelf, tucked away behind the chest that contained the Demon Prince's horns, Lothric pulled out the Fire Keeper's eyes. Carefully, he ran his fingers across the faded stained wood as he remembered Gertrude bringing them to him, after he had so carelessly forgotten about them.

The bell had not tolled, but he knew it would not be long now. And while the version of Firelink Shrine he would be summoned to was likely not the version Oceriros ensured was maintained, a Fire Keeper was always required to maintain the shrine. Certainly, he could have attempted to go before, but there was always the risk of prying eyes and ears - something he now may be able to avoid.

He was too tired to teleport far, but if Kamui was keeping watch nearby, Lothric would at least need to avoid him. A few halls down would have to do - a feat so insignificant, yet still left him painfully winded and weak. Thankfully it was quiet as he pulled his hood over his head, glancing around and seeing only a handful of knights on patrol. Simple enough to avoid.

The gardens were not too far; a path he had walked hundreds, if not thousands of times over the course of his life. No one stood guard at the lift, which Lothric was thankful for as it descended, leading to the open space. Despite everything, even at night, the garden was a beautiful sight. He took the time to admire it, perhaps for the last time.

In sharp contrast to the beauty of the gardens, the cold stones of the mausoleum offered nothing but the echoes of the dead. Among them, a new engraving for Lothric's sibling which he spared a moment for, lighting a candle for him - a symbol of the Flame he could never return to.

At the back of the mausoleum was the path through the ancient graveyard, and beyond that still, the Firelink Shrine.

Some legends said that the kingdom of Lothric was specifically in proximity to Firelink Shrine to protect and defend it. Others said that Firelink Shrine was not the area itself, but rather the bonfire at the heart, and that the ashes and embers were from the bonfire outside what was once New Londo. But it was impossible to know what was legend and what was truth. After all, Lothric had learned first hand how histories surrounding the First Flame were often falsities or embellishments, carefully crafted to ensure loyalty and faith.

The graves here were in a state of disrepair considering the Kingdom had long since halted the practice of burials - except in extreme situations - and instead followed the practice of offering all bodies back to the flame under the oversight of a priest or priestess.

Now Firelink Shrine was before him, but it was nearly impossible to make out any of the details in the darkness. As he pushed the large doors open, Lothric was met with a sight he had not expected to see - several thrones arranged in a circle around a solitary bonfire in the center of the room.

He didn't see or hear anyone within, and used the time before seeking out the Fire Keeper to glance at the thrones, finding that they were each engraved, each with a Lord of Cinder. The final throne in the center, he found the words etched on the back:

Holy King Lothric, last hope of his line

Lothric would have laughed if it weren't so pitiful; he would never be king, and for him to be the last hope was pitiful indeed. Had Oceiros had this commissioned? Was it before or after he knew what Lothric was doomed to be?

"Hello?" called out a soft voice.

Lothric looked down to see a woman adorned in the same charcoal robes that Kriemhild wore and an intricate silver band over her eyes - or rather, where her eyes should be. The woman gently stoked the ember in the bonfire as several small sparks flew in the air.

"Art thou the next Lord?" she asked. "I fear thou art early; but come, sit with me."

Carefully, Lothric descended the steps and sat down next to her, realizing at last that the coating on the ground was not dirt, but ash from all those returned to the First Flame. "You are the Fire Keeper of this Shrine?"

"I now tend to the shrine, as taught by my mentor before her duty was fulfilled and she was put to rest in the tower." She tilted her head in his direction, acknowledging where he now sat. "Art thou Holy King Lothric?"

"Only Prince Lothric, I fear."

A soft smile on her face was the only acknowledgement he received. "Thou art destined to become a Lord of Cinder - a title more valuable than King. Pray tell, why hast thou come before the tolling of the bell? Is it thy intention to link the Flame early?"

"I have not yet decided my purpose for coming here." Lothric pulled out the box, running his thumb across the edge. "I have questions, but I do not know if I wish to truly know the answers."

"Perhaps I might be able to soothe that which disquiets thee."

"That is a kindness I fear I cannot impose on you, but if you are willing…"

The Fire Keeper smiled. "My purpose is to tend to the First Flame, and by extension, the Lords of Cinder."

Lothric reached out and placed the box in her hands and he was silent as he watched her reach for the clasp. "A relic I was given and promised answers, but I am helpless to see their truth."

"Eyes, my Lord?" she replied in what he could only call revered awe. "Such a gift is forbidden to us. I cannot-"

He needed to know what vision these eyes showed that caused them to be so forbidden. What visions Sulyvahn wanted to ensure he had the opportunity to learn about. "I would not ask such a thing of you if it was not important."

"Should this sight lead me to temptation, thou must kill me and strip this gift from my corpse." Her voice was barely above a whisper as she spoke, but Lothric could see how tightly she clasped the box.

"I understand. You have my word."

With only the slightest hesitation, she reached up and removed the band from her eyes. Lothric watched silently as she carefully placed the eyes, shuddering for a moment, before replacing the band.

"What do you see?" he asked.

"Forgive me, my Lord. 'Tis like nothing I could have even dreamt. There is a darkness that stretches beyond comprehension. But… there is more. Small flames in the distance. Their embers warm me even from so far away, though the First Flame is gone indeed." She tilted her head in thought. "There is darkness, but it is not cold, my Lord. It is almost… welcoming."

"Then the world will not end when the First Flame is gone?"

"No, my Lord," she said, amazement coloring her voice. "'Tis different, but there is still life. A dark beauty."

"And the Gods?"

"Gone, along with the First Flame. The Gods become legends as the Dragons are today." She turned to face him, "Prince Lothric, thou must take my life. What these eyes have shown - a dangerous whisper of how to extinguish the First Flame forever. This knowledge-"

"Must be protected," Lothric interrupted. There was an offer in her words, an opportunity to snuff out the First Flame here and now. To end things once and for all. And yet, Lothric's mind slipped back to Lorian who was as shackled to the First Flame for life as Lothric was. He would not link the flame, nor would he extinguish it. He knew now what his choice was. He would let it fade, regardless of what effects the weakening flame would continue to have on his own health as well as Lorian's. "You must hold close these visions and the knowledge there is a future beyond the Flame. Promise me this, Fire Keeper."

"But my vows, my Lord."

"Will be fulfilled. As you said yourself, you are sworn to the First Flame and thus the Lords of Cinder. Your vows are also to me."

The Fire Keeper fell silent as her gaze turned toward the small sparks of the bonfire. "I understand."

Lothric rose to his feet and began to retrace his steps back to the entrance of the shrine. He spared only a glance back at the form of the Fire Keeper huddled next to the bonfire, hands tracing over the band that covered her eyes.

As Lothric walked back through the old graves, he knew that he would need to take measures to protect the Fire Keeper and thus the eyes. If Kriemhild's teachings held true, then when he failed to link the flame the old Lords of Cinder would be summoned, and if they should fail to answer the summons then the Unkindled would begin to rise. They once had the concept of gravetenders to dispatch any undead that were not returned to the fire and found their way back to life. It was a practice that had fallen out of favor when the Queen began changing the culture of the land. But with the Queen gone, it was time to bring the tradition back to life.

A short teleport brought Lothric back to the mausoleum as he stood and stared at the various names engraved on the stones around him. He would likely never visit this place personally again.

There was another spell he had learned from Orbeck that he would need to use this evening - the man had never been a fan of illusory magic personally, but he taught them to Lothric all the same. With a wave of his hand, Lothric created a picturesque continuation of the back of the mausoleum, blocking the path out to the graves, and the Firelink Shrine beyond it. It was a simple illusion, one that was easily dispatched, but if it kept out the majority of trespassers, that is what truly mattered.

Lothric continued on his path back out to the gardens, staring back into the mausoleum as he reaffirmed his decision.

This would be a fitting tomb for the Mad King.