A Welcoming Hearth
And so the last resistance of a once so mighty empire comes to an end. A tale as old as time, one nation falls to, someday, give rise to a new. I speak from experience after all.
But that is not important right now. Now, you have to take care of those that were in need of your help. The sick, the wounded, those that have lost it all.
It is going to be a long day, indeed.
"Mum!" a young voice echoed through Tertium, followed by quick footsteps and the sound of two bodies embracing.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, my love..."
S'eni released a little laugh and smiled at the reunion of mother and son. Next to her, a woman dressed in an officer's uniform mirrored her expression. The woman was called Galla and had been one of the first members of the Ist Legion to join them at Camp Brokenglass after they had been ordered to stand down.
While she had been busy helping refugees settle into their camp, Galla had approached her about a young boy named Volosus that refused to leave Tertium and asked if she could lend her aid. Said aid eventually led them to scour the city in search of the boy's mother, Vipsania. Thankfully, they managed to find her just in time together with a member of the imperial family's guard, injured but otherwise fine.
All's well that end's well, she thought.
"Thank you," Galla said and turned to face her. "I doubt I would've found her on my own."
"Don't mention it. All in a day's work."
"No, she's right. We'll never forget what you've done for us," Vipsania said after planting a kiss on her boy's head. "You truly are a hero."
"We'd best stay here for a while to let Vipsania recuperate from her injuries, then it's off to Camp Broken Glass," Galla said.
"Alright. One of our Machinists will deliver a few heaters soon. That way no one will have to freeze tonight." That they had managed to get Juturna Platform G somewhat up and running again with the help of one of the tapper's engineers had helped a great deal in securing a steady supply in the days to come. "And please, don't hesitate to partake in our rations."
After saying goodbye, S'eni walked away, waiting until she was out of sight before leaning against the station's wall with a sigh. She closed her eyes, taking a little moment to rest while she could. What a day, and it was far from over.
Her ears perked up slightly at the footsteps that approached her, but it wasn't until the person came to a stop that she opened her eyes again. "Rostik. Is something the matter?"
"I could ask you the same," the Hrothgar replied. "You look tired."
"I'd be lying if I claimed the thought of crawling into my bedroll hasn't crossed my mind," she admitted, then shook her head. "But there's still a bit more to do before that. I just need to sit down for a few minutes..."
Following her words, she slid down the wall and onto the floor. Rostik released a deep chuckle.
"Then allow me to keep you a little bit of company while you are resting." She just raised a hand as if to say "Go ahead". After sitting down next to her, he let his eyes wander. "Strange..."
"What is?"
"To be here. To take the Ist Legion, or rather what remains of it, into our care," Rostik replied. "Not so long ago, something like this would've been inconceivable. These truly are strange times."
"And strange times make for even stranger bedfellows." S'eni chuckled. "Believe me, I learned that lesson many times. No less when none other than Gaius van Baelsar decided to suddenly return from the dead."
"Hmm. I suppose you're right."
Silently, they watched the other members of the contingent helping the downtrodden refugees. It was heartening to see them accepting their help so readily, even if it wasn't all of them. For some, their pride was too great, but they wouldn't force anyone.
"How are things in Bozja?" she asked after a bit.
"There's a lot to be done, even with the fighting now over it will be a long while before Bozja has recovered. We lost many good people..." reaching up, he stroked one of his Ceourl-like whiskers. "But I trust that Bajsaljen has things well in hand."
S'eni released a hum at that. Bajsaljen was a good man—a good leader. One that would create a new Bozja. To make sure that past mistakes wouldn't be repeated. Time would tell if someone like that would step up for the Garleans as well, but with people like Lucia, Maxima and, hells, even Gaius, she was hopeful.
After a few more minutes, S'eni rose back to her feet and stretched herself for good measure. "Well, back to work."
"Already? You truly aren't one to sit idle," Rostik noted and stood up as well. "But I shouldn't be surprised. By the way, how is Radovan doing these days?"
"Last I heard, one of my fellow Scion hired him and Sophie for a mission." She shrugged and began zo walk, shooting him a little grin over her shoulder. "So I'm afraid you'll have to ask him yourself."
He laughed. "So it seems."
Making her way over to the train, she stepped into the car, where some of the continent's healers were looking over the sick and injured refugees.
"How's it going?" she asked one of the healers, a member of the Twin Adders.
"We did what we could here, but some of these people need more thorough medical attention," he explained. "We've delivered some of them back to camp already and are currently on the next batch."
"Good. Tell me when you're ready and I'll escort you."
"Aah...I recognize that voice," someone said suddenly and they both turned to look towards one of the soldiers sitting on the ground. It was the one she had talked with for a brief moment. He was looking much better since then. "You're the one who was so kind to me...Hah, I thought you were one of us...not that it makes much of a difference now."
Passing by the healer, S'eni knelt down next to the legionary. "How are you feeling?" she asked.
He offered her a weak smile. "Like I actually might make it past the night now..."
"You will. Our healers back at Camp Broken Glass will make sure of that," she said. "What's your name?"
"Flavius..."
"Nice to properly meet you, Flavius. I'm S'eni."
"S'eni...yes, I will remember that name..."
She gave the soldier a pat on the shoulder, before looking at the healer and nodding. As S'eni left the car again, she turned her head to the left, towards the locomotive. Walking over to it, she peered inside and frowned.
Jullus was sitting on the sofa, unmoving. His head was turned towards the banner hanging over the train's controls, and she didn't need to see his face to know what he was looking at. The large crimson stain that covered half of the chain symbol.
With his hopes of reconquering Garlemald with the unified legions destroyed, Legatus Quintus had issued one last order to his men, relieving them of their duties, then proceeded to take his own life. Why he had done so, nobody knew. Maybe it was to absolve his troops of any guilt, or perhaps he truly had believed in the righteousness of the Garlean cause until the very end. And so, the Ist Legion had come to an end...with but a single bullet.
Wordlessly, she stepped inside and sat down next to Jullus, putting a hand on his shoulder. He jumped at her touch and, as if awakening from a trance, blinked a few times as he looked at her. "Oh, S'eni. Sorry, I just—"
She silenced him by placing a finger against her lips, then reached out to tap his chest. Just above his heart. He stared at her for a few moments, before releasing a deep breath and nodding.
"Come," she said and rose back up, holding out her hand towards him. "There's more of your people that need help."
His gaze dropped to her offered hand, looking at it for a few seconds. "Yes. You're right," he said and took her hand.
Y'shtola released a deep breath and leaned back, letting her eyes roam over the leg in front of her. After doing so for a few seconds, she looked at its owner, a young man, and smiled. "All done. But I would suggest you take care not to put any undue pressure on it for a few days," she told him.
"Y-Yes. Thank you," he said, testing his newly mended leg a little while looking at it in awe. The inability of pure-blooded Garleans to wield their aether was a well-known fact, but truth be told she never had given it much more than a passing thought before. Now that they were in the very heartland of the Empire, or what was left of it anyway, it had become a constant in everyone's minds. Especially after the events at Victors' Spoils.
Luckily for them, Maxima and Lucia had done their best in trying to dissuade any fears that the use of healing spells might cause, so the number of people refusing aid via magical means was relatively low. Regardless of that, though, she and the other healers took great pains to be as careful as possible while treating them. It had worked in their favour so far.
After helping her patient into the building they were using to house the refugees in need of treatment, Y'shtola stopped for a moment and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath, using the chilly air filling her lungs as an anchor to ground her senses. While it had become a little more bearable by now, the tower's presence was still taking its toll on her, especially now that she was healing people left and right.
At the very least, the constant headache had long since subsided. But as she opened her eyes again, Y'shtola could see the twisting and pulsing aura of pure malevolence filling the air around her, like a veil of dark aether that draped itself over her sight. She shook her head with a sigh and began to head back. There were still more people in need of healing.
However, just as she was finished with her next patient, she found her gaze drawn towards the spire in the distance, and her face began to darken. Just looking at it from here made that sensation she felt in the Tower of Zot return in full force. It was fascinating in a way...yet no less disturbing.
"Y'shtola?" Tearing herself away from the sight, she turned to find Alisaie looking at her, a worried expression on her face. "Are you alright? You seem distracted."
A strained smile formed on her lips. "I believe all this healing is beginning to catch up on me," she admitted.
"Get some rest then. You've been doing this since the first refugees arrived, never mind healing the tempered. Raha will be back soon. He can take over for you."
"Yes. Perhaps you are right," Y'shtola said.
"Of course!" Alisaie smiled. "Besides, S'eni wouldn't be amused seeing you strain yourself after telling someone to not strain himself just a few minutes ago."
"And who would tell her about that, I wonder?" she quirked a brow but dropped it with another sigh. "Oh, very well, but should the need arise—"
"We won't hesitate to call for you. Now go, we've got this well in hand." The young woman raised her hand in a shooing motion.
Finding herself so thoroughly dismissed, Y'shtola resisted the urge to roll her eyes and wandered off, looking for a quiet little corner where she could sit down a little. She eventually found it in form of a bench in front of one of the houses, dusting off the fresh coat of snow from it before sitting down. It was a nice spot, she had to say, offering a nice view over the camp's premises. She had no doubt that whoever owned this house used to sit here a great deal, the warmth from within against their back as they watched the daily proceedings of their neighbours. Now the warmth was gone, as were the owners...
She pushed that thought aside. As tragic as the fates of these people were, mulling over them wouldn't do them any good now. They had to focus on the ones that were still here. And right now she was supposed to be resting.
If only she had brought one of her tomes with her, but she had sadly left it on board of the airship. So with nothing else to do, Y'shtola simply watched their comrades going about their duties. Minutes passed by like that, and as she felt her body winding down, a wave of fatigue came over her. Just as she was stifling a yawn, a sudden echo of voices made her ears perk up and she turned her head to see one of the guards posted at the edge of camp waving into the distance.
More refugees, Y'shtola noted as she saw the group heading up the path. Even with her sight being impeded by the tower's presence, she could almost instantly see that G'raha was with them. But her attention didn't stay on her friend for long, as it was swiftly drawn towards the person bringing up the rear, her unique aether shining bright even through the dark aura. Feeling the corners of her lips curl upward, she rose to her feet and walked over, offering G'raha a friendly nod as he made to deliver the sick and injured to their impromptu infirmary.
"Welcome back," she greeted S'eni, giving her a quick once over. "I hope they haven't been working you too hard."
Instead of answering though, the other Miqo'te looked her in the eye, before stepping forward and throwing her arms around Y'shtola. A little confused at the sudden hug, she nevertheless raised her arms to return it. "Eni...?"
"...warm."
"Come again?"
"You're so...warm..." S'eni murmured and buried her face into the crook of Y'shtola's neck.
She blinked once, then released a chuckle, gently stroking her lover's back. "Shall we get you out of the cold then?"
"Hm..." S'eni nodded against her skin. "Just...a little longer. Alright?"
"Very well," Y'shtola said, smiling warmly and pulling her a little closer. They stayed like this for a moment before she led S'eni towards one of the buildings, a smaller warehouse where they had just managed to install a heater in. Come nightfall, it would be quite packed, but for now it was mercifully empty.
As they sat down behind a small stack of crates, S'eni slumped against it and closed her eyes.
"My, has the brave Warrior of Light finally met her match?" she asked teasingly, watching as the other Miqo'te's lips curled upward.
"And what of you, great Master Matoya?" S'eni shot right back. "I'm not seeing you with the other healers."
"If you are that curious about it, I'm to take a break. Alisaie was quite adamant about it, though I feel that is quite rich coming from one who has a well-established history of reckless behaviour." Y'shtola released a huff. "...Honestly, we're fortunate none of you have ended up in my care."
S'eni hummed and leaned against her. Y'shtola gently rested her head against hers in response.
"How have things been going here?" S'eni asked.
"With the wounded and sick, as well as the tempered, we had our hands full," Y'shtola replied. "Though it's good to see you managed to convince so many to come here."
"Yeah...though some still refuse."
"Understandable. These people have been through a lot. And while we can mend their bodies, the toll on their hearts and minds is another matter," she said. "But we shouldn't let that deter us, but neither should we blindly rush ahead to see the day won if we wish to avoid disaster..."
A moment passed.
"...Eni?" but instead of a proper response, she was met with slow, even breathing. Y'shtola giggled into her fist. "It seems you truly met your match. At least for today."
Placing a little kiss against the side of S'eni's head, she nestled against her and closed her eyes. Since she had the chance, maybe she could rest her eyes a little. Yes, I believe I shall...
...
...
...
...A sudden sound from outside made her jolt, and her eyes immediately snapped open, the spell that granted her sight activating after she blinked a few times. Her ears perked upward to get a better listen. It sounded like...laughter?
Next to her, S'eni began to stir and, with a groan, raised a hand to her face. After rubbing it, she cracked open an eye and glanced towards a nearby window. "Oh...it's evening. Must've fallen asleep there..."
"So did I, it seems," Y'shtola muttered. Resisting the urge to simply close their eyes again, they instead stood up and began to head towards the doors to see what was going on. Just as her hand landed on the door handles, she was stopped by S'eni calling out her name. As she turned her head, she found a small kiss planted upon her lips.
"Told you I would make some time for us," her lover said with a wink and Y'shtola couldn't resist the laugh that escaped her.
"Too bad we slept right through most of it."
Opening the doors, they stepped outside and found that the camp was quite abuzz. Apparently, they had just woken up in time for dinner. "Ah, there you are. I was wondering where you two went," a familiar voice said and they looked to the right to see Lyse walking towards them, holding two steaming cups.
"Lyse." Y'shtola inclined her head.
"Seems like we missed quite a bit," S'eni said while looking around. There were certainly more heaters placed around camp now.
"Not as much as you might think. Anyways, here." Lyse handed them the cups. Looking at its contents, Y'shtola saw that it was a soup of sorts. "A little something based on a recipe of our Steppe friends."
After giving her thanks, the two of them found themselves a place to sit down and began to partake of their meal.
"My, that taste is certainly something," Y'shtola said after taking her first sip, earning a little chuckle.
"Yeah, but believe me, it's really hearty. It'll fill you up." S'eni smiled and looked around.
They fell into a comfortable silence, just enjoying their meal and each other's company while listening to their comrades talking, telling stories, and laughing at jokes while one of Gridania's bards was providing music. Even some of the refugees were tentatively taking part in conversations. A little peaceful moment amidst the chaos that was still plaguing these lands.
By the time she was done with her soup, it turned out that the other Miqo'te had been quite right in her assessment and she was well and truly full. Downing her own last sip, S'eni got up and stretched herself before looking at her. "I think I'll take a little walk around camp. Still feeling a little stiff."
"Very well, then I suppose I shall see if I can be of any assistance to the cooks."
Giving her a little wave, S'eni walked away, and Y'shtola picked up their cups to go look for whoever was in charge of the ladles. After finding them and offering her help, she was soon walking around camp carrying a tablet filled with cups of soup which she offered to those of the contingent that just returned to camp. She had just brought some to Rostik and his fellow Bozjan's, when her eyes landed back on her lover, who was standing a little bit further away, talking with Lucia and Maxima. A small smile formed on her lips and she was about to return to get more soup when—
She froze in place.
—the aether around them began to shift...no...grow; grow more intense. Y'shtola whirled towards the tower, the tablet in her hand landing dropping into the snow, and her eyes began to widen. She barely had any time to react, when an ear piercing roar echoed through the air, followed by a sudden chain of reactions from the warding scales everyone was carrying, forming protective barriers around them.
...Except for the Garleans.
A few seconds ticked by. Nobody said a word. Then it happened. One by one, the refugees began to scream and thrash about, attacking anyone that was nearby. The camp exploded into pure chaos as everyone scrambled to stop the Garleans from doing any harm, and immediately began to dash into the direction where the others were taking care of the injured only to find herself tackled to the ground by one of the soldiers of the Ist Legion.
"Glory...be...to Garlemald," he pressed through gritted teeth, trying to make a grab for her neck. She planted her hands against his chest, pushing him away as much as she could while his fingers were mere inches away from her throat. They struggled for a few seconds, until she managed to push one of his arms aside just long enough to grab onto his face and cast a swift sleep spell. As his eyes closed and his body went slack, she rolled them over and got back on her feet. Panting, she stared at the now sleeping soldier, before letting her eyes dart around the area, trying to find S'eni amidst the chaos.
But she was nowhere to be found.
Strange. Wonder where she could have gone all of a sudden...Guess we'll find out next week!
