"You're distracted, Sister." Radahn says.

Both are seated on a higher platform, with servants attending to them and knights surrounding them. Up ahead, champions from all across the realm contend to see who is the strongest.

"Isn't this great? Look at all these warriors test their strength at each other!"

Ranni watches her brother physically restrain himself from bouncing because of sheer excitement.

She sighs, wanting to be somewhere else other than here, "Thou's Redmanes are here. Why not cheer for them?"

"Oh Dear Sister. I cannot show nepotism. Each one of these fine men and women are all deserving of applause. They've trained long and hard…"

He goes on and on, that Ranni feels like she would doze off at any moment. She tries to concentrate on the fight infront of her. He arranged this tourney, dragging Ranni along to spend quality time with him. The reason for this, he said that it would boost morale and they could learn techniques in battle to better improve theirs.

"I wish to join them. Especially earlier, in the jousting match. I bet Leonard and I can teach them a thing or two."

"Brother, these are mortals." Ranni gives him a perfectly raised brow.

"And?"

"Thou art a demigod, Radahn."

"I don't get it."

"Thou art stronger than them," She looks at him from head to toe, hoping to prove a point, "Far larger and wider."

Radahn stares at her and laughs, "You jest!"

Ranni lets out an exasperated sigh. "Which poor soul did thou send back to the Erdtree?"

He looks affronted, then suddenly thoughtful, "None, Dear Sister. But I did have someone I wanted to fight badly. Mortal that he is."

"They challenged thou?"

"No but they left before I can."

"They left the Redmane's?"

"Not mine but Lord Godfrey's."

"What's so special about one among many soldiers?"

"He challenged Lord Godfrey." Radahn nods solemnly like it made sense.

"Every warrior with mettle challenges Lord Godfrey. And none succeed."

"This one. I thought he would have succeeded." Radahn scratches this chin deep in thought, "They fought five times. A clumsy fighter, sure but a fast learner. In the first two fights, you can easily predict his next move. The third, he was smart and patient but became greedy whenever he saw an opening. In the fourth, he was desperate, every onlooker can feel the clash of their blades, his strength matching our Lord's, even nicking his Great Axe though was worn down eventually. And the fifth…"

Ranni can admit that a fraction of her attention was caught in the tale. A few can match the Elden Lord.

"Let's say, it was too good to be true.", Radahn looked distant, recalling the memory, "I felt the earth shook beneath my feet."

"Lord Godfrey wanted Serosh to stop holding him back. I saw it."

She frowns. Lord Godfrey's strength is well- known in the Lands Between. Even their father acknowledges it begrudgingly. Raw strength honed by ceaseless battle.

"I can still remember the soldier's eyes, flashing gold. Planned an incantation of some sort but stopped himself halfway, resulting in his fifth defeat."

"What?" Ranni grips the arm of her chair tightly. Her woodsman coming into mind. It could be possible, but Ranni has never seen him fight before. Moreover, he avoids conflict. Like the very thought causes him pain.

Radahn completely oblivious to his sister's musings, waves at a newcomer. Two Carian Knights flanking him.

"Rykard!"

"Radahn." He replies then regards her, "Ranni."

"Brother."

She has not seen her brother in a while, his chin now sporting a scruffy beard and his skin tan. It came to a surprise that the bookish Rykard would take up seafaring.

Radahn stands up, and squeezes the life out of his brother, "I heard that someone here has been bewitched by a beauty beyond the sea."

"I will not be able to tell the tale if you crush my ribs." Rykard repeatedly hits Radahn's back.

Her thoughts are suddenly forgotten upon the arrival of her sibling who she hasn't seen in a long time.


Spending time with Vaughn is not terrible. And not as she had expected.

For one, she thought that she'd tire or get bored of him eventually. They would eat together when she happens to pass by his cottage often testing him by cloaking herself with her magic if he could tell if she was nearby. He could sense her immediately that it astounds her even when she tries to addle his senses with overwhelming scents and different sounds.

He was used to spending time with her that he bought new crockery and built a table for them to dine together. It's a domestic experience for sure but one she does not recoil from. Ranni feels the corner of her mouth twitch upward of the memory of Vaughn,

"I am telling you, mate." She hears Blaidd's voice clearer as she approaches Vaughn's home, "If you are to serve, Lady Ranni. You need to show her the respect she deserves."

"I understand, Sir Blaidd." Vaughn says with the eagerness of a child, "I will definitely do as you say."

Vaughn spots her, waving at her as she approaches, "My Lady! You're here." His enthusiasm infects her that she greets both easily with a smile.

"Not like that you philistine." Blaidd crosses his arms, he ushers Vauhgn towards Ranni, "Go on!"

Vaughn was on one knee before Ranni could even blink, "My Lady." He repeats, looking up at her in askance. She offers her hand.

Her breath hitches, upon the sensation of his fingers running down her palm, tickling her before grasping her hand, his thumb gently rubbing the back of her fingers.

If she didn't know any better, he's-

At first, she felt the coarse scratch of is beard on her knuckles, then the soft peck of his lips. That felt like a promise, she tells herself. Her cheeks grow warm, blood pulsing rapidly through her veins, as she refocuses her sights on Vaughn.

Underneath his floppy fringe she can finally meet his eyes, solely focused on her. She lets out a breath she'd been holding. Unconsciously, she felt herself lean down.

Blaidd wactching on the side, sees his error, "You, little shit!"