Arion - Gran 778

I hated coming to Belhalla. It wasn't even the near constant perfumes or anything, which is what annoyed Father. It was how the air was heavy with blood and death. Thracia, beautiful as it was, also had blood and death on the wind, but here, it lingered. It was almost like it chained itself to the city. A memory of the battles fought here. After all, it was in Belhalla when the Loptyrian Empire fell over a hundred years ago. It was in Belhalla where Arvis 'defeated' the 'traitors' and secured his new Empire. And countless other battles over the years. Battles my country no doubt participated in, their blood bought by coin, and received no recognition for.

"Arion!" Prince Julius called my name, reminding me that I was not so far from home to brood over history. "Arion, you're visiting?" Prince Julius asked, rushing up and greeting me with a hug. It wasn't unusual, except… except I couldn't help but notice how every time I visited, Prince Julius hugs became tighter and tighter, almost like he was trying to claw me. "Here to enjoy Belhalla?"

"No, I'm afraid I am here on business, as per usual," I replied, doing my best to appear apologetic. Annoyance flashed across Prince Julius's face; three years ago, it would've been disappointment only. "You're normally at lessons at this time, aren't you?"

"Meh, I skipped." He shrugged, unbothered. But that was also unusual. He loved lessons, or used to. "What's wrong, though? Did something happen?"

"The Loptyrian Priests have been kidnapping children within our borders."

"Oh, they just want to make sure they get a proper education."

"Thracia is not part of the Empire, Prince Julius." I made my voice very firm. "That is why there are tariffs. Which have suddenly increased."

"Are you upset?" Prince Julius leaned forward slightly, studying me closely. "Does it make you mad?"

"I think any prince should be upset when his people are starving and being abducted." Once, I knew I wouldn't have to explain such a thing. The little prince I met eight years ago had been almost a bleeding heart with how kind he was. Now, he seemed genuinely confused that it bothered me. "So, yes."

"Okay." Prince Julius rocked back on his heels. "I'll fix it for you, then. You should enjoy the castle while I handle it!" And then he was off, laughing like this was all a game, and we were playing with toys.

It also left me standing awkwardly in the hallway. I didn't know many people in Belhalla, and that was on purpose. I just didn't like most of the people here. Their hearts were dark and made me nervous. Though it seemed like Prince Julius's heart was darkening with each day, and I remembered the 'explanation' Conall had given me. 'He broke at seeing his mother die.' It was a simple explanation, and I had seen many knights break at less. But I knew, knew, there was more to the story. More than Conall was willing to admit. And if he wouldn't admit anything, then certainly…

"Oh, Arion?" Ishtar walked up then, heels clacking on the stone floor. "I didn't know you were visiting today," she murmured, smiling warmly. "You look confused by something."

"Well, I had my encounter with Prince Julius already," I replied, watching her reaction closely. As always, she winced. "The offer of you hiding in Thracia is still open, you know. You go into the mountains…"

"That's kind of you, Arion…" Ishtar looked down, trying to hide her expression with her hair. "I will remember it."

"I wish you or Conall would tell me what is going on." It was annoying, really. We were friends, and yet… well, everyone kept secrets. I just felt like the two were walling themselves off. And, as their friend, I hated that. "It's clearly something more."

"I…" Ishtar sighed, shaking her head. "I do not have the words to explain. We don't even really know what's going on. And we're trying to help him."

"Of course." I pointed to the nearby gardens, and she nodded, leading me to them. They were the only place I liked in Belhalla, and because of how busy everyone was, you could have many private conversations. "But are you helping yourself, Ishtar?"

"Of course. I love him."

"Do you?" Again, I watched her reaction closely, and saw the wince. "Ishtar, I know that I am not an expert in… really anything, but I can listen and I can keep secrets." I rested a hand on her shoulder and bent slightly to study her face. "You don't look like you've been resting. And the letters I get from you and Conall have been terser. And I know that you have to have the same feelings about these Child Hunts that I do, so I can guess how your mind whirls on that front."

"...This is why you came to discuss whatever you came to discuss, isn't it?"

"No, I came here because I'm the only one in family with any sort of tact. Same reason why I went to Alster five years ago." Bloom had wanted to hire us. Hannibal had me go negotiate the contract so that Father didn't start a war with his lack of tact. I'd met Ishtar then, and befriended her. "And Prince Julius likes me, so I mention being upset…"

"Yeah, I use that a lot to curb the worse tendencies." She smiled bitterly. "It's all… complicated."

"Clearly. But, again, I'm here to listen, if you need it."

"You're really worried."

"Every shield crumbles if it simply endures. I should know. The Shield of Thracia is my nanny." I smiled, and it got a laugh out of her. "And I know personally as well, how trying it can be. I have to protect Altena. She and Father have been arguing more and more."

"And you protect her because you love her." She grinned, and I looked away, a bit embarrassed. But only a bit. "I… you know…" She fell silent, thinking, and then nodded. "I was just wishing there was someone I could talk to about this. Both the personal and the... well, still personal, but more in the realm of duty and doing what is right."

"Perhaps Taranis of the storms whispered to Skadi, then."

"Thracians are the only people I know who refer to the gods by name, except in very specific circumstances." Her eyes lit up, as they typically did when she found something interesting to potentially learn. "Is there a specific reason for that?"

"There are a few stories. I'll share them as we discuss what's been tangled up in your head."

"Will you talk about what's been tangling up in your own mind?" She smirked a bit, a knowing look in her eyes now. "Because while Altena might be open about it, I have no doubts you have been worried about how things are going."

"Too true." Far too true. I believed in Father, and believed he was doing what was best for Thracia, but sometimes, I truly had to wonder if there were not other ways. And if Father's methods would better Thracia at the expense of our neighbors. And Ishtar would understand better than most, because she also felt torn between a belief in her family, her duties as a Major, and her own morals. "Let's find a quiet place to hide, then. Where is Conall anyway?"

"University classes. He's finishing up his final year there." She giggled. "Hekate followed him without him knowing."

"Well, that's going to be a fun story later." And finally, I felt myself relaxing. I hated Belhalla, but I did love my friends. "Seems we'll be gossips today."

"Sounds like fun."

"That it does." And fun was all too rare nowadays. "That it does."

Author's notes: Wonder if people are more surprised by the POV char or the odd friendship here. Arion and Ishtar don't interact at all during the game, but I thought it might be interesting, since both are weighed down by their duties and choices (and both are quite prideful). (I'll probably have another one that focuses on Arion's feelings for Altena, but I thought it would be fun to see him in context other than Travant or her.) 'Taranis' is the name of a god of thunder in Celtic Mythology.