Ishtore - Gran 778

Melgen was beautiful. I thought so when I was first sent here a couple years ago to 'rule' the land in my father's place, and I definitely thought so now. So, one of my favorite ways to relax and try to untangle my thoughts was to stand on the roof of the castle, and look over it all, often while reading or at least flipping through a book. Today, my book was really a tome. Aunt Tailtiu's Thoron tome, to be specific. It should really be Tine's, but unlike most of Thrud's bloodline, she had chosen to be the more versatile mage, instead of specializing solely as a thunder mage. As such, she didn't yet have the training to use it. So, I kept it safe for her. I looked forward to the day I could give it to her, though. At least, so long as…

Sighing, I shut the tome and looked out towards the east. Towards Alster, which was in a long battle with Leonster. The people of the Manster district watched the conflict with bated breath, terrified that Leonster would fall again. I knew it. I made sure to keep a careful ear out for rumors and gossip. They had celebrated when Leonster had been reclaimed, quietly, and it just made me wonder. It made me wonder about the future of Jugdral...

I trusted my family. I trusted the Empire. Yet I couldn't shake the feeling that something was just… wrong. The Child Hunts… the changes in Julius… the slow deterioration of both Ishtar and Conall… something was wrong. I didn't quite know what. But I also didn't know any better alternatives. Who would rule, if the Empire was gone? Julius was mad, not fit to rule. Conall was a good friend, yes, but gods, I would never put him in charge of an entire Empire. Definitely wouldn't want Father, if only because that would give Mother more power, and that was the last thing people needed. Well, second to last. Anarchy would be worse. Maybe if some of the heirs of the other countries had survived, but they were all dead. Sure, Leonster was 'liberated' or whatever, but what were the chances of other heirs surviving? And just because they survived didn't mean they knew how to rule or anything. So, what other choice was there…?

"Here you are." I turned and saw Ishtar climbing out of the trapdoor that was the only access to the roof. She had to discard her normal cape and pauldrons to fit through, to my intense amusement. "Tine was fretting, though Liza quickly distracted her with wedding talks," she explained, walked over to me. As had become distressingly common in recent years, she spoke softly, tiredly, and smiled a pale imitation of a smile. She kept one arm wrapped around her, and angled herself away. "I can't believe my little brother is getting married."

"Next year," I confirmed, smiling goofily. I felt bubbly just at the thought of it. This time next year, I would call Liza my wife… it was like a dream. "Have you and Julius set a date yet?"

"...No, we haven't." Her expression was an interesting one. Relief, frustration, exhaustion, regret, a few others I couldn't name… it was almost like when a child grabbed a whole bunch of colors and threw them at the wall to make a mess of splats. "Julius hasn't asked, you know."

"Ah, right, he only just came of age." I looked around and realized something. We were alone. Normally, there was at least someone with us, but right now, it was… "Hey, Ishtar?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm going to be very serious for a moment."

"Don't hurt yourself."

"Yeah, if you see me straining, that's why." I played along with the joke for a moment before looking at her. "I won't ask you to tell me what's going on. I'm not stupid, though. I know something is wrong. I know it." I made sure to look her right in the eye. I might be the younger brother, but I was still her brother. She was still my sister. "You rarely smile, really smile, anymore, and you've always got one arm wrapped around yourself. Like you're walling yourself off or hugging yourself." I gestured at her stance for emphasis, which was exactly that. She clasped her hands behind her back immediately, but it looked awkward. It felt awkward. "Again, I won't ask. But I won't be blind either."

"I… I'm sorry, Ishtore…" Ishtar looked down, laughing sadly. "Ha… I'm supposed to be taking care of you, not…"

"We're both adults. We take care of each other." I rested my hands on her shoulders and made sure to smile. "You're always taking everything on yourself. Let me take some of the burden, stormy face."

"You have not called me that since we were children." Still, it got her to smile, and her laugh was happier. "I will… there's a lot going on, Ishtore."

"I know. And I know it's pulling you apart. That's why I won't ask. But I want you to remember that no matter what you decide, I will be with you. Not even death will stop that."

"Don't speak so lightly about dying!" She jerked her head up, eyes wide with horror. "I couldn't bear it if you died, and gods, think of what it would do to Tine!"

"It's an expression, Ishtar. I certainly have no plans to die. I think Liza would kill me if I died before the wedding." I continued smiling, and after a while, she relaxed. "But I mean it. Even if something crazy happens, and I do die, I will force the gods to let my spirit stay, so that I'll be with you, helping you however I can."

"...You're so stupid sometimes…" She leaned forward, resting her head on my shoulder. "I am so tired, Ishtore… and I'm supposed to go to Miletos to visit Mother tomorrow…"

"Don't. Seriously, last thing you need is her."

"She's our mother."

"Unlike you, I don't believe family automatically means loyalty." I learned that from Father, when he let Mother beat Aunt Tailtiu to death. "My life became much happier when I cut her out of it." I'd been hesitant, of course, and had talked it over with Liza a lot, but… "I insist. You don't go anywhere near her for a while. You're really going to leave Tine for her."

"Damn it. Invoke Tine, and I'll do just about anything." Ishtar sighed and straightened, smiling wryly. "Fine, fine. I'll stay here for a while before returning to Belhalla. That make you feel better?"

"Ecstatic, especially since you can suffer through Liza's planning with me." I took her hand and pulled her towards the trapdoor. "But right now, I think we should save Liza from her anxieties, and Tine from the far too many choices!"

"Of course." She squeezed my hand. "When I can, Ishtore, I will tell you. It's just… it's so hard to word."

"Take all the time you need, Ishtar. It's not like I'm going anywhere." I smiled warmly at her. "I am always on your side, my silly stormcloud of a sister. Also, one last borderline treasonous thing before we close the topic…" I let the smile drop for a serious look. "That includes if you want to break your relationship with Julius, by the way."

"That is… um…" Fear made her eyes waver, and I hated that. Thinking of your lover shouldn't make you afraid. It should make you feel warm, with a smile appearing without you even being aware of it, like I was with Liza. "And who would you suggest I court? Marry?"

"Who says you need to be married?" I shrugged. "Maybe marry someone who doesn't terrify you, if you insist on marrying. But that's your choice, and I will be right with you. Even as a spirit, if weirdness happens."

"Keep talking about death, and it's going to get ideas." She looked away. I still saw the fear in her eyes. This wasn't right and it hurt to know there wasn't really anything I could do. "I… I'll think on it, okay? There's just… I…"

"Take all the time you need, like I said. I just wanted to say that while I knew we were alone, sister. It's been a while since that happened." I made sure to smile again, and she tentatively smiled back. "Now then. To Liza and Tine. We should go have a picnic! It's about time for lunch anyway."

I knew something was wrong with the world. I knew the Empire wasn't anything like it had been when I was a child. But with no good alternatives that I knew of, I just had to trust that one day, it would be again, and thus, focus on keeping those I loved safe and ruling Melgen as well as I could. I really couldn't do anything else.

Author's notes: So. Ishtore. Ishtore is Ishtar's younger brother, and he first shows up in-game in Game-Chapter 7, very briefly. I thought it might be interesting to delve a bit into his characterization, and build his relationship with Ishtar a bit. Liza, mentioned here, is Ishtore's fiance, who is also briefly seen in the game.