Frosty Diplomacy
The Crystal Braves didn't waste any time to assume their duties, with the assistance of our very own Warrior of Light of course.
It didn't remain unnoticed for long, as soon after a representative of our reclusive neighbors to the north reached out to have an audience with the young commander of the new Grand Company. After two decades of near silence from the Holy See, this small meeting would lay the groundwork of events to come.
To nobody's surprise, our heroine was right along for the ride.
S'eni couldn't help but smile as Alphinaud and her stepped onto the grounds of Camp Dragonhead. It felt like so long ago as the young Elezen and her, together with Cid, had used this place as their impromptu base of operations while looking for the engineer's lost airship. It felt a little silly since she had passed through here on her little recruitment binge for the Crystal Braves.
Though, unlike the first time, she came a little more prepared, wearing a nice thick coat to protect her from the elements.
"Thank you for accompanying me here," Alphinaud said, hands buried in his coat.
"I could hardly refuse when I was being asked for," she replied.
"You could have refused," he pointed out. "But I won't lie in saying that your presence might not have any impact on these talks, and I believe indulging the wishes of this Aymeric can only be advantageous."
"Unless—" She raised her hand, index finger extended. "He isn't impressed by what he sees."
"I find that hard to believe. I doubt there's anyone that will find you...lacking."
Stopping in front of the large doors leading into the camp's main building, S'eni turned to face Alphinaud, planting a hand on her hip. "Are you insinuating something, Commander Leveilleur?"
Taken aback by her words, the young man could only stare at her, his mouth opening but no words leaving it. When he did finally manage to speak he stumbled over his words.
"Wha—No no, I didn't mean it—what I wanted to say is." Slamming his mouth shut, he shook his head. "We should get inside!"
He turned towards the doors and pushed them open, quickly stepping inside.
Huffing out a chuckle, S'eni shook her head and followed him. Even when they were commanders of their own Grand Company: boys would be boys.
Inside, they were greeted by the ever-familiar sight of the knights of House Fortemps, some of them sitting and chatting, some were standing around a large table where a map of the Central Coerthas Highlands were spread out and others were gathered in a corner going through their rigorous training regime...topless?!
Before S'eni could think about that last part the two were spotted by Haurchefant, who was handing one of his subordinates a letter.
"Ah, S'eni," he said, a wide smile forming on his lips. "Ever the welcome sight!"
"It's good to see you too," she replied, mirroring his expression.
Turning towards his subordinate, he nodded and sent him along, then turned his full attention onto her. "Our hearths have been stoked in preparation for your arrival. It wouldn't do for our guests to catch a cold."
"That is very much appreciated. Twelve know I will never get used to this cold."
As if only now realizing that Alphinaud was there, Haurchefant turned his head to look towards the young Elezen, his face taking on a more neutral expression. "Ah...Master Alphinaud. An honor, as always."
"Likewise, and please forgive us for taking you up on your hospitality once more," the younger Elezen said. "I fear we have relied a little too much on it while you assisted so generously on our search for the Enterprise."
"Nonsense!" Haurchefant replied good-naturedly. "Any debts incurred have long since been repaid. Besides, who can say what the future may bring? House Fortemps may even seek the help of your Crystal Braves."
The knight moved his gaze between the two of them before continuing. "In any case, I'm simply delighted that the Holy See is finally granting you an audience. No doubt your discoveries at Snowcloak helped to justify the decision. The recent surge in heretical activities is a grave concern. But on that note: Ser Aymeric arrived here earlier, and I'm to tell you that he's eager to meet you at your first convenience."
Haurchefant looked at her, a bit of concern in his eyes. "No doubt your travels here have left you weary, so if you wish to rest first please feel free to do so."
"As inviting as that sounds, I think it's best if we proceed with the meeting," Alphinaud said, to which S'eni nodded.
"I'll kick back a little after our business here is concluded," she said. "No need to delay."
"Then please follow me," Haurchefant said and stepped out from behind his desk. He led them outside and around the corner towards a door nestled into the very back of an alley where a lone knight was standing guard.
"Tell Ser Aymeric that his guests are ready to speak with him," he commanded the saluting knight. After the man had all but dashed off, Haurchefant placed his hand on the door and pushed it open.
"Don't fret," he told them with a smile as he waved them inside. "Just state your case with confidence and clarity."
It was later that same evening when S'eni found herself sitting in front of the fireplace inside one of the rooms that had been provided to Alphinaud and her so that they could rest from today's events.
The talks with Ser Aymeric went well, despite the adamant refusal from the Holy See to return to the Alliance and the citing the Ixal in the area a Gridanian problem, but at the very least they managed to secure the supplies from House Fortemps to Revenant's Toll in exchange for keeping an eye on the Keeper of the Lake, whom Ishgardian astrologists foresaw would soon rise from the dead.
All in all the Temple Knight wasn't how she expected him to be, making it clear that Ishgard's policy was not fully his personal opinion; something she had found to be quite rare in Ishgardians.
Then there was this strange woman that hovered behind him all the time. She seemed almost conflicted when S'eni had looked at her.
But as well as the talks had gone, trouble always seemed to find them and news arrived no sooner than their talks had ended that the latest supply caravan had been attacked by heretics under the leadership of someone called Iceheart, who was intent on summoning a primal. Which, of course, made it their business.
Tomorrow, Alphinaud and her would head towards Whitebrim Front to talk with Lord Drillemont and see what information he could provide. The young commander himself was most likely speaking with some of his Crystal Braves via linkpearl, surely walking a hole into the carpet from all the pacing.
But, she supposed, that was what being a leader was like. And telling him to relax would probably just fall on deaf ears.
Stretching her arms out and releasing a pleasant groan, S'eni leaned back and closed her eyes. She on the other hand was more than ready to call it a night—
Her ears twitched as a knock sounded on her door.
—or so she thought. With a sigh, she jumped out of her rather comfortable chair and headed towards the door.
"This better be good..." she muttered to herself before opening the door, revealing none other than Haurchefant standing there. "Oh, and here I thought the next crisis came knocking."
The knight chuckled. "I assure you it's nothing of the sort, my friend."
"What brought you here then?"
"Well..." he said, but hesitated for a moment. "Actually, I was hoping we could catch up a little earlier, but with all that has happened, there wasn't time. So I was wondering if perhaps now would be a good time."
S'eni blinked and tilted her head to the side. "So...you want to catch up?"
"If you're not too tired, that is."
"No no, I'm still good." It wasn't entirely the truth, but he was right in that it had been some time since they last managed to talk. "Come in."
But Haurchefant remained where he was, his brows rising together with the corners of his mouth. "I'm doing my final rounds around camp so...last chance to drop out."
Turning her head into the direction of the fire, the ghost of a pained expression flitted across her features before her shoulders dropped with a sigh and she walked over to grab her coat.
What she wouldn't do for a friend...
After putting it on, S'eni returned to Haurchefant, who patiently waited for her. "Alright, let's go."
Together, they left the building and started their round around Camp Dragonhead.
"So tell me, how have things been since we last met?" he asked her. "Admittedly it's only been a couple of weeks, but knowing your lifestyle it had to be eventful."
"Not as much as you might think. I was mostly helping the Crystal Braves," she replied. Of course, trying to find a Garlean spy was rather eventful in itself, but considering what she got up to sometimes it was rather low on the scale of things. It was sadly also strictly confidential, so it wasn't something she could just talk about nilly-willy. "A few odd jobs on the side, and no primal slaying I'm afraid."
"Now I'm equal parts glad and disappointed to hear that." They shared a laugh.
"I'm guessing you on the other hand have been busy with the heretics and this Dravanian war?"
"Moreso the heretics than the dragons, but you heard Ser Aymeric earlier. Things could very well become worse each passing day."
"I know that feeling. I'm sure you've heard of the unrest in Ul'dah," she said.
"Yes, that news has reached even us."
"We can't be too sure when something like that will happen again, and then there's the Ascians of course..." she breathed out a sigh, watching it form a cloud that rose high into the air. "Guess we have enemies that lurk in the shadows in common, don't we?"
They walked up the stairs that lead to the camp's aetheryte resting in the center. Stopping in front of the large crystal, S'eni turned to look up at the night sky, the view of the stars blocked by thick clouds stretching out as far as the eye could see, promising more snowfall soon.
She frowned.
"What's on your mind?" Haurchefant asked upon noticing her expression.
"No matter what good we accomplish, there's always something," she replied after a moment of contemplation. "Isn't there?"
He hummed. "That may be so, but there will always be brave souls that keep fighting the good fight. Like you."
Upon hearing his words, S'eni turned her gaze towards him to meet his smiling face.
"No matter the odds, I've seen you beat them time and again. So I'm sure that whatever it is that awaits us tomorrow, or the days beyond, you will prevail, S'eni," Haurchefant told her.
Maybe it was the resolution in his voice or the sincerity reflected in his eyes, but she couldn't help the smile forming on her lips.
"Ah, now there's an expression much more fitting." His smile grew. "A smile better suits a hero, does it not?"
S'eni scoffed. "Seriously? And what playwright did you steal that line from?"
"I assure you that was very much of my own imagination."
"By the Twelve! You really are an odd one."
"Not the worst I've been called, and well worth it if it means I managed to cheer you up."
Releasing a little laugh, she nodded. "You did. Thank you, Haurchefant."
"Anytime," he said before a shiver went through him. "My, it's colder than usual tonight. I think it's best if we finish the rest of my round and get back inside."
"I couldn't agree more."
The two of them turned around to walk down the other set of steps on the opposite side, falling in step next to one another. They had just made it halfway down when S'eni remembered something.
"Can I ask you something?" she asked.
"Of course, my friend."
"What was going on with those knights earlier? The ones doing squats while topless?"
Haurchefant stopped mid-step to meet her eyes staring expectantly at him. But instead of answering her, he simply laughed and resumed his walk, leaving her standing there with a dumbfounded look on her face.
"Hey! I was being serious!" she called after him, following hastily. "Haurchefant, answer me!"
Meanwhile, far away from Camp Dragonhead, past the clouds that were covering the entire region of Coerthas, the faint echo of a cry traveled amongst stormy winds; bringing with it a call to war, and grim tidings for the days ahead.
Haurchefant's a funny guy, isn't he?